Karei naru Ichizoku (DVD) (End) (English Subtitled) (TBS TV Drama) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3

Karei naru Ichizoku uses third-person voice-over narration throughout to set up and move along the story. This is a rather unexpected storytelling device for an urban drama, but it works surprisingly well. By providing background information and transitions in the most straightforward and timesaving way possible, the drama can focus on the important moments and tell a packed story without feeling rushed for time and space. There are very few filler scenes to speak of and the drama stays briskly and evenly paced, keeping things engaging the whole way through. Not only does the narration make a lot of sense for the drama's length, it also adds an old-time legend-building quality to the story that works well for the time period.

Were Karei naru Ichizoku set in the present-day, it would lose a lot of its attraction, but the 1960s evoke a certain aura that drives and validates the characters and story. Ruthless banker Manpyo Daisuke's quest to come out on top in the city bank reorganization and upright son Teppei's dream to build a blast furnace don't exactly scream exciting drama, especially since much of Karei naru Ichizoku's action comes in the form of boardroom meetings and cloistered conversations, but there is a palpable energy to the series because of its time period. In comparison to the present, 1960s Japan comes with an unpredictable rough-and-tumble atmosphere, a time of big dreams and bright futures for the fighting, and the drama does a good job of pulling viewers into that mood.

Every grand family drama needs villains and victims, and Kitaoji Kinya plays patriarch Manpyo Daisuke with hollow eyes and chilling determination. Suzuki Kyoka, meanwhile, channels the iron lady with convincing glee opposite Harado Mieko's meek wife. The trio embody the mistakes, misgivings, and dangerous ambitions of the older generation that tear apart the lives of the younger generation. To not alienate the audience, however, what is often more difficult to pull off in this genre are the likable characters, the moral pillars that one can root for. Here, characters like Narimiya Hiroki's young and enthusiastic steel worker, Hasegawa Kyoko's resolute wife, and Yanagiba Toshiro's supportive banker provide welcome flashes of light to the proceedings. Kimura Takuya serves as the focal point in a strong ensemble cast, and carries the role with his characteristic willful, yet sensitive personae. Though no longer young and plucky, Kimura Takuya is still the closest thing to a ratings guarantee Japanese television can offer. Idol looks and cliched locks aside, over the years Kimura has also become a quality guarantee, and Karei naru Ichizoku is one of his best performances yet.