The Fishbowl Wife
Episode 1 of Fishbowl Wives wastes no time getting to the adult content of this series. There’s a provocative lovemaking session, as Takuya Hiraga cheats on his wife, Sakura, with his mistress. It’s actually her birthday too, and while Sakura busies herself, moving between the tables and making small talk, Takuya continues to do whatever he wants. The first episode of Fishbowl Wives dives right into the adult content with a steamy affair between Takuya Hiraga and his mistress. On Sakura’s birthday, things get even more out of hand as she’s busy chatting with guests at the party while her husband indulges in some illicit activities. ..
Noriko and Yuka, two of the apartment block’s residents, join a shaman at a table to discuss getting a goldfish to improve feng shui. The reasoning behind this is that fish are believed to be good luck symbols. ..
Sakura and Takuya have a complicated relationship that is not without its issues.
Sakura heads off to do some errands for Takuya, but winds up meeting Haruto, who just so happens to have a whole shop dedicated to goldfish. They chat about the fish and how they’re enjoying their lives. Sakura is impressed by Haruto’s dedication and decides to visit his shop more often.
The pair hit it off immediately but another message from Takuya, reading “get me cigarettes”, breaks the mood completely. That night, Takuya agrees to let her buy a goldfish. (Well, he actually says “do what you want”, which is basically a yes)
Sakura and Haruto spend more time together after she helps him around the store. Sakura is buzzing after being given the freedom to work properly and without criticism. On her way home, Haruto thanks her with a big grin. ..
Sakura is in a bad mood when she walks through the front door. Takuya is in a bad mood, smashing the goldfish bowl on the floor, demanding she be careful with her new salon and take the fish back to the shop.
Sakura and Haruto spend the day together, flustered over their lost scales. Haruto helps Sakura when he notices her cut arm, putting a plaster over her wrist. After spending the whole day together, Haruto hands over a glass goldfish for her, a symbol of toughness.
Sakura is confused by the shaman’s comment and wonders if she was talking about her. The shaman then leaves the elevator, leaving Sakura to ponder her cryptic comment. ..
When Sakura returns to her apartment, Takuya makes a bold decision and puts Nene in charge as the store manager instead, relegating his wife to doing “odd jobs”. He tells her it’s his money but Sakura stands up for herself, refusing to listen to him calling her junk and defective anymore, and runs away. ..
With the rain pouring down, Haruto shows up like a guardian angel and manages to save her, throwing his arms around the woman and taking her back home. He showers her down and generally cares for Sakura. As he tentatively touches her hand, Haruto encourages her to stay at his place until she feels better. As they stare longingly into each other’s eyes, they kiss.
The Episode Review
Sakura is stuck in a abusive relationship with Takuya, and she’s not sure what to do. She’s in love with him, but he’s always using her and making her feel like she’s nothing. The first episode of Fishbowl Wives reinforces the idea that the fishbowl is a real place where people can be free and happy.
Sakura and Haruto are developing a close relationship. They are urging each other to look into getting a goldfish, but it is not clear if Takuya will notice.
This chapter sets up the groundwork for the rest of the season and I’m sure there will be plenty more drama to come over the episodes ahead.
