[JAPAN] Televiews: ‘Hitomi,’ ‘Atsuhime,’ have potential to be spring hits for NHK

In a recent column of Televiews for the Daily Yomiuri, Wm. Penn wrote, “Yes, that’s Toshiyuki Nishida sporting a long, straggly gray pony tail and a cowboy hat but we are not out west somewhere. The morning serial from western Japan, Chiritotechin, with its tongue twister title and tepid sub 20 percent ratings, has finally departed.”

“Its replacement Hitomi (Mondays-Saturdays, 8:15 a.m., NHK-G or 7:45 a.m., BS-2) is the story of reclaiming and rebuilding a family on the reclaimed island of Tsukishima in Tokyo Bay. We are back in good old down home shitamachi now, where, as the TV stereotypes go, the ninjo (warm human feeling) is thicker than the humidity.”

“While Katsutaro (Nishida) may look like shitamachi’s answer to country singer Willie Nelson, he will have to change his tune if he is to win back his estranged daughter Momoko (Naoko Iijima).”

“Seventeen years have passed since father and daughter had a major falling out. They haven’t spoken since, although Momoko’s mother did travel north to Sapporo for secret annual visits. Now she has died suddenly and the divorced Momoko and her daughter, aspiring dancer Hitomi, 20, (Nana Eikura), head south for the funeral. Eventually, they will stay on to help Dad with the three foster kids he has taken in–one abandoned, one abused and one neglected. Reuniting the family will not be easy, but Hitomi, who quelled a major battle between her mother and grandfather at the end of episode one by yelling “shut up” in English, looks like a heroine with the moxy to do the job. She’ll have the help of a strong supporting cast including veteran character actress Kin Sugai as Ume. Worth checking out.”