Ep. 28 The Men of The Wada Family

Written by Cordelia, edited by Grace

In this episode, we're diving into a fall TV show from 2021: "The Men of the Wada Family" (和田家の男たち)

Listen to the full episode :

About the Show

"The Men of the Wada Family" aired on TV Asahi's Friday night slot from October 22 to December 10, 2021. Written by Shizuoka Oishi, directed by Yoshihiro Fukagawa, and starring Masaki Aiba, Kuranosuke Sasaki, and Yasunori Danta.

This TV show revolves around family dynamics, focusing on three generations of men working in different types of news media.

The Inspiration Behind the Show

Oishi, the screenwriter, shared in a behind-the-scenes video that the idea for the show came from the overwhelming coverage of COVID-19 news in 2020. Feeling isolated like many others, she began to question the accuracy of news media and decided to create a family-oriented show that both satirizes the media and delivers a heartwarming family story at the same time.

Character Profiles

The writer brilliantly personified three forms of media through the characters: The newspaper is embodied by the grandfather, Kan, representing old-fashioned values and the Showa era. Shohei, the son and producer of a TV news show, embodies the Heisei era with his wisdom and touch of sneakiness. The grandson, Yu, represents online news in the Reiwa era, characterized by kindness, modernity, depth, good listening skills, and positive energy—reminiscent of the internet. All these characters are male, underscoring the male-dominated nature of the media industry.

Rhythm and Yu’s Writing

Diverging from his grandfather and father, Yu's focus in writing for the new website revolves entirely around life, with minimal engagement in political subjects, as his boss is solely concerned about generating views. Yu's written pieces center on food, life, and existence. Rooted in his grandfather's wisdom, his writing carries a distinctive rhythm that offers solace. Personally, I find his articles echo the same cadence as the TV show. The series emits a remarkable, deliberate, and serene everyday ambiance and rhythm that entices me the most.

This effect can largely be attributed to the depiction of the harmonious relationship spanning three generations, coupled with the serene atmosphere that envelops viewers in comfort. However, I couldn't help but notice the relative unfamiliarity in the relationship between the three. The son and grandfather haven't crossed paths in over two decades, and their interactions with the father have been limited since reaching adulthood. Given this backdrop, it's truly remarkable how they can coexist harmoniously under one roof. Both the father and the grandfather possess somewhat obstinate dispositions, but not to an insurmountable extent. This trait permits the son's gentle and tranquil nature to foster understanding and resolution. And yet, perhaps the more pivotal reason for presenting a harmonious relationship lies in the shared aspirations of this family.

The concept of three generations who represent diverse media professionals might imply ideological contradictions at first. However, it's more about the unity stemming from shared beliefs. The same applies to the mother, Rie, who later becomes editor-in-chief of the weekly magazine. Like-minded individuals are naturally drawn together, explaining how this family can effortlessly converse and empathize. The underlying driving force is their shared alignment of purpose.

Addressing the sporadic reference to the weighty main theme, it appears slightly discordant. Despite a substantial weight in their past, it seems none of them harbors animosity. The demise of the wife and mother, along with the fervor of media professionals, dissipates within the gentle ambiance. This, to me, is the most surreal aspect. The section that uncovers the truth could have been intense and passionate, yet the entirety of the drama veers from that style. After experiencing the failure of vengeance or the quest for justice, they simply return home to savor a wholesome meal and turn the page. It's akin to "making light of a heavy burden," or perhaps, a "magnanimous pride."

Food and Conversations around the Dining Table:

Yu plays a significant culinary role in this TV show. Haha, I believe my listeners already understand why I'm featuring this show now. Yes, it's all about the food and cooking.

As we discussed in the "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" episode, we explored the representation of males in the kitchen and the portrayal of food-making in contemporary Japanese pop culture, particularly in relation to femininity.

Yu, representing the Rewa period, stands apart from his grandfather and father in that he willingly takes charge of the household duties. He handles housework, grocery shopping, cooking, and devotes time to listening—a role integral to nurturing the household.

Yes, it's a manifestation of femininity—the power of nourishment.

Through his care, along with the sharing of hearty home-cooked meals, numerous enriching conversations unfold at the dining table. Once again, cooking emerges as a language of love and a communal activity.

In the first episode, for instance, the day that Yu chooses to move in with his father and grandfather, they enjoy Sukiyaki together. In the middle of a sweltering summer without air conditioning, the three of them relish the warm food with an electric fan by their side. It's on this occasion that Grandfather Kan playfully adds milk to the Sukiyaki pot and declares, "This is how we dine in the Wada Household! Beef and milk both come from cows, and there's no doubt they complement each other." Later on, viewers realize that this remark signifies more—a revelation that Grandpa Kan has long regarded Yu as his grandson and has decided to take him under his wing. Being fellow members of the Wada household, they're destined to get along.

It's a truly beautiful moment.

Interestingly, in behind-the-scenes videos, it's amusing to see actors occasionally engrossed in eating, missing cues to deliver lines in a timely manner. Hahahaha! Or struggling with mouthfuls of food, making it hard to discern their words—prompting repeated retakes. By the way, the trickiest food seems to be "nato"—too sticky to find a seamless moment to speak...

They indulge in plenty of delectable dishes on the show. All the food and recipes are crafted by a renowned couple, Mr. and Ms. Gucci. They've woven each male character and dish into the storyline. A wide array of home-cooking recipes can be found on Instagram via "Yu's Kitchen" at @wadayu_recipe.

Home and Family

What defines family?

Upon moving into the house and beginning to coexist with his grandfather and father, Yu stumbles upon an old oil painting that captures his parents and grandparents—a family portrait. He was just a child when this portrait was created.

Upon gazing into the eyes depicted in the portrait, he's overwhelmed with fear and hastily retreats. At this juncture, it appears that Yu hasn't yet found his rightful place within the household.

In the narrative, Yu's father and grandfather aren't biologically related to him, prompting his decision to live independently upon entering university. Yu maintains a consistently polite and distant demeanor.

However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident to the audience that he begins to shed his guardedness and displays a more youthful demeanor in the presence of his father and grandfather. He shares his emotions, discusses his dating life with his grandpa, joins in his dad's nightly work conversations over light drinks, and even borrows his grandfather's attire. These three individuals rekindle their bonds, eventually realizing they've never truly been apart.

Honestly, what defines a family? What constitutes the authentic essence of family?

In Chinese characters, "home" (家) signifies a place under a roof with a pig beneath it. "Family" is a home encompassing a courtyard. There's no explicit reference to blood relationships.

Just as Shohei, the dad, mentions several times in the show: Yu gets along with grandpa—that's the crux. We eat together, deliberate together, share together. In essence, this is family. This is us.

Perhaps Yui's initial reluctance to acknowledge the family's existence stems from the fear associated with confronting the loss of his mother.

But, in the end, Yu hangs the oil painting on his room's wall. He gazes at it, contemplates his mom, and envisions the future life he'll lead with his father and grandfather.

There's no logical argument against their familial bond. Much like Grandfather Kan's remark, "At the Wada family, we add milk to Sukiyaki. It can't help but turn out splendidly since both beef and milk hail from the cow." There's no denying their status as a family, for they are the men of the Wada household.

Ending 

From newspapers to television, and now to the internet. From Showa to Heisei, and into the era of Rewa. From Kan to Shohei, and finally, Yu. Three generations, three individuals, united as a family.

While the initial purpose of creating this family drama was to critique the media industry, it undeniably exudes a healing power that resonates with themes of love and human relationships.

Witnessing Aiba's involvement in this outstanding production after  Arashi's last concert on the final day of 2020 was heartening. Amidst the challenges faced by their agency, can you believe it's been three years since we last saw Arashi together?

I hope you've found this episode enjoyable. As of now, the TV show isn't available in English. I've personally translated any dialogues referenced in this episode, which will be listed in the references section. This episode has been edited by Grace and authored by me, Cordelia.

Thank you once again for tuning in.

Until next time, take care and stay tuned for our upcoming episode!