Rebooting

Kondo Asami is a 33-year-old woman who's stuck in a life that feels smaller than she imagined. Still living with her parents and working at the local city hall, she wakes up one day and decides to wipe the slate clean and try something new. The show follows the awkward, funny, and sometimes tender practical steps she takes to change routines, rethink relationships, and test long-held assumptions about work, identity, and adulthood. Episodes mix workplace absurdities, family tensions, and quiet private moments, keeping the focus on Asami's attempts to rebuild a life without promising neat resolutions.

Released in 2023, Rebooting was created by comedian-writer Bakarhythm and directed by Shunsuke Kariyama and Itaru Mizuno, with Sakura Ando, Kaho, and Haruka Kinami leading the cast.

Though not a worldwide phenomenon, the series sparked discussion in Japan about the pressures around single adulthood and multigenerational households. Short clips and character moments circulated on social platforms, and viewers posted fan art and essays reflecting on how ordinary life stages are portrayed on screen.

Critics and audiences gave Rebooting strong ratings, the show holding an 8.8/10 average from viewers. Reviews highlighted its nimble mix of humor and sadness, the believable portrayal of municipal office culture, and the way it treats second chances without sugarcoating the difficulties. Major themes include reinvention, the small compromises people make for stability, and how family ties can support and complicate change.

There are no widely reported major awards or international nominations for Rebooting as of now. Still, reviewers singled out Sakura Ando's performance for warmth and nuance, and the series earned praise for its writing and ensemble chemistry even without high-profile trophy recognition.