Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Countdown to Yes’ follows high school best friends Minato Yokoi (Yoshizawa Kaname) and Wataru Nakano (Amemiya Kakeru) as they share their love for photography through the years, becoming flatmates during University, and then drifting apart once Minato moves away for a new job. Away from each other for the first time in years, the two of them individually realize they are in love, unaware the other feels the same way. So when Minato moves back and re-establishes contact, Mintato struggles to come to terms with his feelings and thinks it’s best if they remain ‘best friends’.
Spanning eleven episodes, ‘Countdown to Yes’ is based on a manga and directed by Funabiki Shinju, who has previously worked on titles like ‘Jack O’Frost’ and ‘My Personal Weatherman‘. The show opens with a high-school flashback on a hot summer day, narrator Wataru recalls being captivated by a photo at a exhibition on campus. He soon meets the photographer, a quiet boy from another class called Yokoi Minato, and the two quickly bond over photography techniques.
Viewers get a quick summary of their warm friendship over the next seven years in the first few minutes of ‘Countdown to Yes’, which the two friends spend together across local spots taking photos together. They become flatmates through four years of University, and finally drift away when Minato moves away for a job in a different city. As soon as Minato packs his luggage and leaves, Wataru unconsciously tears up, realizing he is in love with his best-friend.
“Minato is only a friend, Minato is only friend” – this is essentially Wataru’s internal mantra for half of ‘Countdown to Yes’ At first he is glad Minato changed cities, but once his friend moves back to Tokyo and asks him to move in together with him again, Wataru panics. Especially when Minato seems to suggest they start living together as boyfriends, not just friends.
So, ‘Countdown to Yes’ is of-course a slow-burn tale of two close friends turning into lovers, but their biggest challenge is Wataru’s insistence that they stay within the comfort of the ‘friend zone’ and not risk their bond for a romance that might not last. Luckily for Wataru, Minato is articulate enough to say what’s on his mind, which includes not wanting to be friends forever.
Amemiya Kakeru is very cute as the childlike Wataru, who remains true to his passion for photography and works at a professional studio after University. At the same time, he also holds on to an immature idealism that people should pursue what they love, so he mildly resents Minato for not becoming a photographer, although, ironically, Wataru resists listening to his heart when it comes to dating. Amemiya Kakeru’s portrayal of Wataru reminded me a little of actor Kakeru as Nishi from ‘Life on the Line’ (an excellent show btw), a highly imaginative and playful character who doesn’t know how to express himself.
It almost doesn’t register that Yoshizawa Kaname is part of a popular Japanese idol group, so fully does he disappear into the introverted, even-tempered Wataru. In every glance toward Minato through the episodes of ‘Countdown to Yes’, his love and longing quietly surface. And the onscreen chemistry between the leads is adorable, and sweet.
Eleven episodes is a long runtime for the familiar push-and-pull plot between friends, so those who do not have patience for the relaxed pace might want to tap out of the story. More comedic elements would’ve livened up the show, even though its down-to-earth, grounded pace has its own charm. After a point though, the high school flashbacks begin to feel unnecessary and one wishes the story focused more on the current timeline and developments between Wataru and Minato.
Wataru’s excessive anxiety over dating Minato, simply due to an old fleeting relationship starts to feel dragged in the second half of ‘Countdown to Yes’, especially when we see everybody around him being cheerily supportive. Wataru’s parents are energetic, happy-go-lucky, and are instantly likable despite blink-and-miss cameos. Well, everybody is allowed to have irrational quirks, and Wataru’s is being pessimistic about his love life. Lucky for him, he is super cute, so Wataru keeps persevering.
The climax is feel-good, in-fact, the season finale is more like a bonus episode, and closes the romantic tale with some heartwarming everyday interactions between the leads.
If you’re a fan of Japanese shows like ‘I Can’t Reach You’, ‘If It’s You’, and ‘Depth of Field’, definitely check this out.
Watch ‘Countdown to Yes’ on TVer.
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