Awe I love that! Can't wait for more. I'll message you later for those I find underrated there are so MANY! Although I don't think Okada Junichi is underrated. I mean acting wise I totally agree not your typical JE but as you said he's already won awards ;) well maybe here in MDL he's underrated :P As for the recommendation there are a few I can't wait to watch thx!
As for Kitamura Kazuki, Big time! Suzuki Ryohei I think he's finally getting noticed ;) Surely Someday is one of my fave movies full of fun and energy :D
This drama brought the 2 hottest Japanese guys from the 90s to make a drama together. With the chemistry they had, it was the ultimate bromance!
I also liked the the whole overall them of summer, vacation and when does summer end. It's all about finding oneself and the place we call home, as oppose to the place we spend our vacation. There are always this feeling that we are bidding our time, and that this good time can come to an end. That is has to come to an end.
I love the last scene. It made me feel that we truly are all connected through the ocean.
The last 2 episodes went pretty smoothly and I like them. That is NOT to say that I like the big event that happens then. I mean yea it did force people to face their issues, but I would've like for all this to come naturally, with out usual drama tropes. However despite what happens I like how it brought Jung to speak with frankness with his father finally, showing that he finally understand how people view him (okay that part felt a bit scripted, I don't think anyone can know the exact thoughts of others). I really like Seol and Jung's reflection about themselves and their relationship. I like that they showed In Ho's relationship with Seol's family keep on being solid no matter what. Bo Ra and Eun Taek were a breath of fresh air.
What I love most is the choice of cast, and most of the cast's outstanding performance.
Then comes the things I dislike, which is mainly how the directing represented the story. I think it's also has some effect with me having read the webtoon (well whatever that is available in english anyway). It's just that the events we see take place through out a whole season in the webtoon, in the drama I feel they just showed one event at a time. finish with one, the next starts. Feeling like out of nowhere honestly.
As for the ending, it's not that it's the worst fitting, but what I hate most about it is the state they leave seol feeling.
A sweeping and epic tale about survival, honor, and power struggle. What amazes me is how it doesn't shy…
Totally agree with you on that point. Kanbei was my first historical drama so many events really shoked me at first. Now at my 3rd Taiga, I have finally come to understand and accept them as way of life. I also really respect authenticity as well, as unnerving as the role and life of a woman may be, I would like to understand their suffering. The first half of Gou leaving me wanting, but the second half really new gives you a good portrayal of a woman's fate.
The thing about historical dramas overstating a woman's role is that they really let go of authenticity for the sake of pleasing people, however I think there's always a way to show a woman's strength without changing history. I mean I believe women had inner strength all along, and showing the strength it takes a woman to be able to cope with her era and live through it is something that should be the focus, however it is mostly taken for granted.
Then there's also eras where women were surprisingly empowered, like in Korean history the kingdom os Silla. According to wiki in that kingdom a woman being the head of the household or inheriting the kingdom was seen natural at that time.
Lol I can be so passionate about those subjects :P
I just don't get it. The last episode made me realize I under understood what Yamaneko was all about and why the hell is he doing what he's doing, and specially WHY does he have people follow him? Also typical open ending with not much explanation.
Honestly though what made this drama watchable, and even fun, wasn't the story or plot but the characters and acting. My favourite is Sasaki Kuranosuke as the detective. Even though his character unpredictable and I've been second guessing his loyalty all the way to this end, but it's mostly those day-to-day scenes when he joins the Yamaneko gang and his eccentricity that I enjoy the most. Narimiya Hiroki was also fun to watch. I just love the way he controls his facial expressions. Kame actually got on my nerves but I like his scenes with both Sasaki & Narimiya. Nanao keeps impressing me at every role. I like Otsuka Nene for her aura. Not much to say about Hirose Suzu :P I mean she was alright ;)
Wow Anna I'm jealous of you for 2 things: - Having Kanbei so fresh in your mind right now & - Being able to write such a heartfelt and amazing review. I totally agree with everything you said, specially about Takahashi Issei and his character Kuroemon, and Eguchi Yosuke as Oda Nobunaga. As I will always call him, my eternal Nobunaga. No one else shall take his place in my mind as Nobunaga.
There's so much to talk about in this drama. Time of war is horrible for sure, but it tends it bring out the most intriguing and intelligent figures in the limelight.
I think Bossmama is right about the first Taiga. I'm watching my 3rd one but Kanbei is still my all time fave, granted it was better produced than the other 2 I'm watching.
lol Hwang Jeong Min ahjussi is amazing. His character was pure fun here. And man Yoo Ah In really knows how to make himself hated if wants to. Nothing thought provoking about this movie, typical rich and powerful vs the police, but still a fun watch. It can be brutal at times. Police camaraderie was heartwarming and the ending was wild and good.
I love Ibuki and I want him to be happy but if Ren and Oto don't end up together, after their declaration of love…
It's my favourite as well. I had to wait so long for the subs when I watched it back then. Sakamoto is a genius as writing quotes and conversations. It's really rare that I'd be able to sit through a simple conversation between 2 characters in a drama. Soredemo being a drama I did try to avoid it initially but once I started it I just couldn't let go. Despite the heavy subject it was addictive. I did have some issues with the overall story of ItsuKoi but the dialogs there were gold and elevated the story from what it could've become ;)
I love Ibuki and I want him to be happy but if Ren and Oto don't end up together, after their declaration of love…
lol yea I'm with you about Konatsu & Haruta. Konatsu was being too childish and I really hated Haruta for the way he showed his love for her by embarrassing Kiho the way he did, in front of everyone. I mean I know they were putting on a show and it could get on people's nerves and putting out people's secrets like that is unforgivable. But as you said their last scene ties everything together and I ended up loving them as a couple.
This was enjoyable overall. The more of Okada Junichi the better ;) Matsuzaka Junichi was a great addition to the cast. I just wish Fukushi Sota showed a bit more life in his role. He falls flat in front of such a lively cast. I wish I had seen more of Kuriyama Chiaki and Tanaka Kei, but there was too much "war" going on. Well it IS called "Library Wars".
I think it's my issue but I just can't take this story or (almost) any dialogs said seriously. Something about it feels childish. Specially Osamu Mukai's role. I enjoy the acting overall. The one I enjoyed the most was Odagiri Joe! He's one hot villain here XD but really his lines are also the most interesting. What ruined it is his "followers" their lines and acting suck. It happens a lot when they bring in unknown foreigners to play those types of characters :P
I only have one complaint about the cast, and that is Fukiishi Kazue. I mean she's supposed to be Ichigo's childhood friend and love interest, but she feels like neither, and her scenes with him are completely awkward. I've seen Osamu Mukai in a number of roles, I like him overall but the one thing I love most about him is he tend to have chemistry with his costars making all his interactions with them more meaningful. I don't know there was none of that.
I enjoyed that movie more that I expected it. The cast did great. Well except for the big bad. He was a complete waste of screen time for me :P Again Matsuzaka Tori had a role in this movie and he did GREAT. Okay he doesn't beat Ikematsu Sosuke but he's getting there. I loved his scenes with Hasegawa Hiroki. Talking about Hasegawa Hiroki, his role here is very weird here, well in the whole franchise, looking more like those old cartoon villains. I still don't know on which side he is, but despite all I like him :P but I don't take his character seriously.
Some times we cut from one scene to another and I have no idea how this happens! I think we were missing some transitional scenes.
We finally got SOME answers to our mysteries. I still don't get the overall point of it. I don't get what the villains are aiming at. Still enjoyable and great action scenes.
First of all I love the directing, and the way they decided to tell the story. The soundtrack and music used was perfect to to portray the mindset of the prince and king. Despite being another central character in a historical setting, and also playing the role of a prince, Yoo Ah In's portrayal of the crown prince here is drastically different. He used the same amount of intensity but differently. Anyways loved it!
K-Drama 
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As for Kitamura Kazuki, Big time! Suzuki Ryohei I think he's finally getting noticed ;) Surely Someday is one of my fave movies full of fun and energy :D
I also liked the the whole overall them of summer, vacation and when does summer end. It's all about finding oneself and the place we call home, as oppose to the place we spend our vacation. There are always this feeling that we are bidding our time, and that this good time can come to an end. That is has to come to an end.
I love the last scene. It made me feel that we truly are all connected through the ocean.
What I love most is the choice of cast, and most of the cast's outstanding performance.
Then comes the things I dislike, which is mainly how the directing represented the story. I think it's also has some effect with me having read the webtoon (well whatever that is available in english anyway). It's just that the events we see take place through out a whole season in the webtoon, in the drama I feel they just showed one event at a time. finish with one, the next starts. Feeling like out of nowhere honestly.
As for the ending, it's not that it's the worst fitting, but what I hate most about it is the state they leave seol feeling.
The thing about historical dramas overstating a woman's role is that they really let go of authenticity for the sake of pleasing people, however I think there's always a way to show a woman's strength without changing history. I mean I believe women had inner strength all along, and showing the strength it takes a woman to be able to cope with her era and live through it is something that should be the focus, however it is mostly taken for granted.
Then there's also eras where women were surprisingly empowered, like in Korean history the kingdom os Silla. According to wiki in that kingdom a woman being the head of the household or inheriting the kingdom was seen natural at that time.
Lol I can be so passionate about those subjects :P
Honestly though what made this drama watchable, and even fun, wasn't the story or plot but the characters and acting. My favourite is Sasaki Kuranosuke as the detective. Even though his character unpredictable and I've been second guessing his loyalty all the way to this end, but it's mostly those day-to-day scenes when he joins the Yamaneko gang and his eccentricity that I enjoy the most. Narimiya Hiroki was also fun to watch. I just love the way he controls his facial expressions. Kame actually got on my nerves but I like his scenes with both Sasaki & Narimiya. Nanao keeps impressing me at every role. I like Otsuka Nene for her aura. Not much to say about Hirose Suzu :P I mean she was alright ;)
What do you mean by "didn't shy away from the complications and 'dumb'ness of history" ? Just curious.
I agree with your criticism but I still love it up until now. Except about the draginess, I never found it draggy :P
There's so much to talk about in this drama. Time of war is horrible for sure, but it tends it bring out the most intriguing and intelligent figures in the limelight.
I think Bossmama is right about the first Taiga. I'm watching my 3rd one but Kanbei is still my all time fave, granted it was better produced than the other 2 I'm watching.
Really can't wait for Dias Police! :D
I only have one complaint about the cast, and that is Fukiishi Kazue. I mean she's supposed to be Ichigo's childhood friend and love interest, but she feels like neither, and her scenes with him are completely awkward. I've seen Osamu Mukai in a number of roles, I like him overall but the one thing I love most about him is he tend to have chemistry with his costars making all his interactions with them more meaningful. I don't know there was none of that.
Some times we cut from one scene to another and I have no idea how this happens! I think we were missing some transitional scenes.
We finally got SOME answers to our mysteries. I still don't get the overall point of it. I don't get what the villains are aiming at. Still enjoyable and great action scenes.