Hamsapsukebe 2016 jdorama awards

Welcome to the annual Hamsapsukebe awards, the only jdorama award that will never be given to Aragaki Yui just because her show is popular because a Hamsapsukebe award is about excellence in jdorama and not making talent agencies happy. However, I am willing to sell my soul and give her an award if her agency will give me two tickets to Japan every year. :)

MOST BEAUTIFUL JDORAMA

KENJA NO AI

TV is a visual medium and unfortunately not much emphasis is given to the visuals, colours or the camera placement. A lot of it is due to the fact that there is not much time and money so its about shooting 10 episodes as efficiently as possible. That's why so many jdoramas feel like someone built three sets, lit everything up with the force of a thousand suns and used the same three camera placements all throughout the shoot.  Plus most of the people who watch jdoramas don't really care whether a show used too much fuzzy lighting or knows how to use shadows to accentuate the foreground. They just want to look at beautiful people instead of beautiful images.

So when a jdorama strives to achieve excellence in its visuals, it must be praised and Kenja no Ai has achieved something even most movies cannot match. The sumptuous visuals serve to dress up the great acting to provide and absolute feast for your eyes.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (TIED)

YAMAGUCHI SAYAKA - UNMEI NI, NITA KOI

TAKAOKA SAKI - KENJA NO AI

Very, very close race between Yamaguchi Sayaka and Takaoka Saki from Kenja no Ai. Both giving great performances as the jealous antagonist. I was bouncing back and forth between both, slept on it and then skimmed though both shows. Debated making it a tie and changed my mind a few times. You know what, these two gave the best performances of 2016 and both of them deserved to be recognised.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

SANTAMARIA YUSUKE - COLD CASE

A much version of his character from Hi no Ko. I know he's more guest star than supporting act but the two episodes he is in are so good and basically saved the show. Its incredible how he can excel in both comedies and serious stuff.

BEST ACTRESS

NAKAYAMA MIHO - KENJA NO AI

If you told me Aso Kumiko deserves this I won't argue with you.

BEST ACTOR

MINETA KAZUNOBU - KISEKI NO HITO

I was going to give it to Kamikawa Takaya for Shizumanu Taiyo but then there's something to be said about playing a simpleton and the balancing act of making him likeable and not letting the audience dislike his straightforwardness. I can't think of anyone else who could have done Mineta Kazunobu's job as well.


ALMOST MUST WATCH JDORAMA AWARD

I've never given this out but this year had a huge lot of shows that were very good, but just stopped short of being must watch in my book but I need to give these shows some love.

KISEKI NO HITO

I bloody love this show and its killing me not giving it a must watch.

JUKEN NO CINDERELLA

It never reached that level of greatness but it was so fun to watch.

KIBOUGAOKA NO HITOBITO

Need Sawamura Ikki to do more WOWOW shows instead of more crap like Rental Kyuuseishu. The pay is probably a lot less but he'll get to actually act and say great lines.

KUROI 10-NIN NO ONNA

Bakarythm almost made a classic jdorama which is more than what most jdoramas can say.

ARECHI NO KOI

Great acting from Toyokawa Etsushi and Suzuki Kyoka.


BEST 5 JDORAMAS OF 2016

UNMEI NI NITA KOI

I  didn't give it a must watch but that's because the degree of difficulty to pull off a really good older woman younger man jdorama that does not become a stereotypical housewife fantasy is very high. If the chemistry were better, it would have challenged Kenja no Ai for best show of 2016.

Actually, fuck it. I'm retroactively awarding it a must watch cause of Yamaguchi Sayaka. Its not like they had negative chemistry anyway.

JUHAN SHUTTAI!

I hated the first episode, kept watching and everything after that was perfect.

SHIZUMANU TAIYO

Not as good as the classic Fumo Chitai but still a good enough show about the good guy trying to do the right thing.

MIDNIGHT DINER TOKYO STORIES

Shinya Shokudo is back to form after a so so season 3 and movie.

KENJA NO AI

Why hasn't this WOWOW masterpiece been English subbed? The fact it hasn't been subbed is a crime against humanity! Looks like Kenja no Ai is being subbed at http://kataomoinoaji.livejournal.com. Thanks to anonymous for the info. Everyone needs to watch this! Its such an incredible show about friendship, revenge and jealousy.