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Masterpiece
When I started this drama, I remember watching it non-stop because I was sucked into the story like nothing else.I learned to love all the characters, who acted very well and appreciate the nuances in each of them. The storywriter is absolutely brilliant, and I find myself on the edge of my seat all the time when watching this- I think after all, this drama helps to teach the most important lesson of all- to not be afraid of change and stop suppressing one's own feeling.
Oftentime, people tried to ignore their feelings in order to keep the peace and status-quo they are having at that moment. While it might not seem bad in first glance, it resulted in a lot of buried emotions and feelings that is like a ticking time bomb.
It's one of those dramas that kept you wanting for more, and absolutely something that each family must watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
"Ii ne~~"
My first assumption on this drama is the funky private tutor will help a dysfunctional family by solving case by case every episode. I'm glad I am proven wrong on that lol. This drama really highlighted the reality of 'some' modern family, not just in Japan (with that honne-tatemae concept) but also in other parts of the world too. When the tutor said "this kind of family is just like a room-sharing friends", it felt really deep in the heart. Also, the struggle to keep family together after you realized the mistakes was very relatable, because in this fast-paced modern life many things are taken for granted - including family.Sho Sakurai as the tutor did an amazing job here. The grin, the gaze, the drastic threatening action and the "ii nee~~" really left a good impression with me. The Numata family members also did well, but my particular highlight is Kamiki Ryunosuke. His face expressions in the role were very natural and not overdoing it. The main theme in this drama is very nice, I love the melody and it really brought the "game" mood to the drama.
I have to say this is the best drama I watched for some months, I did not skip the story since I am so hooked to it, probably my only complaint is that the later episodes used too many flashbacks but it is still quite bearable. I'll definitely recommend this for anyone interested in J-Dramas!
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Japanese family trauma-core at its best
The first episode suffers from the "slightly different than the rest of the series" syndrome. I'm pretty sure some of you are familiar with this concept, like Samurai Champloo's first episode seems and feels different from the rest of the series in a lot of ways. With Family Game, though that's noticeable, it's not a harm to the series itself and actually manages to expose the characters in a great fashion. It seems to me that they wanted to get that surreal feel of the 1983 picture on the first episode but as things progresses, and the stakes takes shapes, the surrealness takes on other forms leaving the over the topness of the first episode behind and focusing mostly on staying right on top (and never over it again).Before starting the series, I thought they were going to play down the violence and psychological terror on children for obvious reasons but to my surprise the stakes actually rise! And not only that, it goes way beyond the movie. The characters basis are all there but here they go deeper; and instead of weak, they go wicked. If on celluloid the teacher was a badboy highlighting the new-type-of-comfort of the 80s nuclear japanese family, on digital he goes full sociopathic to expose the consequences of it.
As most of you might be aware already, Sho Sakurai destroys it as the tutor but I think it's important to highlight how great the whole cast is specially Honami Suzuki as the mother, she deserves standing ovation for this one. If I had to complain about anything it would be the explanation, the characterization feels a bit anime-esque and the overall feels over-explained but Shugo Oshinari holds it all together just by moving and talking and simply existing, as always.
The series is quick on its feet and really deserves a chance, it does not behave as your usual drama and hits the right places without pulling punches (literally). Whenever the characters have a chance to shine and show their worst you simply can't help but laugh on how unlovable they can be. The climax is spetacular and emotionally exhausting, being completely worthy of such a weird and unpredictable build-up. And after the final credits there's a last scene, so mind that.
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All at once heartbreaking and hopeful
"It was something beyond my imagination."A story about a family who seem perfect on the outside but are actually slowly crumbling on the inside. A man comes into their lives and turns it upside down. You get the feeling that he means well but his unconventional methods of helping the family makes you wonder why this random stranger cares so much.
I just finished watching it, and it is just wow. Clever and terrific writing from start to finish. Although hints were sprinkled throughout, I still didn't expect to learn about what happened in the main character's past until it was revealed towards the end. They really made all 10 episodes count in telling this story.
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The acting/cast gets a flawless 10/10. Each cast member portrayed their characters with an eerie intensity that was a huge factor in drawing the viewer straight into the distress of the story. Kamiki Ryunosuke and Sakurai Sho's emotion was almost overwhelming in some places. (In any case, I hope the potential viewer reading this isn't as emotionally involved with dramas as I am... Although, you probably are, in which case: be warned.)
As for the music, I would've destroyed it if I could. I couldn't be sure if the BGM was to convey irony, sarcasm, satire, or what. However, if it were any different, I think the story would've felt less real and more drama-like. In any case, I still give the music a 1/10, and a +1 for Arashi's ending song (which I do really like, but it clashes so horribly with the BGM...)
Overall, you may want to be wary of the sensitive and very real psychological aspects and triggers buried within Kazoku Game, but the mystery and intrigue within the characters will keep you more than interested throughout.
... Ii~ne.
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