How does an ordinary family react when pushed into a corner by random acts of vandalism?
Shocking things happen in this drama but its is still at its heart a Family Drama. There is not a clear, obvious suspect in this, making the mystery more intriguing. And on a side note if the stars aligned just so, this is something that -could-happen in real life.

The acting was good but anytime Takenaka Naoto was on screen he just dominated and took over.

The music is my bias so take that part of the review as you will. With in the drama itself the mood music never stood out but it does do its job well.

Rewatch value..Maybe?...to try to catch all the clues as they unfold now that I know the ending. Definitely if I am watching with another person.

Over all rating an 8

Leggi di Più

Oh YAY I get to be the first to Review this jumbled mess of concepts: )
The story revolves around a a dirsrepectful ronin, a Shogun and his scheming advisors, some monkeys and a worm cult that causes people to dance and gyrate in mass droves.
I knew or THOUGHT I knew what I was getting into with that title and the synopsis. It is a comedy/social satire that would benefit greatly from better subs than I was provided.

Acting done well considering the subject matter and script demands, and I would definitely rewatch this with better subs.

The music...well you can't go wrong with the Sex Pistols.

Leggi di Più

I started watching this because, as any of you that know me, know I am a HUGE Johnny's Fan and KAT-TUN being one of the main groups I follow. The thing that stands out most about this drama is that you can feel that the actors had fun making it and that carries to the screen.

The story is a basic one girl -leaves-boy, boy changes to get her back, this is his journey told with laughs and mishaps. The heart of music is a parody of music's iconic stars from Jimi Hendrix to Gene Simmons.

I found myself smiling through each episode, if not laughing out loud, and being touched by the end episode.

Leggi di Più

I watched this since I LOVE LOVE LOVED the anime. Enough so my husband goes "oh this is that travelling exorcist show you liked so much". Queue eye roll. the story is super compressed but that is to be expected, and as with any manga/anime/LA adaption the source material was better. That being said this was not a bad movie, the ending just kinda fell flat.

The cast was phenomenal with Odagiri Joe and Aoi Yu being the absolute high light of this movie. This is the third or forth work from Aoi Yu I have seen and her performances are quickly making her my favorite actress to watch.

Overall I would recommend this to people who like spirit shows or loved the anime enough to just fangirl over it being made decently into a LA.

Leggi di Più

I watched the drama back when it first appeared on netflix. It is an original story perspective(in my watching experience). To appreciated this drama/movie combination more i think that having personally experienced all of these situation at one point helps. Knowing people like Ito-Kun helps.

This still feels unfinished, like their is still more growth for both main characters. If they finish it here , though i am satisfied. The movie is the same story as the drama but from a different point of view and feels like a missing scenes reel with 20 minutes of new content but it did not feel redundant, instead it made me want to go back a re-watch the drama to cobble it all together in my head.


The opening song ???????? - ?Pain, Pain Go Away feat. MUTSUKI from Softly? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbha39ksG4) is one of the best things to take away from this

i gave this a 7.5 because I know because of my life I got all of, but others may not.

Leggi di Più

I am writing this 4 years after the last review (Cherry Bunny). I love, love , love this drama. It ha sall the elements in a story that make me happy: Slight fantasy, history, romance and one very strong woman.

Just like the previous reviewers I just had to chime in on this wonderful under- rated historical drama. Palace politics and Inner Chamber cattiness are very low on my interest meter but this drama kept everything with an even balance without being boring or predictable (for the most part)

To quote Cherry Bunnys review
"Special mention about GACKT's role in this. His character is super creepy. Like, icky, skin crawling creepy. Which is pretty cool as he plays it so well."
and
HAVA-RAVA
" I loved his creepy yet attractive character with long tongue. If you're curious what he does with the tongue watch the drama."

In only 3 episodes he just over takes the drama with his presence, by his last appearance though you are just ready for him to leave.

The scenery is breath taking, especially the beach scenes.

The Re-watch value is lower as I know all the twists but if someone was interested i would re watch it with them.

I gave this a 9.5

Leggi di Più

I am writing this as HUGE fan of Shojo format dramas and anime.  It seems like the writer of the manga pulled every possible trope from this genre and put it in this story.  There are elements from Itazura na Kiss - Love in Tokyo, Hana Yori Dango, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, and even Switch Girl!! 2. While predictable it wasn't annoying over the top at all.  There is not question (from the audience) whether they love each other, its whether they figure it out or not themselves.  Highlighting the insecurities of (I was going to say young, but I know 40 yr olds who act like this) immature girls.

I recommend this one if you love Shojo,  Even if you don't because they are over the top and frustrating, because this one is ...more believable?  More real?  More current times?  All of the above.  

So pull up some tissues, your netflix remote, and watch this generations Shojo classic.

Leggi di Più

Life Lessons with a side a of ass-kicking

I watched this because of Kamenashi Kazuya and I usually am super hard on cop shows, more so than other genres so I apologize if I seem nit picky in this Review.

First lets talk about the fight choreography which was strong in 1st and second episodes, but felt more like dance moves as the show progressed. While in my head a I know the actors ar enot actually hitting each other, the choreography's job is to make me momentarily forget they are just acting. You can absolutely tell when they switch to stunt doubles or cut scenes to cover the fights not actually happening.

Second I'll touch on the hacking. For the most part it did well with showing code instead of cutsey screens, decent security. Fake Typing though abounded and used the famous transfer file time as a suspense builder, but it was well placed.

They are absolutely setting up for a sequel or a special down the road. I like the Famous quotes I am super familiar with but the younger generations may not be. The cast seemed to gel by the end and seem a team, it felt like strangers turning to colleagues.

The layers of the bad sides revealing themselves one by one was decent, almost felt like too much but it depends on where they go with it.

While not my favorite OST from KAT-TUN Roar definitely has grown on me as the season progressed.

Leggi di Più

An elderly gentleman moves into a housing complex with his grand-daughter. He is pleasant and atleteic and tried to revive the old way of thinking about appreciating living in a "Mansion". Soon one by one certain undesirable residents leave or die.

The story seems almost comical for the first 4 episodes, I found myself cheering for the protagonist. By episode 5 though you see the decent into madness start to spiral out of control.

The use of music in this for dramatic effect was done well. It was a tool of the script writer, not just something to fill the silence.

Re-watch value is low because once you know the ending, its not as fun of a ride.

Leggi di Più

I am going to start of by saying Takenaka Naoto as Kurosawa Kousuke was the real star of this drama.  I have loved him in everything I have seen him in and this was no disappointment.  His outfits alone are amazing. All the "Older generation" in this work are amazing and shown in much better light than most dramas from "Chairman" to the Architect to Kurosawa. They all seem wise and have feelings vs. the usual Stuck in their ways way older people are usually portrayed.

Now onto the rest of the cast and story, it is not as cut and dry as it seems with the first four episodes.  The twist happens and a great Juxta-positioning occurs.I will not spoil it, but It is worth a watch if you like family dramas or Dramas about brothers.  Romance is there but while it SEEMS the main focus, it really isn't.  Its a solid office/company/family drama that, like family, will make you sad, frustrated, happy and then satisfied by the end.

Leggi di Più

Does not fall prey to the Shounen plot of FREINDSHIP! saves all

So this is your typical locked-in-to-reveal-your-nasty-secrets plot. What made this great is that it does not fall prey to the Shounen plot of FREINDSHIP! saves all. This was a right and proper horror series and thanks to that it gets a 9.

The title starts out with a creepily happy guy gathering all his former classmates to play a murder mystery game. He hands them a book that has their secrets in it. Then locks them in the building. Then the trues game of survival begins.

So many of the titles have "If we just love the bad guy he will instantly become good" plot line that this was very refreshing that is was a true horror title. This is a good halloween watch if your in the mood.

Leggi di Più

Arena Becomes Biggest Seafood Bowl Of All Time!

The Story, Typical Kaiju Origination Story: Science + Seafood delivery Bicycle accident equals bad acting, high School Kaiju costumes and a fake scientist rivalry.

So Why would I rate this an 8.5? Because I could not keep the smile off my face. All the absurdity that I believe would really happen From the Prime Minister to the TV spots and Youtubers. Because reality is absurd. Just think for moment, if you will, if a giant Cow, Sheep and Chicken appeared in a Western country: How would our respective governments handle it? Would the reality be any less absurd?

The rewatch value falls into the category of what did I miss that might actually occur IRL.

Leggi di Più

Great Story, Rushed Ending

What really struck me about this plot, which is a typical vigilante plot, is that the Bad Guy is not dumb. The person who is the target of the vigilante group is just as smart as they are and is often one step ahead of their plans once he catches on.

This is refreshing when most of the time, the political figure doesn't have a clue what as going on as one by one his subordinates get toppled. So thank you Avalanche for that.

BUT
At one point (around Ep. 8) I thought I had skipped an episode. because stuff was moving so fast I coulda got Whiplash (sorry a Will smith song just popped in my head).

The set up for season 2 is a bit weak if there is ever one.
My rating? It's a solid 8.5.

Leggi di Più

Bonds

This drama is about the money making industry and the cops that try to break them. On the surface it is a cookie cutter police procedural drama. Featured most is the bonds and the length people will go to protect them. It also shines the light on the fact that not ALL Bad guys are ALL bad. Some are, but not all.

I rate this a 7 because well there was still something drab and boring about the plot. Like every I could predict every betrayal and consequence. Were the people cool as they accept their fate? Hell yeah! but in the end most will see it coming.

I must have picked this up either because of Kuroki Meisa or Hayashi Kento. I think both did well in their assigned roles but nothing like "the acting carried it"

If you like crime shows its not a total waste of time.

Leggi di Più