Shizuka-chan to Papa (2022)

This drama was an emotional ride, joyous and heartfelt and at times, bittersweet. I hit the halfway mark, and it became unusual for me Not to cry during an episode. The characters are so real and so easy to connect with, and the topics the drama explores are handled beautifully with thoughtfulness and sincerity and honesty.

It was eye-opening getting a glimpse into Shizuka and Papa's lives, and I was pleased with how natural and consistent the drama was at adding little things here and there to illustrate just what it's like to be deaf or have a loved one who is. Shizuka using little bean bags as a way to get Papa's attention, the flashing light in the photography studio to alert Papa when a customer comes in, Shizuka leaving the sound off on the television even though she doesn't have to since she can hear, a young Shizuka signing her class' song during a performance so her father can experience it. Just so many things that really bring home to the viewer how deafness can affect your day-to-day life.

It was also heartbreaking to watch both Shizuka and Papa struggle because of the challenges that come with deafness. Papa's early life was sad to watch, although not surprising, given the historical context. Imagining how difficult and demoralizing it must have been for Papa to work so hard to learn how to speak and please his mother only to disappoint her because speaking is just not something Papa's able to do was very affecting. That would have created some deep wounds that wouldn't be easy to overcome. Shizuka faces her own set of troubles from others finding her demeanor and mannerisms offensive and being mean behind her back or excluding her to her intentions being misunderstood because of the straightforwardness she developed through communicating with Papa. Of course, Shizuka internalizes all of this, something most of us would probably do, and it becomes a reason for her to not truly live her life.

On this note, I'm very glad this drama didn't shy away from giving Shizuka legitimate problems relating to Papa's disability. I'm not a fan of the current narrative you sometimes see that the loved ones of people with disabilities shouldn't struggle or complain or ever say ever that caring for someone with a disability can be hard, because their problems aren't legitimate, and they're just shaming the disabled person or 'speaking over them' or any other number of critiques. This drama doesn't do that. Instead, it chooses to be honest and show that it can be a struggle for those who love someone with a disability. They may not face the same hardships, but they face ones of their own, and those hardships matter.

This is a drama that stirs up deep emotions as well as a lot of food for thought. It presents you with an opportunity to think a little bit deeper about things you may not often think about and possibly even examine some of your own thoughts and ideas and behaviors around certain topics. I certainly felt stretched as a person while watching.

I'll end this review with a drama suggestion. Shizuka was a very similar viewing experience to Neechan no Koibito, so if you've seen Neechan and are looking for something similar, Shizuka to Papa is a good choice. Conversely, if you've already watched Shizuka to Papa and you're looking for your next drama, Neechan is definitely worth checking out.

You should really just watch both, lol.

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