Daisuki!!!

[Excerpt from Daily Yomiuri, January 25, Wm. Penn, Televiews]: I like it! The first episode of Daisuki (Thursdays, 10 p.m., TBS), the compelling story of Yuzuko (Karina), a developmentally disabled single mother, was a rare Japanese TV treat on several levels.

First, it looks like it will be a good, heartwarming, family drama--and when was the last time we saw one of those? Secondly, they are telling the tale without the "help" of a cast padded with variety show and comedy world supporting characters. Such inserts are usually designed to add comic relief but often they just end up cheapening the story with their silliness.

Thirdly, the director is not dragging out the drama to wring every bit of pathos from it. In fact, Episode 1 moved at a stunning pace. We learn that Yuzuko is five months pregnant after the baby's father, Sosuke, a developmentally disabled young man Yuzuko worked with at a job training center, dies in a traffic accident.

Yuzuko lives with her widowed mother Miyoko (Kayoko Kishimoto) and brother Ren (Yuta Hiraoka), who is studying to be a concert pianist. She desperately wants to have the baby and become a mother like her own mother, and after much angst Miyoko agrees. All of this takes place in the first 20 minutes or so. By the end of the first episode, the baby girl, Himawari, is ready for her three-month checkup.

Miyoko has taken time off work to help but now must return to her job, leaving Yuzuko in charge. With the developmental age of an 8-year-old, Yuzuko tries hard and has a good memory for details, but unexpected events can bring on panic attacks. The visiting social worker is skeptical and suggests putting the baby into a care facility, but is eventually won over by Yuzuko's determination.

Things are just beginning to settle down when we discover the baby has an aunt. Sosuke's 18-year-old sister shows up at the gate explaining that after their parents died, the siblings were raised separately.

Oh, and did I mention we are seeing some outstanding acting from Kishimoto and Karina, who is already in contention for a 2008 Tellie for her convincing portrayal of our heroine? They may be lacking in young male idol stars, but both Daisuki and Saito-san (Wednesdays, 10 p.m., NTV) are off to three-star starts.

Here's hoping both can pass the three-week test and still be as enthralling in Week 4.

STARRING: Karina, Kishimoto Kayoko, Hiraoka Yuta
NETWORK: TBS
Theme Song:  
DURATION: January through March 2008