Here's a shocking revelation; I, like nearly everyone else on the face of civilization, enjoy watching tv and movies. Netflix is an everyday pasttime for me, and I'm always on the lookout for the next big hit in the sea of releases. One of the most interesting series I've had the pleasure of binging is surprisingly an import from Japan. A non-anime import. I know, I was shocked too.
FF14: Dad of Light has to be one of the most moving series to come from the J-Drama genre. From the characters to the story, every part of it is a lighthearted ride where you find yourself rooting for the main characters to achieve their goals. This lightheartedness makes it all the more defining when the show calls for the drama to take the center stage.
Our story begins with a flashback of our main character, Akio Inaba, as a child spinning on the floor. Already we know it will be a treat. Hirotaro, his father, realizes at this moment he probably won't have to invest as much into college as he first thought and tells him that they're going to buy a game.
While looking in the store window, Akio points out a NES version of Final Fantasy for his father. After bringing the game home and seeing his son's excitement playing the game, Hirotaro sneaks into the living room at night and starts playing in secret. Akio, having heard his father, comes out and they share an adorable bonding moment.
Sadly this doesn't last as we flash forward to Akio's burgeoning adulthood as Hirotaro has grown distant from Kimiko Inaba, his wife, and Akio. Akio receives a surprising call from his mother and learns that his father has quit his job. When questioned, Hirotaro seems evasive and subdued.
The Plan
Akio, wanting to reconnect with his father and discover why he left his job, comes up with a plot. He buys Hirotaro a Playstation 4 and an MMO game that is sure to help his father out of his shell. That game is Final Fantasy 14, a game Akio plays during his time off.
Akio plans to secretly get close to his father with his character, Maidy, and bring him on an epic adventure whilst hiding his real identity. Plenty of jokes alluding to the practice of catfishing occur, however it's all innocent fun. You find yourself on the edge of your seat, hoping they accomplish their goal of defeating the final boss Twintania, and for Akio's confession of his plan to Hirotaro.
This brings us to a technique that the show utilizes to an almost perfect degree. Using footage actually captured from the game FF14: A Realm Reborn, the show combines live action and machinima to make a masterpiece that made me consider buying Stormblood and re-upping my subscription.
Not only does the show exhibit locales that players of the game would be familiar with, it shows out of the way spots such as player housing. Dad of Light also shows some surprising details, such as Hirotaro's player progression in the way of his character's armor. Everything Dad of Light sets up using this technique is entertaining, showing even the walking animation when turning that made me giggle each time it came up.
The Characters
Over all, you find yourself bonding with the Hitotaro and Akio as you go along with their adventure. While the father and son duo are certainly the focus of the series, they are backed up by a strong supporting cast of likeable characters.
With Akio, many viewer can see themselves in his shoes as he tried to bond with his estranged father. All through the series, we see him juggle his burgeoning career with his home life, and many times one will bleed into the other, such as musical cues from the game playing for humorous effect. He's likable and expressive, and isn't afraid to admit when things aren't going is way.
Hirotaro on the other hand seems reserved and stern at first. However his character shows a childlike wonder and sets on learning the game to the best of his abilities. We see him go from a stern figure to an adorkable gamer that obsesses over the game which now gives him such joy. Even when dramatic moments are called for, you can see in his eyes just how much fun he is having during this adventure. All through this, we see Hirotaro take on a more fatherly role to Maidy/Akio, as he unintentionally gives great life lessons to Akio during the course of their adventure. Of the two main characters, I definitely enjoyed it more whenever Hirotaro was on screen.
Kimiko through the series is an ever present motherly figure, and a loving wife to Hirotaro. Even when he reaches the end of her patience in an episode, it shows she truely cares for her family, and the worry she displays for their success is heartwarming. She isn't limited to just being a mother, either, which gives her character a great depth that remains just beyond sight in the adventure.
Beyond the family are two stand out figures within Akio's work life, Yoko Shoda and Takahiro Hakamada. Takahiro seems to fill the role as Akio's mentor and friend in the office, often sticking up for and encouraging Akio to take more action while providing counsel for Akio's family issues. He is an incredibly likable character, and fills a much needed role for the otherwise apprehensive and withdrawn Akio.
Yoko, also a coworker, is the series' would-be love interest were Akio not as dense as a cement wall. She is a confident and helpful character, going so far as to assist Akio as he navigates some of the many hurdles and throwing out tidbits of wisdom herself. I actually wish we had at least a few more scenes with her, as she felt just barely under-utilized.
The Wrap-Up
Dad of Light proves itself to be a stand-out series at eight episodes long. It was one of the few that I could say justifies my Netflix membership as a quality viewing over binge watching B-movies and old series. I'm not joking when I say I even called Netflix and asked if they knew where I could find this on dvd. Sadly both they and Square-Enix left me without an answer at this point, but I'm keeping a strict lookout for it.
My final verdict: Watch it
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