(Credit for the photo goes to its rightful owner)
"Naoya Inaba (Nakajima Yuto) grew up abroad and from his childhood experience, he thought “yankees” were the strongest heroes (in Japan "yankee" refers to delinquent youths). He was influenced by Japanese yankee mangas while he was abroad and grew up to be always full of 'chivalrous' spirit, like how he sees his yankee heroes.
Naoya arrives to spend a year in a high school in Japan. He attends in a technical high school in which the location is famously known as the center for "water polo supremacy". His school, however, is the ridicule of the area and on the verge of closing down. Naoya loves the school because a yankee, whom he admired as a child, was once a student there. However, he soon realized that there are no real yankees like hero figures, only students who spend their days meaninglessly. Naoya is disappointed and decided to do something about it." (from dramawiki)
Rating: 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest. Please view my criteria here.
(This may contain spoilers, I tried to limit them, but please read at your own discretion.)
Interesting synopsis: 0
I'm not into yankee dramas since I have an image most of the actors/actresses have a tendency to overact when they are playing yankee, and I can't quite relate to it as well. The synopsis doesn't really interest me because I think it's just like the usual yankee dramas.
I'm not into yankee dramas since I have an image most of the actors/actresses have a tendency to overact when they are playing yankee, and I can't quite relate to it as well. The synopsis doesn't really interest me because I think it's just like the usual yankee dramas.
Story development: +1
I actually found myself hooked into the story, it gets interesting. It's because it didn't dwell only on the yankee side, but on the sports side as well. It's not about angst and nonsense fighting of a yankee, I got to thank the writer he stirred the story in a good direction.
I actually found myself hooked into the story, it gets interesting. It's because it didn't dwell only on the yankee side, but on the sports side as well. It's not about angst and nonsense fighting of a yankee, I got to thank the writer he stirred the story in a good direction.
Conclusion: +1
Well, if you want it and you work hard on it, the hard work shall pay off.
Well, if you want it and you work hard on it, the hard work shall pay off.
Members of the cast: +1
The members of the cast is the main reason I gave this drama a chance even if I'm not too attracted by the synopsis. Nakajima Yuto, Yamazaki Kento, Takaki Yuya, Chiba Yudai, Yoshizawa Ryo, Mamiya Shotaro, and Ohara Sakurako, all of them in one drama. This is precious. Shinkawa Yua is a discovery.
The members of the cast is the main reason I gave this drama a chance even if I'm not too attracted by the synopsis. Nakajima Yuto, Yamazaki Kento, Takaki Yuya, Chiba Yudai, Yoshizawa Ryo, Mamiya Shotaro, and Ohara Sakurako, all of them in one drama. This is precious. Shinkawa Yua is a discovery.
Portrayal of roles: +1
Good. I didn't find Nakajima Yuto too overacting, though he might be in some scenes, but I liked his overall portrayal after all. Nakajima Yuto has this image of a good, humble, and upright guy. I think he fits the role very well. I sensed more chemistry with Yamazaki Kento and Ohara Sakurako though, I wanted their characters to end up together.
Good. I didn't find Nakajima Yuto too overacting, though he might be in some scenes, but I liked his overall portrayal after all. Nakajima Yuto has this image of a good, humble, and upright guy. I think he fits the role very well. I sensed more chemistry with Yamazaki Kento and Ohara Sakurako though, I wanted their characters to end up together.
Character development: +1
Yes, I like it that no one's actually selfish and everyone's actually thinking of each other. They are teenagers but they have great affection for each other, good friendship.
OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
It's nice to hear Hey! Say! JUMP's Ashita e no YELL in every episode. It suits the will of the drama perfectly.
Yes, I like it that no one's actually selfish and everyone's actually thinking of each other. They are teenagers but they have great affection for each other, good friendship.
OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
It's nice to hear Hey! Say! JUMP's Ashita e no YELL in every episode. It suits the will of the drama perfectly.
Every episode was a fun watch: +1
Yes, I really enjoyed them. Who wouldn't? There's too much eye-candy in the cast! Hahaha.
Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1
Yes. It's mostly because I was hoping Ryuuji and Nagisa's relationship would go further. Lol. But, it's thrilling to see them play water polo. Even though there may be some camera tricks used while playing the sports, I think the actors are still commendable because they still had to learn the basics and had training.
It became a favorite: +1
Yes. It's mostly because of the cast. I think they made me love the story. And it's because it's them, that this dramas turned out great. I think the actors have good working chemistry and I don't find them awkward.
(minus .5)
I didn't sense chemistry between Nakajima Yuto and Ohara Sakurako, not working chemistry, but chemistry as a pairing. I think Yuto's not too good in romance, or he's not yet prepared for such roles yet, but it's forgivable since romance is not really the main point of this drama.
Yes. It's mostly because of the cast. I think they made me love the story. And it's because it's them, that this dramas turned out great. I think the actors have good working chemistry and I don't find them awkward.
(minus .5)
I didn't sense chemistry between Nakajima Yuto and Ohara Sakurako, not working chemistry, but chemistry as a pairing. I think Yuto's not too good in romance, or he's not yet prepared for such roles yet, but it's forgivable since romance is not really the main point of this drama.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Other comments/thoughts:
You might question why is it a favorite when it's only 8.5, right? Well, I think dramas cannot be perfect in all aspects but if I found it heartfelt, or I appreciate it after watching it, it can be a favorite no matter how it lacks in other aspects.
You might question why is it a favorite when it's only 8.5, right? Well, I think dramas cannot be perfect in all aspects but if I found it heartfelt, or I appreciate it after watching it, it can be a favorite no matter how it lacks in other aspects.
