TimiZero

Yes, like what others have said Fukuyama Masaharu is different in this because we always see the cold, arrogant kind of acting from him...maybe different actor could do it more naturally...but while I don't fan Fukuyama except for some of his songs, I still see he did a good job for this role...it's just that the character didn't match with his "sophisticated" look....haha...

Overall the story is less intriguing and the plot is "usual and predictable" but still managed to keep me until the end...

Interesting stuff (not story related)
1. Kagawa plays the subordinate role
2. Some actors are the familiar faces from the TBS Ikeido Jun series, although this is from novels of different author
3. IGARASHI is the Man of the Match in this drama :P

If you liked the first season, then you might as well want to watch this.

Re-watched this one more time to get the feel before watching special. What I can say it's still funny and amazing. After watching it for the 2nd time, I still feel that over-the-top Dako is the main entertaining factor of this drama.
Dako - cruel, manipulative, selfish, and greedy but a genius mastermind
Boku - naive, softhearted, mamaboy and easily get manipulated but good at doing conjob
Richard - old but gold

Must watch if you like the series!

Simple and heartwarming movie. Watch it and you won't regret!

This drama is a bit unique in the sense that you can't guess it's direction. Just like what other commenters have said, you'll be surprised with how unpredictable the genre is. At the beginning it looks like a fun fluffy teen drama, then suddenly you'll get that psychological vibe (like kazoku game) with a bit of mystery. Some episodes will make you wonder if you're watching a musical...LOL and there will be some comedies too throughout the drama.

Overall an okay drama to watch during your free time, but might not be intriguing enough to be watched back to back. Instead of wanting to know what happen next, you will be more curious with WTH the genre is...so that what makes you watch until the end..ROFL

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.

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.

LOL overacting for this kind of "japanese" comedy drama is a must!

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.

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

BTW there's a page for the special but isn't link to here yet