ju yon sai no haha (Mother at 14) is a bit shocking TV series about a jr. high school girl who gets pregnant at 14.
Miki Ichinose (Mirai Shida) is a 9th grader in Seirin girl's school. She has a friend Tomoji Kirino (Haruma Miura) who goes to the same cram school (school Japanese goes to after their normal school to boost their chance for entry into good high school and college) with her. Miki feels compassionate about Tomoji because he has heavy burden on his shoulder from high expectation of his single mother. One night after they run into trouble with the local delinquents, she has sex with Tomoji. It was the first time for both of them. Later she realizes that she's pregnant. First she considers getting an abortion, but later she decides to have the baby. Tomoji is kept out of the loop in the beginning, but when Miki's parents finds out who the father is, they go to Tomoji and his mother. Tomoji's mother denies the fact, but gradually Tomoji accepts the situation, and decides to work his future to support Miki and the baby. Miki's pregnancy has far reaching effect. Her father's promotion has been passed up because of the scandalous nature of the situation, and her brother also gets picked on by his friends.
The girl who gets pregnant in this series is not a juvenile delinquent, or a girl who has issues with her life. She's a very normal high school student, although little free spirited, is a solid citizen of her school. The pregnancy is by chance. What's awesome is the determination and love that Miki has for her child. She has unbending will at 14 to have the baby. Her parents gradually starts to support her wish because there's no way a 15 year old can support a child.
Mirai Shida does a superb job of playing the role of Miki. The iron will and unflinching intent of Miki is dramatically portrayed by Shida. This real life 14 year old has world class acting talent. If this was a Hollywood production, she would no doubt be nominated for one kind of a prize or another. She's sweet, charming, innocent, and surprisingly human in every way.
A TV series not seen too much outside of Japan (I've seen it on the Internet), never the less deserves wider syndication for its superb portrayal of the student mother.
Look for it, and see it if you get the chance. You will be rewarded.
