Kodama Naoko's works entertains me. It has substance. The darkness in her characters reflects the basic truth that we all have that darkness within us in whatever form it maybe. Just like Koharu's possessiveness, Rina's self-indulgence and manager-san's insensitiveness. But if you probed deeper, you end up knowing that Koharu is/was infatuated with Rina and acting like one complements Rina's self-indulgence where this self-indulgence made Rina flat out because she spends it daydreaming. That is why Koharu is improving herself in the process. Manager-san has to be insensitive for she works in a cut-throat industry. Thus, if you look at it, that darkness fuels each character's choice of life. However, this darkness must not dominate. There must be a balance. For Koharu's possessiveness is letting/helping Rina reach her dream. For Rina's self-indulgence is to look outside the pinnacle of herself and be sensitive to other's needs like protecting Koharu who obviously is underage and lacks the experience. Manager's insensitiveness is to provide the needs of her talents and steer their career to stay in the industry. With this being said, I don't see any mediocrity or hush-hush work. If anything but a potential as a series to which I agree with GID.