Tôkyô Joshi Zukan

I highly recommend this show for men and women. It was so interesting to see the pull for women in a very materialistic world with so much pressure on them. Loved watching the main character develop into a strong and complex person. The show surprised me in many ways. It's worth sticking it out.

Outstanding! Compelling. Intelligent. Touching. Profound. I found myself rooting for Aya at every turn in finding her true self. If she really existed I would surely want to know her and root for her in my heartfelt hopes for the eventual outcome that made me, a grown American man of 54, choke up a little at the end and then smile. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Bravo Japan! Pure class! Just beautiful.

I was sorry when this intelligent, humorous series was over. We binge watched on Amazon (titled Tokyo Girl) and after initially being annoyed with the shallow 20-something characters, a few episodes in I realized I was annoyed because when you're twenty, you're annoying and shallow. At 40, I read my 20-something diary and did not even recognize myself. I got better. So does the series.

We see a young woman in Japan with aspirations of a career, a handsome boyfriend, nice clothes, and wanting nothing more than to be the envy of others. Throughout the series she ages 20 years and during that time holds various jobs and relationships, and moves to differing Tokyo neighborhoods, each one signifying a particular lifestyle and perceived status, and she slowly develops self awareness on a deeper level. The series is a statement against the shallow judgments used as a base for evaluating one's worth and a loving criticism of those that fall prey to that system. Yet viewers get relief from the harshness from the many comedic moments, mostly stemming from the universal awkwardness and ridiculousness of the interactions of life. Stunning cinematography, insightful writing, excellent acting and a non formulaic story. It was a complete winner in my eyes.

Loved this beautiful series.

You gotta stay until the end as the main character in the beginning is very annoying as she is in her 20s. However, it gets better and pointing out the comtemporary lifestyle of Japanese female in this society. Love it!

I'm not usually a big fan of Japanese drama, finding many silly and cliche. The plots are cookie-cutter. But this series was good. The storylines were realistic and not at all hackneyed and boring. I liked seeing the lead character moving from neighborhood to neighborhood, climbing up an admittedly limited social ladder. It is an adult series that demonstrates that urban angst and loneliness can be seen in any big city, no matter what the culture, East or West. Maybe it helps that the characters are physically attractive and they all dress nicely. And for some reason I find the theme song really catchy.