Nihon Boro Yado Kiko (2019)

Once Upon A Time, There Was A Shabby Hotel!

I guess we read & listen to stories to discover something new & unexpected, but this doesn't mean that a good story doesn't have repetitive & expected elements. As kids, we learn this as soon as we hear our grandmoms tell us for the second time: "Once Upon A Time ..." One role of this is to make us feel at home and friendly: "Sure, we were there before!"

The short series, Nihon Boro Yado Kiko (2019), is full of repetitions: Shabby hotels, one and only one song sung at every single episode, same fights, and so many others, however, the series miraculously uses all these to make us feel at home, and as some kind of framework for its new, innovative elements. And in the end, we'll have a product One Of A Kind! Story-telling at its best!

As someone who tends to be suspicious, even hateful of, the old, I started the drama with zero expectation, but now, I'm really going to miss Haruko saying: " 'Shabby Lodgings', That's by no means an insult!" I'm now a believer!

My Rating: 10/10

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Frustratingly charming

It was cute, it was charming, it had its spunk and its fun. The characters are likable, the stories were sometimes touching, and overall it's a good time, but I only gave it a 6.5. Why? Because nothing happens.

You pretty much watch the same events play out every ep. at first it's a charming little template, but over time you soon realize how little character development or story progression actually happens. It pretty much resets at the beginning of each episode that somewhat makes it feel like a pointless drama to watch (for story and character fans). After reaching about ep 8-10, I already began feeling sick of the repetitive fights between the two leads for the same reasons over and over and over again. It wasn't like I couldn't understand either side, nor did I side with one particular character. Rather, I was sick of the fighting in general. It was supposed to be its main charm, "the bickering leads," and yet all I could do was roll my eyes. I wanted it to be over as soon as possible because watching two people argue over the same thing 12 times in a row is not the best time.

I can't really say it's a "feel-good" type of drama because i didn't particularly feel good or touched for majority of the eps. There aren't any lessons or omnibus types of stories, The leads would bicker, make up, root for each other, and then forget all about it by the next ep. At least for me, that frustration built up as the eps progressed. Their characters simply didn't improve or develop in any way. It's not a bad to have static characters, but if there is also no plot development, then you're just have zero story WITH static characters. They kind of just...go to a hotel, meet some people, take a bath, and then leave the next day. I imagine it's mainly due to the short runtime of each ep. It's not bad to have no story either, especially in a life genre like this. However, the combo of both makes it overall a pretty disappointing watch.

That being said though, I undoubtedly enjoyed the characters themselves. They may not have developed, but they were still quite likable. Haruko was adorable and had this fun, airy youth to her that contrasted well against Ryuuji's quips, and grouchy attitude. I also loved the touch of her love for old hotels direct paralleling Ryuuji's career. The settings were amazing. The hotels were grungy, yet extremely charming. The views they had were breathtaking, I particularly loved the pictures in the end credits, that was my personal favorite bit.

Overall, it was a fine watch. I wouldn't exactly recommend it. It's confusing because while I didn't enjoy it that much, it was also still a great show. The quality is great, acting is great, music, characters. It oozes charm. Even though I'm a huge slice of life fan, perhaps this one simply wasn't for me. It still might be for you though.

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