BrightestStar

As a mostly non-korean asian drama fan, I totally agree the bashing comes from both sides and both annoy me! I do think the internet has been a free reign for those people with no filter who like to be all nasty using anonymity while decent people don't waste their time on such things.

Thankfully on mdl it happens rarely. From what I've seen up to now on mdl it's only those people who want to enjoy their dramas and share the love (not the hate).

Love it! So good! I totally agree with you.

Attractiveness is very subjective so it's like people are insulting your taste.

As for the comparison, I think it's unavoidable to compare, but do it in a respectful, constructive way, or just don't watch the other version if you can't tolerate. I compare it to when people argue Sub vs Dub anime! It gets on my nerves.

And yes each country has it's stand out dramas, its generic dramas, and its boring ones and we sometimes can tolerate one country's generic over another. For example, I don't mind watching any japanese detective dramas while korean romcom has to have some kind of twist to it so I can watch, but for some, they can't stand those japanese doramas and I can see why but I enjoy them like they enjoy their korean melodramas and romcoms.

I've been waiting for this! Thanks for the review ;) I'm seen most OCN dramas so I wanted to watch this one but read somewhere that it isn't as good. So what do you think compared to its predecessors? I like mystery dramas, and I like to be surprised. I don't mind episodic ones, I actually like them more as long as we have character development and chemistry. Is that drama for me?

If you're wondering, I read this and have no clue about Honest Trailers and Cinema Sins XD I'll be sure to check it out now though :P

It sounded nice I was thinking of watching it so its no good? Or they cut it for other reasons?

Man the Sato Takeru bias is phenominal here lol

I totally agree with all those i've seen. Love your articles as always Cheer ;)

I guess calling it "most popular of Japan" would be more accurate :P

I love your review you covered it all! Now I feel like rewatching it! :P

I've started many of those mangas but never followed through. I always like the beginning but then it feels draggy but I like checking the movie since it's short. Unfortunately most don't translate well in live action movies. Timing may be an issue, but so is acting skills.

I'll be watching Ao Haru Ride for Higashide Masahiro! He's so cute!

well the list said maximum 3 for each section and for underrated japanese dramas I'd have a dozen :P

Agreed specially when most japanese doramas are mysteries :P and yea Sageuk is a korean term.

Best Japanese Drama of 2014: Wakamono Tachi, Nazo no Tenkousei,

Best Japanese MOVIE of 2014: The Murder of Snow White

Best ROMANCE Drama: Itazura na Kiss 2 ~ Love in Tokyo

Best Comedy Drama: Black President

Best ROMANTIC/Comedy Drama: Gomenne Seishun!

Best Historical Drama: Gunshi Kanbei

Best FAMILY Drama: Wakamono Tachi

Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama: Border, Petero no Souretsu

Best Japanese Actor: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Odagiri Joe

Best Japanese Actress: Mitsushima Hikari, Inoue Mao

Best Japanese Supporting Actor: Eguchi Yosuke, Takahashi Issei, Ikematsu Sosuke

Best Japanese Supporting Actress: Nakatani Miki, Aoi Yu, Sugisaki Hana

Best Villain: Masaki Keigo (M) (Odagiri Joe) from S, Hamasho (Kubozuka Yosuke)
from OneThird

Best Idol Actor: Ikuta Toma

Best Couple: Sato Asahi & Sawabe Azusa (Wakamono Tachi)

Best Bromance: Sato Asahi & Sato Satoru

Best OST: Wakamono Tachi

Most Overrated Drama: Mozu, Alice no Toge

Worst Drama: None in 2014 bothered me, at worst they'd be generic

I've still got a couple of jdoramas of 2014 that I need to watch that I heard from trusted sources (aka friends here on mdl) that they are great so my list isn't up-to-date :P

I really enjoyed this article!! Hope there are more to come!!

@Annoyed and Disappointed I think The Introspective Ajumma gave a perfect answer. I just want to add that some cable dramas seem to branch off the constraints found in the big 3 channels and more diversity in the stories (more or less).

This was the heart of the game. It wouldn't have been the same without her. That is why they always came after her.

hmm the second season was kind of a let down. It was actually so confusing that I didn't know what the mysteries were about anymore and what's left to be answered. I remember a lot being unanswered but I don't remember the questions anymore :P

Great article! For me kdramas always have the risk of letting me down half way through but now being at episode 4 I can say this drama is off to a good start. I didn't find any of the characters outstanding but one thing I appreciate here is the professionalism. Like you said the lead girl could be annoying at times but when she's wrong she owns up to it. I like style of dealing with the case of the week while slowly but sulery uncovering past mysteries. Overall I like the pacing. You are right about the characters being cliche. They are funny and entertaining but I do hope we see more of them later on ;)

I know exactly whwhat you mean. I'm someone who gets intimidated by anything more than 20 episodes :P but believe me once you start will not be able to leave it ;)

I totally agree with you! One thing this is NOT is boring. This can be enjoyable for everyone. I myself didn't know much of the history but I started researching once when I started this drama. It's definitely NOT confusing and at times I'm like "did that reallt happen?" and I look it up and it really did!

I'm one fo those ppl who get intimidated by the number of episodes but this drama has so much to tell! I find the episodes were used in a very efficient way. One thing we need to keep in mind is that each episode runs 45 minutes so it goes by really fast.

You can watch it slowly until all episodes are subbed, because waiting for subs isn't that easy. good thing we get them every 4-5 at a time :D

Oh about that, I meant I don't think I can accept any other portrayal of Oda Nobunaga because he got engraved in my mind eternally XD

Thx cheer! Yup it's a gem that's that's waiting to be discovered! I can't believe all my years of drama watching and I got too lazy to start one (because of the number of episodes)

I can't wait to see what you'll have to say, specially around episodes 20 to 24 ;)