I have to say I wish it had less overacting and sentimentality, Kazuo's daddy issues felt petty at time. However we do see a constant development in the characters, so the last 3 episode were a refreshing result. Also what I liked most was the overall beautiful message. If reality is cruel, you're the one who has to change it yourself. Duelling about the past has its benefit, mainly in understanding why things went wrong, but we shouldn't be stuck with the "what if's" and face things as they are now.
Overall storywise, this drama didn't have anything out of the typical. At times the cases were predictable, and many times they use the law at such a weird way, it's hard to believe that is anywhere near the truth. Then again how would I know. Still too absurd to be real. It also became too much Lawyer vs Prosecutor, with prosecutors working like a mafia or something. Well Aoki Munetaka's character was the saving grace.
However I did enjoy watching it, a lot actually. I enjoyed the the quirky characters, be it the leads or all the side ones. All managed to leave a mark one way or another. Also I love the comedy, especially all the dumbest puns you can ever think of. It's funny because it's stupid, and most characters know it's stupid, yet Miyama and Sada are convinced those are great jokes. Also I gotta mention big thanks to the subtitles that bothers to explain every single pun. It's also thanks to them that I managed to enjoy the drama fully.
This was just too awesome! Great for mystery lovers. The whole time makes you wonder what the hell is exactly everyone's aim? Who's the actual smart one? Who's the fool? Especially as the web starts to engulf all.
And the last scene? The most appropriate EVER! Although I did find the last episode too "sentimental" but I guess the ending kinda explains it. Anyways great drama, great character study, great mystery, great acting :D I totally recommended for all.
Ahh chingu! You know how much I appreciate this stalkers guide ^.~ I've added a few series I didn't think of adding…
You're the one that motivated me to write this already, since you seemed to interested in his other works. Since our DragonAlien already covered for Kubozuka Yosuke, I thought I should cover for him since I've seen most of his works ;)
I haven't seen Nagase in too many things, but I like him nevertheless. Tiger and Dragon has been on my plan-to-watch…
My enjoyment of Kurokouchi is very personal. It's my favourite type of mystery and I loved the fact they didn't hold back on going dark. Let me know what you think when you watch it ;)
And you should hurry and watch T&D it'll teach you a thing or two about Japanese culture, and it's hilarious. I should've mentioned it has an SP prequel so I guess you should start with the SP first.
Thanks for the stalker guide <3 I adore him,He is also hilarious in variety shows .There is something that…
Mukodono is really a family slce-of-life but I found it enjoyable. Utahime is one of my all time fave. I should watch him in variety, can you share links?
Thanks for writing this. Seeing his dramas, he does have quite a remarkable output despite his limited acting…
Well most of his roles are comedic, even in Utahime which isn't as comedic as others his character has a comedic side to him. I still enjoyed him in that one too.
I love Nagase. He's one of the few actors I'd watch anything for. Though I haven't seen as many titles yet, I…
Thx I hope you enjoyed it. And like you, I'm hoping more people get to discover him and his dramas, because if they don't know him they're definitely missing out ;)
You know Ana, Kai Kai is very lucky to have you as a fan, he should know that. No one would've written a guide like this one better than you!
Note to self: Need to watch A Murder Beside Yanhe River ASAP I have a feeling (just from the pictures here) that it's one hell of a performance I get to see here ;) + I also need to check Legend of Nine Tails Fox.
I totally agree with you about Love Me If You Dare, I was also disappointed! But still he gave it his all and for that he, at least, was worth watching.
I don't need to add much to Nirvana and Disguiser, you said it all, but yea both were great watch. I loved Nirvana much more for the overall story and characters, but I loved Wang Kai more in Disguiser. He was perfectly embodying the noir-style spy in the drama.
Oh man about All Quiet in Beijing (wasn't it Pecking?), you basically explained everything I felt about this drama, and the reason for my dilemma. I actually was confused in the beginning of Nirvana in fire, and it took me about 4-5 episodes for me to adjust. So we can imagine how this drama confuses me, when really I know nothing of the history of China in that era. I'm only 16 episodes into the drama. On one hand, I feel totally emotionally disconnected from it, which doesn't motivate me to watch, on the other, it was a drama which complex characters, which doesn't try to sugar coat events, which makes it definitely something worth for me to watch. It is bias towards one point, but it definitely it interesting to see how political people think and deal with issues. I guess what's preventing me from watching is that, even after 16 episodes I was still confused :P
Anyways, AWESOME GUIDE Ana. I'm so looking forward to his upcoming dramas ;) Also a 2nd season of Ode to Joy :D
However I did enjoy watching it, a lot actually. I enjoyed the the quirky characters, be it the leads or all the side ones. All managed to leave a mark one way or another. Also I love the comedy, especially all the dumbest puns you can ever think of. It's funny because it's stupid, and most characters know it's stupid, yet Miyama and Sada are convinced those are great jokes. Also I gotta mention big thanks to the subtitles that bothers to explain every single pun. It's also thanks to them that I managed to enjoy the drama fully.
And the last scene? The most appropriate EVER! Although I did find the last episode too "sentimental" but I guess the ending kinda explains it. Anyways great drama, great character study, great mystery, great acting :D I totally recommended for all.
Even if you don't like all of Nagase's dramas do check out the ones written by Kudokan because somehow Nagase + Kudokan = GOLD!
And you should hurry and watch T&D it'll teach you a thing or two about Japanese culture, and it's hilarious. I should've mentioned it has an SP prequel so I guess you should start with the SP first.
Unubore Deka is hilarious with so many colourful and funny characters. It's repetitive but the fun of watching it never ceases ;)
Note to self: Need to watch A Murder Beside Yanhe River ASAP I have a feeling (just from the pictures here) that it's one hell of a performance I get to see here ;) + I also need to check Legend of Nine Tails Fox.
I totally agree with you about Love Me If You Dare, I was also disappointed! But still he gave it his all and for that he, at least, was worth watching.
I don't need to add much to Nirvana and Disguiser, you said it all, but yea both were great watch. I loved Nirvana much more for the overall story and characters, but I loved Wang Kai more in Disguiser. He was perfectly embodying the noir-style spy in the drama.
Oh man about All Quiet in Beijing (wasn't it Pecking?), you basically explained everything I felt about this drama, and the reason for my dilemma. I actually was confused in the beginning of Nirvana in fire, and it took me about 4-5 episodes for me to adjust. So we can imagine how this drama confuses me, when really I know nothing of the history of China in that era. I'm only 16 episodes into the drama. On one hand, I feel totally emotionally disconnected from it, which doesn't motivate me to watch, on the other, it was a drama which complex characters, which doesn't try to sugar coat events, which makes it definitely something worth for me to watch. It is bias towards one point, but it definitely it interesting to see how political people think and deal with issues. I guess what's preventing me from watching is that, even after 16 episodes I was still confused :P
Anyways, AWESOME GUIDE Ana. I'm so looking forward to his upcoming dramas ;) Also a 2nd season of Ode to Joy :D