Satsui no Michinori Episodes 3~7

 

Satsui no Michinori can at times feel like an excuse for writer Bakarythm and Arata to hang out with two young actresses and shoot the shit on the pretense of shooting a dorama about committing a murder because of the steady pace and dry humour.

However, watching Satui no Michinori, you can tell that Bakarythm has given much thought to the script because as slow and steady as the pacing is, Bakarthym knows how to pay things off. 

Bakathrym knows how to set things up so that the story goes somewhere that is connected to where it went before and it is brilliant, especially episode 3 and 7.

The question is of course, whether Satsui no Michinori is must watch brilliant? At the moment the answer is no (subject to change) but I still recommend everyone to watch this. 

Put up with the dry humour if you must but I promise it will be worth it. WOWOW has done it again.

35-sai no Shoujo Episodes 6-10

First off, the story got over my grooming concerns of the story but accelerating Nozomi's mental growth at a crazy pace. 

I would have thought it would take years for Nozomi's mental age to catch up but who knows? Its not like there have been cases of kids in comas for 25 years to base this on.

I enjoyed the dark turn that the story takes when Yuto tells her that he has to compromise his principles and she should grow up and act her age.

While Nozomi is trying to catch up for lost time, every other character is stuck in the past and she blames herself for it.

I enjoyed Shibasaki Kou's acting in this show as she does a decent job of portraying Nozomi through many mental stages.

The last episode though I did not like. Way too cheesy and everything is wrapped up too neatly in a bow.

The struggles that Yuto and Manami go through, they were entertaining characters but their struggles were undercooked and not... real enough.

On the whole I enjoyed 35-sai no Shoujo. It was an interesting concept that was decently executed but wasn't as satisfying for me. Watchable.

Koisuru Hahatachi Episode 8: Corona has arrived in jdoramaland

I have been waiting for the current corona public health crisis to feature in jdoramas for a while. It has probably happened already, just not among the jdoramas I watch.

I was of two minds about jdoramas incorporating corona. On one hand I want to escape from this depressing reality that we find ourselves in but on the other hand the world has changed so jdoramas should reflect the real world. Plus, things aren't going back to the way they were anytime soon.

I don't know why I was so happy to see remote working and mask wearing in Episode 8 of Koisuru Hahatachi. I think there is feeling of empathy when you know exactly what the characters are going through.

As for Koisuru Hahatachi, I thought I would know the story would go since I've probably seen 50 cheating housewives doramas by now but Koisuru Hahatachi has managed to surprise me with its twists and turns.

I would say its quite entertaining as long as you don't expect much and yes, someone really needs to intervene  in Kimura Yoshino's life and get her to eat some food. I have no idea how she is even breathing with how skinny she is. Watchable show and thanks hanadaya for subbing the series!

Yoru ga Dorehodo Kurakutemo Episode 1

I have been eagerly anticipating this show set in the same world as Siren no Zange and also covering the same issues; the relationship between crime and media and the police. Big thank you to citrine for subbing this.

The main character in Yoru ga Dorehodo Kurakutemo is the deputy editor of a weekly tabloid Shuukan Jiryuu, Shiga played by Kamikawa Takaya. In the beginning of the episode he tells this new transferee Inami who has been given the task of writing up on a idoru's scandal that the job of a tabloid reporter is to be hated.

Not long after, we find out that Shiga's son is suspected of killing a couple before trying to commit suicide. The deputy editor of Shuukan Jiryuu who hunts scandals has now become the target of the media.

I enjoy shows that make me think and Yoru ga Dorehodo Kurakutemo has made me think about how media sells by attacking people and jumping to conclusions. I also enjoyed Shiga's reaction to all that is happening to him because he knows exactly what is happening as he has done this many times to others. Although I must say, Shiga's writing of the article is way to naive for someone of his experience but I he probably can't think straight with all that has happened.

There is one thing I really don't want to happen with this story and that is I don't want the new transferee Inami to be revealed as the mastermind.  That would just cheapen the story and the characters.

If you have seen Siren no Zange and want more, definitely watch Yoru ga Dorehodo Kurakutemo. If you have not seen Siren no Zange, give it a go and lower your expectations and you might find an interesting show about media and crime.

Neko Episodes 1~3

Wherever HPriest goes, I usually follow and this time he is subbing a show called Neko is unfortunately is not about cats. 

Its about a girl Kaneko Mineko who has a brain tumour and a boy named Amane Koji who meet because of a cat and how their relationship progresses.

Neko is a cute and simple love story set in a seaside town about Mineko and Koji with lots of crying. Speaking of seaside town, I want to go back to Kamakura!

I don't think Neko is anything special but its simple fun there is a twist at the end of episode 3 which makes me want to keep watching.

My only complaint is that there are not enough cat scenes. Recommended for people who like young love + cancer doramas. Watchable.

Yoru no Sensei Episodes 2-10

THINGS I LIKED

+ Its got a lot of my favourite actors ie Mizuki Arisa, Renbutsu Misako and Yamamoto Koji

+My favourite episode is Episode 8 about the old dude.

MEH

= Formulaic GTO style story with an annoying teacher.

= I never really fell in love with the characters.

= I think Medaka is much better but then I haven't seen Medaka in a long time

 

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE

- Sometimes tries too hard to be emotional

- Some episodes are very meh.

 SUMMARY

OK GTO show about underdog students at a night school that is by the numbers. Watchable if you don't expect much but I would recommend Medaka if you have not seen it.

Satsui no Michinori Episodes 1+2

Satsui no Michinori is a revenge murder dorama from WOWOW written by Bakarhythm. WOWOW you can normally associate with murder jdoramas but definitely not Bakarhythm and this is a very Bakarhythm script.

Arata's father commits suicide because he gets into debt because of an evil CEO. Arata plots wants revenge and his cousin Bakarhythm joins in his plan. The story is about the two cousins coming up with their plan step by step and they are not the brightest of criminals.

Satsui no Michinori is less slapstick, more dry humour. Everything is taken seriously by the characters and I wonder how the actors even keep a straight face. 

While the first two episodes have been slightly amusing with it dry humour, I am hoping the story will kick up a gear in episode 3.

Can't go wrong with WOWOW and Bakarhythm and subs by HPriest. Watchable.

24 Japan Episodes 1-7

I am surprised 24 Japan has not been subbed yet. 24 Japan is the remake of the American tv show that become famous many years ago because it was set in real time, as in an hour on the show corresponds with one hour in the story. I remember watching the original but I don't think I ever finished it.

24 Japan has got a crazy good cast and if it doesn't work it won't be because of lack of talent. Karasawa Toshiaki is the main character who works in CTU aka Counter Terrorist Unit and his story is about uncovering an assassination plan and Nakama Yukie is the other main character Urara who is on the verge on becoming Japan's first female prime minister.

For supporting actors we have Kimura Tae, Kuriyama Chiaki, Asakura Aki aka Kabukicho Bengonin Rinka and Katase Nana. Couldn't be happier with the acting talent.

I have one very big complaint is that the directors love to shoot the actors and not much background. I am not sure whether this is a stylistic choice or a budget/covid-19 choice. There's a gunfight scene in episode 2 and you need to have some wideshots and shots from character's POV to establish where characters are geographically.

This has always been the problem with action in jdoramas where geography and telling the story with action is not prioritised. Its an annoying thing that I had to put up with but considering the current world health crisis I am happy just to watch jdoramas to watch.

Once the story gets rolling, it gets very exciting with plenty of twists and turns and I caught up to episode 7 very quickly. There are somethings that are very outrageous like the end of episode 1 and I have to admit the fast forwarding some scenes on episode 6 and 7.

I can't stand the Karasawa Toshiaki's daughter but I love the Nakama Yukie political dorama. Nothing like watching characters who are between a rock and a hard place. Can't wait to see how the stories will come together. 

There are unfortunately no English subs but someone at nyaa has retimed the Japanese subs so I could follow the story much better. Watchable.

Edit: Looks like kawaihitotachi is subbing the series at d-addicts.

Siren no Zange Episodes 2-4

Siren no Zange is based on a novel by Nakayama Shichiri who also wrote the novel upon which Akuma no Bengonin was based on. If you have no seen it, seek out Akuma no Bengonin because its one of my favourite shows of the year.

Araki Yuko is not main actress material. There is nothing really bad about her acting but there's nothing good either and it feels like she is out of her depth. Araki Yuko needs to spend a lot of time playing supporting roles before she is given a main one again.

Siren no Zange is a fun jdorama about the roles and responsibilities of journalism and how much power and damage they can do, especially when journalists try to jump the shark and get it wrong.

My favourite character in the show is the sleazy chief who knows very well how to play the game and is willing to sacrifice anyone for ratings or to take the blame. Love this scene where he makes the father of the girl who tried to suicide blow up. Sometimes Japanese shows can be summed up as trying to get someone else to take the blame without looking at the cause.

The series was riveting to the end but I have to say I disagreed with the ending because I am pretty sure the public with have put 2 and 2 together and something bad would have happened. 

I get why the ending had to happen because of the story but what happened was a tragedy and not something to be judged in the court of public opinion.

Siren no Zange did not turn into a must watch show but it is definitely a very watchable one. WOWOW has another Nakayama Shichiri dorama coming out soon; Yoru ga Dorehodo Kurakudemo and I am looking forward to it! Big thanks to HPriest for subbing this.