ドラマの味方

This drama was 24 episodes and aired from 1981 to 1982. It has become cemented into Japanese popular culture and was so popular that it aired specials throughout the years until 2002. It seems like everyone knows about it, so when I received this drama to subtitle, I was excited to get started. With its popular culture status in Japan, it’s needless to say that this is a great drama. While I did watch it for work, I became fully invested and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I started to watch the specials (there are a total of 8 specials) and it’s so fun to see the kids grow up!

(^^ Hotaru and Jun, you’re in your 40s/50s now! XD)

The cast of characters both main and supporting were all great. Jun got annoying sometimes as he always complained, but you couldn’t blame him (I mean, if I was that age and I had to live without TV or electricity, I would be complaining, too haha). Hotaru was so cute! She always supported her father and never complained like her brother. I liked that Goro had a support system in Furano like his cousin Seikichi and his family as well as his classmate Nakahata. The Yukiko and Sota romance plotline was nice to watch but I got so mad at Sota for practically abandoning Tsurara for Yukiko! Ugh men! XD While the plots and storylines were pretty consistent, some plotlines were kind of random. For example, the whole UFO subplot where the kids saw a UFO and the teacher got abducted by one and disappeared. The timing makes it look like UFOs/aliens were popular (Close Encounters, ET, etc. all came out around that time) but it was so random!

(^^ A UFO in Hokkaido?! Didn’t know they were common there…o_0)

While it is quite long for a Japanese drama, I cannot recommend it enough. If you like Japanese dramas, this one has to be towards the top of your watch list as far as classic dramas.

Favorites: Favorite Character: Hotaru! Definitely the best character in this drama. Favorite Episode: All of them are good and have different storylines. I like the one with the Yukiko/Sota plotline (it was towards the beginning before she goes back to Tokyo for a while) as well as the controversy with Ryoko Sensei as well as the storylines revolving Shokichi’s grandfather. The blizzard episode was a good one, too! Favorite Scene: The drama is well-shot and I can’t pinpoint a specific scene that I liked the best.

(^^ The lavender fields! The overall nature! Take me to Hokkaido!)

“Kita no Kuni Kara” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭✭½ Beautiful drama. Taking off half a star for those random storylines lol. Acting: ✭✭✭✭✭ This. Cast. That is all. Theme Song: ✭✭✭✭½ If there’s one thing that makes this drama special is this fantastic score. Do yourself a favor and check out the score from Masashi Sada. Total: 14/15

Next Up: “Kanojo wa Kirei Datta” maybe?

While this drama did take me a while to get through (since I started it last September and finished it this April…eep), there were enjoyable moments. I’ve mentioned this before, but with detective dramas, it’s always the same kind of storyline where every episode is one case that gets solved in those 45 minutes. With the same kind of format, you get the same recurring jokes. Kizoku Tantei is another example of that reused format. However, I will say that I liked that Kizoku Tantei’s servants did all the work and the reenactments were the best part of this whole drama.

(^^ His chauffeur, maid and butler are all detectives, too?! And actors? Well, I’m impressed :D)

I don’t think that Aiba and Emi are the strongest actors, but it’s the comedic timing of Namase as Hanagata as well as the Kizoku Tantei entourage that make up for the casting! Hanagata had me laughing out loud with his reactions to Kizoku Tantei and his “magical” ways. Yukie Nakama had a small appearance, mostly as the voice of “Giri.” I just wondered why Aika never just looked up stuff herself and had to use Giri all the time…is she really that lazy which is why she can never one-up the Kizoku Tantei? Hmm…I wonder.

(^^ “What?! You guys were just there! And now you’re here!” Oh Officer Hanagata XD)

If you like mystery/detective dramas, you can try and watch “Kizoku Tantei.” If you’re an Aiba fan, go right ahead and watch it. For me personally as an Arashi fan and a fan of dramas in general, I think there are other mystery/detective dramas that I would recommend over this one (such as ATARU, which I also reviewed!).

Favorites: Favorite Character: Probably Hanagata for comedic relief! Favorite Episode: I liked episodes 6 and 7 which was a continuous storyline. Favorite Scene: Definitely the reenactments and breakdowns of the cases from Kizoku Tantei’s servants!

(^^ What will they think of next?:D)

“Kizoku Tantei” Rating: Story: ✭✭½ So-so detective drama Acting: ✭✭½ The supporting cast had great comedic timing! Theme Song: ✭✭✭ Not my favorite Arashi song but I did love the ending credits which fit it nicely! (also why were the next previews always half in English and half in Japanese? What was the point of that?lol) Total: 8/15

Next Up: “Kita no Kuni Kara”

I know this was based off a Korean drama and since I haven’t seen the Korean version, I don’t have anything to compare with. Therefore, this review will be solely on the Japanese version. When I was watching the first episode, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would be the standard rom-com, but when they brought in that time travel aspect, I was hooked! Okura and Hirose had good chemistry. Although I love Okura, I really did not like his character through most of the drama. He was so immature and ungrateful, not helping out Mio with the housework at all! No wonder she was pissed all the time. Then, he gets to run away from it all and marries someone else…what are you doing, Motoharu?! (Well, if he didn’t do that then there would be no drama^^;;). Also, it was laughable the way they just pretty much forgot about the kids. I think Motoharu cried for like two seconds over losing his kids and then got over it.

(^^ You were just so selfish that you had your own kids disappear, huh?o_0)

The supporting cast was great and you start to care about the other characters such as Motoharu’s best friend, Tsuyama (Matsushita) who falls in love with Mio, the mysterious man that is Koike and the unlikely couple of Motoharu’s sister and best friend, Nagisa and Naoki. Even Motoharu’s co-worker, Shinohara got a spin-off! There are many unanswered questions though. Like…how did Koike get the coin and knew he could time travel in the first place? Does that gate only appear when you have the coin? *SPOILER ALERT* how did Mio’s mom have the coin and how did she know about Motoharu and Mio? So many questions!! Besides that, I did thoroughly enjoy the drama! The time travel aspect was a refreshing take on the same-old love triangle trope and it had a great cast. 

Favorites: Favorite Character: Hmm I didn’t particularly like any of the leads lol. Maybe Tsuyama, but maybe it’s cause I felt bad for him>< Favorite Episode: You know…I finished watching this almost four months ago so I really don’t remember XD They were all pretty consistent in terms of moving the story along.  Favorite Scene: When Mio needed someone’s help with a customer who was being scammed and did her secret signal to Motoharu

(^^ “Help! This old lady’s being scammed by someone who she think is her son and this is how I’m telling you!”)

“Familiar Wife” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭½ Cute love story with a twist! Acting: ✭✭✭✭ Such a great main and supporting cast. Theme Song: ✭✭✭✭ Nice ballad from Kanjani8 that fits the drama perfectly. Total: 11.5/15

Next Up: “Kizoku Tantei”

I remember loving the MatsuJun version of Kimi wa Petto, so I was kind of hesitant to watch this one. I mean, MatsuJun was the perfect Momo!! But I ended up loving this version, too! While it is on the long side for a Japanese drama (16 episodes), I think they did a good job in keeping the story intriguing with each episode. The main character, Sumire, did make me shake my head many times (are you that naïve, Sumire?! Come on!!), but her chemistry with Momo was undeniable. Momo was too adorable but his dance career made him look accomplished and cool so he wasn’t just a freeloader XD Jun Shison did a good job in making Momo have that combination of being cute and cool at the same time.

 (^^ I want a Momo, too!)

I always have the second lead complex when I watch dramas, which makes me root for the second love interest instead. This drama was no exception in that I actually really liked Hasumi Senpai. I loved the innocence of his relationship with Sumire and the fact that they still used their surnames when referring to each other even when they’re in a relationship. However, when Fukushima (Yanagi) started pursuing Hasumi more and more (even moving to Korea to be his pet), I started to like Hasumi less and less. I did not like they ended up together because she was very manipulative and it just made it seem like it was okay as long as they ended up together, so…yeah, not a great message.

(^^ Girls--even if the guy has a girlfriend, just move in with him and be his pet and he’ll be yours in a matter of months! o_0)

Overall, Kimi wa Petto was a cute rom-com remake. It’s not my favorite rom-com of all time, but if you want to watch something that will give you that ‘kyun-kyun’ feeling, I would recommend it!

Favorites: Favorite Character: Momo (Takeshi) for sure!!<3 Favorite Episode: Mmm…there were so many, it’s so hard to choose!!>< Favorite Scene: Whenever that gross guy Sumire went on that first date with would say ‘Harvard’ lol! jkjk

(^^ ‘They didn’t teach me that in…Harvard!’ Did they teach you how to pronounce Harvard at Harvard? XD)

“Kimi wa Petto (2017)” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭ (Cute rom-com!) Acting: ✭✭✭ (I didn’t know any of these actors/actresses but they all did a good job!) Theme Song: ✭✭✭ (I liked the intro song better, but both fit the drama well) Total: 9/15

Next Up: “Kizoku Tantei”

This drama just hit right in the feels. It’s super cute and my poor heart went ‘kyun-kyun’ many times throughout XD Sakura is a very likable main character. She’s older but she’s still so pure. The fact that Hiroto wasn’t a great guy at first but changed because of Sakura, made him all the better and a perfect match. Although, I did like Rintaro for Sakura, too. This is the problem with J-drama love triangles…I always end up liking both options and don’t want to see the other one get hurt.

(^^ But who can say no to this pretty face?><)

Sakura’s friends, Shima (Hasegawa) and Miki (Otsuka) are great supporting characters who have their own drama as well. Miki’s husband almost cheats on Miki with Shima but learns to appreciate his wife with Shima’s help. Chiyoko (Nanao) makes a good antagonist, but you can’t really see her as a villain since she just wants to be loved by Rintaro (she is the one who encourages Hiroto to pursue Sakura).

(^^ Um…Chiyoko, you okay? O_o)

With a fun cast of characters, multiple story lines and a classic love triangle, “Last Cinderella” is the epitome of a J-drama rom-com and I loved every second of it.

Favorites: Favorite Character: Gotta go with my main girl, Sakura! A very relatable and likeable protagonist which is hard to find these days in a J-drama rom-com! Favorite Episode: Ahh…I can’t think of one! They were all good!>< Favorite Scene: Hiroto picking up and carrying Sakura at the BMX competition, Sakura’s meeting with Rintaro’s mom, Hiroto opening up to Sakura about how he hurt Chiyoko…there are way too many to count!!

(^^ And Sakura and Rintaro bonding at the batting cages…I love their friendship!)

“Last Cinderella” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭✭½ A newer rom-com classic…even though it is seven years old^^;; Acting: ✭✭✭✭½ Amazing cast! The three main actors were perfect. Theme Song: ✭✭✭✭ So catchy!! Total: 13/15

Next Up: Kimi wa Petto (2017)

I absolutely loved the first season of 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi. It was a very refreshing drama and made me LOL on many occasions. The second season was no exception! With more oyaji gags and intriguing cases, season 2 is on par and may be even be better than its’ predecessor. One of the reasons I loved the first season so much was the dynamic and chemistry between the legal team especially Miyama and Sada. This was not lost in the second season and I believe the team dynamic was even stronger as they worked together before.  I love the reenactments they do for crime scenes and it just makes the whole drama more lighthearted and fun even if it is revolved around the unjust legal system of Japan.

(^^ Each person playing a role:) )

I knew I was going to miss Nana Eikura as Ayano Tachibana (Nana was actually pregnant at the time which explains her absence from this season). However, Fumino Kimura as Ozaki meshed with the team well and it was great to make her character a former judge which brought a new perspective to these cases. I also loved the fact that they gave her a unique interest in ventriloquism like Tachibana with her pro-wrestling. It made her more likable albeit quirky. We still got references to pro-wrestling throughout the show with the new paralegal who took Togawa’s place, Nakatsuka (Azusa Babazono—hey, from Terrace House!). But I loved that Nana showed up at the end for a short cameo;)

(^^ “*Ribbit* What are you going to do, Ozaki?” Miyama’s inner thoughts: “Um…what are you doing?” XD)

A general understanding of the Japanese language to understand some of the puns as well as Japanese pro-wrestling culture would be more helpful in enjoying the drama (just like last season). However, each episode was as thought-provoking and hilarious as the next, which makes this one of my favorite drama series to date.

Favorites: Favorite Character: Miyama for sure! I cannot get over his Oyaji gags! Favorite Episode: I liked how Miyama and Ozaki were able to provide justice to their loved ones in episodes 2 and 6. I also liked episode 8 with the politician since it was so clever! Favorite Scene: Sada laughing over Miyama’s oyaji gags always gets to me XD

(^^“It’s a whole thing with them. This is the only thing they have in common”)

“99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi - Season II” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭✭½ (clever and so funny, the writing just gets you hooked on the story from beginning to end) Acting: ✭✭✭✭½ (amazing cast and Kimura was a great addition!) Theme Song: ✭✭✭✭ (not my favorite Arashi song, but fits the drama and well, catchy is catchy) Total: 13/15

Next Up: “Last Cinderella”