Netflix’s latest Japanese drama, He’s Expecting, released on April 21, 2022. The drama features Takumi Saitoh and Ueno Juri in lead roles. It is loosely based on the manga named Hiyama Kentaro’s First Pregnancy and the drama tells the story of Hiyama Kentaro (played by Takumi Saitoh) and his journey as a cisgender pregnant man. ..
He’s Expecting is a drama about a young woman who becomes pregnant after being raped. The eight episodes were released together and each clocks in at just over 25 minutes. The story is handled well and the drama executes a fair storytelling of a rare phenomenon. ..
Seto Aki is a 33-year old man who works in the same company as Hiyama Kentaro. He is also popular with his colleagues, but he is more reserved and introverted. He is shorter and stockier than Hiyama and has a more rugged appearance.
In the first episode, we see that there is a rare medical occurrence where men are getting pregnant. The doctors claim to have at least one such case every month. The society which is long accustomed to only women giving birth, looks at this occurrence with a critical and silly view. The men who get pregnant are shunned by society, called names and often harassed. In the drama, it is also shown how these group of men come together and create a safe space for themselves.
The characters
Kentaro’s story is about how he went from being content with his life to finding himself in a situation where he had to face challenges and make changes. He faced discrimination and was told that his pregnancy was not real. He faced a lot of challenges, but he persevered and eventually found a way to have a child without breaking the law. This story is about how people can overcome obstacles and find happiness in their lives.
The story follows the interactions between father and daughter as they try to work through their differences. The daughter is very career-oriented and headstrong, while her father is a more laid-back individual who does not always agree with her decisions. However, the two have been able to overcome their differences in order to help their family survive.
The employees at Hiyama’s workplace are friendly and professional. Tanabe, Hiyama’s work rival, is quite competitive but his ideas lack the charm to be selected for a promotion. His language is a bit blunt, and his commentary on women and their bodies is quite uncomfortable to watch. This was reflected on his co-worker Koga-san’s face, and Hiyama was quick to pick it up.
The chemistry between the leads is definitely good to watch. It is comfortable without feeling burdensome. The classic role reversal in the case of a child born out of a wedlock might incite a giggle or two when these two discuss their future as parents of the child.
The supporting cast of He’s Expecting carry out their roles beautifully. The role, be it big or small, makes for a significant space in the drama’s story. The strained relationship with parents, estrangement from one’s parent, to even discussing marriage and children, each of these aspects are executed without any addition of fluff. ..
The plot and storyline
What is interesting in He’s Expecting is that the drama takes something which is taboo and presents an amicable picture in front of the audience. Cis male pregnancy is something unheard of, although there are cases reported in the UK and the US where transmen and people who claim to identify as ‘men’ had been pregnant.
In He’s Expecting, the protagonist is expecting a baby and must deal with the reality of being pregnant. This drama takes something from reality and adds in some fantasy to make it more interesting.
The makers of He’s Expecting try to empathize and sympathize with men who have been pregnant, and to address the prejudice and naysaying that would ensue with such a rare and non-conforming occurrence. The scene where Mr. Miyaji’s baby is miscarried is also present, and it is resolved with a satisfying answer.
He’s Expecting tries to add a positive message in society. It still does not answer how cisgender men can get pregnant though, beyond the opening scenes of doctors in interviews speaking about it. Despite that, there’s no proof or even an attempt to show that such pregnancies are possible. There are some comic scenes, and some heartfelt ones too.
If you’re looking for a sci-fi/fantasy drama, He’s Expecting is worth watching. If you’re okay with watching some hospital shots, then He’s Expecting should offer enough for you.
