Hishakai Shindo (Depth of Field) Review: Seaside Blues & Heartache
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Things begin with the crash of a guitar, smashed to pieces, before we meet the protagonist of ‘Depth of Field‘ (Hishakai Shindo), teenager Hayakawa Shuichiro (Usa Takuma), a talented musician who has given up on music after a fallout with a friend. But a growing friendship with Konno Ryohei (Hirano Koshu), a quiet classmate from another section, reawakens Hayakawa’s passion for music and a long-buried ache for love. Will his new feelings remain one-sided?
Directed by Kawasaki Ryo (Zenra Meshi, 25 Ji, Akasaka de), this six-episode teen drama is based on the manga of the same name by Enjo, set against the scenic backdrop of a scenic seaside High-School. The opening episode quickly establishes Hayakawa as the popular kid in school, easygoing, flirtatious, and indulging the attention he gets from girls just to fit in. But the act soon wears him down. Feeling suffocated, he escapes to the school’s off-limits terrace for a breath of fresh air, and that’s where he meets Konno Ryohei, a serious, grounded aspiring photographer who ends up changing Hayakawa’s life.
It took me a couple of episodes of ‘Depth of Field‘ (Hishakai Shindo) to warm up to Hirano Koshu’s portrayal of Konno Ryohei. The character feels almost too perfect, which is exactly what unsettles Hayakawa at first, but along with him, the viewer begins to gravitate towards Konno. He is calm, confident, and carefree, but in a quietly assured way; focused and determined to follow in his photographer father’s footsteps.
In contrast, Hayakawa feels trapped in every part of his life: he’s unsure about his future after high school, has abandoned the music he once loved, and is wrestling with his sexuality, feeling drawn to boys rather than girls. Usa Takuma is a treat to watch as the complex Hayakawa, who can be both surprisingly impulsive and frustratingly cautious, depending on his mood. The onscreen chemistry between Konno Ryohei and Usa Takuma is interesting, although the short duration of the show doesn’t fully explore the deep bond that grows between their characters over the school year.
The cinematography in ‘Depth of Field’ (Hishakai Shindo) bathes the first half in calming rooftop views by the sea, fitting, as that’s where the bond between the protagonists quietly deepens. The soft blue hues of the sky and ocean add a gentle layer of romantic tension, set in contrast with the warmer tones of indoor scenes, where emotional turbulence brews. It’s a subtle yet striking visual metaphor: on the rooftop with Konno, Hayakawa can finally breathe, hum tunes, and be himself. Indoors, though, the walls seem to close in, reflecting his inner conflict. Childhood flashbacks help viewers understand why Hayakawa gives up music, although the child actor that plays the younger Hayakawa looks nothing like the older actor, which was slightly disappointing.
In the second half of ‘Depth of Field‘ (Hishakai Shindo), the story jumps ahead three years to follow Konno and Hayakawa as university students, each pursuing their passions, photography and music respectively, even as matters of the heart continue to slip through their fingers. A few new characters are introduced in the tale, some of whom help push the story forward. Since Konno is a straightforward, serious character, the climactic episode delivers a heartfelt resolution to the romantic conflict, without high-drama or cliches.
Anyone looking for a cinematic, nostalgic, seaside slow-burn Japanese high school romance, like Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo (If It’s With You) or Kimi no Koto Dake Mitai (I Only Want to Keep Looking at You) will love this series. The music theme in the story also gives it a slight Given-like feel. The series could’ve used another episode or even two, but overall, it’s a pretty great one-time watch.
Rating: 8 on 10. ‘Depth of Field’ (Hishakai Shindo) is on GagaOolala.
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