KaiTheWonderFox
This drama actually got me into the manga, which is rather backwards...
Story - Each character has a backstory and /grows/ throughout the series (except the background characters that only have 7 lines in the entire drama) in a way that reminds me of a novel, almost. It shows that they were developed, 3-dimentional characters that seem all the more real because of those facts. This is major kudos to the writers and original mangaka.
Music - I never focus much on the background music in movies or dramas unless it sticks me as wrong for that moment. I do know that they used the theme song throughout the story, which was interesting because it fit in every moment they used it in, even though they were vastly different. this part comes with a warning; you WILL have the song stuck in your head for a good while if you watch the episodes in a few (1-3) sittings. However it's a good song, so I didn't really mind.
Rewatch Value - I've already rewatched this drama once, my favorite parts about a million times, and created stories in my head for when I'm bored and want to play with ready-made characters. (Can't tell I'm a writer, huh?)
Acting/Cast - Yamamoto Yusuke is really just the cherry on top, in my opinion. His acting skills are so great, and he covers so many different rolls so efficiently and /well/ in different dramas that its just inspiring. He became an actor I follow after Tumbling and, after a few more of his dramas, he became my favorite actor. He's just amazing.
I feel I have to mention the others (that way it doesn't become another of my Yamamoto-ramblings). They cast this very well and everyone fit the part and acted their rolls naturally. Some of the actors were better than others (the Mizusawa character faded into the background too well and was rather emotionless unless the situation called for extreme emotion) but none of them were 'bad' actors, just differing styles.
Really, really worth the time to watch, rewatch, think about, and drive that damn song out of your head until the next watching!
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-Some of the prizes/rewards got predictable, and by the 7th episode, I could guess what would happen (pertaining to the 'treasures' or 'prizes', at least).
-There are several deaths in this drama, but none are very graphic. (The 'example' imaginings with "X" are cute and funny)
-the antagonists are easy to guess in some of them, but rather obscure in others, it's episode/mystery dependent.
-That being said, you may need to be familiar with the language to truly follow along with this and keep up with the characters. References to kanji and radicals are in abundance.
-I didn't like the last episode, it didn't have an "end" feel to it at all. It left me rather unsatisfied.
Acting/Cast: The acting really saved this drama. The scheming girls make you want to hate them, the teacher is funny and oddly endearing, the boys are hilarious, and the relationships between all the characters seem to be very real. Even the background characters that appear for one episode are completely submerged in the perfect roles.
Sometimes the teacher can come across as being cheesy and fake, but those are mainly during the times her character calls for it.
Music: The background music during the drama was suiting and didn't stand out, so it was fitting and appropriate. I really don't focus on the music in dramas, because that's not the important part to me. If I don't notice it (yet don't notice the lack of it), it's doing its job perfect. I did feel anxious and jumpy during some parts of this drama (much like the feeling of a thriller/scary movie), and that was probably thanks to the music.
Rewatch: Might be worth it, to be able to focus more on the acting and relationships than the mysteries. Possibly seeing things previously missed that could be plot holes or something... But I'd rather watch something new with Yamamoto-san in it.
Overall: I liked it. It entertained me and ate about a day out of my life (just like a drama should). I feel it could have been better, somehow... but that could just be because the last episode is running through my head and I didn't like it much (again, no "end" feeling to it. Very open). I would say it's worth a try, if nothing else~
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and I have to say, I am still rather confused.
The beginning makes absolutely no sense at all and is only connected to the later, main story, by the barest of strings. I understand why the included it, but still, rather useless and only adds confusion.
Story: Over all rather confusing. Interesting idea behind it, but not planned or expressed well.
Acting/Cast: Actually, the acting wasn't bad. Each actor portrayed their character as best they could, given the cheesy lines they spouted.
Music: The music also ups the overall score a bit. I really liked the piano version of the "familiar song"
Rewatch Value: The only reason I'd rewatch it is if I really feel like I'd understand it more the second time. I doubt it, though.
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