"Chikan!!!" to Iwareta, Tanaka-san (2025)

I don't think another vertical drama will top this

Watched on the FOD Short app with English subs!

The title gave me pause, but I decided to do a trust fall after seeing the cast list, and I'm so glad I did! Out of the vertical dramas I've watched, this is the only one so far that felt like it actually understood how to make a *vertical drama* instead of trying to make a standard drama that happens to be vertical. The locked-room mystery/hostage situation-esque concept worked perfectly for the format by keeping everything contained and leaving enough intrigue to hook you into the story while not dragging things out to fill a run time. I appreciated that it didn't get too much into the weeds about the fantastical parts of the premise and instead focused on the fun back-and-forth between the characters, which again was bolstered by the vertical format because it allowed for close-ups with quick, snappy cuts to hold your attention.

The writing and the performances of the cast further elevated this from competent to great! The characters were distinct and lively, and the comedy actually made me laugh. I liked that everyone seemed to have a brain, even the sillier characters - the group harbored just the right amount of suspicion towards Tanaka, and Tanaka navigated his predicatment in a way that felt believable. The cast had nice chemistry, and I especially loved Hachimura Rintaro in his role. Even the slight romance, although pretty unrealistic, was surprisingly sweet. It might be too soon to say, but I think if I had to pick just one vertical drama to recommend to anyone, it would be this one.

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