Hotaru no Hikari

Title: ホタルノヒカリ
Title (romaji): Hotaru no Hikari
Title (English): Glow of Fireflies
Genre: Romance, comedy
Episodes: 10
Broadcast network: NTV
Broadcast period: Jul 11 to Sep 12 2007
Theme song: Yokogao by aiko

Hotaru works for a famous interior design company. It's a glamorous job but Hotaru's private life is totally the opposite of glamorous. She lives alone, and when she isn't working she's mostly lazing about her rented house in training wear. She's not interested in men. In fact, she isn't interested in anything. "I'd rather lay around than fool around," is her motto.

Her landlord is a bar owner, and one day his son, who has just separated from his wife, comes to inspect the rental property, not knowing that someone is living there. He is shocked at the mess, but not as shocked as Hotaru. He turns out to be her boss, Takano. -- Japan Times Online

First of all, this is the first Japanese dorama that I watched (if not ever, then the first in a very long time) and started my addiction to J-doramas.

Hotaru no Hikari is about Hotaru (Ayase Haruka) "growing up". I rather liked this storyline because it reminded me of my best friend. In our first year of college, this best friend of mine was not interested in guys and would rather spend time sleeping in and dress comfortably in tanks and ruggers (an Aussie version of Hotaru's tracksuit pants and T-shirt).

I'm not sure who was more shocked, Hotaru - who woke up to find her boss in her house and claiming back the house and moving back in - or Takano (Fujiki Naohito) - who found his father's house in a mess (like walking into a squatter's home) and that Hotaru is the one living in the mess, the same Hotaru who is efficient and respectable-looking in the office.

Of course, the two end up reaching an agreement that they will keep secret the fact that they are living with each other and hilarity ensues. Hotaru, who was never interested in men, finds herself attracted to the new guy in the office and turns to Takano for advice on love and relationship. Takano, who cannot deal with a messy house and while trying to keep matters in the house professional, splits everything down the middle...but of course, it was only a matter of time before he starts to get to know Hotaru and accepts her the way she is.

Personally, I think it's really sweet, probably because this is the sort of relationship that I always found ideal - to get to know someone and building that friendship full of acceptance and love and nothing to hide. Just the part where Makoto (Kato Kazuki) (Hotaru's love interest) sees the way Hotaru and Takano interacted, without any pretences and totally natural and the closeness between them, and he understood immediately the difference between their relationships. That's when he knew that unless Hotaru and he could move on in their relationship to the level of "comfort" that she has with Takano, there would always be this wall between them. Isn't it deep? *laughs* After watching this dorama I thought to myself, in all my drama watching (mainly Taiwanese), I don't think I've watched one with as much "intelligence" or concise-ness as this! In just 10 episodes it has shown me so much about depth in a relationship...any relationship for that matter. The best relationships I have are definitely those where I can be myself, the good, the bad and the ugly! How fickle are the relationships where one has to put up a front or hide their true self! All right, I've gone off on a tangent and went on rambling. I blame it on recent personal "tragedies".

Back to the dorama! I have to admit that this dorama made me "consider" older men... Fujiki Naohito is just so endearing that I really found myself torn between Manager Takano and Makoto-kun! Also, Kuninaka Ryoko's character Yuuka comes across as a bit of a snob, aloof and quite the perfectionist. I found her acting very commendable, especially after watching her in Kekkon Dekinai Otoko where she is more of the kawaii, sweet and bubbly character.

I definitely recommend this :) it's only a short dorama (10 episodes) so it won't take up too much of your time. It's a comedy that will make you laugh, especially the nicknames that Takano gives Hotaru eg himono-onna and kame-onna (that one had me in stitches). It's so funny too when you see the obvious looks of disgust on Takano's face as he observes Hotaru's behaviour and habits at home. However, I think this is more a girly dorama where you will most likely be able to relate to Hotaru. Or at least I did! *laughs* such as having a crush on a guy, wondering what to do, etc *just thinking back on moments where I sought a male friend's perspective on guys and relationships* So I would say my verdict is 5/5! Definitely take time to watch this!!! :) the ending is not expected but one that I wanted to happen =D

I had lots of fun watching this and I really hope you do too! Watch for the hilarious part where Manager Takano dresses as a himono-otoko!