Kazoku Game (2013)

When I first started the "SPEC" series, I instantly fell in love with Kamiki Ryunosuke and, having already been in love with Arashi, I stumbled upon this drama series! The cast in this series was better than I thought; everyone seemed to belong in a real family and seemed to act as such (no pun intended). But, I really thought that Kamiki Ryunosuke, Sakurai Sho, and Uragami Seishu outdid themselves. Of course, I liked Itao Itsuji, Suzuki Honami, Kutsuna Shiori as well, but... to me, they seemed to be following along with the story; it was Sakurai, Kamiki, and Uragami that really jumped out at me. I really enjoyed this drama a lot more than I thought I would!

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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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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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This show manages to exploit the social norms of how a family easily can become dysfunctional without any particular hardships and succumb to alienation and how each individual can develop a coping mechanism for depression without consulting anyone. It may not be very good at handling the plot but the concept of this show is very sincere. For me I find this thought provoking as to how one-dimensional society perceives everyday life all in the conception of vanity. focusing on the "what would the neighbour think" rule, the characters all have a different prospect of how they want their family to behave through their own self deceit which leads to chaos.

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"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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Kazoku Game is a drama that highlights just how fragile family dynamics are. For me, it was a particularly difficult watch, as I felt that more than a few fragments and aspects of the series reflected my own childhood and upbringing, and so I was able to identify even the little intricate details that this drama so carefully conveyed. In some ways, I felt a little bitter watching this, yet grateful at the same time for the realism and reminders of just how important family bonds are - and what happens when they're not there. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who may be more than a little sensitive to these kinds of issues.

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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This was a truly horrible series - but I loved it. I think because I went through a period of time myself where I hit the rockiest of bottoms before gaining a better understanding of myself and my family; there were moments in the last episode I could relate to. This drama shows that sometimes we have to take things apart - even ourselves and our families ties - to come back together as someone, or something, better. Sometimes self awareness is gained at a high price and we don't always like what we learn. It's how we use that new information that is key. This drama was thought provoking and shocking - but kept you glued to the screen. Even at times when I was thinking of stopping, I'd find myself almost unconsciously clicking the next episode. The ending was satisfying but, thankfully, not in the sugary sweetness of other dark dramas that bottle it at the end, this ended in the same dark way as it had progressed. There is hope, but also some trepidation. This show is a must watch for all genuine dark drama/'screwed up family' fans (and no, NOT 'dysfunctional' - this drama is so far beyond ordinary 'dysfunctional' families it's not even in the same postcode). Oh and to anyone saying 'this is rubbish because they would've ALL been arrested at various points - not least the 'tutor' ' - yes, you are right; BUT this is DARK DramaLand - even usual DramaLand rules do not apply here, let alone the real world ones. Watch this at your peril - you'll be addicted and have to watch; even when you REALLY want to press the stop button....... and you'll also scared of home tutors for life! :D I will add though that the music was jarring in places - I know that was because of the way the story was going and it was to add to the darkness and dysfunction of the family; but it got really annoying in the end. For me it was the only bad part of the drama. Also, it's a hard show to watch and to do it more than once is for stronger souls than mine.

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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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