Fishbowl Wives ending explained: Revisiting Haruto and Sakura's fate in Netflix's hit Japanese drama

Fishbowl Wives | Image Via: Fuji Creative (FCC)
Fishbowl Wives | Image Via: Fuji Creative (FCC)

Fishbowl Wives brings forth a storyline that resonates deeply with the realism of society. The complexity of marriage and the struggles it brings forth are depicted in a nuanced manner in this series. A significant aspect of the storyline of Fishbowl Wives is the infidelity in the relationship of the couples.

The manner in which the characters handle it is crucial. Sakura’s struggles in her abusive marriage lead her to take a stand for herself. Her ability to break free builds the path of change in the relationships she has with others.


Revisiting Haruto and Sakura's fate in Netflix's hit Japanese drama, Fishbowl Wives

Haruto and Sakura’s dynamic in Fishbowl Wives is a source of comfort for Sakura. However, their relationship does not survive the test of time because of the circumstances that Sakura goes through. They do not end up together at the end of the series. Sakura's abusive marriage created a shackle for her. It caused her to become entrapped in a situation from which she could not find any escape.

Her comforting nature often failed to raise her voice against the difficulties and harm she faced. However, as the storyline progresses in Fishbowl Wives, the subtle changes in Sakura’s nature become a driving factor in the storyline.

In the last episode of the series, Sakura struggles to get a divorce from her husband, as he requests reconciliation mediation, preventing the divorce proceedings from moving forward. However, Sakura is adamant about moving forward, despite knowing the difficulty the divorce case can cause. It already shows how far she has come. Haruto also goes to his father to discuss his wish to get married to Sakura. He also reveals his true feelings while taking over the goldfish shop.

Haruto's father supports him and tells him to do as he wishes. At the court, Takuya begins to say that the evidence is not proof that he does not love Sakura. He openly reveals that he physically abused Sakura. He also accepts that he cheated on her multiple times. He indicates that his insecurity caused him to take such actions. He did not want Sakura to leave him. In the end, he does not object to the divorce.

They finalize the divorce. Sakura is finally able to escape the shackles that had been preventing her from moving forward. Though they get divorced, Sakura is not able to completely ignore Takuya's difficulties. After Sakura leaves him, he completely breaks down. His business collapses. It causes him lose his house as well.

Sakura, after learning about Takuya's situation, begins to find measures to bring the business back to success. This becomes a significant factor in creating the disruption in Sakura and Haruto's relationship. At the end of the series, Haruto realizes that something is bothering Sakura. He understands that Sakura is not able to completely overlook the trouble that Takuya is going through. He understands that waiting for her would further hurt her. They decide to part ways.

Sakura is now self-reliant. She owns her own business. Fishbowl Wives ends with Haruko and Sakura watching the fireworks, but not together. There is definitely a positive note with which the series ends. Sakura’s path to independence truly leaves a lasting impact. The aspect of emotional struggles, complications, and finally moving towards a path of happiness brings a note of realism to the storyline.


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Edited by KOUSHIKI ROY