Our Youth

Jin Minase is a student who keeps his days tightly scheduled, aiming for predictable success. That balance begins to wobble when he keeps running into Haruki Hirukawa, a classmate whose upbringing and habits clash with Jin's orderly world. Their chance meetings start small but become more frequent, pulling Jin out of routines and making him question choices about friends, family expectations, and what 'following the plan' really means. Haruki isn't a villain, just someone whose presence exposes cracks in Jin's assumptions, and the series watches how the two men adjust, argue, and sometimes look at life from different angles without resolving everything neatly. Later episodes show how small choices ripple into friendships and family ties, and small, revealing moments.

Released in 2024, the TV drama was directed by Keisuke Shibata and Masaru Makino, and created by Mash Morino with Saaya Matsushita. The cast features Junsei Motojima, Kamimura Kenshin, Yuki Imai, Miyaji Itsuki, and Kazuki Horike, across TV and streaming.

As of its initial run there are no major awards reported for the series, though performances and its script have been singled out by some reviewers and online communities, suggesting it could earn recognition later. Industry observers have noted standout performances, even though formal awards haven't followed yet.

The show has sparked conversations about class divides and the pressures of adolescence, especially among younger viewers. Scenes of quiet tension and the leads' chemistry are often discussed online, and the series is cited in debates about privilege and choice. It especially resonates with viewers juggling expectations and choices.

With a user score of 8.87 out of 10 from 27 votes, viewers have praised its patient pacing and strong lead work. The series focuses on themes of class, identity, individual expectations, and how small encounters can shift life plans. Critics noted the lead actors' chemistry.