The Pride of the Temp

Watched this recently on Prime. I really love SE Asian culture, but the comedy and acting can be very hit and miss. Although it's really silly at times, it's meant to be. There are some really funny moments. My wife was in tears at times, which when looking at her made me well up too.

All the characters in this series are unique and interesting. The main character Haruko Omae (played by Ryoko Shinohara) is great. Miyuki Mori (played by Ai Kato) is just so sweet and lovely.

It's a short series that ends well with a satisfying ending. Definitely worth a watch, especially if you love anything Japanese.

Can we have one more final season please. I feel that there's so much that can be done to make the new store a wonderful success! I would love to see the new team succeed, with Haruko of course. Win corporate lunch deals and what not. Also there can be sidequests in getting the freshest ingredients and new menu development. The show can be an entirely relaunched too.

This subtle and humorous show underpins not only the nobility of demanding contractual obligations but the underlying humanity (or lack thereof) of an increasingly dehumanizing industrial existence. You have temps who serve as grist to the mill of a company environment who could care less and employees who not only lord over the haken but act like they actually blame them for their position in the company/society. Having been a temp, I find it hilarious to see such a highly-qualified individual (portrayed masterfully Ryoko Shinohara) by underestimated by an entire department of inept employees who don't have a clue about the advantage she represents.

A strange offering regarding Japanese corporate life. An eccentric female temp who refuses to work any more than her three month contract and has strict working conditions that are accepted because she is so efficient - being in possession of countless certificates that reach nonsensical proportions. Sky diving - midwifery - lift inspections - fish filleting - too many more to count - and in addition she is a flamenco dancer as well - or is she? We only see distance and over lit shots where you can't see her face - the only close ups we see are head and feet.

There is the usual conflict when a temps idea is stolen by the company and given to a permanent worker and the usual enemies to lovers trope which happens somewhat out of the blue and is pretty unbelievable given the heroines personality which comes across as somebody on the autistic spectrum. In any event the actress really overdoes it with jerky head movements which make her look like a chicken. This gets more and more pronounced as the episodes stumble on.

There was not enough interaction between the would be lovers to include it in the plot - and the ending was somewhat lacklustre.

Not something I would watch again.