Watashi no Kirai na Tantei Drama Review

(Credits for the photo goes to the rightful owner)

Based on the best-selling serial novels by Higashigawa Tokuya, the drama is about private investigator Ukai Morio, a man who talks much. The story starts with Morio and policeman Tomura Ryuhei at a gorgeous mansion with three gentlemen and two ladies, and a murder to solve. - 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 believe every mystery drama is interesting in their own ways, this one showed promise and is quite attractive, but the first episode just ruined my interest. I will still credit a plus one since it has a good plot with potential.

Story development: 0

I know this is comedy too, but I'm not sure about the comedic quality. What has been happening during their investigation just appeared so random to me.

Conclusion: 0
I couldn't see much development to the story, how can I be satisfied with the ending? I probably would have been happy at least if the two leads learned two work together without Ayame's character being so random and weird.

Members of the cast: +1
I like Tamaki Hiroshi and Gouriki Ayame that's why I even prioritized watching this one.

Portrayal of roles: +1
Good portrayal of roles, I still appreciate Tamaki Hiroshi and Gouriki Ayame. I think they did fine.

Character development: 0
I feel sorry for the potential that was this was so random, it turned out to be a flop with no core. Wasted good actors, most especially, they have Tamaki Hiroshi as a member of the cast, but then he was given this mediocre character to portray.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
Gouriki Ayame's song is a little addicting.

Every episode was a fun watch: 0

No. Sorry, it was a grind finishing the dramas even if there were only 8 episodes. 

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: 0

Not really. I hate leaving a drama unfinished, so I always see dramas all the way until the last episode regardless if it's fun to watch or not. For this, I was looking forward to watch the next episodes, just so I could move forward to watching another drama.

It became a favorite: 0

From what I have been writing, of course, this is a no.

(minus .5) 

The characters just lack in core, I couldn't understand where they are coming from. I think this could have been better if, in some way, they have shown why Tamaki Hiroshi's character is so obsessed with money (is he like that when he's young or is it because of something he experienced while growing up?). Also, why is Gouriki Ayame's character so obsessed with solving crimes, why can she decipher the reason why the culprits committed the crimes, why is she so rich, or just what the hell is with her? The freeter who was helping them by giving tips on the cases they are solving, I hope they put a little story to that too in the end. On how he gets those tips and stuff (like he is really an undercover agent or something). Wouldn't that make more sense?

(minus .5)

The extremely long explanation of Ninomiya Akemi about the case every episode is unnecessary. I can understand if they kept this short because it somehow still helps give an idea to Detective Ukai, but it's taking too much precious time every episode, and to everyone's dismay, it's always wrong. 

Final Rating: 3/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
I still like Tamaki Hiroshi and Gouriki Ayame a lot, though I would admit this has to be one of the lamest dramas of the two of them. Is this really a best-selling serial novel? Or did they adapt that best selling serial novel seriously?

Nemureru Mori no Jukujo Drama Review

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"One day, 46-year-old full-time housewife Aizawa Chinami is suddenly asked by her husband Hiroshi to give him a divorce because he wants to marry his classmate from junior high school days. This woman is his first love, Moriyama Haruko, now the editor of a popular female magazine. They had reconnected through social media and he wishes to start life over again. And so, Chinami loses everything that she has created as a housewife because of her husband’s infidelity. Then there is the issue of custody of their son, Kakeru. While in the midst of a difficult divorce settlement, a depressed Chinami indulges in alcohol at a hotel where she has memories of happier times with Hiroshi and gets absolutely foxed. The next morning, the person who had tended to Chinami anonymously introduces her to a cleaning job at the hotel. This person is actually Takaoka Yusuke, the young general manager of the hotel. Almost two times younger than Chinami, Yusuke is the son of the owner of the global chain of hotels, Hotel Takaoka International, and goes by the nickname “Prince”. In front of hotel staff, he behaves like the perfect man, but he is at heart a warped, loathsome character ..." - 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
Very interesting. I haven't read the plot not until I have watched it, so I'm basing this on my impression on the first episode. Though I've watched several dramas where an older woman falls for a younger man which goes usually like this - the older woman is old but still very inexperience with love,  Nemureru Mori no Jukujo has a unique and intriguing setting of someone being a divorcee instead. I guess it brought a lot of matter to discuss in the drama, and that's why I think it's very interesting.

Story development: +1
You know they will fall for each other, but you wouldn't predict exactly what will be their decisions, and what will happen with their circumstances. I like the idea that it kind of says that adults are not right all the time, they can can still fail, and they are still learning as well. And at some time, they can be weak too.

Conclusion: +1
I would have wanted it to end where they officially start a relationship, but I guess it's still fine like that. I guess our heroine Chinami still needs time to think about things after her divorce. So the ending is very much likable.

Members of the cast: +1
I really like Seto Koji and he's the primary reason why I watched this drama. So yes, plus one for this.

Portrayal of roles: +1
This is the first time I've watched Seto Koji playing a two-faced character, and I must say he is really good. There were a few times when i thought Kusakari Tamiyo was a little awkward to watch, but overall, I think she pulled this one off well. Though, I'm wondering why she was given the role when she is not known for having drama series.

Character development: +1
I love it how both Chinami and Yusuke were mature enough to handle their own shortcomings. I think both characters are very admirable, Chinami's son is an admirable character as well. The husband was a jerk, the company president was a jerk, the company president's wife was a pain, but in the end, I couldn't hate any character at all. Everyone was human and has conscience after all. 

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
I really like the background music used in this one, because they blended the setting/situation very well. So yes, a plus.

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

Yes. Just yes.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

I finished this drama within 2 days, I was looking forward to every episode to witness how their relationship goes.

It became a favorite: +1

Yes, this is a heavy drama and it's great. Everything just fell into place in the end. 

(minus .5) 

The lead woman, Chinami, is a little awkward (It might be the actress' portrayal, I can't just let this pass after all), but it's just a "little", it only bothered me for a few times. I couldn't really understand some of Chinami's decisions and ideas though. I wonder if that's because of our age difference.  

Final Rating: 9.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts: 
I thought this is nothing new since this type of drama (older woman - younger man relationship) is really popular nowadays. Not until, I've read somewhere that this is probably the one which started the trend for this type of drama, I thought I have to prioritize this one. This was a very good watch. I like it a lot.

Japanese Drama Reviews Coming Soon

I decided to review some Japanese dramas I have watched. I shall start posting them in the following days. :) I'll indicate in this post my criteria in rating the dramas. I won't delve much on the cinematography since I don't have much opinion about that.

Rating: 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest

+1 Interesting synopsis: The drama got me with its plot, and one of the main reasons I opted to watch the drama.

+1 Story development: The story develops into an agreeable one. It might be predictable or might be not, but whichever it is, it still kept me engage.

+1 Conclusion: The ending is very acceptable and didn't fail my expectation.

+1 Members of the cast: I like the casting.

+1 Portrayal of roles: I found the portrayal of roles effective and heartfelt. I think most of the members of the cast were very much suited for their roles.

+1 Character development: The characters were very likable (they act with reason and sense), regardless of being protagonists or antagonists. They progressed with the story.

+1 OST/Theme song/Insert song used: The OST/theme song/insert song were noticeable and fit the drama very well. I took notice of and liked at least one from the background music, opening song, ending song and insert song.

+1 Every episode was a fun watch: I didn't find any dead scenes (boring scenes which I thought could just passed by quickly). I enjoyed every scene and found it relevant.

+1 Made me anticipate for the next episodes: I actually found myself looking forward to the next episodes. I finished the drama in just a short period (for dramas which have finished airing before I watch it) or I faithfully watch the drama weekly (for dramas which are ongoing while I'm watching it).

+1 It became a favorite: I enjoyed the wholeness of the dramas, liked it very much, and is now added to my list  of favorites.

Please be reminded that the ratings here are my own, and not of anyone else. If ever you agree with my rating then that's good to know, but if not, I'll be grateful if you can respect my opinion. I'll be delighted to hear your own say about the dramas as well, so feel free to comment your thoughts. :)