BG: Personal Bodyguard (2018)

This is 100% a must watch!

From story to the character build-up, and even the twist plots had me almost falling off my seat! The ideas and thought process for each episode was splendid and nothing too predictable.

There wasn't extreme depth into all the characters pasts, and there were times other characters were acting a little too stupid. However, when I think about there are people who would act like that so I didn't pay to much mind to it.

If I am to be candid, the story felt very real and up close. It didn't step away from what people would think their job is and even the dialogue was realistic to a point that I cried (I will not spoil why).

So if your looking for an action/friendship j-drama, don't hesitate! GO WATCH THIS!

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“I will stay by your side until the end of my mission” - Akira Shimazaki

BG Personal Bodyguard tells the story of Akira Shimazaki and his team in the newly set up bodyguard division of Hinode Security Services, as they carry out their duties for a wide range of clients. Amidst the many diversely unique circumstances his dangerous assignments entail, Akira has to shoulder the heavy burden of his troubled past and navigate the travails of being a single parent whilst dealing with a simmering underlying romantic tension as well as an enveloping feud with the Metropolitan Police Department’s own officially sanctioned bodyguard section, the Security Bureau division.

This is a brilliant show that has everything viewers could possibly hope for in a TV programme format and exemplifies nearly every aspect of drama production done well and beyond.

Headlined by the much-loved Takuya Kimura in the leading role, no superlatives are ever enough in describing the fine professional that he is, and for this role he has once again fulfilled the gold standard that we have come to expect of him. The character of Akira Shimazaki is one that demands such high levels of multi-layered complexity that only Kimutaku could accomplish through his nuanced performance. Even the physical exertions demanded to make this portrayal believable is delivered with aplomb.

Credit must also go to the excellent writing behind this production, which is provided by the hugely experienced screenwriter Inoue Yumiko. The key characters and their relationship dynamics, creative bodyguard assignments, compelling dialogue, clever overarching plot, the twists and turns are all deftly conceived and interwoven to produce this distinctive drama. Having written numerous highly-rated shows for more than 25 years, this drama is the first based on her screenplay that I have watched. I shall definitely make sure to savour more from her portfolio of works after this.

The overall production is top notch and exudes a simplistic brilliance where the pacing of the story progression from the episodic arcs to the main plot neatly accommodates ample character development before finally concluding in a thrilling climax. Decent performances by the supporting cast, in particular Eguchi Yosuke’s version of the antagonistic Ochiai Yoshiaki, Saitoh Takumi’s cold and detached Takanashi Masaya, and Ishida Yuriko’s intriguingly complicated Minister of Health, Tachihara Aiko. Special mention goes to the award-winning Kamikawa Takaya, whose understated portrayal of Murata Goro is both emotional and poignant.

Personally for me, BG Personal Bodyguard is not just an awesome drama with a solid story and all-round performances. I have watched a lot of bodyguard movies starring the likes of Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Michael Douglas, and Gerard Butler. But Kimutaku’s version showcases a different side to the profession, a more realistic and humane perspective without the gratuitous violence of a gung-ho one-man show. It’s a roller coaster of emotions that conveys the meaning of friendship, teamwork, accountability, and loyalty in service of protecting others.

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It was a fun, fresh and quick drama that you can watch easily at the end of the day.
For the story, the cases weren't that solid. But as I aforementioned, the episodes were quick and you won't be frustrated. This was not meant to be a long tight story that goes on through the whole episodes and make you think of the world. Some stories weren't that convincing, but c'mon it is just a time-pass drama.
The cast was very good. I can't say it was great, as it needn't master scenes to show their capacities. One of the fun elements; the chemistry among the actors. They were really one team.
I found the music sweet and goes in line with the fast pace of the drama.
One last thing, I can rewatch it easily.

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This is a Seinen drama .
It demands maturity from the viewers , if you're here to entertain yourself with non sense action and stuff , better stop here .
When you think of a Bodyguard and all the plots you must've ever watched .
The real depiction is off from far , considering how there are so flashy and unrealistic .
A man protecting and fighting all the people alone .

This drama is on another level in terms of depicting how this field of bodyguard works .
After all even they are human .
The fights and plot progression are to a point professionally dealt which is the highlighting point of this drama .

There's a sniff of romance, but the writers just snatch it off whenever the point comes .
It's the kind of romance which makes you crave for more .

As far as the acting is concerned , there's hardly any negative point .
They made use of the whole cast which was limited phenomenally which is surprising .
All of them were just excellent .

A perfect drama with a bit cliche' ending , but that's fine .

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This was the very first Japanese action drama that I've watched. I love action Japanese movies and have watched a lot in my life time but I had no idea dramas such as this existed.

I don't know who the main character-Kimura Takuya-is and I ask myself how could I not know??? Who needs a weapon when you can do what he does!!

This series did not disappoint me in the least. I could've watched every episode in one day but not knowing what I was getting myself into I only watched a few episodes at night and immediately watched the rest the next day. When I saw a second season was out-yes you guessed it. I was wondering how the second season would fair to this one and that held on it own too!

I never thought I would bawl in these action dramas but there were a few episodes where I was able to hold them back.

If I could find more like these then I'm going to return to being that couch potato I once was when TV was the way it was.

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I have to start this review off with: this is not a series to miss! Only 9 episodes is a shame but it is packed full with every type of genre you could imagine; heroes, villains, suspense, romance, drama, upsets, thrillers, mysteries, action, and so much more. I have never fallen in love with a television show so fast in my life!

At first I began watching this for the cast, with three of my favorite male actors (Kimura Takuya, Mamiya Shotaro, Saito Takumi) and one of my favorite female actresses (Nanao) this show was on my "to watch" list ever since the first trailer! Not one of these actors/actresses disappointed throughout the entire show; I saw new sides of them I've never seen and am excited to continue following their careers. Each actor/actress showed their true self within each character and it was amazing to watch them work as a team from beginning to end.

Each episode was full of emotions, laughter and tears, anger and happiness, frustration and so much more! I cannot count how many times I laughed within this series, though I can count how many times I cried. This show is ingenious, unique, honest, smart, full of reality, bittersweet, and a perfection that should be seen by so many more people and should definitely have more than 9 episodes!

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Versus....

I needed a change of pace so I stumbled upon this drama and was hooked from the first minute in spite of terrible cinematography (I am really sensitive to pretty visuals and this one was cold and frankly ugly).

The story follows a disgraced, former bodyguard who is offered a second chance at it. Through a series of jobs, we discover his past, the reasons for his fall from grace and his redemption.

The bodyguard, Shimazaki Akira, is a complex character, all the nuances perfectly painted. He does not say much but sees everything, quick on his feet with dry humour. The relationship with his "rebellious" teen son is so on point: behind the sulky teen hides a boy who deeply loves his father. His coworkers, who know nothing of his pas career as a bodyguard, appreciate him barely considering him an oldtimer. As the cases pile up, his skills become evident and the reluctant colleague becomes a friend.

The drama also pits the official police security services who are armed against the private unarmed ones, proving over and over again that being armed is often a wrong solution. The police security boss is vehemently against the private firm, trying everything in his power to discredit them while they keep proving to him their competence and skill which the official bodyguards sometimes lack!

Beside "case of the week", there is a drama long arc following a female politician as she tries to make it in the macho world. She recognizes Akira's skills immediately and is drawn to him. There is a spark of romance here, very slight and which is eventually nipped in the bud: she choses her career over having a private life! This is another point this drama is trying to make: the gender disparity in Japan. How to make it as a women in a man's world? What sacrifices a woman needs to make which are never asked of men? In a way it is tragic but it is also, thanks to the women like this one, that societies evolve, open up and become more tolerant!

The drama is well written, the music is grandiose, sometimes even pompous for a bodyguard show (probably on purpose: sacrificing one's life to protect others and so on...), the actors are all perfect.

An excellent watch!

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