House of the Owl

Watched "House of the Owl."

I can't wait for the second season.

Mackenyu Arata (who became an internationally popular actor for his roles as the main character in the live-action "Knights of the Zodiac(Saint Seiya)The Beginning" movie and ZORO in the live-action "One Piece") and Min Tanaka star in this serious drama series about a Japanese, hidden political and financial mastermind known as the "Owl".

The owl sees everything with eyes that can see anytime, even in the middle of the night.

Seventy-year-old charismatic Ryutaro Ohgami (Min Tanaka) has four children. His eldest son, Ichiro (Masanobu Ando), is unreliable, does not get along with his wife, has a Ginza hostess as his mistress, and is planning a new luxury restaurant without borrowing funds from his father so that he can leave his father's influence.

Yumiko (Kyoko Hasegawa), the firm eldest daughter, has two seemingly happy children with her handsome trading company man husband, but her husband is doing shady deals (of a different kind than an interpreter for famous Major-League players) behind her back.

The second son, Ryu (Mackenyu Arata), does not get along with his father, and after studying in the U. S., he returns to Japan to work for a small non-profit organization without contacting his family. One day, Ryu bumps into a beautiful American woman while jogging in the park, and her phone falls into the street and breaks. Ryu promises to pay for it, and when he asks for the woman's contact information, she gives Ryu her business card, which says "reporter" on it.

Risako (Nakata Seina), the youngest and second daughter, aspires to be a singer-songwriter and is already 25 years old, but she has a natural singing voice and talent for songwriting and is expected to make a major debut. Risako tells her father, Ryutaro, about her dream, but Ryutaro is afraid that Risako will be swallowed up by the darkness of the entertainment world.

One night, the son of Takeuchi (Masatoshi Nakamura), a candidate for the next prime minister, is killed after a bar fight. The son was also suspected of being on drugs. The murder suspect is caught, but "commits suicide" in jail.

Overall, the story has a cool taste and a serious development. A scandal involving a politician, Ichiro's mistress, Yumiko's husband's ruinous dealings, Ryu starting a relationship with a beautiful reporter, Risako going for her dream, and their lives are vividly depicted.

Hisako Manda's restrained performance as Ryutaro's wife, Kyoko, shines.

The show's portrayal of the Tokyo club (the one with hostesses) scene, with Tae Kimura's performance as a hostess, adds a touch of realism that makes the show feel all the more authentic. Tae Kimura's performance as the hostess Ryutaro values as a source of information has a realistic feel as if she actually works at a club in Tokyo.

What sets "House of the Owl" apart from other Japanese TV drama series is its serious, captivating depiction of the family's struggles, without resorting to over-the-top acting or exaggerated music. There is none of the over-the-top music, over-the-top acting, or over-the-top (unintelligible) jokes that are common in Japanese dramas, nor are there any male celebrities from famous entertainment companies that have caused scandals in Japan, nor any female casts from dozens of female idol group members performing not-so-good songs and dances.

Thus, we can calmly observe the whereabouts of this charismatic, mastermind owl, Ryutaro Oogami, and his family.

And just as real owls have natural enemies, those who are after "owls" are also heavily represented.

If you have watched the episodes carefully, you may be shocked by the series of events that occur in the latter half of the season. The series culminates in a shocking series of events that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next season. This is a must-watch for anyone looking for a drama that offers a glimpse into the complex lives of a family caught up in the world of politics and finance.

I can't wait for the second season.

A shadowy figure (now in his seventies) has been moving the fate of Japan for decades.

And now...?

Yes, now what exactly?

Every good show begins with an opening act which is usually used for exposition, to establish the main characters, their relationships, and the world they live in.

Then there comes an inciting incident which upsets the character's status quo and gets the story going.

But this inciting incident does not happen until the end of the last episode!

This show is one long and boring opening act stretched out over 10 long and boring episodes.

And the more the show goes on it does not only get more boring but also more ridiculous.

This "shadowy" fixer is doing his work supposedly in secret but an awful lot of people actually know who he is and what he does.

Even the prime minister of Japan attends his big birthday party with hundreds of guests at the beginning.

Apart from "fixing" Japan you never know how he actually makes his money, or what he pretends to be doing otherwise.

"Fixing" Japan for him also requires not a big criminal organization or the newest computer tech to obtain and store all the dirty information he supposedly has on everyone.

No, we only see him and one trusted employee doing this....somehow.

There is also no explaination of how he got to this position of power with only one employee and why nobody has killed him already.

Instead of an interesting story we also get treated with the boring lives of his children and their little day to day problems.

There is another "shadowy" figure conspiring against our "fixer"....but they show from the beginning who he is and what his schemes are.

The whole show is like watching all three Godfather movies but only at the end of the third one, there is an attack on Vito Corleone's life.

If you watch the first half of the first episode and the last half of the last episode: that is all you need!

You miss absolutely nothing inbetween.

The owl show is a huge disappointment and a huge waste of time.

This show builds up a lot of different story lines and it is fun to see them all come together. I loved seeing how different characters intertwined. A real hidden gem that deserves to be promoted more!

House of the Owl builds a world that makes you feel like you are seeing into a secret, and also seeing secrets about people who think they know them all.

I also loved how all of the different characters were in different stages of life. Young love, a challenging marriage, and an older couple that has been through a lot together.

I really feel like it was just getting so good and I wish the first season was 20 episodes instead of 10! I miss longer shows.

Give this show a chance and you won't be disappointed!

"House of the Owl" is a captivating TV show on Disney Plus that excels in creating a sense of mystery and anticipation. Its unfinished storylines are its strength, as they invite viewers to engage their imagination, pondering the endless possibilities of what might happen next. The show's ability to leave some threads untied is a clever narrative choice that keeps the audience guessing and eager for more. This, combined with strong character development and a compelling plot, makes "House of the Owl" a standout series that's both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Visually, "House of the Owl" is stunning. The cinematography captures the beauty and complexity of Japan, serving as a perfect backdrop for the intense drama that unfolds.

It's a show that not only entertains but also poses profound questions about the nature of power and the bonds of family.

The first few episodes are undoubtedly exposition heavy, which may put off some viewers. With four separate storylines to establish, the show spreads itself a little thin.

However, I do not wish for this to discourage those interested in watching "House of the Owl". Beyond its initial character introductions, the family dynamics are well-crafted and offer plenty of engaging moments.

As the story gradually unfolds, there is a significant increase in quality on almost all fronts. The final few episodes contain some of the strongest, most passionate acting performances paired with an abundance of exciting plot developments. In particular, the Ryutaro/Sarah narrative goes from being one of the weaker side stories to a genuine highlight of the show.

The season ends on a high note, striking a solid balance between delivering a satisfying conclusion and keeping plenty of doors open for a potential second season.

At its best, "House of the Owl" is an ambitious series that is not afraid to discuss sensitive topics and challenge viewers' beliefs. The writing, cinematography, and acting styles are a breath of fresh air, and I would like to see these qualities set a new standard for Japanese TV dramas.