Like UNNATURAL, MIU404 takes a social commentary approach to the traditional police procedural / crime dramas. The first few episodes are seemingly disconnected in storyline (ie. each episode has its own crime to solve), but as the story goes on you'll see how the bigger picture connects. There's more at stake than what meets the eye. And the plot and acting all play critical roles in conveying that to the audience.
I particularly enjoyed the lines said by the MIU captain. I think the scriptwriter really made good use of the character to bring out her worldview and her morals/ethics. The amazing storyline aside, MIU404 is essentially Nogi Akiko's letter of complaint about the current police hierarchy, how the Japanese society treats juvenile crimes, as well as the problems with fake news and internet trolling... and I love it.
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Well-written police procedural
This script has everything - good humour, interesting exploration of humanity and justice, excellent character development, solid chemistry between characters, and a mesmerising villain to top it off.The earlier cases may come off as small and insignificant. Unlike most police procedurals, only a handful of cases revolve around a murder - some are probably just misdemeanours. What's interesting in these earlier episodes is that there are clues, characters and concepts dropped in which feature in a more significant way later on. I think that's the appeal about this whole series, because the fact that things that occurred in an earlier episode have a bearing later on makes these characters' lives feel real and present.
There's a lot I can say about the story, from the very nuanced depictions of not just the main characters but also of their female boss, who's probably one of the most convincing and well-rounded female police bosses written in Japanese TV. It's also full of ideas that's worth further exploring on a rewatch, like the idea of smaller crimes not being insignificant, the lack of (and urgent need for) an appropriate witness protection program, the prejudice against migrant workers (which is applicable to most developed countries), the dangers of internet vigilantism (and how apt it was to get Suda Masaki to do this role after "Class 3A"), or how fragile and vulnerable justice is, even for people who society expects to uphold justice.
Suda Masaki is a scene stealer, and his portrayal of the insolent and enigmatic Kuzumi makes him one of the best villains to come out of this genre (I don't think that's a spoiler since in his first appearance he shows an underage kid a drug). It will be such a shame not to have a second season of this.
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So,about MIU 404...
...this drama might be the FIRST one to finally capture the true essence of what BUDDY COP trope means. So let`s talk about it.First of all,I like to start every review of mine by thanking everyone involved in the making of this drama. As an aspiring writer,I`m well aware of exertions one must undergo in every production. Therefore,thank you,actors,producers,writers and the rest of the staff people do not usually mention,for giving us such a great project.
With that out of the way,shall we dive into what sets `MIU 404` apart from many dramas whose backbone lies in unity between the characters? I`ll be the first one to say,I didn`t have high expectations for this drama. Although I generally prefer Japanese dramas over dramas from other countries(though hypocritically two of my absolute favorite dramas are from South Korea,alas),that cover really didn`t inspire much. To be completely honest,I was so put off by this drama`s cover,I had to set it aside for MONTHS. Despite the fact Gen Hoshino(of `Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu` fame,amongst MANY other projects and ventures) was in this,I still had to think about whether to give this a try or not just because of that damn poster. But,only 48 hours after I started this journey,I`m here to say it was WELL worth it. Because,what a great drama this was. Seriously.
In my circle of friends,I`m known as an S class,thorough SCEPTIC. And that title is not for naught. Because I`ve written,seen and read so much,there aren`t a lot of projects,especially referring to dramas,that can really move me nowadays. I`ll find good,even great dramas. And whilst I can recognize their objective value to the medium as it is,many of them fail to move me in any significant manner. I am happy to report `MIU 404` is not one of those dramas. This one has a quality that is rarely seen today. And that `something` cannot be explained rationally for it`s something based on an completely irrational concept: soul. The type of chemistry this drama sports is often tried,yet rarely executed well. Even though the premise is quite so simple.
Two members of unit `MIU 404`,department of Metropolitan Tokyo police force,Ibuki Ai(a rough around the edges outlier whose seemingly only redeeming quality is his running ability) and Shima Kazumi(your good to Ibaki`s bad cop trope if you will) are grouped together,hoping to make a difference in the world...by running after high school pranksters,finding a little girl`s toy,uncovering a body covered in cat`s litter and the like. You know,the usually stuff. Yeah,this drama couldn`t`ve been made by any other country than Japan.
On paper,this is a true and tried formula Hollywood in particular,does good with. Get a character who wants to do good,by the book deeds,and one who`s so volatile and funny,together. Boom,magic. However,the way they went about showing this unlikely friendship form is so understated,yet easy,that I can`t,for the life of me,understand why some dramas INSIST on making everything so complicated. On Captain Kikyo`s orders,this odd pair is shoved in a melon bread van(figuratively of course...) and sent on their way to catch the baddies of Tokyo`s society. What we get,in reality,are two completely different people with the same goal clashing,discussing,philosophising and talking over each other,with everything being filmed in an almost documentary type of style. It is GREAT. It is quite exhilarating seeing one of my favorite types of characterization explored in a buddy cop drama. This is,quite probably,one of the quickest ways you,as a writer,can employ,to get me to care about your characters. People like to rave about D.P. and the like(which,there is a lot to like there,no doubt),but the first buddy cop drama duo that really got me to care was this one. I can genuinely see these actors as their characters,which should attest to the level of pretty much everyone here. Which brings me to my next point. Most of the performances here are so great in their heartwarming oddity. I`ve already mentioned Ibuki,Shima,Kikyo,but Jinba and Kokonoe also have my heart. In fact,the whole MIU 404 gang has it. Even Kuzumi(though his is a character that holds my biggest critique incidentally). Heck,even Shima`s previous partner Kosaka(played incredibly by Murakami Nijiro) in his brief cameo had me caring. One thing you`ll learn quite quickly with this drama is that you`ll come to care.
Another point to its advantage is just how bingeable it is. Seeing as this drama(for the most part) relies on the `new case per episode` approach,whilst many discoveries and dramatic turns(which many dramas would MILK and make it as overly dramatic as they could) happen in the background,it is quite understandable why I mention this. You`d be able to watch one episode of this drama per week,and due to it having such memorable characters,I`d wager you`d still remember what is crucial. I won`t reveal much about our antagonist,but just know,he`s charismatic,dramatic,takes over your screen entirely and played with such ease by none other than our veteran at this point,Masakik Suda. Yes,I was pleasantly surprised too,don`t worry.
Subsequently,the comedy used for many of the scenes is, drumroll please...ACTUALLY FUNNY. And NOT readily based on slapstick. The laughs aren`t derived from someone simply farting,or hitting a wall,or a misunderstanding. A large portion of that fun comes from Ibuki,Shima and the rest of the crew just eating udon,spewing cute burns and enjoying the banter that ensues. And it all feels so NATURAL. For example,one`d start talking seriously about something and the other(usually Ibuki with his intrusive thoughts) would join in and take it to another direction,while the first one didn`t even finish talking. Can you tell how desperate I am for another season of this yet?Huh?HUH?
This type of drama lends itself to possible great subsequent seasons,that`s all I`ll say.
The OST,as well,is understandably awesome. Penned by Kenshi Yonezu,it is expectedly JPOP-y and exhilarating at points. Even the cases themselves,being as insignificant as they are,paint a more realistic picture of police duty and,like Shima says,when topic of guns and arms came up:`Most number of cops don`t even reach for their gun in their whole entire career. I`m talking about firing one,forget about that. They don`t even REACH for one.`
After all of these accolades,I wouldn`t be myself if I didn`t mention SOME drawbacks. They mainly concern the latter batch of this show,especially the actual antagonist. Or rather,how they spliced the great tension about him with some questionable editing choices. There is a specific confrontation between him and Ibuki that is just magnificent. It`s not played up to be dramatic,but you can feel something brewing. Dialogue is pretty surface level,yet body language discerns irritability. And when it comes to a boiling point,it`s quite...underwhelmingly cut down. I won`t reveal more than this,but it does make for some immersion breaking moments I wasn`t a fan of. Some anime level immersion breaking moments.
However,whether this drama put me in a forgiving mood or there`s something else at play,is no concern of mine. What is,though,is me urging people to give this one a watch when they`re in an explorative,fun yet not one for dramatics state of mind. It`ll be worth it,I can vouch for this one. I just know it will.
Also,Hokada udon IS too soft. Only the real ones know.
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This review may contain spoilers
Curious Combi
Before starting this show I saw a few comments about how they were unsure of the cast of Ayano Go and Hoshino Gen being partners, or of Hoshino Gen being a police officer.... But let me tell you that that worry is severely unfounded! I mean sure, to each their own with personal biases of favorites or dislikes, but I promise you: Hoshino Gen and Ayano Go make the perfect combination!The story does follow a pretty interesting turn of events considering it was filmed before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic! The plot line itself is similar in small places to most police/crime/detective dramas but only for short periods of time; nothing is ever too confusing or feels rushed. In fact, in my opinion, it sort of feels like they cut the story short; whether that is because of the Covid-19 Pandemic or it was the original story, though, I don't know.
The cast was superb! Each one filled their roles perfectly; the skill and respect and their talents each were shining and absolutely spectacular to watch! From the dramatics, to the running, to the tricky criminals... MIU 404 is a hilarious, heart felt, genuine, extraordinary show!
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Great Acting coupled with Good Production and Story
LIKES:The theme throughout being consistent.
Decently developed plot, with some character development for all the main characters and some of the supporting characters too.
The chemistry between the 2 main characters and their whole dynamic.
Comedic relief/ humour did bring a lighter feel to the crime drama.
No romantic involvement with female characters, like the female captain and her house mate.
Colour palate, scene lighting and action was all well filmed.
Directing for the most part was good.
Early episode moments had an impact on later episodes.
I also liked how the tackled certain social issues, such as racism and prejudice of migrant workers or fake internet news, etc.
This show has an excellent scriptwriter.
Actors/actresses were well selected and were very good at portraying their characters.
FX were decent, but nothing truly amazing.
DISLIKES:
MUSIC: too loud sometimes and you couldn’t hear what the actor/actress was saying.
PRODUCTION: sometimes it was so obvious that streets had been cleared for filming.
WRITING: The ending was a little rushed and the capture of the master mind wasn’t as interesting or satisfying as it normally would be. Also too many times cases were solved do to coincidences and if that was done on purpose, it doesn’t respect the hard work that police detectives do. So perhaps the writer meant to have this whole show be a satire.
FX: some of the camera work gave me a headache, (but at least they mostly used film stabilizers).
OVERALL: I did enjoy this show, humour included. I didn’t binge watch it, but I was into each episode and watched all of them. I would recommend this to anyone who likes crime or police type dramas, especially those that have good teamwork. I’m not sure if I will watch it again, but I am satisfied with the show.
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Incredible music!
I WILL RECOMMEND THIS TOMystery Lover out there.
likes funny yet serious plot drama?
Who like Kenshi Yonezu? haha
MUSIC
Firstly, lets talk about the BGM, Ending Songs, etc. Cause that's the best part of the drama for me
I'm actually speechless the first time I watch this drama. The timing, the cut, the volume of the BGM, are SO ON POINT! After watching the first episode, I immediately realize how amazing BGM can be if used to its potential. I don't know how to explain it better and this might sound exaggerated, but, when you decide to watch this drama, even for only the first episode, please listen and enjoy the drama and the music.
Btw, I assume you didn't live under a rock, so I wont tell you about how amazing the ending song are.
STORY
It got some mystery and interesting turns of events. I heard that it surprised most of my friend who watch this drama.
But to be honest, most of the plot twist didn't really surprised me, but what surprise me is how they end the story for each episode. It was neat and some were so wholesome. It was like a nice frosting in a cake.
ACTING/CAST
I can see that the cast all do their research, cause they nicely portray each emotion the character have. Especially the main characters, they have both have a different way to show their emotion, but regardless we can see the character's state of emotion changing in the entire movie and the actors nailed it.
REWATCH?
I enjoy watching this. But I personally didn't think I'll rewatch this whole drama, just because of the genre. For a light story lover, this is a bit heavy for me. But maybe I will rewatch some clips or episode of this drama in the future.
ps. I know this aint BL, but man, if people shipped them, I can see why.
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The sentiments are worthy, the drama is is not
I was hoping for more from this drama with an MDL rating of 8.5 (at Feb 2023), but it failed to deliver, mainly because the writer has little grasp of how people actually talk and interact with each other—and it’s nothing to do with the subs. The script is occasionally insightful but mostly a clumsy, preachy, info-dump with totally non-credible convenient coincidences and unfathomable leaps of logic. The characters are strange, half-baked affairs that don’t have much depth to them. The overall result is chicken stock with some minuscule bits of interesting stuff floating around in it.I wasn’t that impressed by the acting either. Although with this script it’s going to be a challenge delivering the lines and nothing is helped by the stilted directing. The supporting cast were not given enough of the story line and they felt like spare parts just wheeled in to lubricate the plot when necessary. I think Hoshino Get as Shima did the most creditable job.
The writer has chosen to highlight some current social issues, and yes, they are worth highlighting. But… There is little room for the viewer to form their own opinion from what they see. Instead of sympathetic emotions arising naturally, we are told (as if we are attending a sociology lecture) in strangely manufactured voice-overs and unnatural conversations what the problem is and how we should feel about it. All too common an approach at the moment, I’m afraid. As though I can’t be trusted to come up with an appropriate empathetic response all by myself, but need to be forcibly spoon-fed a sanitised, acceptable attitude. So instead of a natural compassion flowing from me, there was just a somewhat cold, cerebral understanding. As though I’d been provided with the correct answers so that I could pass the exam.
What my rating means: 5+Meh! Don't bother, it's full of platitudes and clichés with boring characters and plots.
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must watch drama >>no kidding it's a master piece
دراما أسطورية جدا و و سلطت الضوء على المجتمع بشكل مقنع و خالي من الكرنجية اللي ممكن تقع من أي دراما يابانية من جد التمثيل و الكتابة والحبكة لا غبار عليها و اللي مكمل العمل كمان هو الثيم سونق للفنان كينشي يونيزو اللي تعجبني كل ما دخلت في أي حلقةالقضايا كانت ممتعة و تطور الشخصيات طبيعي و واقعي و الاكشن مبهر وكل هذا بفكاهة ونكت و اسقاطات عالواقع موتتني ضحك ههههههههههههههههههههههههههههه
هالدراما من الدرامات اللي مو بس تركز عالبطلين بل برضو على كل الشخصيات كلهم سهل تتعلق فيهم 3>و قعت في غرام شخصية سودا ماساكي هنا وقوينق أختم باقي أعماله اللي شكلي مقدر من كثرها هههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههه
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JOY TO THOSE WHO LIKE PROGRESSIVE JDRAMA PLOTLINE
This, Unnatural, and Married as a Job have hit the nail in the coffin as hands down my favorite Akiko Nogi's works, and also making Akiko nogi as my favorite screenwriter, alongside Kim Eun Sook and Greta Gerwig.It's typical buddy cop drama with opposite leads (hotheaded one vs lethargic one). ayano and hoshino encapsulated this stereotypical trope perfectly, their chemistry top-notch. What made this drama different with thousands others of comedic cop drama is that they actually touch different aspects in japanese society that is rarely being exposed at all, because jdorama (as much as i know) tended to "shy away" from hard hitting topic. This is what I like about Akiko Nogi's works.
all in all, im giving it overall 8.
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Applause!!!
It's been a long time since I watched a procedural cop show.. I was burned badly by like 4 diff dramas in quick succession (tho all Korean) and it just took me out of my love for crime and cop dramas especially in the Asian sphere but on a whim, I saw this on Netflix and decided to give it a try and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.It wasn't trying to be anything new but what it did, it did well. The cast was one of the best part of it all for me. They were fun, dynamic and interesting. I enjoyed the acting from everyone but especially from Ibuki, Shima and Kuzumi. The cases were interesting and well written.
Some episodes really made me laugh too so that's a bonus.
I don't really remember the song but it didn't detract from the show so that's okay.
I think I could rewatch this sometime in the future.
One thing to note is Ibuki could get comically loud sometimes and tho this is something I don't enjoy in most dramas, but I just found him so charming that I kept forgiving him and I genuinely think he's a great actor.
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This review may contain spoilers
Utter trash
This show is from the bottom of the j-drama cesspool. The acting is comically bad. It's like they picked a couple of random people on the street and asked them to be in a low budget cop movie. Every expression is over exaggerated. The dialogues must have been improvised on the spot. The policemen carry a gun but refuse to use it because it goes against their moral values as japanese cops. Every episode has a character with a sad backstory. Every episode has a storyline made up of cliche after cliche. A major incident happens but then it turns out it was only a dream or a fake video posted online.I want the 10 hours I wasted watching this dreck back.
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