11nin mo iru! (2011)

Okay guys, this is my very first review; I'm not sure why i haven't written any so far. But here we go:
After seeing so many dramas, I've developed this sense of prediction what will happen next in most of those I've been watching and i assume many of you did as well. This drama is everything but predictable.
Many unexpected events occurred and it made me wonder what for God's sake I've just seen. It has a bit special sense of humor, so it might not suite everyone's taste, at the moments it gets even weird, but it definitely has its own seal. I have to admit, i haven't seen a lot of family dramas, but this one was totally my coup of tea. Although I enjoy watching comedies, it's really, really hard to make me laugh out loud. I didn't have this kind of problem while watching this one.
The story was really heartwarming and it gave me the feeling of family warmth, which is the purpose of family drama i guess. Characters were unique and well designed. The story gave enough of space for every character and a chance for us to meet them all and hear their stories. Actors were good as well, especially the kids. Kamiki Ryunosuke's acting was at the moments odd, but overall, it was great and he was a nice surprise. Tanabe Seiichi was amazing and i couldn't imagine anyone else in this role. I really liked the character he portrayed - a totally unusual father with a totally unusual actions. The supporting characters were also amazing and led us to many hilarious moments. I really liked that after each episode, family was growing bigger and bigger. Even the supernatural part with a ghost of late mother was very well matched and had a great meaning behind the funny scenes.
Music was also very good, especially the opening, and nothing in this drama was unnecessary.
As for rewatch, i'm a rewatcher, i usually rewatch dramas i've liked sometimes more than once and this one i'll surely see again!
Anyway, if you are the fan of Japanese dramas, i suggest you give this one a try - it has that Japanese touch and sense of reality - although in this drama you might find some parody elements as well.
I hope you'll enjoy watching it!

Leggi di Più

Ok, so this was one of the best choices I made recently. If you’re looking for a sweet and hilarious drama this is definitely the one.

There were some delays with the subbing so it kept me waiting and waiting for the next episode, but I don’t regret it at all. First you have a family with 8 children, that alone is auspicious of some great comedy developments. I really loved how each of them had their unique traces and space in the story. The other family members that were added also contributed to some of the most hilarious moments. The grandfather and specially the uncle (I love Hoshino Gen’s voice, really.) It also pinned some social problems that I don't want to spoil you, but I think the main focus was on how you can always take the best out of your life no matter how much money you have.

The main actors did a really great job and even Sam, which I had never seen before, did a really great job making me like him despite how terrifying he seemed at first. As for Kamiki, I was a bit reticent as if he would be able to portray a comic character as I had only seen him in SPEC and Bloody Monday, but he did an awesome job, with all the personality crises and social troubles his character had to face.

Of course I would watch this again. Actually, there were already some scenes that I kept rewatching over and over again. You can’t help that.

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When I saw the comments on a streaming site from other users,
I thought that 11nin mo Iru! would be pretty bad, and so didn't expect much from it.
Now when I've seen all 9 episodes, it is more than likely that the people who gave bad comments made their judgment from the first episode and didn't watch any more than that, which is a shame - because the series was really good imho.

Unlike other dramas with similar stories, this story was, not only realistically executed despite of the tones of supernatural elements, it also had minor twists you didn't saw coming
and the unpredictability makes the story all the more enjoyable.
The drama includes quirky characters, humor, issues the average family experience,
and the ending was neither rushed nor slow paced.

Now, it's time for the ratings ~
The music gets a 6.5 rating because the only music I can remember from the series was the intro/outro theme (which is the same song btw).
The rewatch value would be a solid 8 I'd say since this is the type of drama I could watch at the very least 100 times over.
I got no complaints regarding the cast, in fact I'm surprised that there was hardly any character in the story you wouldn't like, and that is a rare feature.
Rating for the cast is a full 10. Congrats.
The story gets a 9, which is very good in my book.
And lastly, the overall rating is the same as my rating for the cast: 10!

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An endearing family

Lately, I have been impressed with Kamiki Ryunosuke's works, so I decided to watch some of his previous dramas and movies. I was pleasantly impressed to find that he has a wide range of characters he can portray including comedy.

This particular drama is a cute little gem. If you're looking for a quirky and often silly and heartwarming drama then this is for you. It follows a really big family, something I found rather unusual coming from Japan, but also very intriguing and amusing. All the characters had their moment and the kids were particularly adorable. The story also does a good job of giving you hilarious scenes and at the same time bring forth pertaining social issues. This drama also includes some supernatural elements, but strangely they fit well with the more mundane tone of the plot.
Overall it is a very funny and enjoyable Japanese drama, and certainly worth a watch.

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I enjoyed it.

Kudo Kankuro is one of few screenwriters, Japanese or otherwise, I have become incredibly familiar with. He is a fantastic, comedic writer with some truly brilliant and quirky ideas. This drama had an all-star cast in Hirosue Ryoko and Kamiki Ryunosuke. The young boy playing Saigo was also very talented. I suppose this only drama's failing is also its strength; the reliance on repetitive jokes and extreme acting. I also didn't appreciate the life lessons. They truly broke up the flow of the series, but that seems to happen with all Japanese dramas. If you like goofy shows that are meant to be over the top this is a pretty good one. The cast is good based on what they are given and though it is similar to at least 10 other drama's about a family that is poor with money but rich with love this one does differentiate itself by having fun. The drama does get better each episode if you stick with it. If you like over the top drama's give it a shot. I enjoyed it.

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