Watch Tokyo Girl

Name: Tokyo Girl
Released: 2018-04-20
Cast: Asami Mizukawa

2018
1 Season
8.0 (838)

Tokyo Girl is a captivating television series premiered in 2016 by Amazon Studios, which showcases the unique narrative of an ordinary girl trying to fit into the extraordinary hustle and bustle of Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. This drama series is a combination of personal growth, cultural exploration, and life's unexpected twists and turns, making it a heartfelt journey with a relatable protagonist.

The main character of Tokyo Girl is Aya, portrayed by Asami Mizukawa, who is raised in the rural outskirts of Japan. Having been accustomed to the peaceful tranquility of her hometown, she has always been infatuated with the idea of the big city, particularly Tokyo, since her young age. Aya dreams of escaping the mundane life of her provincial town and forging her destiny in this vibrant and mesmerizing city. This series explores Aya's journey from her 20s into her 40s as she navigates various aspects of city life, including work, love, and friendships.

Moreover, Tokyo Girl breaks down the city into several wards, each with its unique lifestyle and culture. It's not simply a tour guide to Tokyo's myriad lifestyles, but also offers deeper insight into the social realities of the Japanese metropolitan sphere. The romanticism and challenges of city life are intricately portrayed throughout Aya's life experiences.

A substantial part of the series focuses on Aya battling her way through Tokyo's demanding corporate culture. As each season of her life unfolds, the viewers see Aya overcoming obstacles, celebrating victories, and evolving into a more mature and grounded individual. In the mix of all this, audience will find a generous dose of romance. Aya experiences heartwarming love, heartbreak, marriage, and keeps pursuing her quest for genuine happiness and true love that adds a substantial flavor to the story.

The charismatic character of Aya is a symbol of resilience and ambition. As viewers journey through the series, they can identify with Aya's dreams, struggles, and her relentless pursuit of happiness. She embodies the strength and determination that everyone seeking change in their life can relate to.

The series is not just limited to the personal life of Aya, it lightly touches on broader societal themes such as gender roles in Japan, social pressure, and the country's demanding work culture. Furthermore, the series successfully encapsulates the unique contrast between Tokyo's unabating modernism and Japan's rich traditional heritage. This dichotomy adds a profound depth to the narrative, making it even more engaging.

One of Tokyo Girl's strengths is its support cast who not only provide a brilliant performance but also contribute a significant part in Aya's life journey. The dynamics between Aya and other characters illuminate various shades of Tokyo's life, whether it’s her interactions with work colleagues, or bonds she forms within the city. These side stories and encounters add a layer of realism to the series, amplifying the depth of the main plotline.

The beautiful cinematography of Tokyo Girl is another aspect worth mentioning. Viewers get to see detailed depiction of Tokyo's skyline, bustling streets and serene parks. The visuals not just give an aesthetic pleasure, but often serve as a metaphor for Aya's mental and emotional state.

Tokyo Girl, with its engaging narrative, comprehensive depiction of Tokyo life, and moving performances, is a heartfelt journey that would attract audiences, who are intrigued by transformations, personal growth narratives, or have a fascination for the breathtaking land of Japan itself. This show presents a fascinating blend of personal turmoil, dreams, city life experiences, and the journey of self-discovery.

While Tokyo Girl is engrained with Japanese cultural nuances, it has a universally appealing story. It is the captivating tale of an ordinary woman's extraordinary journey to forge her destiny in a city that is as unpredictable and demanding as it is rewarding. The ups and downs faced by Aya as she moves forward in life are bound to touch every viewer's heart. By the end of the season, one is not just left with a story of a woman’s journey in Tokyo, rather a wide-ranging perspective on life and the process of growing up. Tokyo Girl is not just a series; it is a fascinating journey filled with life's immeasurable lessons and experiences.

Tokyo Girl is a series that ran for 1 seasons (11 episodes) between April 20, 2018 and on Amazon Studios

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Seasons

11. Final Episode: "Can a Greedy Woman Complete the Game?"

April 20, 2018

Aya returns to her home in Akita. Her hometown hasn't changed. There is nothing she wants to acquire, but there is also nothing she can't acquire. What's so bad about being a fish in a little pond? After meeting various people in Tokyo, and the numerous districts that made her grow, where can Aya find happiness? The final episode of a never-ending drama of life.

10. Episode 10: Yoyogi Uehara "So That's What it Means?"

April 20, 2018

Aya is seeing Kohei but she is not serious about their relationship yet. Kohei is younger than Aya. He doesn't have a clear vision of his future and is dependent on Aya, but he does cure her wounds little by little. Meanwhile, she meets Reiko at Mia's flower arrangement class. Reiko introduces Ryosuke to Aya. Ryosuke only talks about the high standard of living within his local community and Aya does not enjoy having a conversation with him. She gradually realizes that the lifestyle in Tokyo she has been trying hard to build is not what she wants. There are so many things that she cannot achieve in Tokyo no matter how hard she tries. Where does she truly belong?

9. Episode 9: Yoyogi Uehara "Am I an Old Woman?"

April 20, 2018

To regain herself and reflect back on her thoughts, Aya decides to separate with Masato. She moves to Yoyogi Uehara, a district with kindness and a certain sense of distance. She meets Mia again, who stole Takayuki in Ebisu. She enjoys arranging flowers at Mia's flower shop. A cute boy, Kohei, works at a cafe she often goes to and lifts her heart. One day, Masato comes to see her and asks for a divorce. His shocking confession, a night together with Kohei, her friend's advice of remarriage... Aya's life is still full of events.

8. Episode 8 : Toyosu "Endangered Species That Won't Go Extinct"

April 20, 2018

Aya spends a fulfilling professional life in Toyosu. However, compared to her achievements at work, her personal life starts to fall apart. Her relationship with her husband is not good, and she feels a growing frustration. It's not easy to have both a successful career and a successful family. All kinds of people live in Toyosu - mothers who enjoy raising their children, wives who are happy to have a life without children, and women who just want to look happy. What about Aya? She starts to lose herself in her marriage with Masato - her wish of having a child and a fulfilling career, her differences with Masato, and her values.

7. Episode 7: Toyosu "Et tu, Brute?"

April 20, 2018

Aya chooses to leave Yukikazu, but she is dissatisfied by Yukikazu's dry response. Now 33 years old, she spends a very depressing life. Her friends are all mothers now, and she changes her lifetime goal to marriage. She registers with a marriage agency. There, she meets her husband, Masato, who is a decent, if unremarkable, fellow. Aya moves from Ginza to Toyosu next. She starts to think that there is no such thing as Prince Charming, and that compromise and self-persuasion is important in reality.

6. Episode 6: Ginza "Cinderella Story"

April 20, 2018

1 year has passed since Aya switched her job. Her boss, Anna, is very strict but Aya is working hard and has been enjoying a fulfilling life. One day, she goes out for work and meets the owner of a clothes store she visited before. Yukikazu is married, but Aya is attracted to his matureness, his elegant luxury and her dream of becoming an elegant lady. Which would give her more happiness, being an elegant lady or creating a loving family?

5. Episode 5: Ginza "A Life Choice of a 30-year-old Woman"

April 20, 2018

Aya is almost 30. Her coworkers are starting to consider switching jobs for a better career. Aya no longer sees Takayuki, and her boss tells her that she's already reached her maximum skills. She decides to submit her resume on a jobs website to try and advance her career. Luckily, she books an interview with a high-end brand company. She leaves the Ebisu district full of optimism and enthusiasm. Did she choose the right path for her happiness?

4. Episode 4: Ebisu "Single Man"

April 20, 2018

Aya moves from Sangenjaya to Ebisu. She is now the leader of developing a new brand, and she is happy with her work and social life. After going on a few dates with Takayuki in Ebisu, he tells her he doesn't want to get married because he doesn't want to be restricted by the system. Aya is surprised to hear that, but she is enchanted by Takayuki and the Ebisu dates and is convinced that this is what she wanted. She doesn't listen to her colleague, Keisuke's advice at all. On her 29th birthday, Takayuki does not show up to spend the day with her. Aya realizes that romance does not last forever.

3. Episode 3: Ebisu "Friday 8 PM at Ebisu Station"

April 20, 2018

Aya is in charge of a big project at work. When she goes home, Naoki is there waiting for her. Everything is working out and full of happiness, it seems, but a part of her is not satisfied. She ends up going to a dating party to look for a new man. There, she meets men full of confidence -- like the Ebisu district, totally different from Naoki. Aya falls in love with Takayuki, a handsome elite businessman. She chooses to shine as a Tokyo woman rather than be satisfied with happiness that she can earn back home. She eventually leaves Sangenjaya.

2. Episode 2: Sangen-Jaya "Dream Life in Tokyo - The Beginning of a Survival"

April 20, 2018

Aya meets Naoki, who has a sweet yet simple smile, reminiscent of the Sangenjaya district. Aya and Naoki are from the same hometown, and gradually become attracted to each other. Aya feels happy that she can be herself when she is with him. She is also getting comfortable at her job and with her coworkers. Her coworkers often go to dating parties, and Ryoko, an experienced dater, dislikes Yuki for dating as often as her. Keisuke and Aya witness their fierce battle, and Naoki is anxious about Yuki's promiscuity. Ryoko and Yuki finally reach the end of their battle.

1. Episode 1: Prologue "A Girl from Akita"

April 20, 2018

Akita-born Aya dreams of living in Tokyo, wanting to become the envy of her peers. During her high school summer holidays, she visits Harajuku in Tokyo. People in her hometown always told her how pretty she is, but in Tokyo, no one takes notice of her. She finally realizes how ignorant she was of the real world. She goes to a university in the countryside, still having the dream of living in Tokyo. After 5 years of job hunting, she finally moves to Tokyo to start her new life. Her first home is in Sangenjaya. People at her new job, a clothing company, spend time and money enjoying their private life. Others look less fabulous but enjoy their challenging career. Aya thinks about what kind of woman she should be in such a workplace. One day, she gets lost near her home and meets Naoki.

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Where to Watch Tokyo Girl

Tokyo Girl is available for streaming on the Amazon Studios website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Tokyo Girl on demand at Amazon Prime.