Watch Switched

Switched is a Japanese web drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2018. The show revolves around a girl named Ayumi Kohinata, played by Kaya Kiyohara, who is a high school student with a monotonous and uneventful life. She feels neglected and invisible by everyone around her, including her classmates and her parents.

Ayumi's life takes a dramatic turn when one day, she wakes up in the body of her classmate Zenko Umine, played by Daiki Shigeoka. Zenko is a popular and confident girl who has everything that Ayumi wishes she had - popularity, good looks, and a loving family. Ayumi initially thinks that this is a dream, but soon realizes that she has somehow swapped bodies with Zenko.

As Ayumi tries to figure out what has happened to her, she discovers the truth about Zenko's life. Despite her outward happiness, Zenko is struggling with her own issues, including an unhappy family life and being the victim of bullying at school. Ayumi decides to use her time in Zenko's body to try and fix some of the problems that she sees. But, as she delves deeper into Zenko's life, she also uncovers some dark secrets that threaten to unravel everything.

One of the interesting elements of Switched is the way it explores the idea of body swapping. Ayumi struggles to adapt to Zenko's life, which is vastly different from her own. She feels conflicted about using her new persona to her advantage, and her sense of identity becomes confused as she tries to navigate her way through Zenko's world.

The performances in Switched are strong, particularly from Kaya Kiyohara, who brings a nuanced and empathetic approach to her portrayal of Ayumi. Daiki Shigeoka also does an excellent job of playing Zenko, and manages to convey the character's hidden pain and vulnerability. Tomohiro Kamiyama, who plays Ayumi's friend Kaga, provides some comic relief to the show and delivers an entertaining and memorable performance.

The themes of Switched are universal, and the show explores issues such as bullying, family dynamics, and the pressures of high school life. It also touches on more complex topics such as the nature of identity and the consequences of our actions. The show does a good job of balancing these heavier topics with moments of humour and heart that keep the audience engaged.

The cinematography and soundtrack of Switched are also noteworthy. The show is beautifully shot, with the use of lighting and composition helping to convey the emotional weight of the story. The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and adds an ethereal quality to the show.

Overall, Switched is a thought-provoking and compelling drama that explores the human experience in a unique and captivating way. It challenges the audience to consider the ways in which we perceive ourselves and others, and asks important questions about the nature of empathy and understanding. The show is a must-watch for fans of Japanese dramas, and is a testament to the strength of storytelling that can be achieved in the medium of web television.

Switched is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between August 1, 2018 and on Netflix