#black pean season 2

[thekittenkait]

no tokai in black pean season 2

i have never been more disappointed in a tv show and i watched fucking supernatural

[katabay]

[ブラックペアン/black pean (forceps) fanart]

tokai & sera :’) the hand print scene is something that can be so. personal.

⭐ places I’m at! bsky / pixiv / pillowfort /cohost / cara.app / insta

[japanesedoramaandanimelover91]

Don't forget that tonight is the fifth episode of the new season of "Black Pean-2", starring Ninomiya Kazunari. The series airs on "TBS" at 21.00. p.m. on japanese time and 14.00 p.m. on european time. Don't miss it!

Amagi(Kazunari Ninomiya) brings an ending that no one expected.

Meanwhile, Amagi receives a request for an operation from Kizaki (Toshiaki Megumi), who runs a restaurant chain in South Korea. Saeki (Seiyo Uchino), who is worried about the enormous construction costs of the new hospital that Amagi is designing, proposes to Amagi that he accept the operation on the condition that he invests 5 billion yen in the new hospital. Amagi immediately flies to Korea to conduct a chance sample.

Kizaki accepts the conditions and wins the chance sample with Amagi, and is admitted to a special room at Tojo University to undergo surgery. At the same time, Seo-hyun (Choi Ji-woo) also comes to Dongseong University for post-surgery tests and runs into Kizaki. In fact, Kizaki and Seohyun are rivals, and Kizaki has bought all the stores that Seohyun gave up due to surgery at a low price, and is also aiming for the remaining first store.

Seohyun hates Kizaki for expanding his business through dirty tricks, and suggests to Amagi not to do the operation. However, where does the wind blow in Amagi?

However, it turns out that Kizaki is connected to Sugai (Yasunori Danda) behind the scenes...

[luna-rainbow]

jdramas of the decade

Happy new year and welcome to the third decade of the millenium. As we head forward, let's look at some of the Japanese dramas that defined the last 10 years. Top 20 dramas by rating 1. Hanzawa Naoki (2013) 28.74% 2. Kaseifu wo mita (2011) 25.17% 3. Doctor X season 2 (2013) 22.98% 4. Doctor X season 3 (2014) 22.94% 5. Doctor X season 4 (2016) 21.45% 6. Jin (2011) 21.28% 7. Hero 2 (2014) 21.27% 8. Doctor X season 5 (2017) 20.87% 9. Galileo (2013) 19.92% 10. Doctor X season 1 (2012) 19.10% 11. Shitamachi Rocket (2015) 18.54% 12. Doctor X season 6 (2019) 18.45% 13. Legal High (2013) 18.38% 14. Doctors 2 (2013) 18.32% 15. Nankyoku Tairiku (2011) 18.00% 16. Priceless (2012) 17.71% 17. 99.9 (2018) 17.63% 18. Rinjo (2010) 17.57% 19. 99.9 (2016) 17.15% 20. Freeter, ie wo kau (2010) 17.14% As I've mentioned previously and which might be gleaned from the list, ratings have been declining overall throughout the decade. 2011 and 2013 were really the height, and from 2017 onwards, only the top drama of the year managed to scrape into this top 20 list. If the list is rearranged according to the top 2 dramas per year, it looks like this: 1. Hanzawa Naoki (2013) 28.74% 2. Kaseifu wo mita (2011) 25.17% 3. Doctor X season 2 (2013) 22.98% 4. Doctor X season 3 (2014) 22.94% 5. Doctor X season 4 (2016) 21.45% 6. Jin (2011) 21.28% 7. Hero 2 (2014) 21.27% 8. Doctor X season 5 (2017) 20.87% 9. Doctor X season 1 (2012) 19.10% 10. Shitamachi rocket (2015) 18.54% 11. Doctor X season 6 (2019) 18.45% 12. Priceless (2012) 17.71% 13. 99.9 season 2 (2018) 17.63% 14. Rinjo (2010) 17.57% 15. 99.9 (2016) 17.15% 16. Freeter, ie wo kau (2010) 17.14% 17. Riku-ou (2017) 16.00% 18. Legal V (2018) 15.74% 19. Tennou no Ryoriban (2015) 14.94% 20. Kinkyu torishirabeshitsu season 3 (2019) 13.23% The second top drama of 2019 only rated a measly 13.23% - essentially a C-rank drama back in the early 2010s. That's not to say that the quality of Kintori 3 is worse than, say, any season of Doctor X, but that less audiences are catching the dramas as they screen. Looking through the list (and at the number of dramas that didn't quite make the list), the decade is dominated by the Ikeido Jun brand fairytale underdog story, told through various industries - Hanzawa Naoki (bank), Riku-ou (product development), Shitamachi Rocket (mechanical engineering), and No Side Game (rugby). Then there is the lonely hero/ine standing against rigid hierarchy, archetyped by Daimon Michiko in the Doctor X series, but also seen in Legal V and Black Pean. Quirky crime solvers and suspenseful surgical dramas are a dime and dozen, and there are some hits and lots of misses. As far as actors go, some have moved up while others are trying to hold on: Sakai Masato has cautiously taken a break after a string of highly rated and acclaimed hits, Kimura Takuya still keeping afloat after the SMAP debacle, Yonekura Ryoko doing the same schtick for 7 years is its own brand of impressive, Amami Yuuki managing mid-level ratings even with some bland scripts, while Fukuyama Masaru has fallen from grace after his surprise marriage. Arashi's members take turns in dramas with various success, although most seem to rate better than what the script is worth. Aragaki Yui had been at the height of her fame in the middle of the decade, following the popular Legal V and the topical Nigehaji that made good use of her naturally sweet demeanour. Other leading women her age - Toda Erika, Ishihara Satomi, Ayase Haruka and lately Kuroki Haru are all pushing their boundaries with a range of experimental scripts, some highly successful (e.g. GiboMusu and Unnatural). After playing secondary characters for about a decade, Tanaka Kei finally launched himself into the public eye with the popular Ossan's Love series. Most of actors younger than that age range are yet to establish themselves as a serious actor or a proven audience draw, but Suda Masaki has a decided head start on the others, managing both serious and comedy with ease. I expect in the next decade we will see him routinely lead. I'd really like to see more of Yoshizawa Ryo and Yokohama Ryusei, but both their acting skills need some more polish.

[kanamejun]

Jun Kaname Dramas

(More or less in watching order)

Currently watching:  Unubore Deka (2010)

Dramas watched: Kamen Rider Agito (2001) Himitsu no Hanazono (2007) Atashinchi no Danshi (2009) Kimi Hannin Janai yo ne? (2008) Katagoshi no Koibito (2007) Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekite Iru (2018) Ryusei no Kizuna (2008) Boku to Star no 99 Nichi (2011) Ashita no Kita Yoshio (2008) Juhan Shuttai! (2016) Kurofuku Monogatari (2014) Kuragehime (2018) Kiraware Matsuko no Issho (2006) Shiro demo Kuro demonai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau (2020) Taiyou no Uta (2006) Akuma no Bengonin (2019) Yami no Bansosha (2015) Zekkyou (2019) Doctor-X 7 (2021) RESCUE (2009) Hikinukiya: Headhunter no Ryugi (2019) Barairo no Seisen (2011) Jikkyosareru Otoko (2016) Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi (2012) Denchi ga Kireru Made (2004) ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Todo Hinako (2016) Fixer (Season 1) (2023) Iki mo Dekinai Natsu (2012) Siren (2015) *currently rewatching

Specials & movies watched: Demo, Kekkon Shitai! ~BL Mangaka no Kojirase Konkatsuki~  (2017) Casshern (2004) Udon (2006) Akutou (2012) Liar Game: Reborn (2012) Ayashii Kanojo (2016) Over Drive (2018) Hana no Kusari (2013) Kingdom (2019) Goemon (2009) Hakujitsu no Karasu 2 (2020) Girl (2012) Tora-san (2019) Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai (2012) Sumaho o Otoshita Dake Nanoni (2018) Saigo no Kizuna (2011) Cabin Attendant Keiji: New York Satsujin Jiken (2014) Vanilla Boy: Tomorrow is Another Day (2016) Wild 7 (2011) Hotaru no Haka (2005) Destiny: Kamakura Monogatari (2017) Tantei Mitarai no Jikenbo Seiro no Umi (2016) Sakura no Yona Boku no Koibito (2022) Tsuyoki Ari (2014) Kaibutsu (2013) Ooku: Eien (2012) Toga no Hito (2017) Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi SP (2012) Pyuu to Fuku! Jaguar: The Movie (2008) Kingdom 2 (2022) Kamisama no Karute (2011) Kaettekita Ie Uru Onna (2017) Jishaku Otoko (2014) Jishaku Otoko (2015) Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de: Movie (2013)

Other J-Dramas

(By year order)

Currently watching: Yasashii Jikan (2005) Freeter, Ie o Kau (2010) Love Distance (2020) Watched: Kimi wa Petto (2003) Minami-kun no Koibito (2004) Bloody Monday (2008) Tokyo DOGS (2009) Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (2010) Bloody Monday 2 (2010) Shokuzai (2012) Share House no Koibito (2013) Bitter Blood (2014) Yowakutemo Katemasu (2014) Ouroboros (2015) Black Pean (2018) Tokusatsu Gagaga (2019) Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo (2020) MIU404 (2020) Unmei Kara Hajimaru Koi (2020) Gokushufudo (2020) Kyoufu Shinbun (2020) Nao-chan wa Shogakusannensei (2021) Koi wa Deep ni (2021) Oshi no Oujisama (2021) My Family (2022) Yangotonaki Ichizoku (2022) Vivant (2023) One Day: Seiya no kara Sawagi (2023)

[dj-daiki]

11 Questions Tag Post

tagged by @sandreeen 🌾🌾thank you!!

1. What fandom(s) are you active in right now?

(not in particular order)

🇯🇵: NGT48, Nogizaka46, Hey! Say! JUMP, Arashi, Sexy Zone, NEWS, Aragaki Yui, some of 48 graduated members

🇰🇷: Girls'Generation, SHINee, NCT and the rest of SM artists lol

2. What TV shows/dramas are you currently watching?

TV shows: itadaki high jump, arashi ni shiyagare/vsarashi only when i feel like watching or have time hahahah, and i just watched sexyzone variety show yesterday!!! so goooood im trying to watch itte q every week (but always failed because it aligns with my dinner time/nap time)

drama: none! and just because the spring drama is over ➡️ last season i watch miss devil and black peans, last last one with 99.9 sII, momikeshite fuyu, and todome no kiss ➡️ maybe no drama this coming season because i reaaalllly need to focus on unis but CODE BLUE SPECIAL DRAMA AND SPIN OFF IS A MUST (AND THANK GOD IT AIRS BEFORE THE SEMESTER STARTS)

3. Any TV series/drama/anime/manga you recommend?

📺: 99.9 season 2 (double cheeky miyama sensei lol), code blue (just because i love the cast), jimi ni sugoi, legal high, and the one ayase haruka and miura haruma played together

🤹‍♀️: yakitate japan, sword art online, aggrestuko (to relieve stress lol)

📖: totsuzen deska ashita kekkon shimasu, taiyou no ie, koi to uso

4. Which do you prefer wearing, heels or sneakers?

FLIP FLOPS!!! and then sneakers (ps: i dont own heels lol)

5. Do you play any sports?

badminton

6. Do you exercise regularly?

NOPEEEEEEE

7. Are you a outdoor or indoor person?

based on the previous answer lololol, suuuuuper indoor

8. Do you cook?

im so ashamed of myself but NOPEEEE hahaha at least i made good chocolate strawberry thoughhhh (prob like the world easiest task)

9. Are you the type that only posts everything in one blog, or make sideblogs for each fandom?

rather than fandom, i have three differents accounts for twitter: 1. for friend and daily rants with no fangirl related content, 2. fangirl related but i made it private so i can shade something or you know stalk ppl lololol, 3. my public fangirl account ➡️ @aomkirakira 🦄🦄🦄

10. What superpower do you want to have?

heals sickness/injury/or anything related to pain

11. What pet do you like to have?

i always wanted a puppy or small dog since young to keep me accompanied and like therapy hahaha but im allergic to animals fur in general so its wasnt allowed in my household for health reasons

I HAD SO MUCH FUNNNNN cant believe i talk so much 😂😂

no going tag anyone but feel free to do it if you want ❣

[noboundar1es]

11 Questions Meme~

Thank you for the tag, @sandreeen! This was fun. :)

1. What fandom(s) are you active in right now?

Technically, I’m a “multi-fandom” blog, but recently I’ve been pretty much devoted solely to Arashi. Some other fandoms that I consistently reblog are Marvel and Final Fantasy XV (such a fun game <3). And while I’m not as active in the fandom as I’d like to be, I’m still a huge fan of everything Hakuouki.

2. What TV shows/dramas are you currently watching?

Currently, I’m in the middle of the last season of 12 Monkeys. If you like time travel stories that are done well, then this series is definitely for you. I’m also 9 episodes into Violet Evergarden. I’m not sure what I think about the series yet, but it has an interesting premise, and it’s good practice if you’re trying to learn Japanese. Of course, I also recently finished Black Pean, and I am very sad that it’s over... T.T

3. Any TV series/dramas/anime/manga you recommend?

Besides 12 Monkeys and Black Pean? XD This is actually pretty hard, since I tend to forget a lot of what I watch/read after it’s over. That being said, I’ll always recommend the manga Akatsuki no Yona. I’m a little behind on the updates, but I love the story and the characters. I really want to see how the rest of the story pans out.

4. Which do you prefer wearing, heels or sneakers?

Definitely sneakers. I’m clumsy enough without wearing shoes—me wearing heels is just a disaster waiting to happen. -_-;

5. Do you play any sports?

No sports, although I used to be in marching band. I played the mellophone (which is the marching version of a French Horn, and looks a little like a pregnant trumpet >.<).

6. Do you exercise regularly? If so, what sort of exercise do you do?

Nope, not really.

7. Are you an outdoor or indoor person?

Hmm... It really depends. I really hate the heat (also bugs >.<), so in the summer I tend to escape inside. And if I want to watch something Arashi-related, that usually happens indoors. But I do love being out in the sun and surrounding myself with nature.

8. Do you cook? If so, what dish are you particularly good at?

I’m not much of a cook, but I do like making a nice stir fry. Not sure how good it is, though. -_-;

9. Are you the type that only posts everything in one blog, or makes sideblogs for each fandom?

Oh goodness, I definitely post everything on one blog. Which is why it is such a mess. Although, lately most of my content is related to Arashi...

10. What superpower do you want to have?

I never know how to answer these kind of questions... I do know which superpower I wouldn’t want to have, though. The ability to hear peoples thoughts would be terrible, I think. I feel like it could be confusing—and possibly hurtful—to be around a loved one when they have a passing thought that really doesn’t reflect what they really think (if that makes sense lol). And it definitely wouldn’t be fun if you weren’t able to filter people’s thoughts at all.

...I think I put too much thought into that question...

11. What pet would you like to have (or already have I guess)?

I used to have a yellow lab, so I definitely wouldn’t mind another one. I’ve always wanted a husky, though, so I’ll go with that one. ^^

- -

I’m in the middle of traveling, so I won’t add questions of my own. That being said, if any of my mutuals/followers see this, feel free to answer the same questions. I’d love to get to know all of you! ^^

[osanajimi]

BP overall review.. ish

My memory of the entire drama is getting fuzzy, so before I forget everything I’m putting down what I remember feeling, thinking watching it the past 2 months.

Last season, I watched MomiFuyu for the shits and giggles, and got attacked by feels at the end. I approached BP with the opposite intention, only to learn that I will be watching it for the shitz, ironically.

This is a joke (in the worst possible meaning) well done (production was great, ain’t never denying that).

...is what I had in mind somewhere around 2nd episode until the end.

Right, so seems like Nino got to revisit the revenge theme on his return to a TBS drama. Same theme, same station, different genre though, so that should be okay... It got to me that Jun’s role last season was kinda in the same situation, but they still did it different, so ‘s still fine.

Now, about how they did it different. God, I love the two main roles so much (shush, in my eyes it’s Tokai and Saeki) I really don’t want to go at them, but damn Saeki, you are one stupid selfish man. You want to see the genius flourishing, excelling as he plots his revenge against you, you actually let him be misled all the while. All the pain that can be saved, Saeki, you bastard!!! I can’t believe Tokai got to be cool and invincible for a stupid reason like this.

The black pean mystery was like.. uh.. welp, that is what happens when you take an originally from the 1980s story (Black Pean 1988) to be adapted (poorly) into the current times. All the political fighting and scientific development in the background just don’t mesh with that as an ending.

I read some tweets about how Nino is just. not. blessed. with a good script. He used up all his luck with Ao no Honoo and Iwojima. I laughed on my train home. Poor guy, no wonder he was so keen on adlibbing here and there. Also, I wonder whether he got to win his fight against TBS and that was what we got? Or he lost and that was what we got? Coz I sorta trust Nino, and if he had his way, I’m pretty sure we would’ve gotten the better end of the deal. In other words, if he lost and that was what TBS gave us, I wonder what he would’ve gone for. If he won, then... I can’t imagine what TBS had in mind in the first place. *shivers*

Alright, that was the joke. However, I watched this drama real-time whenever I could. Why? (other than the fact that I don’t have a life.) Well, the drama was well done. Specifically, the cast was really good, satisfying to watch as expected of a TBS Sunday 9-pm slot. 

Tokai was hawt and dripping pheromones everywhere like some loose tap, I thought it was a shame they didn’t include a love angle somewhere. Make that multiple angles, preferably all centered around him. I think I made it clear I ship SaekixTokai, and TBS seems to at least perceive that there is demand because what is that last episode if not to serve SaekixTokai shippers’ thirst. No, I mean, really. That yuka-don was sooo unnecessary, and so was Tokai sitting on Saeki’s bed (if Tokai really hated the guy, he’d be putting as much distance between themselves, but obviously he just can’t resist the dandy old man). Their chemistry was great, as expected of winner and nominee for the 39th Academy Award. I actually had a good feeling about them since the first WS campaigns. Just didn’t expect them to be so.. lit around each other. 

Case in point, Tokai bowing and following Saeki’s orders, albeit half-tongue-in-cheek, throughout the drama has me hooked. This is Tokai who does however he wants we’re talking about here. So seeing him bow, non-ironically, in the last episode really did me in. I’ve always wanted to see that. Another thing I wanted to see was Tokai smile. Like, really smile. The best we got was the scene with his father though. Oh well.

Takashina was confusing, or rather confused, for me, but I give props to Koizumi Koutaro for playing the committed guy just trying to work by the system. What was it again, lawful neutral? He’s got the face for it.

Sera was supposed to be like the main character, representing the audience’s viewpoint or something.. Not totally convinced about that, but I love him trying to stop Tokai. Not giving up on Saeki. Obeying all kinds of orders from his superiors. He’s useless, but earnest. At least Takeuchi did well portraying that side of him until the end.  

Shuri was great as a loyal Neko. She doesn’t play much role in the plot though so not much to say about her.

Katopan. Oh boy, she came out of nowhere (apparently, mostly as a ratings puller) and was quite a pleasant surprise somewhere in the middle of the drama. Definitely did not see her character playing that big a role in the story, but she did well for her first drama. 

Head Nurse Fujiwara’s veteran aura was amazing. I particularly liked her convincing Saeki to take a break in the last ep. Thank you for being by his side as, probably, his only true confidante.

Special mention to Mizutani Kaho who managed to withstand pressure from Tokai in Ep7. She shone best that episode with just that scene, imho.

Oh, and Assistant Prof. Kurozaki was useless but makes for a cute Saeki-groupie. Same can be said about the rest of the Heart surgeon department, including Sekikawa and Kakitani. They’re kinda endearing in their own way.

Overall, I give the drama a 3/5, with Tokai making up 2.5 from that. As a role for Nino itself, Tokai gets a 9/5 out of a full score of 10/5 (I know that’s not how scoring works, shush) because eventhough he really hot, he also had to act according to that stupid script, so inevitable minus points really.

Would I watch the drama again? Hell yes, because Tokai is that hot. Nino has my thanks for putting up with the script (wonder if he badmouths his own drama, he probably does) to deliver us this wonderful hot man. Did I mention Tokai is bloody hot?

tldr: Tokai was hot, drama was a mess.

[latte-luxe]

Question Game

I've been tagged by the amazing @ohh-la-love  <3 

 1) Nickname ~ fern and some less appropriate for this questionnaire 

 2) Height? ~ 5'2 

 3) Zodiac Sign?: Libra

 4) Piercings ~ love them. I have some on my face and some not on my face 

 5) Ideal date ~ take me to where there is delicious pasta...I'll be putty in your hands 

 6) Favourite Fruit? ~ Berries, pomegranates, guavas, apples, peaches 

 7) Favourite Season?~Autumn
 (happy first day of autumn) 

 8) Favourite Food? ~ Pasta

 9) Favourite Flowers ~ Roses, tiger lillies,orchids, lotus, fuschias 

 10) Favourite scent ~ lavender, peppermint, sandalwood, cedarwood, citrus, amber 

 11) Favourite Colour? ~ Purple, red, black 

 12) Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate? ~ Coffee  

13) Average Sleep Time? ~ 4-6 hrs 

 14) Cat or Dog Person? ~ 3 cats and 2 dogs 

 15) Late nights or early mornings - late night mischief that turns into early morning delights

 I tag: @camelotmd  @luxerists  @mumucephei   @pean-ut  @per-spektive @sonofalvar  @justtonightbaby  @sinfulluxuries  @eternalbloom @cherrybombsandlemondrops 

[japanesedoramaandanimelover91]

Don t Forget that today is the premier of a new season of japanese medical dorama "Black Pean-2" with Ninomiya Kazunari in main role. It will be on air in 21.00 on japanese time and on 14.00. p.m. on european time. Don t miss it.

[japanesedoramaandanimelover91]

Don't forget that today is the second episode of the new season of "Black Pean-2" starring Ninomiya Kazunari. The series airs on "TBS" at 21.00. p.m. on japanese time and 14.00 p.m on european time. Don't miss it!

[japanesedoramaandanimelover91]

On tonight's episode of "The Yakai," airing tonight at 22.00. p.m. on japanese time and 15.00. p.m. on european time on "TBS".

The guests of the episode are #ninomiyakazunari #kotarokoizumi #aoiwakana #harukauchimura and #hirokikonno They all appear in the second season of the series "Black Pean 2".

#ninomiyakazunari playing a genius surgeon puts his body on the line in a three-way battle of doctors. ‼

Does #kotarokoizumi eat his favourite food, natto, over rice? Or eats it as is? You bet🪙.

#aoiwakana climbed a tree for the first time ‼🌳

Mock one balloon situation! 🎬. Can she climb a tree and get a balloon in a minute? 🎈

Also in the studio, #harukautimura tries his hand at the "one and only" Nagashi Somen, which Ninomiya couldn't do last time! Will he be able to do it? Or will he not be able to? Enjoy the challenges of these magnificent guests! 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

[luna-rainbow]

Recommended jdramas last decade

Given that the ratings list isn't exactly diverse and lots of interesting dramas didn't make the top cut, I thought I'd come up with a recommendation list. I remember back in the 2000s J-dramas were all the rage but now there seems to be much less interest in them outside of Japan, but that doesn't necessarily mean the quality is less! My preferred genres are more on the tense and action-packed side, and I rarely watched rom-coms or slice of life dramas until more recently. Nevertheless there are some very topical ones that are worth mentioning. Police procedurals 1) BOSS 1 & 2: another one of my perennial favourites. Set at the pace of American procedurals, equipped with snappy humour and quirky characters, it is the perfect amalgamation of funny, touching and gripping. 2) Strawberry Night: the original series with the gorgeous Takeuchi Ryoko and Nishijima Hidetoshi is leagues above the remake. It's much darker than BOSS but perhaps more resonant because of it. 3) Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu seasons 1-3: similar to BOSS, this cast consists of veteran supporting actors who play off well against each other. The cases range from satisfying to acutely dissatisfying, just as in real life. 4) Keiji 7-nin: similar to KinTori, the cast consists of some solid veteran actors, and the cases range from triumphant to depressing. There are some interesteing back stories to the characters, but it's not as well developed as you might hope. 5) Zettai Reido season 3: I tried to go back and rewatch the first 2 seasons, but it's a completely different story. Consisting of mostly a young green cast, somehow the actors have fit the roles so well that it doesn't irk. The cases mostly end on a note of despair and helplessness, as the system rolls over and quashes anyone in its way. 6) CRISIS: for the longest time I confused this with BG as the set-up of the characters are quite similar. It's very well-made, but again the characters function in a morally grey territory and is an interesting digression from the usual straight procedural. Crime solvers 1) 99.9 seasons 1 & 2: quirky and humorous, but also full of heart, and with Kagawa playing the straight foil to MatsuJun's insolent lawyer, it is almost perfect except for the lack of insipration in its cases. 2) Unnatural: I still consider this to have one of the best developed back-stories and characterisations of any crime-solver or police procedural. The script is by Noki Akiko, and it has a sensitivity to it that is not often seen in this cerebral genre. 3) Galileo seasons 1 & 2: released back in the day when Fukuyama Masaharu was still hugely popular, this was long enough ago that I don't actually remember what I liked about it, except that I do like and recommend it. 4) Kagi no kakatta heya: out of Arashi, I've never thought of Ohno as the best actor but when the role fits him, it fits like a glove. Based on a manga, it has the occasional unrealistic plot holes that comes with this genre, but overall it's well-produced, funny and the 3 main characters play off each other to hilarious effect. Medical dramas 1) Code Blue 1 & 2 - Hayashi Koji has a remarkable grasp on the mentality of young doctors. The first two seasons of Code Blue are on my perennial recommend list 2) Black Pean - I hesitated about whether to put this down, but there's actually very few medical dramas I recommend even though I watch a lot of them. I did enjoy Black Pean for its production quality and the dedication of the actors, but the script is an absolute let-down. 3) DOCTORS seasons 1-3 - this subversive drama straddles medical and comedy, and Sawamura's character slowly turned from a straight, obliviously helpful do-gooder, to an outright calculating manipulator but with the best of intentions. It is a fascinating premise for a main character and I'd recommend it purely for that. Rom-coms 1) Nigeru wa haji daga yaku ni tatsu - I really shouldn't put something I couldn't keep watching as the top, but apart from the fact I couldn't stand the 2 main actors, the story was an interesting philosophical exploration of what a live-in relationship means in practical terms. 2) Hotaru no Hikari 2 - again this was so long ago I couldn't remember much of it, except it was nice and sweet, although I think the first season was better contained. 3) Watashi ga ren'ai dekinai riyuu - I'm not quite sure this qualifies as rom-com as the characters didn't all get their happily ever after (which is actually quite rare in Japanese dramas). The story revolves around three women, each progressive yet conformative in their own ways, and how they dealt with the social expectations of courtship. A nice watch and probably a realistic window into how romance works in Japan. Underdog victories 1) Doctor X series 1-6 - Look, as much as I HATE this series as a medical drama wannabe, it is the defining story for the underdog against a conservative hierachical paternalistic world. It is full of impossible triumphs, no bad outcome ever happens and the main character never loses. 2) Shitamachi Rocket 1 & 2 - arguably the series that started the Ikeido Jun craze, it turned something boring and nerdy (rocket and machine engineering) into gripping rollercoaster drama. Well-acted and well-scripted, it made you cheer for the characters even as your real boring self acknowledge how ludicrous their victories are. 3) Grand Maison Tokyo - this is a story of redemption through the shared love of food, brought together by a team of great actors who clearly had great fondness of each other. There are some silly moments, but a lot of it was touching, sweet and highly rewarding, just like a beautiful meal. 4) No Side Game - I tossed up putting Riku-Ou in as well, but in the end I thought No Side Game was slightly better. Both based around sports (marathon and rugby, respectively), it's full of hot-blooded idealism about loyalty, teamwork and dedication, a shounen manga fairytale for adults. Slice of life 1) Gibo to musume no Blues - I'm really not a "slice of life" person, but this drama exceeded all expectations. It starts off odd and a little slow, but each episode will make you laugh and then cry a little about what it means to be family, all the silly moments, the frustrating moments and the tender moments that we share. 2) Ie-uru onna (season 1) - I'm not too sure this quite fits in "slice of life" or comedy, because the main character really is rather odd, but the first season had some beautifully reflective stories, again about what it means to be family and what home means to the different people in society. I don't know what happened in the 2nd season, but it's definitely lost that evocative touch. 3) Jimi ni sugoi! - maybe because the publishing industry interests me, but I thought this was a very cute series with some good inside tips about publishing, but also can be drawn to reflect on how people should view their vocation. Almost a rom-com, not quite a comedy, but a really nice light-hearted series with Ishihara Satomi at her most radiant. 4) Watashi, teiji de kaerimasu - this was a surprisingly sweet take on difficult problems that aren't necessarily unique to the Japanese workplace - the clash of generational values, the internal sense of inadequacies and the people who are deterimentally unable to say no. The main character, rather than being the focus of growth as often happens in these dramas, turn out to be the mediator as she uses her previous painful experiences of burnout to guide others through their own struggles. Suspense 1) 3-nen A-gumi: while prone to hyperbole and melodrama, this was a very nice fable of adulthood and the idea that once you are an adult, you must take responsibility for the consequences of your own actions, told through the microcosm that is Class 3A. Highly recommended. 2) BG: slick and well-produced, as many of KimuTaku's dramas are, it had action and suspense in good measures but unfortunately wasn't quite carried by the plot. Each individual case was interesting enough, but the main plot was rather convoluted and disappointing. 3) Ouroboros: almost similar to Toma's earlier Maou, it was cerebral, suspenseful and full of a sense of inevitable tragedy. The ending was more than it could chew, but it gave a good effort. 4) Kazoku Game: one of those rare dramas that really suited Sakurai Sho, where he was the intelligent and highly sociopathic and slightly psychotic home tutor for a highly dysfunctional family. A fascinating watch. Comedy I have to say this is a genre I struggle with. I'd happily watch slapstick and screaming in an anime, but live action is just awks. There's been some popular ones that I haven't watched but have heard good things about: - Tami-Ou: the sleazy prime minister accidentally swaps body with his extremely introverted son, and they both have to try and continue the facade. - Kyou kara ore wa: high school kids pretending they're better than they're really are, we've all been through that. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. There's a lot of well-reviewed dramas that I hadn't been able to catch, especially in the first half of the decade. There's a bunch of highly popular dramas that I hadn't been able to continue, but clearly they've got their appeal to the Japanese audience. I think in general Japanese dramas do human drama very well, especially the various relationships we have in our lives and how they interact. It's not great at doing the K-drama fairytale romance. I hope the list helps people try out some new things, or you could check out the top ratings list for other safe bets.

[luna-rainbow]

2018 spring dorama

While waiting for the late starter Black Pean to appear, I did catch up on a few other dramas that had started to screen. I caught the tail end of the first episode of Confidence Man (rating 9.4) while I was in Japan and it turned me off actually wanting to watch the series. It looked cheesy and exaggerated, and one where the characters are having more fun than the audience (never the right way to write things). I also started Seigi no Se (rating 11.0) but didn't end up watching through, not because it was terrible per se, but rather this season has been overwhelmed with all iterations of crime solvers, and though Yoshitaka Yuriko is really quite cute, her character is too cute (too green) to be an investigator. Mikaiketsu no Onna (rating 14.7) Stars Haru and Suzuki Kyoka in the traditional crime drama pair up of the intelligent antisocial weirdo with the hot-blooded righteous idiot. It is nice to see 2 women heading a Japanese crime drama, and it does come together better than I expected. That said, neither of the 2 leads really stood out for me even if the actresses themselves were charismatic enough, and the story itself was the usual formulaic affair...I really had expected a bit more given the high ratings. Not a bad watch, and it sure is nice to see it fly past the Bechdel test in a genre that is traditionally dominated by men. Miss Devil (rating 9.6) Stars Nanao in mini skirts and high heels as she crushes the souls of new recruits after coming onboard as a HR consultant in a large insurance company. Nanao is amongst the few Japanese girls in her age cohort who so effortlessly manages femme fatale. If anything, the character is like a female version of Tokai in Black Pean, or a slightly more expressive and considerably more sadistic version of Kitagawa Keiko's character in Ie wo uru onna. Unlikely Black Pean though, the story hangs limply on her commanding presence, and that is to say...after the first episode you still have no idea where they're trying to take the story and whether it's worth sticking it out. Great for a bit of brainless fun though, and watch the guys go weak in the knees (in fear) as she whips them into shape. Signal (rating 9.7) Starring Sakaguchi Kentarou in the Japanese adaptation of the critically acclaimed Korean series, the first episode pretty much followed the Korean one to a tee as far as I could tell, but with less jump scares. Maybe because I'm familiar with the actors, but I do find the Japanese cast more likeable than the Korean ones for some reason. I mean, Kichise Michiko is gorgeous any day, and there's something about Kitamura Kazuki that makes him endearing without trying. I never finished the Korean series, but I Think the length of the Japanese series will suit my patience better. I did jump ahead to the end though and as someone who despises open endings, I really hope they try something different in the Japanese version... Hana Nochi Hare (rating 7.4) Starring a bunch of new faces in this awkward follow-up to the phenomenal Hana Yori Dango...I mean, I'll be honest, Hana Yori Dango made MatsuJun and Oguri Shun stick in my memory but I didn't actually love the series as much as the world did. It's just the genre never really interests me. So let's just say Hana Nochi Hare was rather forgettable in their characters. Sugisaki Hana does a good job in ensuring Oto doesn't remind you too much of Tsukushi, but it's hard to say the same for the boys. And honestly? Why would you worship Doumyouji? The one who's amazing all along was Tsukushi, who stuck it out through the bullying and straightened Doumyouji right up and taught those rich stuck-up kids what it means to be a part of society. So I guess C5 lost me at the get-go. And what's with the anti-poor people regulations? As far as I remember, in the original there were scholarships? No wonder they're losing students.

[luna-rainbow]

As we all know, Nino's Black Pean will take over from MatsuJun's 99.9 Season 2 slot in April. Today it has announced its stellar supporting cast: - Takeuchi Ryoma as an intern who is harassed by Toukai and through it realises his insufficiencies - Aoi Wakana as a scrub nurse who also grows and comes to understand Toukai - Uchino Seiyou as an eminent professor in cardiothoracics. For some reason he always uses a "black pean" in his surgeries and has a past story with the main character... - Koizumi Kotarou as a new surgeon returned from a stint overseas, and pushing to import robotics to take over traditional surgical skills. - Baisho Mitsuko as Toukai's mother, an original character in the drama.

Black Pean is based off a novel by Kaidou Takeru, the same author who penned Team Batista, an iconic medical drama of its time. The script will be adapted by Ushio Kentarou, who also adapted Chiisana Kyoujin last year. It will be the same production team behind Riku Ou, Chiisana Kyoujin, Shitamachi Rocket, all of which led the ratings.

With all that (and of course our talented Nino), it better be amazing!