Ao no Jidai (1998)

It is the complete opposite of a light drama, both heavy and dark, but excellent.

So this is going to be my first review cuz I really want the people who want to see it to know somethings beforehand.

I started this because of Domoto Tsuyoshi. I have seen various other works by him and have to say he's the best actor I have ever come across. This drama didn't disappoint me either. Not just Domoto, the entire cast was outstanding. The best were Kamikawa and ofc Domoto who blended so well with their roles. I am probably going to praise him a lot here, but he earned it.

Now about the story, it's quite unusual. It has romance, suspense, mystery, tragedy, terror, you name it. Everyone has a dark past binding them. And what's more, they are all connected. It'll make your heart flutter and pain at the same time. However, it has quite a lot of triggering topics so if you are sensitive to stuff like suicide or self-harm, I would advice you not to see it.

You don't really find such dramas nowadays. It addresses some serious topics and conveys the message how some people can turn over a new leaf if given a chance. It is the complete opposite of a light drama, both heavy and dark, but excellent.

The opening theme was soothing and the ending theme song, as expected by KinKi Kids was great as usual.

Overall excellent work. I'll mention the acting again, the cast killed it. All of them.

If anyone is interested in Domoto Tsuyoshi's other dramas, I would suggest Bokura no Yuuki and Kindaichi Case Files. Both made to my top 3.

If you have a firm heart, go see it!

BTW it got a happy ending :))

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It's a very nice story.
Very typical/ classical, but it goes beyond that and asks some existential questions too...
I couldn't find all of the episodes subbed so I'm not sure if I understood it correctly.
The story starts with a young man being falsely accused of an attack, and a lawyer trying to help him. There is love too, and the drama depicts beautifully how the abandoned young people of the 90s were living. How you can be accused without being guilty only because you did something in the past.
It's not the best drama out there, but it's fun to watch.. And I think it has a lot of cliches, but probably because others drama were inspired by the story which isn't very innovative in itself either- but it's like a mix of everything you'd want in a drama. Even romance lovers would be able to watch it and be happy, suspense-action lovers too...
As for the music, there is a beautiful version of polyushka polye sang by origa that comes every episodes. It's a very beautiful songs and it fits the drama.
As for the rewatch value... Well, the acting was superb, and I'd probably watch it again if I could find the subs, or only to be sure I understood correctly everything. Maybe there was some plot holes too, but I can't be sure because of that...
This drama is a typical Japanese drama from the end of the 90s. You're immediately put in an ambiance from that time.
If you're a Japanese drama -young people's life- lover, it's a must-watch. Go watch it!

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