A classic family drama in Koreeda’s style with a touch of thriller, “Light of My Lion” offers a thoughtful exploration of some challenging family dynamics. First broadcast in October 2024 on Japan’s TBS Television under a Japanese title meaning Lion’s Den, the series is now fully available on Netflix.
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Brothers Hiroto (Yuya Yagira) and Michito (Ryota Bando) form a small family unit or – better – a “pride” as Michito likes to remark. Michito, nicknamed Mi, is on the autism spectrum and although rather high-functioning, has been cared for by his older brother since their parents both passed away in an accident a few years earlier. In fact, Hiroto has been sacrificing most of his personal life to accommodate Michito’s needs since they were small children. However, there are no regrets, and the two live a seemingly happy life regulated by a strict routine and everyday rituals, as Michito doesn’t react well to any kind of unexpected event; when something disrupts his regulated life, and he feels overwhelmed, he starts rocking, grunting, and listing all the names of various lion species and calling out the Pantone numbers of the colors around him. Wearing the swimming goggles that he always carries around helps him to calm down, but when things start becoming unmanageable, he can even hit his head against the wall and hurt himself.
During the day, Mi spends time in a daycare school where he paints animals with skill and creativity, while Hiroto works as a city hall clerk. However, one day a new element forces its way into their lives in the most unexpected and unusual way. It’s a 6-year-old boy (Tasuku Satô) they find one afternoon, hiding under the patio of their house. The boy calls himself Lion and clutches a stuffed lion toy tightly against his chest. The two brothers are baffled, and Michito is very upset, on the verge of becoming unmanageable, but Hiroto has no choice other than welcoming the boy into their house and offering him dinner and a futon to sleep on. Lion refuses to provide any explanation about his parents and why he is there, but Hiroto notices a few clues that make him think Lion’s mom may be Aoi (Machiko Ono), their rebel older sister who had abandoned the family very early. At the same time, the story about a missing woman and child and a suspected suicide is spreading all over the news, and it’s inevitable to think there is a connection. So much so that an intuitive reporter (Yuki Sakurai) and her rookie assistant are getting closer and closer to joining the dots.
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Undoubtedly a slow burner, “Light of My Lion” maintains a gentle pace throughout its duration and, in the same delicate manner, explores a number of important topics. Autism, caregiving, domestic violence, and personal freedom take center stage as the drama unfolds, questioning the very essence and meaning of family. In fact, “Light of My Lion” presents a comprehensive examination, analyzing through the interweaving arches of the characters, benefits, drawbacks, and potential risks within the familial unit. Family is a hub and a safe place for some, but it can also limit personal choices and opportunities, while in extreme cases, it can be a source of life-altering trauma. However, if all this sounds like an intense psychoanalytic session, the best quality of this captivating drama is its gentle tone, using a touch of suspense and a hint of comedy to engage the audience.
It is indeed a character-driven drama, where the lives of the protagonists are explored and gradually revealed in a satisfying way. In addition, the secondary characters are also well-rounded and well-developed. For example, Hiroto’s charming coworkers—Yota Sadamoto (Taiiku Okazaki), a sweet and funny family man whose experience with children proves useful in handling a few challenging situations with Lion, adding a touch of comedy, and Mio Makimura (Asuka Saito), a feminine presence – deeply missing in Hiroto’s life – whose keen perspective helps when investigating Lion’s family history, always alert for signs of violence or trauma. Along with Tora (Denden), the elderly owner of the small restaurant near Hiroto and Mi’s house who cooks for them once a week, they all form a supportive and loving extended family for the boys.
Such a character-based drama is supported by excellent performances by the young actors and great chemistry between them. Yuya Yagira plays Hiroto with a great deal of sensitivity, while Ryota Bando shines in his portrayal of the younger autistic brother, Michito. He is incredibly believable (excuse the paradox!), never patronizing, and full of nuance—something rarely seen on screen in the depiction of an autistic character. The background research conducted by the scriptwriters and the actor included several visits to autism support classrooms, and professors Honda Hideo, an expert in the field, provided consultation for the series. It is also worth noting that Michito’s beautiful animal paintings, which frequently appear on screen, were created by Kosuke Ota, an artist with autism and an intellectual disability.
Moreover, six-year-old Tasuku Sato, the mysterious character nicknamed “Lion,” is possibly the cutest and most talented child actor seen recently; I wonder if Yuya Yagira assisted or advised him in some way, as he himself was an award-winning child actor – the first child to receive the Cannes Best Actor Award – for his performance in Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Nobody Knows”.
All in all, “Light of MyLion” is a captivating and relatable series, crafted in the tradition of classic Japanese family dramas. It tackles serious issues with realism, a light touch, and an uplifting honesty.
