Bishonure Tantei Mizuno Hagoromo (2019)

Original and funny!

The absurdly funny premise reminded me of a creativity-enhancing exercise I had been taught to use when I had studied scriptwriting (and then taught myself when I found myself teaching the same subject a few years later): you'd have to take a few sheets of paper and randomly write, on one of them, 10 characters (for example: a killer, an accountant, a nurse, a truck driver, etc.), on another 10 objects (like: a dagger, a Mayan idol, a bottle of scotch, etc.), on a third one 10 places (a school, an elevator, a back alley, etc.) and on a fourth one 10 genres (mystery, comedy, horror, etc.). Then you'd fold the sheets, pile them together, and pierce through them with something sharp. At the end, you'd just unfold the sheets and select the different elements which were closer to the holes, at which point you'd have to create a plot with whatever you ended up with (which could mean something as weird as "a drug dealer, a secretary, an ancient scroll, a Playstation, a dance school, a diner, SF and romance", LOL).
Now, I honestly don't know whether the same exercise is being taught in Japan as well, but if it is, then we could guess this dorama's writer came up with "an interviewee, a detective, a love hotel, water, time-leaping and comedy"...^_^;
However the funny premise originated, though, the good thing is, it's been then pretty nicely developed with some endearing characters, a good cast (particular praises to Ohara Sakurako - too bad her singing career is making her filmography relatively short, 'cause she's not only cute as pie, but also knows how to act), some hilarious scenes (I think there's at least one or two in every episode where you'll end up laughing out loud - at least, so did I), a lovely jazzy score, and last but not least, some nice messages.
Too bad there were also a coupla weaker episodes, plus the usual portrayal of foreigners as weirdos (so common in Japanese comedies, alas) which I honestly could very well live without; otherwise I'd have given this an even higher grade!
It's still a solid "8" as far as I'm concerned, though! ^___^
Don't be discouraged by the weird premise, and for Heaven's sake, don't think - not even for a millisecond - that there might be anything remotely lewd in the "soaking wet" part, 'cause there isn't, it's a quite tasteful drama instead.

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So Many Questions....

I have no idea where to begin with this review. Not even a little bit. This story is the definition of original! I have truly never seen nor read anything like this. The case work all seemed so serious and important, but with all the absurd and witty humor thrown in like a sudden rain shower (see what i did there? ; i'm sorry) it created the perfect balance for such an odd, fantasy-like, yet relatable, story.

One of the things I really liked about this story with the different relationships throughout the show from familial to friendships to romance, every bit of each relationship was shown with such respect and honesty that it felt like they were a real family or friends/boyfriend/girlfriend in real life as well. The connection between the cast members was impeccable, their banter back and forth was hilarious, the amount of care they took not only with their own characters but with each other was a strong reason why I continued to watch until the end.

If you're looking for a private detective show with substance or something along the lines of epic drama (kidnapping or thrilling mysteries) then you may be out of luck. However!! That does not mean that this show doesn't thrilling mysteries or easy to figure out cases/criminals or is way too funny to be serious. Please do not let any of that stop you from watching! The suspense of each case had me on the edge of my seat the more I continued to watch each episode. I could never figure out who the criminal was or for what reason they acted as they did. One thing I think was a little underrated was the character Yan-San, I feel like maybe they could have done more for her, though I have no idea what. It was nice to see her relationship with not only Hagoromo-San but Junnosuke-San as well. It was nice to see a friend of the main character be supportive instead of so curious they somehow get angry. I also think that because Yan-San was who she was that she made the show even more unique and the relationships even more genuine.


I don't think the only feelings/genres for this story were comedy or mystery or detective or thrilling, honestly. The more I continued to watch each episode closely, one after the other, and carefully paying attention to each detail, I saw so much more than only comedic, mysterious, or suspenseful genres/feelings. This show was so relatable, so raw, so honestly realistic, that it was almost tangible. I found myself empathizing and sympathizing with a lot of the characters. Each episode showed such a genuinely real part of every human's everyday life from their job or family to their friends and relationships to their community and personal moments that I got goosebumps or I thought "i can relate to this character/feeling/moment". This show took all of the good, the bad, the funny, the heartbreaking, the surprising, the angry, the exciting, the imaginative, the lovely, the scary, the tearful moments about life and growing up and growing older and going through so many ups and downs in life that they either carry you or seem scary to you or destroy you or grow you.... I really, genuinely, honestly enjoyed each moment of this beautiful funny, honest, genuine story.

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