I've only read the first volume of the manga and have not watched the anime nor the movie, so I can't compare. This series was really good! I was hooked from the very beginning (I did not even read the plot beforehand, so I didn't know what it was all about and had many surprises here and there). The pace of the story was very well done: the series is just 25min long -or less- and in spite of being too short, it was never rush and I've never felt lost in regards to the plot. I think everything was well explained. I do think that the last 3 episodes were not as good as the first 9... I think that what Fujinuma experiences later, starting ep08 (or was it 9?) made the story less exciting as what he lived in the first 7 episodes.

The acting was excellent, especially from the children. And I liked Furukawa's voice in off, it was calm but not bored. There was even one scene where I was moved by young Satoru's tears... I am amazed this boy, Uchikawa Reo, has not a longer filmography! Apparently he was also Ciel Phantomhive in a couple of musicals that I have yet to see (booo, there are no more subbed musicals since the 3rd one...).

This is a mystery-suspense story where family and friends play a big role. Both were important for our main characters. I am grateful this dorama is on Netflix... while I was watching this, I searched for reviews (with no spoilers) and I am surprised there are so many! And all of them positive reviews. I am not used to read so many reviews of a Japanese dorama... our fandom is mostly quiet and not very vocal.

Recommended. I'll start watching the anime tonight, which I've read is not as good as this live action.

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I felt like I was watching an Asadora, only much much shorter (7 episodes of 25minutes long approx). There were times where it was lively and uplifting, and others where it was sad. As expected, since this is a semi-biography of Tetsuko, who has lived forever and it is one of the most popular TV personality in Japan. Since she has been for many, many years, she has met numerous people and many have died; friends, colleagues... so it was expected to be sad.

This is the kind of role I love to see for Mitsushima Hikari. Of course she is beyond amazing in sad roles like "Mother" and "Soredemo..." but I prefer to watch her in quirky, lively roles, like this one. I don't want to see her cry anymore :(

There are many cameos, of actors who I knew beforehand had a guest role (Ryo, which makes it a mini-reunion from "Gomen Seishun") and others who were a completely surprise (Daichi! and Matsuda, which makes it a mini-reunion from "Quartet").

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It's been a long time since I've been this giddy with happiness watching a drama. A fresh (pink) air of breath XD Each episode was better than the previous one. And every time I finished an episode, I couldn't wait for the next week, so I'd rewatched the last episode and couldn't think of nothing else for the following days XD

As the J-netizens said, I would like to think Yuri was the heroine of this drama. I loved how supportive was everyone of him. There isn't a single bad character here. And all 3 rivals were nice, handsome guys who wanted nothing more than Junko's happiness. Each one of the guys had their amount of support from the netizens, I am not sure who was the most popular. But since episode 1 I had my favorite, and that is because I am a huge fan of manga-Shinkumi <3

I have yet to watch the final episode subbed, but just watching it raw I loved it (I covered my eyes but peeked between my fingers in the last scene). I'll write a proper review (with a proper rant over this actor whom I fell head over heels) when I finish the last episode subbed.

Favorite scenes, in no particular order:
- The "heroine in a dating game" (but the whole study camp made me happy)
- The "betrayed" look in front of Junko's house
- All the hugs (kyaa they were all amazing, the most romantic I've even seen)
- every time my fave smiled
- Nishioi and Miwa were funny, but together they were hilarious

Favorite drama of the year? XD too early to tell but I loved it so much I am having drama withdrawal symptoms ^_^ And listening to the OST ("Happy birthday" by back number) isn't helping ^_^

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I loved it. Only 3 episodes long, perfect length, perfect cast, perfect everything.

To think I once didn't like Sato Ryuta *face-palm* and I blame it on the roles he played (the idiotic but kind secondary guy). He was excellent as the MC in this drama, I love how he goes from a judgemental, ignorant guy to a understanding friend. His twin brother, Ryoji, was gay, he died and his Canadian husband comes to Japan to meet his brother-in-law Yaichi and all the places Ryoji loved.

I confess I usually don't like the foreign actors in J-dramas since it seems like anyone who is foreign but speaks a little of Japanese can be an actor; meaning, terrible acting. But Baruto, as Mike Flanagan, was perfect, he portrayed perfectly the gentle giant (he is gigantic! I remember how Nakai loved to pat his belly in SMAP Bistro XD)

This is a very realistic slice of life, where there would be ignorant people who rejects homosexuality or just refuse to accept it. At the beginning, Yaichi was all "would be make a move on me?", or just calling him "my brother's friend" or not liking Mike near his daughter. Slowly, he begins to see that Mike was a nice guy who just happened to love men. Mike was never ashamed of who he was, and he taught his niece and his niece's friends that men can love men (and marry them) and same with girls. And the little girls were confused at first, but they quickly were "if you love someone, is wonderful you can marry that person, even if the both of you are guys" :D

I smiled, I cried, I loved it! Very recommended. I will read the manga as well (the author was in my "banned" list but this one is very different from what I thought).

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My favorite duo in the whole Dramaland. The times I laughed in this movie XD it was an excellent movie. The mystery was good, the chemistry was good, the cast was good, the jokes were back.

Recurring jokes I'll never get tired of watching:

- flat-chested Yamada and big-penis Ueda
- Yabe and his wig
- Ueda and his big ego (including all his books, doll and his claims of knowing it all)
- Ueda and martial arts
- Ueda proposing that each one of them, both he and Yamada, tell the other something meaningful when their lives are threatened.
- Ueda calling "mother" to Yamada's mother
- Yamada and her magic tricks
- Ueda and his silly tricks XD
- Yamada and her rent debts
- Ueda and Yamada together <3 my favorite!

Waaa I love them. They are extremely funny (Abe Hiroshi is gold in comedy and he has -had- the best chemistry with Nakama Yukie) and the support characters were likeable. A MUST for Trick's fans. I think this movie can be seen as a stand-alone but I'll always recommend to watch Season 1 first, just because it is one of the best dramas I've ever seen.

This movie does not have any review nor comment here in MDL which to me was a signal that it is an awesome movie. I think the dramas and movies with the least reviews are the best XD

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As someone who is a bookworm and reads lots of mystery, I can say that Japanese mystery books are among my favorites. They are gripping and usually the ending stays with me for a long time. And Higashino Keigo is a master in suspense/thrillers/mystery. All the tangles of the murder, who is connected to whom... not so much who is the murderer (there are not many suspects) but the reason of why behind the murder. And it was really touching; I was very touched at the flashback and the reasons behind the crimes. I am weak when it comes to father and daughter relationships :( and as always, Kohinata Fumiyo was great, he is so kind-looking... **weeps**

I was pleasantly surprise at the cameos at the end of the movie... cameos of actors who worked previously with Abe Hiroshi

On a side note, I wish more Higashino's books were translated, they are truly worth reading.

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Heartwarming Family Drama

The drama with the highest rating of the season. And it deserved it. Not only because Ayase Haruka is and will be forever Japan's favorite girl, but because this was funny and sweet and with zero drama and a real representative of a Japanese Slice of Life Drama.

The story is divided in two parts, so it was like Season 1 and Season 2 together. From ep01 to ep05 is one timeline, and from ep06 to 10 is another, 9 years later (that was a total surprise for me!). I adored "Season 1" and it was my favorite. Akiko-san trying, first, to be accepted as a stepmom to Miyuki, and then, her first duties as a mother. I love the little girl who played Miyuki (Yokomizo Naho), awesome actress! She behaved like a little girl behaves, not like a smart-ass girl who talks like an adult. My favorite episodes were 2 and 3: ep2 because I loved the little "game" Akiko-san and Miyuki played at the supermarket, and ep3, because of the "battle" of Akiko against the Parents Association.

Ep 06 was a total shock to me because of the time-slip and because of... well, change of actors. Still, the actress who played older Miyuki was really good and likeable (Hiroki-kun too. Both boy and older boy are so cute!), and some of her expressions resembled her younger-self (both girls have big eyes). I liked how Akiko-san starts working again; her role in the bakery was amazing, totally plausible. I love how everything she does, it is because she is thinking in her daughter. And everything Miyuki does, she always has her stepmom in mind. They may not be blood-related, but their love for each other was as strong as a blood-related mother and daughter have.

If there has to be a minus it would be that Akiko-san looks the same after the time-slip. Same as Shimoyama-san (even the highlights in her hair...)

In spite of the many comedic scenes, there were also some touching scenes :( I am still not sure of the ending, only because I did not fully understand it. I know that it was a "miracle" too, but why? What does the train ticket mean??

All actors were excellent, except for Takeru Sato. I think goofy roles don't suit him. I noticed that some "cool" actors, like him, do wonderfully in action and cool roles, but when it comes to goofy roles... nah. And too bad he had to go and fall in love. I mean, it provided many funny scenes XD but Akiko-san and Ryuchi forever <3 And I was disappointed since I truly thought he was going to be some kind of angel, the one who was going to bring a miracle into Akiko-san's and Miyuki's lives. I guess he sort of did, but not the way I wanted. And at the end, it was really Akiko who was like a miracle to him.

The little touches, like the miracles (I thought it was going to have a bigger role, like **coughcoughthefathercoughcough**), and minor characters, like Taguchi-kun, were very nice. I actually laughed out loud several times with Taguchi-kun, he was a silly sweetheart :)

The OST was excellent, I want it. And the funny one made the scene even funnier XD I did not pay attention to the ED song tbh.

So overall, first part is a 10 and second part is a 9 for me. I love this kind of "non-drama" drama :D

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Jpn dramas are the best when it comes to human stories

If it wasn't because a regular subber started working on this sub, I wouldn't have picked it. Boy, am I glad I watched this! One of my favorite dramas of this season. It was sweet, with a wonderful cast, soothing OST, and amazing script. Like Kounodori S.1. Medical dramas in the pediatrician department is usually more moving, and it always depend on the scriptwriter to not make it corny, and it worked with GD.

I have to apologize to Yamazaki Kento, since when I've read he was going to be the lead, I wasn't interested. He is OK, but that's all for me. But he was amazing as Minato-sensei, since the very first episode. Portrayed wonderfully a sweet guy with Autism and Savant Syndrome (I've read that he did a research over the subject, so he was well prepared). I have not seen Freddie Highmore's version so I can't compare.

Of course, to me the MVP was Ueno Juri, such an amazing actress. Very natural, and looked very comfortable working with YamaKen.

I think I shed tears in every episode. I loved each one of them. Every episode was heartwarming, emotional and to the point.

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Visually speaking, this is a gorgeous movie. Vibrant colors in walls, clothes and scenery. The contrast between the black-and-white princess and the colorful real world. Miyuki's clothes, every one of them. Ayase Haruka as a princess, Kenji as a poor director's assistant. The shots of the camera. There is one scene at the beginning of the movie that was filmed from above, and it shows the little made-up town and all the actors in their clothes, and it was simply beautiful.

As for the story, it was a nice, clean romance, with a bit of mystery and heartbreaking moments. I watched it twice in a week and I cried in both occasions. However, it could also be because of Ayase Haruka's tears... she almost always manages to move me with her tears. And she looked amazing as a princess. She had a nice chemistry with Sakaguchi Kentaro (she almost always has a good chemistry with whatever actor she works with), BUT as always, she is terrible in love scenes. She is a like an unreachable princess, cold and stiff in regards to hugs and kisses. Thankfully, it wasn't properly show in this movie, so it didn't bothered me so much.

I though at first that the movie had some plotholes. Like, she has to put make-up on her entire self to disguise her black-and-white self. But she remains colorful even under the rain. However, I noticed that it only rained when she was upset or sad, so maybe the rain was magical like her and couldn't affect her. It isn't explained how she comes to this world, but since it is a fantasy, there is no need for that. And as for all her wardrobe, it could be because they are in a movie set, and there are a lot of clothes.

SPOILER...

The ending was very sad. I couldn't live like them at all, without touching the one you love. And when they finally do... :(( so sad. Why??? The final scene was just a way to calm our broken hearts :((

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What a waste of time. I won't even bother with the final episode. I mean, I knew beforehand that I was watching a super shallow show, but it was interesting nonetheless. I wasn't rooting for anyone in specific. At first I wanted the Jpn girls to make it since I hated all the stupid comments about the "talentless" Japanese girls, but once I saw that i-fandom is super toxic, specifically, K-pop fandom, I knew I had to pretty much learn to ignore all the "haters". First and last time I am part of a GG fandom. Never again! Commenters are all about hate and who is prettier than who. This show wasn't about talent. Popularity and "visuals", that was it.

I liked almost all the participants, they were all sweet, pretty and talented in a certain area (I think being likeable is a talent. No one with just talent in singing and/or dancing can make it). I liked the trainers, specially the one who looks angry (she was the best), Soyou, Hong Ki and the host.

The channel, on the other hand.... MESS! What an awful editing, never again I am watching a show of this channel.

The final winners... ah well, at least I can say that Thank God many Jpn girls didn't make it! Unfair, but it was for their best. The amount of hate they got throughout the show, all the "controversies" (one of them was hated because of, literally, the city where she was born) and some of them because they weren't "pretty enough". Miyu is very talented, but if she won, eventually she may have succumbed to the pressure and do ps. On the other hand, there were some Kr girls that totally deserved it, but because of looking "old" or causing some stupid "controversy" (seems like being ambitious is a crime) they didn't make it. While others who were "cuter" did. Oh well. Like I said, being popular and pretty is also a talent.

Overall, interesting for the first 11 episodes, but right now I am just thinking how the hell I wasted my time on this.

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To say that I loved Amachan would be an understatement. I think it is one of the cutest, most heartwarming, most charming and most uplifting dramas I've ever watched. The heroine, Amano Aki, is perfectly portrayed by Nounen Rena. I loved her and could understand why she was so much loved by everyone (in the drama and in RL). I am not sure if it was an awesome way to start watching Asadoras, because this one was top-notch, but I also fear that no one will come close to Amachan. The cast, the cute little intro song, the setting.. everything.

This drama is about loving your family, friends and little town. Aki's family was always there for her, not only her family by blood, but all the people in Kitasanriku. Aki's friendship with Yui-chan made me teary-eyed many times, and I loved the relationship between Suzuka-san and Haruko. Truly, Kudo Kankuro is a genius when it comes to female characters and female relationship. I don't see the Idol world as negative as I used to... these lovely girls just wanted to make people happy. I was so happy seeing the director so proud of his cast/drama in the extra episode; he really loved "Amachan"!

The lenght also kinda scared me at first... but when I was around Ep. 50 I was like, "I wish this was longer". I kept watching it anywhere where I had a little time off... on the bus, waiting my meals, etc. It is perfect to upload a couple of episodes on the cellphone.

I am currently suffering withdrawal symptoms... I loved it!

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The wait for the complete subs (in Spanish) was totally worth it. I loved this drama since ep01. It was a thrilling story, with a compelling mystery and an excellent script. I couldn't tell what was going to happen next. It was like reading a Kanae Minato book: the setting is kinda dark, there are screwed-up stories with mothers, and other obscure subjects, like suicide, physical abuse, bullying, high school dating (joshi-kosei osanpo), etc.

I think the cast was amazing, especially the students. And among them, I love Yamaguchi Mayu (Masuda) and Daichi Kaneko (Hasebe). Although Endo Kenshin (Keigo) was also great. But overall, the students were excellent, and I can't wait to see them in other roles. My new adopted children <3

The setting is in Kamakura, which is a beautiful city. I am not sure about the ED song, "Reboot" since it didn't fit the drama, but it was a catchy song nonetheless. Being a school counselor must be so hard. I think Inoue Mao was a good choice for her role since she has a reliable face.

I can't think of why this would have a low rating, because I loved it. Anyone who likes to read mystery books with unexpected revelations would like this.

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I've probably watched around 5 dramas this Spring Season and, no doubt, this was the best. Anyone could watch it, and I bet anyone will have fun in at least half of all episodes. At least, I had fun with all of them, but even more with the last half. This is about a trio of conmen (well, 2 men and 1 woman). I am not really a fan of Nagasawa Masami, but I think this kind of role fits her perfectly. And she had fun doing it, in my eyes, so that is always a plus for me. Then there is Boku-chan, the kind-hearted and most naive young man, interpreted by Higashide Masahiro. I've seen him in VS Arashi and I think he may be a bit of Boku-chan in real life, so he was perfect. Always falling for the person in need, and almost always playing unwillingly Dako's games. Last is Richard, the veteran, played by Kohinata Fumiyo. He is always good, in whatever role he plays, since he is always so calm.

It is an episodic drama, and almost all episodes were unpredictable. Like 90% of them. The last one was amazing. There is nothing Dako can't prevent nor can't do. These trio of con may make a lot of money, but to make money, they also spend tons. So most of the times it was very over-the-top, but that is why this drama was so much fun to watch. It was a witty drama, with lots of sense of humor.

I know it is almost impossible, but I wish this one has a 2nd Season. Or at least a movie. I feel like I didn't have enough time with Dako's, Boku's and Richard's adventures.

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Yesterday night, after finishing the drama, I couldn't sleep because my mind refused to calm down. I wrote an entire essay -mentally- about this drama. I'll try to calm down before ranting. But all I am going to say for now is...



SPOILERS



SPOILERS



SPOILERS


Up till the first 35minutes or so of ep06 it was so good... funny and a bit angsty. The last 3 minutes of ep06 and almost all ep07 was SO FRUSTRATING. I even disliked Haruta :(

I mean, THIS Haruta, and THIS Chief, and maybe Maki. But Movie Haruta was gold, Movie Chief was more funny and Movie Hase was perfect.

My rant: https://sunakoyue.livejournal.com/48906.html

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I just noticed that most of my favorite dramas come from TBS. This one was no exception. It is a very heartwarming story. Good work environment, giving your all, working for your dreams, nice friends and coworkers, a sweet romance and excellent acting. I loved it.

The setting is the Japanese Air-force Public Relations, which may be an odd place but it worked because of the people working there. I love to watch stories in places that make you feel, or part of them, or at least, wanting to be part of them and of course I felt the same with this group of people. Sorai (Ayano Go) is the sweetest Beta hero I've seen in a long time, hardworking, who loves what he does (and what he used to do), and who loves his Boss, who, by the way, was a gem. Who wouldn't want to have a Boss like Sagizaka-san, who was not only kind but a splendid matchmaker? He loved Sorai as his son, so that made him love "Ina-pyon" automatically like his daughter. And his story with his wife brought tears to my eyes, such a sad story.

I love stories where less is more.

Ayano Go looks and acts amazing in this. His gentle face, his dorky smile XD He and Gakky make a beautiful and cute couple. I hope they do a rom-com in a near future.

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