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Synopsis

Tsukumo Ryusuke is neuroscientist working for the National Research Institute of Police Science (part of the National Police Agency). He is generally incapable of reading the atmosphere of a situation, but when it comes to science, he is well respected. Whenever something catches his interest, he thoroughly sticks to it and never gives up, chasing down the criminals with certainty. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Makita Mitsuharu
Producers: Ishimaru Akihiko, Iyoda Hidenori
Directors: Fukuzawa Katsuo, Hirakawa Yuichiro, Yamamuro Daisuke
Music: Kanno Yugo

Preview

A much anticipated drama this year with TBS and Kimura Takuya with a structure that is similar to Kiina and Galileo with science and crime sleuthing with some comedic elements thrown in. With Kimutaku at the helm and top supporting casts in some episodes with the writer who previously did Trick 1 & 3, this should be a great Spring drama hit.

My rating prediction on average will be about 22.

After 1 Episode

A very entertaining first episode with the transformation of Kimutaku’s character from a Male Host to a Neuroscientist (that mystery has yet to be cleared up). The mystery solving structure on an episodic basis is pretty classic, but the comedic element is more impressive than I thought partly because of Kimutaku’s ability to bring it up a notch in comedic scenes. The supporting cast is good but forgettable, with Ayase Haruka well casted, bringing her “innocent” and clumsy personality on screen, indeed she fills that role very well. Additionally, there seems to be 1 or more side plots that may be revealed at the last couple of episodes, this format is something I prefer in episodic endings, will see how that pans out.

This drama opens up a new science for the lay man, something that most people can relate and definitely learn from. Now I can tell how a person is lying just by looking at them…ahem

Overall so far, a pretty addictive drama with very interesting scientific nuggets one can pick up and learn from. Nice touch, lets hope they keep up the quality.

My rating guess on average still remains.

Review

I will keep future reviews Twitter short

Story/Plot: For this season, Mr. Brain is by far the top few dramas, it edges out Boss IMHO. Great murder mysteries in each episode that ties in with a neurological example. However, the ending comes a little short and was predictable. It did not explain his demise in the first episode, hence I assume Mr. Brain 2 will either be scheduled in 2010 or an upcoming SP will arrive very soon.

Cast: All in all, a good ensemble, most are forgettable, a few standouts, for e.g. the janitor girl, and the female boss. Pretty hard for anyone to outshine Kimutaku or complement him. Ayase Haruka san fits her role well but needs more experience to get to be on a complementary par.

Rating: Overall great ride, addicitive and informative. Kimura Takuya with his long locks is charming and funny. Ending needs a brush up.

JapaneseeDrama Rating: 4/5

To watch online, go here

Synopsis

This series revolves around a group of peculiar detectives in a new division created to fight against an increase in atrocious crimes. Osawa Eriko is a beautiful career woman who has just returned from training in the U.S. and is appointed as the “boss” of this division. But despite her intelligence and capabilities, she can never understand a man’s heart, so she remains unable to find a husband. In fact, her assignment in the U.S. was really a demotion after she ruined her career track over a man. So why was she chosen as the boss of the new division? Even though the detectives are talented, they all have some kind of issue or flaw, and they are considered to be the “problem children” of the police force. In the end, the division’s true purpose is just to isolate these problematic detectives. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Hayashi Hiroshi (???)
Producers: Murase Ken (???), Misao Reiko (????)
Directors: Mitsuno Michio, Ishii Yusuke (????)
Music: Hayashi Yuki, Sawano Hiroyuki (????), Wada Takashi (????)

Preview

The truth is this drama came out from no where at least for me (was not aware of it). The casting was a shock for me as it gathered a few top actors who by themselves can carry a drama on their own. I believe the time frame of the release has a few competitors to edge out for ratings and hence the superb casting.

Yet another detective/police styled episodic crime solving drama with a disfunctional team of misfits coming together to overcome each of their personal challenges + working together to solve crimes, the drama oozes typical Japanese detective drama cliche with a slight twist but I think it will have decent ratings due to the strength of the cast.

My rating prediction on average will be about 17.

After 1 Episode

The first episode is entertaining but could be better. The plot of the first episode is well crafted with a strong twist and hook in the beginning plus a relatively good but yet predictable ending. Not so much wow factor at the moment, but I believe the quality of the drama will trend upwards along the weeks.

Amami Yuki is great as usual but personally I think her range has limits, not the best looking 40 year old actor around but somehow does have her own appeal in Japan. Yutaka is my boy, he looks good in this drama, limited scenes in the first episode, but I know he will have more scenes coming up. Tamaya Tetsuji is one of my favorites ever since I saw him early on in his career, he has a couple of leads in dramas before but somehow he chose the wrong scripts, he will go far as long as his manager makes the right choice for him, I am still bullish for him as an actor breaking out further into the film industry. And finally my home girl Toda Erika, grown more sensual now with her new hairdo, look forward to more scenes from her. The rest of the cast is at the moment still forgettable, will see if there others who shine along the way.

The cast is superbly put together with each of their characters blending in well gradually.

My rating guess on average still remains.

Review

Story/Plot: Boss is a pretty straight forward Police Drama focusing on Countermeasures and Criminal Profiling. Every episode has small twists at the end that makes the drama move, special guest stars thrown in cannot hurt either. The ending is pretty good but not superb.

Cast: Solid casting as I have mentioned before, even stronger guest stars.

Rating: Overall an enjoyable ride, not much stickiness to it with a good solid ending, again not exceptional ending but a good end to an interesting piece of work.

JapaneseeDrama Rating: 4/5

To watch online, go here

Synopsis

Former yakuza Haruo is finally released from prison after completing his sentence. With nine years worth of prison gratuities in hand, he stops at a restaurant to enjoy a good meal, but all of his money ends up being stolen. With nothing left, he spends the night at a net cafe, and he manages to look up his old friend from his yakuza days. When Haruo visits the next day, he learns that his old girlfriend Mariko was living with another man, but later died of illness. Haruo, who had committed murder 9 years earlier to earn the money for Mariko’s medical treatment, is shocked and angered. He decides to track down that other man, who runs a bakery with his wife and daughter Sachi. Haruo later runs into Sachi at the park, but he has yet to find out the truth about her. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Ozaki Masaya
Producers: Ando Kazuhisa (????), Yoshijo Hideki (????), Tojo Yuji (????), Ito Tatsuya (????), Asai Chizu (????)
Directors: Miyake Yoshishige, Komatsu Takashi (????), Ueda Hisashi (???)
Music: Nakanishi Kyo

Preview

An interesting down and out man rebuilding his life back after a prison sentence with an interesting plot surrounding his ex girlfriend and a possible little girl (his daughter?). A nice mix of cast characters with Abe Hiroshi and my personal favorite Yoshitaka Yuriko (kawaii). Not an easy script to write but nonetheless I think Ozaki san will be able to pull this drama off. My guess for the ratings will be in the range of 13-14. I look forward to it.

After 1 Episode

Without Hiroshi (one of my favorite quirky actors- not much of a range but has an appeal) and Yuriko, this drama is mediocre at best. The first episode sets up quite of a bit about his past, his discovery that his former gf passed on and his encounter with her daughter. Now, Hiroshi Abe is usually great in family comedies and even dramas, but as this drama goes along the plot has to thicken more than what we see on the surface and the child actress Nozomi-chan has to outperform Hiroshi, so far she is doing  a great job at it.

My revised guess for the avg rating is about 11.

Review

Will review after watching it in full.

To watch online, go here