Drama Digest
Born in 1840 in a poor farmer’s family, Shibusawa Eiichi was a hardworking lad with ambitions of being among the wealthiest people in Japan. His childhood and teen years were spent working on the farm with his father. They were the manufacturer and seller of indigo. They were also engaged in silk farming. When Shibusawa turned 23, he decided to leave his house and move to the city to earn money and respect. In the initial years, he worked as a government employee, followed by a trip to Paris where he learned about banking. After this, he returned to Japan, where he established his bank. With his intelligence and hardworking nature, he soon became a wealthy and shrewd businessman, establishing and supporting over 500 companies. He also became a great philanthropist who supported over 600 public -services, including education and the safety of children and women.
The Feel Good Part
The drama series is based on the reality that motivates the audience to move forward in life despite the hardships. It guides us to work hard in life to achieve success. The story is a must-watch as it introduces some important life lessons that are relevant in today’s world. Apart from the motivation, the series is also a treat to watch due to its visually stunning locations, intriguing storyline, and engaging screenplay and cinematography.
The Disappointing Part
The duration of the episodes and the overall series felt too long to ignore. The episodes could have been edited more crisply to keep the audience hooked to the screens. Also, the background score felt weak that failed to connect with the audience.
In-Depth Analysis
Seitan Wo Tsuke, translated as Reach Beyond the Ble Sky, is a biographical period drama series based on the life of the founder of capitalism in Japan, Shibusawa Eiichi. Directed by Hiroshi Kurosaki, the series narrates the life journey of the famous industrialist, from his early days of struggle to the glorious days of his success. The series stars Ryo Yoshizawa as the leading guy. The series was widely appreciated for its engaging storyline and brilliant cinematography. However, the background score of the series faced criticism. With Mika Omori holding the reins of the screenwriting, the series is a widely acclaimed affair, not just in Japan but all over the world. The series was ranked among the most-watched series on Netflix and Apple TV.
Star Power
Ryo Yoshizawa as the industrialist Shibusawa Eiichi is among the best performances of the year. His portrayal as the rags-to-riches man is simply brilliant, and the way got into the skin of the character and carried himself throughout the series is phenomenal. His portrayal is the highlight of the series. The rest of the cast too played their roles brilliantly, and they were suited perfectly to the show’s narrative.
Overall Opinion
If you feel like everything is falling apart in your life or you lack motivation for work, watch this series to get inspired. The series will give you the encouragement to move forward in life and work day and night to achieve success. The journey of Shibusawa will teach you lessons that are applicable in recent times and applying them will change your life for good. If you are a fan of period dramas based on real-life examples, the show is worth watching.
