Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (2011)

This is the drama I was waiting for all spring long. During those 11 weeks, every Friday I was eagerly waiting for the next episode. You, who still haven’t watched it, will have the chance to watch it all in one day (and you will be tempted to). There is a reason why this drama got the Best Drama Award (Television Drama Academy).

Don’t expect a fairy tale. Don’t expect a boring sad story full of fake tears and violins. Don’t expect any average acting. This drama is telling us the story of people you can identify with. This is a story that could easily be true. There isn’t one character that doesn’t fit, not one "black sheep" actor. The dialogues are written as if in a theater play, and each line is perfectly mastered (Sakamoto Yui got the Best Screenwriter Award for this drama). The palpable tension captivate us and makes you hold your breath and wait for the next move, the next line.
(The three directors also got the Best Director Award.)

Eita (who got the Best Actor Award in the Television Drama Academy) and Hikari Mitsushima are simply incredible. Both seems at the end of their tether starting from the very first episode, and this is one more reason why their dialogues are so enjoyable and captivating. But, as I said, even the supporting actors are are talented (especially Otake Shinobu, whose performance got her the Best Supporting Actress Award, and Kazama Shunsuke, who also got an Award)

As for the music, there isn’t much to say aside from it being beautiful and well-balanced. Very different from some sad dramas that need sad music to make the audience cry because the actor aren’t good enough.

6 Television Drama Academy Award are 6 reasons why I gave this drama a Overall 10 and a 9 in Rewatch Value.

In short, it's a must-watch..

Leia Mais

It’s kind of hard for me to write a review for Soredemo – I’ve watched this drama about a month ago and wanted to write one since the moment I finished it, but every time I try to actually start writing I can only think about those corny sayings like “story about forgiveness and redemption”, “tragedy of two families” or “great study of human nature”. I don’t like all those cliché, empty words, so I tried and tried, and tried, and then tried some more to write something that could actually describe this drama and to not sound overly banal at the same time, but still, nothing satisfying could come up to me. But then I though “why not use them if they describe this drama the best?” So here goes my corny review:

Soredemo, Ikite Yuku is an unforgettable drama. It’s simple, yet captivating, slow-paced, but addicting and sad, but at the same time very optimistic.

It tells the story of two families whose normal, everyday life was suddenly broken by a terrible crime and shows how people who were affected by it try to live on, cope with this tragedy. What I liked about this drama is the fact that it shows that both sides suffer, although differently – not only a victim’s family’s life is changed forever, but also those, who are related to murderer have to continue living with guilt and knowledge that somebody close to them killed an innocent person and destroyed lives of many people. It’s rare (at least for me) to find a story that gives a right to suffer not only to the victim’s side, but also for the other side too, so that’s a huge plus for writers.

The plot of this drama is really simple – it shows how the younger generation tries to heal their families and find the reason why the tragedy had to happen. Both main leads – Hiroki and Futaba are amazing, not only in terms of acting, but also as the characters. They feel real in their social awkwardness and their stubbornness to make things right is heartwrenching. Also, their relationship is unique and charming – two people who should be on the opposite sides join forces, change themselves and their families and also find in each other something akin to soulmates.

The pace in this one might be considered a bit slow by some, but for me this was surprisingly an advantage; because of that screenwriters could show us a very believable character development; everything was happening slowly, yet in the right moment and nearly every single behavior was justified and didn’t seem rushed or out of place. Also, I loved it that this drama despite taking on a really hard, seemingly depressing subject, is not overly dramatic and sad – it leaves the viewer with optimistic feelings. It’s like a catharsis.

Acting in this drama deserves a separate essay, so I’ll try to keep it short. Everybody was amazing! Yeah, yeah, it sounds like an exaggeration but believe me, it is not. Every single actor played his part perfectly – Eita ended up being my favourite Japanese actor ever, I’m stalking him now and plan to watch all his dramas. He was just natural in his role of an awkward guy for whom the time stopped when he was a teenager and who has to cope with his conflicting feelings for a family of his sisters murderer. His co-star, Mitsushima Hikari was great too, she’s a versatile actress who, in my opinion, has a huge potential to be one of the best Japanese actresses in few years. Just watch her in this drama and then see Love Exposure – I still can’t believe she’s the same person! Supporting actors, especially Hiroki’s mother, a woman who never accepted her daughter’s death (her monologue in ep.5 left me speechless) and Futaba’s father, a man who tries to atone for his son’s wrongdoings with all his might - they were outstanding in their roles, they could easily make the viewers feel the pain of the parent who lost his/her child. The only actor I was not impressed by was Kazama Shunsuke who played the murderer, but well, his role of a slightly autistic guy who never really grew up was really hard and still, he did a decent job, he was just not as amazing as the rest of the cast.

As for music in this drama I’ll only say that the opening song was really annoying at first. It slowly grew on me, but I still think it’s horrible. This wailing guy should keep his mouth shut for his entire life.

So to sum it all up, what I was trying to tell (or more write) in this review is that Soredemo, Ikite Yuku is one hell of a drama. I’ll use those corny descriptions again: it’s beautiful, thought-provoking and original, but see yourself if I’m not exaggerating!

Leia Mais

If there is a score 100 for acting, I would definitely give it here. To Eita and Hikari . They were OH MY GOD. I see this kind of acting very rarely or should I say almost never. Eita is in my top 10 actors ever but after this role I think he's going up straight to the top, he is truly unbelievable talented actor, expressions he makes, the look in his eyes, I felt every single little emotion he felt in this drama, I honestly think that he is not human, I mean it's hard to believe that some actor can do to me the things he has done, that I was hypnotized all the time when he's in the scene. And the chemistry with Hikari, one of the best chemistry I've ever seen in whole drama land although it's not a romance drama, although there's no kisses and some deep physical contact between them, it is a chemistry that is rarely seen. Both of them were brilliant and I can only say that these two must have some other drama together but as a couple. The rest of the cast was great, Kazama as a crazy, psycho brother, he portrayed the twisted guy amazingly, I was mesmerized with his acting.
The story itself is already very sad, dark and depressed and all of those actors just gave the whole drama a big plus with their great acting. And although it is a very tragic and heartbreaking drama it has positive sides, through the whole drama you'll see the constant battle inside the characters whether to forgive or revenge, whether to be good or bad, whether to love or hate...And those words HOPE and LIFE were there all the time with them to remind them to fight and live on. I was crying, I was smiling, I was terrified, I was scared, I was sad and I fell in love. All these emotions has gone through me while watching this drama and in the end it remained the feeling of emptiness because everything was over. I can say this for sure that no doubt Japan has the most heartbreaking, emotional, amazing dramas that nobody in the world has. When they make some drama it is certainly that you're going to be different after watching and that you'll feel the strongest emotions ever. It doesn't matter whether drama is tragic or happy. And that is something that no one else can do. Of course there are exceptions.
As for the music, this is the first drama that I didn't care about the music and that there weren't music almost at all except for that main song.
So in the end I hope that more people will make the time to see this drama because definitely deserves more attention. And for sure you won't regret it. At least I haven't. Nor I will. I can only be grateful for watching this masterpiece.

Leia Mais

Wooow.. I decided to pick this title because I interested with the synopsis and I like the casts, didn't know that this story would be so damn great! How many dramas could be so heart wrenching even since the first episode?!
I rarely shed tears when watching dramas, but I already sink on the 1st ep. ;(
The story itself is quite tragic, yet the drama leads us to something more touching rather than sad.. The characters are very strong, including the supporting roles.
This is more of a slice of life drama, following the story of the murderer, the victim, and how the incident affects the people around them..
Romance between the victim's brother and the murderer's sister makes the story beautiful. Eita is a very great actor, portrayed an introvert guy drench in guilt, and how he changed from a useless guy with non-attractive appearance to a clean-cut man, haha.. This is the first time I watch the female lead's acting, and I'm quite impressed with how she can easily shed tears in every moment :)
Overall this is a must-watched drama for them who likes drama about life and about moving on from a tragic past.. Excellent story!

Leia Mais

In the midst of hundreds of dramas, there's this one drama that is overlooked by so many people who assumed that it would be slow,boring or a drama that they would just dropped after episode 1. Like they say, don't judge a book by its cover. And definitely, don't judge a drama by its synopsis or reviews or recommendations. It happened to me.

I was just bored with the cliche, generic common dramas that was produced nowadays. I wanted something different, something that would make me really watch, not just because its popular or it has handsome or pretty actors. And I found this, I tried episode 1 and Boom, i didnt regret it to one bit.

Soredemo,ikite yuku was one of those dramas where it really grabs your attention with just one episode. With just one episode, it really intrigued me. The story was simple yet, as the episodes goes by it became a lot complicated. Without knowing, I was caught by the character's emotions, the plot and even the music moved me. I really like how the drama went to a lighter mode instead of making it a tragedy life drama leaving everyone depressed. No. This drama gave me a lot of thought, stirred my emotions and really touched my heart that not many dramas can.

Really love it ! If you're looking for a change , this drama certainly won't disappoint you. I dont usually watch these kind of drama, but soredemo,Ikite yuku is one of those dramas where you just need to try to watch once in a while !

Leia Mais

I think there are very few words to express how much I like this drama. I want to say that this is a story about forgiveness, redemption, and revenge but it is more than that. However, this show is rather a living script that brings to life the characters it encompasses. Although this is not the happiest drama you'll find or view, it is rather diverse in the emotions it covers from anger to love. The story is about a victim's family and the assaulter's family, both trying to heal from the various wounds and stigmas imposed upon them. The writer intricately mixes the angst and sincerity of the characters throughout the show. The dialogues were sometimes very subtle but sometimes very heartfelt. Nevertheless, very powerful in essence when said by the actors. The acting of Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Kazama Shunsuke, Otake Shinobu (her monologue man in ep 5...just wow), and all the other cast were just all wonderful. The expressions and actions of Eita were on point and Mitsushima Hikari's crying scenes were off the charts. The girl could cry anytime and any day. I don't think there is enough praise in this world that would be enough for their acting, so let's just leave it at that. Watch and judge for yourself.

The music is fitting for the drama but not the kind that I particularly like to listen to. It was one only song and the singer has a very intense voice. As for the the rewatch value, it is really low because I don't think I can afford to watch this drama again unless I am in the mood to watch something that is so serious in production. My favorite line for this drama is when Hiroki says that "a soul is something you gain after caring about someone." In the end though, it is a must-watch winner in the jdrama category and so I suggest you start episode 1 and get ready for an intense, sentimental journey.

Leia Mais

I started watching this drama because Hikari Mitsushima is my favorite japanese actress, and because I love thrillers. And it didn't disappoint at all.
The story was beautiful, much better than I expected at the start. There are quite a few plot twists here and there, and that made the story very exciting and interesting.
The cast was WONDERFUL. This is one of Hikari Mitsushima's best performances ever (only surpassed by her performance in Woman, another beautiful drama). Eita was fantastic too, he is quickly becoming one of my favourite japanese actors. Shinobu Otake, Shunsuke Kazama, Jun Fubuki and Saburo Okito were great too.
The music was the worst aspect of this drama, but it was good anyway.
It's certainly hard to watch, and the story is VERY dark at times, but I recommend it to everyone who is a fan of Eita or Hikari Mitsushima, and to those who are looking for a great story.

Leia Mais

The most realistic japanese drama. It doesn't feel like series, but like a masterpiece movie. This is nothing about "slow and boring the same in every episode". All episodes and scenes here are reasonable, I enjoy watching every single scene and nothing feel as a waste.

But to have this impression I think right time is needed. I tried to watch this drama 3 years ago but wasn't interested at all. And now I think that this is the best japanese drama ever.

Eita is my favorite japanese actor. And I totally agree with another reviewer here - his acting is just breathtaking. And this is the case when I even don't feel like expressing with words it how awesome he is. But I want just to express it with silence - as it's so obvious for me that I even don't care if others know that.

It gives such a powerful impact to my mind that I don't think I need to watch it again soon. The impression is as strong as I express it now - after 4 months after watching the drama. So I'll surely watch it again, later, when I'm ready.

Other cast's acting, by the way, is as awesome as Eita's.

A tragic story. On the place of the two main heroes I would choose another path in the final of the drama, I think their decision is crazily wrong. But in spite of that they made me feel compassion to them, they didn't make me hate them or to think that the drama is stupid. They made me want to try to understand them. This is wonderful. They touched me deep.

This drama had left me in silence and refreshing thoughtfulness after watching it.

Leia Mais

Unique and interesting story that could use a remake to take out all the annoying elements

This story is unique and objectively really good as it deals with several subjects rarely to be told. There is depth, complexity to the situations and some really well written lines here and there, and though I did enjoy many of the scenes I did find this drama cluttered with never ending boring conversations, people shifting blame, people yelling at other bring back my... Whatever they want back at the wrong person + asking someone to bring back their whatever, you should have died instead and how dare you breath when your kid died/killed someone just does not make any sense to me. Making me feel bad for judging their way of dealing with this. But also kind of want to choke them all...

The story itself id you turn off all the (way to many annoying and draggy elements ) is really good so for those of you not sensitive to this behaviour and that do not mind the tag healing, go for it you may really enjoy it, as I am sure I would have rated it a lot higher if I could just pick those elements out of this. So I am for a remake!

Leia Mais

It's not easy to talk about Soredemo, Ikite Yuku. The drama has its own charm that can't be possibly seen in any other dramas. It's truly one of a kind. I am surprised by myself for not giving it 10 out of 10 even though it fits my taste perfectly. I just feel that the plot was lacking but I can't point out exactly what.

The plot is very simple, yet quite deep and complicated. It's a very slow-paced drama and it's kinda hard to get into it from the beginning. Yes, slow-pacing definitely fits this kind of storyline, but I can't deny that in the first few episodes I was just (im)patiently waiting for some progression with Fumiya's character. I was the most curious about him but he didn't appear much. The second half was much better, at times it was so intense that I felt as if I'm watching a thriller. There were so many moments that made me shiver, the characters always managed to shock me with their actions.

The biggest charm of this show is definitely the characters and how natural and realistic they are. I can a hundred percent say that I loved everyone of them - even Fumiya, who I lowkey wanted to kill because of some things he said. You can relate to every single character, you can feel their pain, you cry with them. One of the strongest, well-developed characters I've ever seen.

Fumiya was the most interesting character for me. I'm usually a person who tends to pity villians, but him... I just felt so angry watching him. I wish they had explained his twisted behaviour in a more detailed way. I can't talk much about him because I'm trying my best not to spoil.

The ending could have been better but it also could have been worse. It's not the ending you'd usually expect for a story like this and I think that's why a lot of people were dissatisfied with it.

The acting in Soredemo, Ikite Yuki is one of the best I've ever seen. Every actor was perfect for their role. Especially the three main leads and the actress who portrays the mother of Hiro. Mind-blowing performances which I will never forget.

Overall, I do recommend Soredemo, Ikite Yuki, but I'm warning you that the drama is very heavy and depressing. I still believe that everyone should check it out though. Maybe if you're going through somethings, Hiroki and Futaba will help you heal.

Leia Mais

Waaaa, another wonderful human drama... I knew it, I knew it was going to be excellent. Another kind of J-doramas I love, because it was simple: simple clothes, simple but stunning locations, nothing snobish and all too real. I mean, look at Eita and Hikari! He is not even shaved; she has no make-up. They both have black hair (no dyed hair here). And although there are cries every episode (it was impossible not to cry -for the characters I mean, I did not cry once) there are no shouts nor overacting (though I like overacting in J-doramas, if they are comedies of course).

*Story: 10/10*
I was hooked from the very first episode. It is very human: it is about family, revenge, regrets, resentment, forgiving... Both families are still living in the past, even if the murder happened 15 years ago, but no one (except for the younger brother of Hiroki, played by Takana Kei, who looked a bit like Osamu Mukai sometimes) has moved forward. Fukami family is still sad and angry; and the Misaki/Toyama family is still with lots of regret and remorse and sadness. I love how Hiroki gets to know Futaba and slowly starts to realize that it is not the family's fault, at least not entirely. I know that it is part of the Japan society, to blame the whole family of the murderer (or criminal) and the family to become a pariah, but it was so sad! I mean, they suffered as well; they also lost a son.

And about the murderer, poor guy. He was sick. It was hard not to feel sorry for him. Total psychopath, but how it was represented you can tell he was mentally sick.

Although if we have to summarize, not a lot happens, it is never a dragging dorama.

*Acting/Cast: 10/10*
I mean, if it wasn't for the cast, I may have not watched this. I love Eita. I love Hikari. Mothers and father were also good, so pitiful... not to mention Kazama Shunsuke. I know him, of course, being a Johnny and bestie of Aiba, but I never once saw him as a Johnny; only as a pitiful murderer. Tears were abundant and all of them so good. Honestly, I wanted to comfort Hikari most of the times; she is just so vulnerable! I wanted her to be happy with Hiroki.

*Music: 10/10*
OMG, the music was so good! The OP and ED song was the same but full of feelings. And the OST is already in my playlist... sad and beautiful. I love it. I would give a 11/10 if I could.

Rewatch value: 8/10
Man, I am so disappointed with the ending. Otherwise this would have been a 10/10 for me :(

Leia Mais

A masterpiece of a heart-touching slice-of-life story

I wanted to watch a slice-of-life drama and I found this.I loved the synopsis and started it and God what a ride. Usually slice-of-life dramas are slow and that's why some people don't like them cuz slow means boring to them.

Honestly, I too am not much fond of slow dramas but this slice-of-life drama was just awesome! From the beginning to the end it was never boring! I wouldn't say it was slow I would say it was too fast and intense! Like so much intensity it had! AHH.

Like in the first episode 1 guy died and the other wanted to murder ???( this is not a spoiler I swear haha )

As you might have read in the story part, the drama is about two families. One family is of the victim and the other one is of the killer. It's the story of their struggles and the unusual relationship of them.

As a slice-of-life drama, it was given that it would be a realistic one but many slice-of-life dramas exaggerate things, this one wasn't like that. All the things that happened felt real.

It was honestly too real and it my heart feels pain whenever I think that these kinds of things really happens in reality.

The drama was a mega hit in Japan and MDL reviews were all positive, after completing I think it deserves all the love it got cuz the screenwriting is amazing

( truly deserved the award) I usually love to analyse scripts and this one has one of the best I swear! Every dialogue has depth and meaningful. It really has an amazing script!

And the acting...oh lord oh...I don't have words to describe how much I liked the acting. Seriously although only one of the main actor won the best actor award I really think others deserved it too!

Specially the actress who played aki's mother cuz god her acting was fabulous! Every actor and actress is just... incredibly amazing. Really it is hard to find a drama with such great cast.

The emotions delivered were so amazing. The drama felt realistic cuz of the amazing script and the amazing way it was delivered by the incredible actors!

The direction didn't caught much of my attention even though all the three directors won the best director awards ?? but it wasn't so special to me ?

The picture quality was rubbish so the drama won't be cup of tea for every one cuz a lot of people want to see dramas of good picture quality which is something I don't care about but whatever.

If I had to describe the show in one line then it would " the families struggling to find happiness in life".

Yes the whole drama is just about that. Happiness. It's a word both of the families want to have but can't since 15 years and maybe will never obtain it.

The drama shows how some wounds can never heal...or maybe they can.. idk...no one knows.

It's a very tragic story like very. I cried in literally every episode. I mean they weren't literal tears. They were little tears idk how to explain lol but yes.

As I said it's a very intense drama , seriously it is. It has kind of a dark humour too if you like that like I do ???

It's an amazing slice-of-life drama with a very flowing story. Like it's not slow and it's not fast, it's flow is just perfect. With amazing characters and yes psychology!

Psychology is in there cuz there is a guy with some mental illness and I love how they tried to tell the audience his feelings too and not just label him as the "villian".

Overall this drama is an amazing slice-of-life with a tragic story and a message " no matter what life throws at you, you'll still live" the message is cruel but all the drama they are trying to tell us that life is hard but we gotta

love for no reason. Just live. It's not a drama to describe by one. It's a drama you'd understand while watching it yourself and feeling every thing.

Just watch it if you love slice-of-life dramas or tragic dramas! This one has got a place in my favourite do ana list without a further ado! And no wonder the drama won the best drama award in Japan! Truly deserved!

Leia Mais