Keishicho Ikimono Gakari (2017)

A light-hearted show done right! No, there isn't really a specific plot or story-line for this series, in fact, the main issue is cleared up within the first few episodes and an entirely new issue is brought up so slowly, almost like a sneak attack, that you expect more to happen after the last episode. The ending theme song is addicting and the opening is funny, yet informative, too. I would seriously suggest this show to a J-Drama beginner! Watabe Atsuro is the main reason I watched this drama, but his teamwork with Hashimoto Kanna quickly replaced that. They make a good duo, they acted well with each other and you could see the support and bond through the rest of the cast as well. Even the animals in each episode were pretty amazing. Each episode had a lot of info on the animals, too; and I loved that each case wasn't exactly "normal" pets. I seriously wish this series had gotten a lot more attention and that a second series would be filmed; the end of the last episode ended on a good cliffhanger!

I would absolutely recommend this to a person just beginning to watch Japanese dramas. It was funny, heartfelt, thrilling, informative, emotional, and very addicting to watch!

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Suspend your disbelief and enjoy!

Hashimoto Kanna (Kaguya-sama) plays an impossibly young Policewoman/Vet/Animal & Plant Expert (Hey, Japan right? Age is no barrier to an acting role. If obviously 35 year old men can play High School students, an 18 year old can play a fully qualified Vet/Animal Expert/Policewoman.) The series addresses the incongruity with a running joke about everyone she meets thinking she is cosplaying.

As seems usual in her roles, the height difference between Kanna and the rest of the cast is over-emphasised, although not for comedy effect like in Tokumei!, I suppose the cosplay thing was enough for this series.

Watabe Atsuro plays a good part as usual, even if the slapstick does go a bit over the top sometimes!
The rest of the cast play comedic caricatures- 25 year old receptionist desperate to find a man, retired detective who hangs around offering advice- "when I was a detective I......", mother figure who continually makes tea, jealous & incompetent new boss obsessed with Utski, lap-dog ex partner, punch-bag junior detective, Policeman who worships Sudou.

Basically suspend your disbelief (Just who looks after that menagerie? it would be a full time job, never mind all the house visits.) and enjoy a somewhat light-hearted (Even though there is a brutal murder every episode, and a child abuse features in one episode too) show about animals and crime solving.

There is even a dance routine at the end of each episode!


I loved seeing the chemistry between the cast, they all seemed to be having a great time, and the animals were great too, I'd really like a second series even now, at least Kanna would look old enough to do her job!

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