This review may contain spoilers
Kurosagi is the dark Psychological drama Gem but Lacks Luster
I am a fan of Tomohisa Yamashita / yamapi after I watch several jdramas he starred in such as Nobuta wo Produce, i'm Your Destiny and Dragon Zakura(2005). Plus, I started this show solely because he starred in it but I want to leave a review that's not bias to my admiration for yamapi because I am particularly his devoted fan.Personal opinion:
What I can say about Kurosagi as a series is it have a very fresh plotline that feels very original and intriguing to watch. I love the exploration of how scam can be such a lethal crime that robbed their victims and leave irreversible trauma and damage. This is interesting because scam or swindling is a very common crime nowadays that always got sweep under the rug because of its elusive nature and difficulty in tracking down the swindlers. I was once swindled out of my money too via a phone scam pretending to be polices issuing an arrest warrant to me for a crime I did not commit under the guise that my identity has been stolen. Seeing Kurosaki avenge the victims by swindling back the money taken from the swindler's victims is very satisfying to watch and in some way a cathartic release especially if you had been in the victim shoes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My comment further may contain spoilers so please do not proceed if you do not want spoilers!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Characters 6.5/10
The characters are not very well developed but it's not horrible to the point that you hate the other characters. I just think all the other supporting characters to Kurosaki role is very unique on their own and have their own interesting plot. However, the story only tease us about their background and didn't fully explore what happen in greater depth like they did with kurosaki. If Kurosagi has more than 11 episodes, I think it would be a greater show as it gives enough room to flesh out all the side characters like Yukari, Shiraishi,Hayase,Kashina and so on.
Casting 10/10
The actors done a brilliant job at capturing the complexity of emotions shown. Not one single frame I think was awkward. It was on point. I think all actors done a brilliant job even for those who plays very small roles like just the one-time victims that won't appear again in the next episodes.
Plot 7/10
The plot is interesting but as you progress throughout the series, the plot became more and more predictable. It still have it's suspense but some plot like the romance part is very bland and repetitive,we don't see real progress and in the swindling part, it does gets a lil too repetitive until the start of one episode which about the handsome mind reader that Kurosaki has to use a completely different method to scam the other swindlers instead of just going with his usual tricks; phone calls and making fake business.
Pacing 8/10
The pacing is nice. It is a lil bit too rushed at the end since it looks like it just wanna stop the story at a cliff hanger but done it poorly. However every episode before episode 11 ending is a good pacing. It introduce the premise beautifully and make us invested in the revenge quest Kurosaki take upon himself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Personal Critiques
( Disclaimer: This is just my opinion so it might not be the same for anyone out there but I have to apologize for anyone who will get offended by what I said. I wrote this not to shame the actress or actor playing the role, I'm just criticizing the character and express how I feel about it. If you are a fan of Tsurara,please do not proceed to read because I have strong opinions on her as a character.)
First Of All about the romance triangle in this series.
Tsurara,Kurosaki and Yukari
I think the romance triangle plot is so trash it does not make sense. Kurosaki does not even show visible cues that confirms he likes Tsurara more than Yukari when the fact that he was able to smile at both of them. Kurosaki also able to acknowledge both of them in an endearing way like intentionally nicknaming Tsurara Yoshikawa by calling her Yoshida because she's easy to get worked up about it and correct him. With Yukari, Kurosaki always have this moment of rather more soft side on her. Calling her affectionately "there she is" each time she showed up. He also despite knowing he can turn down jobs outside of Katsuragi's orders, he still take on the job Yukari find for him from the students in her college that got scammed. Despite acting annoyed, Kurosaki is much gentler to Yukari compare to Tsurara who he clearly push away harshly. Even throwing away her homemade food she make for him despite coming back home tired and hungry. I don't understand why the story want to peg Kurosaki only have eyes on Tsurara. He clearly does not show her much special treatment, she only got so involved in his life because she was an annoying,righteous persistent lover. We could see how Tsurara failed to protect her own ideals but still enforce it on other people. Sometimes, making Yukari petty tantrums to Tsurara seem valid because Yukari is right, Tsurara is all talk no bite. Honestly, I think Kurosaki is better match with Yukari because she does not force her ideals on him. She also try to understand him unlike Tsurara who wanted to change him whilst ignoring all the evidence about Kurosaki past that could help her understand his actions. The ending is horrible and so sudden. I don't understand what makes Yukari change her standpoint all of a sudden and said Tsurara version of loving is the right way. Tsurara is clearly the annoying heroine that wins the hero not because she is capable and deserve him, but because she had plot armor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclude and Recommendations:
i would recommend this story if you like mind games and story that's about revenge but i have to be honest,the subplot for romance in this story is awfully written. That's all I have to say about it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Two of Three Worth Watching
The Black Swindler (2006)Kurosagi: The Movie (2008)
Kurosagi (2022)
This Kurosagi series is about a young man (Kurosaki) whose father got swindled or conned pushing him to kill his family and himself. The son survived and thereafter dedicated himself to revenge on all such swindlers. A straight forward vigilante themed story.
Con men who swindle the innocent financially are called white swindlers (Shirosagi). Con artists who swindle romantically for money are called red swindlers (Akasagi). Our main character only cons white (Shiro) and red (Aka) swindlers (Sagi) so we have a strong Robin Hood theme in order to ensure sympathy with the lead who is after all breaking the law.
All three were written by the same screenwriter and one of a few directors is common to all three.
The cast of both The Black Swindler (2006) and the Movie (2008) are the same. The 2022 version is a reboot with all new cast.
I first watched Kurosagi (2022). Generally Japanese productions can be problematic with exaggerated acting styles and seriously obnoxious background music. However, this 2022 version is very watchable and the music not too distracting.
The 2006 TV Show was at first off-putting due to the acting and background music but I was curious how it compares to the 2022 reboot. It’s very similar following main plot twists - mostly - but has several significant changes in subplots. The result is a nicely done resonation between the two. You’ll get more from watching both than either alone.
The screenwriter loves symbolism. Conning someone is called ‘eating’. A main support character, a mentor to Kurosaki in all three, is shown having difficulty at times eating some thing or other. He is of course the master swindler who is guiding Kurosaki after his survival as a young teen.
The Movie (2008) is a clumsy return to first series (2006) and is essentially a long single episode. It doesn’t work so well and is forgettable. It could be the persistent references to the assassination of Julius Caesar and his betrayal by Brutus (whose mother was Servilia Caesar’s love interest over decades so possibly Caesar was real father of Brutus) or the frequent exposition.
Two out of three are worth the time. The third is for curiosity.
Was this review helpful to you?
Honestly, I watched this movie because of Yamapi and Horikita Maki, and it turns out that for me the pace is kinda slow and boring at the some point. I actually love the idea of this dorama, love the secrets, love the politics and the fraud scenarios, but for me the execution not that interesting. Another makes me a little bit (just very little bit) disappointed is no lovey dovey scene between Yamapi and Maki ^o^
Acting/Cast:
In my opinion, Yamapi's acting is great, because he should be acting as various character and he nailed it! ^_~
Was this review helpful to you?
Drama with a dense story
To be honest, I first saw the TBS version in 2022. After watching this version (2006), this 2006 version is substantially better. The narrative is crisper, and the individuals are far more mysterious. However, there should have been a second season because Mikimoto is still alive and Kurosagi has not yet exacted his wrath. TBS should have had a second season (2006). It's unfortunate that the finale is left unfinished.I particularly enjoy Maki Horikita's portrayal of Yoshikawa Tsurura. Maki Horikita consistently brings her characters to life in each drama. Her performances always get my heart racing. I'd like to see more of Maki's dramas, but they're difficult to find.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
