Watch Terrace House: Aloha State

Terrace House: Aloha State is a popular reality television show that first aired on Netflix in 2016. The show takes place in Hawaii rather than the usual location of Japan. The Japanese show, which is filmed in a house, features six young adults living together and going through various romantic and personal experiences.

The show largely follows the everyday lives of its six cast members who are notably more subdued and low-key than typical reality TV personalities. The cast members are Reina Triendl, Yusuke Aizawa, Lauren Tsai, Naomi Watanabe, Avian Ku, and Yuya Shibusawa. The show is hosted by comedians You, Yoshimi Tokui, and Azusa Babazono. The format of the show is unique in the sense that members can come and go throughout the show's run.

One of the main differences from traditional competition reality shows is that there are no challenges, prizes or eliminations. The aim of the show is to provide a window into each contestant's life and the dynamics of the shared living situation. The unusual level of freedom afforded to the show's contestants allows them to be their true selves, showcasing their personalities as they navigate the ups and downs of dating, career pursuits, and problem-solving as a group.

The format provides a rare glimpse into dating and lifestyle customs in Japanese culture, with the show's cast offering a diverse range of personalities and backgrounds. Unlike other reality shows, the people on Terrace House: Aloha State do not bicker or backstab each other. Instead, they engage in usually healthy discussion and dispense advice to each other when needed. Some of the memorable moments of the show include Yusuke's pursuit of pottery, Yuya's pursuit of music, Reina's modeling career, and Lauren's illustration career.

The gentle tension among the roommates is what makes the show so enjoyable to watch, and Terrace House: Aloha State delivers on this as well. The intimate setting of the house and the mundane activities, such as cooking dinner or chatting in the living room, lend themselves to authenticity.

While the living arrangement within the house inspires much of the show's extraordinary moments, Terrace House: Aloha State is explicitly unextraordinary in many ways. Despite living in a luxurious, beach-side home, the cast's simple yet unpredictable living situation makes for interesting viewing. Instead of filling the screen with smoky backrooms, high-energy music, or over-the-top confrontations, the show showcases the quiet ups and downs of designing a life.

At its core, Terrace House: Aloha State is about giving its contestants a chance to showcase their true selves. Unlike its flashy American counterparts, the show uses its unfiltered moments to draw the viewer into a world outside of their own, one that feels grounded in genuine human emotions.

Overall, Terrace House: Aloha State from Netflix with its ability to give its cast complete freedom to navigate their lives as they see fit is a unique, refreshing addition to the reality TV genre. The show's casual, people-first approach contrasts with other reality shows, making it a great alternative for those looking for slow and steady storytelling that focuses on the human experience. The show's eventual cancellation disappointed many fans, but its legacy as a classic of reality TV should continue to inspire similar shows well into the future.

Terrace House: Aloha State is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (36 episodes). The series first aired on November 1, 2016.