• Submissions
  • Support Us
  • nl Nederlands
  • en English
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Staff picks
  • Music
    • Japanese Music News
      • Concerts and festival news
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
  • Japan-related Events
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Reports
  • Colophon
  • Contact
    • Submissions
    • Join the AVO Magazine team
No Result
View All Result
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews Series Reviews

Series Review: Terrace House

Great Japanese drama, without a script

The Metal Lamb by The Metal Lamb
12 November 2018
in Reviews, Series Reviews
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
1
© Fuji Television Network Inc./East Entertainment

© Fuji Television Network Inc./East Entertainment

One of the things which bring us closer to Japan, and likely is the reason many of us took an interest in the first place is television media. If anime was your first exposure to Japan, and the thing that made you interested, then you are the same as 95% of us. If you are that rare 5% who fell in love with Japan’s rich cultural heritage, amazing societal norms, and unique music scene, then you are a liar. It was anime, and you know it.

In addition to anime and some live action dramas, Netflix is now bringing slices of Japanese life into our living rooms in the form of reality shows. Unfortunately, not all the of them are available in all countries, but no matter where you live, you should be able to find something that will give you a nice sense of being home in Japan, even in Europe.

Reality TV has become a staple of programming in every country. In the US, it is usually a contest of talent or endurance. The formula is simple; gather a large number of people with likely conflicting personalities in one space from which they can’t really escape, then watch the fights begin. The show is considered a loss if there isn’t at least one fist-fight or at least several instances of hair-pulling. In contrast, Japanese reality TV is very light-hearted and expectedly polite. This might be considered boring to some viewers, but to those of us who love Japanese culture, it is like having a window to heaven against which to press our noses while we watch.

Terrace House is a Japanese produced programme which has been running for several years. Netflix starts us in on the 9thth series, Boys and Girls in the City. The premise is very simple, furnish a large, luxurious house, supply a couple of cars for transportation, and bring in three men and three women, all strangers to each other, to live there. There is no contest or prize. The cast members can leave any time they want to, and they do so when they feel they have accomplished all they can there or simply can’t be there anymore. When someone leaves the house, there is always a heartfelt and sincere farewell, followed by nervous anticipation of the person who will replace them. Cast members aren’t paid, (as far as the show discloses) and are expected to continue to work or attend school or whatever they did in life before. The beauty of Terrace House is that instead of drunken fights and ill-advised sex, the largest conflicts are usually dishes that were left out, or someone not cleaning the dorm room.

In addition to the cast in the house, there is a crew of commentators who discuss the show at intervals and add colour through humour or just discuss potential outcomes of different situations which arise on the show. The commentators (You, Reina Triendl, Yoshimi Tokui, Azusa Babazono, Ryota Yamasato) vary in age and are also split 3×3 male and female. There is usually a guest presenter on the male side who is usually a popular actor or idol, and they come and go as their work permits. The commentary is always good for laughs if the show’s content ever becomes dull. Despite their often-strong differences in opinion, they almost always agree that they want the young people in the house to find romance with each other.

Boys and Girls in the City: This series takes place in an undisclosed location in central Tokyo. The house is furnished with a swimming pool and a game room, as well as a lavish kitchen and dining area. The residents often gather in these places for conversation, or confession. This series was extended three times for a total of 46 episodes due to viewer interest and continuing potential for romance.

© Fuji Television Network Inc./East Entertainment
© Fuji Television Network Inc./East EntertainmentTer

Aloha State: Terrace House leaves Japan for this series, and lands on the lovely island of Oahu in the US state of Hawaii. Many of the cast members are natives of Hawaii, or live elsewhere in the US, but are of Japanese heritage. The main language of the show is still Japanese, although cast members sometimes slip into English, especially during stressful situations. This series has the most drama of the three, likely due to the presence of several American-Japanese members who do not adhere to the principles of harmony and politeness. It also has the most scenes with cast members in bathing suits, IF that is your thing.

Opening New Doors: This latest season takes place in Nagano prefecture. Winter is the overall theme of this one as there are frequent snowfalls at the house, and cast members participate in winter sports such as snowboarding, ice hockey, and ice skating. While this series has less drama than Aloha State, it does have the most heart-softening romance and every episode leaves you feeling good. The series is up to episode 24 on Netflix, but isn’t finished, which means the viewer can both curse the cliffhanger of the last episode, and eagerly anticipate the day the series resumes.

Rating: 80/100

Terrace house is available for viewing in:
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• India
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan (duh)
• Lithuania
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Russia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States

For what is likely the most real, reality TV experience you will ever see, don’t miss out on Terrace House. Ditch the script and settle in for hours of real slices of Japanese life.

Tags: 2015Terrace House
ShareTweetShareShareShareShare
Previous Post

Right energy during the performance of Crossfaith in Patronaat

Next Post

Product Review: Top Seika – Pokémon Candy

The Metal Lamb

The Metal Lamb

Lee is an American headbanger who is in love with Japanese heavy metal. He also likes to write things.

Related Posts

A black-and-white photo of the three band membes of GUNGIRE. They are standing in front of what seems to be a white or light backdrop. They are standing side by side, mostly dressed in dark clothing, only the vocalist is standing a bit more foreward. | Photography by Saskia (sas.silence on Instagram)
Music Reviews

Music Review: GUNGIRE – OUTLIVE (Single)

by Peter Dennis
22 July 2025
0

Having been given the (unofficial) title of “Japan’s angriest band”, it’s a moniker GUNGIRE seem intent on living up to....

Read moreDetails
The photo depicts the four members of TAMIW in the middle of a street at night. The members are dressed in stylish outfits and are standing towards the camera lens, making it an up-close photo with a carefree attitude. Photography by Emiri Habaki

Music Review: TAMIW – Farewell Party

1 July 2025
Colourful artistic cover of TsuShiMaMiRe 20th full-length album バンドは水物 (MIZUMONO), featuring the three members at that time, vocalist and guitarist Mari, bass player Yayoi and drummer Maiko. There are masks drawn on their faces and on top of it the band name and album title in a font that seems like splashes of water.

Music Review: TsuShiMaMiRe – バンドは水物 (MIZUMONO)

11 June 2025
Illustration of the four members of Seventeen Years Old And Berlin Wall. It is a minimalistic illustration, with a hazy/cloud effect in orange and blue colours mixed in with a white background.

Music Review: Seventeen Years Old And Berlin Wall – Distance (EP)

16 May 2025
The photo depicts the (support) members of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER dressed in a gothic-inspired metal style in a dark lit room, probably located in an (old) factory with red lighting to amplify the atmosphere. Photo by Ato4 Sound Factory (@ato4soundfactory)

Album Review: FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER – Anthems of the Resilient

12 March 2025
Next Post
Product Review: Top Seika – Pokémon Candy

Product Review: Top Seika - Pokémon Candy

Comments 1

  1. Arno says:
    7 years ago

    It is strangely addictive. They�re all so nice, polite and especially the men, very emotional. Was surprised how many times they actually cried. I mean, the �meat incident� …. Or the amount of times Taka has cried in Opening New Doors. It�s so … cute. I�m at Opening New Doors ep38. Not waiting for Netflix, just download it from the big interweb.

    Btw, I have no interest whatsoever in anime, cosplay and basically anything that takes place in Akihabara apart from it being interesting to watch as a cultural thing as �an un-believer�. Perhaps you live in a bubble with your liar remark?

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Arno Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About AVO Magazine

AVO Magazine is more than just an online magazine about Japanese music and culture. In addition to covering Japan-related events in Europe, AVO Magazine also supports and organises them. Under the banner AVO Magazine presents, several concerts and festivals have been held, including AVO J-Rock Festival (2013) and AVO J-Music Festival (2018), featuring performances by Japanese (indie) musicians. More information about AVO Magazine can be found here.

Have news related to Japan or Japanese music you'd like to share? Feel free to send us an email.

Recent articles

Photo with the seven group members of ASP posing, brought together as if it were a collage. They are wearing black rock-inspired outfits with accents of red and white.

ASP ready to venture further into the United Kingdom with first tour outside Japan

24 July 2025
Photo shows AiNA THE END in a white dress with cutouts, posing in front of a blue background and standing in a spotlight. © Avex

AiNA THE END is coming to Spain to perform at Manga Barcelona 2025

24 July 2025
A black-and-white photo of the three band membes of GUNGIRE. They are standing in front of what seems to be a white or light backdrop. They are standing side by side, mostly dressed in dark clothing, only the vocalist is standing a bit more foreward. | Photography by Saskia (sas.silence on Instagram)

Music Review: GUNGIRE – OUTLIVE (Single)

22 July 2025
Photo of Wednesday Campanella at Asakusa Public Hall in Tokyo in April 2025. The photo captures a lively scene of a performance on a brightly lit stage. On the stage, Utaha is dressed in a colourful outfit and Kenmochi is in the background on his DJ booth. Both are waving with a towel/muffler. Photo by Masato Yokoyama, courtesy of Tsubasa Records

Interview: Wednesday Campanella on “Summer Time Ghost”, performing in Asia and upcoming shows in Europe

21 July 2025
Music Video Roundup logo on top of a design with the red dot (inspired by the Japanese flag) on top of a photo of an old television, placed on a chair with orange-coloured tiles on the background. (Photo by Hamed Asad, edited by Francisca Hagen)

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 29, 2025)

20 July 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Soundcloud Discord
Online magazine since 2012 and based in the Netherlands. AVO Magazine is a Japan-related entertainment website with information about events in especially in Europe. There is a big focus on Japanese music. Other contents we publish are reports, reviews, informative articles, and interviews. AVO Forum, founded on May 16, 2003, served as the foundation for AVO Magazine.

Contact (Francisca Hagen): hello[@]avo-magazine.com

Please do not use text and photos made by AVO Magazine without permission. An email is easily created. Let's support each other!

Affiliates

JPU Records

1_General CDJapan

Featured on

  Lucydafirst - Crate Culture Podcast LOGO

AVO Magazine Approved

  • ANGURA
  • Arlequin Photography
  • Get Your Genki
  • Idol is SHiT
  • iPod of mine
  • J-POP streaming
  • Japan Jams
  • Japone Artists
  • The Sushi Times

Copyright © 2012-2025 AVO Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Staff picks
  • Music
    • Japanese Music News
      • Concerts and festival news
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
  • Japan-related Events
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Reports
  • Colophon
  • Contact
    • Submissions
    • Join the AVO Magazine team

Copyright © 2012-2025 AVO Magazine

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.