Massage Tantei Joe (2017)

I found this drama by chance while I was browsing the Prime Video catalogue and saw it was a ''detective'' show so I was sold immediately. I'd say this is one of those light-hearted and fun dramas to watch when you don't know what to watch next because I don't think anyone can take seriously a masseur (is that the word?) that solves murder cases after massaging people hahahaha. It seemed very absurd after reading the synopsis and it was still after watching the whole thing but it's very enjoyable and entertaining and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys comedy in general.

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This is one of the most nonsensical dramas I have ever seen. I laughed and worried and fell for each slapstick joke regular in "Japanese culture". Did that last bit make sense?

(If not, I meant: "Something that the Japanese humor finds funny that we in other countries don't necessarily." Does that make sense?)

Anyways... through each episode, I could never figure out who the criminal was ahead of time, the wit and jokes are pitch perfect for each cast member; not to mention the chemistry between each cast member was superb! There are a few twists and turns in this series and some are hilarious, while some are ridiculous, and some you'll never see coming! I've never liked a show this much, this quickly before.

I think this show had a wonderful cast, very interesting music, and a great story! If you aren't looking for something typical to the police/detective/crime/mystery drama then this may not be for you. However, if you are looking for some comedy with an actual storyline that is unique and completely original, then I absolutely recommend this show!

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I randomly found this drama and found the title of the drama very interesting, so I picked it up. Not disappointed.

Story: It's a detective show focused more on comedy, more like a parody of other detective shows, where the lead has some special ability, in this case, lead's special ability is massage.
The show doesn't have any cliffhangers, like a lot of episodic dramas, so you can keep the drama on hold for few days, and again continue from where you left.
And, with just 12 episodes of 30 mins each, it doesn't take much time to finish.
The show focuses more on the comedic interactions and situations than the suspense or detective factor, so if you are here for a serious suspense drama then maybe you should consider skipping this. But, if you want a light-hearted comedy detective drama, then you can try this out.
It was fascinating to watch someone solve cases through massage, and in every episode, I was curious about the culprit and tried guessing who was the real culprit among the suspects.

Acting/Cast: I love the over-exaggerated facial expressions in Japanese dramas lol, so this was perfect for me.
I loved the casts' interaction with each other, and they made me laugh a lot, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Especially, I loved Tiger and Money's bromance <3

Music: The music at the end of the episode has our lead guy dancing to this catchy music, which gives a very Indian music vibe lol
I started dancing and singing along with him to the music by the end of the last episode.

Rewatch Value: I would love to rewatch it when I have nothing else to watch, or just want a light comedy to refreshen my mood.

Bonus: At the end of each episode, they provide us with some specific massage pressure points for different health issues or body parts, which I found informative and new. ( Not that I am going to start using it, or suggesting anyone to use it unless properly training)

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..THIS IS THE CASE'S. . .PRESSURE POINT..

..if all of the drama we are watching are fiction, then, everything is possible..
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..you can be whatever you are.
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..with this drama, from the opening of the episode, a new detective is born, yes, a massage therapist who always a crime happened after the service..
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..how unique actually that the detective gathers all the evidence from the inner body itself, yes, they are all revealed..
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..and since this is a comedic way of mystery solving, the drama is not enough without the uncompetitive detective duo that really add on the funny scenes..
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..yeah, some part of investigation are easy to follow but as they explained the situation, well, like some of the detective genre I have watch is just a so-so for me, which added to explain more how the incident happened..
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..still, very fun to watch, good thing to see again those casts I am loved to - great casting and obviously to the FL who is indeed a singer and dancer..
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..this is a gem for me in comedy genre..
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..the casts and staffs you nailed it!!..

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Libérez vos chakras

Mon Dieu, mais que le monde de l'entertainement japonais est conscient de ses défauts de production, tics et autres clichés et est capable de s'en moqué. Dès le générique, Massage Tantei Joe, touche au génie, en nous obligeant à nous exclamer : "mais c'est exactement ça" ! En 10 secondes, les réticences pour visionner le énième drama adapté d'un manga de détective, sont levées. Les scénaristes et l'auteur original m'ont immédiatement gagné à leur cause. On sait qu'on va se tordre de rire les 20 min de ses courts, mais nombreux épisodes, découpés comme ses enquêtes effectivement trop nombreuses et ultra codées à la TV.

C'est pour la participation de Koshiba Fuka que je me suis intéressé à ce mystery drama de 2017 (déjà). Sa présence rafraichissante, est toujours un gage de bizarrerie et/ou de what the fuck selon vos gouts. Mauvais gout, diront cette fois-ci, certains. Comme ses attitudes et ses tenues très fan-service, mais clairement, on est dans un manga qui respecte les codes du genre et ravira donc les a-mateurs. Son jeu, son rôle ou tout simplement son implication dans l'histoire décevront par contre ceux habitués à ses premiers rôles récents bien plus rafraîchissants.

Des effets visuels, écrits, incrustés au bon moment donne une touche supplémentaire manga et spécialise celui-ci par des annotations pseudoscientifiques sur le shiatsu, les points de pression, etc. Particularité de l'ultra-introverti Joe, joué par Nakamaru Yuichi (membre de Kat-Tun) le changement de personnalité dès qu'il se met au bouleau ou qu'il résout une enquête par, justement, le contact physique qu'il a avec ses patients, clients ou suspects. Ne chercher évidemment aucun réalisme du point de vue médical, comme policier. Par simple pression sur votre poignet, il devine l'heure à laquelle vous avez tenue l'arme à feu, plusieurs jours après. Cette hypersensibilité sensorielle est inversement proportionnelle au contact qu'il peut avoir avec les autres, le vouant presque à l'autisme.

Son combat sera donc plutôt de sortir de sa coquille et la folie de tous les personnages, même les plus secondaires l'aidera. Le duo de flics looser , pour ne citer qu'eu, que font Money et Tiger est à pissé de rire et rend hommage au meilleur du pire cinéma comique américain. C'est d'ailleurs toute la série qui y participe. Épisode par épisode, on assiste à des parodies de Paranormal Activity, Very Bad trip et d'autres encore, avec cet humour décalé qui caractérise tellement les Japonais. Cette moquerie du showbiz US mise à la sauce ramen est jubilatoire et les références faites au cinéma asiatique, comme le kung-fu, le séjour dans un ryoukan ou l'ending à la Bollywood rappellent qu'ils ne sont pas les seules à produire du film de "haute qualité culturelle" dans le monde.

Ending, justement, qui apporte l'œuf dans le bol de Ramen, avec un Nakamaru Yuichi en grande forme au chant et à la danse dans une chorégraphie résument tout le feeling de la série. Une sorte de point de pression permettant la relaxation totale du spectateur après seulement 20 min de séance. Le docteur en a prescrit 12, j'en rêve d'une 100aine.

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