CRISIS Review

Title: CRISIS

AKA: Crisis: Public Security Mobile Investigation Unit Special Investigation Team

Genre: Police, Action

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2017-Apr to 2017-Jun

Cast: Oguri Shun, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Tanaka Tetsushi, Nomaguchi Toru, Araki Yuko and Nagatsuka Kyozo.

This drama follows an elite squad focusing on the national security, the Special Security Squad (SSS)

Inami Akira (Oguri Shun) is a former SDF (Special Defense Force), but due to a traumatizing event he was discharged. His partner Tamaru Saburo (Nishijima Hidetoshi) is a stoic character, specializing in undercover work. These two are the 'legs' out of the quintet group, containing the chief Yoshinaga Mitsunari (Tanaka Tetsushi), a biochemist Kashii Yusuke (Nomaguchi Toru) and hacker Oyama Rei (Araki Yuko). The group deals with terrorists, bomb threats and other national emergencies.

Soon a terrorist group called the "Heisei Restoration Army" begin to unveil their plans of political ideal, and it is up the SSS to stop them...

I started this drama because of Oguri Shun, and I finished it because of him. When I started it, it was very exciting as I hadn't seen any Japanese dramas with such a quality fighting – but unfortunately, I felt bored towards the end. Not the fighting or even the story, but the overall progress and direction. I was a bit hopeful halfway through, but noticed very fast how it would end, and which way the narrative went. This ruined the experience for me, but it might not be like that for everyone. The action and acting is good, and the dialogues were good as well. So it might be your cup of tea.

All in all, a good drama, but not a favorite of mine.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Ouroboros Review

Title: Ouroboros

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Action

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2015-Jan to 2015-Mar

Cast: Oguri Shun, Ikuta Toma and Ueno Juri.

Growing up as orphans Ryuzaki Ikuo and Danno Tatsuya never had a place they called home, until they arrive at a children’s home run by Kashiwaba Yuiko (Hirosue Ryoko). The two grow very fond of Yuiko, due to her caring personality and big heart, and start seeing her as the only adult they trust.

Everything changes drastically when they one-night witness four men leaving a bleeding Yuiko, after shooting her. This leads them to vow, to find the men, take revenge, and kill them. Several years later, they both are grown: Ryuzaki Ikuo (Ikuta Toma) is a detective with a perfect arrest record, and Danno Tatsuya (Oguri Shun) is a don in the underworld. Waiting for opportunities and clues to find the assailants behind Yuikos killers.

After an alleged suicide, Ikuo arrives at the crime scene and becomes the partner of Hibino Mizuki (Ueno Juri). Soon they find out that the suicide isn’t a suicide, and suddenly the clues start dropping.

The two start their mission, now without caring about their capture…

This is one of the few revenge dramas that I’ve enjoyed in my 10+ years of watching dramas. It is a typical drama meaning a tiny bit cliché, but with good twist - had me wondering a few times. I like that it was delivered as it is, and was not apologetic about its characters. We were made aware from the beginning how things are, and how the situation will be. And yet we are wondering at the end, if there might be a better life for these guys in the future.

This is as said one of the few ‘revenge’ dramas I like, and funnily enough it once again stars Ikuta Toma (the other revenge drama I enjoyed is Maou in which he stars in). Oguri and Ikuta are amazing actors, so the duo is actually perfect in almost every sense. At first, I didn’t really understand Ueno Juri had to be in it - they didn’t use her characters potential at all, but she is interesting to watch, and a great actress, so it’s not a complete waste.

To sum up: a great drama with good plot and great screenplay. Recommendable!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

BORDER Review

Title: Border

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2014-Apr to 2014-Jun

Theme song: evil falls by Man with a mission

Cast: Oguri Shun, Aoiki Munetaka, Haru and Endo Kenichi.

As a passionate and enthusiastic homicide detective, Ishikawa Ango (Oguri Shun) is a lucky guy who once happened to catch the perpetrator in a case and has the idea that he will get lucky often. That is until he in his own arrogance forgets that they are dealing with criminals, and is shot in the head on duty. After miraculously surviving the head wound, the bullet resides in his head, and is the only link to the man shooting him. Not wanting to go under the knife again, Ishikawa decides to leave the bullet, but doesn’t admit that the bullet gives him severe headaches.

Returning to duty he is eager to start, but is shocked to see things: he is seeing the victims and they want to help him solve their murder. At first Ishikawa thinks it is him imagining things, but as he is able to talk to the victims and find important clues, he starts using the ghosts as help for his investigations…

I actually saw this by accident; since I hadn’t followed up on new Japanese dramas I was pleasantly surprised to see Oguri Shun in a new drama. I also started this without any pre knowledge, so I had no idea what it was about, which by the way worked in its favor, because I totally liked the story.

The entire theme with the talking to ghosts is one of my favorite, might be because I am a bit of ‘supernatural person’, but it wasn’t until the very end I understood what the title of the drama actually meant. For a 9 episode drama this was brilliant, I am not sure it would be as great of it were longer, and Oguri is without a doubt the actor for this character.

So all in all: worth every minute.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Rich Man, Poor Woman Review

Title: Rich Man, Poor Woman

Genre: Romance, comedy

Episodes: 11

Broadcast period: 2012-Jul-09 to 2012-Sep-17

Cast: Oguri Shun, Ishihara Satomi, Aibu Saki, Asari Yosuke, Nakahara Takeo, Nakamura Yasuhi, Furukawa Yuki, Nomura Masumi, Yagi Nozomi, Maikawa Aiku, Ueki Kiyohiko, Maruyama Tomomi, Sano Shiro, Iura Arata ...

Hyuga Toru is a dropout from school and the C.E.O of his own established company, a billionaire. His company is a place where it’s all about being creative, creating new things, new ideas. It’s a company where things are the opposite of the traditional way or working. Everybody is relaxed, working together in joy. On the other hand there is Natsui Makoto (Ishihara Satomi) or as she calls herself Sawaki Chihiro. The typical hardworking student of Tokyo University who keeps failing at getting a job despite her good grades. She somehow ends up trying to get a job at Hyuga’s company. He believes he doesn’t need a person like her. The typical average student of the best university who does what she is told to do by the society, but he changes his mind when he hears the name Sawaki Chihiro. A familiar name to Hyuga, a name which makes him decide to hire her for a job. 

Yes this drama has the typical rich man poor woman story but I liked it! Yes I know it’s Oguri and I’m a fangirl, but I really liked it. I liked Ishihara too, she was so cute hahah, it’s a really nice comedy with those funny inputs and all. And it was cute too. Hmm,, really don’t think I have anything negative to say, but! But.. we again had the “oh I love you but I wont be with you because you haven’t told me to be with you, you haven’t told me you love me” part. Yup. But it doesn’t ruin the drama. The drama is cute and simple and not draggy or anything. It did have the bit confusing part about Makoto and her job, like she keeps going back and forth with the job. Even the second lead actress was really good. It wasn’t the annoying bunch of crap shit we so often see. So really, the drama is really enjoyable. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 stars out of 5

♥♥♥♥ / 4 hearts out of 5


Bunji's Verdict

I remember when I first heard if this drama - that was right after Kagi no Kakatta Heya finished - and so wanted to watch it, mainly because of Oguri Shun (like any sane girl with eyes), but also because Ishihara is one of the few Japanese actresses that I like, and they two make an amazing couple (combo).  Like Jenji said there are too many clichés in this story that it simply becomes just toooooo typical. Like the mean CEO, happy poor girl, successful close to CEO girl and the best friend of the CEO who is the only one that understands the CEO.  Of course the CEO has to have some traumatic childhood memories, and of course some illness - which only the happy poor girl can cure. And like Jenji said, the push-and-pull with the “can’t be together etc.”..

That said, I have to admit, I really liked it. Like the Oguri’s character was this socially awkward person and Ishihara was this Tokyo University genius that is so naïve and slow, you wonder how on earth she survives.

Acting against each other was probably the best thing any director could do honestly (*whispers* I think that this duo has beaten -many- couples out there..).

All in all, a very good drama, and partially light, basically meaning not so much love scenes, which is typical for a Japanese drama. And since it’s about the work they do, you suddenly become smart on business stuff.. (happens just too many times)

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Juui Dolittle Review

Title: Juui Dolittle
Genre: Animal
Episodes: 9
Broadcast period: 2010-Oct till 2010-Dec
Cast: Oguri Shun, Inoue Mao and Narimiya Hiroki

Tottori Kenichi (Oguri Shun) is a mean, unsocial vet, who only works for money, it seems. He is very talented, and cool-headed, but has problems being around people, mainly because he prefers animals over humans. He feels that humans are horrible creatures, and likes to give people lessons and giving them his clear opinion, if they in any way seem not to show 100% of care towards their animals.
One day, Tajima Asuka (Inoue Mao) comes to his clinic, after being turned down by other vets, and was recommended Tottori from Hanabishi Masaru (Narimiya Hiroki) a vet-celebrity, who went to school with Tottori and believes that Tottori is the best vet of all. Tajima asks Tottori to take care of her horse, Asuka Mirai a racehorse who broke its leg during a race, but the first thing Tottori does is telling Tajima the price of the surgery and the recovery treatment, which ends up being extremely expensive. After some while, Tajima agrees, and decides to work at Tottori’s clinic to pay him back.
But someone near them hurts animals, much to Tottori’s despair.

Short and honestly, it was good. Brilliant cast and decent enviorment makes a great drama. Though I felt that sometimes the script didn’t really do the actors justice, and 50% of it seemed fake. But somehow they managed to fix it, and make everything seem okay. Oguri Shun as Tottori is not only a totally different sight of him, but he does it with such an ease that you would think that he’d always played this character. Mao as Tajima was nice, though her character is dull and very typical for her, but on the other hand, it suits her. Narimiya as the ‘charasmatic vet’ was perfect, and like Oguri they sort of became the characters, instead of acting them out.
This drama is good, if you are an animal lover, otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it. The focus is mainly on animals and how pet owners treat their animals, also it touches the subject about how vets ‘survive’ the competition..

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
My first this kind of drama i think, and it was quite good. Of course it had something to do with the actors,, keehee. like Oguri Shun, which was really simply just great. Again he shows his great skills, acting a role like this, i was really surprised. Though in this drama he is like reeeaally really grown up and all. like really MAN.. u knw. But his acting,,, wuufff... And then Narimiya hiroku,, which was also really good. But the whole drama is like really serious and it almost only had something to do with animals (of course duuh), and well that side story with the evil-rich-guy-and-his-screwed-up-family , but other than that it was all about needing to take care of your surroundings as we share it with the nature as well. It was a cool drama, with a bit comedy here and there. But it was serious and not just something for fun. And i really enjoyed the personality Tottori, it was cool, like he was so realistic all the time and people find him rude but what he really wants is to help everybody, but in his own way. Maybe one of the things i didnt like that much was the character of Mao,, i didnt like that she was one of those that like cry the whole time and get too emotional, and in a few episodes she like totally qualified to be a nurse,, huuuh?, i mean i know she studied and all but like.. she doesnt even have experience.

☆☆☆½ /3.5 stars out of 5

♥♥♥♥/ 4 hearts out of 5

Aikurushii Review

Title: Aikurushii
AKA: Sweet
Genre: Family, romance
Episodes: 11
Broadcast period: 2005-Apr to 2005-Jun
Cast:Takenaka Naoto, Harada Mieko, Ichihara Hayato, Ayase Haruka, Kamiki Ryunosuke, Matsumoto Rina, Sugiura Naoki, Shiho, Hongo Kanata, Oguri Shun and Sawajiri Erika

This drama revolves around the Mashiba family of 7: Tetsuo, the loud father (Takenaka Naoto), Meiji, the free-spirited grandfather (Suginara Naoki), Yumi, the sick mother (Harada Mieko), Michiru, the clumsy oldest sister (Ayase Haruka), Go, the ‘almost’ yankee brother (Ichihara Hayato), Horo, the strong kid (our narrator)(Kamiki Ryunsuke), and Uta, the cry-baby youngest little sister (Matsumoto Rina). Horo has never cried before, or to say he doesn’t know how to, so as his mother becomes sick, and everyone starts to cry, he finds himself in a situation where he doesn’t know what to do. He befriends ‘the weird kid’ Nagumo Shu (Hongo Kanata), who lives with his single mother, and Sakamaki Nana (Shiho), who tries to make her guardian angry by doing stupid things.
The story focuses on how the family copes with the mothers hospitalization, and how there are big problems in different families, even though they live on the country side.

Omg! Like this star cast is UNBELIEVABLE! I guess this is how they became famous? :P
I loved the drama, though I have to say some parts of the love story kind of made me annoyed, mostly the Ayase-Oguri love story. It was sweet and all, but damn that girl had a fast change of heart. But otherwise, I found everything brilliant, from the fights at the dining table; to the search for “Rainbow-Soldiers” (if you watch it you’ll understand). And I finally realised what it means when actors shine through the screen. When there are a lot of actors, it’s hard to make all of them look good, which sort of failed for Ayase (though her performance was decent – don’t get me wrong I’m a fan!). Ichihara Hayato, Oguri Shun and Kamiki Ryunsuke shined trough, and made me like them even more.
This drama is TOTALLY a family drama, and it’s REAAAAAAALLY heartfelt, so if you want to watch something like that, this is a GO!

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars.

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Summer Snow Review

Title: Summer Snow
Genre: Family, Romance
Episodes: 11
Broadcast period: 2000-Jul to 2000-Sep
Theme song: Natsuno Osama by KinKi Kids
Cast: Domoto Tsuyoshi, Hirosue Ryoko, Oguri Shun, Imai Tsubasa and Ikewaki Chizuru.

After the death of his parents, Shinoda Natsuo (Domoto Tsuyoshi) had to take care of his two younger siblings; the half deaf brother Jun (Oguri Shun) and sister Chika (Ikewaki Chizuru), who is secretly dating Juns friend Suetsugu Hiroto (Imai Tsubasa). While running a bicycle shop, he also is the head and busybody of the family. By being simple minded and an easy-going person, he one day meets Katase Yuki, an OL who has never had a job, due to her heart illness.
The two of them are connected by several means; Jun starts to write to an OL lady named "Yuki", who happens to be Yukis fellow co-worker, and uses 'Yuki' as an alias. Hiroto gets busted for robbing, by a detective, who is the father of Yuki. So some way or another they are bound by destiny. After the meeting, they start having a common interest: diving. Then the story starts, of the snow that falls during the summer under the water, summer snow...

This drama is heart warming, and heartbreaking at the same time. I enjoyed watching this family, even wanted to be part of it. Domoto Tsuyoshis character was pretty amazing; a big brother willing to take tons of responsibility on his shoulders and not say a pip about it. I like that he starts to act like a dad, but then, probably realises it himself that, he becomes the protective brother. The characters individually are superb; I mean they all have something memorable, and interesting about them; being deaf and wating to achive a dream, teenage pregnancy, having a deadly illness and lacking responsibility.
The humour was great, but the romance was a bit geeky, which is typical for the 2000-2002 series in Japan, but then again it had its charme :P
Though the ending was a bit messed up, meaning confusing, I did kind of expect the ending, so I actually did not like it. But it's the type of endings that I love, unique and tough to deal with. Final words, watch it if you like good scripts and unique stories.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

(This drama probably deserves more, but it did not equal my expectations)