If (like me) you are Takeru Satoh trash and think this is a romantic, dark-fluffy, inception-like film of a heroic character who travels into the mind of his beloved to rescue her out of a coma... then I suggest you don't watch this movie. ^-^

If, however, like me, you are Takeru Satoh trash, and have an appreciation for films with a deeper meaning, enjoying unexpected (and extremely sudden) plot twists and a dark and slightly creepy psychological theme... then I suggest you give this movie a shot. ^v^)/

One of REAL's biggest highlights for me was that you really didn't know what to expect next. You just have no idea. One minute, I was focused in the neurological world, and the next I was hiding behind my pillow. And that is how you go through the film - not knowing what to expect next, yet anticipating the conclusion. I give the rewatch value a strong 9*, as it all makes so much more sense if you were to rewatch it, and you can appreciate the thought put into its creation, the jumpy camera angles and script.

The cast and acting were great, although again, initially you might find it a little strange in the beginning. It all makes sense nearer the end. ^^

One thing that did confuse me was the strange blend of both decent CGI, and college-green-screen-quality CGI. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not because of the story line...

Also, plesiosaurs. I love them.
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*[EDIT: Rewatching is so worth it!]

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This is a beautiful watch.

This drama is the best j-drama I've ever seen. I love how unique (in a good way) this drama is. It's such an adorable, innocent, fluffy, beautiful and intriguing watch that holds your anticipation from start to finish. It had me grinning away to myself, and then I'm welling up the next minute. Don't let those fuwa-fuwa adjectives fool you though, there's also an underlying psychological theme and moments of intense emotions.

The acting - from the main roles to the sub roles - is perfect. I loved the side characters and their stories as much as I did the main characters. The characters are so well-developed. The music fits with each mood. For me, one of the highlights was just the production and camera work. There wasn't a single rushed or shaky scene, and the lighting added to the overall aesthetic. There isn't a single thing I didn't like.

I'm not exaggerating. It has skyrocketed to the top of my favorites list. I made my very manly male otaku friend who has never watched a drama in his life watch this, and he was hooked from scene one. If you're debating about watching it, you should probably just stop what you're doing and watch it right now.

This drama has just taken my heart and I'm sure I'll be watching it again very soon. I'm still reeling from all the happy feels it has just delivered. My poor kokoro.

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Kazoku Game is a drama that highlights just how fragile family dynamics are. For me, it was a particularly difficult watch, as I felt that more than a few fragments and aspects of the series reflected my own childhood and upbringing, and so I was able to identify even the little intricate details that this drama so carefully conveyed. In some ways, I felt a little bitter watching this, yet grateful at the same time for the realism and reminders of just how important family bonds are - and what happens when they're not there. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who may be more than a little sensitive to these kinds of issues.

The acting/cast gets a flawless 10/10. Each cast member portrayed their characters with an eerie intensity that was a huge factor in drawing the viewer straight into the distress of the story. Kamiki Ryunosuke and Sakurai Sho's emotion was almost overwhelming in some places. (In any case, I hope the potential viewer reading this isn't as emotionally involved with dramas as I am... Although, you probably are, in which case: be warned.)

As for the music, I would've destroyed it if I could. I couldn't be sure if the BGM was to convey irony, sarcasm, satire, or what. However, if it were any different, I think the story would've felt less real and more drama-like. In any case, I still give the music a 1/10, and a +1 for Arashi's ending song (which I do really like, but it clashes so horribly with the BGM...)

Overall, you may want to be wary of the sensitive and very real psychological aspects and triggers buried within Kazoku Game, but the mystery and intrigue within the characters will keep you more than interested throughout.

... Ii~ne.

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