Fishbowl Wives, a Japanese series, is streaming on Netflix from February 14. It is based on the Manga series ‘Kingyo Tsuma’, a manga series by Kurosawa R. Directed by Michiko Namiki and Aya Narakino, the show stars Ryoko Shinohara, Masanobu Ando, Takanori Iwata, Wakana Matsumoto, Kyoko Hasegawa, Saori Seto, Shizuka Nakamura, Rich Ting, Ren Hanami, Sanyee Yuan, Anzu Lawson, and several others. There are 8 episodes of 45-50 minutes each with English dubbing and subtitles available.
The synopsis reads, “In a luxury apartment tower, six different women in unhappy marriages end up crossing the line into infidelity. Based on the manga series by Kurosawa R.”
Netflix’s Fishbowl Wives Review Contains No Spoilers (There’s Nudity, Physical Violence in the show)
As explained in the synopsis and hinted in the trailer, in Netflix Japanese show Fishbowl Wives, 6 women are in an unhappy marriage. Some are unhappy because their husbands have no physical connection with them, while others are unhappy because their partners are emotionally unavailable. Someone has an abusive husband while a man isn’t willing to have a child with his wife. The women can’t take the unfair treatment from their husbands and commit infidelity.
The show mainly focuses on Sakura (Ryoko Shinohara) and how she’s physically and emotionally abused by her husband, Takuya (Masanobu Ando). Takuya is cheating on Sakura and takes out all his work frustration on his wife. But she realises her self-worth after one big incident that changes her life forever. Similarly, all the other wives have their troubles. A man in the show even requests a colleague to sleep with his wife as they cannot have kids!
‘Fishbowl Wives’ title is also used to draw an analogy with Goldfish. These women are much capable but are trapped in the lavish apartments in unhappy marriages by their wealthy husbands. It’s just like how a Goldfish is kept in a bowl when it can be at a better place. There’s even a mysterious woman who seems to be encouraging these women to walk the path of infidelity.
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As viewers, it is upon us if we want to judge these women in the show for their actions. Considering how a man is cheating on his wife or a man unwilling to sleep with his wife, the step of infidelity with a person who’s treating them better seems apt for these women. But is that the only way out? One can always walkout from an unhappy or abusive marriage. Do people prefer to keep pretending and go out and sleep with someone else to fulfil their needs?
The performances by every actor in the Netflix show are amazing. There’s a reason for how every female character behaves in the show. But Ryoko Shinohara shines as Sakura. From being a helpless woman to learning her worth and speaking up, Sakura goes through a good transition. Ryoko has done a good job here. Actors Takanori Iwata and Masanobu Ando also give remarkable performances.
Fishbowl Wives Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, the Japanese show will have divided opinions. Some might understand and agree with what the wives do. Some will say it’s better to walk out and break the marriage instead of cheating and going back to the same husband. The makers have highlighted the reasoning of the unhappy marriages in quite a detail in every episode. It exposes the reality of most marriages in the world. There’s a lot of nudity and physical violence in the show. So watch it with caution and headphones on.
The show is now streaming on Netflix.
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I am nearly through episode #2 and have witnessed more nudity than in all the kdramas I’ve watched in my life. And not just the Western, run of the mill topless cut scenes…. We’re talking full intercourse. Like, there’s no way they aren’t having sex in that moment. There’s no simulation… And the sad part…. It isn’t even something that furthers the plot lines. It’s just gratuitous sex…. And I’m not here for it. I’m an adult woman in my late 40s…I’ve had plenty of sex in my life, I don’t need to see it here.
The plot is coming forth but, if they continue to rely on body and flamboyant nudity they’ll lose this viewer to boot.
THEN STOP WATCHING IT! I don’t think you are able to see the beauty behind it. It is very arousing, and I’m pretty sure its meant for our pleasure as well as a good story to set us off. There are lots of shows where there is real sex, even in the USA. And the headliners clearly state, sex, abuse, nudity……I’m actually very aroused by how this film is set. I’m in my 40’s as well. I don’t understand how you see no simulation or where the plot line is headed. I would suggest getting more in touch with your sensual side and try enjoying it. It can be super erotic and increase endorphins, eliminate depression, and it also releases chemicals within your body that keeps your skin looking younger and healthy.
Just to let you know, it is not a K Drama. K means Korean. This is not a Korean Drama it is a J / M Drama… Japanese Drama based on the Japanese Manga Comics. The reason for all the sex, key word (infidelity), in the drama – (Infidelity is a violation of a couple’s emotional and/or sexual exclusivity that commonly results in feelings of anger, sexual jealousy, and rivalry). If you are only focused on the sex scenes and not looking deeper into the background of the characters stories on why the infidelity took place; then you have not grasped the title meaning of the drama or the simulates with a gold fish nature. To add there is not all that many sex scenes in this.
Bye! I love to see nudity. Go watch network television if nudity offends you so much.
Really great series.. I skimmed through the sex scenes, didn’t know they showed EVERYTHING, this is not really needed.. overall I give 8/10 since I had to skip some parts