Spoilers For Okaeri Mone #76-80, So If You Haven’t Seen it, Skip This Post, but I GOTTA Talk About How WONDERFUL This Week Was!!!!

NHK Asadora Okaeri Mone has been steadily getting better and better and this past week’s output (Episodes 76-80) has to be the best one yet!

Somehow found myself getting all misty eyed over several scenes, they were so wonderfully touching, and I thought I would mention just a few! Once again, this is a SPOILER post so if ya haven’t watched it yet, GO NO FURTHER!

Okaeri Mone Chapter 16: “The Young”

Mone’s childhood friend Ryo Has come to town, and Michi, who has always been in love with him, gets a pretty white dress to hopefully get him to notice her. Michi has always felt a kinship with Ryo because they are two friends who have stayed on the island and taken up their parents businesses. But Ryo has only ever has space for Mone in his heart and this causes conflict between the sisters, though Mone herself isn’t attracted to him in that way.

Ryo has had a hard life, his Mother disappeared when he was young and his father is an alcoholic. he’s been working hard on the boats, but when his Father takes a turn, Ryo disappears.

Everyone is concerned and try to contact him, especially Michi, who is worried about him.

 But it is only Mone who gets through to Ryo, and at that moment Michi realizes she can never live up to her sister. Only Mone matters to Ryo.

 This frustrates Michi until she cannot contain herself. Feeling sorry for Ryo, the situation he is in, and most of all feeling sorry for herself, Michi throws the dress she bought at Mone, wishing they weren’t sisters.

This may seem harsh behavior from Michi, but anyone who has been in such a situation where their love is passed over in favor of another can certainly understand her grief. Poor Mone only wants to make things better but cannot find the words.

Eventually Mone meets up with Ryo and brings him back to the Bath House. At the same time, the other childhood friends, who had been called to help look for Ryo, come to visit, and, reunited again, all winsomely reminisce about their childhood.

Ryo goes off to rest, and the friends say that Ryo's job taking care of the family's Boating business must be taking its toll, making him want to escape, but it is Michi who tells them that it isn’t so.

“I’ve seen him on his boat, and he is truly happy. The older fishermen respect him and talk to him like a peer. And he is proud of the fish he catches.” She assures them that while he may feel overwhelmed, his desire to get away isn't for lack of passion for his work.

I love this moment. Michi is the only one who really sees Ryo. And I think it’s great that Ryo hears this. Perhaps he will realize how Michi has been watching him this whole time.

 The friends talk seriously about their futures and Ryo joins in on the conversation, He states that they are grown up now and can’t rely on friendship to see them through, but friend Mitsuo passionately urges him to believe in friendship and that they can still create miracles together.

Eventually moods are softened and they manage to smile again.

Later that day, Ryo and Mone are alone and, for the first time, Ryo confesses to Mone. He tells her she is the one who can heal him, but Mone softly declines his declaration. Accepting the rejection, Ryo declares that he will opt to never love anyone again. It is too painful.

By the way, I don’t know if Kaya Kiyohara is a good actress or they simply write around her skills, but the deer-in-the-headlights expressions that she makes ALWAYS seems to convey JUST what you are meant to be feeling, and it works so well in this scene.

That evening, the friends are getting ready to leave, and Mone is helping Michi pack her suitcase. The two have mended their friendship and Michi had decided to support Ryo from afar as a friend, and as one of the ones remaining on the island.

As she packs, Mone teases her about how much omiyage she is taking back, it is stuffed to the brim. They try to close the suitcase but it is too full. And then, with an afterthought, Michi takes out the dress she bought and smoothes it out with her hand. “I don’t want this to get wrinkled.” she murmurs.

Holy crap, this KILLED me! I love how the dress represents Michi’s resolve and love of herself. She won’t give up!

And just when I thought it was wrapping up, we finally get some headway into Mone and Kotaro’s wobbly relationship. He tells her he intends to leave the city and work away. A shocked Mone is speechless,but she conveys all that needs to be said when she takes her hand and locks into his. Such a meaningful gesture, and the two FINALLY show each other how they feel!

There’s also the back storyline here about Ryo’s father finally coming to terms with his wife’s death and also a heartfelt moment with the two “elder” spokespeople of the drama talking with each other about their concerns for all the “youths” in their lives and what they can do to help them...

HOLY CRAP, This Asadora is SOOOOO, SOOO GOOOD!!!!

I’m trying to remember the last time I felt so involved in an asadora, might have been Churasan? But even in that one I’m not sure I had the connection I’m getting with this one. And at a mere 120 episodes, I’m afraid it will be over all too soon…

PS: Also must mention I love how they gently convey the passing of time thru Mone’s hairstyle. In the beginning she had the muppety bangs which made her look naive and cute. When she moves to Tokyo her hair is longer and swept back in a professional look. And as she learns and becomes accustomed to her new life, we see some actual styling, making you aware of her growth, both physically and as a person!

Stay tuned for more!