Each character portrayed who they were almost perfectly, seeing their strengths and their weaknesses made this show feel a lot more real than most crime dramas I've seen that try to portray someone with "special needs" such as OCD, claustrophobia, or someone who is a perfectionist. Each "quirk" fills a need within each person and in the entire group, however the show does a good job of showing that people with "special needs" are easily picked on or thought of as strange or just ignored.
The stories were well written, very informative, and very thrilling to watch the ST Team work each drama out to find the truth. I began watching this show after first watching "Bitter Blood" and falling in love with Watabe Atsuro's acting, then I couldn't get in to it by the first episode so I stopped watching; but now that I've binged watched the special and then this series I am very glad I did not give up on the show! I like a handful of actors that were in this series and it was nice to see a few of the actors I knew in different roles than I usually do. I know I'm rambling on and on about the cast, but this is what makes the series: the people!
The stories kept me guessing with each episode; I had no idea what was happening most times but each story was very thrilling, exciting, and showed a lot about how people act and think and behave. Each aspect of the investigation had a spot for each person of ST to fill, and it became abundantly clear with each episode, that that spot was only able to be filled by their respective person.
The drama itself seems a bit short, or maybe it's that the episodes seem a bit rushed, but they need to be because the plot for the series moves along a bit quickly, and quite well, too, behind the scenes of each story. I don't think any of the episodes could be split in to a two parter, so the next best thing would be another special or a movie... So they made a movie! (I haven't been able to watch the movie yet, I can't find it with subtitles anywhere lol) I hope a lot of people can give this drama the time and attention it deserves; its a meticulous story that is amazing to watch play out!
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The show maintained a pretty good pace throughout each episode; it wasn't confusing or hard to follow, each episode had a plot line that I couldn't even guess, and the guests for each episode were fantastic. It was nice to see a young Chinen Yuri's talent! Each character went through their own "maturing" period, I guess you could say, so it was nice to see them all grow throughout the show. I also liked the low presence of romance, too; don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for a good romance.
I wanted to watch this drama before, and I'm not sure why I stopped in the middle of the first episode before, but I am so glad I finished this series today! It's hilarious, heart warming (sometimes heart wrenching), sweet and kind, sarcastic and silly, and one of the greatest shows I have seen in a LONG time!! This is why I don't turn my television on so much... Japan has way too many great shows!!
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Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de SP - Kazamatsuri Keibu no Jikenbo
1 people found this review helpful
This series is great if you're in a drama or movie slump; it's also great if you just want to watch something light and funny. I definitely recommend this series and the special episodes!
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This review may contain spoilers
Dr. White in Wonderland...?
This story was truly a unique one. I've not seen one like it and wonder if I will see another like it in the future. The cast created such an open, curious, fun, relatable, genuine, beautiful story that I couldn't stop watching!As the story continued through the 10 episodes, honestly I began to feel like I was watching Alice in Wonderland almost. Bits and pieces of each episode started to make my head spin and I felt more and more curious as the show continued. This review may be a little short because, in all honesty, I still cannot wrap my head around this story.
The beginning toward the middle was a wonderful build-up to the finale, however, somewhere in the middle it began to feel like the show was rushed for time a little; nothing confused me or was hard to understand, though. It seemed like pieces were missing, cut for time, or even just shortened. I do wish that there was more story and/or character-building. While each character seemed to get their moment in the spotlight, it too felt like it was cut short. The character's did not seem to be "empty" creations, though, if that makes sense. Each person seemed solid, reliable, and most assuredly knew what they were doing to attribute their talents and genuine personalitiy's to each person.
The opening and ending for this show was done by one of my favorite artists, ADO, so that was also a surprise plus for me as I started the show. I don't want to say that there's a cliffhanger, because I don't think there is, but I do think there are a few bits of the story left open. Like unanswered questions or a place for the viewers imagination to take off! This show is a great beginner for Japanese drama watchers, as well as medical mystery favorites. This story became a quick favorite for me!
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Completely Unexpected
This show was absolutely what the synopsis said it was.... However, it was also the complete opposite! From episode one, I did not expect this story to be so exciting. I read the synopsis, saw it had 28 episodes and completely judged a "book" by its cover!The cast really sold this story well. From the beginning, I only knew about 3-4 actors/actresses throughout the entire show; however, as I continued watching it truly was the cast of wonderful actors and actresses that made this story so fantastic. I laughed, cried, got angry (i've never disliked a character so fast lol), was scared, and even held my breath in some spots. Each episode was a surprise. The story seemed to move pretty quickly, though it didn't feel like there was any cliffhanger moment or any questions left unanswered.
This story is great for a binge day or if you're just starting out watching Japanese dramas, since it has a little bit of every genre in one story. I do wish they had more than 28 episodes, honestly; I would really like to see more of Kanaka, Masa, and everyone! This show is the definition of "dont judge a book by its cover"... I hope you give it a chance!
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Thrilling Mystery
This may be one of the most roller coaster suspenseful mystery shows I've seen in a long time. At first I wanted to watch the show because of the cast and synopsis, but as I continued through the episodes its like I was trapped in a trance. I couldn't get enough of the story, or the characters. While the story itself seemed familiar, it did not seem like anything I had ever seen before; what I chose to believe was familiar, however, were bits and pieces within the story as a whole, instead of the entire show.It was nice to see Masuda Takahisa in a suspenseful role while showing off his comedic timing as well. He is one of a few actors that I like who seems to be able to dive so deeply into his character that he seems to truly become them. It was also nice to see a few new faces that I began to like because of this show; in fact, I thought Ukisho Hidaka was Hirano Sho considering their voices sound so similar. Watching Ukisho Hidaka was intense; this is my first time watching a show/movie of his and he is extraordinary! The way he practiced in the dojo, the way he carried himself as an influential person yet somehow under the radar, while still being the definition of a teenager and somehow seeming so grown up. Ukisho Hidaka is truly a mastermind of acting; it would be nice to see lots more of his talent and skill.
The music genuinely paired well with the show as well; it hyped up the story or kept me on the edge of my seat with the suspenseful thrills! I truly could not figure out who did what, or when; or even what was to happen in the next scene, let alone the next episode. To watch Ukisho Hidaka practice in the dojo was honestly beautiful; the way his body moved with force, while staying calm and confident of his movements and handling were incredible. Which only makes me more excited to see him in future castings.
The show is familiar, yet completely different; it has some of the same scenarios that each Japanese crime/mystery show seems to have... But definitely surpasses your expectations, and is most assuredly nothing like anything you've seen before!
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Fun~
Before I start the review, I want to put a disclaimer that I only began this show after reading the manga and watching the anime, however far back that was, and thought of giving the show a chance, too, and I was not disappointed!The cast worked so well together that I didn't even realize I was watching a show until the episode ended. It was like watching a movie or reality television of life on "Goto Island". Each episode was hilarious, heartfelt, and extraordinarily cheerful, even with the sadder moments. I don't want to say the show taught me lessons about life within each episode, but it was truly wonderful to watch each character grow, overcome, and excel at whatever troubles each episode brought up. The dialect from the island was fascinating to listen to, too; I could listen to them talk all day! However, the big surprise to me was seeing two of my favorite actors in the show (Endo Kenichi and Okada Yoshinori) who I didn't even realize were in the cast, and most definitely fueled my excitement to continue watching.
I laughed a lot during the entire show, and yes even learned a few life lessons or how to look at a situation differently, but this show is way too good to be only 11 episodes. I would have liked to of seen more character development between a few of the islanders. I was very much enthralled with each story in every episode and the entire series, too. I could see the similarities between the live-action, manga, and anime as "Barakamon", though I could also catch a few differences in each adaptation that created a brand new story ever time.
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Somehow this show is definitely not at all what I thought it would be! The synopsis isn't exactly misleading but it isn't exactly the complete truth of such a fantastic show! Though I suppose that is what a synopsis is meant for. This show is such a spectacular showing of crime-fighting, thrills, hilarity, bravado, suspense, and is so exhilarating that I cannot believe I took so long to watch it!Each story does seem to be its own story, however, if you take notice of some tiny details throughout the show then you may notice a few pieces of the complete story build-up to its superb finale. Each episode was filled with interesting stories, some that seem pretty generic to a detective/police genre show, but mostly within these 9 episodes were stories that I've never really witnessed. It's almost like a movie cut up in to separate episodes, but if it wasn't cut into those 9 episodes then I do not believe it would be as fantastic as it was!
The partnership between each member of Unit Zero was something extremely amazing to watch grow from beginning to end; some partnerships seemed a little more built-up than others at the beginning, but it actually proved fulfilling to the entire show. Which, I think, is sometimes rare to see in detective shows, sometimes they just fall out in big fights for multiple episodes, but in this show, it was very interesting to watch as each partnership grew from new members to trusted buddies.
The cast was perfection for this entire show for all 9 episodes! From the main cast to the guests; and to be honest, I only wanted to watch this show because I knew Ito Hideaki was part of the main cast, however, as I continued to watch, I noticed the cast of superb actors and actresses appear in the show! The guest cast was amazing to watch as the story builds to the final climactic event, and I was not expecting a few members of the cast to be such tangible, honest, and very genuine people. The respect for each story, not to mention, for the other members of the cast, production, directors, and writer(s) was so fascinating to watch throughout each episode! Some people I've seen in other shows, however, this is completely wonderful to watch them in such a different light; and some I've seen within the same genre as this show, though while remembering the earlier shows I've seen them in, I can tell that this show is part of a building block that built their amazing skills and talent to become who they are as actors, people, and their characters was built.
Each episode was full of thrills, suspense, laughter, mystery, wit, and vast knowledge of multiple different skills. I think this show is a fantastic "showing" of what dangerous realities a policeman/woman, detective, and even a civilian can face within different realities (and of course in Japanese tv dramas/movies lol). This show is honest, heartfelt, bittersweet, gutwrenching, and extremely intense! This is not a story to miss!
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Sakurako-san no Ashimoto ni wa Shitai ga Umatteiru
1 people found this review helpful
Each bit of this story fits together like a skeleton (pun intended) and the thrills and suspense within each episode fit together piece by piece to create a magnificent story filled with genuine, raw human emotion and honesty that is something very fitting with reality.
The actors and actresses that portray each person have a wonderful talent and respect for their skill and their work that is almost tangible and feels as if they've been swallowed by the character they are acting as, while the viewer(s) watch the story unfold. Each episode is very unique and completely different to any stories I've seen or read before, this show and its story are very intriguing!
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