Hello, it’s been a while since I posted about Japanese dramas that I watched or liked. And this one has been sitting on the draft for way too long, so I guess it’s long overdue. It’s a lot actually, but then now I’m not sure if it’s still relevant to post them. So I guess now I’ll just list some that left great impression on me. Or ones that I really really love and can still feel the love? Ok, without further ado, find below the dramas. (For other posts about Japanese drama, click here).
1. Nanba MG5
12 episodes. Aroundย 54 minutes each. It’s a story about a high school boy who was born and raised as a yankee or a delinquent who was praised for winning fights. The family were all yankees-rebellious and did not conform to the ordinary norms in society, in the way they dressed and all, and they took pride in it. But this boy, Tsuyoshi, wanted to experience a life as a normal ordinary high school guy. So, without telling his family, he went to a normal school that had no yankees, all the while his family assumed he went to a school full of delinquents to beat and lead. This drama portrayed how Tsuyoshi tried to keep his double identity – as a yankee at home and an ordinary student at school without his family and friends finding out. Could he do it? Please watch it! It’s really interesting. Somehow I felt sad when it ended ’cause I wanted to watch more and see what challenges he’s gonna face next.
At first, I was interested in this drama after I read that Mamiya Shotaro was cast as the lead. (I was so invested in him at that time ๐๐ฅฐ๐). I read that it’s an adaptation of a manga with the same name. I couldn’t wait for the drama so I went ahead and read the manga. Man, I couldn’t stop reading until the end. It’s so engrossing, intriguing, fascinating, you name it. And when I watched the drama, it’s really great! I mean, usually the manga is good but the adaptation sucks. But this one is not. The drama really covered and adjusted the the story very greatly. I was really happy with the execution. This drama-and the manga too!-took me into a rollercoaster ride of emotions; i.e. it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me feel happy, it made me angry, so forth. It’s like I could understand everyone’s stance and wished things could be different but I really don’t want to blame anyone. The story has the friendship part, ridiculous or puppy(?) love part, family part, and all. I can understand how the family was so disappointed when they found Tsuyoshi had lied to them. I can understand how Tsuyoshi wanted to have an ordinary life but had to lie because he didn’t want to disappoint his family since they were so proud of him being a strong delinquent. Etc. But what I love the most, perhaps, the fact that this drama presented “yankees,” “uniforms,” and so forth as only labels, ’cause whatever you wear or how you brand yourself, in the end, what matters is the values you hold, how you protect the weak and not bully them, how you don’t abuse your power, how you bring about justice, how you’re being true to yourself without being an asshole to others, etc. Gosh, not sure if I’m spoiling this drama for you. And I’m truly sorry if I am. But, I would really suggest you watch this drama. It’s really hilarious. There’s the dog that is dubbed too! And I love Tsuysoshi’s friendships with his new friends, both the delinquents and non-delinquents. I love stories about friendship like that ๐
2. Teppacchi
10 episodes. Around 54 minutes each. It’s a story about joining the Japan military or Ground Self-Defense Force. The story revolves around Kokusho, who was once a rugby athlete but quit. He was approached and recruited to join the test to join the force. Not giving too many options as he just got fired from his job and “had no home” to return to, he decided to join in a whim without meaning to really join it. However, his life somehow changed as he met his cohorts with their various situations. He grew and became more mature. The drama itself was divided into parts, the first half focused on the training time as student, and the second half focused on the time after graduation, when he finally became a member of the force.
In a way, I love this drama due to similar reasons I wrote for Nanba MG5: the emotional rollercoaster ride. There’s friendship; there’s romance; there’s family issues, etc. And just like Nanba MG5, it can make you laugh but also think sorta deep about life. I especially love the friendship and the little romance. Like how they had ridiculous and hilarious fights, just like kids, so childish. But that’s what makes it fun, I guess? The romance was hilarious too ’cause it’s a bit awkward. Wkwkwk And everyone has their own situation, and as they’re joining the force, they tried to figure things out. I think I love stories like this. After all, we all are learning, right? We grow and keep growing no matter how much older we get. And we need entertainment too! Sometimes we just want to be or act funny, and I guess that’s alright. But maybe it’s better to watch yourself? By the time I’m posting this, perhaps they’ve got around 2 eps left to air. So yeah, it’s still ongoing.
Also, I didn’t take screenshots of this drama, so please just enjoy the ost of the drama that I embedded above. It’s a good song, I love it ๐ฅฐ But, didn’t I tell you that I love GENERATIONS? Their “Hard Knock Days” song is one of my fav One Piece songs!!!
3. Mirai e no 10 count
9 episodes. Around 54 minutes each. It’s about an ex-boxer who sort of gave up on life and just lived without passions. It’s like he had no reason to be excited about life or to fight for a better life. He wasn’t happy but he wasn’t even trying to be. But then he was asked to help coach the boxing club at school. There he met the students who tried hard to box for various reasons, tried hard to win, practiced hard to get better, etc. Somehow it changed his life. It gave him hope; it gave him a reason to live his life again and gave himself a second chance to be happy. It’s not without challenges, though. [Of course! LoL]. Like, there’s the school rules, the seemingly hard and stern principal, etc. But it’s great. And it’s cute too. Because there’s a little romance too here. But it’s presented so simple, yet so sweet. I really love the female teacher character that became the boxing club’s advisor here. I love her spirit; I love her personality. Gosh, she’s so adorable. And her son is cute too. Oh, my, I don’t want to spoil the story but really, please consider watching this one. The main lead actor is the legendary Takuya Kimura. And he acts so naturally. If there’s anything I don’t like about this drama, it’s the fact that it has only 9 episodes. I mean, the title literally has number “10.” At least make 10 episodes. Jeez. Ah, sorry, I’m being ridiculous but not funny. LoL
4. Nice Flight
10 episodes. Around 60 minutes each. It’s a romance, a story between a pilot and an air traffic controller. The pilot is overly friendly and social, while the air traffic controller is a bit awkward socially. Due to their line of work, somehow they met and love grew between them. In a way, it’s destiny?^^ You’ll know what I mean if you watch the drama :p
Well, I don’t know what to write about the story. I mean, by the time I am writing this, it’s still ongoing. And the story really revolves around the relationship between the two. I originally watched this because Abe Ryohei, a member of Snow Man, the group that I really love (ok, I owe you a post about them!) was cast in this drama. My Japanese friend actually said that his acting looked awkward ๐๐๐ โ No offense to Abe-chan’s fans, but I love him, ok? And I think it’s ok even if someone said his acting isn’t good because he’s indeed not an actor. His acting skills are not what I loved him for. But I know he tried his best, and hopefully he got better as he got more experiences ๐๐
But what I like about this drama is how it highlights various professions involved in a flight or an aircraft industry. I mean, people usually focus only on pilots and flight attendants, but here’s they try to bring about how important the mechanic is, the air traffic controller, the snow-removal team, even the janitor!, etc. Like, they work in a team and as a team, and they’re proud of their professions. Well, maybe it’s sorta related to what I wrote about being a part of something bigger? Like, no matter what profession it is, we matter because it’s important too. And I might have not realized it before, but I noticed that they used real airlines in the drama: JAL [Japanese Airlines]. When I told my Japanese friend about this, they said that’s how it’s always been. Back then in Good Luck drama, they also used ANA [All Nippon Airways]. But when I watched Good Luck, I had never been on a plane so I wasn’t aware of the names of airlines. LoL But I mean, I don’t really watch Indonesian dramas anymore, but I don’t think we use real names of airlines in Indonesia for a movie or drama. I might be wrong, though. But, I mean, to see JAL in this drama feels so surreal ’cause I’ve flown with them ๐ Anyway, it’s a nice drama ๐ [And by the way, I’m actually more interested in the relationship growth between Kawahara and Natsume, the character acted by Abe-chan ’cause it’s so cute๐They both are๐๐๐ฅฐ But maybe that’s because I’m biased๐๐โ]
5. Tsuma, Shogakusei ni Naru
10 episodes. Around 54 minutes each. It’s about the dead wife who’s “reincarnated” into the body of an elementary school girl. The story revolves around the husband and their daughter who was left behind and somehow lived like the dead–no passion, no excitement, no emotions, because they got so torn after the wife/mother died. Then one day, an elementary school girl came and claimed that she’s the reincarnated wife/mother. And somehow their life changed.
At first, I didn’t want to watch this drama because, gosh, didn’t it sound gross? I mean, to think the man saw and treated the little girl as his wife? Didn’t it look pedophilic somehow? But thankfully there wasn’t anything sexual in the story, so I guess it’s okay. The reason I started watching it was because one of my favorite actors, Kamiki Ryunosuke, acted as the dead wife/mother’s lil brother. And I missed his acting, so yeah. But I had no regrets. I actually came to love this drama, which is why I include it here, right?^^ This drama is full of life lessons, and at some point, it can actually make you cry. (Or maybe that’s because I’m a crybaby, Idk…) But ugh, aside from that, Yosuke Sugino is here! And he’s so cool! I guess this is where I started to love him more. Haha Anyway, please consider watching this drama :’)
6. Unicorn ni Notte
10 episodes. Around 57 minutes each. It’s about three friends who built a startup company and aimed to grow and be a unicorn. The story portrayed their struggles in establishing the company, how they tried to get funds and investment, the conflicts they had to face between members, recruiting new workers, etc. It’s great as it looks so real. Well, I don’t know much about IT world, though. But my Japanese friend said maybe it’s not as great and cool as depicted in the drama. They said this despite its being their number-1 favorite drama this season ๐ I can’t say, though, ’cause I think some people in my country love to flex about how cool and great working in a startup company is, so when I watch this drama, I feel like it’s not that exaggerated, and it’s still possible to be found in reality.
The reason I watched this? At first, I watched it for Yosuke Sugino, of course! I mean, look at how gorgeous he is. And OMG, he’s so tall! Haha But, oh, I actually came to love the drama. It’s full of ideas. I mean, I feel like the ideas they have in the drama can actually be realized in real life. And I learn a lot about technology and business terms. How it works and all. And somehow, I can relate to Sana, the main character here, the CEO of the startup company, about how she couldn’t continue her education due to poverty and thus wanted to create something for everyone to be able to learn for free. The idea is really great. But the romance part in this drama is a bit frustrating. Ok, spoiler: I root for my man to be with the CEO, ok? But the drama loves to tease me, making it as if she loved someone else. By the time I’m posting this, it’s still ongoing, so I don’t know how the two will end up in regard to romance. They keep emphasizing that they’re just best-business partners, and it’s driving me crazy. LoL But I really hope it’s going to be a drama with a happy ending, not just the startup company but also the romance between the main characters^^
Alright, I guess that’s all? I wrote more than 2k words already. LoL How I wish I could be this productive and fast with academic essays. LoL Anyway, see you in the next post ๐
