Drama Digest
Nakauchi quits his job as a reputable chief chef in a good restaurant and thinks there is nothing left for him to do. When trying to take shelter from the heavy rain while on his way back home, he runs into his old schoolmate Amamiya who now runs a bar. Amamiya guides him inside, and Nakauchi finds himself in front of Kobayashi, another schoolmate from his yesteryears. Kobayashi turns out to be the bar owner, and after a turn of events, the three decide to work together to get the bar running. With Nakauchi as the chef, both Amamiya and Kobayashi realize running the bar has become more manageable. However, this is not a long-term career plan for either. As customers come and go, and as days pass, they realize that this may not be forever. Will they be able to continue living life by doing what they love?
The Feel-Good Part
Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou is a drama about life, loss, and laughter. As each customer stumbles into the bar, Amamiya, Nakauchi, and Kobayashi lend them an ear, sometimes a few drinks, and even advice. With the food they make and the drinks they serve, the three help improve their customer’s day. It is a beautiful drama about living life to the fullest despite the ups and downs that may come your way. It shows that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but things can get better with a little bit of company and appreciation for the things you have in life. It imparts an important lesson about living in the moment and pursuing one’s dreams.
The Disappointing Factor
The only disappointing factor about the drama is that it ends with just six episodes. It is the kind of drama that makes you want to continue watching for a long time. Therefore, the fact that it ends so soon is highly disappointing due to the same reason. There is less time in the script to explore the lives of its characters in detail. Most of the drama centers around the characters’ experiences in the bar, reminiscing about their customer’s pasts. It would have been great if the drama portrayed slightly more elaborate scenes about the main characters’ lives outside the bar.
In-Depth Analysis
In the second episode, Nakauchi tells his former classmate that this bar is open for everybody. That by far is the best description of the drama as, throughout the show, people from various walks of life enter the bar, share a piece of their stories, eat good food, drink a little and then leave feeling content. It is a story of three friends who meet after ten long years, run a venture together, and eventually find satisfaction and happiness in their respective lives. It is heartwarming and well written, leaving the viewer happy and fulfilled.
Star Power
Machida Keita plays the role of Amamiya, while Fujiwara Kisetsu and Morisaki Win play the roles of Nakauchi and Kobayashi, respectively. All three of the main casts effortlessly do justice to their characters. It is a pleasure to watch them give each character a personal flare.
Overall Opinion
Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou makes you want to watch the drama from start to finish in one sitting. It is a mellow and soft drama that comments on the meaning of life and the importance of having or not having dreams.
