Koi ga shitai Koi ga shitai Koi ga shitai [恋がしたい恋がしたい] A Drama that has such good actors and chemistry between them that it did not need a complex storyline wist twists and surprises to be absolutely great.
Maybe the best acting I've seen so far (5 stars to Miho Kanno)
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Interesting story and great acting and personality of Tomoko Yamaguchi. Kimura plays his usual cool guy.
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] A very unusual drama thanks to the Manga-style jokes, great acting from the lead couple, great music, and a good storyline to the end.
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Interesting story thanks to the mute Shibasaki, adding some orginality. High-school type of romance.
Abe Hiroshi [阿部寛] An actor with various talents. I already like him from before, but his very different performance in "Kekkon dekinai otoko" convinced me even more.
Hirosue Ryoko [広末涼子] One of best actresses in jdoramas for me. Very spontaneous and natural; Loved her in every role
Kanno Miho [菅野美穂] Not a traditional japanese beauty, but strong skills in acting. Loved her performance in Koi ga shitai
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉] Worth more than the classic Cool guy role he played so many times.
Nakama Yukie [仲間由紀恵] Incredible comic power (Gokusen, Trick) but does also great in serious roles.
Sawajiri Erika [沢尻エリカ] After seing her in 1 liter of tears, I was sure she was going to become a huge actress. Seing her in Taiyou no uta only confirmed it. I can't wait for her next dorama.
Don't you think she has something of Kimura Takuya?
Aikurushii [あいくるしい] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I usually find family doramas too slow, too cheesy, and cannot finish them. This was was interesting enough that I could not stop. Nice one!
Akai Ito [赤い糸] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This was a good surprise to me as well. None of the actors is really famous yet, yet all of them did a very good job. The storyline is quite conventional, and some twists are predictable, but not all of them, and all characters are enjoyable.
This is a classic teenager romantic comedy with 2 high school students who are destined to be together but keep missing each other for all the wrong reasons. Some serious elements are included in the storyline, such as drugs, suicide, divorce, etc, but not for the purpose of writing a serious story, only to give the story some new twists. The dorama is never dark though, some moments are sad (but is there a romantic dorama without its sad moments?) but never dark.
Ame to Yume no atoni [雨と夢の後に] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Classic, a bit slow-paced, well-played dorama with a touch of originality, some comedic relief and some surprises in the story (very very mild horror scenes). All in all, a nice watch, but not an unforgettable moment.
Aoi Tori [青い鳥] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I hope they would do more doramas like this one, with a real script and a real story. Great movie
At Home Dad [アットホーム・ダッド] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) It really sounded good. I really like the actors, the storyline sounded interesting, but I couldn't get into it. I could not find anything really exciting about this dorama. Too bad, since there was nothing really wrong about it...
Beach boys [ビーチボーイズ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) An ok dorama. Great actors for a very classic story.
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I liked it very much. Although I'm not fond of tearjerkers, and not fond of Kimura either - who sorta always plays the same tough guy role - I really enjoyed this one. The story is well built and the chemistry between Kimura and Tokiwa really works. Tokiwa particularly is very convincing and touching in playing her character. The romance of Mizuno and Watabe also adds some fun in watching this dorama.
Bengoshi no Kuzu [弁護士のくず] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Bengoshi no Kuzu is a fun light-hearted comedy, based on funny characters , lawyers in a small firm which will deal with 1 case per episode.
Each episode has the same layout: a new case is given to the 2 main leads, the senior and crazy Kuzu and the fresh lawyer Takeda. The young lawyer does all the serious work while the old one has fun, and finally creates the surprise by being the only one who undercovered the truth at the end of the episode.
The cast is good and all actors play well, the jokes are funny too but the repetition is a bit too much beyond the 5 first episodes.
I believe that more character development or interaction would have given more depth and interest to this series.
To conclude, I'd say it's a fun comedy to try with medium expectations, and you don't have to go to the end of it anyway. There is nevertheless one good reason to at least watch 1 episode: the extraordinary performance of Toyokawa Etsushi, so different fromhis usually serious roles such as Aoi Tori. I could not believe my eyes !
Boku dake no Madonna [僕だけのマドンナ] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Average. The scenario was very interesting at the beginning as you try to figure out the story of the young woman, then after you figured it out there's not much left apart from an average romantic comedy.
Hasegawa Kyoko plays well and her character is fun to watch but the boy (Takizawa Hideaki) is obviously just here to show his pretty face.
BOSS Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of these good comedies.
I compare it a little to Mr.BRAIN, as a typical jdorama-ization of an American concept, in this case the CSI series. Just like Mr. BRAIN, under Japanese hands, the concept becomes more of a comedy, but structured also around cases that the heroes have to solve.
The cases make sense, the comedy is good, the cast perfect (kudos to Amami Yuki for her comedic talent), the character development well done, the pace is fast and keeps you hungry for more. Even the filming is modern and interesting.
All in all, a very good time to spend in front of the TV! Can't wait for Season 2!
Brother Beat [ブラザー☆ビート] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Unexpectedly good. Did not expect much from it, but it is a very good dorama with a good mix of everything. The mom is hilarious.
CHANGE Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Perfect mix of everything. I does not have any special effect or any innovative filming technique, it is just a very good story, well written, with some twists and surprises here and there to keep you going, the actors are all very good - even the younger or less famous ones every episode makes sense and does not drag, there's a good mix of adventure, comedy, a touch of romance.
Code Blue Season 2 [コード・ブルー 2] Rating: 7/10 Good - but not Great.
I liked Code Blue a lot.
The cast, the characters, the story, the modern execution, the fast pace, the good balance between the story and the character development.
I liked Code Blue 2 as well.
The cast, the characters, the story, the modern execution, the fast pace, the good balance between the story and the character development.
But... it was like watching Code Blue again.
Yes it goes a little further into the characters, but not so much, and there are no suprises either, and the background medical stories are pretty much the same as in the first series.
So my conclusion: if you really enjoyed Code Blue, you will enjoy Code Blue 2. Too bad they did not try a little harder.
Code Blue: Doctor Heli Kinkyu Kyumei [コード・ブルー] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I agree with most of what's been said above.
I relate it a bit to Iryu, for those who have seen this other medical dorama. Same team of various characters, same fast pace, same modern filming style.
I only give it a 7 since I was hoping for a little more of character development and a little less of surgery. I think there was room for a little more interaction between the 5 main characters, particularly on the size of Aizawa-sensei / Yamapi.
It was still a very enjoyable watch, with only good actors and a fast-pace that keeps you entertained to the end.
Don't miss the Special, which closes the season much better than the last and eleventh episode.
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) The main story is a bit slow and predictable, but I made it a 7/10 because of the side-stories and side-characters (funny) and the incredibly good acting of Ryoko Hirosue (as always). Worth watching
Densha Otoko [電車男] Rating: 3/10 (Watched) I went to the end of it, and I have to admit that this dorama stands out a little bit (due to its different style), but it was not as memorable as many others. Probably because I did not buy in the play of the 2 main characters, who seemed to extreme for me.
Egao no Hosoku [笑顔の法則] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) The average comedy. Perfect acting of the 2 leads but a bit too conventional storyline - and maybe a lack of some romance too :-)
Fukigen na Jiin [不機嫌なジーン] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) Takeuchi Yuko is good, as usual.
All the rest is mediocre.
Galileo [ガリレオ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Good detective series. The cases are interesting, the acting is very good, and there is comic relief everywhere to make it fun to watch.
Galileo Season 2 [ガリレオ 2] Rating: 7/10 A pleasant watch, well done and with good acting and everything, but just too much of the same thing. I gave the first season a 8, I will go down to 7 for season 2.
Going My Home [ゴーイング マイ ホーム] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Not your typical dorama, but definitely a recommended watch for anybody. Even if you are most attracted by modern fast-paced series, I would still recommend to give it a try, go through the first 2 episodes and then make a decision. By the time you finish the 10 episodes, some of these characters, and some of the best moments of the movie, will stay with you.
Gokusen [ごくせん] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) The only dorama for me that can compete with GTO as being both hilarious and touching.
GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 10/10 It will be really difficult to do better than GTO...
The story is great and the cast just perfect!
Hanayome to Papa [花嫁とパパ] Rating: 2/10 (Watched) One of the very few doramas I gave up on before reaching the end of it.
Granted, Ishihara Satomi is very cute, she overacts a little but that's fine, she does not overact to a point of being unbelievable. What made me quit is really the role of the father, how he meddles in everything and how everybody seems to think it's normal, including his 20 years old daughter. I don't know of any 20 year-old Japanese girl who would accept 10% of what he's doing. And even though this is a dorama and such unrealistic things have to be expected, I thought it was just going too far.
I would have watched the dorama for a little more if the rest of the story was interesting, but I found the story just plain average.
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e [花ざかりの君たちへ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Again Horikita Maki runs the show, and makes it worth watching it. I was growing tired of watching school-doramas, but this one was really funny - I have not regrets watching it.
Hanzawa Naoki [半沢直樹] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Hanzawa Naoki is a well-rounded, well-acted drama centered around the character of Hanzawa Naoki (portrayed by Sakai Masato) and his battle against seemingly impossible tasks.
I will start by commenting on the similarities and differences vs. Legal high, that people often compare it to. My opinion is that the only common thing between these two jdoramas is the main actor. Other than that, they are very different series, and comparing them does not make sense or justoce to either. Legal high is a comedy, in which Sakai Masato plays outrageously to build on the comedy.
Hanzawa Naoki is a drama, with its fun moments, but it is a drama. The characted played by Sakai Masato is quite different, and he does an absolutely fantastic job depicting the character, bringing such intensity to the acting that few other actors would have been able to.
Now for the series itself. It is simply a very good drama. The scenario is well written, it unfolds in 2 parts (at the branch and then at the head office) while the back story reveals itself. The acting is superb (I already mentioned Sakai Masato but Kagawa Teruyuki is particularly impressive as the evil Owada, and Ueto Aya is surprisingly good is her supportive role). The side stories work and are again well-supported. You get the occasional laugh and the story is not dark.
All in all, a very good drama that will make you forget the performance of Sakai Masato in Legal High and only remember this one. A recommended watch.
Hataraki Man [働きマン] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I categorize this one in category of the well-rounded, well-written, well-acted, well-directed modern doramas. Nothing disappoints there, there is a little bit of everything: good plot overall, nice and different characters, good acting across the board, some touches of originality, some comic relief, some romance, a strong lead actress (I have to admit that I am a big fan of Kanno Miho and was not disappointed again).
I found 2 weaknesses though: first, the fact that there's not much that is really outstanding in this dorama, except the closing scene which I absolutely loooved (I played each one 3 of 4 times), but that's only 30 seconds or so. Second, I found that the plot held up well until episode 5 or 6, then obviously the writers were looking for more ideas, and they reverted to classic tricks (but it still was well done)
My conclusion: it probably won't be an unforgettable moment, but I don't think anyone will be disappointed by this dorama.
Hatsu Taiken [初体験] Rating: 7/10 Well-done and professional from the beginning to the end, and the acting was good, but somehow the story was a bit too plain (maybe too realistic :-) Enjoyable still.
Himitsu no Hanazono [ヒミツの花園] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Shaku Yumiko is not the best lead actress there is but she still did a good job and the rest of the cast was very good (Maya Miki).
I would recommend not to hesitate to watch this dorama. You will spend a good time with this light-hearted comedy and a bit unconventional scenario.
Hoshi no kinka 1 [星の金貨] Rating: 9/10 A great classic.
Sakai Noriko was absolutely perfect for this role.
Hotaru no Hikari [ホタルノヒカリ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I read the Review from Wynter and this is basically what I felt, except I enjoyed it from the start.
I seldomly really laugh out loud while watching a dorama, but this one did it to me. The scenes between Hotaru (Ayase) and her Buchoo (Fujiki) at home were always so funny, and they kept coming with different types of jokes (not always the same thing that repeats itself).
I usually don't care much for Fujiki, who tends to always play the same type of role with his serious face (except Galcircle that was a bit too much), but in this dorama he managed to pull out a very credible character, which was far from easy considering what he had to face with the character of Hotaru, and really helped to build the comedy.
And yes, Kato Kazuki (Makoto) was a waste (he only has one face - I think he was playing with a mask on :-), but whatever, he was not the one you'd look at anyway.
It had been a while I had watched such a good comedy. I would compare it to Nobuta or Mukodono.
Hotman [ホットマン] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Great family drama
Hotman Season 2 [ホットマン2] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) As good as Hotman, except for the novelty, of course. Managed to do a sequel that is as entertaining and does not repeat anything from the first series.
Houkago [下課後] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A short and fun comedy that manages to use 2 classic tricks of doramas: the exchange of bodies and the difficulty of romance between two different worlds (punk vs. high society). The result is a good and funny dorama.
All actors are fairly good, the lead actors that had a difficult job (it would have been easy to overact in these kinds of roles) did it well, the script is good with the occasional twist. There are only a few hard-to-believe scenes that are quickly forgiven for the sake of the development of the romance and also because it's only 5 episodes.
So all in all a very good comedy. Recommended.
Ichi Ritoru no Namida [１リットルの涙] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I usually don't rate 10/10 for a dorama, but this one was really really good. There's no way you will not be touched by it.
Ii hito [いいひと。] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Ii hito is a light-hearted comedy, supported by a brilliant cast (if you can accept Kusanagi's a-bit-over-the-top acting, although it works well in this dorama), with lots of characters of interest that add to the story.
Zaizen Naomi plays her part very well and Kanno Miho's acting is so good that she makes us completely believe in her super-naive character.
I would recommend it if you are looking for a nice comedy to watch.
Iryu [医龍 Team Medical Dragon] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Good dorama for me.
The filming is professional and modern, which is not that common among dorama.
The OST is great, which is another thing that is seldom in doramas I think
And for the rest it works pretty well: good acting, good story, not repetitive, and a good mix of drama and comedic relief.
Iryu Season 2 [医龍 2] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) If you liked Iryu 1, you will equally like Iryu 2.
IS ~Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei~ [IS〜男でも女でもない性〜] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I gave it a 9 as not only is it a well-done and well-acted dorama, but also the topic is so different that it makes it a definite must-watch.
Itazura na Kiss [イタズラなKiss] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) An enjoyable yet classic comedy.
Nothing out of ordinary in this dorama, but the comedy works.
Itoshi Kimie [愛し君へ] Rating: 9/10 Although this romance is triggered by the blindness of the male character, it is not like the other tearjerkers where one of the 2 lovers is about to die. I watched this dorama as a wonderfully written romance. The story is without too big surprises (except for the expected twists to the plot) but well written anyway, all actors are very good (as always Kanno Miho is unbelievably good), and the love story unfolds at a perfect pace along the episodes.
The dorama in itself is funny, light and enjoyable, at no moment dark or depressing, it is really a wonderful and fun Love Story.
Recommended for anyone looking for a good Love Story (compare it to Long Vacation)
JIN [JIN-仁-] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Good story, good actors. Outside of a Taiga dorama, it is hard to find one situated in the ancient Japan, so this one was a great way to see one.
JIN Season 2 Rating: 8/10 It's rare enough when it happens that we should praise it when it does: this is a sequel that is as good as the first season.
Same quality of the story, the actors, everything. Worth watching the 2 seasons in sequence.
Kaikyo wo Wataru Violin [海峡を渡るバイオリン] Rating: 5/10 Interesting for the historical perspective.
The story is short and the historical background is interesting, but I agree with doramafan that Kusanagi Tsuyoshi was not at his best. To his defense, the way his character was written was a little over-dramatic and hard to believe, so his limitations as an actor could not compensate for a role that is hard to support. Kanno Miho did a flawless job per usual and kept me going to the end.
Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi [カレ、夫、男友達] Rating: 8/10 The story follows three very different sisters in their very different love stories.
The stories are very well written. I will agree with other comments that the scenes of domestic violence are a little bit too obvious and extreme, but that's an unfortunate consequence of the dorama format, as there is no time to develop the tension. Nevertheless, I think they were some of the most realistic ones when it comes to jdoramas.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the fact that the stories are not the typical material you usually find in dramas, and the characters felt more real.
The stories and characters are interesting and make sense until the end, and you will gladly follow the three sisters through the changes in their lives.
Kaseifu no Mita [家政婦のミタ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Very entertaining family dorama. I was concerned at first about the role of Matsushima Nanako, always serious, almost robotic, but she did a wonderful job, and the storyline was more interesting than expected.
Keizoku [ケイゾク] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Great cast (great lead duo with Watabe Atsuro and Nakatani Miki) and stories. I really liked that each episode was a story in itself, and in addition to that there was a lot of cahracter development and a back-story that became the main story towards the end episodes. Good dorama.
Keizoku Season 2: SPEC [ケイゾク 2: SPEC] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Having seen the first Keizoku (a classic), I was concerned about the sequel, but I have to applaud what they did with Keizoku 2 - keeping the originality without trying to copy the original at all costs. The result is a pleasant, diffferent detective story, with a good balance of mystery and comedy.
Kekkon Shinai [結婚しない] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Fans of Kanno Miho and Amami Yuki, this one is for you!
Kiina ~ Fukano Hanzai Sosakan [キイナ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Another good comedy from Kanno Miho. If you like the usual style of comedy she does - which I do - you'll like this one.
Kimi ga oshietekureta koto [君が教えてくれたこと] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Very few actors or actresses can play an autistic person the way Tomosaka Rie did. Great series.
Kimi no Te ga Sasayaite Iru [君の手がささやいている] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This dorama is unusual as is it made of 6 episodes, 1:30 hours each (the last episode is 2 hours long), which were filmed and aired every year from 1997 and 2001.
It follows the life of a young deaf woman (Kanno Miho), then of her and her husband, then of their family after they have a child together. Each episode addresses several challenges and narrates how they face them together.
The story is touching overall (without being over-dramatic), the storyline and acting are very good, there is some comic relief and the whole story develops at a calm pace that is never too slow. The unique filming method over 5 years adds a touch of originality, as you see the actors and characters evolving together. A good dorama that I would recommend for those who appreciate well-written realistic storyline.
Koi no Chikara [恋ノチカラ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Boy that was a lot of fun!
Super-good actors, all of them, a great story, a great comedy overall
Koibumi [恋文~私たちが愛した男] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Not the best of all dramas, but fair anyway, with a good set of actors. Watabe Atsuro and Mizuno Miki are excellent as usual, and the storyline, though predictable, well written. The series dragged a little bit towards the end, but the excellent acting of the 2 main actors kept me going. Worth a watch.
Koori no sekai [冰の世界] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) It is refreshing to get to see a dorama with a real story, a complex plot, and characters with a story. The actors are great and reinforce the quality of this dorama that could have been a movie.
Kyuto [キュート] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Your typical High-school dorama.
With the romance, the friendships, the story that develops as you learn each character's past and story, the teachers, the family, etc. With the twist of the Q10 robot bringing a touch of Sci-Fi. I say a touch of Sci-Fi because it really is not the central part of the story, and actually does not make much sense (if you are a Sci-Fi nerd you will find many inconsistencies so don't even try to find any logic anywhere), and is not even explained properly.
Last Friends [ラスト・フレンズ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A dorama of very good quality and excellent casting, definitely worth your time, even if despite the attempts to make it different with all of these difficult topics, it remains something classic that won't make it to my Top10.
Legal High [リーガル・ハイ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This dorama has everything one is looking for in a comedic jdorama: a great cast with strong leading characters (Sakai Masato invents a unique character, over the top but almost in a credible way, and well balanced by the calmer play of Aragaki Yui), a lot of side-jokes, sub-plots with good characters, a fast-pace editing, good character development (with some ambiguity that adds to it), and the combination of a new story for each episode & a larger plot that unfolds towards the end.
If you're looking for one of these modern well-executed comedies (something like Hotaru no hikari or My Boss, My Hero) with a lot of good laughs, you're in for a treat!
Liar Game [ライアーゲーム] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Some will like it, some won't. It is an unusual dorama, but it has all the qualities that you should look for in a dorama: a good storyline, good acting, nice chemistry between the lead characters, and nice filming. For the rest, some won't like the games. I thought it was cool, and different.
LIFE [ライフ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Well adapted from the Manga.
For those who've read the manga and liked it, you will be pleased to see that the adaptation into a dorama was quite well done.
Because it is for TV format, some of the explicit violence and sexual content of the manga (as for instance the arm cutting) has been removed, but the dorama manages to convey the same uneasiness and violence with the acting, the good directing and the music.
The plot is very faithful to the manga, and that works well as the pace of the manga was well adapted for a jdorama format. The acting is overall very good, making some of the shortcuts credible to the end.
All in all a very good dorama on bullying, one of the most significant and realistic on the topic, and a recommended watch whether you've read the manga or not.
Long Love Letter [ロング・ラブレター〜漂流教室] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Very different dorama indeed. I enjoyed the little bit of Sci-Fi in it, but really despite this little addition, this is a rather conventional dorama. Enjoyable.
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) One of the few doramas I know I will watch again and again. Not the funniest of all, but a perfect mixture of light comedy, romance, and good filming (so hard not to start the next episode when finishing one). Since viewing that dorama, Tomoko Yamaguchi became my preferred dorama actress, as being beautiful as a woman - cute in a mature way.
Love Shuffle [ラブシャッフル] Rating: 9/10 Yay Panda!
Most creative dorama I have seen in a long time!
Magari Kado no Kanojyo [曲がり角の彼女] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Loved it.
Light, funny, interesting, well-acted, realistic, the right thing to spend a good moment watching television.
I wish Inamori Izumi were offered more lead roles, she proves here that she has the talent and can carry a dorama on her shoulders.
Mahiru no tsuki [真晝の月] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A good classic for me. The lead actors were good, as well as the 2 supporting actors. The story develops slowly and there is more focus on making the characters seem real than entertaining. I think it is an interesting watch.
Manatsu no Merry Christmas [真夏のメリークリスマス] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I enjoyed this dorama, especially when I was getting to the last episodes.
The story is rather classic and the twists a bit predictable, but what makes it good are the good actors (very good Nakatani Miki) and the chemistry and well-paced progression towards the end of the series. We know quickly how it is going to end; but it is enjoyable to watch it happening.
Manhattan Love Story [マンハッタン ラブストーリー] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) I could not finish this dorama, and that's rare.
I see what they were doing, it had its funny moments, but all in all things were developing too slowly, and there were a lot of bothering characters. I would have liked less characters but more developed, and more of a story rather than bits and pieces of it...
Medaka [めだか] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A very enjoyable dorama, not complicated but not boring, with a nice storyline and great cast, and very good performace from Mimura that carries the series, just like Yukie Nakame does it for Gokusen.
Recommended easy watch
Mop Girl [モップガール] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Great comedy. Good surprise.
It's so difficult to do a good comedy. You need the right acting (Kitagawa Keiko's overacting is just right, and she's funny), the right story with a bit of originality (the time travel provides this), the right second roles (all good - great to see Tanihara Shosuke in a very different role than his usual), and avoid the repititiveness. This one has it all, not outstanding and unforgettable, but very pleasant to watch.
Mou Ichido Kimi ni, Propose [もう一度君に、プロポーズ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Far from other exciting doramas with comic effects, cliffhangers, innumerable twists and unbelievable coincidences, "Mou Ichido Kimi ni, Propose" offers a slower-paced, more realistic storyline that is supported by a good script and efficient actors.
But don't think it is too slow, boring or uninteresting. The story flows nicely so that new elements are brought regularly, secondary stories interconnect with the main plot, supporting cast brings comic relief, so it will keep you going until the conclusion - which is brought, as everything else, with a lot of logic and subtlety.
And one thing that I loved: when they used the classic trick, once, of the man running in the streets and across bridges to find his love, once he finds her, she asks him: "But why didn't to call?" LOL
MR. BRAIN Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A perfect example of what happens when the Japanese decide to copy an American show (or should I say, when they decide to copy several American shows and movies). They don't just copy it, they import the concept and transform it into what they know how to do and enjoy: jdoramas !
This one had a bit of CSI, a bit of "24" and a bit of some more, but then... completely different because it has become a dorama with less-than-optimal detective work, home-made special effects, some overacted roles, but good Kimutaku acting and comedy as usual, lots of typical Japanese situational humour, dorama themes and comedy.
So it's a good series to watch for pure simple entertainment, if you're looking for a good comedy dorama, and not for a CSI - Japan :-)
It is full of cameos too, including some good actors and actresses.
Nagareboshi [流れ星] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Within romantic doramas, this one falls in the category of the more serious and realistic types. The setup is a bit gloomy, Ueto Aya trying to commit suicide, but the development of the story makes sense, goes at the right pace, and touches many other societal topics that help make the story all the more interesting. The pace is not too quick, but that's how things are in real life.
Takenouchi Yutaka and Ueto Aya are perfect in their role, the supporting cast is very good and brings the comedic relief to the story.
If you are looking for a more interesting romantic story, this one will keep you watching till the end.
Narita Rikon [成田離婚] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) A bit too classic. The story is good, and the actors all right, but it was very classic, and not exciting enough for me.
I categorize this jdorama as "nice watch" but not more than that.
The part I enjoyed best was looking at the act of Fukatsu Eri, very sweet and innocent with her young and round face, different from all the other roles I've seen her play after this one.
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku [夏の恋は虹色に輝く] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Good romantic comedy.
This is a good, well-written, well-acted romantic comedy jdorama. Not a revolution, nothing too original or unforgettable about it, but well-rounded and very pleasant to watch.
If you are looking for a well-done romance, this one will work for you.
Nobuta wo Produce [野ブタ。をプロデュース] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A nice & easy-to-watch dorama, about friendship & love of 3 high-school students. Maki Horikita plays her difficult role with lots of talent - lots happen in her eyes and gestures, and the rest of cast is convincing as well. Good plot and good filming.
One of the few dorama that I will remember through a quote: "Nobuta power!"
Note : quite easy to understand for those who like me are not fully fluent in Japanese
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) I liked this one for 3 reasons. First, the totally-crazy-Manga-like scenes, especially in the beginning. Then, the music all along the Dorama, particularly the big concerts. And finally, because it was what I qualify as a "good" dorama, which has a balance of everything: laughter, emotion, surprises, interesting characters, action, etc. I almost dropped off at the second episode, I was getting tired of the jokes - maybe there were too many of those - but then I am glad that I kept going because the jokes stop a little bit and as the story becomes more serious it becomes more interesting. So, stick to it at least until episode 4 or 5 is my advice.
Odoru Daisousasen [踊る大捜査線] Rating: 7/10 Because I have seen Hero before watching Odoru Daisousasen, there was no way I could not compare the 2. The general plot and structure of the 2 doramas are quite similar: for both series, each episode is structured around a case that the main character is involved in. The detective is a bit of a maverick with different methods and beliefs. And there is a small romance with a female co-worker.
I think that Odoru Daisousasen did a pretty good job. Oda Yuji was very good and charismatic, and all supporting lead did great, including the comedy parts. I was looking for a little bit more romance, though, that would have spiced up things and added some depth to the characters. The relationship between Oda Yuji, Fukatsu Eri, Yusuke Santamaria and Mizuno Miki was easy to create a bit more of chemistry and emotion between the caharacters. This is why I gave it a lower rating than Hero.
It remains a very good family dorama with good acting and an interesting storyline.
Ohsama no resutoran [王樣のレストラン] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I always enjoy these old doramas where real (good) actors used to play instead of eye-candy jpop singers. This is one of them.
This is a family comedy with a simple storyline, progressing one episode at a time, written and filmed for the purpose of entertaining us.
The team of actors do a pretty good job at it. For the fans of Yamaguchi Tomoko, this is her at her best, delightful in being funny and natural, and infusing her style and personality in her role.
It does remind me a bit of "My little chef", although "Ohsama no resutoran" was aired 7 years earlier, in the structure and comedic relief and even scenario, except "Ohsama no resutoran" seems a tiny bit more realistic.
Otto no Kanojo [夫のカノジョ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The premise of the series has been done before: 2 people from different backgrounds switch bodies (in this case a young single working woman and an older homemaker mom). But it usually works, and it does this time.
It has all the qualities it needs: the story is well written, some new elements come regularly to spice up the story and it does not repeat itself, the acting is good all the way through (Suzuki Sawa is showing her talent for comedy), the pace is maintained and the comedy works.
Papa to Musume no Nanokakan [パパとムスメの７日間] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Indeed, as it was said above, the scenario lacks a bit in originality, but if you take it like a fun comedy, I think that it really does the trick. All actors are good, including Tachi and Aragaki who manage to preserve the comedy and still act seriously enough so that it is believable.
I really had a good time watching it. The pace was good, there was a good progression through the 7 episodes - I liked that they did not try to extend it to 10 or 11 episodes like they always do, this kept the pace going. I also like when a Dorama has a surprise at the end of each episode to make you want to start the next one right away
All in all a lot of good laughs that you should not overlook.
PRICELESS ~Aru Wake Nedaro,n namon!~ [PRICELESS ~あるわけねぇだろ,んなもん!~] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Kimutaku seems to be doing 2 types of doramas recently: the serious historical dorama, and the light-hearted comedy where he plays the same cool-guy that we have learned to like.
Well this one falls in the second category, and is perfect from beginning to end: strong storyline, great supporting cast (liked Karina a lot in this one), good comedy, twists and all, and it keeps you going till the end.
If you liked "Mr. Brain", "Change", and others from Kimutaku, you will enjoy this one
Proposal Daisakusen [プロポーズ大作戦] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) The initial idea of jumping in the past was interesting, but unfortunately quickly became very predictive. Yamapi did not do a real good job in trying to carry emotions, it seemed that he only knows one face. The rest of the cast was good.
Overall nice to watch once, not more.
Pure [ビュア] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A typical old-fashioned jdorama, well-done and beautifully acted, with the wonderful casting of Emi Wakui. Highly recommended.
Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso [霊能力者 小田霧響子の嘘] Rating: 7/10 Very silly, but with no pretense, and it easily achieves its intended goal, which is to entertain. Ishihara Satomi fully reveals her comedic power, which I'm sure we'll more of after this series!
rinbukyoku [輪舞曲] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Leading couple is absolutely great.
Realistic and serious story that unfolds little by little, with twists here and there.
A lot of everything - romance, funny moments, suspense, great acting, and a great story.
Saki ~ Mitsuketa. Anata no Kowashikata. [サキ ~ 見ぃつけた。あなたの壊し方。] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Nakama Yukie was just the perfect casting for this role, and she did a wonderful job. The story was so-so although wanting you to keep going to find out the full story.
The two elements that make me score it only at 6 were the acting of some of the rest of the crew (Miura Shohei as the brother and pretty much the entire Sudo family), and the lack of side stories or characters, that made the story very uni-dimensional. Worth it for Yukie fans though
Samurai High School [サムライ・ハイスクール] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Lots of fun - if you enjoy high-school doramas - and not remotely as silly as I was expecting it to be.
Satorare [サトラレ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Very different - well played
Seigi no Mikata [正義の味方] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Lots of good things in this good comedy. The actors are good (excellent performance of Shida Mirai as usual), the storyline fast-paced and inventive, the characters entertaining.
You have to like Shida Mirai though to enjoy this dorama. She does most of the comedy, and you have to enjoy her exaggerated acting that makes the comic relief of this dorama.
Shomuni [ショムニ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I was surprised how I actually liked this one. I first watched it because it one of the Doramas that became so famous that you need to see them. There is no real plot throughout the series, every episode comes with its little story, but the characters are interesting enough to keep your attention, and there's lots of fun. Worth watching for entertainment.
Smile [スマイル] Rating: 6/10 This is one I really wanted to like. the story was different and interesting, the lead actors some of the one I enjoy most, the supporting cast was great and brought a lot of humor, but it's just that there was a little bit of something missing. The pace, the twists, something.
Maybe it was just too predictable and not intense enough.
Star no Koi [スタアの恋] Rating: 7/10 Good classic romantic story.
The story develops nicely, the cast is good and the supporting cast adds the necessary touches of humor.
It's all predictable and completely unrealistic, but that does not matter for a romantic comedy, does it? I've seen better, but it was well done enough to deserve a 7.
Summer snow Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Top dorama, with all ingredients that make it a success: romance (Tsuyoshi Dohmoto & Ryoko Hirosue are both amazing), fun (light-hearted humour), action (fast-paced dorama), top-notch acting (again the 2 leads + an interesting acting of Shun Oguri), and lots of emotion in the last episodes. Intense, realistic and enjoyable dorama to the last episode.
Taiyo no Kisetsu [太陽の季節] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) The story is a little weak, but the reason I give it only a 6 is because I am getting tired of lead male roles who have no idea how to act and are just casted because they look good.
Fortunately Ikewaki Chizuru was a great surprise, she supported her role perfectly.
Tantei Gakuen Q [探偵学園Q] Rating: 5/10 Not badly executed, but not for me. Definitely a dorama for the young ones
Tatta Hitotsu no Koi [たったひとつの恋] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Tatta Hitotsu no Koi is a very very classic romantic teenager story. It has all the cliches (poor boy loves rich girl, families are against it, boy does not know how to express his feelings, keeps running all the time in the streets to catch her), but is well done.
The acting is good, even Hamenashi manages pretty well, the story is well written, the side stories bring some additional interest.
It is probably not a dorama that you will remember forever, but you will find it very pleasant to watch and touching at times.
Tengoku no kiss Rating: 5/10 (Watched) What a strange dorama.
It feels to me that many ideas or characters (the magic powers, the ghost) are not used as much as they could be, and sometimes lack consistency from one episode to another.
On the cast side, while the lead female actresses do a decent job, the acting of the 2 main male characters (Fujiwara Tatsuya and the actor who plays the rocker) are painful to watch.
So I give it a 5. Not too bad, but not one to remember either.
Tentai Kanzoku [天体観測] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Nice dorama about friendship and about complex love relationships.
I thought that the plot was interesting and the cast really did a great job, all of them, but unfortunately that there was not enough. Not enough excitement (the pace is moderately slow), not enough characters (it explores so many characters but then none really deeply), not enough surprises or twists (and some fake ones).
All in all, I think it had all that it takes to make a grand dorama but was a little short of everything.
Still a very nice watch with great actors and a good time spent in front of the TV.
Tokyo Zenryoku Shojo [東京全力少女] Rating: 8/10 Tokyo Zenryoku Shojo is a classic, well-written and well-acted comedy, that avoids the classic themes. There actually isn't really a main theme for the series, instead it follows the adventures of Urara as she pursues her goal of making her dad happy.
The whole cast does a wonderful job, supporting a script that is well-written, with characters that make sense. You are left with cliffhangers at the end of most episodes, and the story unfolds nicely until the end.
A quality comedy that will get a few laughs out of you.
Tsuki no Koibito [月の恋人] Rating: 9/10 As an absolute fan of Kimutaku and Shinohara, I could only enjoy it, and I did. It is just another one of these well-done doramas with perfect acting. Lin Chi Ling was a good surprise.
Unfair [アンフェア] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) An atypical dorama, with a serious plot, very good acting (Shinohara Ryoko amazing as always, although does not play the comic part this time), an fast pace. It reminded me a bit of the American series "24", with its pace and the surprises at each episode.
And there is a little touch of comedy too, which I was looking for, with the supporting cast.
A must watch I'd say, for a different yet very good dorama.
Utahime [歌姫] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the great romantic comedy doramas in my opinion.
What I look for in romantic comedies is:
- Good acting. Nagase Tomoya and Aibu Saki were perfect, and the supporting cast very good as well
- Chemistry between the lead actors and characters
- An intelligent romantic plot, with a little bit of realism
- Light-hearted moments, particularly with the supporting cast
- A good development of the story, with surprises and twists
Utahime has all of that, and it's well executed.
Wagaya no Rekishi [わが家の歴史] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Great story, more the material of movies than doramas.
The story and actors are splendid, but don't expect a high-paced, funny and unrealistic dorama. This is serious work, but if you're up to it, it is a treat.
Wonderful Life [ワンダフルライフ] Rating: 7/10 Nice watch. Sorimachi is his usual self while Hasegawa does a nice job portraying her character. A good mix of comedy, romance, family-style dorama with overall good acting and sensible plot.
Zettai Kareshi [絶対彼氏] Rating: 7/10 What a surprise. I had absolutely no expectations from this dorama. The silly plot, the unproven actors, all predicted another shallow idol-based dorama. But it turned out to be a nice, light-hearted, not-as-silly-as-expected, enojyable comedy. The main actors were good (Aibu Saki particularly), and as often in this sort of dorama, the supporting roles and actors made the difference.
I recommend it if you're looking for something nice and easy.
Jackykero's drama reviews (60)
Ai no Uta [あいのうた] Nice romance [Rating: 8/10] A good drama overall, with a good set of actors - Miho Kanno and Emi Akui above the rest -, a nice storyline and good mix of romance, drama and a little comedy.
The acting of Miho Kanno is as good as usual with her strong and funny facial expressions.
The first 5-6 episodes are quite original and riveting, while the end of the story is more conventional, but by the time you get to these final episodes you've become accustomed to the acst, so you just want to continue with the story.
Overall a good underated drama, fun to watch.
Akai Ito [赤い糸] Teenager romantic comedy [Rating: 7/10] This was a good surprise to me as well. None of the actors is really famous yet, yet all of them did a very good job. The storyline is quite conventional, and some twists are predictable, but not all of them, and all characters are enjoyable.
This is a classic teenager romantic comedy with 2 high school students who are destined to be together but keep missing each other for all the wrong reasons. Some serious elements are included in the storyline, such as drugs, suicide, divorce, etc, but not for the purpose of writing a serious story, only to give the story some new twists. The dorama is never dark though, some moments are sad (but is there a romantic dorama without its sad moments?) but never dark.
I recommend it for fans of romance in the teenage years.
Ame to Yume no atoni [雨と夢の後に] A bit slow but okay [Rating: 6/10] I thought that Ame to Yume no atoni is a rather classic, a bit slow-paced, well-played dorama with a touch of originality (the very mild horror scenes in the first episodes) and some flaws in the script.
I say it is going a bit slow because right from the start, you know what the end will be since you know that the father is dead, so the whole story is to lead you to the moment when he'll have to say goodbye, and along the way they encounter other ghosts, unveil some information about the other characters, etc.
As bba1 said, there are many strange things about the ghosts that are left unexplained, and the reactions of the father does not always make perfect sense, but this is a simple domama and you have to accept these things to enjoy the rest of the story.
Now, the actors are all very good (note that in the jdorama database Hayami Mokomichi is mentioned first, but he is only playing a second plan character), and there is some comedic relief and some surprises in the story.
All in all, a nice watch, but not an unforgettable moment.
Aoi Tori [青い鳥] Slow-paced, unconventional but great ! [Rating: 9/10] This is a slow-paced dorama. There is a lot of emotions and feelings of loneliness throughout tis dorama, and the director uses the sceneries and places to express these feelings. It is slow, but it does not drag, so you will not mind the pace.
It is unconventional. Unlike most doramas that revolve around the same idea, same plot, or always happen in the sames places (the school or the office, the home, the exact same restaurant, the sea front, etc), this one happens in all sort of places, and has an evolving plot and storyline.
It felt much more like a very long movie than a dorama actually. It is constructed like a movie, with a real story, the actors are top-notch, there are no cheap tricks, and there is a meaning to it. So, that's a great watch if you are ready for something more meaningful than a light-hearted comedy dorama.
Bara no nai Hanaya [薔薇のない花屋] Nice dorama [Rating: 8/10] A typical good dorama for me.
Nice story, with its load of small surprises and small twists along the way, the past of the characters is revealed as we go along to keep you interested.
This is mostly a Romance with some comedy brought by the additional characters, in a classical setup.
The acting is flawless from everybody. Yuko Takeuchi is perfect as usual I think, the little girl is very good, and the good surprise for me was Shingo Katori. I usually find male leads quite boring or unable to express anything. He was really good, not that he had the most difficult character, but he did it just right and inhabited the role perfectly. I particularly enjoyed the moments with his daughter.
All in all, not an incredible dorama that I would put in my top10, but a very well crafted and acted romantic dorama.
Bengoshi no Kuzu [弁護士のくず] Fun but repetitive [Rating: 6/10] Bengoshi no Kuzu is a fun light-hearted comedy, based on funny characters , lawyers in a small firm which will deal with 1 case per episode.
Each episode has the same layout: a new case is given to the 2 main leads, the senior and crazy Kuzu and the fresh lawyer Takeda. The young lawyer does all the serious work while the old one has fun, and finally creates the surprise by being the only one who undercovered the truth at the end of the episode.
The cast is good and all actors play well, the jokes are funny too but the repetition is a bit too much beyond the 5 first episodes.
I believe that more character development or interaction would have given more depth and interest to this series.
To conclude, I'd say it's a fun comedy to try with medium expectations, and you don't have to go to the end of it anyway. There is nevertheless one good reason to at least watch 1 episode: the extraordinary performance of Toyokawa Etsushi, so different fromhis usually serious roles such as Aoi Tori. I could not believe my eyes !
BOSS Great entertainment [Rating: 9/10] One of these good comedies.
I compare it a little to Mr.BRAIN, as a typical jdorama-ization of an American concept, in this case the CSI series. Just like Mr. BRAIN, under Japanese hands, the concept becomes more of a comedy, but structured also around cases that the heroes have to solve.
The cases make sense, the comedy is good, the cast perfect (kudos to Amami Yuki for her comedic talent), the character development well done, the pace is fast and keeps you hungry for more, and most episodes will feature an interesting twist toward the end, adding some spice to it. Even the filming is modern and interesting.
All in all, a very good time to spend in front of the TV! Can't wait for Season 2!
CHANGE Great dorama: Perfect mix of everything [Rating: 10/10] I very seldomly give a dorama a 10, but this one deserved it.
It's been a long time I haven't watched a dorama like this, I thought they did not make them anymore. I does not have any special effect or any innovative filming technique, it is just a very good story, well written, with some twists and surprises here and there to keep you going, the actors are all very good - even the younger or less famous ones every episode makes sense and does not drag, there's a good mix of adventure, comedy, a touch of romance.
Ahhhh, it's good to watch a good dorama like this one :-)
Code Blue Season 2 [コード・ブルー 2] Good sequel, but could have been great [Rating: 7/10] I liked Code Blue a lot.
The cast, the characters, the story, the modern execution, the fast pace, the good balance between the story and the character development.
I liked Code Blue 2 as well.
The cast, the characters, the story, the modern execution, the fast pace, the good balance between the story and the character development.
But... it was like watching Code Blue again.
Yes it goes a little further into the characters, but not so much, and there are no suprises either, and the background medical stories are pretty much the same as in the first series.
So my conclusion: if you really enjoyed Code Blue, you will enjoy Code Blue 2. Too bad they did not try a little harder.
Code Blue: Doctor Heli Kinkyu Kyumei [コード・ブルー] Entertaining & Modern [Rating: 7/10] I agree with most of what's been said above.
I relate it a bit to Iryu, for those who have seen this other medical dorama. Same team of various characters, same fast pace, same modern filming style.
I only give it a 7 since I was hoping for a little more of character development and a little less of surgery. I think there was room for a little more interaction between the 5 main characters, particularly on the size of Aizawa-sensei / Yamapi.
It was still a very enjoyable watch, with only good actors and a fast-pace that keeps you entertained to the end.
Don't miss the Special, which closes the season much better than the last and eleventh episode.
Egao no Hosoku [笑顔の法則] An average comedy drama [Rating: 7/10] This is just your average comedy drama. Not great, despite the very good lead cast, not bad, despite the lack of big surprises. You won't laugh very hard but it will make you smile, it won't make you cry but it is never too cheesy, it will not leave you hanging at the end of each episode but you will gladly move to the next one.
All in all, a good watch if you don't have high expectations, and as usual Abe Hiroshi and Takeuchi Yuko are perfect. They would have deserved a better script though.
Fukigen na Jiin [不機嫌なジーン] What a disappointment [Rating: 5/10] I think it is the first time I fast-forward the end of a j-dorama.
The dorama is set up to be a romantic comedy between 2 lead characters, with a third one who comes for a few episodes to make the romance last a little longer. There is a recurrent theme with insects at each episode to bring some different flavor to the show, and some second plan characters to add some comic relief.
Unfortunately, even with a popular and talented lead actress (Takeuchi Yuko), this dorama proves that putting the ingredients together is not enough, it needs something more. Everything in this series is not good enough.
- The story is not elaborate enough, some episodes seem just to be dragging
- The relationship between the 2 main characters is superficial
- The acting is so-so (Takeuchi Yuko is great as usual but that is not enough to make it up for the other actors)
- The references to the insects might be fun the first couple of times, then it becomes forced into the story
- The comic relief is far from good.
I am a big fan of Takeuchi Yuko and this is what took me to the end of the dorama, and made me give it a 5, but all in all, it is a disappointment.
Galileo [ガリレオ] Good detective series with some comedy [Rating: 8/10] Galileo is a good detective series, structured with one new case by episode.
The cases are interesting and captivating, either because you cannot figure out how it happened and need to watch it till the end, or because you know how it happened but you wonder how the detective and the scientist are going to figure it out.
The cast is great, with very good acting by everybody, especially from Shibasaki Kou who surprised me again with her very natural acting. The many cameos add also some fun to the watching.
There is comedy in the series as well, which makes it a very good mix of mystery, comedy, drama, a touch of romance (really a touch :-) for a good detective series.
The only thing that bothered me was the fact that the scientist always needed to write equations to solve the cases. That was total nonsense, especially if you can read the equations and see how stupid they are. Anyway, that's only 1 minute in the show so learned to endure it.
I compare this dorama to "Hero" more than "Trick". There are mysteries that seem magic as in Trick but the real point of the series is the character development, as in Hero. I also compare it to the American series "numb3rs" although I think Galileo is much more fun to watch.
So go for it, you'll find something to enjoy in Galileo !
Going My Home [ゴーイング マイ ホーム] Not your typical dorama [Rating: 10/10] Not your typical dorama, but if you are ready to accept a few things, you will absolutely love it:
- Not a faced-paced action-packed dorama. Everything is subtle, set in the everyday life.
- The best acting I've seen in any dorama so far. Great acting from Abe Hiroshi and Yamaguchi Tomoko is no surprise, but others less famous like Miyazaki Aoi, You or Nishida Toshiyuki really impress. It is clear that the outstanding acting is something that was fostered by the director, who's filming as if he was a fly on the wall, letting the actors bring life to their characters
- The story grows on you, and you find yourself eager to see what's coming next, and this is done without any artifice (no cliff-hangers). You come to enjoy the life of the characters and wanting to know what they are going to do next.
- A very realistic story, all characters make sense
- Real humor, humor from situations and everyday life
Definitely a recommended watch for anybody. Even if you are most attracted by modern fast-paced series, I would still recommend to give it a try, go through the first 2 episodes and then make a decision. By the time you finish the 10 episodes, some of these characters, and some of the best moments of the movie, will stay with you.
Gokusen Season 3 [ごくせん 3] Feels like watching Gokusen 18 [Rating: 1/10] This is barely a review at this point since I only saw episode 1, but what I saw makes me believe that I won't change my mind after watching the rest (I will try episodes 2 and maybe 3 unless it improves).
It felt like exactly the same scenario - again !!! - as Gokusen 1. I could accept some repeat in Gokusen 2, but 3 times is too much.
If you have never seen Gokusen 1, skip this one and watch Gokusen 1 instead.
----**** Attention spoiler ****----
Let me convince you by telling you briefly what the first episode is about:
- It starts with the old Kyoto-sensei (Namase) with a problem class 3-D
- Yankumi (Nakama) is the teacher of a class on a remote Japanese island but is fired. She joins the Kyoto-sensei and discovers (oh surprise) that she gets the difficult 3-D class
- The class is a mess, they all look like gangsters and make a lot of noise, until a very quiet one at the far end of the room tells the others to be quiet and they all obey and sit down. Yankumi finds out he's the Boss of the class.
- One in the class tries to hit Yankumi, she avoids his fist but pretends she did not do it in purpose
- Within the other teachers, there are 2 others nice-looking young women thqt the bad behaving kids talk about
- The former gym teacher Baba joins the school but surprisingly forgot Yankumi's connection with a Yakusa family
- One of Yankumi's kids is wrongly accused of a theft, everybody thinks he did it except Yankumi, she fights for him and finaly the police let him go.
- While bad boys are beating one of Yankumi's students, she comes into a hangar and beats them all while doing a speech
- While running to school, Yankumi collides with a man that becomes the white knight of her dreams
- and so on, and so on...
It is exactly the same script, same jokes, same stories, same background music, with less interesting characters and different kids. Rhhhhhaaaa what I waste.
Hanzawa Naoki [半沢直樹] Best I've seen in a long time [Rating: 10/10] Hanzawa Naoki is a well-rounded, well-acted drama centered around the character of Hanzawa Naoki (portrayed by Sakai Masato) and his battle against seemingly impossible tasks.
I will start by commenting on the similarities and differences vs. Legal high, that people often compare it to. My opinion is that the only common thing between these two jdoramas is the main actor. Other than that, they are very different series, and comparing them does not make sense or justoce to either. Legal high is a comedy, in which Sakai Masato plays outrageously to build on the comedy.
Hanzawa Naoki is a drama, with its fun moments, but it is a drama. The characted played by Sakai Masato is quite different, and he does an absolutely fantastic job depicting the character, bringing such intensity to the acting that few other actors would have been able to.
Now for the series itself. It is simply a very good drama. The scenario is well written, it unfolds in 2 parts (at the branch and then at the head office) while the back story reveals itself. The acting is superb (I already mentioned Sakai Masato but Kagawa Teruyuki is particularly impressive as the evil Owada, and Ueto Aya is surprisingly good is her supportive role). The side stories work and are again well-supported. You get the occasional laugh and the story is not dark.
All in all, a very good drama that will make you forget the performance of Sakai Masato in Legal High and only remember this one. A recommended watch.
Hataraki Man [働きマン] Well done but not unforgettable [Rating: 7/10] I categorize this one in category of the well-rounded, well-written, well-acted, well-directed modern doramas. Nothing disappoints there, there is a little bit of everything: good plot overall, nice and different characters, good acting across the board, some touches of originality, some comic relief, some romance, a strong lead actress (I have to admit that I am a big fan of Kanno Miho and was not disappointed again).
I found 2 weaknesses though: first, the fact that there's not much that is really outstanding in this dorama, except the closing scene which I absolutely loooved (I played each one 3 of 4 times), but that's only 30 seconds or so. Second, I found that the plot held up well until episode 5 or 6, then obviously the writers were looking for ideas, and they reverted to classic tricks (but it still was well done)
My conclusion: it probably won't be an unforgettable moment, but I don't think anyone will be disappointed by this dorama.
Himitsu no Hanazono [ヒミツの花園] Entertaining [Rating: 7/10] I agree with most of the reviews made previously although I want to do Shaku Yumiko a little more justice. Yes, I agree that she is not the best lead actress there is, and her acting somewhat relies a lot on the same facial expressions. But she still did a good job for me, it's not like she does not know how to play, or like her acting made it painful to watch or unrealistic; she did a good job, she just does not have that presence that some other actresses have.
And the rest of the cast was very good.
I personally really enjoyed Maya Miki whom I mostly remembered for her role in Attention Please, and who is portraying a very different and funny character. The transformation was unexpected.
I would recommend not to hesitate to watch this dorama. You will spend a good time with this light-hearted comedy and a bit unconventional scenario.
Hotaru no Hikari [ホタルノヒカリ] Fun comedy - typical good dorama [Rating: 9/10] I read the Review from Wynter and this is basically what I felt, except I enjoyed it from the start.
I seldomly really laugh out loud while watching a dorama, but this one did it to me. The scenes between Hotaru (Ayase) and her Buchoo (Fujiki) at home were always so funny, and they kept coming with different types of jokes (not always the same thing that repeats itself).
I usually don't care much for Fujiki, who tends to always play the same type of role with his serious face (except Galcircle that was a bit too much), but in this dorama he managed to pull out a very credible character, which was far from easy considering what he had to face with the character of Hotaru, and really helped to build the comedy.
And yes, Kato Kazuki (Makoto) was a waste (he only has one face - I think he was playing with a mask on :-), but whatever, he was not the one you'd look at anyway.
It had been a while I had watched such a good comedy. I would compare it to Nobuta or Mukodono.
Houkago [下課後] A lot of fun [Rating: 8/10] A short and fun comedy that manages to use 2 classic tricks of doramas: the exchange of bodies and the difficulty of romance between two different worlds (punk vs. high society). The result is a good and funny dorama.
All actors are fairly good, the lead actors that had a difficult job (it would have been easy to overact in these kinds of roles) did it well, the script is good with the occasional twist. There are only a few hard-to-believe scenes that are quickly forgiven for the sake of the development of the romance and also because it's only 5 episodes.
So all in all a very good comedy. Recommended.
Note: Fans of Shinohara Ryoko, don't count too much on seeing your idol. She has a very very minor role and briefly appears only in the final episode :-)
Ii hito [いいひと。] Nice comedy [Rating: 7/10] CAST
A note about the casting as I find the Cast list above a bit misleading.
The main roles of the dorama are Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (lead role) with Zaizen Naomi and Kanno Miho.
Karasawa Toshiaki and Katori Shingo only do a cameo of less than 30 seconds each, in the last episodes. I did not even see Kimura Takuya or Nakai Masahiro, I wonder how I could miss them though. So for you Kimura fans don't be disappointed.
Also, fans of Takeuchi Yuko will be happy to see her in a small role in one of her first appearances in a dorama.
REVIEW
Ii hito is a light-hearted comedy, supported by a brilliant cast (if you can accept Kusanagi's a-bit-over-the-top acting, although it works well in this dorama), with lots of characters of interest that add to the story.
Zaizen Naomi plays her part very well and Kanno Miho's acting is so good that she makes us completely believe in her super-naive character.
I would recommend it if you are looking for a nice comedy to watch.
Iryu Season 2 [医龍 2] As good as Iryu 1 [Rating: 8/10] For those who have watched Iryu 1 already, this is as good as the first one. Some members of the original team are still there, but the new members of the team come with interesting background and make the show worth watching.
The setup in 2 different hospitals and the additional role of the financials also bring something new to the show.
I really liked the fact that it did not feel at all like they had just re-filmed the same series (as Gokusen 2 or 3 for instance), but really wrote a scenario that continues the original series.
The music is still great, the filming very good, the cast all perfect.
If you liked Iryu, you will like Iryu 2.
IS ~Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei~ [IS〜男でも女でもない性〜] A different dorama [Rating: 9/10] Every season, a whole lot of new dorama are released, always around the same themes: there's the pure comedy, the romantic comedy, the tear jearker, the detective story, etc. Sometimes comes along a different one, and IS is one of them.
What makes it different is the theme of the dorama, "IS", or "Intersexual" as they call it. Whether it is based on real(istic) characters or not is not what matters really, but that it allowed for an interesting story, a different development of characters than what you usually see in jdoramas.
So if you are ready for something a little different, a little more gripping because the characters are different, IS is for you.
As for Fukuda Saki, she manages to portray a (quite) realistic boy turned girl turned boy characater, and the storyline offers the right amount of cliff-hangers and twists to keep you going to the end.
Recommended.
Itoshi Kimie [愛し君へ] Great romance - superb acting [Rating: 9/10] Although this romance is triggered by the blindness of the male character, it is not like the other tearjerkers where one of the 2 lovers is about to die. I watched this dorama as a wonderfully written romance. The story is without too big surprises (except for the expected twists to the plot) but well written anyway, all actors are very good (as always Kanno Miho is unbelievably good), and the love story unfolds at a perfect pace along the episodes.
The dorama in itself is funny, light and enjoyable, at no moment dark or depressing, it is really a wonderful and fun Love Story.
Recommended for anyone looking for a good Love Story (compare it to Long Vacation)
Kaikyo wo Wataru Violin [海峡を渡るバイオリン] Interesting for the historical perspective [Rating: 5/10] The story is short and the historical background is interesting, but I agree with doramafan that Kusanagi Tsuyoshi was not at his best. To his defense, the way his character was written was a little over-dramatic and hard to believe, so his limitations as an actor could not compensate for a role that is hard to support. Kanno Miho did a flawless job per usual and kept me going to the end.
Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi [カレ、夫、男友達] Fantastic acting, interesting family drama [Rating: 8/10] The story follows three very different sisters in their very different love stories.
The stories are very well written. I will agree with other comments that the scenes of domestic violence are a little bit too obvious and extreme, but that's an unfortunate consequence of the dorama format, as there is no time to develop the tension. Nevertheless, I think they were some of the most realistic ones when it comes to jdoramas.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the fact that the stories are not the typical material you usually find in dramas, and the characters felt more real.
The stories and characters are interesting and make sense until the end, and you will gladly follow the three sisters through the changes in their lives.
Kimi no Te ga Sasayaite Iru [君の手がささやいている] Touching dorama, well written story [Rating: 7/10] This dorama is unusual as is it made of 6 episodes, 1:30 hours each (the last episode is 2 hours long), which were filmed and aired every year from 1997 and 2001.
It follows the life of a young deaf woman (Kanno Miho), then of her and her husband, then of their family after they have a child together. Each episode addresses several challenges and narrates how they face them together.
The story is touching overall (without being over-dramatic), the storyline and acting are very good, there is some comic relief and the whole story develops at a calm pace that is never too slow. The unique filming method over 5 years adds a touch of originality, as you see the actors and characters evolving together. A good dorama that I would recommend for those who appreciate well-written realistic storyline.
Koibumi [恋文~私たちが愛した男] Average drama, good acting [Rating: 6/10] Not the best of all dramas, but fair anyway, with a good set of actors. Watabe Atsuro and Mizuno Miki are excellent as usual, and the storyline, though predictable, well written. The series dragged a little bit towards the end, but the excellent acting of the 2 main actors kept me going. Worth a watch.
Koori no sekai [冰の世界] Great complex storyline [Rating: 9/10] I won't say much - just that it is great and refershing to get to see a dorama with a real story, a complex plot, and characters with a story.
The actors are great and reinforce the quality of this dorama that could have been a movie.
Kyuto [キュート] Your typical high-school dorama, with a touch of S [Rating: 7/10] So this is really your typical High-school dorama.
With the romance, the friendships, the story that develops as you learn each character's past and story, the teachers, the family, etc. With the twist of the Q10 robot bringing a touch of Sci-Fi. I say a touch of Sci-Fi because it really is not the central part of the story, and actually does not make much sense (if you are a Sci-Fi nerd you will find many inconsistencies so don't even try to find any logic anywhere), and is not even explained properly.
The point is, it is a high-school dorama, and if you're up for it, it delivers.
Last Friends [ラスト・フレンズ] Controversial topics in a classic dorama [Rating: 8/10] Yes there are so many controversial topics in this dorama. But they all fit in a rather classic plot about friendship and people overcoming their differences and their past.
I thought that the plot was good, with a lot of twists. The acting was mostly very good (OMG Ueno Juri what an act), despite some situations being a bit awkward (there were some shortcuts, particularly on trying to explain why Michiru so easily submits to his violent boyfriend).
All in all, a dorama of very good quality and excellent casting, definitely worth your time, even if despite the attempts to make it different with all of these difficult topics, it remains something classic that won't make it to my Top10.
Legal High [リーガル・ハイ] Well-done comedy [Rating: 9/10] This dorama has everything one is looking for in a comedic jdorama: a great cast with strong leading characters (Sakai Masato invents a unique character, over the top but almost in a credible way, and well balanced by the calmer play of Aragaki Yui), a lot of side-jokes, sub-plots with good characters, a fast-pace editing, good character development (with some ambiguity that adds to it), and the combination of a new story for each episode & a larger plot that unfolds towards the end.
If you're looking for one of these modern well-executed comedies (something like Hotaru no hikari or My Boss, My Hero) with a lot of good laughs, you're in for a treat!
Liar Game [ライアーゲーム] A different dorama [Rating: 8/10] Some will like it, some won't. It is an unusual dorama, built around a series of games in which the main characters (Erika Toda and Shota Matsuda) take part. It is not 10 games though, it is only 4, and they are all very different, so don't expect something repetitive.
I think what makes the dorama interesting is the good acting, the chemistry between the main characters, the suspense as you never really know how the situation will change in favor of Erika. And there is an overall plot that goes from the first to the last episode.
I understand that some may not like the "game" setup of the dorama, and maybe the exagerated acting of some of the supportive cast, but I would say it is worth to try Liar Game, it is difficult to know if you'll like it or not unless you try at least episode 1, then you'll figure it out on your own. For me, it worked, I liked it till the end.
LIFE [ライフ] Well adapted from the Manga [Rating: 8/10] For those who've read the manga and liked it, you will be pleased to see that the adaptation into a dorama was quite well done.
Because it is for TV format, some of the explicit violence and sexual content of the manga (as for instance the arm cutting) has been removed, but the dorama manages to convey the same uneasiness and violence with the acting, the good directing and the music.
The plot is very faithful to the manga, and that works well as the pace of the manga was well adapted for a jdorama format. The acting is overall very good, making some of the shortcuts credible to the end.
All in all a very good dorama on bullying, one of the most significant and realistic on the topic, and a recommended watch whether you've read the manga or not.
Magari Kado no Kanojyo [曲がり角の彼女] Great romantic comedy, with a different lead role [Rating: 8/10] Loved it.
Light, funny, interesting, well-acted, realistic, the right thing to spend a good moment watching television.
I wish Inamori Izumi were offered more lead roles, she proves here that she has the talent and can carry a dorama on her shoulders.
Manatsu no Merry Christmas [真夏のメリークリスマス] Classic romantic comedy [Rating: 7/10] I enjoyed this dorama, espcially when I was getting to the last episodes.
The story is rather classic and the twists a bit predictable, but what makes it good are the good actors (very good Nakatani Miki) and the chemistry and well-paced progression towards the end of the series. We know quickly how it is going to end; but it is enjoyable to watch it happening.
Mou Ichido Kimi ni, Propose [もう一度君に、プロポーズ] Slow paced, fairly realistic romance for an adult [Rating: 7/10] Far from other exciting doramas with comic effects, cliffhangers, innumerable twists and unbelievable coincidences, "Mou Ichido Kimi ni, Propose" offers a slower-paced, more realistic storyline that is supported by a good script and efficient actors.
But don't think it is too slow, boring or uninteresting. The story flows nicely so that new elements are brought regularly, secondary stories interconnect with the main plot, supporting cast brings comic relief, so it will keep you going until the conclusion - which is brought, as everything else, with a lot of logic and subtlety.
MR. BRAIN Good entertainment [Rating: 7/10] A perfect example of what happens when the Japanese decide to copy an American show (or should I say, when they decide to copy several American shows and movies). They don't just copy it, they import the concept and transform it into what they know how to do and enjoy: jdoramas !
This one had a bit of CSI, a bit of "24" and a bit of some more, but then... completely different because it has become a dorama with less-than-optimal detective work, home-made special effects, some overacted roles, but good Kimutaku acting and comedy as usual, lots of typical Japanese situational humour, dorama themes and comedy.
So it's a good series to watch for pure simple entertainment, if you're looking for a good comedy dorama, and not for a CSI - Japan :-)
It is full of cameos too, including some good actors and actresses.
Nagareboshi [流れ星] Adult romance [Rating: 9/10] Within romantic doramas, this one falls in the category of the more serious and realistic types. The setup is a bit gloomy, Ueto Aya trying to commit suicide, but the development of the story makes sense, goes at the right pace, and touches many other societal topics that help make the story all the more interesting. The pace is not too quick, but that's how things are in real life.
Takenouchi Yutaka and Ueto Aya are perfect in their role, the supporting cast is very good and brings the comedic relief to the story.
If you are looking for a more interesting romantic story, this one will keep you watching till the end.
Narita Rikon [成田離婚] Ok but very classic [Rating: 6/10] I was a bit disappointed. The story is good, and the actors all right, but it was very classic, and not exciting enough for me.
I categorize this jdorama as "nice watch" but not more than that.
The part I enjoyed best was looking at the act of Fukatsu Eri, very sweet and innocent with her young and round face, different from all the other roles I've seen her play after this one.
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku [夏の恋は虹色に輝く] Good romantic comedy [Rating: 8/10] This is a good, well-written, well-acted romantic comedy jdorama. Not a revolution, nothing too original or unforgettable about it, but well-rounded and very pleasant to watch.
I agree with Wynter as I had the same concern about having Matsumoto Jun in a lead role, but he ended up doing his usual act, not impressive but not bad enough either that it comes in the way of the story.
As for Takeuchi Yuko, she brings to the series the same great acting, romantic vibe and comedic quality that can be found in her other romantic comedies (Pride, Bara no nai Hanaya, Lunch no joou, etc.)
The one element that surprised me is the fairly realistic storyline. Although it is a romance and we would have forgiven some unrealistic development just to allow the love story to unfold, it stays in the realm of realism, particularly considering the special situation of a single-mother.
If you are looking for a well-done romance, this one will work for you
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] 2 dramas in one [Rating: 8/10] This is really 2 dramas in one. There is a totally-stupid-and-funny-manga-like component, and a more serious component.
The Manga-like scenes are hilarious and I just watched the first episodes just to see more of them. Then it became a bit tedious, but the director of the drama was smart enough not to let the story revolve too much around the fun part and build a serious story around it.
I almost dropped off the series at episode 3 as I was getting tired of the jokes, and basically nothing was happening to the story. Then I tried again, and I'm very glad that I did, because then the story becomes really interesting. The actors are great, the music very well chosen, and the concerts along the series are great to watch too.
Superb drama, with a mix of everything in it.
If you are not sure you like it by episode 3, don't give up! It's worth continuing to the end
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Your patience will be rewarded [Rating: 8/10] This one is a bit unusual for 2 reasons: The first reason is obvious, and I must say hilarious the first time you see it; it is the totally-crazy-Manga-like scenes; they make the first episodes just fly. The second one is that the dorama changes quite a bit beyond the second or third episode. It becomes more serious, more interesting, more subtle, more rewarding.
So, stick to it at least until episodes 4 or 5. I almost stopped watching it at episode 3 because I was getting a bit tired of all the Manga-like jokes. But then I am glad I did not, because it becomes really interesting then, with a balance of everything that makes a good dorama: laughter, emotion, surprises, interesting characters, action, etc. So, stick to it, your patience will be rewarded!
Odoru Daisousasen [踊る大捜査線] Enjoyable watch [Rating: 7/10] Because I have seen Hero before watching Odoru Daisousasen, there was no way I could not compare the 2. The general plot and structure of the 2 doramas are quite similar: for both series, each episode is structured around a case that the main character is involved in. The detective is a bit of a maverick with different methods and beliefs. And there is a small romance with a female co-worker.
I think that Odoru Daisousasen did a pretty good job. Oda Yuji was very good and charismatic, and all supporting lead did great, including the comedy parts. I was looking for a little bit more romance, though, that would have spiced up things and added some depth to the characters. The relationship between Oda Yuji, Fukatsu Eri, Yusuke Santamaria and Mizuno Miki was easy to create a bit more of chemistry and emotion between the caharacters. This is why I gave it a lower rating than Hero.
It remains a very good family dorama with good acting and an interesting storyline.
Ohsama no resutoran [王樣のレストラン] Nice family comedy dorama [Rating: 7/10] I always enjoy these old doramas where real (good) actors used to play instead of eye-candy jpop singers. This is one of them.
This is a family comedy with a simple storyline, progressing one episode at a time, written and filmed for the purpose of entertaining us.
The team of actors do a pretty good job at it. For the fans of Yamaguchi Tomoko, this is her at her best, delightful in being funny and natural, and infusing her style and personality in her role.
It does remind me a bit of "My little chef", although "Ohsama no resutoran" was aired 7 years earlier, in the structure and comedic relief and even scenario, except "Ohsama no resutoran" seems a tiny bit more realistic.
Otto no Kanojo [夫のカノジョ] What a good surprise [Rating: 8/10] The premise of the series has been done before: 2 people from different backgrounds switch bodies (in this case a young single working woman and an older homemaker mom). But it usually works, and it does this time.
It has all the qualities it needs: the story is well written, some new elements come regularly to spice up the story and it does not repeat itself, the acting is good all the way through (Suzuki Sawa is showing her talent for comedy), the pace is maintained and the comedy works.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy :-)
Papa to Musume no Nanokakan [パパとムスメの７日間] Fun comedy with good acting [Rating: 9/10] Indeed, as it was said above, the scenario lacks a bit in originality, but if you take it like a fun comedy, I think that it really does the trick. All actors are good, including Tachi and Aragaki who manage to preserve the comedy and still act seriously enough so that it is believable.
I really had a good time watching it. The pace was good, there was a good progression through the 7 episodes - I liked that they did not try to extend it to 10 or 11 episodes like they always do, this kept the pace going. I also like when a Dorama has a surprise at the end of each episode to make you want to start the next one right away
All in all a lot of good laughs that you should not overlook.
PRICELESS ~Aru Wake Nedaro,n namon!~ [PRICELESS ~あるわけねぇだろ,んなもん!~] Typical Kimutaku comedy [Rating: 9/10] Kimutaku seems to be doing 2 types of doramas recently: the serious historical dorama, and the light-hearted comedy where he plays the same cool-guy that we have learned to like.
Well this one falls in the second category, and is perfect from beginning to end: strong storyline, great supporting cast (liked Karina a lot in this one), good comedy, twists and all, and it keeps you going till the end.
If you liked "Mr. Brain", "Change", and others from Kimutaku, you will enjoy this one.
Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso [霊能力者 小田霧響子の嘘] Fun comedy - a good surprise [Rating: 7/10] Very silly, but with no pretense, and it easily achieves its intended goal, which is to entertain. Ishihara Satomi fully reveals her comedic power, which I'm sure we'll more of after this series!
rinbukyoku [輪舞曲] Very good storyline [Rating: 9/10] This one reminded me a bit of "Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi / One Million Stars Falling from the Sky" in that the leading couple is absolutely great and the story is a real and serious story that goes along all the episodes. It is not just a repetition of a situation with funny moments at each episode, it unfolds little by little, with twists here and there.
The Korean actress Choi Ji Woo was very good in this difficult role, portraying a complex character without overacting.
I recommend it for everyone, as it has a lot of everything - romance, funny moments, suspense, great acting, and a great story.
Seigi no Mikata [正義の味方] Good comedy [Rating: 8/10] Lots of good things in this good comedy. The actors are good (excellent performance of Shida Mirai as usual), the storyline fast-paced and inventive, the characters entertaining.
You have to like Shida Mirai though to enjoy this dorama. She does most of the comedy, and you have to enjoy her exaggerated acting that makes the comic relief of this dorama.
Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi [空から降る一億の星] Great storyline [Rating: 10/10] If you watch tons of doramas like I do, you should try this one. First, it will have everything you probably look in a dorama: superb acting (Kimura and Fukatsu are perfect), a mix of laughs, emotion, action, suspense, and some episode endings that will make you watch immediately the next episode.
But most of all, it is an unconventional dorama in that the story is built over all the episodes, with a beginning and an end, not a repeated story over each episode, and that it is built like a movie, with a plot that unfolds little by little, chemistry that builds around the main characters, and - for once - a real ending.
Tantei Gakuen Q [探偵学園Q] Sci-Fi / Detective Dorama for the Pre-teens [Rating: 5/10] As much as I love to see the acting of Shida Mirai, this show was just not for me.
I guess that this dorama is alright, it is well done, the story seems interesting, the special skills and personal stories of the main characters are revealed little by little, all in all it is ok.
But the audience has to be pre-teens, except maybe for the crime scenes that are very graphic.
Watch it if you're 14 (physically or mentally :-)
Tatta Hitotsu no Koi [たったひとつの恋] Classic teenagers love story [Rating: 7/10] SYNOPSIS
A boy and a girl from highly different social backgrounds meet and fall in love. Their love, of course, faces a lot of obstacles. Hiroto Kanzaki (Kazuya Kamenashi) works hard every day and night for the survival of a small ship repair factory (inherited from his father) as well as the survival of his mother and younger brother, who are suffering from health problems. Living such an underprivileged life, Hiroto has forgotten how to smile. In contrast to him, Nao (Haruka Ayase) is the daughter of a popular jewelry shop owner in a fashionable street in Yokohama. She attends a prestigious exclusive women's college and grew up cheerful and blessed with affluent love. From the moment Hiroto meets her, his closed mind slowly opens up to Nao, who is so innocent that she utters whatever she thinks. Their three close friends, who are also 20 year old's, play an important role in their developing relationship.
REVIEW
Tatta Hitotsu no Koi is a very very classic romantic teenager story. It has all the cliches (poor boy loves rich girl, families are against it, boy does not know how to express his feelings, keeps running all the time in the streets to catch her), but is well done.
The acting is good, even Hamenashi manages pretty well, the story is well written, the side stories bring some additional interest.
It is probably not a dorama that you will remember forever, but you will find it very pleasant to watch and touching at times.
Tentai Kanzoku [天体観測] Great cast makes up for some shortcomings [Rating: 7/10] Nice dorama about friendship and about complex love relationships.
I thought that the plot was interesting and the cast really did a great job, all of them, but unfortunately that there was not enough. Not enough excitement (the pace is moderately slow), not enough characters (it explores so many characters but then none really deeply), not enough surprises or twists (and some fake ones).
All in all, I think it had all that it takes to make a grand dorama but was a little short of everything.
Still a very nice watch with great actors and a good time spent in front of the TV.
Teru Teru Ashita [てるてるあした] Synopsis [Rating: ?/10] Set in a town called Sasara, strange events occur one after the other. The episodes in this drama are interweaved tales from popular skilled author Kano Tomoko's books, "Sasara Saya" and "Teru Teru Ashita." In this new re-telling, we get a one-of-a-kind view of this fantasy world. The main character, Teruyo, writes of various parent-child relationships and also of couples' love. With a mix of mystery and horror genres, "Teru Teru Ashita" provides a little thrill as well as being a fantasy drama which allows you to understand love and kindness. So on Friday nights, won't you come and experience the warmth of a little town called Sasara?
Tokyo Zenryoku Shojo [東京全力少女] Fun comedy [Rating: 8/10] Tokyo Zenryoku Shojo is a classic, well-written and well-acted comedy, that avoids the classic themes. There actually isn't really a main theme for the series, instead it follows the adventures of Urara as she pursues her goal of making her dad happy.
The whole cast does a wonderful job, supporting a script that is well-written, with characters that make sense. You are left with cliffhangers at the end of most episodes, and the story unfolds nicely until the end.
A quality comedy that will get a few laughs out of you.
Unfair [アンフェア] "24" in dorama [Rating: 8/10] An atypical dorama, with a serious plot, very good acting (Shinohara Ryoko amazing as always, although does not play the comic part this time), and fast pace. It reminded me a bit of the American series "24", with its pace and the surprises at each episode. And there is a little touch of comedy too, which I was looking for, with the supporting cast.
What I enjoyed in it was:
- The plot, very good and full of surprises
- The acting, from everybody - top notch
- The humour, not the main thing but always there to brighten the mood a little bit
- The fact that all episodes are different
- The last scene of each episode (I loooove when the last scene leaves you hanging over the edge of the cliff)
- The scenario, close enough to being possible
What I enjoyed less:
- The Special, not really worth it I think, although I appreciated the effort to make it a good story anyway
A must watch I'd say, for a different yet very good dorama.>
Utahime [歌姫] Great romatic comedy [Rating: 9/10] One of the great romantic comedy doramas in my opinion.
What I look for in romantic comedies is:
- Good acting. Nagase Tomoya and Aibu Saki were perfect, and the supporting cast very good as well
- Chemistry between the lead actors and characters
- An intelligent romantic plot, with a little bit of realism
- Light-hearted moments, particularly with the supporting cast
- A good development of the story, with surprises and twists
Utahime has all of that, and it's well executed!
Wagaya no Rekishi [わが家の歴史] Feels like a movie [Rating: 9/10] Great story, more the material of movies than doramas.
The story and actors are splendid, but don't expect a high-paced, funny and unrealistic dorama. This is serious work, but if you're up to it, it is a treat.
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Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ]
Abe Hiroshi [阿部寛]
