This review may contain spoilers
I am so glad I watched this series! Definitely one of my absolute favorites shows for this year (2019), even though it came out 10 or so years ago! Not to mention, I have the vague memory of wanting to watch this series, but since there were 6 seasons I wasn't sure I would be able to find them all subbed, so I took it off my "plan to watch" list... What a mistake that was!However, I am insanely glad I happened upon this series once more! Though I'm not even sure how that happened either. I binge watched the first season of "Honcho Azumi" within two days, I just couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen. Each episode literally gave me "all the feels"; I can't remember a detective series, let alone drama or movie, where I was laughing, crying, getting angry, holding my breath, worrying, hoping, frustrated, relieved, understanding, caring, sympathetic, etc... throughout the entire series, let alone one episode.
I can honestly say I've never disliked men from "HQ"/"Headquarters" as much as the men in this series though; they irritated me beyond belief, but after seeing the entire season one I can see how essential they were to this story. It's like they were the constant "big brother" in the sense of someone always watching you and someone from your family who always teased you. Does that make sense?
The cast picked to play Azumi's team was amazing; each one fulfilled their roles as a detective to perfection. I've never seen the actors in this series before so I was overwhelmed with how immediately I liked all of them; so much so, I was looking in to their careers to see if they were in any other show or drama or movie that I may have seen or would like to see in the future. The story was amazingly written, as well. Almost like it was made for the actors who were in this series! Each case seemed so realistic it was almost scary! The bits of humor in this show were wonderful; each one-liner, joke, surprise scare, a playful tease, or bashful moment came just at the right moment for each episode, and the person the "humor bit" was meant for. No matter what the case was, each person on Azumi's team always respected, trusted, honored, believed, and worked hard with everything they had for each other and for the case. It was refreshing to see from most detective/police dramas and movies I've seen.
I almost gave up on this show from the first few episodes, but that's just because of my personal preference since I'm not one who likes watching older (this show was from 2009, apparently that's old to me lmao) dramas/movies/shows, sometimes because I find it ridiculous (the style or story or, etc...) which is insanely superficial and ridiculous, trust me, I know. Even so, this drama really had me hooked from the first episode, within the first few minutes!
There were some moments where I was scared, and it may just be me because I'm the biggest scaredy-cat, but this may not be for the faint of heart. Though being from 2009 I can't really say it's as violent or "gory" or horrific as the more recent detective and police dramas and/or movies. I think I may have laughed just as much as I had gotten nervous or scared in this series. This superb story is definitely one worth watching!
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This review may contain spoilers
Like the other reviewer, I started this drama on a whim and mostly because of the cast; however, as I watched, that quickly became untrue.I miss seeing Narimiya Hiroki in dramas, movies, and tv so I looked for things he was cast in and found this show. It wasn't until after episode 1 that I realized this show was in my "plan to watch" list and had a few more actors/actresses I recognized and like. Though I have to say I didn't find this show interesting until episode 3, I do have to say that it was an amazing show, very worthwhile in watching for a multitude of reasons; not just for the cast alone.
The story itself is something I grew to admire with each episode. I can't say that I liked all the characters immediately at once, however, the people grew on me; as actors, as characters, and as people themselves. For example, I've only seen maybe one other drama Miura Haruma was in (plus an episode of VS Arashi), however, I can honestly say that I was not a fan of his... until this drama. Watching this drama as I did (aka... binge watched lol) showed me a new side to a few people cast in this drama. It was refreshing to see people as actors/actresses that I adore(d) being different to the first, second, or even fifth show I've seen them act in. Including some people whom I immediately disliked in one show or people who inadvertently made me drop a show because of them. Somehow, I've grown to like them because of this show.
Sato Koichi definitely fulfilled the role and definition of tough love, hard-ass, demon teacher. Yet, his teachings were crystal clear and even I learned something from this show just by watching how he carried out his life, let alone his classroom or police skills. A lot of people or even just a few people may not like this show because of his "tough love" demeanor, and I too believe that in some cases he went over the line or was not as caring as he could have/should have been, but I do agree with his reasoning from time to time and I believe the outcome of each episode, each student, and even the ending had something to do with Sato Koichi as a person and as Tono Kazuyuki.
It was an amazing thing to watch so many people grow as much as they did within a 9 episode drama. I feel like I've left this show proud of my child/friend/brother/boyfriend/husband/etc... graduating from the police academy; even though I'm a fire chief's granddaughter. I would have to say, most definitely this drama tried to play off the typical: hard ass, uncommon teacher + demanding, strict, yet common and afraid of change/different school + ridiculous, even insane dramatic circumstances + feel good, emotional stories. You know the ones, right?
Although I believe this show took that typical genre to the extremes. Yes some parts were cheesy or overbearing, and yes some parts were taken way out of context or even given too little context, and yes... sometimes it was way too predictable or even frustrating at how little information they crammed into a 9 episode drama; but this drama is definitely, absolutely, 100% perfectly one of a kind. This is my longest review here on this website, but I can absolutely promise you that this show is worth watching.
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Each person in the cast was amazing, honestly. They did all of their jobs perfectly to make it seem like a fantastically run, fancy, hotel. Everything that goes on in a hotel, from check-in to the restaurant(s) to the housekeeping and bellboy staff to the management, was extremely precisely detailed. Each episode was filled with a very interesting, exciting, and thrilling story; I laughed and I cried throughout this entire show. Each actor and actress gave this show moments where I laughed and cried with them, got mad with them or for them, held my breath in anticipation and fear, and so much more.
This show is more toward the job/career genre than "drama" specifically, however it is interesting to see how the inside of a company, let alone a hotel, works. It's insane all the detail, planning, supplies, problems, surprises, mysteries, excitement, fear, and even disappointment that comes with the stressful and stimulating job of a hotel, or any other company, employee. There was not a lot of character story for the hotel's staff, that is true, but I believe this show relied a lot on the feeling of an actual hotel: it was all about the guests.
I think this drama is something different that maybe a lot of viewers just didn't like, but I found it very enjoying, thrilling, entertaining, and a wonderful show from the story of each episode to the music to the entire show's theme/storyline... It is definitely forever one of my favorite shows!
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This review may contain spoilers
You don't usually see dramas revolving around books/manga/manuscripts/back-story magazines, or at least I don't anyway, so this show is very unique within the storyline itself. I think the cast was well picked to play each character as well, and it was wonderful to watch each mystery unfold with the cast working as hard and diligently as they did for each customer. I have to say though, even though I do like how it ended, I also didn't really like the ending, too; it felt like there were some loose ends at a few places. Even so, I think this drama is very unique in its storyline and if you're looking for a leisurely mystery/suspense/detective drama without too many thrills (aka dramatics/theatrics or over the top danger/etc...) then this drama may be for you! I laughed a lot and sympathized a lot, too; so while it does have romance and detective work, it leans more toward slice-of-life, mystery, comedy, and maybe even a little suspense. There were a few episodes that I couldn't figure out, so I was hooked by episode 2, to be honest; but by the end of this series, I sort of recognized some of the "tells" for each scenario, and even though it took me a while to catch on, I was still thrown for a loop in some cases. This show is really underrated, I think a lot more people should give this series a chance! Was this review helpful to you?
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It is a heavy drama, at times almost "rated R", but it's so amazing that I cannot even begin to explain how because I don't want to risk any spoilers. Which is kind of stupid considering this is a review...
Either way, Eita and Matsuda Ryuhei are once again amazing cast together as the Benriya-san, they take on each request with respect and diligence to see it through to the end, no matter what, which sometimes makes things dangerous and risky, but that is what makes this drama amazing! There's just the right hint of romance to make this show perfect for me personally because I'm not much of a romance drama/movie watcher.
The music really stuck with me too. For some reason, Eita's shows/movies seem to have really good music no matter what genre of show/movie or music. I would suggest watching the (2011) movie before the drama series, it may be confusing as to some scenes and/or characters, but to be honest, I don't think it's 100% necessary either. I really hope more people will watch this series, movies and all!
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It all seemed to follow different directions every now and again, but I was never actually lost throughout the whole story. I guess that's the wonder of movies; everything once jumbled up in a mess finally comes together in the end. This is a very interesting story; each character has their own outstanding personality and it seems that even though the focus was on Eita and Matsuda Ryuhei, they didn't seem like the typical "main character" stereotypes... to me, it seemed like everyone they came in to contact with was a "main character", and they each had their own story to tell.
The camera work was wonderful, it sometimes made me feel like I was following them personally, instead of behind a screen. This is a good movie to start my day off with, I'm glad I watched!
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This drama takes on each case in the series almost in a "brand new" system with each episode; it was like watching someone slowly put together a puzzle to find out who the real evil was. It was interesting to watch it all come together throughout the series. Also, the music is wonderful.
Each casted person fits their role with superb chemistry through the whole series. I do wish, however, that there was something like a follow-up (not a special or 11th episode, but something like '2 months later...') but the ending was very nice! Definitely one of my favorite shows!
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Each cast member seemed perfect for their role; they all fit in together and worked well with each other. I cried, I laughed, I got worried and mad, too. This show had me feeling multiple emotions even in just one episode! I feel like it could have gone on for 11 or 12 episodes, however; this show's appeal, strengths, and talent are way too good for just 10 episodes!
Absolutely give this show a try if you like some (or all) of the cast members, and definitely watch this show if you like music or being a kind human being. This show is very funny, very kind, and very genuine and unique. It's a great show!
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For the actors to be able to stay serious while playing out a gag, then follow through without laughing and continue the rest of the filming must have been hard to do; personally, I laughed during every episode. It's nice to see the acting range of some of my favorite actors/actresses, seeing how they can work so seriously during hilarious gag moments just makes me like them even more.
If you're bored or just starting to watch Japanese dramas, then this is a good show for you to watch. However, don't put this show on a pedestal; it's meant to be funny and like a "normal day in school" and it's meant to make laughs, it is definitely not a serious crime/detective drama. The acting in this show is superb! It is definitely amazing to watch how some people work. This drama is a ridiculously funny show, and I absolutely recommend it!
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37-sai de Isha ni Natta Boku - Kenshui Junjo Monogatari
2 people found this review helpful
The acting in this show was superb, very honest and real life "doctors" in a hospital; I was annoyed sometimes and hated a couple of characters sometimes, but that's what happens within hospital "politics" I suppose. I had a love/hate relationship with a couple of the characters, too; but I think that's just because I don't really like romance stories and I've been watching nothing but crime/detective/scientific dramas for the past few weeks.
I like that they didn't try to make this drama to autobiographical, like a documentary; at first I even thought it was a manga adaptation. The director and writer(s) made this story a true-to-life, open, and honest story; in other words, exactly like a fictional setting so much so that I couldn't distinguish if it was a real-life story or not towards the end.
You can see the actors in this show are working their absolute hardest, for the show but for the patients too; the ending was a little bittersweet and sort of unexpected. This is a good drama if you like medical series!
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I don't know why this drama has not spread like wildfire and continued with a special or a second series. I feel like it left off in a good spot, but I wish it continued on more with the story of White Labo. It was fantastic how they all worked together despite their extremely different personalities. I feel like the way they did not intrude too much on each other's personal lives was a bit much, but given this is a Japanese drama I'm not really surprised.
Each character filled in their quirks perfectly. Like who they acted as was who they truly were. I didn't even notice a Hey! Say! Jump member in the cast until I caught sight of the groups name in the credits after like... the fourth or fifth episode! This show told wonderful stories, one right after the other, and had me crying at the SECOND episode! It was nice that they took an episode out for each character to feel like "THE" main character, too.
This drama is wonderful. Thrilling and heartwarming and exciting and adventure packed until the last moment of the last episode. If you're just getting started with Japanese dramas, this may be a good show to watch but I don't think I would if I was just 'dipping my toes into the Japanese drama fandom', so to speak. This is more of an intermediate-level-type drama; meaning, once you get a few crime/detective dramas under your belt, then watch this drama. But, then again, I can't tell people what to do... this is all just an opinion. And I hope it helps you decide whether or not you want to watch this amazing show!!
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The story itself is pretty old, but not cliched in the least; the writer(s) and director really took their time and really made this storyline and plot their own. I never guessed the ending, nor did see a few twists coming throughout the special. A couple of pieces of the story felt rushed, and the ending seemed to quickly close off, but all in all, it was a very good set-up for the series! The characters were very well supported by nice back stories and they all felt very real and "human" (mini-spoiler alert).
This is definitely a good special to watch if you're interested in the "ST" series or if you like crime/detective dramas. Though I would not suggest watching this only because of a specific actor, because it will get boring really quick, I think that is what happened to me the first time I wanted to watch this...
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