Tenchijin might be good for those who want to try NHK taiga drama for the first time. The logic used in the script is more relatable to other non-jap historical series. Therefore in my opinion, is easier to follow through as long as you know the basic of old japanese politic system.
However it might disappoints the seasoned watchers due to over-cheeziness characterization of the main lead. The script failed to describe certain events clear enough that it felt a bit forced at some points and at the same time over-romanticized certain other events to add unnecessary cheeziness to it.
I can't remember most things in this drama, but I think it has a good portrayal of the abusive relationship because even in real life most of this kind of cases only been exposed when it's already late or things have turned into tragedy like someone get killed (either abuser or victim or their kids).
About the "rape" point above, yes I heard/read the same thing long time ago especially on "Chikan" cases (not sure how it is now). But I doubt there's a clear definition of "rape" in Japan society judging from the genre list in their JAV and all other "pinku" films...LOL
Thanks for the hard work to you guys and thanks for writing the article!
To bad I do not agree with few of the above listing and even the "followed by" list was bit off in my opinion. This is more like a popular list instead of best list, because 1 of the sorting criteria is to look for number of viewers and obviously more people will watch for popular actors and newer dramas.
Some of the surprises: - Kazoku Game as the best family drama. I like this drama for it's psychological aspect but couldn't see it fit for what we're looking for in normal family genre. - Todome no Kiss second in Comedy genre?? - Amachan under Sport tag is LOL - Long Vacation is under Music list but not in the Romance? - Long Vacation, Aishiteru Ittekure, Love Generation, Pride not in Romance list? - Hospital genre is missing the most legendary drama Shiroi Kyoto - I wish at least Iryu Team Medical Dragon was in the Hospital list
Good: 1. Did not follow suit school drama cliche, where disobedient kids tamed by teacher 2. Nice island scenery 3. Good mid pace slice of life drama 4. Remind me of Segodon
Bad: 1. Not heartwarming enough to beat previous island related dramas like Dr Koto and Ruri no Shima 2. There were only 4 non-islander students instead of 10 written in synopsis 3. Unavoidable island cliches i.e. old age population, no doctor, younger generation leaving island, school doesn't have enough students
Big disappointment! I wish they could have focused more on the swordplay as described in the synopsis...LOL The only good thing about this is it's decent visuals, but the plot is so unrealistic.
If you're interested in Japanese history, this drama is a must! Because Date's family is one of the richest/important Daimyo during the Edo period. The drama was nicely written with a bit of comedy on some scenes so you will not get bored along the way. On the downside, Masamune's character is psychologically unbalanced especially during his younger days. Therefore, some viewer might find it distasteful considering he's the main hero in this drama but some of his actions are not likeable.
Not recommended unless you are into Japanese Sengoku Period. The pace of some episodes are draggy, and the writing did not have a coherent focus on either the war+politics or family+women affairs...resulting in a so-so historical drama...fuurin kazan is far better Takeda Shingen's story in my opinion.
Is it me or does Nagasawa Masami overact the hell outta herself on this show to the point that her facial expressions…
LOL...this show is not a SERIOUS drama...it's a "light and easy" comedy...some of the plot even did not make sense at all...like the jump off the plane scene...but why so serious when you watch a NON serious drama? Maybe you have wrong expectation before watching? About the overacting, I think it's just you. It's not UNUSUAL to have over the top acting for japanese drama.
Wow this is so amazing can't believe the overall rating is like sh**t in here! Everything is top notch slice of life drama, the cinematography is at "movie standard", except for the last scene that was a bit discomforting "visually" but by no means ruined the whole show.
Very light comedy drama. There were some over-the-top acting but not enough to annoy the viewers IMO. The opening somehow remind me of My Boss My Hero...LOL and the song sounds much like the OP of MBMH too.
Not just him but the director, music composer and other staffs from amachan are here that's why this taiga gives…
Thanks for the info! Luckily I watched Amachan just recently, so I'm sure I will feel the vibe even more. :) This makes me want to start watching it now but I hate to wait for every episodes...
Yeah this is in my PTW list but of course I will only watch it at the end of year or in 2020 when the subs already finished or maybe when the first arc finished
On the other note, I think you forgot to mention that this year taiga is written by Kudo Kankuro...if i'm not mistaken this is his first taiga drama....so his fan must be anticipating it
if you have insomnia then watching the specials might be helpful...zzzzzzz
Yeah I agree! By doing that they can highlight the student interactions more...At least they don't have to do the flashback for viewer to recall who is who.. Honestly there are some faces I only noticed during the SP...lol
The Good: 1. New style of jdrama with minimal local pop culture references (probably an attempt to attract a more global fan?) 2. The colors for actor clothes and interior designs are more daring/flashy than the usual J stuffs 3. Reducing number of over-the-top character to the main lead alone while maintaining J drama essence in terms of messages they were trying to convey
The Bad: 1. New style of comedy where you have a "long silent moment" after every joke's punch-line 2. Same as above but with overwhelming additional all over the screen, Japanese text with poor contrast color for viewer to get the joke further 3. The only ONE over-the-top character in the drama is REALLY over the top
Overall still watchable and entertaining as long as you could accept our main character as she is!
However it might disappoints the seasoned watchers due to over-cheeziness characterization of the main lead. The script failed to describe certain events clear enough that it felt a bit forced at some points and at the same time over-romanticized certain other events to add unnecessary cheeziness to it.
About the "rape" point above, yes I heard/read the same thing long time ago especially on "Chikan" cases (not sure how it is now). But I doubt there's a clear definition of "rape" in Japan society judging from the genre list in their JAV and all other "pinku" films...LOL
To bad I do not agree with few of the above listing and even the "followed by" list was bit off in my opinion. This is more like a popular list instead of best list, because 1 of the sorting criteria is to look for number of viewers and obviously more people will watch for popular actors and newer dramas.
Some of the surprises:
- Kazoku Game as the best family drama. I like this drama for it's psychological aspect but couldn't see it fit for what we're looking for in normal family genre.
- Todome no Kiss second in Comedy genre??
- Amachan under Sport tag is LOL
- Long Vacation is under Music list but not in the Romance?
- Long Vacation, Aishiteru Ittekure, Love Generation, Pride not in Romance list?
- Hospital genre is missing the most legendary drama Shiroi Kyoto
- I wish at least Iryu Team Medical Dragon was in the Hospital list
1. Did not follow suit school drama cliche, where disobedient kids tamed by teacher
2. Nice island scenery
3. Good mid pace slice of life drama
4. Remind me of Segodon
Bad:
1. Not heartwarming enough to beat previous island related dramas like Dr Koto and Ruri no Shima
2. There were only 4 non-islander students instead of 10 written in synopsis
3. Unavoidable island cliches i.e. old age population, no doctor, younger generation leaving island, school doesn't have enough students
On the downside, Masamune's character is psychologically unbalanced especially during his younger days. Therefore, some viewer might find it distasteful considering he's the main hero in this drama but some of his actions are not likeable.
Maybe you have wrong expectation before watching?
About the overacting, I think it's just you. It's not UNUSUAL to have over the top acting for japanese drama.
On the other note, I think you forgot to mention that this year taiga is written by Kudo Kankuro...if i'm not mistaken this is his first taiga drama....so his fan must be anticipating it
1. New style of jdrama with minimal local pop culture references (probably an attempt to
attract a more global fan?)
2. The colors for actor clothes and interior designs are more daring/flashy than the usual J stuffs
3. Reducing number of over-the-top character to the main lead alone while maintaining J drama essence in terms of messages they were trying to convey
The Bad:
1. New style of comedy where you have a "long silent moment" after every joke's punch-line
2. Same as above but with overwhelming additional all over the screen, Japanese text with poor contrast color for viewer to get the joke further
3. The only ONE over-the-top character in the drama is REALLY over the top
Overall still watchable and entertaining as long as you could accept our main character as she is!