Good Morning Call

Good Morning Call, an engaging live-action series from Fuji TV that aired during 2016-2017, is based on the popular shōjo manga of the same name written by Yue Takasuka. This comedic and inspirational story captures the beauty of youth while nudging at your heart strings, superbly portraying the quintessential teenage strife amidst the pressures of growing up and experiencing first love.

The protagonist of the series is Nao Yoshikawa, a good-natured but slightly scatter-brained high school student from Japan. In an unexpected twist of fate, she ends up living under the same roof as the school heartthrob and calm and collected Uehara Hisashi owing to a housing scam that leaves both of them out of pocket. The twist is that they need to share the flat without letting anyone else know about their unusual living conditions in order to avoid social backlash.

The first season of the show, showcasing 17 episodes, is mainly centered around this eccentric arrangement and how they navigate through the highs and lows of it. While Nao is smitten with the unapproachable Uehara, their shared living conditions complicate their relationship. Uehara, on the other hand, is an introverted perfectionist, unaware and dismissive about his classmate's feelings.

The series artfully progresses revealing the shifts in their dynamics as the line between roommates and potential love interests get blurred. Within these shared spaces, the duo gradually learn about each other's quirks, secrets and vulnerabilities, adding more depth to their characters and further stirring the feelings between them.

The setting of a life that transitions from school to a shared apartment perfectly encapsulates the traditional coming-of-age story. With the passage of time and experiences that life throws at them, Nao evolves from being plain and unassertive to a confident and considerate individual and Uehara, from being distant and almost aloof grows to become more understanding and demonstrative.

Adding spice to their storyline is an entertaining roster of supporting characters that include their classmates, friends and family who unintentionally fuel misunderstandings, creating hurdles and providing comic relief at regular intervals. The series not only efficiently addresses the delicate dance of teenage romance but introduces various relevant themes like friendship, academic pressures and personal growth.

The second season of Good Morning Call - 'Good Morning Call: Our Campus Days', further chronicles their story as they proceed to college while still cohabitating. The series keeps viewers hooked as it explores their relationship dynamics with new challenges and tests while keeping the spirit of the original manga alive.

One of the most captivating aspects of the show is the masterful performances of the young cast. Haruka Fukuhara wonderfully portrays the character of Nao Yoshikawa, capturing her innocence, naivety and determination. Shunya Shiraishi as Uehara Hisashi perfectly brings out the stoic personality imbibed with hidden depths and complexity.

Meanwhile, the series' director, Yo Kawahara and the team of talented writers excel at keeping the narrative gripping and engrossing, ensuring to add in plenty of humor, drama and sprinkles of heartfelt moments. The blend of romance and comedy against the backdrop of modern-day Japan imbibe a vibrant and captivating aura to the series.

In terms of visual aesthetics, Good Morning Call impresses with its high production value presenting viewers an attractive glimpse of Japan's urban lifestyle and school system. The distinctive cultural aspects and beautifully shot landscapes, often subtly impart significant life lessons making the viewers feel like they are part of the story.

‘Good Morning Call’ is a delightful and warm series that resonates with young adults and manga fans who are on the lookout for an engaging watch that is draped in humor, nostalgia, and poignant moments of self-discovery and young love. It's not just another series about high-school romance, this show feels relatable, genuine and entertaining, providing a perfect mix of sweetness, sophistication and teen drama that promises to keep the audience hooked from start to end.