Orenji deizu

I've only started getting into j-dramas and k-dramas in the last year or so. Started with a lot rom-coms/thrillers with Takeru Satoh and then discovered k-dramas some of which I loved. Some however felt over-acted or a type of actingI don't like. Started rewatching j-dramas last week. Seriously impressed with 18x2 Beyond my Youthful Days which was beautiful, brilliantly acted and poignant. Stumbled upon this and watched it in 3 days, hard to believe it's 20 years old. Brilliantly acted by all involved, understated acting but powerful. The fact that this type of series with sign language was made 20 years ago shows and hasn't aged shows how good it is. Loved all the characters in it. A joy to watch and re-watch. Both j-dramas had a quiet elegance and eloquence which I needed after some 'noisier' kdramas.

I enjoy a good romantic drama, so I am easily disposed to favour shows like this.

My wife, however, gave up on it after a few episodes, complaining that it was too adolescent. But for me, that missed the point. These characters are learning how to live and love and make mistakes along the way. As did I when I was their age.

In any case, this drama found additional resonance in the character of Sae, who is powerfully portrayed by Kou Shibasaki. Her deafness, plus her musical genius, create a very sympathetic, yet highly challenging character. Watching Kai (Satoshi Tsumabuki) confront and overcome her demons is a joy.

If romantic dramas are your thing, give this a go.

My listing is for clarity and does not in any way reflect a ranking of best to mediocre. All aspects of this series are top-notch.

First of all, kudos to Japanese filmmakers for producing a series of this caliber. It brings deafness into the mainstream and makes it ordinary, another way of being and living in the world.

Second, the actors are fantastic. They all learned sign language as well as their spoken dialogue and they made it look so natural; they were so fluent. They all deserved awards for that feat alone. The work they must have put in is extraordinary.

Third is the beautiful cinematography and lighting, enhancing the theme of orange days.

Fourth is the script, which is excellent. The writing brings out distinct personalities and shows their growth as they prepare to move past college, good times, conflict, problem-solving and all. The pacing is just right and moves fluidly between the storylines.

Hollywood could learn a thing or two from Asian film-making. Unfortunately, they are too focused on blockbusters and raking in the $$$$.

I am a Greek Australian dude, living in Greece. I came across this series by accident. Im not asian, nor even japanese.... but omffffggg..... i binged all 11 episodes in 3 days! I am shocked. This is a series from 2004, twenty years ago!!! And from Japan!! ANother continent from me!!! But i just have to say, this series is probably the best tv series i have come across in the last ten years!!! Thank youuuuuu Netflix for broadcasting an asian tv series to europe.... this show was BRILLIANT! Being from Greece, it is rare for us to be exposed or given the opportunity to watch dramas from Japan, or Asia for that matter. But this series had me obsessed from episode one!!! Eveery character in this series was loveable and altruistic in their own way.... and unlike american tv series, this show did not need to include sex scenes, nudity etc..... it was PURE perfection!

I have watched the series twice and I can guarantee that you will like it even if you are glued to western culture. This is not my first J-drama, I loved "The Full Time Wife Escapist", if you are interested in the psychology of characters. Ko Shibasaki, which I simply adore after this series, interprets astonishingly the frustration of a violinist genius who lost hearing. The truth is that I am less into a great scenario (this series has a great scenario, story, everything by the way), and more for real emotions shown truly and deeply on screen, and Orange Days excels on them! By the way, first time I watched it continuously, from one end to the other; couldn't stop ... I strongly recommend it!