Japanese drama: 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi (2016)

Hiroto Miyama (Jun Matsumoto) is a poor lawyer who takes on criminal cases, but unable to make money. He pursues the truth for the 0.1% out of Japan's 99.9% conviction rate. One day, Hiroto is scouted by Haruhiko Madarame (Ittoku Kishibe). Haruhiko Madarame is the head of Madarame Law Firm which is one of the biggest law firms among the 4 big law firms. Hiroto Miyama begins to work with Atsuhiro Sada (Teruyuki Kagawa). Atsuhiro Sada is a lawyer specializing in civil cases and makes lots of money for the law firm. He doesn't have any interest in criminal cases which can not make money.

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I've wanted to tell you guys about 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi by the time I was done watching it, but I got TOO LAZY to do it. AS USUAL. Nothing’s change yah know. Besides that, I got busy with a lot of work in the office and I can’t squeeze in the time for writing this blog.

So anyway, I thought I’m not gonna be able to finish a Japanese drama/Jdorama specifically a MatsuJun drama cos his other dramas didn’t interest me that much especially the one he did last 2014, SHITsuren Chocolatier. The title says it all, it’s SHIT. Charot! But 99.9 is a different story. I’m not sure what got me swayed into watching it. Perhaps because of its legal drama theme and MatsuJun’s character Miyama Hiroto who’s a lawyer slash detective. But hey, he's not a 'detective' per se.  Miyama would always investigate the crime scene before he deducts his theories. In the end, their legal team would always wins the case (they are lawyers for the defendant). You should watch this so you'd know what I'm saying. And somehow this reminds me of How To Get Away With Murder, wherein Professor Keating would always defend the suspects of the crime either did it for real or they were just accused for it. But Miyama and his legal team do not do dirty tricks just to win a case.

I’m glad that Jun has taken on this role and this kind of concept. I think it's the second time that he did not do a romantic leading man role. He was never the best actor for me in all Arashi, but I could fairly say that he gave just the right justification for his character Miyama-sensei. I’m not saying this becos I’m a MatsuJun fan. He did okay, not stellar. And I think Jun enjoyed playing this role, a goofy lawyer.

What I like about Japanese drama is that they focus on the themes of their dramas. If it’s a legal or medical drama, they are focused on the issues surrounding the lawyers and doctors. They do not even have kissing scenes! You won’t see the lead character kissing or having sex with a female/male character even towards the ending. They do not mix medical with romance. But if there’s a romance going on between the characters, it’s just minimal, like it was just a subplot. So yeah, Jun doesn’t have any kissing scenes in 99.9. And I’m not complaining. He shouldn’t be kissing one of his “pañeros”, right. Hahaha.

All in all, 99.9 is a good drama. The episodes got me hooked that I was able to finish the whole season in 3 days with 10 episodes. Thought I could never see that day again.

But if there’s one character which I find really annoying, it would be Miyama’s best friend, Tatsuya Akashi. And I think the drama could go on even without his comical and annoying character. Every time I see him on the screen and doing his antics, I really want to slap his face or kick his ass.

Alam n’yo yung, hindi naman nakakatulong yung character niya para gumanda `yung drama. Nakakairita lang talaga siya. But aside from Akashi’s character, naiirita din talaga ako sa mukha ni Ayano Tachibana (Nana Eikura). Di talaga siya kagandahan, bes. Like, I was wondering how did she even become an actress, she ain’t pretty nor have the acting talent. Lol. I’m savage af. But I’m just telling the truth yah know. I’ve never find her cute or a good actress even before.

Anyway, there are a lot of questions in my head that need answers and I heard that there will be a season 2 in the works coming this 2018. I’m excited!

See you soon, Miyama-sensei!

Drama : Bitter Blood (2014)

Profile

• Drama: Bitter Blood / Partners by Blood

• Romaji: Bita Buraddo

• Japanese: ビター・ブラッド

• Director: Hiro Kanai, Masaki Tanimura
• Writer: Shusuke Shizukui (novel)

• Network: Fuji TV

• Episodes: 11
• Release Date: April 15, 2014 -- June 24, 2014

• Runtime: Tuesdays 21:00-21:54
• Language: Japanese
• Country: Japan

CAST

• Sato Takeru as Sahara Natsuki
• Watabe Atsuro as Shimao Akimura
• Kutsuna Shiori as Maeda Hitomi
• Fukikoshi Mitsuru as Inaki Toshifumi
• Tanaka Tetsushi as Koga Hisashi
• Minagawa Sarutoki as Togashi Kaoru
• KEIJI as Takano Koji
• Takahashi Katsumi as Kagiyama Kensuke
• Hirose Suzu as Sahara Shinobu
• Kusamura Reiko as Yamamura Machi
• Oikawa Mitsuhiro as Kaiduka Takehisa
• Furukawa Yuki

Plot

Natsuki Sahara (Takeru Sato) is a rookie detective. He is assigned to work as the #1 detective for the Ginza Police Station, but his father Akimura Shimao (Atsuro Watabe) also works there as a detective. Natsuki Sahara does not like his father at all. After his parents divorced when he was 13-years-old, he was raised by his grandparents. Meanwhile, Akimura is a bit eccentric and a playboy with the ladies. This is in direct contrast with his son who is poor when it comes to dating. Akimura feels bad for his son for divorcing when he did. He tries to help him at work, but has difficulties approaching him in the right way.

I couldn’t remember what led me to watching Bitter Blood. This is my first time to watch a Satoh Takeru drama wherein he is the main character. Anyway, I could definitely say that Satoh Takeru’s acting has improved a lot from his Kamen Rider Den-O days which I think his acting was kinda awkward— haven’t seen the entire season. I’ve only seen a few episodes.

I love Takeru’s facial expressions, even if sometimes it’s over the top. Well, I’ve watched quite a lot of Japanese dramas and I’ve noticed that, having a little exaggerated or animated expressions are known to their acting. But I think it really suited his character well. I didn’t know he could be that effective in comedy. Because for me, he’ll always be Himura Kenshin— who is most of the time, serious and deadly. His acting in this drama was fairly different from RuroKen. Takeru was so into the character of Sahara Natsuki. A very funny and charming detective.

The main characters Sahara and his father Shimao Akimura have great chemistry. And they had a lot of funny scenes together that I couldn’t help laughing my ass off in the middle of the night.

Oh, well, there were some annoying side characters like the guy “Skunk” but he’s tolerable. LOL. I fairly think, their Team wouldn’t be as good without him.

Story-wise, it was really nice. They incorporated action, crime, mystery, comedy with a bit of drama rolled into one in this drama. And they would throw some family values after every episode. This is one of the good things about Japanese dramas. And aside from that, they do not focus on the love angles. And they do not have to have lead characters having kissing scenes. Heck, they could manage a good drama without kissing scenes or love scenes. I wish local teleseryes here in my country could think of dramas like the Japanese’s.

First season seems to be short, tho. We need to see more of them. There were still some questions in my mind and I want answers. I’m hoping they would do a second season or an SP. Perhaps? I really wish.

on a boring tuesday afternoon

konnichiwa minna-chan!

what a tiring and boring day it is today...

i couldn't think of anything interesting to post here, I just want to say hi to all of you, yes you, anyone who gets to read my blog. the blog that contains mostly about my flailing, craziness and everything that deserves to be talked about XD--that most of the time are just random and insensible thoughts, hahaha.

and oh yeah, i wrote on my plurk that for the mean time i'll refrain from too much watching of ARASHI shows/doramas/movies and other K-dramas (that I've been addicted for 7 years i think...) because i'll be busy writing my manuscript. and speaking of which, i started writing again, as in all over again, last Friday (last week). and yatta! I'm already in Chapter three! I may say that I was kinda fast in writing my MS during the weekend. usually, I finish a manuscript in not less than two months. hopefully, i can get to finish the one I'm writing now before the end of this month or maybe, the first week of February *crossing fingers*

sooo, what else should i blab about? February is BRANDON BOYD's birth month *super flail*, he'll be turning a gorgeously-hot 34 !!!!! last year, i celebrated his birthday with a birthday cake. and this year, I haven't decided on what will i have for oppa Brandon's birthday...a birthday wish and perhaps a birthday cake with 34 candles around it 8D. talking about wishes, i want INCUBUS to visit MANILA again!!! XD *rock & roll* with Incubus l♥♥ve & music

*sigh*

that's just pure wishful thinking. i know my boys are quite busy with the band's stuffs. but still...