This drama talks about the struggles and learning process of a family who has an autistic son. It is not a tearjerker as what it seems because the mood of the series gets more optimistic and cheerful as it progresses. In my opinion, it is only the first episode where you will cry at times and feel quite sad. Cast:
Azuma Sachiko (Shinohara Ryoko)
Rio Satomi (Kobayashi Satomi)
Azuma Masato (Yamaguchi Tatsuya)
Sakura Toshiya (Takeda Shinji)
Aira Kaoru (Suzuki Anju)
Kawami Jun (Ichikawa Mikako)
Azuma Hikaru (Saito Ryusei)
Azuma Takako (Takahashi Keiko)
Yabuki Hajime (Watanabe Ikkei)
Yabushita Megumi (Igawa Haruka)
Do not read on if you do not wish to find out spoilers about the drama...
Sachiko and Masato are an ordinary couple who are eagerly expecting their first child just like any other couple in the world. However, they did not expect that the birth of their son, Hikaru is the beginning of a long-term struggle and learning process for them and the people around them.
Sachiko starts to sense that something is not quite right with Hikaru when he turned three and still do not call Mama and Papa. Masato feels that it is OK since he himself only started to speak after 3. However, Sachiko cannot get rid of this nagging thought in her mind. When the family moves to Yokohama due to Masato's work commitments, Hikaru cannot keep still in the Shinkansen and even runs away from his mother after creating a din in the taxi they were taking. Sachiko is shocked to see Hikaru on the rooftop of a building and Rio who is being stood up on an omiai happens to see Hikaru and saves him from falling. Rio is a teacher with a primary school and suggests that Sachiko bring Hikaru to a doctor as he might be autistic. Much as Sachiko is in denial about Hikaru possibly being autistic, she decides to bring him secretly to the doctor as Masato does not think that Hikaru is abnormal. However, when the doctor announces that Hikaru is indeed autistic, Sachiko slips into denial mode again and hides the truth from everyone, still holding on to the feeble hope that Hikaru would recover with time. She finally breaks down and confesses to Masato about Hikaru's condition just as they are going to attend Masato's dad death anniversary ceremony. He is taken aback but tells her to keep the truth from his mum for the time being. Hikaru goes into outburst mode again during the ceremony so the truth is exposed with Masato apologising profusely to the guests with regards to his son's behaviour. On the other hand, Sachiko is blamed by Masato's mum, Takako for "causing" Hikaru to be autistic due to her inability to bring him up properly. It was so sad to see Sachiko crying because autism is not caused by a single factor and is an issue to do with the brain's development. And they had a voiceover of Hikaru who speaks to Sachiko about him defying her expectations and not being a "normal" child who can be what she wants him to be.
From then on, Sachiko brings Hikaru to a special school for autistic children at the recommendation of Rio so that Hikaru can attend a normal primary school in future. And the story progresses from Ep 2 when Hikaru enrols in the school which Rio is working in and begins his learning process to accept and live with others.
This drama offers a very detailed look into how autism is and clears the misconceptions of people commonly associated with autistic people. It is something inborn and has to do with the brain's development in a sense. Sorry, but I'm not very inclined in medical matters but the idea I get is that this is something beyond our control and that there is no definite cause for this condition. And this has got nothing to do with upbringing too. However, people misunderstand this as the parents' responsibility thus when everyone start blaming Sachiko for Hikaru's condition, even Masato implying that in the initial stages and refusing to share responsibility in helping his son, it was quite sad to see her putting up a fight alone. When everyone starts to understand the condition, things are no doubt made easier for Sachiko.
Personally, I think that this is a really heartwarming drama which is meaningful at the same time. Shinohara Ryoko is very good as Sachiko while Kobayashi Satomi fares well too as the very patient Rio-sensei who is humourous at the same time. The little boy playing Hikaru is the same guy who acted as the younger version of Waga Eiryo in Suna no Utsuwa. He's quite good for his age but somehow, he seems to play those roles who speak very little and keep to himself. Hopefully, he will act in a more cheerful role the next time I see him. He's quite promising among the more popular child actors, I would say.
Ratings for the entire season:
1) 16.3%
2) 16.0%
3) 13.9%
4) 12.6%
5) 14.8%
6) 14.4%
7) 17.2%
8) 15.2%
9) 15.1%
10) 15.4%
11) 18.3%
Average: 15.38%
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