99.9 2 Review

Title: 99.9 season 2

AKA: Criminal Lawyers season 2

Genre: Legal, Drama

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2018-Jan to 2018-Mar

Theme song: Find the Answer by Arashi

Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Kagawa Teruyuki and Kimura Fumino

“The Japanese criminal justice system has a conviction rate of 99.9%. Once indicted, a guilty verdict is a near certainty. This drama series tells the story of the lawyers who take on these difficult cases, so that they may find the facts hidden within the remaining 0.1%.” (Intro of each episode)

Returning to where we left off, Miyama Hiroto (Matsumoto Jun) still works “losing” cases for Madarame Law Firm. Joining him this time is a former judge, Ozaki Maiko (Kimura Fumino), who firmly and blindly, believes in the judicial system of Japan - which is completely opposite from Miyama.

Not being able to unite in the beginning, the two learn to adapt to each other’s workstyle, and soon enough, together with top defense lawyer Sada Atsuhiro (Kagawa Teruyuki), they seek justice for cases with a 0,01 % success rate…

So, 2 years back, I watched the first season, and didn’t not fancy it. I didn’t hate it, but I wasn’t that into it. The second season is a bit better. I like that there is an exact opposite of Miyama, making it two sides, instead of just the one. Also, Ozaki is really cool. I like her character being herself, even if she is caught in a disadvantage, which the previous lead didn’t have. All characters are pretty much the same, and the acting was pretty much at point - though the humor and speed of conversations, is hard to follow, which it was in season one as well. The stories are good, and the flow of the back plot is great, so it made it a bit more enjoyable.

All in all, a better season, and interesting storytelling.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

A LIFE Review

Title: A Life

AKA: A Life: A Love

Genre: Medical, Romance

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2017-Jan to 2017-Mar

Cast: Kimura Takuya, Takeuchi Yuko, Matsuyama Kenichi and Kimura Fumino.

Okita Kazuaki (Kimura Takuya) is a well-known surgeon working in Seattle. He is called back to Japan to do a surgery on his old mentor and chief, who is the father of his ex-girlfriend Danjo Mifuyu (Takeuchi Yuko). Having left Japan suddenly 10 years ago, he and Mifuyu hadn’t had time to work on their relationship, so she had decided to accept a proposal from Masao (Asano Tadanobu), Kazuaki’s best friend.

After returning and finishing the surgery, Kazuaki can’t wait to go back, but is asked to stay by Masao. He is asked to stay to do a brain surgery on Mifuyu, as Masao himself believes he is unable to do surgery on a loved one. So, he asks Kazuaki to do it, since he doesn’t have feelings for Mifuyu anymore… or does he?

Okay, I had the hardest time writing this summary. After watching 10 episodes I realized that the main plot and storyline really does not look good on the screen. I don’t really understand what the purpose or where supposed growth in Kimuras character went? I thought he was a main character, but he felt like an overrated second lead. I don’t understand what the meaning of this drama is? I get that the acting was good, but I felt no evolving story. They tried to make it “interesting”, but I felt it was rather an unnecessary story to be told. Ive seen movies and dramas that work at a much slower pace, with less story, and yet I am so disappointed in this drama that not even the acting could make me recommend it.

I can’t even explain my ratings. I guess the only thing I can say is watch it, and judge for yourself.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Love for Beginners Movie Review

Title: Love for beginners

AKA:  Kyo, Koi wo Hajimemasu

Genre: Romance, High School

Origin: Japan

Relese date: December 8, 2012

Cast: Takei Emi, Matsuzaka Tori, Kimura Fumino, Aoyagi Sho, Yamazaki Kento, Shinkawa Yua and Takanashi Rin.

Hibino Tsubaki (Takei Emi) is a plain girl that doesn’t like to get attention from anyone. That all changes when she starts her first day of school by getting noticed, by the schools no 1 hottie: Tsubaki Kyota (Matsuzaka). Having the same name, both noticed each other, and they both end up sitting next to one another due to that same reason. Disliking his unserious personality and his playboy attitude, she hates being around him, which makes her gets teased by the rest of the class since everyone adores him. He makes fun of her, and ends up kissing her in class, much to Hibinos disgust. This leads to her becoming the class president, without wanting to be it. Kyota uses the situation by making her ask him out, just to tease her. After the best date Hibino has ever had, Kyota tells her that he will give up on her, since she really doesn’t seem interested in him, which unfortunately isn’t true, as she had fallen in love with him…

Okay, out of all the Japanese high school love stories this one is the best one made, and the couple really is beyond adorable! The storyline is very cliché-ish but somehow it has its own innocent flavor. Though the flow is pretty much typical, the story kind of is good. I think I’m starting to understand why people are annoyed at these girl stories. Yes, they are good, but damn they are typical. I think the only part that was missing was that the leads needed to get married or engaged, but else pretty much that. It’s like those American movies (Last Song, Note Book, Safe Haven etc.) that make you roll your eyes a bit, and even laugh like a teenaged girl, but somehow manage to keep you happy.

Do I recommend it? Sure, it really is okay to watch.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts