This "Tsuribaka Nisshi" is adapted from a tremendously successful manga, whose publication started back in 1979 (LOL it's almost as old as me, kudos for that!) and has by now reached the incredible number of 128 volumes (yep, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT! Not many mangas can get close to that!!!). Not only that; as popular as it it, it's been adapted into more than twenty movies (curious detail, Nishida played Hama-chan in the movies, and Suu-chan in the drama), into an anime and last but not least also into this drama, sporting two seasons and two SP episodes.
It's easy to understand why this story's so popular, watching this first season: the sheer humaneness of the characters, the many hilarious scenes, the overall heartwarming atmosphere and messages conveyed...what's not to like, seriously? Too bad there were a coupla not-so-well written episodes, otherwise it would've been a perfect 10.
The cast was also commendable, they were all absolutely great, a virtual standing ovation for them all!
A very nice and catchy music and a better than average production value complete the package!
p.s.
Unfortunately, the second season saw a terrible drop in quality: everything that here worked as a clockwork, there has been exaggerated to the point of embarrassment - if you pardon the culinary metaphor, it was as a chef who, upon noticing that adding a spoon of vinegar and a pinch of pepper to the sauce made it delicious, decided to add a liter of vinegar and a kg of pepper the next time; unsurprisingly, it ended up being terrible).