Detarame Hero Review

Title: Detarame Hero

AKA: Nonsens Hero

Episodes: 13

Genre: Comedy, Family, Sci-fi

Broadcast period: 2013-Apr to 2013-Jun

Cast: Sato Ryuta, Tsukamoto Takashi, Motakariya Yuika, Akimoto Rei and Kohinata Fumiyo.

Kusumi Kenta (Sato Ryuta) is the worst type of adult you could think of: the trash type, meaning he doesn’t have a job and doesn’t want to, yet he gambles his money as if he has a lot. His nickname given by his friend is ‘Kuzu Ken’ which is the short of his last name, but also means ‘Trash Ken’. After only having bad things happen to him, he at one point borrows money from the Yakuza, making his situation even worse, having to run away from them.

Until one day when on his door step, a boy named Daichi (Akimoto Rei), tells him he is the son of his sister. At first Kenta doesn’t believe him, and when Daichi shows Kenta his bank account of 2 million yen, Kenta takes it and gambles it away. Shortly after a lawyer shows up and tells Kenta that his sister has passed away and he is the guardian of Daichi. Both incredibly reluctant to live with each other, the two start bickering over a bottle of drops, which Kenta takes one drop of and leaves the house in annoyance.

When Kenta is surrounded by gangsters once again, almost beat to a pulp, he finds the drop and puts it in his mouth. Suddenly he becomes strong and fast, and manages to save himself.

Surprised himself he goes to his friend Tanba Shunji (Tsukamoto Takashi) who is a police officer, and tells him about the drop and how he’ll make money with it, but as it happens he becomes a hero while saving civilians.

As time goes he and Daichi are confronted by someone who seems to know a little too much about the drops, which makes his sister’s death seem a little too suspicious…

I found this drama by accident and decided to download it because I am a Sato Ryuta fan, but I didn’t read the summary - which was a good idea since I might’ve decided not to watch it. I have to admit I kind of like it. The overall idea and theme is a bit ‘childish’ (and with childish I am thinking of the 90’s power rangers with powers and costumes), but it does have a seriousness to it - like any superhero story. Though this story is about a man starting at the very bottom, slowly moving his way up; all thanks to his nephew who acts more of an adult than him. But that doesn’t make it any boring. It really is an entertaining story and I really liked it.

To sum up, a family story with a hint of superhero.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Umizaru 4 Movie Review

Title: Umizaru 4: Brave Hearts

AKA: Umizaru: Brave Hearts / Brave Hearts Umizaru

Genre: Action

Origin: Japan

Release date:  July 13, 2012

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Sato Ryuta, Naka Riisa, Miura Shohei and Hirayama Hiroyuki.

“Because Japan is surrounded on all sides by water... the Japan Coast Guard patrols its maritime borders... through 11 regions. But for search-and-rescue... they have one organization that covers the whole nation. “The Japan Coast Guard Special Rescue Team”, or "Special Ops." They are based out of the 3rd region's Haneda Airport facility. And boast the highest level rescue skills imaginable. They are 36 select members from 13,000 coast guard officers, divided into 6 teams. They can respond to chemical and gas explosions. They're ready to roll out to any part of the country... to step into situations too hazardous...for even the most trained rescue divers. They face various hazards. Confront death on a regular basis. So they train constantly... building up stamina, mental strength... sharpening their judgment and acumen. They are trained for danger. In short, Special Ops are... the last line of defense in maritime rescue. “Japan Coast Guard Special Rescue Team" (taken from intro)

Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) has together with Yoshioka Tetsuya (Sato Ryuta) joined the Special Ops, and dedicated their lives to save other people. Now with a 5 year old son, and one on the way, even Tetsuya has started dating a stewardess called Mika (Naka Riisa), whom he plans on marrying soon, they are both have troubles with balancing their love and family life.

When a flight that Mika is on board of crashes in the middle of the sea, the Special Ops are called…

Every movie is stepping up the game, like both emotionally and action wise. I feel kind of sad that this is the last of the Umizaru story: watching this from the very beginning and growing with the characters, and actually seeing every step he takes and every choice he makes which makes you kind of feeling that you know this guy personally. I sort of hope that they make another one, even though I bet that the Japanese are pretty tired of it. The story is good, and this job they are doing is so respectable, which makes me enjoy their interaction.

I do recommend it, even if you haven’t watched the other stuff.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Umizaru 3 Movie Review

Title: Umizaru 3

AKA: Umizaru: The Last Message / The Last Message: Umizaru

Genre: Action

Origin: Japan

Release date: September 18, 2010

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Sato Ryuta, Kato Masaya, Fukiishi Kazue and Miura Shohei.

When a huge accident happens on the drilling plant “Regalia”, a ship colliding in the plant, Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) and his buddy Yoshioka Tetsuya (Sato Ryuta) are put to the task to escort the engineer Sakuragi Hiroshiichirou (Kato Masaya) in and out. But due to a typhoon approaching, Daisuke becomes separated from Tetsuya, and gets stuck together with Sakuragi and three other people: Nurse Nishizawa Natsu (Fukiishi Kazue), driller Kizima Hisayoneo (Hamada Gaku) and newbie rescue diver Hotori Takuya (Miura Shohei).

 As the situation grows more dangerous, the rescue helicopters aren’t able get close, and due to Regalia being a combined plant (different countries contributed in the building of the plant), the government officials are more interested in saving the plant, than the actual people.

Now it’s up to Daisuke to save the people inside, and get back home to his wife and new born son…

I can’t believe that for every movie, it just keeps getting better and the quality too! I mean after the drama I really didn’t believe they would be able to make it deep, since 11 episodes is about 8½ hours, but they managed in the second movie to do just that. I really didn’t expect it to be that exciting, but they really overshined themselves. The storyline is as usually heartfelt, and inspiring, though I’ve started to feel as if I’m basically waiting for Senzaki to die, like really. Every movie is him being in a pinch, I mean how he even survives dammit LOL, not a bad thing though.

This movie you can actually watch without seeing the rest, well you can do that with them all, but this one doesn’t seem to be in the same category somehow: yes, it is in water, but we actually only see them diving in the end. Okay, minor detail, but still.

All in all pretty darn good.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Umizaru 2 Movie Review

Title: Umizaru 2

AKA: Umizaru: Limit of Love / Umizaru: Test of Trust

Genre: Action, Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: May 6, 2006

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Sato Ryuta, Otsuka Nene, Fukikoshi Mitsuru and Tokito Saburo.

After Nagare was scrapped the Yokohama team was separated into different branches and different districts. Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) together with Yosikawa Tetsuya (Sato Ryuta) got stationed in a mobile rescue unit based in Kagoshima. When his girlfriend Kanna (Kato Ai) visits, to talk about their wedding, she is stunned when Daisuke tells her he needs time to think things through.

When a huge cruise ship breaks down 2km from the Kagoshima shore, the rescue unit is mobilized to save the 600 passengers and crew. On the ship Daisuke happens to find Kanna on, but due to a hurt and pregnant passenger, they split, Kanna to evacuation, Daisuke to escort the passenger. As he is moving through the parking lot, he stumbles upon another passenger, but he is unwilling to leave his car. While lighting his cigarette on, the flares fall on the ground and hit spilt gasoline, making the second floor explode. Managing to avoid the explosion, Daisuke and the two passengers are saved by Tetsuya, only to find out that they are trapped, and have nowhere to get out…

One word: wow. Who said only Americans know how to make action/thriller movies?! This movie is amazing. I have no idea where the 2 hours I spent watching this went! They really took this up a notch!

Again we have the honest and almost realistic story, though with pretty amazing saving/surviving skills, but nevertheless, mostly realistic. Everything from the love story, to the unity of the coast guard, to the stories of the passengers, everything was made so good. One negative would be that the actual progress in their lives was not that vivid, but that is just me.

All in all, a very good movie!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Umizaru Review

Title: Umizaru

AKA: Umizaru Evolution

Genre:  Action, Romance

Episodes: 11

Broadcast period: 2005-Jul to 2005-Sept

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Nakamura Toru, Sato Ryuta, Tokito Saburo and Natsuyagi Isao.

This drama is the follow up on the movie after the recruits become coast guard divers.

A year has passed since Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) became a coast guard rescue diver, but has still not been in an actual rescue operation. When his transfer to the 3rd district is decided, he is thrilled to find out that it is in the same city, Yokohama, as Kanna (Kato Ai) his long distance girlfriend lives in, but for some reason she doesn’t want him to come Yokohama, even though they have been mailing and talking to each other. Not only that: his new buddy Ikezawa Masaki (Nakamura Toru) is a veteran, who has no interest in him, basically not seeing him as an even equal.

Hoping to save lives and trying to adapt to his new environment, Daisuke tries his best to match up to Ikezawa and grasp the meaning of being a coast guard diver…  

The drama is a great follow up on the movie. The vibe and the mood is pretty much the same, and you really start idolizing these people who not only sacrifice their life, but also jeopardize their family life and relations. The story is not as action packed as the movie, but tries really hard to make it interesting and realistic, which I believe they did very good. The lead couple has a good chemistry with one another; somehow they just seem to be a really good duo. The drama has that emotional feeling to it, which makes you tearing, heck even cry - I know I did.

I would recommend it, but it probably would be more interesting if you watched the first movie.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kisarazu Cat's Eye: World Series Movie Review

Title: Kisarazu Cat’s Eye: World Series

Genre:  Comedy
Origin: Japan
Release date:  28 October 2006
Cast: Okada Junichi, Sakurai Sho, Okada Yoshinori, Sato Ryuta and Tsukamoto Takashi

Three years has passed since Bussan’s (Okada Junichi) death, and the Cat’s Eye have split; Bambi (Sakurai Sho) has become a government official and broke up with Mohko, Ani (Tsukamoto Takashi) is in Tokyo “having an IT job”, Master (Sato Ryuta) lost his busniss and wife, and now lives in Osaka and opened a Yakyukyo Shop, and lastly Ucchie (Okada Yoshinori) is nowhere to be found.

One day Bambi goes to a site and hears a voice, and he immediately thinks its Bussans. After he hears it the second time he decides to go get Ani and Master, who have fought due to a failed attempt to steal like Cat’s Eye usually do, which leads to unbelievable events…

Okay the resume is a bit silly, but out of the Kisarazu Cat’s Eye stories this is defiantly a fave, even though its completely ridiculous. The characters have really grown, and their acting has improved a lot. But I like how it ended, I mean the way they finished the story (even though it’s extremely silly.) If you watched the drama and first movie, the last movie is the perfect ending.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Kisarazu Cat's Eye: Nihon Series Movie Review

Title: Kisarazu Cat’s Eye: Nihon Series

Genre:  Comedy
Origin: Japan
Release date:  01. November 2003
Cast:  Okada Junichi, Sakurai Sho, Okada Yoshinori, Sato Ryuta and Tsukamoto Takashi

One year has passed since Bussan (Okada Junichi) has been told he had 3 months to live, and is told once again that he has 6 more  to go. For some reason every time he goes to the hospital he is told differently, and it has now become a topic that Cat’s Eye find boring. After the surprising return of the dead Ozzy, oldie Rose’s pregnancy, Bambi’s 2^nd unwanted election win, a rock concert where the members have to sing at and a Korean bar that is opened, things become even more hectic in Kisarazu. Bussan falls in love with one of the bar girls Yukke is noticed by Bussan, and he falls head over heels in love with her. By that he decides to marry he and asks the help of his friends to help him…

Omg, really, like this is one crazy movie.. I love it, but still, omg.. It’s a lot like the drama, and the comedy has risen, like almost ridiculous, yet enjoyable. The thing that differentiates it is that the characters are a bit sillier than what they used to be, but still the movie has a bit of every episode in it, which I loved by the way.

These 5 guys are like crazily funny and annoyingly real troublemakers. The movie is not so good if you havn’t watched the drama, so that’s a must :)

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½  / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Kisarazu Cat's Eye Review

Title: Kisarazu Cat's Eye

Genre: Comedy

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2002-Jan to 2002-Mar

Theme song: "A Day in Our Life" by Arashi
Cast: Okada Junichi, Sakurai Sho, Okada Yoshinori, Sato Ryuta and Tsukamoto Takashi

This drama is about 5 baseball loving friends going all out after they find out that one of them is dying. Tabuchi Kohei (Okada Junichi) also known as Bussan is a catcher for the second team of Kisarazu Cats. He with his friends is known to be extremely good at it, except for the fact that due to a mistake 3 years ago they weren’t able to go to Koshien. The mistake was a misunderstood signal and led to the fight between Bussan and the pitcher Nakagomi Futoshi (Sakurai Sho) aka Bambi. The two were classmates, but ever since that incident, Bambi has been ignoring Bussan. Bambi is a university student, also the most intelligent one, which all of them agree on. After every game they go to the bar owned by another player Okabayashi Shingo (Sato Ryuta) aka Master, a housebound and father, with child number three on its way. Sasaki Kizashi (Tsukamoto Takashi) aka Ani, is the older brother of Kisarazu’s star Sasaki Jun (Narimiya Hiroki), also the reason for the nickname ‘Ani’ short for Aniki. He is bit of an idiot, and constantly judged, especially because of his lack of success - be it job ot baseball. Lastly we have Uchiyama (Okada Yoshinori) aka Ucchie; a senpai, with a mysterious family, especially since no one knows where he lives and what he thinks. He is weird, and never speaks much: somewhat of an airhead.

After Bussan drops the bomb of him dying, he gets crazy ideas and plans crazy things, like stealing cars and selling them or form a band. These experiences bring them closer together, and eventually bring up fear in the friends hearts. Their friend only has three months to live…

If it weren’t for Sakurai Sho, I wouldn’t have watched it, now that I have, I gotta admit, LOVED it! The thing about old dramas is if you can follow the flow, you will like the drama, and I did. It didn’t make sense most of the time, number one because it’s typical boy stuff they do and second, well I have no idea what these guys are doing… The thing I liked a lot, was about the illness and actually how seriously the illness affected the other people, but of course its comedy so they had to make it funny. Okay, to sum up, the drama is ok.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai SP Review

Title: Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai
Aka: I Don't Want To Kindap Anyone Anymore
Genre: Comedy, mystery
Broadcast date: 2012-Jan-03
Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Aragaki Yui, Sato Ryuta, Kanjiya Shihori and Narimiya Hiroki.

After being fired from his latest job and thrown out by his landlord, Tarui Shoutaro (Ohno Satoshi) still can’t let go of his dream of becoming a superhero. At the age of 29 he still can’t let go of his cartoon-figures and goes crazy when he sees rare items, not to mention the level of seriousness he has when his favorite characters are discussed.

When he meets his senpai Koumoto (Sato Ryuta) he gets a job, so that he can pay rent, as a ‘mobile’ sweet potato seller, driving a van while selling them. On his rute he happens to see a rare poster, and runs to the store to get it, where he stumbles upon a girl (Aragaki Yui) who runs away from ‘bad people’. Shoutaro helps her, only to find out that she is Hanazono Erika, the second daughter of the yakuza clan Hanazono. After a disagreement, Shoutaro involuntary drives her to her desired place, where he almost is arrested. Wanting to give her a piece of his mind, he waits for her only yo hear her reason for being persistent, and being nice as he is, offers to help. Something she decides to take; she asks him to kidnap her.

I liked it, surprisingly. Even though I watched it because of Ohno I have to admit that the storyline most defiantly isn’t my style at all, but watching it, damn it’s pretty good. I guessed the criminal almost immediately, but I had no clue what so ever how. And the comedy part was actually funny, like exactly for this drama, I enjoyed it.  The special appearances of Sakurai Sho and Matsumoto Jun were fun, but only if you watched “Nazetoki wa Dinner no Ato de” and “Lucky Seven”, which I did, hihi..

Anyhow, its actually recommendable, this cast is perfect, and it’s hard not to like it when you know all actors and actresses. I mean they do the acting pretty neatly, sort a wish it was a drama instead of a special…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts