MR. BRAIN (2009)

As a fan of mystery/crime dramas i have to say this is one of the best i've ever seen. It's a mixture of CSI meets Criminal Minds. The story is pretty great and the cast is exceptional. Each character have such different personalities that it was fun watching them play off of each other while also coming together as one while eating bananas. They also have the BEST GUEST STARS EVER. The drama is well written with both comedy and seriousness. Kimura Takuya did such an amazing job bringing his character to life. His sadistic laugh and awkward social timing is pure genius.

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Wow...this is just such an amazing show. I stumbled across it after watching Satoh Takeru in Bloody Monday since I wanted to see him in something else. At first I was disappointed that he was only going to play a small part in the film. However, I was hooked on the show itself from the first 15-20 minutes in. It takes about that long to figure out what the heck is going on (the beginning doesn't seem at all connected to the plotline as given in the notes), but then it takes off from there and never stops. I had seen several of the cast in other shows (besides Takeru), and they have always played some of my favorite roles. The show just has such amazing acting. Bad guys, good guys, side-not-really-all-that-important guys--all of them do an excellent job. The crimes are all deliciously difficult to solve (or at least to prove), and I love the scientific facts that they keep throwing in. Mr. Brain's impact on everyone around him is so wonderfully done. The writer(s) so excellently show him drawing the people around him into his positive look at life and the possibilities of science. And in drawing in the characters around him, Mr. Brain attracts the interest of the show's viewers at the same time. This show is a little more dark/bloody in some areas than most crime dramas that I watch (definitely not for little kids), but they are so well designed. No crime is the same (which often happens in crime shows where there is more than one crime to solve) and neither are they the run of the mill crime (man kills mistress or some other cliche mystery). These are interesting and unique stories that drew my interest anew with each episode. I have already re-watched this show, and I really with a second season had been made. If I have one complaint, it is that the end seems unfinished. It was obviously designed with a sequel in mind and the end is a little bit of a let-down because of it. If they ever finish it, the show would be almost perfect.

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I remember I started watching this drama (the first time) because of Mizushima Hiro, after I had seen him in the movie "Drop" I was attracted to his unique acting skills and personality; much like Satoshi Ohno, it seems as if Mizushima Hiro disappears in to the character he is playing. Although, as soon as I started watching, I became completely distracted by Kimura Takuya. The way he played Tsukumo Ryusuke was amazing! All the quirks, mannerisms, attitudes, behaviors, and personalities he brought to the character himself was fantastic to watch. I absolutely loved the way he laughed out loud, talked about brain science, and how he interacted with the other characters/actors. It was also great to see all the guest actors for each episode! Gackt, Sato Takeru, Kamenashi Kazuya, Sugimoto Tetta, Abe Ryohei, Kimura Tae.... And so much more!! I wish a lot more dramas did this. I also wish Mr. Brain had lots more episodes, a second season, a movie, a special episode... it was way too great of a drama to just end at 8 episodes. Also, since I'm writing this review after I re-watched this drama, I now know who a few of the actors are (Kagawa Teruyuki, Shiho, Shitara Osamu, Ichikawa Ebizo) so it was great to watch them! I would definitely recommend this to someone who is just starting out with foreign/Japanese dramas; or someone who likes to laugh or who likes detective dramas!

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I didn't watch Mr Brain right away after my search for Japanese Detective Dramas mention it, nor after i read it was listed in someone's 10 best Japanese Detective Dramas. I reluctantly watch this after i was running out dramas i wanna watch:-) N I WAS SO WRONG!!!!! Reminds me of CSI and Criminal Minds with different approach... Clever theme ( brain), great casts and famous guest actors n actresses, brilliant cases, good balance in quality and quantity of comedy and drama, n my favou part super kawaii anime that never fails to make me learn n laugh. Almost 10 years passed, I really wish someone consider for a sequel or at least SP, too god to resolve in just 8 eps, so many things left unresolved that an be made into new epsodes:-) All i can say, if you are looking for good CSI likes Japanese Drama, you definitely must watch this, just remember this is 2009's drama..

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Famous actors play two-dimensional characters in the whimsical drama about a detective who solves crimes using dubious science.


This drama undoubtedly boasts stellar cast. Kimura Takuya and Ayase Haruka need no introduction. Kagawa Teruyuki and Mizushima Hiro play support roles while Koyuki, Gackt, Kamenashi Kazuya, and Nakama Yukie are among the guest stars. It's like they gathered together all of the actors who had played main roles in the dramas hugely popular at the time. They even casted Sato Takeru who could not act to save his life then but who is getting the best actor nominations at the academy awards now.

Thus, this drama was destined to become popular. The detective drama of the same magnitude in 2020 would cast Sato Takeru as the detective, Arimura Kasumi as his plucky side-kick, and Aragaki Yui, Suda Masaki, Yamazaki Kento, Toda Erica etc. as guest stars. Of course people would tune in. To this day, those who love classic J-dramas remember Mr. Brain fondly.

However, all of the other qualities of this drama are suspect. The setting is not just over-the-top, it's downright bizarre. J-dramas often employ exaggerated emotional reactions as comic relief that gently gives way to a touching profound message underneath. Here, though, the hyperbole goes too far turning the story into a literal fairy-tale. And fairy-tale that throws around real scientific facts is very bizarre thing indeed.

All of the characters are two-dimensional and only great charisma of their actors saves some of them. Kimutaku and Ayase Haruka played many iconic roles but their characters here never quite manage to become those sympathetic leads the viewer roots for. Whether it's due to Ayase Haruka's character being too dumb (I feel really bad writing this) or to Kimutaku's character being too arrogant is hard to say.

The cases are done in the style of classic British detective where incongruous puzzle is more important than realism (think Agatha Christie or Detective Conan). To the dramas' credit, the cases are coherent and fast-paced if over-the-top to the n-th degree.

What really drives me nuts, personally, is the way the story uses real scientific facts. For example, it's true that some types of brain trauma can cause the person to acquire a super-human ability. But it doesn't mean that this person will be exactly the same as before only with additional ability. I wouldn't call treatment of various psychological conditions in this drama offensive but it does make one want to roll their eyes a lot.

How much weird silliness can you tolerate for the sake of your favourite actors playing not that interesting characters? That's a question to ask yourself if you are wondering whether to watch this drama.

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Addicting!

While writing this review, I am rewatching Mr. Brain for the 5th time. I watch it every year. That's how much I enjoy it.

Even though I've already seen it lots of times I still get the same excitement watching it. I still find Tsukumo's smirk and quirkiness attractive. I still love the banter between the two detectives. Every time I watch it I feel like I will see something new that I may have missed the last few time I've seen it? Lol.

The guest stars were superb too! Gact, Kamenashi, Takeru Satoh and Yukie Nakama among others.

You will not regret watching this. The theme song Jump was super catchy, it'll stick with you!

If there's something this drama has, it would be sequels@ or movies or SPs.

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Не люблю я японские детективы, ну уж очень "вкусный" каст подобрался, соблазнил сразу. Кимура красавчик, создал незабываемый образ - этакий ученый не от мира сего, но в то же время очень приземленный любитель бананов. Причем умеет заряжать всех вокруг так, как настоящий лидер. Каждый чувствует себя важным и нужным.
Его помощница Аясе Харука здесь очень милая и непосредственная, но по-умному
Есть еще два детектива - молодой и восторженный принимающий все слова и действия Кимуры и в возрасте, неверящий ни во что, кроме себя. Мицушима Хиро в роли молодого детектива как щеночек

Но дополнительную прелесть придает сериалу второстепенные герои и злодей на серию. Должно быть режиссер сериала суперизвестная личность, потому что заманить на 20-40 минут Гакта, Каме, Хидео, Aibu Saki и Накама Юки - это надо постараться. Юки вообще отдельная песня, ее героиня - массовая убийца, которую жалеешь - исполнена так, что аж мурашки по телу.

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MOST FAV DETECTIVE J-DRAMA

First of all, I want a second season of this. I don't know why they had not made any sequel after so many years though it is a highly rated drama and has full potential to attract the audience for its second season.

If I have to tell about the story, I should say in every episode, they brought a new story and solved the case within the same episode, so it is perfect for binge-watching. Every story has its own dark side and good side. The story not only told us about murders but also taught us a lesson. Every episode, i.e., every case, will make you spellbound. It has everything. Thriller, suspense, comedy are all within it. But somehow, I am quite disappointed with how they pack up the show. It seems incomplete to me. They can make it much better to give us a never forgetting ending. That's why I can't give it a 10 star.

Now if I have to tell you about the acting. Kimura Takuya gave his best. The star actors who played the role of perpetrator made it their best. But sometimes, the acting seems to be a little overboard.

Now comes production and visual effect. I know it was made in 2009, and watching it after 12 years, I should not have high expects though I am not disappointed. The story and the actors made my day.

Last, I want to say give it a go and trust me, k-drama lovers, you won't be disappointed.

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