To start, I have family that live in Tokyo and all along they’ve told me to avoid Japanese television and focus on the Chinese and Korean offerings. To be fair, I wanted to try out a show, on my own, to see if there was anything about their concerns. Unfortunately, they weren’t wrong. If you are jazzed by wuxia C-dramas or really enjoy the humor or angst of a good K-drama, please don’t expect too much from Kahogo no Kahoko. It felt like an art film from beginning to end….like one of those indie pieces focusing on the life of the ordinary.

HOWEVER, this show wasn’t bad. In the beginning the audience believes the Kahoko is horribly backwards and out of touch with reality with no clear understanding on what is important in life. By the end of episode 10, we realize that we misjudged poor Kahoko and its everyone else and maybe even ourselves that doesn’t have a clue. Kahoko’s priorities and determination become startlingly evident before half the episodes are completed and we come to love her character.

STORY
Kahoko is a pampered and spoiled almost college graduate (or is she really spoiled?) who’s mother and father take care of everything for her including picking out her clothing and waking her up every day. Kahoko is brilliantly played by Takahata Mitsuki and boy howdy did she do an incredible job. By far, this woman is a phenomenal actress with her characterization of Kahoko. If there is any reason to watch this show, it is for her performance alone.

Kahoko starts out as the odd man out amongst a throng of family and one friend Hajime played by Takeuchi Ryoma who does an okay job but doesn’t knock it out of the park like Takahata Mitsuki. Hajime is billed as the one who is honest with Kahoko and helps her move from mama’s little girl to eventually a family matriarch. Of course, a romance blossoms between Kahoko and Hajime. It was definitely unique.

CHARACTERS
Kahoko of course is the best developed character but we shouldn’t discount Hajime who goes from friend, to boyfriend, to someone who realizes how much he needs her in his life. Their progression was really quite lovely. Its Kahoko’s parents that will push your buttons the most. They are responsible for the predicament Kahoko is to begin with. Her father realizes his mistakes but her mother…..I’m torn between hating her for her over-protectiveness and feeling sorry for her when she realizes what her life is all about. Neither do a whole lot to change their ways. Kahoko has to do ALL the work.

Kahoko’s aunts, uncles, and grandparents and one cousin who needs a good spanking are all interesting characters that have a lot to learn and to grow and we get to see some of it over the ten episodes. Their stories are developed enough that its difficult to hate them or be bored because they are growing right along with Kahoko.

CONCLUSION
This was a nice first try at a J-drama. I do recommend it if you are looking for something not too violent or too depressing. It has just the right amount of humor to keep it interesting, even when it gets all artsy with all the family drama. The production value isn’t as good as many k-dramas and certainly the special effects aren’t as well done as the average c-drama. Kahogo no Kahoko is a nice piece of work that makes you think about family relationships and laugh a little along the way. Its worth watching, just not over and over and over like some of the c-drama and k-dramas inspire us to do.