The series follows three perspectives: a government official, a Tokyo Electric Power Company employee, and a worker at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, each with their respective teams tackling the aftermath of the March 11, 2001 earthquake and tsunami. From the reporting updates to the public to the dedication of first responders, 'The Days' excels at piecing together the macro- and micro-decisions that went into saving the residents of Fukushima. The series deepens the narrative to be more than a mere recollection with its scenes of the families of the victims and the residents as they evacuate their homes. Its steady pace, emotional close-ups, and suspenseful score capture the harrowing atmosphere of Japan's worst natural disaster. 

 

Employing slow-motion sequences, suspenseful scores, and long eye-level shots allowed the impact of the disaster to sink in. It tempered the rush and panic, giving viewers enough time to experience how long the days felt. Moments of lingering eye contact (or something as simple as following a hose as it fills with water) highlighted the worries and the seeds of hope in every person fighting to save Fukushima. The overall cinematography and editing were imbued with emotion and respect, making it much more than a fictional retelling.