Extraordinary Series

This show is the third in one hell of a series! I watched season one and fell in love, then fell once again while watching the second season... this third season has sent me through a whirlwind!


I binge-watched this season within 2 days! Each episode was thrilling and full of mesmerizing, beautifully captured, suspenseful, and raw stories. The cast was so amazing and full of honest emotions that a few of the episodes not only scared the hell out of me but gave me goosebumps, made me angry, and made me cry... In one episode I even wanted to yell at my screen in worry, frustration, and empathy for a character.


This show is fast paced but you never get lost or fall out of touch with following the story. The report between the cast members as their characters and their own person is so fantastic its almost tangible, and watching it grow throughout the series was wonderful! I do believe that this series is even better than it's American predecessor!

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Original Yet Familiar

This show feels like it's drawn from some very prominent, popular, meaningful, and significant Japanese dramas... Yet still has paved it's own way to filling those very same prominent and significant shoes as its predecessors.



This show is intense and quite thrilling! Each episode brings about new mysteries that are mesmerizing and extremely entertaining. I have laughed, cried, held my breath, got angry, sympathized and empathized; each story threw me for a loop but there are some predictable parts, too.



The relationships (romance first) are subtle throughout the entire show but they are also pretty evident, too, though not cheesy or overbearing either. I very much like and enjoy seeing a lot of strong female actresses in this "male dominated job" series. Each actor and actress stepped in to their roll whole heartedly and completely submerged themselves in to their characters career(s).

The strong respect for partners/co-workers (friendships next) is also mildly subtle, yet still visible. It's not heavy or excessive, but it isn't cheesy, the "friends to enemies" type(s) is tangible but is also pretty simple yet not idiotic; and each character freely seems to share their opinion openly and freely multiple times throughout the show, which is what makes it so funny and interesting. It seems like the actors/actresses' report with each other has also flown into how their characters treat and act with each other, too.



If you are looking for a darker police drama then this may not be for you, though it does have dark and mystifying moments! This show is mesmerizing, hilarious, honest, unique, different yet familiar, strong, full of talent, and definitely feels raw and real (as in true to the character's actual persona). If you are just getting started in the Japanese dramas or are a "veteran watcher" or are looking for a new genre to dive in to, then this show seems to have it all!

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I began this drama because of the cast and the story synopsis, even though they say "don't judge a book by its cover" (lol) and I have to say that I didn't really have high hopes or high expectations for this drama going in, but it absolutely did not disappoint! This charming, enchanting, one-of-a-kind story is absolutely worth watching!

Even though I said this show is "one-of-a-kind", I have to say that seems to be about 50/50 true. The more I watch the more I can sort of tell that some episode's stories are familiar and some are brand new story's. There were similarities to other stories, but there were also similarities to a few shows as a whole, and there were brand new moments within the series in its entirety. Not one episode, minute, or second is not worth watching or in any way disappointing!

The title and one of the characters is hilarious alone, and partly my reason alone for watching; I don't want to spoil it but a hint for it would be "it's a language thing". If I'm being honest, too, this show definitely has some "Hero", the drama starring Kimura Takuya, vibes. While some of the humor was a fall for me, it was pretty hilarious how the creators, writers, directors, and cast brought forward the comedy and laughter within and from each episode. Another hint for this would be "dog".

The actors/actresses were very talented! The actress for Mizuki, Murasaki Maaya was very talented and a real joy to watch as her character grew throughout the show, her story really created a nice high point for the show. But then again, I really liked episode six; this show definitely has a few tear-jerker episodes, so keep the tissue box handy. The guest cast for each episode was full of surprises and I was thrilled to see who would be joining the cast for each episode! This is going to sound hypocritical but I don't look at the guest list as much as I look at the main character and/or supporting character cast lists. I'm more likely to watch a drama or movie with actors and/or actresses I'm familiar with, which I think is true for many viewers, than I am a cast of unknowns; however, if I like the synopsis and the supporting (and sometimes even the guest cast) then I'll watch the show or movie.

The story of this show was very well told. Each episode was full of stories told from a very genuine and honest human viewpoint. Extremely relatable and full of heart, warmth, and laughter; each episode was told with strength of character and genuine raw, real humanity! Absolutely a show to be watched and treasured!

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One of the most thrilling, adventurous, suspenseful, and dramatic dramas I have watched in a long, long time! The story was most certainly original and the student's problems are definitely unique to any other school/student drama I've seen (or read in manga or manhwa) before. However, there is a familiar feeling within the depths of this show that I just can't figure out. I can't tell if it's because of the story, or if I recognize the cast in other roles from other shows I've seen, or if I recognize and am comparing the story (even faintly so) within another story. Though honestly, I have to say that I wanted to watch this story because of Fujiwara Tatsuya, however, I am so glad I watched this because of the ENTIRE cast!

To be honest, though, when I watched the first three episodes or so, I just didn't understand why Fujiwara Tatsuya was cast in a very unusual setting. Though the more I watched this show I was surprised with how well he fit within this story as his character, Shimada Ryuhei. He taught so well, in his unorthodox way, and to watch him in action was superb! Watching the growth of each person throughout the show, as their character and as themselves, was insanely amazing!

Even though this show is mostly kid actors, the story(ies) and plot line(s) are pretty adult and mature for being at a middle school, however, I think that the cast, director, and screenwriters really created a very special and exciting story! With each episode, a new student was brought to the front as the "main character" and their problem was brought to light, and at the end of each episode while it seemed like the student was put on the backburner... it wasn't. Even though each student's issues seemed to be resolved, they all seemed to melt within the entire story as a whole. If I'm being honest, each student's issue is about 50% relatable and 50% not relatable, at least to me. Though I'm sure that seems to be an even balance for the millions that live on this earth (if that makes any sense).

This show is epic! The amount of talent within its cast, the writers, the staff, the director, producers, etc... Is one of a kind! Each character seems to have their own sense of justice, conceited or selfish, even the students! Each student was supremely talented; not one person seemed out of their league or too inexperienced. In fact, I was so drawn in by each students acting talents that I completely lost track of the timing of the episodes! The story was so enthralling that I wanted to marathon it straight through to see how the students would cope and deal with each problem that came their way. And I was not disappointed! Each unique problem was settled by a very unique consequence, reason, or action.

The story of this entire show was created so thoroughly that no stone was left unturned from beginning to end! Each episode created such a thrilling and gut-wrenching story that built up to such a creative, epic, unique, and exciting end! Even though I wish there was a more complete follow-up to the ending, I promise you that if you watch this show, I promise you will enjoy it all to its fullest!








(if you've made it this far, here a line I found intriguing: "spite is frightening." this one line was truly telling for not only that episode or even that specific character, but for the entire show; though maybe not for each and every single character, this one line was heavy enough for me to consider it for many characters actions, teachers and students and parents alike.)

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This is one of the most absurd, hilarious, kind, gentle, genuine, unique, talent-filled, honest stories about life, love, friendship, happiness, anger, sadness, and rollercoaster of happenings and emotions that is life!

Meguro Mio (Koshiba Fuka) seems to take the lead through this series, and that is how it's written to be her story! However, after watching it throughout in its entirety, I've come to believe that this show is really about a handful of characters and not only one person or youkai.

To watch each episode play out is nothing short of amazing! Each character has their own story and throughout the series you get to watch them grow from someone scared, tired, sad, angry, (for lack of a better word) stupid, or even prejudice to be their true selves. The comedy is a bonus!

Most of the reviews on here seem to say (and correct me if I'm wrong!) that this show is a completely hilarious comedy tory, but I promise you beneath all of the comedy it is most definitely a life lesson for everyone within each episode! This show is a very good way to beat the Covid-19 Quarantine blues!!

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Love School or Magic?

This may be one of the best roles I have seen Hongo Kanata in; it was as if Ueno-san was written specifically for Hongo-san. The way he portrayed such an "evil-yet-kind-hearted" character was truly one of a kind, very unique, genuinely relatable, and even, at times, a little funny.


Watching "Ichijo-kun" go through the motions of all the trials and tribulations of dating was hard to watch, and again, sometimes funny, and a little sneaky. However, none of the "lessons" felt cheesy or like they were a little too "snake-like". It seemed like all, or most, of the lessons learned throughout this show could be used in any type of relationship... Though, not in their entirety...


While this story seemed a bit exaggerated at first, toward the middle it all seemed to balance out as the episodes continued and what became the finale was something really spectacular. I have to say, I laughed a lot during this show, though watching the touching-heart-felt moments and the bittersweet-unfortunate moments really added to the show's authenticity. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, but even if it didn't end the way it did.... I would still definitely want to see more of Gotanda Kingdom!

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Medical Misfits Turned Heroes?

The stories that took place during this show were nail bitting, gut wrenching, realistically terrifying, and completely had me on the edge of my seat fascinated! I truly never knew what was going to happen next.


At the beginning I was unsure of the cast (like "should so-and-so really be in this story or he/she/they may be better), however as each episode began and the story, as a hole, progressed, I could see how each and every cast member (from the main to the supporting cast) fell in to their own pace and the cast, as a whole, created a rapport with each other so well that it was as if they were truly nurses and doctors. Each case went from calm to terrifying and back to calm dramatically, however that doesn't mean that out of the hospital was a "smooth ride down easy street" either. The balance between work and personal lives was so realistic that I could truly sympathize and empathize with both doctors, nurses, firemen, emt's/paramedics, patients, and the friends and family of each.


The music really helped to fuel a lot of the roller coaster like ups and downs in this show. I really never expected a lot of what occurred throughout each episode; including extreme dislike for two of the characters.


I wish the ending was a little different and the show was a little longer. Japan honestly knows how to create an epic medical drama/movie without it all becoming too cheesy or unrealistic or completely fake. (America not so much...)


I truly enjoyed learning throughout the stories too. Each patients medical care was excellent! Honestly I thought I was watching a documentary or reality show. I like how they showed just enough "gore" to explain/show how traumatic the case was without going overboard; though there were a few cases were I was curious if something like what happened to a patient was writer made or truth.


I believe the cast makes this story excel, though the writing and filming is also extraordinary!

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Threw Me for a Loop

This story was definitely something special. The creators, staff, actors, and everyone involved took their time to create something incredible! There are similar story lines out there, absolutely, however this one is most certainly in a stage of its own.


Each episode really built up the suspense until the final moment, and I could never guess, not even once, what was actually going on. The cast was really interesting; I feel like the "journalist" character could have been a little less "main character", however. Though, after watching the show in its entirety, the "journalist" character was someone necessary to the story, too.


Watching each case unfold was extremely fascinating, too. Seeing each surgery and the story behind it, especially while the main mystery was building up, was really exciting and had me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what would happen next!


The ending was a surprise that I never imagined, let alone saw, coming. This story left me wanting more from both the actors cast as their characters and the "Dr. Chocolate" team! If you're interested in medical dramas or stories full of suspense that give you goosebumps or an eccentric cast, then this show is a must watch!

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Full of Twists and Turns and Hopeful for More!

This story is one of the most realistically honest, bittersweet, dramatically epic, extremely thrilling stories I have seen in a long time; each episode was incredible! Watching each episode's story unfold was truly fascinating. The ego, or should I say arrogance... Or maybe... The confidence of the people involved in each story was surreal.

This story is one of the most captivating and curious stories I have watched in a very long time. It was exciting to see a few of my favorite actors in roles that were enthralling and seemed to be written for them to act in as if to show off their skills and talents.

Each episode took my breath away, like a punch to the stomach. Watching the team work together through their past(s) and proceed in their future(s) was mesmerizing; the way they moved through society and their personal lives was curious, almost like watching two different people cast for one role; like twins or parallel universe situations. The Twilight Zone comes to mind.

I don't want to get future viewers' hopes up for "100% happy endings" and this isn't exactly as dark as the synopsis says it is, though watching the risks each story's cast takes on has been immensely scary and has kept me on the edge of my seat the entire show. The story had a lot of hilarious moments as well, including a few that I believe could only have been pulled off by the selected cast members. Especially Fujiwara Tatsuya, his dead-pan reactions were amazing. I also found a few other actors to follow and a few more that I already knew of that completely surprised me with their talents. It was nice to see familiar faces expanding their talents in similar areas/casting while also showing completely different sides of themselves.

The ending was not at all what I expected! Honestly, this story is something special an intriguing; not one to be missed!

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Surprise~

This show delivered the most unsuspecting twist I've seen recently... Completely blindsided me!


However, in all honesty, at the beginning, it was hard to fully get into. Through no fault of the cast though; the cast assembled was fantastic! Watching their special skills and unique talents come into play was almost tangible throughout each episode. While this story did have some familiarity with other Japanese detective/crime/police/mystery stories or plot lines, this show really stood alone on its own two feet quite well!


I would have liked to of seen more back story in to a few characters, and because this show and its characters were incredible to watch, it also would have been nice to see a few more episodes before the big dramatic ending. I have to say the finale was a little anticlimactic, but the cliffhanger most definitely left me with an emphasized feeling of wanting more.


Each character really held their own individuality with pride and it was almost like they were showing off. Watching them all work alone but towards the finale come together like perfect puzzle pieces to create such an extraordinary story was fascinating to watch! Made me wish there was more story for Miki Clinic; it was very obvious that the show was created with a lot of respect and care.


I never could have guessed the final though. I definitely thought the "criminal mastermind" was someone else, though the "big trouble" was kind of generic to other stories, it sort of felt like they were going one way with the story and then said "ah yes, we'll just add this in right here and over there", not as a last minute they forgot feeling, but more so they weren't sure how to add it in or where to begin with the mysterious "big trouble". I hope that mind sense!


I know my reviews aren't the most literary or movie perfection, but maybe my more simple reviews help someone out there. This show really does have a fantastic story, so I hope you'll give it a chance!

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I'm really glad....~

I am thrilled that I began this story, the twists and turns were like a roller coaster and it truly felt like the fine line between the predictable and the unknown was held in high regard while the show was being created. While there are familiarities within the second season just like the first, I could never truly predict what would happen next! This second season, however, left a bit of space for a cliffhanger, unfortunately.


I enjoy watching Masuda Takahisa act, and with each role, it appears that he is only getting better. No matter the role he is cast in, it is very obvious that he is putting in a lot of hard work, diligence, respect, and raw unfiltered honesty of his self as he creates each character and the story(ies) they live in.


Watching Ukisho Hidaka and Nakayama Yuma was a treat as well, they are very skilled actors and seemed to immerse themselves within their roles as if they were acting as their true selves. Which is kind of scary if you watch the show. However, both Ukisho Hidaka and Nakayama Yuma have piqued my interest in Shikigami-ryu, wondering if it is a real thing or if it is just something created for the show/story. Watching Ukisho Hidaka and Nakayama Yuma train during the two seasons was so extraordinary; watching the way their bodies moved in deliberate yet effortless movements of strength was truly a beautiful art.


In all honesty, part(s) of me could guess what was going to happen but the show continuously threw in a wrench just as I thought "aha! thats the explanation" and whatever I thought went out the window as completely wrong. But, again, there were some predictable moments, too. So I think it will differ for each viewer.


I really enjoyed how they worked in the "fantasy" pieces of the story. The writer(s), director(s), staff, actors, and so on, truly weaved in those moments with the reality of what was happening during the story. It was almost tangible the pride every person involved with this show, from season one to season two, took in their work to tell an intriguing, curious, suspenseful story that would leave viewers grasping at straws for answers.

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Curiouser and Curiouser....

The second series was just as epic and thrilling as the first! While I do wish it was like the first series, with different mysteries inside each episode, to watch what transpired in this series was incredible and had me guessing on the edge of my seat up until the very end of the last episode. In all honesty, while I do think it was a little anticlimactic, I do like the ending for what it is.

I wish there was more to this series, though the end doesn't feel like a cliffhanger; the story was just so amazing with each new cast member and/or piece added to the puzzle. While a little of this series felt familiar, it didn't feel rushed or over-done, or too cheesy, like it was a last minute thought. It was kind of expectant, though, in some places. After watching the first and second series, this show has made me want to watch more shows/movies/specials with Inoo Kei, Jinguji Yuta, Okada Yui, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Koike Teppei, and Suga Kenta. This cast fit their characters so well! Watching the mannerisms of each person and how they brought their characters to life, from the personality to emotions to how they supported each other or acted while on their own, was truly amazing to watch. It definitely didn't feel like watching one episode alone, it sort of melted together like a movie or special episode.


I wish there was more to this story. It was really fascinating to learn about Japanese history, myths, legends, and the supernatural. While the show as a whole does get a bit scary in places, it's not terrifying and definitely not something I would skip watching even if you're afraid of a lot of thrilling or suspenseful shows. The ending was interesting, it was nice to see something anticlimactic actually, as odd as that sounds. I would like to see a follow up, a lot; if only because I truly enjoyed their story!

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Like a Roller Coaster

As the headline says, this show really starts out pretty "normal", slowly growing with each episode to become a spectacular dive in to an incredible story.

While I have seen a few Japanese myths, legends, and/or curses told within dramas, anime, manga, variety shows, movies, or even music videos, the way they are told during this series is completely different. I tried looking in to the manga that this show is based off of, and after reading a few chapters came to the decision (or realization maybe) that this show is telling the same story but in its own way. I can honestly say that I have never seen anything like this show!

The cast created a beautiful, gut wrenching, thrilling, suspenseful story that really had me on the edge of my seat toward the end. I do like that they didn't toss in a lot of cheesy romance or "bromance" inuendos, they did show a couple but they did it tastefully, I think. This story seemed to bring different types of "romance" to light, such as a "bromance" or "friendship" or "community". It was really wonderful to watch the story grow from one little track to a large hill up until the dramatic ending.

The charm of this show I think is that its familiar, we've all heard stories like these before, however, the way the extraordinary cast pull the entire show together really is a testament to their hardwork, character(s), and trust between themselves, the other cast members, and staff.

This show had a wonderful balance of "funny" to "dramatic" to "majorly serious" not only throughout the entire series, but sometimes within one episode. I really enjoyed seeing the strong female characters, as well. While I believe that the last episode ended things quite well, I do have some lingering questions that I wish could be answered. I know there's a second season, but I kind of wish there was a special episode or movie in between or even after the second season.


Truly this show is one epic story to not be missed, especially if you are fans of the two lead actors or even if you are new to watching Japanese dramas and/or movies. There wasn't anything truly terrifying in this show, but I do have to say some moments in the episodes definitely had me covering my eyes! Seriously, give this show a chance, you will not be disappointed!

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Left wanting more...

I enjoy the manga this series is based on so I was nervous about watching, however, I can tell you that I was extremely and pleasantly surprised about how each episode came together. Though I'm not too sure I will have a lot to say in this review, only because I feel like the show itself, or maybe it's the story, was too short, but here is what I thought....


I really enjoyed watching Hashimoto Ryo and Takaishi Akari in their roles, especially as I continued with each episode. I haven't seen either of them in a show or movie before, and I usually stick to show's where I know most of the actors, so it was very refreshing to see some new faces. Especially because they both really managed to act out their roles similar to how the manga characters are. I think the story itself is new, I do remember some episodes or pieces of the episodes that were in the manga, but because each actor/actress brought the character to life while simultaneously showing themselves as well, I believe the live-action is an incredibly real, honest, relatable, genuine journey through high school, the awkward years, and the difficulties in growing up (not to mention over coming issues from the past).


I do wish that there were more episodes, I feel like there is so much left to say and I wish that we could have seen a few more characters from the manga make an appearance. I don't feel like there are any questions left to answer, other than I wanted to see more acting from Hashimoto Ryo and Takaishi Akari both as themselves and as their characters, Haiba Jin and Ochiai Mikoto. Watching this show felt like watching the manga come to life, I believe the embodiment of the characters from the manga and the creation of them in live-action form was spectacular, fascinating to watch, and most definitely full of charm. I really hope there will be more to this story; I also wonder why they stopped at 9 episodes.


Apparently I had a lot to say.... Oops....

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Reality Check

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ***

The story for this show was truly spectacular and one of the most honestly unique yet real "true-to-life" stories I have seen in a long time. Granted it may just be my personal bias since recently I've also moved and had to go through combining households, which is tricky for any situation.

The family in this story is relatively close and friendly with each other, however, you can tell from the beginning that each member also had their own worries and challenges they kept secret, making it even more difficult for them to fully immerse themselves immediately into the "2.5 household".


Watching each character find their own pace and place within the newly built home/family was gut-wrenching and even a little heartbreaking, yet also very relatable. Watching Ema-chan go through such a big family change while going through her own turbulent private, personal growth and change was extremely relatable and made me feel so very proud of her when watching her character grow. The same goes for Masaharu-san, too; I felt attached to both him and Ema-chan, they both seemed to bring to light sides of me from when I'm depressed or overwhelmed, and even sides of myself from when I was younger. I apologize if I sound like a broken record here.


Watching the family dynamic from an outsider's point of view was truly wonderful. While there were some relatable things, there were also some moments that felt like there was a "lesson" to be learned. Though, not so much so that it felt pushy or more prominent than the story or overbearing. It was nice to see a family gathering together, even while in their own spaces, to grow as their own person and to strengthen the family without such strong feelings that overtook the show or warped the story into something completely different.


I truly enjoyed this show. It was a very calming, relatable, genuine, open, honest, funny, and comforting show to watch, while also bringing up some questions for myself, and for society as a whole on how we treat people or help people different than ourselves. After all... "what is diversity?"

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