Maybe this is just a reflection of how little Japanese TV I watch, but it seems that any time I do, there’s a common theme in shows - and it’s to “do your best, make something of your life”. Maybe it’s the social rebellion against the monotony of typical every day life manifested in film, or maybe it’s genuine wish for people to become their best self - I don’t know, but I do find it ironic that on societal level people are generally living cookie cutter pointless employment, with crushing social norms lives over here. I couldn’t take it as a westerner and still don’t. It does make you question what is meant by “making something of your life”? Isn’t everything already something to someone? What’s a wasted life? What’s a well lived life? Who decides? Why must we live to others’ expectations when they themselves are mostly miserable? 🤨