I started to watch this show because I'm currently binging Arimura Kasumi portfolio and the synopsys mentioned the Tohoku-Earthquake in 2011. Since the latter is a unique topic and I remember the news when it happened, I was interested.

I expected nothing or at most a disater genre. I somehow ignored the preview image and didn't expect this kind of series.

The good part about it: I was hooked up from the get go and couldn't predict what's coming next.
The bad part: In the middle, it was quite teary for me. (but I like this, so it's technically not bad, just very unexpected)

Regarding the story: The Tohoku-Earthquake is not the main topic of the show, but it's always the connecting peace for everything what's happening. IMHO, since the incident is so unique and characters are typically shaped and influenced by these kind of events, it's quite believable that the story could've happend IRL.
From a story writing perspective, it translates to good explanations why the basic and generic story happens the way it does in this show.

Looking at the conversations and interactions between the characters: The flow was natural (as it would be IRL) and every character got time to show that he/she has individual motivations and life-goals as well as having unique emotional or physical needs. Especially in comparison to other characters.
I see the following:
- Unrequitted Love (all characters)
- Inferiority complex (all characters)
- Getting the girl/boy he/she dreamed about for a long time (Shinji, Han)
- The need to prove himself worthy (kind of inferority complex) (Shinji)
- The need for money (Shinji)
- The need to have a meaningfull life (Kiyotaka)
- The need to escape from social norms (Kiyotaka)
- A safe haven to heal emotionally (Kiyotaka, Toko)
- The big wish for something to go right (or not wrong again) (Toko)
- The feat to endure pain over a long time and stand up again after each blow (Toko)
- The ability to learn how to handle difficult situations in life (Toko)
- Being able to learn how to decide what's important for herself right now, at this moment and don't get distracted by the past and concentrate only on the future (Toko)
- The unconditional love and support for his/her child without doubt (Kazutaka, Toko, Mieko (Kiyotakas mother))
- The almost morbid need to be on the move over and over again (Han)
- Honesty to say difficult things directly to someone else (all of them)

Thinking about it, I really like the characters. They are very well written and consindering that all of this happend only in 6 * 45 min, that's really good if you compare this to other shows. (random K-Drama for example)
If I had to pick one or two favorite characters, it would probably be Toko and her father, Kazutaka. Because both of them learned to be egoistic in life for what's important for them, until the point where they can be altruistic again.

お母ちゃん