BrightestStar

I've started many of those mangas but never followed through. I always like the beginning but then it feels draggy but I like checking the movie since it's short. Unfortunately most don't translate well in live action movies. Timing may be an issue, but so is acting skills.

I'll be watching Ao Haru Ride for Higashide Masahiro! He's so cute!

well the list said maximum 3 for each section and for underrated japanese dramas I'd have a dozen :P

Agreed specially when most japanese doramas are mysteries :P and yea Sageuk is a korean term.

Best Japanese Drama of 2014: Wakamono Tachi, Nazo no Tenkousei,

Best Japanese MOVIE of 2014: The Murder of Snow White

Best ROMANCE Drama: Itazura na Kiss 2 ~ Love in Tokyo

Best Comedy Drama: Black President

Best ROMANTIC/Comedy Drama: Gomenne Seishun!

Best Historical Drama: Gunshi Kanbei

Best FAMILY Drama: Wakamono Tachi

Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama: Border, Petero no Souretsu

Best Japanese Actor: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Odagiri Joe

Best Japanese Actress: Mitsushima Hikari, Inoue Mao

Best Japanese Supporting Actor: Eguchi Yosuke, Takahashi Issei, Ikematsu Sosuke

Best Japanese Supporting Actress: Nakatani Miki, Aoi Yu, Sugisaki Hana

Best Villain: Masaki Keigo (M) (Odagiri Joe) from S, Hamasho (Kubozuka Yosuke)
from OneThird

Best Idol Actor: Ikuta Toma

Best Couple: Sato Asahi & Sawabe Azusa (Wakamono Tachi)

Best Bromance: Sato Asahi & Sato Satoru

Best OST: Wakamono Tachi

Most Overrated Drama: Mozu, Alice no Toge

Worst Drama: None in 2014 bothered me, at worst they'd be generic

I've still got a couple of jdoramas of 2014 that I need to watch that I heard from trusted sources (aka friends here on mdl) that they are great so my list isn't up-to-date :P

I really enjoyed this article!! Hope there are more to come!!

@Annoyed and Disappointed I think The Introspective Ajumma gave a perfect answer. I just want to add that some cable dramas seem to branch off the constraints found in the big 3 channels and more diversity in the stories (more or less).

This was the heart of the game. It wouldn't have been the same without her. That is why they always came after her.

hmm the second season was kind of a let down. It was actually so confusing that I didn't know what the mysteries were about anymore and what's left to be answered. I remember a lot being unanswered but I don't remember the questions anymore :P

Great article! For me kdramas always have the risk of letting me down half way through but now being at episode 4 I can say this drama is off to a good start. I didn't find any of the characters outstanding but one thing I appreciate here is the professionalism. Like you said the lead girl could be annoying at times but when she's wrong she owns up to it. I like style of dealing with the case of the week while slowly but sulery uncovering past mysteries. Overall I like the pacing. You are right about the characters being cliche. They are funny and entertaining but I do hope we see more of them later on ;)

I know exactly whwhat you mean. I'm someone who gets intimidated by anything more than 20 episodes :P but believe me once you start will not be able to leave it ;)

I totally agree with you! One thing this is NOT is boring. This can be enjoyable for everyone. I myself didn't know much of the history but I started researching once when I started this drama. It's definitely NOT confusing and at times I'm like "did that reallt happen?" and I look it up and it really did!

I'm one fo those ppl who get intimidated by the number of episodes but this drama has so much to tell! I find the episodes were used in a very efficient way. One thing we need to keep in mind is that each episode runs 45 minutes so it goes by really fast.

You can watch it slowly until all episodes are subbed, because waiting for subs isn't that easy. good thing we get them every 4-5 at a time :D

Oh about that, I meant I don't think I can accept any other portrayal of Oda Nobunaga because he got engraved in my mind eternally XD

Thx cheer! Yup it's a gem that's that's waiting to be discovered! I can't believe all my years of drama watching and I got too lazy to start one (because of the number of episodes)

I can't wait to see what you'll have to say, specially around episodes 20 to 24 ;)

I hope her role will be an important one. It looks like japan is leaning more towards having shows with multiple stars on the same level as opposed to just 1 or 2. I like that.

This one is my first taiga and now I'm looking forward to watching all those I missed! I heard the 2010 one was also one of the best. It may seem like a big commitment but once you start who won't feel it :D

As for the reference, it was the last article I read when I wrote this. I really enjoyed it and it motivated me to write that one ;)

lol historical drama overload :P So happy my review would encourage you! Do give it a try I'm sure you'll like it. 50 episodes is a big commitment but so much is going on. I think one of this drama's pros is the pacing.

Yae no Sakura is one I want to watch & Tenchijin too. When I started watching this I didn't know if I was going to continue but it just swept me off my feet.

I'll pm you ;)

I would say yes. His character shows up early on but we get to see more of him after the first third of the drama. He faces important and disturbing dilemas. Where I got we're back to seeing more of him, and I think we'll more of him soon because, based on what I read on his character, he'll be faced with many more important dilemas at this point in his life.I only mentioned a few actors here only because if I start to mention what I like about what each did with their character it'll truly be endless. There are too many characters, and some even with small role left a big impact, and seem were there but made their impact later on (like Ikuta Toma).

Thanks for the comment. I worry that I couldn't do this beautiful drama justice. Like you said so many reasons to love it.

Thx :D It's a movie I enjoyed a lot but just couldn't give it a higher rate and I felt that I had to explain why.

This drama has Uesugi Kenshin in it (played by none other than Abe Hiroshi!). I've got a work colleague that is obsessed about him as the man who never lost a battle which motivated me to read up about him :P Now I've got more motivations to start this sooner rather than later ;) I want to finish Kanbei first though to not get mixed up :P Thx for the review cheer :D

Watch it ;) but like I said he second season is better but I think the first one is worth the watch ;)