Then You Try Making It!
TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2025
Then You Try Making It! (Japan, 2025)
Directors: Yoshihiro Ito, Ryosuke Fukuda and Katsuhiro Omoto
Writer: Kei Ando (based on the manga by Natsuko Taniguchi)
Mini-review:
I only started this because of the cast, almost fearing it would be an ill-conceived take on Japanese feminism, but it actually ended up being my favorite J-drama of the year. While it doesn't stray too far from the basics of feminism, it makes the worthy effort of showcasing just how much harm gender roles do to society as a whole. And the best thing is that it never sounds preachy or clumsy. Instead, the writer approaches these topics with the sensitivity and emotional intelligence they require. But don't worry about the drama being too serious: it boasts a delightful sense of humor that made me laugh non-stop. It might be a bit unrealistic that the male lead evolves so quickly, but the show builds the right character foundation for it to work. It certainly helps that Ryoma Takeuchi gives the best performance of his career, nailing both the comedic and dramatic parts. Kaho is fantastic too, and Ayami Nakajo is also super-charming as the subversive second female lead. So yeah, Then You Try Making It! offers a surprisingly enriching experience.