Natsuzora

My first Asadora in Reiwa period.

Not great, not bad, and good to watch with family (my parents love to watch this kind drama such as Oshin and Asa ga Kita). Although this is still the NHK continuous tv novel, which is not surprise me that "it will be full of filler" or offside plot every mid season (or week).

Love the parody of animation historical phases after Astro Boy, following Maho Shojo era to Tiger Mask, Devilman to Shojo Heidi, and Mecha era.

Overall good and better than Hiyokko.

" Natsuzora " had a heartwarming story.

The development of the main character had a smooth pace and the story involved many genres like slice of life, business, family, agriculture life and love. The part, especially, about the animation production and the way Natsu, the leading lady, became a professional modern woman, working and hadling her family. They also concluded the rest of the stories as well, which was a pro for the drama. Finally, the performances were really good.

However, one of my main concerns was the main characte being, most of the times, too perfect. Also, some episodes lacked intensity and entertainment.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

I was drawn to this serie because it is said to be a fictionalized version of Reiko Okuyama's life, meaning one of the key animators of Kanashimi No Belladonna (my favourite movie of all times, in case you're wondering) and one of the first women to work in the industry against her own father's wishes and against the sexist practices of said industry in it infancy. Yet, a quarter in, for absolutely no reason at all, this series reduces such strong-willed woman to a "woe is me" insecure girl that can't stop thinking about how selfish she is (?) nor ask pardon while all the other people around her keep on supporting her stressing, in the meantime, that she doesn't need to feel sorry for anything because they love her. And don't give me the BS about the japanese people being obsessed with that kind of thing, it is simply disrespectful for Reiko to treat her, her life and her struggles in such an infantile way, especially considering this should be a vehicle to promote interest about her more than anything else. Simply ridicolous. If you want more infos about Reiko, check out articles online and leave this thing out from your eyes and ears at all costs.