True to its title, this show tries to capture burnout not as some big dramatic collapse but as this slow, draining exhaustion that quietly eats away at relationships and how you see yourself, and honestly it makes the characters feel really real. The pace is slow on purpose, and everyone here is flawed and full of contradictions, nobody's simple. It uses this messed up boss and employee dynamic to sneak in some pretty smart commentary on society. The story digs into toxic work culture, mental health struggles, and how money ends up running our lives whether we like it or not. And yeah, there's a love triangle thrown in too, because of course there is. This one runs ten episodes, each around 45-55 minutes. Jira's twenty eight, broke, and struggling to make it as a painter. Nothing's going right for him, his art isn't selling, he's got no steady job, and he's basically on the edge of falling apart. His best friend Ing does what she can, finding him odd jobs an...
Misaki is a happily married school teacher. Or so she thinks. Even though she is totally smitten a din love with her husband Yuuki, she is also frustrated because of total lack of sex and physical intimacy between them. The couple never makes love unless Misaki actively pursues it. "I don't think sex is equal to love," Yukki explains. Same time Misaki reconnects with an old girlfriend of hers who had lost touch sometime back when Misaki got married. On the day of their anniversary, Misaki sees her husband kissing another boy. This comes as a shocker to her. What's worse is that this young boy Shyuuhei, is a former art student of hers, who had once professed his love for his teacher. Shyuuhei is a vagabond kinda person who is very sure he doesn't want t o be bound by love of one person and that as humans we can love more than one person at one time albeit different kind of love. Yuuki comes clean to his wife on how he is gay but he still very much loves his wife (not physically). Misaki thinks a lot and decides that maybe three of them should try and love together and see if they are able to work this out. The trio try their best but neither of them has any idea of how to navigate around their new found status. Meanwhile, her girlfriend's roommate starts totally falling for her and flirts with her which she enjoys. She likes getting attention as a girl and thats someone is interested in her but she still says she very much loves Yuuki. Eventually the duo decide to get a divorce and go their own way, but Shyuuhei makes it clear that can never be monogamous and that his idea of relationship and love is very different from everyone else.
I think this shows trying to challenge the social norms of what a happy monogamous relationship should be. Not only is the show trying to educate about gay/same-sex love but it also challenging the whole not on of just 2 people together. It does try its best, but I personally still couldn't completely buy into the story that was unfolding in front of me. The polyamorous angle made sense but then no one was getting physical with anyone, so how does it work. I mean, sure I understand that for some popped it's easy to separate love and sex, but this trio, it seems was only love and compassion but no sex. This, according to me, is doomed to fail one day or the other. Also, the shows presentation is very one dimensional. It doesn't have any ups and downs, no outbursts or drama. It's like everyone talks normal and respectfully and somehow is always aligned and in agreement. Real life will never have moments like this. The characters were alsnot fully developed. I can't explain why Misaki would still Anna be married to her husband when he has confessed he is gay. I understand social rules are different in different cultures, but still, it was weirdness because there was hardly any warmth and tenderness in their live and interactions. Yuuki just has this sad grin of 'I'm stuck between two people' look an knows not what do. Shyuuhei's character could have been interesting, but even that is a bit bland. Besides a few kissing scenes, I wish there was more of physical intimacy to make these characters more real and believable.
Having said all that, I still felt myself engaged in the narrative somehow. I wanted to see how they will flush out their dynamic. They do get a happy ending, in its own unique way. They find a way to make their relationship dynamic work, even though the arrangement may seem unusual and something that I can't understand; but hey I do not have to understand or agree everything. I do I appreciate the meaningful themes about defying tradition and pursuing happiness on your own terms. But do I agree with it or not should be immaterial. Thankfully the show doesn't drag on. There is always something happening. I think this show would have been a lot more fun to watch, it there was a little light humor spread throughout and was made loud like some earlier Japanese shows I have seen. In its current form, it comes out very serious. (5.5/10)
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