1,000,000 yen no Onnatachi

This show snuck up on me.

OK, I will admit it, the splash screen on Netflix showed some attractive women, so I clicked. Well played, Netflix. Well played.

Then the premise listed under 'more info' reeled in the hook already firmly set in my head. A guy lives with 5 beautiful women, and intrigue and hijinks ensue? Count me in!

But don't think this is a light-hearted show. It gets creepy (not in a supernatural way) and very dark. And the ending? Well, the ending....is VERY satisfying. That's two shows I've reviewed lately that have been able to take seemingly difficult subject matter across the finish line in an enjoyable way. The other being Alice in Borderland.

Slightly more than the usual suspension of disbelief is required to fully understand why the ladies accept the invitations in the first place (the reasons given are kind of 'meh' in my book). And the pseudo-antagonist other author and annoying book critic are more throw away characters than anything major, so some wasted screen time there.

So, one star deduction for those two minor gripes. But otherwise, a terrific and well-paced show. Glad I...er...stumbled upon it on Netflix.

Five women move into an unsuccessful writers home, no one including the writer knows who is behind the set up. The rules are they must pay one million yen a month and ask no questions and the novelist must not enter their rooms. An interesting plot based on a manga where we learn over twelve episodes who is behind the idea and how it eventually leads to tragedy. Well acted with a strong female cast and even though the story is far fetched it holds your attention through every episode as the individual characters back stories are revealed.

I was amazed with every episode. With this show I realized how used I am to Hollywood films and TV. The story is so unpredictable and my jaw drop at every scene. Funny, sweet, sad, charming and mysterious, this series has it all. Even tho I didn't like much the actor for Shin at the beginning, the series sure did won me over. This is a very Japanese show, so it can be weird for western audience to see how the Japanese people are always so polite and stoic, but also, very charming. I would totally recommend it 9/10

I'm happy that this show popped up in my recommended section in Netflix. The story line was intriguing & so captivating that I finish all episodes in 2 nights. It's story telling is much different than Hollywood, yet if you enjoy drama in general, you will enjoy this. Scene by scene changes in an unpredictable way. You feel like you want to know more about its character stories and you are teased with clips of flashbacks, side stories etc. LOVE IT.

This is the type of film that could easily be talked about and discussed in universities. If it isn't, then it's a tragedy. This complex, amazing character study rivals some of the best films and shows that I've ever seen in over 40 years of viewing.

This film is truly a work of art. Each character brings something refreshing, new and compelling to the table (almost literally!).

This powerful character study is about a novelist with a tragic past who is unable to become a successful author. For some strange reason, five women are invited to live with him for a million yen per month. When he's not writing, he cooks and looks after them. Each woman is different in age, occupation, personality, and background. Part of the mystery is in trying to figure out why the invitations were sent, what the purpose of the women being there is, and who sent them.

The author learns to accept his new living situation, and finds that there are rules for his interactions with them.

The story weaves like a fine tapestry of tragic, complex pasts in the lives of all of the characters, and basically what drives people to do things and be who they are. It's riveting story-telling that keeps you hooked, and makes you wince when the number of episodes left to watch dwindles. You want more. You crave more, and you find yourself grateful for finding such a unique and exquisite gem such as this series.

This is a series that can easily be watched over and over again. It's touching and heart-breaking that compels the viewer to dig deep within themselves; about the walls we put up to keep from being hurt; about the fear of loss, and the fear to love.

I can't recommend this series strongly enough. It's a story with characters that stays with you long after you've finished, and that's the mark of something so powerfully artistic in how it captivates its viewer.