Been a while since I've seen a tokusatsu and this was good fun! The integration of Daishi's disability into the story and action sequences was, for the most part, well done. I'm interested to see more since it looks like they were aiming for this to be a test pilot for a full series.
Looking back at the series, the 1st and 8th episodes were especially strong. They both interrogated their issues with open discussions, considered multiple perspectives and, by the end, really got to the human heart of things. The character centric episodes are great too—I like that they threw the ball in the audience's court and left the conclusions to us—but 1 & 8's scripts shined because they felt like debates in a way.
I really would love more of this. There will always be 5-meter radius stories to tell after all, so maybe someday down the line...
Not a bad way to spend the weekend. It's a zany and sentimental ride—you can see where it's all going but they imbue it with personality. Plus, the music really captures the sound of bands during that era, which is always a sticking point for me when it comes to music-themed dramas set in a prior time.
Such a sweet ending. It was an unusual but succinct way to tie everything up.
My biggest takeaway: for as much as kids have a lot to learn from adults, adults also have a lot to learn from children. They are strong in their own ways. Oh, and family is what you make it!
A surprisingly emotional first episode. I'm interested to see how this goes.
If anyone's curious, the song that Yohei and Nana bond over is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZwjbGDQadE As a fan myself, my familiarity with the track really enhanced the scene.
A perfect spring drama all the way through! Just pure pleasure seeing these characters start over, begin anew, move forward... the finale was the parting gift that we deserved (though hopefully we'll see them all again someday), you really couldn't have asked for a better series to spend the season with.
I submitted a new description for the drama. The original was not doing it any favors. It's such a gem of the season and I'm glad I found out about it!
I hope the Yoneyama (& Kishimoto?) vs Sakuragi plot starts late in the drama, the first half doesn't need that…
Yeah, it seems like they dropped that plot point with Seto entirely, so in my head I've just pinned it as him being wary of Sakuragi exposing Kaede. Maybe they were trying to push that image so the audience would be fooled into thinking he started the fire in Episode 2 but if that was the intention then I honestly think they went a bit overboard lol.
Some of my biggest laughs this past month came from this drama. It revels in the absurdity of institutional contradiction and dials up the wacky consequences to an 11. In the face of messy politics, I'm glad it committed to idealism.
The cast really pulled through (and *chef's kiss* to the brassy musical score which perfectly enhanced the camp appeal of some of their performances).
I like that the show is progressively tackling more complex family topics with each episode, especially the breakdown of the nuclear family structure. It's simple, of course, as the show does aim for feel-good slice of life, but it's commendable that it doesn't shy away from those cracks in life.
I also feel it's rare to have a child character feel like an actual child, but Kotaro gets there by being as inquisitive as he is emotionally-charged. His interactions with others come across as real.
2 episodes in and it's stepping up to be a great spring drama. I love watching these 20-somethings from different backgrounds with different hang-ups navigating life and romance in the modern day. Plus, I'm always down to look at pretty food.
I don't think this has a chance of beating the 2008 adaptation, but it does have Toichiro Ruto as a director who puts his stamp on everything he touches. I have no idea if his quick cut rapid-fire comedy is what a new version needs but it at least felt fresh for the first episode. The story is one of my favourites of the youth sports genre so I have a reason to stay until the end.
Also just a random side note, but this is the 3rd drama in a row where Mochizuki Ayumu is playing a supporting role to Johnny's Jrs. He's practically an honorary member at this point lol.
Watch the anime or read the manga. They're more complete and funnier.
I have, which is why I said they "pared it down to the big beats." They got the stories that I felt were most essential from the manga in telling Hori and Miyamura's relationship.
It ended exactly as I expected... which meant the finale was perfect. What started out as a wholesome coming-of-age romcom stayed as such till the end—no misguided detours taken.
I wish it had been longer so we could tell everyone else's stories, but they pared it down to the big beats so I'm not walking out feeling empty at all.
I was in no way, shape or form ready for what goes down in the third episode anyway, so now I can prepare for it lol.
I really would love more of this. There will always be 5-meter radius stories to tell after all, so maybe someday down the line...
My biggest takeaway: for as much as kids have a lot to learn from adults, adults also have a lot to learn from children. They are strong in their own ways. Oh, and family is what you make it!
If anyone's curious, the song that Yohei and Nana bond over is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZwjbGDQadE As a fan myself, my familiarity with the track really enhanced the scene.
The cast really pulled through (and *chef's kiss* to the brassy musical score which perfectly enhanced the camp appeal of some of their performances).
I also feel it's rare to have a child character feel like an actual child, but Kotaro gets there by being as inquisitive as he is emotionally-charged. His interactions with others come across as real.
Also just a random side note, but this is the 3rd drama in a row where Mochizuki Ayumu is playing a supporting role to Johnny's Jrs. He's practically an honorary member at this point lol.
I wish it had been longer so we could tell everyone else's stories, but they pared it down to the big beats so I'm not walking out feeling empty at all.