Japanese Medical Dramas (Part 2 of 2)

I've compiled a list of latest Japanese medical dramas. These dramas were aired from Winter 2010 to Winter 2015. Click here for Part 1.

Please note
This list will only include dramas which are:
- not only mainly set in a hospital but actually tackles either problems/circumstances in a hospital system, cases of doctors, and treatments of patients.
- even if working for forensics, the lead character is a doctor.
- series and not special dramas with only one or two episodes.

This will not include dramas which are:
- mainly set in a hospital but centers on mystery, or any other genre than medical.
- Asadora and Taiga dramas.
- SPs aired in a season.

And of course, I will only include dramas which piques my interest. 

While I can promise that I'll do my best to categorize the dramas, I cannot promise that it'll be perfect as categorizing some of them can be really confusing. The dramas I haven't watched yet are even more confusing to categorize. I might edit this post if sometime in the future, I think a drama fits another genre more. If you would like to suggest that a drama fits a certain genre more than where I included it, feel free to comment so I can take it into consideration.

Japanese Medical Dramas

Last Hope (Winter 2013)

"Inspired by the works of Nobel Prize winner Yamanaka Shinya, comes a medical suspense drama that focuses on the cutting-edge medical technology. Set in the infamous Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation hospital (IBRI), it tells the story of a medical team, that is made up of doctors from different fields of expertise, age-group and career aspirations. They are the last hope for all the terminally ill patients who are sent there. "What does it mean to live?", "What does it mean to save a patient?", and "How far is one supposed to go in the name of medical care?". These are the questions that trouble the team, as they slowly grow as an individual and as a team, helping each other overcome their complexes and their past.

Hatano Takumi is a qualified GP, and had thought of taking over his father's family practice. However, his father has other plans for him, and recommended him to join IBRI instead. Takumi is excellent at diagnosing a patient's illness, but he is considered and eccentric, due to his habit of dropping everything to have a snack on-the-dot at 3 o'clock. Unbeknownst to himself, he actually carries as secret from when he was a kid. When that secret is exposed, what will happen to Takumi?" (from dramawiki)

I really like this drama because their setting is really modern and the mystery surrounding our hero is so intriguing. There's just one point that I couldn't forgive because my curiosity wasn't satisfied. What's the significance of Takumi's 3PM snack time and why do they have to put a certain highlight to that in every episode as if it's something necessary to the drama? I thought even the explanation for that will be explain in the end, but no. I wonder if it's only me who was bothered by that? Over all, I like the drama minus the 3PM snack time because I didn't get its importance. It's cute thoughLol. I hope there's more between Aiba Masaki and Tabe Mikako though!

Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji 5 (Summer 2013)

"Dr. Kaede Kojima (Matsushima Nanako) is now the staff leader at Minato University Hospital's  a month since she took that position. She's calm and precise in her role as staff leader, but she doesn't let others get close to her. The relationship between staff members is awkward because of this. Others can't figure out why Hospital Diretor Tooru Mogami (Danta Yasunori) put Kaede Kojima in her position.

One day, a patient's family asks the hospital to stop a donor transplant. Hospital Director Tooru Mogami calls Dr. Kaede Kojima in for a meeting. When Kaede Kojima gets there, Tooru Mogami and Yasuhiro Sugiyoshi (Tezuka Toru) wait for her. Yasuhiro Sugiyoshi complains about the cancellation of the donor transplant and blames staff members for not persuading the patients' family enough. Tooru Mogami then reveals that he invited donor transplant specialist Dr. Mamoru Natsume (Tokito Saburo).

Around this time, tragedy strikes with multiple stabbings and an explosion. The Emergency and Critical Care Center is inundated with injured victims. Chaos ensues as the staff fails to work together and the doctors do not cooperate or communicate with each other." (from dramawiki)

I'm quite surprised that this series has been going on since 1999. I'm even more surprised when I saw the promotional poster of the first installment because Matsushima Nanako looks so young, though she's still very pretty nowadays! While I'm surprised about this drama, I don't think I'm going to watch the 1st to 4th seasons because it doesn't really interest me that much. I'd just like to check out this 5th season, and because Kazama Shunsuke is in this drama! I hope he stars in more dramas though, and actually take the lead role! This guy is from Johnnys & Associates after all! C'mon Johnny, you can do better than that! XD :)


Doctor X ~Gekai Daimon Michiko 2 (Autumn 2013)

"The story continues with Michiko still working as a freelance dcotor at the Teito University Hospital. Enjoying herself at a horse-race in Hokkaido from an invite by Dr. Kanbara Akira, Michiko happens to chance upon a scene at the owners' box. The elegant woman draped in a fur coat, sipping champagne with her handsome younger lover. Her attention is soon diverted to the race, as she cheers on the horse that she had bet on. Suddenly, the said horse veered into the path of another horse, causing a nasty fall. Michiko then overhears the elegant woman, who happens to be the injured horse's owner, lamenting "A hundred million yen horse, euthanised just like that". To which the vet replies, "Even a surgery will result in 100% failure." Michiko then chimes in, "If it was me, I would succeed..."

A few weeks later, in the conference at the Teito University Hospital, the Internal Medicine Executive Manager announces that there will be a patient checking into the hospitalfor treatment on osteosarcoma of the thighbone. The Chief surgeon, Hiruma, and all his staff concur that the best treatment would be to amputate the leg, when a voice pipes up, "I disagree!", that heralds appearance of Michiko!" (from dramawiki) 

Just the same thought/comments I have with season 1 on the first post. I haven't watched this one too.

Dr.DMAT (Winter 2014)

"DMAT, the acronym for the 'Disaster Medical Assistance Team', was first established in 2004. For the past 10 years, the team has been providing on-site emergency assistance at disaster-hit areas. Yakumo Hibiki was a surgeon at the Arisukawa General Hospital's Emergency Unit, but due to a mistake involving his sister Haruko, he has since been transfeered to the internal medicine unit. One day, the hospital director, Dr. Isesaki Katsuichi, requests for Hibiki to move to DMAT. His childhood friend, Nurse Yoshioka Rin, encourages him to take up the role, but upon joining the team, Hibiki finds his new colleagues aloof and a little eccentric. His first assignment is to pile-up accident in a road tunnel, and he finds himself working against time to provide medical treatment to those who require immediate attention." (from dramawiki)

This is another drama I need to prioritize, I'm missing too much I know. While this sounds a little like Code Blue (and they also even have a disaster set in a tunnel), I would really love to watch this because Okura Tadayoshi is the lead actor, and we have Takaki Yuya as well. I like Takimoto Miori a little too, only a little because I think she still has limited facial expressions with her.


IRYU 4 (Winter 2014)

"The fourth season of the popular medical drama starring Sakaguchi Kenji that portrays cutting-edge medical treatments in a thrilling overall package. Three years after the previous season, brilliant surgeon Asada Ryutaro (Sakaguchi) and his "Team Dragon" are back to achieve their goal of creating the perfect hospital where patients are the priority again.

Two new exciting additions to the characters include Asada's former teacher (Hira Mikijiro) and a competent management consultant of the government (Takahashi Katsunori). The story in this season focuses on globalization." (from dramawiki)

While this season has the lowest ratings to date among the 4 seasons, it's still commendable because the ratings didn't even go down 10%, which is actually still very high. This is such a high caliber drama proven by its ratings. A lot of dramas' ratings flop during its 2nd season but this one managed to get until the 4th and I hope they just don't end this series yet. 


Zero no Shinjitsu (Summer 2014)

"Matsumuto Mao is suppose to become the new medical examiner and visit the USA at the age of 10. While there she is to study advanced placement 3rd year Forensics, She has an IQ of over 150.

Suddenly, she becomes like an ordinary person confusing everybody, except Kyoko. A rush of bodies come in for autopsy. A middle aged man who apparently fell for a scaffolding at a construction site comes in. Mao begins the autopsy without a speck of the days exhaustion showing. She discovers that he did not simply hit his head while falling. Case impending..." (from dramawiki)

While I still really like Takei Emi (not to mention that I have seen this pretty lady in person), I just have to say this one is quite lacking in core or in sense. I've watched it but I don't know why I can barely remember the story when a year hasn't even passed yet. I guess it was lucking in punch that it didn't make its mark on me.


Doctor X ~Gekai Daimon Michiko 2 (Autumn 2014)

"Daimon Michiko is a freelance surgeon who does not belong to a university hospital's medical department. She goes around various hospitals while affiliated with Kanbara AKira's shady Good Doctors Agency. One day, Michiko is visiting a southern island when she encounters passengers who were injured in a luxury liner accident. One of them is Busujima Ryunosuke, the former hospital director of Teito Mecial Univeristy's Third Hospital, which she was sent to at one time. Michiko quickly attends to Busujima. That is when she notices something abnormal. 

Busujima is later admitted to the National Higher Medical Center, a technologically advanced hospital which the country has staked its prestige on in order to show Japan's medical technology to the world. He has a huge heart tumor as well as a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma. 

There is a big upheaval regarding this surgery at a preoperative conference because a futile power struggle between the factions of Totei University Hospital and Saikyo University Hospital, which represents Japan's east and west, is intensifying at the center. This struggle for supremacy has reached the point that it makes even Tendo Yoshihito, the director of the center, fret. The two factions naturally fight to be in charge of Busujima's surgery and will not give an inch. Michiko suddenly shows up at this savage conference and boldly declares, "Let me operate. He's my patient." However, she gets thrown out unceremoniously. Right after that, the situation undergoes a complete change. The men of both factions hire Michiko and contemplate hot to tip the power play in their favor. In the end, Michiko is employed as Busujima's attending physician. But of all things, the man himself is dead set against being operated by her. Following her own conviction to save lives before her and to keep doing this a slong as she lives, Michiko pushes on and starts to shake things up again." (from dramawiki)

The plot provided on wikipedia is so long! I have nothing to say anymore. Lol. Just the same thoughts/opinions for the 1st season, so please refer to that. Obviously, I haven't watched this one as well.


Masshiro (Winter 2015)

"25 year-old Arimura Akari graduated from the local nursing school in Funabashi City, Chiba prefecture and works for the hospital's geriatric ward. When she became a nurse, she wanted to be of help to others and appreciated by those people she helped. But in the course of slaving away for a meager salary over the past four years, Akari would rather quit and get married quickly. Then she gets the chance for a fresh start with a makeover as a well-off young lady. She slips into the very exclusive Toh Hospital which draws a stream of politicians, entertainers, and intellectuals depsite the expensive medical care. However, it is a hospital with novice doctors, adulterous nurses and spoiled patients. Among them is the ehad nurse, who is called the overall director of the "White Inner Palace", is tough on Akari and many difficulties are in store for her everyday. Moreover, the policy to keep things that happen in the hospital under the wraps is certainly like the inner palace." (from dramawiki)

Upon reading the plot, I think this is a pretty interesting drama. It's not the usual medical drama where a doctor is the lead character. In this one, it's a nurse. I first got interested in this drama when I've read on wikipedia that Shida Mirai is part of the cast. I really adore her. Horikita Maki is an OK actress for me, I can't really say she's one of my favorites but I like her as well. Her acting is very bearable unlike Ayase Haruka's, in my opinion. Lol. I know Ayase Haruka is very popular and tops a lot of rankings, but to be honest, I don't get the logic of those people who voted. Going back, I would love to check this out as well.

I've finally finished this list of medical dramas! I hope I've helped you somehow on deciding which dramas to watch. If you're reading this until this part, really, thank you so much! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the photos included in this post. They were all from the linked dramawiki pages, credits goes to the owners of the promotional photos.

Japanese Medical Dramas (Part 1 of 2)

I've compiled a list of latest Japanese medical dramas. These dramas were aired from Winter 2010 to Winter 2015.

Please note
This list will only include dramas which are:
- not only mainly set in a hospital but actually tackles either problems/circumstances in a hospital system, cases of doctors, and treatments of patients.
- even if working for forensics, the lead character is a doctor.
- series and not special dramas with only one or two episodes.

This will not include dramas which are:
- mainly set in a hospital but centers on mystery, or any other genre than medical.
- Asadora and Taiga dramas.
- SPs aired in a season.

And of course, I will only include dramas which piques my interest. 

While I can promise that I'll do my best to categorize the dramas, I cannot promise that it'll be perfect as categorizing some of them can be really confusing. The dramas I haven't watched yet are even more confusing to categorize. I might edit this post if sometime in the future, I think a drama fits another genre more. If you would like to suggest that a drama fits a certain genre more than where I included it, feel free to comment so I can take it into consideration.

Japanese Medical Dramas

Code Blue 2 (Winter 2010)

"It has been one and a half years since Aizawa Kosaku, Shiraishi Megumi, Hiyama Mihoko, and Fujikawa Kazuo were assigned to Shoyo University's North Hospital. they have only three months left of their fellowship program (specialized training program) to be flight doctors and each of them have come to the crossroads where they have to think of their lives after graduation. Aizawa, who has only one relative - a grandmother currently in a nursing home, starts having doubts about his duties and cannot find a clear direction for his future. Meanwhile, Shiraishi Megumi is unable to forget the past. She had caused their former teacher, Kuroda Shuji, to have his right arm amputated. Then Tachibana Keisuke, a veteran flight doctor, takes up a new post. He has been put in charge of certifying the fellowship program which will decide their future." (from dramawiki)

I love the first season, and I love this one as well. The front liners of the cast have established names now, and even before when this drama was released. We have Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, and Erika Toda. I really love these three, and watchign something with them together is such a pleasure. My sister, who is a registered nurse, enjoyed this series as well. I love the idea of "Doctor Heli" where the doctors can fly at once to the scene where they are needed. I know right, I stated the word "love" too much, well I really like it a lot!

GM ~Odore Doctor (Summer 2010)

"A brilliant general medicine doctor dreams only of becoming a famous dancer. He returns to Japan to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry only to find out the agency he signed up with was a sham. He stays in Japan and works part-time in a run-down GM center solving baffling medical mysteries. All the while he plans for his dancing comeback." (from dramawiki)

I've been wanting to watch this since I can't remember when, but I don't know why I keep forgetting to prioritize it. It sounds like comedy to me, and I don't know how they'll pull this one of to be great. What makes me want to watch this the most is the fact that Tabe Mikako and Okura Tadayoshi are both part of the cast. 

Iryu: Team Medical Dragon 3 (Autumn 2010)

"Several years after the conclusion of Iryu 2, Team Medical Dragon is once again reassembled to revive the faltering Meishin University Hospital." (from dramawiki)

I should have watched this one as well already, but there's just too much dramas every season I keep on leaving out a lot. From the cast, no one aside from Koike Teppei makes me interested, but then since I have watched the 1st and 2nd seasons, eventually, I came to love the drama. It's very interesting, well, all medical dramas are really interesting, right? They make you learn a lot, while some may be exaggerated, since it's drama after all, but nonetheless, they make you think and feel like everything happening is believable. I'm so amazed with this genre, because there's no medical dramas in my country.

Bull Doctor (Summer 2011)

"Esumi's character is the "bull doctor" of the show's title, which comes from the word "bulldozer". Ignoring any opposition from the people around her, she uses any means necessary to determine the truth behind the deaths of the bodies she examines. Because of her personality, she is constantly at odds with both Ishihara and Inagaki's characters." (from dramawiki)

I've watched this one because of Shida Mirai and Ishihara Satomi. I wonder if they have ever talked about Yamada Ryosuke on set? Just curious since they both know him. XD :) I can't quite understand or relate to our bull doctor, and it got boring along the way. But then maybe it's just me, because I wasn't really interested in the lead actress. I hope they got an actress I'm more familiar with. Lol.

37-sai de Isha ni Natta Boku ~Kenshui Junjo Monogatari~ (Spring 2012)

"A former salary man, Konno Yuta one day decides to re-enter a medical university. He successfully becomes a practitioner at age 37, and begins to work at a university hospital as a medical intern. Yuta had hoped to become a full-fledged doctor as soon as he could, but the reality he faces at the hospital are appalling.

It's as if Yuta had gone back in time tens of years ago when working conditions were incredibly harsh, doctors saw their patients only as sources for research, and rounds made by the professor only impose burden to both doctors and patients. At times being rejected by a younger superior, and at times confronting professors, Kenta comes to believe in one faith, and searches for the "medical treatment patients truly desire".

Joy, conflict, distress... It's a human love story that will inspire you no matter how old you are." (from dramawiki)

I'm not sure about the 'human love story' part there in the plot. Lol. I haven't watched this one either, but since Kusanagi Tsuyoshi got my heart with Dokushin Kizoku, maybe I'll try watching this one as well. Although, Dokushin Kizoku, is purely romance, while this one is medical. And oh, Yaotome Hikaru is part of the cast so I'm really considering this one.


Summer Rescue (Summer 2012)

"Hayami Keigo is a promising young heart surgeon at a university hospital, but is made to examine patients at a clinic in the mountains during summer on the orders of his superior. At a harsh environment 2,000 m above sea level, there is a small quantity of testing equipment and medicine. It is a culture shock and setback for Keigo who is active in advanced medical care and the use of cutting-edge equipment. This is a place detached from modern medical care where doctors make all diagnoses by touching, looking at and talking to patients. Koyama Haruka was raised by parents who ran a mountain lodge, but when she was 5, her mother died in an accident on the mountains. That influenced her to become a nurse in Tokyo. However, one day, an incident prompts her to escape from Tokyo and return to the mountain lodge. It is the same time that Keigo arrives at the clinic." (from dramawiki)

While I love Osamu Mukai and that would make me want to watch this, this one actually got me with its plot as well. It got my interest so I'm want to give this a chance. We also have Suda Masaki, Maeda Goki, and Nounen Rena in here. 


Resident ~5-nin no Kenshui~ (Autumn 2012)

''Patients are brought in one after the other. Being put in an environment where there is a race against time to save lives, all they can do is stand there doing nothing. Though they still have a lot to grow as a doctor and as individuals, will they be able to overcome adversity and one day be able to proudly identify themselves as being a doctor?" (from dramawiki)

All five are of the main cast are familiar to me, and that is really something, because it would make me want to watch a drama more. I have watched this and I really like the interactions and how the characters are learning here. Interesting story, love the cast.
  

Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko (Autumn 2012)

"Daimon Michiko (Yonekura Ryoko) is a 37-year old surgeon and is a art of a questionable 'doctor placement service' that has her wander from hospital to another. She holds a scrupulous comliance when it comes to her working hours, never does any unnecessary chores that don't require a medical license, and couldn't care less about the power struggles within the hospitals. Nobody knows how she acquired such a top-level skill that allows her to claim exorbitant sums as reward, but her private life is an even greater mystery to everyone around her. There are rumors that she once had to leave the medical world due to money problems and a medical error, but nobody knows anything for sure." (from dramawiki)

I haven't watched this one yet as well, but the plot seems pretty interesting for me, so I might give it a chance since Yonekura Ryoko is one of the few older actresses I actually like. This is not something I'll prioritize though, because aside from Yonekura Ryoko no one from the other cast members interests me.

This list of Japanese medical dramas is not done yet! Part 2 is here.

Japanese School Dramas

I've compiled a list of latest Japanese school dramas. These dramas were aired from Winter 2010 to Winter 2015. No Gokusen series even though I really wanted to include it!

This list will only include dramas which are:
- not only mainly set in a school but actually tackles problems in a school system, a disagreement between students, or students having trust issues with teachers. 
- series and not special dramas with only one or two episodes.

This will not include dramas which are:
- mainly set in a school but centers on romance, mystery, or any other genre than school. 
- Asadora and Taiga dramas.
- SPs aired in a season.

And of course, I will only include dramas which piques my interest. 

While I can promise that I'll do my best to categorize the dramas, I cannot promise that it'll be perfect as categorizing some of them can be really confusing. The dramas I haven't watched yet are even more confusing to categorize. I might edit this post if sometime in the future, I think a drama fits another genre more. If you would like to suggest that a drama fits a certain genre more than where I included it, feel free to comment so I can take it into consideration.

Japanese School Dramas

Majisuka Gakuen (Winter 2010)

"Two transfer students, Atsuko Maeda and Onizuka Daruma came at the all-girls school Majisuka Gakuen. In this school, violence and fighting are common among the Yankee students. Noisy and trouble maker Daruma made a fuss as soon as she entered the school, win in her first fight but then was beaten easily by another gang shortly after. In contrary to Daruma's bold-but-powerless attitude, Maeda who is truthfully a strong girl despite of her silent nature found Daruma is beaten by Team Hormon before her. The word "Majisuka?" (means are you serious?) instantly awaken her true nature  and made her won the battle against Daruma's attackers easily, thus made a big fuss at the school and the news even reached the strongest fighting group, Rappapa. Afterwards, Daruma acknowledged Maeda as her boss and as a result the friendship between the two girls began to grow along with their fights with fellow students at their school." (from dramawiki)

I don't know what's with this drama. I tried watching a few episodes. The theme is okay, I'm fine with angst/yankee dramas but I found this one annoying somehow. Let me tell you that I like AKB48, I'm not their biggest fan but I like them that's why I gave this drama a shot. It is probably because everyone is trying hard to act. People may be able to act certain roles but it's pretty obvious the AKB48 members have very limited acting abilities during the time this was aired. This having a not-so-interesting storyline and mediocre acting from the cast probably made it worse. I didn't say the girls cannot improve their acting, I believe they can. I want to see how this goes on until the recent 4th installment, so I'm still considering to watch this one of these days. I hope the storyline has gotten more bearable and the acting of the girls have somehow improved.

HAMMER SESSION! (Summer 2010)

"Two prisoners managed to escaped after the police truck carrying them crashed. One of them is a gangster. The other called "Otowa Yonko", our protagonist, is a con artist who cheats money from criminals or terrorists. Accidentally, "Otowa Yonko" then becomes the new teacher for the nearby school, under the new name "Hachisuka Goro", and according to a deal of "Hammer Session" with the headmaster." (from dramawiki)

Aside from the interesting plot, this drama has a set of interesting cast members. By the time I watched this a few years ago, I only know Mokomichi Hayami, Shida Mirai and Ishiguro Hideo. Looking at the student list now, it seems this has been a starting step for other actors and actresses(that are of almost the same age as Shida Mirai) to carve their acting careers. Suda Masaki, Irie Jingi, Nomura Shuhei, Ryusei Ryo, Sakamoto Shogo, Takeuchi Toshi, and Yamashita Rio are all part of the cast and they are now quite active in the industry. Back to HAMMER SESSION!, there were a few boring episodes, but over all I like the drama. 

Misaki Number One!! (Winter 2011)

"One day all of a sudden, Misaki, the number one hostess of a club in Roppongi becomes a high school teacher! Of all classes, she is appointed as the homeroom teacher for Class 2Z, a special class for the troublemakers at the school. But with her positive power, she takes the students head-on, without ever giving up!" (from dramawiki)

A little like Gokusen, in the aspect that the students aren't supposed to know about her background. But since Misaki has a completely different background than Gokusen's Yankumi, it's interesting on how she'll manage to open up the hearts of her students in her own way. I like this drama. Kitayama Hiromitsu and Fujigaya Taisuke are part of the cast! How nice is that?  I like Karina, she's one of my top 10 Japanese girl crushes! I like Oomasa Aya as well. I would like to re-watch this one and concentrate on finding Fukushi Sota though. I'm surprised that he was a part of the cast. 

SCHOOL!! (Winter 2011)

"The drama evolves around a public elementary school beset with problems. Eguchi plays the passionate protagonist, who worked at construction sites for 20 years with a mid-sized general contractor. However, in order to keep a promise he made with his former teacher, he suddenly changes jobs and becomes the principal of his old school, which he must save from closing down." (from dramawiki)

This doesn't really interest me, I haven't watched it nor have I tried watching an episode. I am not really interested with kids or the lead actor.  However, I might watch this for Miura Shohei and Kitano Kie if ever I find some free time. I like those two so I'm not completely erasing the possibility that I'll watch this one.

Majisuka Gakuen 2 (Spring 2011)

"The story continues in the next school year after the events of the last season. The new members of Rappapa now face an even greater threat from within their own school and the surrounding schools." (from dramawiki)

It would be interesting to see if the AKB girls have upped their acting after a year. They have a tendency to overact and ruin a scene with that. I would love it if the girls act together in a drama with a more decent and engaging storyline though.


Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou (Spring 2012)

"A boys high school full of delinquents gets merged with an elite girls high school." (from dramawiki)

I'm not being bias here but I am so proud of the Bakaleya boys. Aside from Morimoto Shintaro and Takaki Yuya, the other five - Lewis Jesse, Matsumura Hokuto, Yugo Kouchi, Kyomoto Taiga, and Tanaka Juri, can all be branded as newbies when Bakaleya was aired. But, they really proved their worth and just put their AKB counterparts in the shadows. I know the Cattleya girls are fairly new as well since they are the younger ones in AKB48 that time but the Bakaleya boys are not even debuted idols yet. The AKB girls didn't overact this time, but they were lacking in emotions instead. I can forgive that since they are new to acting but I hope I don't see the awkwardness in their faces while trying to convey emotions. Paruru is one to note on this, she's so awkward, even she just simply walking felt awkward. On another note, the story is nice because it isn't just all angst. It has a core which I think Majisuka Gakuen somehow lacks in. I love the cast, of course. Too much eyecandy we have here. I actually hope there's more opportunity for AKB48 and Johnnys to collaborate like this and with great plots of course, we need that. P.S. I love the theme song Shake It Up!

GTO 2012 (Summer 2012)

"Through the introduction of his friend Danma Ryuji, Onizuka Eikichi, the former legendary bike gang member, visits Meishu Academy to tend to the trees in the garden as a part-time gardener. Learning that Yoshikawa Noboru, a student in teacher Fuyutsuki Azusa's class is being bullied by Uehara Kyoko and other classmates, Onizuka befriends and saves Yoshikawa. Seeing Onizuka's unprecedented but visceral, powerful response to problem solving, the school's president and principal Sakurai Yoshiko, overrides resistance from her vice principal Uchiyamada Hiroshi and makes Onizuka a teacher. Onziuka goes on to tackle many issues as the teacher in charge of the most problematic class, Class 2-4." (from dramawiki)

I haven't watched this one, and I don't know why. Lol. The cast is interesting enough to encourage me to watch this since we have Takimoto Miori, Yamamoto Yusuke, Shirota Yu, Takada Sho, Morimoto Shintaro, Nishiuchi Mariya, Honda Tsubasa, Nakagawa Taishi, and Yamada Yuki. I should really prioritize this one. Maybe the reason why I haven't watched this is my lingering bitterness feeling. Why? It's because the first choice to be Onizuka was Akanishi Jin but because he was suspended that time for his shotgun marriage, he couldn't get the part. The tour he was supposed to have that time was already cancelled, why did the drama had to be cancelled as well? Now, I really miss Jin acting. :( That aside, I'm still looking forward to watching this remake.

Kasuka na Kanojo (Spring 2013)

"Junior high school teacher Kamiyama Akira has the ability to sense ghosts, and his new school has a ghost named Akane who used to be a teacher." (from dramawiki) Note: Akane is not really at school though, she's a ghost in Akira's new apartment.

This drama is very entertaining, it's not just repeat scenarios with a teacher dealing with students at their rebellious age. I guess the aspect that makes it more engaging is the presence of the ghost stuff, it adds not only comedy but most importantly mystery, that provides more foundation to the story. This is very interesting for me as well because of the familiar members of the cast. I really adore Katori Shingo's portrayal of Akira, and I love him more than ever after watching this drama. Maeda Atsuko's acting has improved a lot and I'm happy she's getting enough acting roles so she can improve her acting more. Anne, however, has always been awkward for me. She may be getting a lot of praise from others, her acting is okay, but there's something about her that irks me and I feel awkward watching her. I'm happy Morimoto Shintaro, Iwahashi Genki, Jinguji Yuta, Honoka Miki, Hirose Suzu and Yamamoto Maika are part of the class. I almost hated Yamamoto Maika with the role she portrays but I guess my liking to her (which she gained when I watched the drama 49) is enough to hold my anger. And, I'm so proud of her because it just means she can take on various roles effectively. Matsui Kenta is a discovery for me, he's such an ikemen in the making! I'm looking forward to the future projects of the students in this drama, they're all so young and have bright futures!

35-sai no Koukousei (Spring 2013)

"Yonekura Ryoko plays a  35-year old woman who mysteriously goes back to high school as a student." (from dramawiki)

A pretty rare scenario where an adult shares time with teens but not as a teacher but also a student like them. This drama has a mystery to it too and the interactions between Yonekura Ryoko's and Mizobata Junpei's roles are quite fun and interesting. Great members of the class as well - Kojima Fujiko, Shinkawa Yua, Suda Masaki, Nishii Yukito, Nomura Shuhei, Hirose Alice, Morikawa Aoi, and Yamazaki Kento(who is currently storming dramas and films with his charm). They are around 2 to 3 years older than the class members in Kasuka na Kanojo so this is a more experienced batch.

Kamen Teacher (Summer 2013)

"20XX. The teachers are no longer allowed to mete out corporal punishment and disciplinary actions. Due to that, the teachers have lots their powers, and the students are now all running wild. In order to correct the situation, the government decides to put in place a program to control the delinquent students by dispatching special teachers to schools across the nation. One of them is Araki Gota, on whom the government pin their hopes that under this Kamen(Masked) teacher program, he will be able to reign in all the delinquent students in his class.

Gota's new assignment is Kakuu Gakuin's Year 2 Class C, where the students are violent and out of control. The class is ruled by M4, a group of four students led by Takehara Kinzo. On his first day, even though he is punched and kicked by M4, Gota refuses to retaliate in kind. He doesn't want to rely on the power of the mask, but rather, he wants to win the trust of the students so that they can communicate freely with him.

However, the students in his classare so unruly and violent that in the end he still has to resort to the mask in order to control them. To change another person, will it be strength? Or heart?" (from dramawiki)

The uniqueness this time is that our lead is a masked teacher. I haven't watched this one yet, so at present, I have no idea on how our masked teacher will help the students but I would like to give this drama a try to find out for myself. Love the cast too, Fujigaya Taisuke and Oomasa Aya acting together again. Kikuchi Fuma, Lewis Jesse, Kyomoto Taiga, and Kishi Yuta, these babies who are actually not babies anymore are part of the cast as well! We have Maeda Goki and one of my favorites from the younger generation, Yamamoto Maika.

GTO 2014 (Summer 2014)

"Onizuka Eikichi goes from Meishu Academy in Kichijoji to his alma mater Tsujido High School in his hometown of Shonan. Tsujido High School has gone under the umbrella of Meishu Academy and Onizuka is dispatched on a temporary basis. This time, various difficult problems such as a pregnant female high school student, a truant student who makes light of life, a male stalker and radical images happen to him. Onizuka's unknown past is also finally revealed as he meets people who know about his past again." (from dramawiki)

The students are not as established as the one from GTO 2012, I could say a lot of them are still newbies, it would be great if they carried out their roles well. Of course, I haven't watched this one either, but I'm taking note that Horii Arata, Kikuchi Fuma, Ryusei Ryo, and Miyoshi Ayaka, are the ones I'm familiar with among the students. Miyoshi Ayaka was great in Lost Days, so I want to see how she was with this one.

Majisuka Gakuen 4 (Winter 2014) 

"Majisuka High is an all-girls school that is full of delinquents and is constructed of dysfunctional classrooms that have no discipline whatsoever. There is constant physical fighting within the school, walls sprayed with graffiti, and students take naps on the littered floors of the school. But here in this jungle, a group of girls called the "Rappapa" are the claimed leaders as they have won their position by fist.  Being the strongest in fist fights is indeed the social currency at this deteriorating school. The leader of the Rappapa pack is Salt; she reigns as the queen of the chaotic  hierarchy. But one day, a new student, Sakura is transferred to Majisuka High with an aim to overthrow Salt and take over the school. At first glance, she she looks like a student who would make the honor roll, vulnerable, and easily beatable. Yet, when the second year groupie, Team Hinabe, picks a fight with her, they found out that she is someone who should not be trifled with at all!" (from dramawiki)

Same thoughts as what I stated for Majisuka Gakuen 2. I know most of the girls are fairly young, because a lot from the older generation already graduated from the group. I just hope Paruru's acting is not as awkward anymore!

Note: I'm not including Majisuka Gakuen 3 in here because it's not even set in a school. It has a different setting.

Gakkou no Kaidan (Winter 2015)

"Haruna Tsubame, an inconspicuous high school girl, is always sensitive to people's moods and keeps the peace in school. One day, she gets pushed to become the president of the student council by the people around her. Tsubame's encounterwith a man who is a genius speechwriter, leads to a revolution in school. She struggles to change a school full of irrationality and dissatisfaction with the power of words." (from dramawiki)

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, one of the best dramas in Winter 2015! XD :) Kamiki Ryunosuke sure learned a lot from his mentor Sakurai Sho who played the role of Yoshimoto Koya in Kazoku Game. Though the similarities are there, Kamiki has put his touch to it and made it his own. I commend Kamiki for remembering all those long lines when this is not even a detective drama which usually has long lines! I applaud Hirose Suzu as well for that. The two really did well! They have so much chemistry together! And how I hope these two make another drama together that centers more on romance! This drama really showcased both of their talents though. I'm so shipping this pairing! And, how can Hirose Suzu be so pretty? Lol. But really, everyone should watch this drama and go crazy! XD :)

This isn't done yet, but I'll be publishing it early. I'll finish and update it later this day after I take a nap, I'm lacking in sleep.. so yeah. Later! Done! Whew! That was long! If you are reading this until this part, thank you so much! :) 




Disclaimer: I do not own the photos included in this post. They were all from the linked dramawiki pages, credits goes to the owners of the promotional photos.