the Good and the Bad [summer dramas 2011]

So which dramas are your favorite this season? I've put up the poll on the sidebar of this site and hopefully most of you have voted for your favs! The poll's closed and the winners are as such (only top 3 because I don't know what the other dramas are):

1. IS~ Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei - Fan favorite and to know why, scroll down to my opinions.
2. Zenkai Girl
3. Soredemo Ikite Yuku

Well...as to close the season's chapter, I've decided to write up a brief review of the dramas for the season by ranking them. Just like what I did for the previous season, and if you've read my post earlier on the season so far this is somewhat similar to it. Just a much more complete version and so let's see which ones make it to the top and which ones fall flat!

Well the ranking is according to my own taste and feelings for the dramas though, so it might differ from yours. Nevertheless, I'll try to be un-biased hehe...so here goes:

1. Soredemo Ikite Yuku - 9.5/10

Yup! This is by far one of the BEST Japanese dramas I've watched. Frankly, I didn't really expect much from it except for the fact that Eita is in it, which first prompted me to watch. But my my my...it totally blew me away with the writings, plot, acting and overall atmosphere. Eita definitely shines in this show, as well as his partner, Hikari Mitsushima who surprised me a lot with her acting skillz. Do not underestimate any of the characters and do not be fooled by the ratings the show gets throughout, because that do not do any justice at all for the show.  It's depressingly good so be prepared for few tissues in hand because you're gonna need them ( I did), but that's not all. The performances by both Eita and Hikari should be given much credit for making it so surreal, raw and engaging. You're immediately pulled into their world and you actually feel what they're going through. So if neither of them gets Best Actor or Actress in the TV awards soon, I'm definitely going to be really disappointed. They deserve a lot for their work on this show. Well, I'm not sure why the show's really underrated so far, as you can see from the poll itself, it's not really that popular among the viewers. Maybe it's the nature of the show being so depressing and filled with sorrow, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. And it just might be because I love serious themed dramas/movies. Nevertheless, I still highly recommend this because you get not only solid storyline, but remarkable acting from the fellow casts too. Look out for Eita's socks' mismatch lolz...

2. IS~ Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei - 9/10

I think it's obviously proven from the poll that this show's not just any ordinary drama. It definitely isn't as it deals with the topic of Intersexual (google up to know the term). IS is a topic not much explored, at least I haven't seen any other dramas recently about the topic. There might have been in the west, I'm not sure but for Japanese dramas as far as I know, this is the first one to explore the term in much detail. Just fyi, it's based on the manga with the same name. Do check it out guys, it's good. I find it's something unique and brave for the writers and also not forgetting the casts to work in this drama, bringing the characters in the manga to life. We should always remind ourselves that these characters may be fictional, but they do exist among us in the society. Plot-wise it's somewhat similar to the manga with additional mild changes. Moving on to performances, bravo to Fukuda Saki for making Haru so realistic, just by the way he walks and talks, all the subtle body languages, you'd never have known that Fukuda Saki was once the famous evil girl in school as Manami back in LIFE (for which she won Best Supporting Actress). Gouriki Ayame has her shining moments as well. IF you're looking for something different from the norm, not cliche, and most of all, an eye-opener for the ignorant society, do not miss this as I'm not sure if anything like this will come around again.

3. Zenkai Girl - 8.8/10

This seems to be really popular among viewers this season and I'm not denying the ratings it's been getting throughout. I can see why it's doing good. You have Aragaki Yui and Ryo who might have really supportive fans and it started off really strong with a solid plot and Wakaba (Aragaki Yui) is a really fun character to watch before it slowly goes down the drain toward the end. I may sound quite harsh here, but it's draggy-ness and the super annoying indecisiveness of the main characters really drives me to the wall at times and frankly, I did nearly lose interest halfway through. Not to mention the overused plot especially in the ending. However, despite all those weaknesses, it's still a decent show and has places where it shines. Things to look out for - the animations which is rather amusing, great child actors/actresses way beyond their age and hilarious comic moments.

4. Don Quixote  - 8.5/10

Initially, the first episode didn't amaze me as much as it's following episodes. This is a show with a simple plot (body exchanges) but involving a child welfare worker and a yakuza makes it all the more interesting. I really like Matsuda Shota in this. His constant outburst of harsh words with rough manners are really amusing to watch. Let's not forget his partner in crime, Takahashi Katsumi who really did a great job with his softie character lol. It's an episodic drama but their antics are worth watching as they'll definitely give you a really good laugh! This is the best comedy this season, so try this out for something to cheer you up.

5. Team Batista 3 & Zettai Reido 2  - 8/10

This is a tie because they're both in the same genre (well similar anyway). This is also actually my first Batista series so I can't compare this one with its predecessors, but I find myself really liking this 3rd one. It's a great suspense and I'm constantly wondering who's the real criminal when everyone's just so suspicious. As for ZR, this is the second season...though the first few episodes are kinda just there (because it's episodic), the second half of the show picks up better for me because things got more serious and thrilling toward the end. Aya's character is somehow pretty limited though, so I don't blame her for not being able to fully impress in the drama. However, this show gets higher ratings with an average of 13.02%.

6. Bull Doctor  - 8/10

This is actually the winner of the season with an average of 13.12% according to the TV ratings. However, in this ranking, I'm putting it here on the 6th spot because there's nothing much to shout about for this show. It's using forensics to solve cases but not entirely focused on it that I don't really learn much from it, and you'll hear preaching in almost every episode xD But it's not entirely bad or boring, because what amuses me most is actually the interaction or the chemistry between both main characters. That said, I don't actually mind if there's a 2nd season considering the high ratings it's getting.

Then, we have Jiu and Hi wa Mata Noboru as the ones that got into the list before we move onto the BAD. I wasn't planning on watching both of these, but then decided to just give them a try and surprisingly I finished them. So for a show that I actually finished, they're okay.

THE BAD

No ranking for this...but these are the ones that I lost interest halfway and didn't finish watching at all. Hanawake no Yonshimai in the first few episodes were quite good and appealing but since ep5 and 6, I totally lost interest and didn't bother continuing anymore. This is one of those that I actually don't care at all what happens to the characters, or how it''ll end. The characters are self-destructive and a lot of plot holes which just don't make sense. This is also the show that I found my most hated male character. I've never despised a character so much for such a long time! I can't give the name because guess what? I didn't even bother remembering his name. But he's easy to figure out if you've watched the show or read my reviews before. I find it a pity because the show's got this promising plot with several strong casts (the four sisters), but the writers decide to waste them.

Another one is the remake of HanaKimi - I gave up after only watching for 20 minutes. So go figure. Why remake something already sooo goood that is still etched on our minds? It would've worked fine if the remake's done in like...20-30 years time but not 5 years after the original. Well, that sums it all up really.

So this is my ranking for the season. Overall, it's got better offerings than the last for me. You've got some really brilliant works for example Soredemo Ikite Yuku and IS. Then for a good comedy you have Don Quixote and comedy+drama, you have Zenkai Girl. As for detective/mystery genre, you have the likes of Zettai Reido 2 and Team Batista 3. Here's to hoping the next season will be a good one too!

What do you think? Feel free to pour out your thoughts/opinions for this season!~

Don Quixote [ep 11 End]

The show has finally come to an end. A quite satisfying end I’d say. The show’s been pretty consistent in delivering, at least I find it very humorous and jokes aside, there are things to learn from it too. But at least the moral values aren’t slapped on your faces like some shows do when they keep on preaching toward the end every episode. Instead, they took the unconventional way to deliver it to viewers, mixed with comedy that’ll send you laughing non-stop.

In the last episode, Sabashima finds himself torn between a case involving a hygene-freak mother whose child has never left home except to the hospital for medical checkup and also the upcoming Gangster Card Game to determine the next President. Since Shirota doesn’t really play cards, Sabashima provides support by counselling them before the big day. On the same day too, Sabashima is put in charge of the back-up plan because they plan to ‘kidnap’ the poor kid from the mother during their hospital visit. I was thinking that shouldn’t the action itself amount to kidnapping? I don’t know but the way they try to snatch the kid away from the mother right there is a bit forceful, though I understand that’s the only chance when the kid’s separated from the mother. 

Meanwhile, during the Card game…okay, seriously…CARD GAME? I was thinking the ‘sealed thing’ will be something more scary? I mean, they’re yakuza! I’m thinking between the lines of swords and say..guns? lolz…but it’s okay because at the end, they did serve us with those. Because when yakuza is involved, you cannot end the show without any swordfight or guns! xDD

When both sides reach a tie, Sabashima (in Shirota’s body) is chosen as the 6^th representative, and him being him, he lost because of a false start sighhh… but either way, I don’t mind even if he didn’t actually win. After the current President announces that he'll decide the winner at another time, one of Ajisawa's followers hires an assassin to Sabashima's turf to kill him. Hyodo rocks with the sword!!! Even if the part how he blocks each and every one of the flying bullets with the sword is too good to be true. Finally we get to see some yakuza fighting.

As for Sabashima, despite losing at the Cards Game, he successfully saves the kiddo with a bicycle lol. I like the bicycle part a lot actually. The little stroll around town, stopping by and watching whatever other people is doing. It’s really cute to watch them both on a bicycle and him talking to a kid. As rough as he is, he has his own soft side, and that’s what I like about Sabashima.

Case is solved when the kid tells the mother how she loves the outside world and gets to see a lot of stuffs. Well of course you get to see different things when you're trapped in a four sided walls with enclosed shutters and the only smell you know is the anti-bacterial spray. 

Since the show's ending, there should be some closure to the characters. Sachiko finally gets her first key. I like how it resembles something very important and sweet to her considering the fact that she doesn't have a home. But the Chief gives her a duplicate of her house key with the excuse that she can stay over to study.

Sachiko finally has a place she can call home...

And the finale, especially when Yakuza is involved cannot just end blissfully right? At least, not without something huge...or rather, like what Sabashima would say "Pwak dong bang!" Whatever that is. We get another wave of attack toward Sabashima (in Shirota's body) and how convenient for the kids to cross at the same time the attack happens. But I sure love how Sabashima rushes to cover a kid left behind in the chaos. It's the instinct that I respect him for. It's like a reflex already for him to protect kiddos when before, I don't think he'd even dare to go anywhere near the shooter. However, I find it odd that the shooter aims at him instead of Sabashima's body! That's weird! Unless the shooter is a lousy aim.

A little dramatic scene before the end

The whole time I was watching him lying there, in pain, I can't help but laugh! Because I knew there's no way he'd die like this. And with the nature of the show, it will be a happy ending. So it didn't come as a surprise when suddenly, the familiar dark clouds come again, just like the first episode, and their souls change back to their original bodies. 

So they get their original bodies. Though there'll only be two possibilities, one is they go on living each other's lives, another is to have their bodies returned. Either way, it doesn't matter to me actually. A bit cliche no doubt to have their bodies back, but the final scene is amusing. We get to see Hyodo and Nishi-yan with the exact same condition as they are back in ep1. 

Overall thought:

This has been a good show. The premise is simple but with the funny plot and of course, both Shota and Takahashi really makes it all the more amusing to watch. I haven't been that much interested in the previous dramas Shota was in because he didn't stand out there, but this has got to be my favorite of his. I feel like the show's tailor - made for him and Takahashi. Of course, a lot of exaggeration are used because that's the whole point of the show. There are certain shows where exaggeration fails miserably but in cases like Don Quixote and the likes of Nodame Cantabile, the more is better. And it works perfectly with a balance of morale in between. There are serious times and there are times when humor is at its max.

All in all, I truly enjoy this. I wonder if there'll be another season, but kinda unlikely since they're both back in respective bodies. But I won't mind watching another season of this. xD 

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Don Quixote [ep 10]

Another episode to go before the end. I’m itching to know whether Sabashima and Shirota will have their own bodies back in the finale xD Before that, I’m happy that we get to see more of Shirota (in Sabashima’s body) this time. He finds himself in a debate with Ajisawa who sends the duel letter to challenge him. Naturally Shirota is scared to bits but with Sabashima’s encouraging words (eyeroll), he attends the debate with packed confidence only to find that the only encouraging words Sabashima writes him are the usual 3 words “Gans dong Zedong….” Whatever that means! So in the end, Shirota blurts about lizards and his favourite things instead of really answering the questions asked. It results in a severe impact on Sabashima’s online ratings. Who knew yakuza nowadays are so high tech?

Shirota can’t take the pressure any longer and finally runs away. Sabashima finds him and they both get into a heated quarrel causing Sabashima to take a bold step – resign from the welfare. However, he is given a final task before quitting for good. He is to choose the best parents out of 3 choices for this kid he helped before he works at the center (basically only Shirota himself will know). Thinking that the task is easy, he takes it but it turns out to be real tough when he contemplates for days on who to choose among the 3.

On the other hand, Shirota finally understands the real reason why Sabashima wants to be President. It’s a heart-warming twist imo for the writers to give both Yasu and Ken some meaningful story. Thanks to Ayumi, Shirota finds out that Sabashima rescues both Yasu and Ken from the streets and take them in as family. Since then, he dreams of becoming President so that he can give them both their own groups, basically ensuring them their future – even if it means being yakuza leaders xD

The stubborn Sabashima gives up in the end and tells the Chief he can’t choose because he’s not sure which one of the parents will provide the kid with a great loving family down the road. Okay, this is one of the parts in the episode which I find a bit odd. Why can’t he choose? Sure he’s right when he says that in 20 or 30 years time, he can’t be sure which one will guarantee the kid’s future? And then the Chief nods in agreement and she said leave it to them to choose/deal with? So does this mean they know better than him? I thought that since none of them knows which one is the best means anyone of the parents would do (since they’re all portrayed to be good anyway). I can’t find the justification to how the case ends…but that aside, Sabashima pleads silently to the Chief to let him stay longer. The Chief then takes his letter out and tells him he misspells the word, so there’s no way she can accept it. LOL as we can expect from Sabashima and his vocabulary.

So that is solved but what about Shirota and the yakuza? Well, following Sabashima’s famous motto, he uses the 3 words to the fullest and somehow, miraculously manages to touch everyone at the manifesto gathering – which is kinda beyond me. I still don’t get the power of the motto xD

We get a side story too involving Sachiko and her fellow friend. I wonder why he has to leave anyway? Won't it be nice to just have him around till the end? I can only see the writers' purpose to get rid of him as to give Sachiko a chance to develop her character further. How? Probably by making her realize her feelings for him? But there's a catch - it's not the same way as he feels about her. So having him leave is basically so that Sachiko appreciates his existence? 

Still the episode is nicely written, I love the flashbacks and having Yasu and Ken as the main reason Sabashima aims for President is quite touching. Other than the two poorly explained incidents above, I guess as viewers we’re to accept them as given. At least they’re not exactly absurd till I can’t appreciate the show. The preview for the finale looks rather promising and filled with action/drama. So let’s hope they’re able to deliver as well as they did over the past 10 episodes. Don Quixote has been quite satisfying so far and consistent in delivering its plot, the finale should be fine, I hope.

Rating: 8.5/10

Surprisingly Yasu and Ken plays a major role in encouraging Sabashima to aim for President

Sabashima trying to get his job back xDD