It’s time to rewatch my favorite Arashi drama (that I have seen) of all time! This is a show I have watched maybe 4 or 5 times. It has the best cast and the best vibes. I can’t remember for sure because it was a long time ago, around 2006-2007, but this might have been the show that made me change from a Jun fan to a Nino fan.

Everything about this show brings a smile to my face. It has a unique and fast-paced energy that might feel strange at first, but once you settle in there is such a rich world to enjoy here. The depth of all the characters, even beyond the main cast, makes the whole neighborhood feel alive and real. I always get super invested when I watch this series.

Nino’s character has some aspects that we have seen before, but this time he goes full AWKWARD DORK MODE. In the past he has had cold or bratty roles, but here he is more vulnerable and endearing. The “crush on older woman” troupe returns, but it’s paired with a love story involving someone his own age as well. A pretty fun “love triangle”, which is actually a “love square” but actually just a regular love pair. It’s a roller coaster of emotions and keeps you curious.

I was never a teenage boy in Japan, so obviously I can’t know what that was like, but I do know about my own sexual awakening and first introduction to dating, romance, etc. I feel this show does a great job addressing some of the issues that generic high school shows tend to gloss over—love and sex are complicated, scary and exciting. It’s important to talk about sex with young people in a manner that respects their own confusing puberty process, and to admit that even for adults it’s a difficult and strange experience sometimes. The directness of the approach is what really resonated with me.

Specifically, I am so happy they included Chie’s traumatic story. I won’t reveal the exact situation in case people haven’t seen the show, but a trigger warning for the last few episodes if you have any sexual trauma (it’s not graphic and is handled well, but I know that stuff can be hard to watch). Having that type of situation appear in media is so important in helping people who face these terrible events hopefully get the support they need. When everyone talked to Chie about how it wasn’t her fault I was absolutely BAWLING ;-; Forcing young men to face and talk about that type of situation is also SO IMPORTANT. Thank you DB4 for backing up Chie and setting a good example. Seeing vulnerable and compassionate young male characters was also great.

I think this show is just perfect from start to finish, but I’ll try not to gush anymore. The cast is great. The characters are perfect. The jokes are hilarious. The romance is tender and engaging. The soundtrack (which I’m so mad they never released!) is amazing. Nino’s face is, as always, fantastic. I will keep an open mind as I watch future dramas but it’s going to be hard to beat this one for me.