So for me, what makes this show interesting is how good it is despite a major flaw. Based on a novel, it's set at a time when the Japanese govt decides, in an effort to boost the poor birth rate, that all singles aged between 25 & 39 will be matched via a lottery & forced to marry. And anyone refusing 3 matches will have to join some shadowy counter-terrorism unit as punishment.
There are four main characters we follow : Miyasaka ( Shuhei Nomura ) is a shy, good-hearted otaku with OCD; Nana ( Rin Takanashi, wonderful as the nun in "Aino Mating Agency" ) is an aimless, pretty & affluent young woman; Ranbo ( Ryohei Otani, looking like an Asian Peter Gallagher ) is a handsome, well-off & superficially shallow man & Yoshimi ( Aimi Satsukawa ) is a young nurse from a rural area recently arrived in Tokyo.
As singles, all four are impacted by the lottery & the script really shines with how their stories develop & intersect. All have an "arc" ( that term beloved of screenwriting books ) & there are many scenes that touch the heart. There are also some surprises, & the general concept is not only interesting but very topical for Japan & Korea.
That said, the flaw I mentioned is very annoying ! Most societies are pretty cynical when it comes to the intelligence of politicians/governments, yet the genius Minister here seems to have ( implausibly ) done zero planning before unleashing the new law. Little or no thought about how minorities or the chronically sick would be affected, & will forced marriage necessarily equate to children ? Would a "carrot" be more effective than a "stick" in getting people to marry/breed ? And there's no screen time spent on the "punitive" option. Quite frustrating, since more time could've been given to the Minister & also her assistant in various ways. The rather staid direction/visuals are another minus.
The excellent cast are a major asset, however, with Mr Nomura first among equals. At times it's almost painful to see him shuffling along with his head bowed, bracing ( as are we ) for the next rejection. And a range of reactions to the lottery showcase human ingenuity/cunning ( mostly not thought of by the govt ).
And there it is : a narrative "stew" with some mediocre ingredients yet highly enjoyable nevertheless.
