There is a movie with the same title from 2010, but the story of this drama is taking place some hundread years earlier, so don't be confused.I haven't see the movie, so I won't compare them.
This drama is an amazing mixture of love, historical events and friendship. I was amazed by the actors how they could portray their characters so well especially Tabe Mikako, who did a great job. She is playing the strong and wild-tempered Iemitsuko with such great feelings. She is portraying the opposite of Arikoto really great. But I can't forget to mention Sakai Masato who is playing Arikoto with such a stone face that it sometimes made me shiver. But what was even more amazing was his other side which was seen only by Iemitsuko.
Tanaka Koki as Gyokuei was quite a strange choice, because he is playing an 18 years old, so I was at the beginning quite wavering, but later on he showed me, he can pull this role off.
My favourite character Masakatsu played by Hirayama Hiroyuki is also very otstanding. I think I will watch more of his works, he needs more spotlight!
I recommend this drama to everyone. You will cry, you will smile, you will want to watch it again like me!
I can't resist to give this drama 10 points for everything including Misia's Deepness as ending song!
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So far, this is definitely my favorite drama. There is seriously nothing about this drama that i didn't like.
The story was amazing, perfectly written and executed. It never drags, never rushes, the entire flow of the drama is so gripping, i had such a hard time waiting for the episodes to get subbed.
The entire cast was awesome. Like seriously, i had chills the entire time, they are just that good. No fake acting, no awkwardness, everyone portrayed their character so well, i am definitely going to have to watch more dramas and movies with them. Sakai Masato, Tabe Mikako and Aso Yumi, you guise just gained a new fan.
Oh, and i've been having such a hard time finding the ost online. I loved it so much, i was actually singing along the entire time (and i dont even speak japanese!!). Also the timing of the music is just perfect (i've noticed that sometimes in some dramas/movies the music is out of sink with the actual scene...totally ruins the mood...luckily that wasn't the case here).
As for the rewatch value, I can see myself watching this again and again and again and again (que in 2pm song:P)
One last thing...The romance in this drama is so adorable, the chemistry is amazing. But just remember that this isn't a rom-com, even tho the romantic part is so strong, this is a very life-like drama, so that means no crazy romcom cheesines...Now, go watch it! :)
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One of the best historical J-drama ever!
As what the review above says, this is one of the best historical drama you can ever watch.Masato Sakai definitely don't have that much starring dramas (dramas wherein he is the main character). But all the dramas that he starred in, those dramas are the best. Watching them is definitely worth the time. Him as Hanzawa Naoki was so very well received by a lot of people, but I wasn't sold of until I watched Legal High and from there, I was completely charmed by him. Ooku (2012) is his drama that I just recently finished watching (as of the moment). Forgive me as this is my first time writing a review here so I might talk about some unnecessary things. I was blown away by how different his character in Legal High is from his other dramas like this one. Masato Sakai's charm and appeal as an emotionally and spiritually matured man was overflowing in this drama. You definitely cannot blame the female lead for falling inlove with him at first sight.
This is such an honest drama about gender roles. The music was also perfectly timed. Just when you're feeling various emotions because of the scenes, the appropriate music joins in which intensifies what you're feeling giving a really magnificent feeling. As an originally Mikako Tabe fan, her magnificent acting was something I expected. She is one of the reason why I watched this drama. I love this very much!
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