Gakkou no Kaidan Drama Review

(Photo credits goes to its rightful owner)

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 encounter with 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)


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: +1
I've heard this is something crazy like Kazoku Game, where Kamiki Ryunosuke was also in. The promotional poster intrigued me so much that I just had to prioritize this one. 

Story development: +1
While I couldn't care less about Platina 8, the story development happening in the lives of the 2 lead characters Tsubame Haruna and Shizukui Kei were really engaging.

Conclusion: +1
I love it that they added a hint of romance in the end! I love the conclusion that no one's actually that bad, it's a misunderstanding, makes you realize people should talk about their feeling more to avoid these troublesome misunderstandings.

Members of the cast: +1
Like! I admire Kamiki Ryunosuke and have watched a lot of his dramas/filmsHirose Suzu and Suga Kenta were discoveries in this drama. I'm familiar with almost half of the Platina 8 as well.

Portrayal of roles: +1
Kamiki Ryunosuke just upped his acting in a very excellent level on this one. This is not even a mystery drama but his lines were so long, it's very admirable that he was able to pull this off! As what we can expect from a child actor, right? So great. Hirose Suzu is very laudable as well with her performance, and how can she be so pretty? Hahaha. Platina 8 is a bunch of rich spoiled kids, but I guess they are quite effective because they are annoying. Lol. But I have to say, Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hirose Suzu really carried this drama.

Character development: +1
I really appreciate the character development between the two leads. About Platina 8, well it's good that they have their own shortcomings and problems as well, glad to know they have deepness within them too.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
I love the insert song "Just One Girl" by Fujiwara Sakura. The message of the song really suits the drama or the story of our heroine Tsubame Haruna. And, the song is in full English!

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

Yes, undeniably. A few boring scenes here and there, but that's forgivable.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

Yes, I was looking forward to knowing how Haruna and Kei's relationship would go. XD :)

It became a favorite: +1
Yes, Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hirose Suzu just did very well to make this probably one of the best dramas of Winter 2015. I think the two just carried this so well, you can forgive its shortcomings.

(minus .5)
I couldn't quite gauge why the Platina 8 have to be Platina 8. Can't it be 5 or 6? Lol. Because they are 8, one can think they are really just a bunch of rich spoiled kids. I don't think having eight of them is necessary. 

Final Rating: 9.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
Unexpected chemistry between Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hirose Suzu who have 4 years age gap with each other! I ship this pairing now! I hope they can work together again someday.

Suikyu Yankees Drama Review

(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.

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.

Conclusion: +1
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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Mondai no Aru Restaurant Drama Review

(Credit for the photo goes to its rightful owner)

Tanaka Tamako had been working for a male-dominated restaurant business but was betrayed by her boyfriend who was hired as the chef. In addition, she is taken to the police as a result of an incident she caused because her friend Morimura Kyoko was subjected to sexual harassment. Tamako resigns from her unreasonable company and starts a bistro selling homemade pot-au-feu on a rooftop in an alley in Jingumae, Tokyo. This is the story of females who are labelled "write-offs" and the restaurant they have established in order for them to get out from life's abyss. They battle difficulties and search for ways to change their lives as they experience the joys of work. This is a problem restaurant because they are all females with problems, but it is certainly not lousy. The women who have a common enemy – men, and the restaurant unites them in a fight to the death. (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: +1
At first, I thought that this is just a random comedy drama, but it gained really positive comments online. And when I started to understand the plot and setting in the latter part of the first episode, I just knew that I should continue watching.

Story development: +1
There is something actually happening every episode. I love that they didn't just focus on what's happening with Tamako's life (Tamako is the lead character). You can understand where each character is coming from because their lives were portrayed very well. Everything happening in an episode is agreeable because it is humane, and so, people can empathize with it.

Conclusion: +1
I would have loved Bistro Fou to be successful, still up and running at Omotesando. But when I saw the ending, I felt good even though the ending wasn't what I expected it to be. It's still very true to the feelings conveyed in this drama, I must say. And I love it that the ending can actually result to a season 2! Lol. I hope so, but they should think about another conflict.

Members of the cast: +1
I really like Maki Yoko ever since I've watched her in Osozaki no Himawari (opposite Ikuta Toma). Likewise, she was impressive in MOZU. Watching Higashide Masahiro was a first for me, I'm actually surprised that this is my first Higashide Masahiro drama, I've known him for quite a few years now. I'm familiar with the other cast members as well.

Portrayal of roles: +1
Seeing Maki Yoko being jolly, different from her character in Osozaki no Himawari and MOZU, this is somewhat refreshing. But I must say, I really love her when she's talking in her serious mode. Higashide Masahiro is good, I was really focused when he's on screen because I wanted to gauge his acting, now I'm looking forward to watching the Ao Haru Ride live-action film more. Nikaido Fumi and Takahata Mitsuki are both good and cute! I've watched them before in different dramas but I think this drama is what I liked most among their projects, by far. Seeing Suda Masaki here is a delight, I am liking him more and more, though his role here was quite a jerk. Matsuoka Mayu is admirable. I can't get enough of her face in episode 3 when she was with her parents at Symphonic and her mom revealed something. I think that scene will be one of my treasures. I have these treasured scenes which are just so heartfelt, there can be so much tears/talk or there can only be silence, but emotions are just pouring. This can be one of those! The scene is heartfelt because of Matsuoka Mayu's acting. While watching the drama I've been thinking that she's familiar and I may have watched her in some drama before, turns out it was in Saitou-san 2. Usually, I wouldn't which role did she portray if it wasn't a major character, but I guess she already made a mark on me that time, because I actually remembered that she was the teen who got pregnant even if that wasn't a major character.

Character development: +1
As I've mentioned earlier, where the characters are coming from with their decisions and thoughts are conveyed very well. You will understand, thus, you can't blame them. You can blame society instead. Lol. Most of the main characters, the girls, they all learned and were able to be happy.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's Mondai Girl is really catchy!

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

I found most parts of the first episode boring because they were all just talking there randomly, but I didn't know it'll be the start of their venture. I'm still going to say that every episode was a fun watch, because at the latter part of the first episode, it just got really interesting and it just went on until the final episode.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

I really did anticipate them. I got really hooked after the first episode. I was watching until 2-3AM. I finished it within 3 days, even if I have my games, and my part-time tasks. Hahaha.

It became a favorite: +1
Oh yes! It surprisingly became a favorite. I didn't expect much from this drama, but I ended up getting really hooked into it.

(minus .5)
Here's a point that really bothers me. The person who went against them and kept complaining about their restaurant, I wonder who is that? It was never revealed, right? I didn't just miss it, right? I'm really curious on his identity, I want to strangle him! (This makes my hopes up for a season 2! Hahaha!)

Final Rating: 9.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
My statement on the portrayal of roles just went on and on, it ended up quite long! I think I've already said enough, and I've expressed my love for it. Season 2, please! XD :)