Welcome To Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020

P1: E1 "We're Back in Tokyo"

Today is the day! Netflix unleashed 12 fresh episodes onto the world … well to the U.S. I’ve been waiting patiently (sort of) and after devouring the first one, I’m ready to share my hot takes. (spoilers ahead)

First of all, I need to talk about the house this season. Holy moly they’ve gotten an upgrade -- hello, Netflix dollars! This house is gorgeous with new features like a roof floor, bigger beds and two Jaguars in the garage (see you later, Toyota and VW). The first thing I thought of when I saw the staircases was that they are the perfect place to eavesdrop, and that was even before they revealed the girls’ bedroom, which features a window into the main area of the house. Are we gonna have some super secret spying happening this season? I hope so.

So the house is cool and everything, but obviously the housemates are what we really care about. The awkward first meeting introduces us to Kaori (28, illustrator), Shohei (25, actor), Haruka (24, actress) Kenji aka Kenny (31, musician), Risako (21, fitness trainer) and Ruka (20, part-time retail employee). After this episode Kaori stands out the most to me. She seems mature and chill, plus she’s the only one (so far) who hasn’t mentioned a relationship as part of her reason for joining the show. She wants to get motivated, by those around her to become a better illustrator, and I respect that. She’s still ironically, the first person to get asked on date, so you know, maybe romance is still in her future.

Overall it was a pretty standard first episodes. They all meet, then half the house goes grocery shopping while the other half chills. Then they make dinner, talk about their life goals, and separate so the boys and girls can talk about who they’re the most attracted to. You know, the usual. I’m extremely excited for things to get rolling.

Highlights:

- Ruka coming in as the shyest, softest boy. Literally turns red talking to girls. Not sure how long that’s going to be cute, but bless him.

Shy baby, Ruka.

- Risako talking about parkour and then getting to see her do it during the theme song. Please parkour in this gorgeous house, I beg you.

Parkour!

- Haruka throwing death stares after Shohei asks out Kaori. Maybe she just has RBF, but she did not look happy. I already predict she’s going to be silent, but deadly, like Ami last season. If we're extra lucky, the judges will be correct in comparing her to Natsumi.

*glares into soul*

Did anything (or anyone) stand out to you so far? I’m ready to hit play on that next ep.