Tomodachi Game (2017)

Based on the manga, it's the hell of a psychological drama.
I liken it to "Liar Game," where people manipulate each other for money by lowering their debts. Both have tons of puzzles in a game that will test their humanity, morality, loyalty and, of course, friendship. So it comes down to the premise of "Tomodachi Game" that should be translated as "Game of Friendship".
The drama was very well planned, starting with the story that is not at all simple, it is rich in tormenting elements, where they test all the feelings of the participants and stirring the feelings of the spectators.
The quality of the cast here is irrelevant, after all they are all players of distinct minds who act differently under the pressure of a complicated game with a soundtrack that helps and much to give the climate of tension necessary for the story. Reasoning in a limited time to choose the correct answer is undoubtedly torturous, experiencing real tension and emotion is difficult even for those who watch, imagine who plays.
"Tomodachi Game" explores all the variables and perspectives of the participants, just a wrong answer and you are out of this game! Where friendship will speak louder than money or money will speak louder than friendship!

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Tomodachi Game or Friends Game is a very short drama, only 4 eps 20+ min. each, and it has an open ending because there are 2 movie sequels. Nothing much happens in this drama and you really have to suspend your disbelief a lot but...

Holy smokes is it suspenseful! And the suspense doesn't result from heavy action or a bloody massacre but from a very simple question: Can you trust your friends?

The setting is simple: Five friends are set up to play a game. If them win, they can go back to their everyday high school life. But should they lose, they will have to shoulder a 200 mil. yen debt. Winning is easy - if you can trust your friends not to betray you. But money is... money and their initial trust quickly starts to crumble.

Yoshizawa Ryo absolutely slays it as the lead, Katakiri Yuichi. Not only is he insanely pretty - like GOODNESS GRACIOUS pretty - he carries the whole drama because we watch it from his POV, he's the only one we can be sure of.

This drama also features Yamada Yuki. Playing a genius student, the top of the class. Heh!

The drama shows only the set-up and the first game, though, and to settle the debt, the five friends have to pass - and win - three games. Thus the open ending. I guess the first sequel features the first game and the second movie the second one? Probably? Anyhoo, it's better to have both movies handy because the drama ends on a cliffhanger.

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