I was starting to worry about my attention span lately, as I could only finish short-form videos (hello, doomscroller me!). But it turns out all I needed was a really good series to focus on. A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days With You ended up being the very first series I finished this year (yes, THIS YEAR SHAME ON ME AND MY DOOMSCROLLINGSELF) and what a beautiful choice it was!
Set in the 1930s pre-war Japan, the series follows newlyweds Sekiya Natsumi (Yoshine Kyoko) and Ebata Takisama (Honda Kyoka—I died in his face card!) Their marriage was arranged and to make things even more complicated, Takimasa couldn’t even attend their wedding ceremony because of his duties in the Imperial Navy.
Natsumi and Takisama barely knew each other, so the awkwardness was super real. Their shy smiles, overthinking moments, and even the tiniest bit of efforts to bridge the distance between them (both emotional and physical) were the perfect proof of how fragile relationships can be without proper communication. Yet, what stood out here is how much effort both Natsumi and Takimasa put into making things work. Their clumsy attempts to get closer to each other were so endearing it put my heart like butter in a heated pan.
The characters that stayed with me
Yoshinori Fumiko is my perfect embodiment. If I were in the series, I would either be her or be her best friend. Because she is the woman who remained single while everyone else was getting married, and not because she couldn’t but because she valued her career and independence. And honestly, who could blame her? She lived in a time when not many men would be open to a wife who wouldn’t fit into the traditional mold of domestic life.
Maybe except Fukami Ryunosuke. He wasn’t afraid of her independence, nor was he threatened by the fact that she might not need him. Instead, he fully supported her, so much that he even spoke with his parents to ensure she could continue working after their marriage. I mean, if that won’t make your heart flutter, I have no idea what else would.
What the series left me with
The drama was so fluffy and toe-curling even when I knew what was looming in the background: war, tragedy, and uncertainty. Every simple moment—laughing over tea, writing letters, exchanging shy glances—mattered deeply because at any point, it could be all taken away.
And maybe that is the biggest message of this series: Live the moment. Cherish your beloved. Hold on to the little joys. And always hope for more.
Favorite scene: When Natsumi’s sister gave birth, Takimasa witnessed the process and quietly decided he didn’t want Natsumi to go through that kind of pain. That tender moment of protectiveness absolutely broke me in the best way.
🌸Mood Match
Perfect for rainy nights or slow weekends when you want a story that balances warmth, romance, and a touch of bittersweet reality.
☕Emotional Aftertaste
I ended the series both soft and aching, like after hugging someone you know you’ll miss the moment you let go.
📺Playlist/Heart Space
Definitely a comfort watch. This one will stay with me, tucked safely in my “heart library.”
