Like everything that Ninagawa Mika does, "Followers" is totally an aesthetic, a way of life. From the music, to the visuals, to the fashion, this drama tells the story of powerful women who strive to live by their own rules. Society admires them because they live by their own rules, and yet at the same time, tries to control and tear them down for the same reasons - much like social media, which serves as a tool for and metaphor of the larger narrative. The cast is absolutely fantastic, a wonderful assembly of character actors, particularly in Mari Natsuki, Itaya Yuka, and Kaneko Nobuaki. The pacing of the drama is perfect for Netflix, which allows you to sit and watch it in one sitting (which I did!); I imagine it might feel longer if watched drawn out. Overall, very enjoyable and definitely left me feeling inspired and empowered!

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Just as its title implies, this drama is truly grand - in scale, in its characters, and in its spirit. That is probably what I loved most about "Grand Maison Tokyo" is that I could get lost in the stories of its characters and truly believe them, despite not knowing ANYTHING about the art of French cuisine. Even with a star-studded cast, every character manages to shine and get their moment, while also being an important and cohesive part of the overall drama plot. And honestly, the music also takes you there - the OST and Yamashita Tatsuro's "Recipe" has you feeling those intense moments and those softer, kinder moments so deeply. While the plot does follow the usual ebbs and flows of Japanese dramas, the tight storytelling and character development still managed to be nuanced and surprise me at times. Overall, a highly recommended drama, especially if you enjoy food and Kimura Takuya's acting!

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"Trillion Game" is a hyperbolic ride of a drama. In probably one of the better manga-to-live action adaptations I've seen in awhile (though I haven't read the manga), this drama brings to life the story of two men navigating the business world, aiming to be trillionaires, and makes it one hell of an entertaining suspenseful ride. It's formulaically cheesy at times, and the characters are a little simplistic, but there's something about the execution that is so compelling. For me, it's really two things - the music (what an fantastic and energetic score!) and the acting. Ooh, do Meguro Ren and Imada Mio pack a PUNCH. Separately, both skilled and enjoyable to watch and then when they get to have scenes together - it is so magnetic! Meguro is really challenging himself with the role of Haru, but after an episode or two, I couldn't imagine anyone else as Haru, laughing and dishing out triumphant high fives. Haru is, by far, the most complex character and Meguro truly gives him that nuance in the moments where it requires it the most. The rest of the cast is a pleasure too! So definitely recommend this if you are looking for a ridiculous and wholesome drama to suspend your disbelief for (but once you do, it is SO MUCH fun!) or if you are a huge fan of Meguro Ren (he doesn't disappoint!).

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On paper, "Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo" is not my cup of tea. Cheesy and outright silly with overly caricatured characters, as you would expect from a drama based on a manga. And yet, I absolutely adored this. The cast truly made this drama for me, particularly Sato Takeru. I've been a solid fan of his acting over the years, but he just takes his intensely tsundere character of Tendou-sensei and gives him incredibly beautiful moments of nuance, breaking up his near monotonous stoic image. The plot is quite basic in its flow, and at times, misogynistic, but if you are willing (and perhaps want to) overlook that and just get lost in the romantic banter and guilty pleasure aspects of the drama, it's really enjoyable. This drama's hardly about realism - it's romantic cutesy-ness that will make you giggle if that is your thing. And sometimes, that's all you might want from a drama. :)

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"Gokushufudo" is the slice of life drama I never knew I wanted, but I'm so happy to have watched! It is such a quirky, comedic blend of the yakuza and family genres through a slice of life storytelling style. There's no real point to the drama other than to follow Tatsu through his everyday life as a former yakuza, now househusband, and that's what makes it so easy and fun. The drama is quite quirky - from its clever (and yet simple!) writing to its filming style with heavy-handed manga-style shots, angles, and special effects. I wholeheartedly enjoyed the over-the-top acting from all the actors - Tamaki Hiroshi and Shison Jun in particular. Tamaki absolutely embodies Tatsu! It took me a little bit to get used to the quirkiness of the drama (the filming style and the plot pacing in particular), but once I better understood its style and vibe, I couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous everything was, and how much heart everything that Tatsu did had. I haven't read the manga, so purely from the standpoint of having watched the drama, I would recommend this to anyone looking for some light-hearted fun and laughter.

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"Koi wa Deep ni" is a poppy, offbeat romantic comedy with fairytale vibes. Ishihara Satomi is perfectly cast as Mio, a bubbly and passionate oceanographer who is easy to adore, but has a few secrets. Ayano Go is a little more surprising (but totally enjoyable!) as Rintaro, the tsundere businessman with some baggage. Both do a really good job with these characters, bringing them to life despite somewhat cliche character development (but those cliches are inherently a part of the storytelling style). Outside of the leads, most of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, especially Eitaro and Aika. There's a lot to say about the writing of this drama - it's definitely not what I expected when I initially read the synopsis! It's quite unique (and to say more would spoil the drama itself), but it's that unique quality that makes it fun to see how it all kind of comes together. I wish the pacing could have been a bit better, especially at the end, but I was totally emotionally invested in the main characters and cheering them on, so I guess it worked? ;) Definitely would recommend this drama to Ishihara Satomi fans - she's just so enjoyable in romantic comedy dramas, and this one is a fun one. :)

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"Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi" is a charming and easy-to-watch romantic comedy. Based on a josei manga, this drama is not particularly special in terms of its story or plot - especially right now with "fake marriages" being such a popular trope. However, what really makes this drama are its leads, the rich tsundere Tougo (Yamada Ryosuke) and the poor beautiful girl Ayaka (Hashimoto Kanna). The actors absolutely nail their characters, especially when the story finally takes us below the surface and allows us to better understand some of their trauma and why they are the way they are. Again, the plot itself leaves a bit to be desired, but we get lots of cutesy moments along the way that just kind of make up for it - along with the beloved family dog, Negi! I did want to see more explored with some of the side stories, particularly with Tougo's mother Shizuka (played by the brilliant Matsushima Nanako, who could've brought SO MUCH more depth to her character given the opportunity). Alas, the drama plays to its simple romantic comedy tendencies and leans towards the easier fluffy stuff. Nothing is unexpected, even the ending. Yamada has always been a fantastic actor, but really gets to turn on his idol charm and charisma for this role, which makes him so much fun to watch. It's silly, it's simple, it's cute, and those things are what this drama is built to be, and I recommend it for that. :)

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"Old Rookie" is a feel-good drama. Its greatest strength is how it really emotionally pulls at its audience, and at the core of that is Ayano Go as the "old rookie" Shinmachi Ryotaro. As a retired soccer player, Shinmachi jumps into a new career and joins a sports management company supporting athletes on their professional journeys. He has a real heart of gold as a former athlete who loved his game, and now someone who genuinely wants to "respect" the athletes he supports and provide them with what they want/need. Ayano beautifully brings Shinmachi to life - from his highs to his lows. Everything feels so genuine. That said, Ayano's skill is what truly elevates this drama from a basic week-to-week story about sports management. The rest of the cast is so solid - Eikura Nana, Yoshine Kyoko, Sorimachi Takashi, Masuda Takahisa - and yet, the material just doesn't serve them well; their plots serve Shinmachi's development more than anything else, and when they aren't needed anymore, they're kind of just set aside. Nothing in this drama is surprising or new, but it still manages to be enjoyable because of Ayano's Shinmachi. I wanted more from this drama, but alas, it still was an enjoyable weekly watch - definitely pleasant, but not super memorable.

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"Moekare wa Orenji-iro" is such a simple and easy treat to watch. There's nothing particularly complex about a story about a high school girl falling in love with a firefighter and their journey together. And if you come in expecting only that (really, what all the trailers for this film tell you it's about!), then it's pretty hard to not enjoy the simplicity and cheesiness of this film. Iwamoto Hikaru and Meruru as the lead actors of the film fulfill their roles - they aren't particularly amazing, but they aren't terrible either. Snow Man's "Orange Kiss" is well-suited to the tone of the entire film - light-hearted, poppy, and easy to listen to. Both the movie and the song are easy to take in, but aren't particularly memorable either. Nothing about this film - from the story to the actors - is particularly special or deep. But it's cute, and it's easy, and sometimes, you just want something cheesy and light (and that may give you a slight toothache with how sweet it is!) to watch. And for those moments, when you just need a pick-me-up, I'd recommend this film. :) (And also, obviously, if you are a fan of Iwamoto, definitely check this out!)

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"Saionji-san wa Kaji o Shinai" completely took me by surprise. I expected this to be a typical live-action version of a romantic comedy manga. And in ways it is that, and in a lot of ways, it surpassed my expectations with its incredibly wholesome vibes and also the simple honesty in which is addresses challenging social norms. The cast is solid with Matsumoto Wakana bringing the eccentric, but oh so likable and relatable Saionji Itsuki to life and Matsumura Hokoto serving as a nice foil and pair to her as Kusumi. Kurata Ema as Ruka, Kusumi's daughter, is so cute that she will make your teeth rot, and you will be happy about it. ;) And of course, the amazing Tsuda Kenjiro as Yokoi!! On the whole, the drama strikes the perfect tone for its genre, though I felt the pacing of the plot struggled a little in the final episodes (especially in the handling of the plot points about Saionji's family). And I definitely wanted a little more from the ending, as I wasn't sure what it was trying to do until maybe the last 3 minutes. However, if you can look past those relatively minor notes, the drama will leave you smiling from episode to episode. I truly enjoyed my weekly dose of the Saionji-Kusumi "fake family", and I know that particular episodes will definitely be on my rewatch list when I need a good emotional pick-me-up. :)

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"Scandal Senmon Bengoshi QUEEN" is such a superbly executed drama. Takeuchi Yuko is the titular queen and absolute brilliance at Himi, and the entire crew that surrounds her (including the ever fun Mizukawa Asami) really give the drama its feel - fun, smart, and savvy! The script really elevates the actors too. The story is well-written, and the build to the end is so well-done; I appreciated the writing that much MORE once I finished the drama! As much as I did love the drama though, it's not particularly original as it did feel like a Japanese adaptation of the popular American drama, "Scandal". From the cases that the crisis management team took, to their look of their office, to even the clothing fashion that the team wore, it was very clear that Himi was modeled on Olivia Pope to me. Having said that, I loved the American "Scandal" and I loved this drama too - there is enough originality in this drama that you will still be engaged and love every minute of Takeuchi's Himi. She revels and relishes in the character and it is SO MUCH FUN to watch! :)

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"Zeicho: Haraenai ni wa Wake ga Aru" is a procedural drama about city tax collectors with a lot of comedy and heart. These types of procedurals (where there are episodic stories that eventually connect into an overarching storyline for the characters) can be a little stale if not done right, but the comedic tone and wholesome energy of "Zeicho" makes this one enjoyable. Aiba and Domeki make a fun, if not, predictable pair, all thanks to Kikuchi Fuma's over-the-top goofball energy and Yamada Anna's ability to really hold her own against it all. The human stories are interesting, if not sometimes complex, but the drama does a decent job of demystifying it all for the audience. It's hard not to root for the team as they work as upstanding government workers who want to make sure everyone is paying their taxes to serve and support everyone. Truly a fun and wholesome drama once you can get past the heavy tax law lingo. Kikuchi really makes this one as I didn't know what they were doing casting him in this role, and now I get it. What fun! :)

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"Sakura no Tou" is a truly complex drama about politics, power, and revenge. This is not the usual police drama, serving up "case of the week" episodes. Instead, its overarching story follows Kamijo Ren on his quest for justice to avenge his father by tearing down the Tokyo Metropolitan Police from the inside out. And while following his journey, the audience is led down several paths as we question the complexity and worth of justice as well. The cast of this drama is what made me give it a chance, and I'm totally glad I did! Led by the brilliant Tamaki Hiroshi as Kamijo, the cast takes the the writing of this drama and just pushes it to another level. Scenes with Shiina Kippei and Tamaki Hiroshi matching wits are especially fun to watch. The women in the drama do get the shorter end of the stick in terms of development (they're not totally terrible, just could be better!), but with Hirosue Ryoko and Naka Riisa playing them, the characters feel more elevated because of their performances. Also, this drama is much better marathoned than followed week to week; I marathoned the first half of the drama because I fell behind in my watching, and because the storytelling is relatively tight, it was much more satisfying! I'm not the biggest fan of police dramas at all, but this one, this is a good one worth checking out at least.

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On the surface, "Last Hope" is like most other medical dramas out there. Every episode, there is a new patient and a new medical issue for that patient that it is up to the doctors to solve/cure. There are patients they save, there are patients they don't save, but every patient's journey teaches the audience something about life with some critique of the medical system. This is hardly unique, and definitely not a spoiler. What is relatively unique about this medical drama is its storytelling style - while each episodic, patient-centered story takes place in the present, the longer overarching stories of the doctors unfold bit by bit through flashbacks in the past. Honestly, this was what I found most compelling. The stories aren't unique or unexpected (not even the backstories of the doctors), but there was something about the way the plot unfolded that kept me watching until the end. Aiba Masaki and Tabe Mikako as a primary leads are barely believable as doctors, and I kind of appreciated how the characterization of their characters leaned into that a little bit (particularly with Aiba's Hatano-sensei). This drama's writing is definitely uneven - with some characters thoroughly explored, while others definitely underdeveloped - and at times melodramatic, but it was decently entertaining. Definitely recommended to fans of Aiba Masaki or people who enjoy dramas with an interwoven narrative.

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"Machine no Owari ni" watches like a typical Japanese star-crossed lovers film. From the way the plot unfolds very strategically, to the plot devices in the form of characters and life circumstances, and finally, the emphasis on single moments shifting the entire narrative, it checks all the boxes of similar films that have come before it. (The director of this film is also the same person who helmed "Hirugao".) Fukuyama Masaharu and Ishida Yuriko are brilliant actors and carry their characters beautifully - Fukuyama is almost perfectly cast as a famous, and somewhat tortured, classical guitarist - but there's nothing new or particularly fresh about this story or film. Maybe hearing all the main actors speak lots of English and be in Western countries (France, Spain, the United States)? Recommended for fans of "Hirugao" and Fukuyama Masaharu probably more than anyone else.

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