Yuriko Yoshitaka’s “On a Starry Night” and Suzu Hirose’s “Dusk” — What Split the Big Names and Screenwriters Apart?

The two of the biggest names in romance lined up for a Tuesday drama. They are screenwriters Shizuka Oishi and Eriko Kitagawa.

Oishi is in charge of “On a Starry Night”, a TV Asahi drama in the 21:00 slot featuring Yuriko Yoshitaka (34). Kitagawa, on the other hand, is in charge of the 22:00 TBS drama “Yugurenare ni, Tegunagu” featuring two of the hottest young actors of the moment, Suzu Hirose (24) and Ren Nagase (24). Both actors are unquestionably popular and well-known, so it is a tough battle to determine the quality of the script. However, so far, the odds seem to be tilted completely in favor of Shizuka Oishi.

Although the kiss scene at the beginning of “On a Starry Night” was controversial, Yoshitaka’s cuteness and acting ability have generally received favorable comments from viewers. Viewer ratings have remained in the 7% range.

On the other hand, Kitagawa’s “Dusk” was not well received, with viewers saying, “The setting of the story and the heroine’s character are old-fashioned.” Some have even criticized the film, saying, “Isn’t it too much to ask a master filmmaker active in the Showa and Heisei eras to portray a romantic love story in Reiwa? However, if we are talking about age, Oishi is 71 years old, 10 years older than Kitagawa.

The biggest difference is the opposite image of the heroine.

So why is it that Kitagawa’s scripts do not receive much sympathy, while Oishi’s scripts are generally accepted? Curious about the difference, we talked to people involved in the entertainment and romance fields. What we found out from them can be found at ___

The biggest difference, I think, lies in their opposite images of heroines. The heroine depicted by Mr. Oishi is independent, with a strong sense of work and what she wants to do. However, many of them are saved by the people they meet when they wonder if they can go on like this.

“In this film, Ms. Yoshitaka’s character, Suzu Yukimiya, is a 35-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist. She is at an age where she is beginning to feel conflicted about her work and her life, but when she meets a man who is a hearing-impaired estate agent, she begins to regain her sense of self. These feelings overlap with the problems of modern women who are searching for their own way of life, and I think that is why they are easily sympathized with,” said a writer who handles articles on love analysis.

On the other hand, Kitagawa points out that the heroines she portrays are often freelancers or change their minds about what they want to do.

On the other hand, Kitagawa points out that the heroines she portrays are often freelance workers or change their minds about what they want to do. In the case of Suzu Hirose’s character, she moved to Tokyo to get married, but her partner suddenly dumped her and she was at a loss. She then starts activities to look for her next partner. The story oozes a value system of trying to manage life through marriage rather than being independent, and I got the impression that this is not really in line with the sensibilities of modern women.

Indeed, this discrepancy with the viewers may have had an impact. However, according to entertainment journalists, there is one disadvantage that Kitagawa has that Oishi does not. What is that?

The “curse of Rombake.” Kitagawa-san is the man who created that rare hit “Long Vacation” (1996, Fuji TV). This is a work that is so well-known that even today there is no one who does not know about it. Therefore, no matter what I write, I am always told, “It’s like “Long Vacation,” so it’s old. So, I had to bear a kind of cross.

On the other hand, Mr. Oishi has also produced many romantic hits such as “Second Virginity” and “Great Love: With You Who Forgot Me,” but none of them are on the level of “Lombake.” Therefore, there are no comparisons to past works, and the viewers have a clean slate.

It is unfortunate that the current drama is under fire, but in other words, it is proof that Mr. Kitagawa is such a great scriptwriter.

From Entertainment columnist: “Their drama has just finished its third episode. Viewers can’t take their eyes off to what will happen in the future.