Here's my theory about this drama, do not read unless you finished the whole drama, Spoilers ahead!! The mystery…
Wow what an insight, though I already deducted some of the analysis as well (the most obvious is the fact that Hoshizaki only smokes once a year, which clearly says that he is no longer living in the world). I don't expect Shinonome as a Shinigami though, I thought she's at the same fate as Hoshizaki (departing South Atami limbo to the afterworld). I think it is the bus driver who is the shinigami instead of her.
Sorry to say realdeal, this is perhaps your most biased review so far. I'm up to episode 4 and found that it is too fast-paced, has to be at least 8 episode instead of 5, long enough to capture and exploit more details and adding more subtlety to it. A bit disagree on the directing, too dorama-esque to my liking. If only it was handled by film people, might show more 'class' in it (see Moe no Suzaku or more recently, Going My Home, which are relavitely at the same boat), since the dorama has all to succeed (good actors, picturesque setting, and its own theme). All in all, very run-of-the-mill show that offers just it needed and IMHO score of 9.5 is an overkill.
Don't get me wrong, I've been a fan of Mayu since early 2013 (when I found her in Kirishima and Aku no Kyoten) and she is technically-gifted and exceptionally versatile young actress who definitely has bright future in acting, as long as she keeps getting chances to improve herself. But as good as an young actor is, she is still pretty raw and deserves (much) better guidance from directors than what she's got so far.
yuusha FTW XD happy that 4 of them are doramas :D from the jdorama list, I'll add: -Date with snake resuscitation…
I'd add Satoshi Miki's other earlier works like Instant Numa and Turtles Swim Faster Than Expected. Too bad he is no longer making comedies, his recent works have been increasingly darker (see Atami no Sousakan and Ore Ore).
LOL at Lord Gyoooten and Duck Face/Koutou Yuumin thingy XD
I notice that higashide and mayu matsuoka have great chemistry on screen better than with yoko maki honestly.
Facts that why she hasn't been featured by festival filmmakers are just beyond me, considering compared to most other wonderkids she has been around for quite some times. I do hope she will grab more attention she deserves.
It's Androp, but I can't recall the title. I like the theme song in the drama better though. Anyway, you'd better download them all, it's worth the effort.
It's like a cross between Kekkon Dekinai Otoko and Densha Otoko. Or an exaggerated version of the former. Definitely my penultimate favorite this season, Mondai Restaurant is also good and enjoyable though, but Date is on another level.
Not as good as the series, but still got good acting all around from everyone and several nice dialogue between the characters nonetheless. It was filmed a year after the series had been, some of the students were too old and no longer convincing as middle schoolers though.
Someone needs to change the preview picture. I think Yuji Sakamoto intends to do a character-based dorama, with numerous point of view upon the story (think the likes of Kirishima Bukatsu). The ugly truth is that the main antagonists are quite evil and I fear there are not enough time to put on character layers into them.
The first half is very good and funny, I like the acting (esp. Hiroki Hasegawa, he really stands out in this), the pace and the dry humour. However, the second falls apart and doesn't meet my expectation. The special effects during the massacre scene is too crude to my liking (though some refer this blemish as intentional, as this is a letter to today's filmmakers who lost the gusto and idealism they had, but still).
I can't believe this is a late-night dorama, they made good use of cinematography and even special effects. Shunji Iwai and other movie guys have to be given more chance to handle experimental doramas like this.
Agreed with you, although I think your refereeing is a bit over the top, at least someone new in jdrama who hasn't watched the previous seasons would still be entertained. The third season lacks charm it has in the previous two season.
2 
Don't get me wrong, I've been a fan of Mayu since early 2013 (when I found her in Kirishima and Aku no Kyoten) and she is technically-gifted and exceptionally versatile young actress who definitely has bright future in acting, as long as she keeps getting chances to improve herself. But as good as an young actor is, she is still pretty raw and deserves (much) better guidance from directors than what she's got so far.
LOL at Lord Gyoooten and Duck Face/Koutou Yuumin thingy XD