By Cindy (Binh) Nguyen
Layout & Design Editor
“Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020” is the fifth season of an unscripted Japanese reality-show franchise on Netflix that revolves around six strangers living together in a two-story house.
The show doesn’t have much to bring to the table if viewers are looking for juicy drama or competition.
The six participants are normal people living six different lives: they wake up in the morning, leave the house for work or school, meet with friends, come home for dinner, interact with each other over the table or in the playroom, and on occasion, ask each other out on dates.
“Terrace House’s” recognizable format and slow storytelling style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially for those looking for ‘the beef.” But a huge part of “Terrace House’s” charms comes from unavoidably awkward moments and conversations and tedious daily tasks.
Watching the show is no different than enjoying a long “What I do in a week.”
No forced group work or games, no dramatic music, no personal interviews, no explosive fights, just life. Throughout the last four seasons, “Terrace House” has been known for its ability to resonate with viewers and the hilarious commentary that pops in every 10 minutes.
Bustle called the series “the ‘Great British Baking Show’ of situational reality show.” Most people who have watched both shows would admit that these two have so much in common.
Unscripted shows like “Terrace House” and “The Great British Baking Show” are low-key, soothing, relatable, well-balanced, and perfect for a relaxing evening having drinks with a group of close friends. With the magic of good food, it is not a suprise they both became cult hits in America.
After Part 1 was released on Netflix on Sept.10, “Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020” quickly became one of the top trending series on the streaming platform.
What’s most noticeable about this latest season is how gorgeous the house is with spacious areas and a cozy playroom — ideal for secret confessions and juicy gossipy.
Even though bunk beds for adults are quite odd for a majority of English-speaking audiences, “Terrace House’s” out-of-a-Muji-catalog home is still a pleasant surprise.
For anyone remotely interested in Japanese culture, “Terrace House’s” Tokyo version is a must-watch.
The second part of this season is currently airing in Japan, but there is no word on when it will be out on Netflix. However, viewers can expect to stream it in a few months as each part of the show usually ends up on Netflix every 70 days.
“Terrace House” has developed a huge fanbase in Japan and internationally thanks to its quiet charm. The first part of the latest season in Tokyo is on Netflix.
Photo by Netflix
