Aramaki Yurika is an excellent consultant, well known within the industry, who has rebuilt many establishments. She receives a request to help restructure the management of Saitama’s host club “Eichi” which is in danger of being taken over by a top host club in Kabukicho.
The cool-headed Yurika firmly points out the bad aspects of Eichi, and devotes herself to scouting activities in order to find the number one host. However, the young man she finally ends up scouting is a farmer’s son, Iwatsuki Kiseki, who, due to a slower personality, is only able to talk to plants. Nevertheless, at Eichi he meets unique companions all rich in personality, where, despite feeling overwhelmed, he learns to feel a sense of accomplishment and joy that he’d never experienced before.
On the other hand, Akasaka Genji, the number one host in Kabukicho who is planning for the acquisition, has a secret….
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Summer officially came to an end as the last episode of Saitama Host Club aired on September 13, 2023. This show brings you the right amount of drama, comedy, and character development to keep you comfortable throughout all eight episodes. If you’re here for fast action, heart-wrenching love stories, and magical creatures… Saitama Host Club does not have any of that. Except Kiseki might be the only magical miracle1 in the show.
While the plot of the drama might not be eye-catching at first, compared to a lot of other recent love stories or thrillers running at the same time, it’s refreshing to watch. Each episode covers one problem at a time while also slowly working on Yurika’s personal goal to find her first love – sorry, I mean the person she owes a great deal to. It’s simply a comfortable show to watch and does not require you to play detective to figure out the mastermind or predict any plot twists. What you see is what you get!
Saitama Host Club focuses a lot on character development, as well as the saving development of Eichi. Instead of complicated goals such as saving the world, we get a more realistic approach to the struggles of the Eichi members. There are typical “over-the-top” Japanese drama moments, but they are downplayed rather than exaggerated, which helps you connect to the show a lot more. Each character gets a chance to shine and have a spotlight, and as you watch, you might develop some bias towards one host. I already had my eyes set on one before I even started.
The reason I wanted to watch the drama (in one sitting) is because Kiseki is played by Ae! group’s Fukumoto Taisei. His portrayal of Kiseki is splendid, to say the least!
To play an “I can only talk to plants!?” kind of role confused me at first, but I gradually got along with my fellow hosts, and I’m happy to be able to play this cute role.
Fukumoto Taisei about his role.
I would like you to see Kiseki’s growth as well. I have a feeling that my youth is about to begin when I meet everyone in the cast! I will do my best to get people interested in “Saitama no Host”.
My first reaction to the role was “He can only talk to plants!?” and it confused me at first, but I gradually got along with my fellow hosts, and I’m happy to be able to play this cute role.
Fukumoto Taisei about his role.
I would like you to see Kiseki’s growth as well. I have a feeling that my youth is about to begin when I meet everyone in the cast! I will do my best to get people interested in “Saitama Host Club”.
While we usually see Taisei smiling widely, sparkling bright, and cracking jokes at any given chance, Kiseki is a lot more reserved, to the point he has trouble looking at people as he talks to them. He finds vegetables and plants a lot more comforting and safe to talk to. How does that even work when you’re supposed to work as a host? Well, that’s one thing he has in common with Taisei – if there’s a will, there’s a way.
Throughout the drama, we get to see how each character at Eichi has their own problems and joys, and we follow along as Yurika manages to whack some sense into them. Despite her pretty straightforward personality and determination to make sure Eichi does not fall into the hands of the host club in Kabukicho, she slowly warms up to the guys at Eichi.
What I especially loved about Taisei’s acting were the small details he put into bringing Kiseki to life. Whenever he is in the background, observing the others and whatever mess they’ve ended up in, you can see him fiddling with his fingers, nervously holding his hands together, or even clutching at his clothes. He’s not the main focus, but he manages to completely steal the scene with these small details.
The character development is great, as he doesn’t go the shōnen protagonist route and change overnight into a superhero, but rather slowly learns to accept himself and his quirks. While looking into people’s eyes when you’re talking to them might be an easy and natural thing for most people to do, Kiseki struggles a lot with this. The change is natural as the show progresses, and we get to experience how Kiseki is slowly stepping out of his comfort zone. It doesn’t feel forced, and, while the resolution to his problem might be slightly obvious, I still did a happy seal clap when it happened.
When I watched Ae! group’s “Gachi de Never-ending na Story” in January and fell in love, I was already sold on Taisei’s acting skills, and this drama only fuels my love for it even more.
A highlight of Kiseki in the show was in episode five where he does a rap on stage in the audition for the Hollywood movie (you read it right, Hollywood movie) about the hosts in Saitama. As a Taisei fan, it was a delight to see him shine through Kiseki, even if it was just for a short while. The rap? Absolutely ridiculous but perfect in every way, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. skrr! skrr!
Kiseki is honestly someone you can’t dislike. He’s adorable to the point you want to protect him from everything, even his own reflection. Taisei’s naturally cute and attractive features are enhanced by the stunning makeup they put Kiseki in. The first episode has great close-ups of his transformation from farmer boy to Kiseki. A true miracle indeed! Let’s just say he made more things than carrots grow (my heart! I mean my heart and my feelings!).
The people at Eichi accept him as he is, and of course, he turns out to be the one bringing in the money to the club. Can’t blame anyone, I would have gone just for him. Despite everything, he’s doing his best to be better and show his gratitude to Yurika for letting him have this chance to be a host. Their interactions are heartwarming to see, and, while there’s no strong narrative for romance in the show, Kiseki is undoubtedly, but quite endearingly, developing something for Yurika.
There were a few things in the show that I wasn’t too fond of, but those were mainly some classic miscommunications that could have been avoided and people being reckless and stupid in general. They were there for a reason and well, it’s a drama. You can’t spell dramatic without drama after all. Aside from that, Saitama Host Club lived up to my expectations and is a well-produced TV show for those who want something on the lighter side to enjoy.
The drama will get a few rewatches, not only because of every wonderful shot of Taisei as Kiseki but also because the show really makes you disconnect comfortably from everything else. It’s a solid comfort show, in short.
Hold on, we can’t end it like this. Before I turn myself into a plant or a carrot, there’s something you have to see before you leave…
When I say “Taisei was made for TikTok,” I mean it. There you go. Look at the absolute perfection of cuteness! You’ve been blessed by a miracle, and if you get the chance to watch Saitama Host Club, please do!
- キセキ (kiseki) means “miracle” in Japanese. ↩︎