It is good but still not enough to light my cigar. The relationship/interaction between the kids and Sensei was the highlight but Sensei's character needed more depth to make it more believable.
As a person who don't watch the anime or read the manga, I rated this as 8/10. It was an entertaining watch but it did not make me feel like want to check out the anime....if you know what I mean.
Very good drama. It has the pre-2010 jdrama feeling in terms of the production style and writing as well as good BGMs like pre-2000 dramas. The acapella insert song was kind of remind me of Beach Boys...lol
The Water Trouble and the whole of Episode 1 was genius. I wish it could have retained the energy but somewhere in the middle it started to mellow down a bit. Still interesting to see their interaction among themselves. This drama shows what real bromance is.
This movie was beautifully made for the sake of the art. As @Butterfly said in her review Kurosawa fully utilized his first color film. Beautiful opening and closing with pleasing gentle sound of acoustic guitar that gave some sort of melancholic and nostalgic feeling.
However the story was a bit challenging to watch. I watched this movie after the Kankuro's version Kisetsu no nai Machi, so I already know some of the characters and their fate. I wonder what would I feel if I was to watch this first. I wonder what would I feel if I watched this during my younger days.
There was no protagonist in this. It showed many characters at the same time, but none received a "protagonist" treatment. It was like watching Animal Planet. First we see the elephants, then we see tigers and suddenly the story shifted to the monkeys. In Kurosawa case we luckily got to see elephants back at the end so at least there's some accomplishment feeling to it...lol
I still rated it 8/10 though because of some part of the stories and witty dialogues as well as the beautiful color usage.
This is your usual episodic Jidaigeki but it didn't feel repetitive. Loved the brother sister relationship in this one. Would definitely watch the second season.
Looking at the poster and the Ikeido's name I was thinking a business drama with a bit of mystery element. At least mystery with some business tidbits like Yokoso. But I was wrong. This is a pure mystery drama....LoL
Overall this drama has a very interesting production style. The transition between scenes and camera work were very captivating. It felt like TV commercials and Music Videos. It also has refreshing countryside scenery. The suspense element was also perfectly directed.
The actual mystery part however was just okay-ish but it's still worth a try if you're thinking of watching this.
Very entertaining SP. This time it uses more formal classical language so it wasn't as simple as the series if you want to watch it RAW. JP caption is available though. Involvement with Ako clan incident made this feels like a real Jidaigeki. A must watch sequel!
This was surprisingly fun and heartwarming family drama despite how the poster look. No wonder it was extended to 13 episodes and got an SP earlier this year (2023).
Unfortunately it's not fan-subbed and the RAWs are hard to find. There's no JP caption as well. The good thing is the Japanese level used in this drama wasn't too advanced so you could watch it RAW if you know a little Japanese.
It is also on Amazon Prime (based on the torrent info on Nyaa) but not sure if it's streamable with English subs.
This drama had potential with interesting premise but it failed to deliver. It has good production value. The…
Oh BTW I think Episode 10 was the best episode of all. The ending was satisfactory and the most plausible solution for the story. The acting of Mashima improved drastically during this last episode for some reason. I wonder if he was happy thinking he's about to wrap up the job...lol
Other thoughts: 1. The younger Takuro and older Takuro didn't match. The former was more clumsy while the latter was overly cool. There was lack of consistency in Takuro's character overall.
2. Takuro in Manga seem look-alike with Mashima...but since there were many occasions the MC talked about being an OSSAN in the drama, I guess choosing an actor with more OSSAN-Vibe could have fit the role better. Imagine if this character was played by Takito Kenichi, Furutachi Kanji, Serizawa Tateto (from Cinecon drama), or even Kudo Kankuro.
3. It's strange that nobody push Eri and Takuro to be together since according to the story Eri has a thing for Takuro and always be around for him for 25 years and she's always single all this while and everyone knows about this.
4. It was such a convenient writing to chase Eri away from Takuro just because Takuro said her existence was like air. LoL...She waited for 25 years and she knows Takuro inside out but still shocked with how Takuro described her?
This drama had potential with interesting premise but it failed to deliver. It has good production value. The pace while a bit slow for some viewers, it wasn't filled with unnecessary scenes, and I think it fits well with the overall style of this drama.
HOWEVER, the character writing of the MC was lacking. His character was boring and didn't give great impact to the narrative. Anything related to his life and work didn't reach my heart...like I understand what the director was trying to convey but I didn't feel it from the actor. Either they chose the wrong person for the role or the writing was missing something...IDK.
The only interesting character that made me to the final episode was Kurumi. While Eri was the stereotypical one we often see in other dramas.
Not sure how is it in the original Manga, but this drama could be different if they switched the MC from Takuro to Kurumi. Make the story from her POV instead. She has more colors in her character and has more interesting backstory and relationship with people around her.
Informative drama but made in cute and lighthearted way. It's based on true story so I really salute the husband if the wife is exactly as portrayed in this drama.
This is a good movie but I wouldn't say it's the best I have watched. What I like:1. Acting was superb given that…
While the main topic of swapping identity was interesting, Zainichi issues and stigma on criminal family members aren't new and have been talked in the Japanese drama/movie so many time already.
This is a good movie but I wouldn't say it's the best I have watched.
What I like: 1. Acting was superb given that all big names are in this 2. Directing was amazing. Transition between scenes was easy to follow even there was flashback or time jump
What I don't like: 1. It tried to include several less important characters which distract me from the main plot. 2. Felt draggy towards the end when the mystery already solved.
BTW, the synopsis is wrong. Akira is not Rei's ex-husband. He was the lawyer who handled Rei's divorce case. I watched this movie first then was shocked when reading the synopsis here. I had to rewatch certain part of the movie just to double check this fact...LoL
Excuse me. But in what way was switching identities here portrayed as being "easy?" Secondly, the point was clearly…
No you got it wrong...it's not the lawyer's reflection but director style of telling viewer on the lumberjack story...remember when the lawyer walk through the trees towards the end the adult lumberjack was there also....
Excuse me. But in what way was switching identities here portrayed as being "easy?" Secondly, the point was clearly…
From what I understand after watching many Jdramas is that japan use family registry system...which I think depends solely on the integrity of the people who put names under that family instead of the authority/government.
To register for marriage they might have only checked the existence of the name in the registry instead of verifying whether the person is the true person...oh yeah they rely on the "hanko stamp" in almost every document including banking...so I guess swapping identity in Japan could be less hassle as long as both parties agree...of course it's illegal that's why the broker in the movie is in the jail
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As a person who don't watch the anime or read the manga, I rated this as 8/10. It was an entertaining watch but it did not make me feel like want to check out the anime....if you know what I mean.
The Water Trouble and the whole of Episode 1 was genius. I wish it could have retained the energy but somewhere in the middle it started to mellow down a bit. Still interesting to see their interaction among themselves. This drama shows what real bromance is.
However the story was a bit challenging to watch. I watched this movie after the Kankuro's version Kisetsu no nai Machi, so I already know some of the characters and their fate. I wonder what would I feel if I was to watch this first. I wonder what would I feel if I watched this during my younger days.
There was no protagonist in this. It showed many characters at the same time, but none received a "protagonist" treatment. It was like watching Animal Planet. First we see the elephants, then we see tigers and suddenly the story shifted to the monkeys. In Kurosawa case we luckily got to see elephants back at the end so at least there's some accomplishment feeling to it...lol
I still rated it 8/10 though because of some part of the stories and witty dialogues as well as the beautiful color usage.
Overall this drama has a very interesting production style. The transition between scenes and camera work were very captivating. It felt like TV commercials and Music Videos. It also has refreshing countryside scenery. The suspense element was also perfectly directed.
The actual mystery part however was just okay-ish but it's still worth a try if you're thinking of watching this.
Nobuko went there before she admitted to hospital and ask a random passerby (probably Taro's dad) to take the photo.
Aya must have been imagining the scene after reading the story written by Taro instead of actually saw Nobuko's ghost.
Unfortunately it's not fan-subbed and the RAWs are hard to find. There's no JP caption as well. The good thing is the Japanese level used in this drama wasn't too advanced so you could watch it RAW if you know a little Japanese.
It is also on Amazon Prime (based on the torrent info on Nyaa) but not sure if it's streamable with English subs.
Other thoughts:
1. The younger Takuro and older Takuro didn't match. The former was more clumsy while the latter was overly cool. There was lack of consistency in Takuro's character overall.
2. Takuro in Manga seem look-alike with Mashima...but since there were many occasions the MC talked about being an OSSAN in the drama, I guess choosing an actor with more OSSAN-Vibe could have fit the role better. Imagine if this character was played by Takito Kenichi, Furutachi Kanji, Serizawa Tateto (from Cinecon drama), or even Kudo Kankuro.
3. It's strange that nobody push Eri and Takuro to be together since according to the story Eri has a thing for Takuro and always be around for him for 25 years and she's always single all this while and everyone knows about this.
4. It was such a convenient writing to chase Eri away from Takuro just because Takuro said her existence was like air. LoL...She waited for 25 years and she knows Takuro inside out but still shocked with how Takuro described her?
HOWEVER, the character writing of the MC was lacking. His character was boring and didn't give great impact to the narrative. Anything related to his life and work didn't reach my heart...like I understand what the director was trying to convey but I didn't feel it from the actor. Either they chose the wrong person for the role or the writing was missing something...IDK.
The only interesting character that made me to the final episode was Kurumi. While Eri was the stereotypical one we often see in other dramas.
Not sure how is it in the original Manga, but this drama could be different if they switched the MC from Takuro to Kurumi. Make the story from her POV instead. She has more colors in her character and has more interesting backstory and relationship with people around her.
What I like:
1. Acting was superb given that all big names are in this
2. Directing was amazing. Transition between scenes was easy to follow even there was flashback or time jump
What I don't like:
1. It tried to include several less important characters which distract me from the main plot.
2. Felt draggy towards the end when the mystery already solved.
BTW, the synopsis is wrong. Akira is not Rei's ex-husband. He was the lawyer who handled Rei's divorce case. I watched this movie first then was shocked when reading the synopsis here. I had to rewatch certain part of the movie just to double check this fact...LoL
To register for marriage they might have only checked the existence of the name in the registry instead of verifying whether the person is the true person...oh yeah they rely on the "hanko stamp" in almost every document including banking...so I guess swapping identity in Japan could be less hassle as long as both parties agree...of course it's illegal that's why the broker in the movie is in the jail