Sakurai Drama Review: Kazoku Game

Or “Family Game”, based on a novel, made into a movie, and now remade thirty years later.

No, I haven’t seen the movie or any other version. I don’t know if I really want to after this.

And that is not because this drama is bad. Quite the contrary.

It’s just uncomfortable.
From the beginning to the very end, this drama makes you very, very uncomfortable. I believe that is the point. That being said, I can’t imagine how much more uncomfortable the movie must be.

Basic summary: The Numata family hires Yoshimoto Kouya (Sakurai Sho) to tutor their “problem son”, who refuses to go to school. He says he can definitely do this, but the family must never interfere with his methods. So his father signs a contract – and all hell breaks loose.

Kazoku Game might have its problems, but you should watch it. Don’t let the presence of an idol chase you away.

(EDITED 14/09/13: I wasn’t happy with how my original edit worked out. Due to tiredness or carelessness on my part there were parts I forgot to include, muddled thoughts and typos. I’ve tried to fix those as best I can and I apologize to those of you who read the original in that state.)

(Some spoilers ahead.)

Aiba Drama Review: Last Hope

I think among all of Arashi, Aiba has the worst luck with dramas.

What always seems to happen is he gets something that sounds really interesting on paper, but in execution just falls flat. Half the time it has nothing to do with whether or not he can act.

Last Hope is about a band of specialist doctors (with tragic/confusing PASTS!) who work together at a center that specializes in cases other doctors have rejected. They are the patients’ ‘last hope’, something they never fail to mention (I’m talking every single episode, to the point that it’s lampshaded by the characters).  To solve these cases they use “cutting edge medical technology”. They deal with the aforementioned pasts and “help each other”. They also wrestle with heavy questions about Japan’s medical system, about life and death and ethics etc.

It sounds good, right? Having a tragic past is a bit of cliche, but it can work well, if it’s done properly, right? In fact, the reveal of one of these “pasts” left me completely floored.

Then why, WHY is it so boring?

(SPOILER ALERT!!! This review contains major plot spoilers – basically I’m spoiling Aiba’s ending – as in every detail. Also, this review focuses mainly on Aiba’s story arc more than the others.)

Aiba Drama Review: Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri

I was really quite surprised by this one. Such a great poster. Interesting (if not a bit of a baffling) premise. And yet.

Aiba Masaki plays a detective, the kind where you have no idea HOW he managed to become one with all those fears: heights, women, blood, the list goes on. But he believes in people. Yes. That ‘belief in others’ thing that at least one main character in a Japanese drama MUST have. His father had it, as a matter of fact. Being a detective is kind of a thing in the family…

Then there is this cat. A cat that solves mysteries. And is…well, a bit of a jerk, but he’s a CAT so what do you expect-? As far as plot, that’s about it. There’s this guy who wants to be a better detective and the cat that talks to him some times about it.

No. I’m serious. They solve mysteries.

(This post contains spoilers. Just a couple.)

HanaKimi 2011 – WHY!?

I already said elsewhere that there was no need to make this. The original isn’t even ten years old. The original knew exactly what it was. It knew how to balance drama with slap-stick and weirdness with heart-warming. The original was mess-y, not a confused, tragic mess. If you’re going to remake something this silly, with such a simple concept, then how could you possibly mess it up?? I wondered why the ratings were so low, because with an AKB tie-in, plus Maeda as your lead, you’d think they’d have it easy. I didn’t expect it to be this bad.

Really. It’s so much worse than you’d think…

Maou Part One: Serizawa vs Naruse

As I mentioned in the intro post, Maou looks like a straightforward murder mystery until you dig a little deeper. Which I did, because I enjoyed the drama enough to watch it multiple times and because I am THAT sort of fan. One of the most intriguing things about Maou is the relationship between Serizawa Naoto and Naruse Ryou. To the public, Naruse is known as the ‘angel’ lawyer, a gentle and brilliant man who helps the innocent. Serizawa is a detective, the brash and impulsive son of a rich man. Aside from the law, it seems as though these two have no connection at all. They don’t even technically meet for ten years.

But you see, Naruse hates Naoto.
Because Naoto killed his brother.
While Naoto got to keep on living, Naruse’s family was destroyed. Revenge became his entire life, his entire being. He became ‘maou’ (a devil).

[Spoiler Warning!!! This entry is chock full, so unless you don’t mind, watch Maou before you read this!]

Ohno Drama Review: Maou Introduction

Ah, Ohno Satoshi. The first question one can always ask about you is, “are you awake yet?” You’ve always been the weirdo grandpa character in Arashi, but when you are called on to be awesome, you deliver (and then some). Your voice is gorgeous, your dancing is awesome and then there is the matter of all that artwork… The best part is, no one knows where that well of complete pwn comes from. I mean, all you can talk about is fishing (if you remember to talk at all)…

You had done nothing but a few Arashi movies and some bit parts in dramas before this one. In fact you did mostly stage-plays, citing the fact that plays were linear in execution and so preferable to the disjointed filming of a serial. Then came Arashi’s staggering popularity and, as a result, your first lead in a drama.

And so we have Maou, a remake of a Korean drama ‘The Devil’, your first starring role in a drama. This also gave us ‘Truth’, arguably one of Arashi’s best songs.

[Warning: Some minor spoilers + some caps. Also I will not be commenting on the Korean version, because I have not seen it. I plan to watch it, but until then, I will only comment on the Japanese version.]

Cliff Notes Version: Maou is suspenseful and heart-breaking and not for the reasons you’d think. It’s a little formulaic but is saved by a fantastic cast and the awesome background music. Ohno shines, giving us everything we could ask for and more. Don’t let the hype deter you; it really is good. It’s worth your time.

MatsuJun Drama Review: Kimi wa Pet

The drama that most people associate with Matsumoto Jun is ‘Hana Yori Dango’ because its popularity is overwhelming and Jun is very good at playing the mean-arrogant-jerk-who-is-actually-the-passionate-misunderstood-jerk. The guy is amazing at the romantic, longing stare and (despite the continual hair issues) is very charming. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him be more engaging and likeable than in Kimi wa Pet.

I’m not trying to bash HyD. I loved it, like most others, I just think Gouda Takeshi is arguably a more complex character than Domijouji. His relationship with Sumire has all the snark and passion of Domiyouji and Makino’s, but with a much more interesting dynamic – she keeps him as a pet.

(Warning: Many spoilers ahead. These are my long, rambled musings. I will be including caps and some summary. Go see the drama first, if you don’t want anything spoiled.)

Cliff notes version of this post: The drama is awesome even though the concept is crazy, MatsuJun is great in it and it’s got a fantastic manga that YOU MUST READ.