Japanese Drama Freak

1.) Expectations and Overly Controlling Parents are bad for a child

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Takuto's father is a doctor who owns his own hospital. Thus, as the eldest son, Takuto was expected to become a doctor and inherit his father's hospital when he grows up. When he fails to get good grades in high school and fails his parents' expectations, they immediatly turn their attention to Takuto's younger brother, Rikuto, transferring their expectations and love to Rikuto. After that, Takuto suffers from the lack of love from his parents and the belittling from Takuto. He cannot feel the love and support that characterize families. The problem developes to the point that when the doctor asks Takuto to bring in his family to listen to his health report, Takuto replies by stating that he doesn't have a family.  

The above scene shows Takuto's mother persistantly nagging Takuto to keep an eye on Rikuto since he has started skipping school and showing a lack of interest towards medical school. In fact, Rikuto has been skipping classes to go to the dinosaur museum. Note that the mother says that Rikuto "has to" become a doctor without acknowledging that this is what Rikuto wants to do with his life. It is true that the Sawada brothers' parents are putting this expectation on them and trying to control their life because they believe that this is good for them; however their actions only impact their children negatively. Because his mother tries to interfere with all aspects of his life, Rikuto lacks independence and basic survival skills. For example, he is very inconsiderate about others' feelings and is unable to make any friends at school, and at the same time, he is jealous of Takuto's freedom so he often mocks him about him failing their parents' expectations. On the other hand, Takuto is desperate to be acknowledged by his parents even though he acts as if he doesn't care. All these factors make the family slowly falls apart. 

 The above scene is when Rikuto finally decides to stand up for his own freedom and to confront his mother, telling her to stop trying to control his life. I think what this drama wants to say about controlling parents and their expectations is that they are unhealthy to inter-family relationships. The drama also encourages the children to stand up for their own opinions.

2.) Cherish every moment and live with a positive attitude

 The attitude Takuto has towards his disabilities is that he will do whatever he can do at the moment. He wants to try to live with the present and cherish every moment. For example, at work, when he can't manage he work for a salesman, he helps with organizing the the deliveries. When he can't stand anymore, he starts to do office work. When he can't write, he starts to use the computer. Throughout the process, Takuto is constantly seeking a purpose for his life.

Even after he can't move any of his muscles other than that single muscle on his face, Takuto lives with a positive attitude. He communicates with Megumi, now his wife, by twitching his only movable muscle to type into a machine. He is also giving speeches about living with ALS to spread awareness. I believe Takuto's positive attitude despite his situation is trying to induce the viewers to realize how precious life is.

To Be Continued in Part II

"Boku No Ita Jikan." Online Video Clip. Dramago. 10 January- 21 March. 2014. Web. 18-20 May. 2014.