Fishbowl Wives (2022)
A Japanese Netflix drama about women trapped in gilded cages, each searching for escape, connection, and the courage to reclaim their lives.
Fishbowl Wives - Series Information
- Original Title: 金魚妻
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Ryô Kurosawa
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 50 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: February 14, 2022 (United States - TV-MA), February 14, 2022 (France - 16), February 14, 2022 (Australia - MA15+), February 14, 2022 (Brazil - 18), February 14, 2022 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Alternative Titles: Σαν Χρυσόψαρο (GR), ภรรยาตู้ปลา (TH), 金鱼妻 (CN), Fishbowl Wives (US), 金鱼妻 (SG), 金魚妻 (HK), Kingyo Tsuma (JP)
- Production Companies: Fuji Creative Corporation, Fuji Television Network, Netflix
- Production Countries: Japan
Fishbowl Wives - Plot
Due to an accident, Sakura Hiraga gave up on her dream. She is now married and her husband runs a hair salon. They live in a luxurious penthouse apartment. Her life seems glamorous and she is envied by everyone. What everyone does not know is that Sakura Hiraga is abused physically and verbally by her husband. She is unable to leave her situation. Sakura Hiraga considers herself a goldfish in a fishbowl. One day, due to a goldfish, she meets a man.
Fishbowl Wives - Trailer
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Fishbowl Wives - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ryô Kurosawa
Main Cast
- Ryoko Shinohara
- Takanori Iwata
- Masanobu Ando
- Kyoko Hasegawa
- Wakana Matsumoto
- Shizuka Nakamura
- Saori Seto
- Anna Ishii
- Hidekazu Mashima
- Atsuhiro Inukai
Writers
- Tomomi Matoba
- Miyako Koshikawa
- Fumi Tsubota
Executive Producers
- Kaata Sakamoto
Fishbowl Wives - FAQs
Is Fishbowl Wives based on a manga?
Fishbowl Wives is adapted from a manga series. The story draws from source material exploring themes of domestic abuse, infidelity, and emotional escape, translating the manga's intimate, character-driven drama into a visually rich eight-episode Netflix series set in contemporary Japan.
Where can you stream Fishbowl Wives?
Fishbowl Wives is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all eight episodes of the series.
What is Fishbowl Wives really about?
At its heart, Fishbowl Wives explores the hidden lives of women trapped in loveless or abusive marriages. Each wife in the upscale apartment complex carries a secret, and the series peels back the polished surface of their lives to reveal longing, pain, and the courage it takes to reach for something more.
Who plays Sakura Hiraga in Fishbowl Wives?
Ryoko Shinohara plays Sakura Hiraga, the central character known as 'the fishbowl wife.' Her portrayal of a woman silently enduring abuse behind a glamorous facade is widely considered the emotional anchor of the series, drawing strong praise from viewers.
Does Fishbowl Wives deal with domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is a central theme. Sakura's husband Takuya subjects her to both physical and verbal abuse, and the series doesn't shy away from depicting that reality. The show handles the subject with emotional weight, framing Sakura's journey toward escape and connection as deeply personal and courageous.
How many episodes does Fishbowl Wives have?
Fishbowl Wives consists of 8 episodes, all released on February 14, 2022, on Netflix. Each episode runs approximately 50 minutes, making the complete series a focused, binge-friendly watch that wraps up its story within a single season.
What are similar shows to Fishbowl Wives?
If Fishbowl Wives resonated with you, consider Perfect Marriage Revenge, Burn the House Down, or My Happy Marriage for more emotionally charged Japanese drama. For shows with comparable themes of hidden relationships and complex marriages, Undercover Affair and Hard to Find are also worth exploring.
Is Fishbowl Wives worth watching?
For fans of Japanese romance drama with emotional depth, Fishbowl Wives delivers. Ryoko Shinohara's performance is compelling, and the anthology-style structure — each wife with her own secret — keeps the narrative fresh. It's a slow-burn series that rewards patient viewers who appreciate character over spectacle.
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