Tenno no Ryoriban (2015)

DOYA-JAA!!!! drama of the year for sure...

My opinion on sato takeru change from a so so actor to good capable actor and this was his best performance I must say and he deserves the best actor role on this. IF he continue do performance like this then he might join the ranks of those top class japanese actors. Haru kuroki is one of the best young japanese dramatic actress today and perhaps she is the best. Her acting here is like silent-but-deadly and she never overact and thats the best thing i notice on her.

The story is very engaging definitely one of the most inspiring drama's I saw and i love how they dramatize tokuzo akiyama who is a real person, his antics, his movements...I love it. I also like the way they manage those time skips it didnt feel rushed. The acting here was phenomenal even the foreign actors did well specially that french girl and I wanted to know what happen to her after. This wont become that much inspiring if not of this drama's music....they inserts right music at the right moment. I notice this in every episodes they will build up you emotion, just as you thought that was it but there still a final kicker at the end then BAM.

I didnt cry while watching this but i do feel like I wanna work more harder after. Watch it you wont regret it.

Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/

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So you have heard this show is good, but you are wondering whether a 12 episode show about a famous chef will be interesting for you. However, this show is about so much more than just cooking and is definitely one of the best Japanese drama’s out there. I’ll explain why in this spoiler free review :) .

Story: The show is based on the true story of Akiyama, a young man who shows little potential to be successful in life, but will somehow become the emperor’s chef someday. The story is the main strong point of this drama. The story is not about ‘just cooking’, but focuses on Akiyama and his family and friends who have to overcome various obstacles. It is hard to explain why the story is interesting without spoiling, but let's just say the story is more about pursuing a dream/ family problems/love/etc and not about 'kitchen trouble'.
It is made clear from the beginning that Akiyama will be the emperor’s chef, so the question is not whether he will succeed, but how. Akiyama must make a lot of sacrifices to pursue his dream and that’s where the drama aspect comes in. The story is about how we need the help of other’s to be successful, but simultaneously can be slowed down by getting too attached to these same people. This forces Akiyama to make hard and dramatic decisions.
Akiyama is a bit selfish, doesn’t mind bending some rules and has a quick temper, which makes his character very interesting. There are various side-characters, who all have their own problems, ambitions and agenda. The screen time is well divided and they all get their moments to shine, which will make you care about their fates as well.
Moreover, the story is well divided over the twelve episodes. Some might think that the first episode is slow, but after that the story makes progress every episode. Around episode 3 / 4 I was already hooked. The ending is also well written and is likely to have a lasting impact. The show is sometimes funny, often dramatic and continuously inspiring.

What makes this show truly great, is that the good story is combined with flawless acting. Takeru Sato shines as his role and deserves all the recognition he got for this part. As time progresses Akiyama’s personality matures. Sato aptly portrays all the different Akiyama’s through changes in posture / voice / expression very naturally so you will hardly notice it. Moreover, he is able to play both the funny and the dramatic scenes very well.
Kuroki Haru does a great job as Toshiko with the use of some subtle but great acting. She has great chemistry with Takeru. Suzuki Ryohei was the biggest surprise for me. In this show he proves he can also play a different role than the usual brute type he plays. He played his emotional older brother role very well. Hopefully this will make him play more varied roles in the future. Most of the secondary characters are portrayed quite well by the actors, who are able to give their characters personality with only limited screen time (BANZAI!).Furthermore, I really liked the acting of the French girl and the old shop owner. Besides the French girl, there are various foreign actors in this show, but I was not very impressed by their acting. Two secondary characters even annoyed me with their poor acting skills. But it was probably hard to find good acting for the various smaller foreign roles. They were not in many episodes, so it didn’t bother me that much. The main cast (that also includes a foreign actor)did a great job.

The music was quite good. There were nice sound effects, and some good tunes. They complemented the show nicely.
Rewatch value: I do not usually rewatch shows, but I will probably rewatch this one someday if I crave for some good story telling.

I normally do not give 10’s (other than 1 Litre of Tears), but this show has a brilliant story, combined with great acting. Besides some very small complaints, this show was just perfect. This will remain the one of the best Japanese shows for a very long time. Give this show a chance, you will not regret it. BANZAI!

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I've been debating with myself whether to give this series a perfect score, but I went for a 9.5 only because historical genres are not my favourite thing since they tend to become darker as the story progresses, and Tenno no Ryoriban is no exception.

Central theme of the dorama is doing everything and anything with a magokoro - a sincere heart, that is - and, beyond any doubt, Tokuzo has the biggest, purest, most sincere heart of them all when it comes to things that matter. The story focuses on Akiyama Tokuzo's life and his path to becoming the Emperor's personal chef. Along the way, you see the character grow thanks to his family and loved ones, and, even if you kinda hate him at the beginning, - *mutters* the ungrateful brat, - after a while you can see he really understands and learns to appreciate the love he's been given and be grateful for it.

For this reason, I believe another important theme of the story is love. Be it romantic, or familial, or friendly, love is the guiding force behind the action: Tokuzo's love for food, Toshiko's love for Tokuzo, Shutaro's love for his family and his country... every single act of love makes up this dorama and lets the story unfold beautifully.

The acting is phenomenal. I loved every single performance given by the actors. Sato Takeru, Kuroki Haru and Suzuki Ryohei in particular, stole the scene every time they were on the screen. I have nothing to say, I was truly amazed by the stellar job they've done. Bravissimi.

The music was sweet and perfectly suited for the dorama. As for the rewatch value, this is such a good series, you would probably want to watch it again. I'm not one for rewatches, but this is definitely something I would see myself watching again in a few years' time.

To conclude, even if historical doramas are not your favourite thing in the world, you should still give Tenno no Ryoriban a chance. This series has love, friendship, life, death, acts of selfishness, acts of selflessness, sadness, happiness, hope, dreams... everything. You won't regret it.

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This drama is really a major success in Japanese dramas industry, I hope I am not going overboard when I am saying this, but this compliment isn't yet enough.
The story addresses tons of life lessons, gets them all in 12 Hours or more (only), which in reality, might take years to realize them.
It briefly tells about families connections, the parents' concerns and worries about their kids' futures, the importance of experiencing different hardships in order to pursue a dream, the sacrifices that one should make for the sake of beloved ones, the soul of determination, the ambitiousness, and even more.
You will definitely laugh, cry, get excited, thrilled, happy then sad. Simply you will see a lot of things which makes your heart experience all sorts of feelings, all in once.

The story is taking place in the old eras of Japan, the places, the roads, the green nature, the woody stuff, the houses, the rain, the clothes, the accents, the foods! Everything was represented there in a very well way, makes you get drown into that time, it is totally absorbing! It just makes you an alive person in that past, as if you once witnessed everything by your own eyes, lively... accompanying all those people.

Mentioning the years, the name? of the eras and also the months preciously... Making a steady development throughout the time, and moving from one period to the another gradually, was a very good aspect of this drama, it makes it even more real how things get progressed before your very eyes, that in some points when you're watching the latest episodes, then if you go back and get a quick glance at the first or second ones, you gonna feel so old (in a good way, Lol), you gonna feel how you lived for so long with all those characters and their lives.

The acting was fabulous, so deep yet vibrant! The main along with the supporting actors did a great job in each and every single scene.
In the very first episode, you might think that Tokuzo is slightly overacting, but then when you are watching more and moving forward, the story reveals the truth behind his personality. He's actually born like that! A mischief, clumsy, short-tempered, unpredictable sort of fellow!, His character will get absorbed and will sink in your mind, that you will end up loving him with all his weird characteristics!
I love Sato's performance generally, he has great skills that led this drama to its success. But to be honest, I believe that his acting as Kenshin was the finest performance he had so far.
Shutarou or maybe I should call him Nii-yan, had a very bright spot in this story, he showed a very brilliant acting in that role. A very kind and gentle nature and so pure at heart! He was one of the reasons that made me like this drama very much, Indeed! When I watched his character in this drama, I really had fallen in love with him, that I actually was praying in my heart (I want to meet a person like him in my life, Amen) 'Don't laugh at me, I mean it'.. :D
And then comes Toshiko, another bright person who added lots of flavors to the story! The acting was incredible. Every time she comes to the screen,I keep staring at the details that she brings them in with her.
From the way she puts her hands on the ground when she bows, to her way of walking, to her calm voice, to her black hairs, to her decent character, to her love for her husband, to her everything.
Usami san, Shintarou, and the rest of the cast! They all were meant to work together in this drama!
Yeah, I gotta highlight this point! Usually, the foreign actors (Non-Japanese) in any Japanese drama bring an odd acting, it looks so miss-matching with the rest of the actors, and so poor played, BUT, in this drama, they proved the opposite fact. I was amazed by the french actors, they really made it look so natural and smooth! The Americans, Hmmm.. Not so great, yet not really bad.

Okay, The music!
Inserting the classical pieces was a smart idea. The music in this drama overall, played a major role. It is like... some sort of feelings don't across your heart till you hear the music played in the background, you feel crying but the tears comes out only when you hear that melody! It makes you feel the moment. Indeed, It added lots of warmth to the whole thing, especially the old Japanese melodies, Oh God, It brings my tears!

I got so emotional when I watched this drama. I had confusing feelings, I got happy and sad in the same time. I am not an easy person to cry over anything, yet I had my tears rolling down most of the times. It had a great philosophy about life, family bonds, brotherhood, friendship, love, care, dream, finding the true-self. It was inspiring in its all angles. It wasn't about food as much it was about 'human being', it makes you stop for a second and contemplate your life.. it makes you feel every message left behind.
I believe that this drama, is much more than a drama and bunch of actors together having their feet on the stage to prove their talents, No. It comes from an entertainment industry, yet it feels like a school of life, teaching you and making you ponder.
and yes, You will learn so many good words like: Magokoro, Hagemiyou, (Douyajaa = which actually has no meaning :D)

I am not a Japanese person (I wish I was), but I love Japan and I wholeheartedly consider it as my homeland, and this drama, and the history that has been shown in this drama (The fighting, the wars, the national spirit, the commitment to the homeland, to its nation) made me even much prouder of Japan! I am really gonna cherish those feelings forever.

Finally, I have to leave this note and I am frankly stating that I not being judgmental when I say this.
When I see these kind of dramas, It makes me re-think about my choices of dramas.
Like those dramas that has a tangled problem of two people trying to get together, and they go through some difficult times but then they stay lovers or get married at the end and the story finishes with that, like what these kind of dramas gonna bring to me in my life? anything of value as a final result?.. I mean I enjoy them as well, But you know.. A story like ( Tenn no Ryuriban ) makes those silly stories even more meaningless! Am I harsh? I don't know, But that's my humble opinion!

THIS DRAMA IS A TOTAL EPIC, I can re-watch it ('Infinite' Times).
I can say happily that I am so blessed to finish this year with such a great drama, Thank you Japan!

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The best thing about this drama is the emotional impact, it reduced a hardened person like me close to tears several times, the most emotional scene was when Tokuzo separates from his wife, i felt like my heart would break, yes it has its flaws, i felt certain scenes were over the top and overacted but Takeru Satoh brought a certain vulnerability to his character, his character here will vex you and make you want to give him a good shake to knock some sense into him. His acting has been improving consistently in each new project and he has come far since his princess princess D days, as an actor the best thing about him is he can change his personality to suit every character, he does not go for the same characters again and again there is a great diversity in his role selection, his resting expression, body language are different in each drama/film, he is truly a director's dream and in believe he will improve even more .

the supporting caste is great, i was particularly impressed by the actor who played the older brother. Satoh also had an adorable chemistry with the french girl, the child actors brought later in the show were great, all in all it was an exceptional drama that everyone should check out. I am usually able to judge a show better after some time has passed, on account of how memorable it was, how much you can recall' and it is certainly not a forgettable show, you will have a hard time getting the scenes out of your head.

one thing i feel like mentioning are the last three episodes had a sequel feel to it. for me episode 9 was the climax, no event could have been greater, episode 9 was like a side story, and episode 10 was the epilogue, i think these three episodes could have been summed up into one.

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Amazing how well received this dorama was, both in Japan and in the rest of the world (for people who watch doramas). In my case, unfortunately, it was a case of "everybody loves it except me". To be honest, I wasn't that interested in it, but I decided to watch it because of the wonderful reviews, and of all the awards it took that year. And I also love historical fiction, especially Japanese historical fiction, so why not.



*Story: it is basically about Akiyama Tokuzo, a short-tempered boy, who after many years, becomes the Emperor's cook. He married young, but he immediately took off to Tokyo to learn how to cook, leaving his wife. Of course his parents + his in-laws were angry at him, and eventually, the in-laws make his daughter divorced from him, but he didn't care, he just wanted to be a cook. Then he goes to France, meets a french girl, falls in love. Years later, he gets the invitation to be the Emperor's Cook, decides to come back to Japan but his french girlfriend wants to stay in France, so he comes back alone. In short time, he meets his ex-wife again, marries her, have children, all while he cooks for the Emperor. Then comes the war, he has some difficulties and the story ends with him retiring after 50 and some years later.



Yeah, yeah, all very good. I see that the dorama has a lot of heart, which I absolutely love. There is a lot of friendship (Akiyama with his older brother, RIP; Akiyama and Shintaro, Akiyama and his former rival Yamagami, Akiyama and his former lover, Akiyama and his mentor...), and that is precisaly why I couldn't like the story. This is supposed to be about fighting for your dreams (which he did) but in the process, he hurts Toshiko, his wife. He makes his family suffer, his poor parents, his poor brother... Akiyama doesn't struggle so much, since everything is served to him. His brother gets him his first job, his mentor helps him to become the Cook, he gets help from people around him... Honestly, he got all too easy.



I hated how much Toshiko suffered, only because she has to go and fall for this immature brat. And then, because fate say so, they remarry. I hate that the 3 people that root so much for him were the ones that suffered so much, because of him.



All his "adventures" to become a cook were kinda boring. I think I only liked all the scenes that involved Toshiko. Episode 11 specially made me a bit teary-eyed. The final episode was not good. I hate all the American scenes, all the bully and discrimination, and the blond bully was so bad at acting! Cringe-worthy.



*Cast: the cast is top-notch. My favorite was Kuroki Haru, hands down. She was so good, she makes a perfect docile Japanese girl. She made me teary-eyed many times. Her life was so unfair :( Usami-san was also good, this kind of acting I like best (quiet, kind) and there is also the doctor from JIN who is so good at being nice and quiet too. Kiritani Kenta will always be excellent for me, he plays a laid-back guy here, happy and a bit silly (he is so good at this kind of roles). And of course, Suzuki Ryohei, the sick older brother. Poor Shutaro! It was so sad to see him thinner and thinner in every episode. If that isn't commitment from the actor, I don't know what it is.



Regarding Sato Takeru... all those reviews praising him, but also, most of those reviews say "I am a big fan of him". Well, I am not, and I can see this more objectively. To me, he was the worst in the cast. Not that he was BAD, but he wasn't good. He can cry, I give you that. But I hated how he changed his voice... why make it deeper? It felt unnatural. Because he was a short-tempered guy, the actor overacted in most of his actions, it was like watching an anime. I love overacting in comedies but it was unnecessary in this dorama, which was so real.



There were a few others who were so bad, but who weren't important to the story. Like Araki-san, the bully at Akiyama's first job... GAWD, all that shouting. The French girl was just "too happy" and the American people were so bad it is not worth mentioning again.



*Music: the OST was nice but the ED was MEH. On the other hand, the OP was so cute! I loved the little drawings (so Japanese, but in France!) and the song was well-suited. Also, the cinematography was really nice, beautiful colors and the settings were clean, clear and fresh. I almost wanted to live there.



Maybe if Akiyama were more sympathetic I would have loved this more, because the cinematography, the clothes, the period time, the food, the settings, (most of) the actors, were all excellent.

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I cried a lot that I lost count and laughed so much while watching this drama. The production was very good, superb casting and beat all of food drama that I ever watched. I have to say Takeru Satoh portray this role very well, his emotion & act in this drama beyond amazing, no wonder why he is the A list actor and of course the other cast as well I must say all the other characters are very inspiring. I was surprised about female lead who I dislike at first she looks simple, but after seeing her more episode I fell in love she act so naturally. I like when she supports her husband silently I like the passion I see in Tokuso, he always try hard, believed and confident in his ability. I think this drama should get more ratings. It’s one of the best.

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A good watch

This show was amazing,,, truly!
This gave a nice view to the ones who are oblivious to the culinary world!
Amazing acting, storyline and comedy! though i will mention that the last few episodes were becoming faster and going off the usual flow of the show which was set initially.
There were some plots that i felt was a little redundant, but still a very good show by the end of it.
It definitely a good watch to put it in your list; regret is something you won't be feeling. though i would not rewatch, since it did take quite a lot of my time, but it surely wasn't a waste.
also Toshiko is the loveliest wife anyone can ask for; and i liked how she was portrayed as strong and independent rather spending all her energy to support the husband or 'sacrifice' everything for him,,, very few depiction of women like her in media!

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in some ways this drama was a role playing game like each stage of his life he had 2 options and he needed to choose between them.
if he chose to open a restaurant, he'd have been unsatisfied and might've taken it out on his wife for tying him down.
if he chose to stay in france he'd have married francis(?) they'd have both lived happily enough but he'd have had that same hole from not realizing his dream and when his brother died he'd have lived in guilt

tbh I think he was all in all very selfish and self centered, his family and wife always put his needs 1st, his wife was responsible for 99% of his success but he never realized it until it was way too late
he in the end kinda chose to live for the emperor instead of himself/his family or his dream. he cooked becasue it made him happy, he learned becasue he wanted to prove others wrong, he became the emperor's chef to show the world he made it, but was he happy? did he spend enough time with his family? would he have been happier in a small restaurant? would he have been happier in france? would it have been better if he took Takahama Toshiko to france with him before the angst happened? if he wasn't the emperor's cook maybe he'd have taken better care of his wife and she'd have not died so early.. his sons were in the army but where was his daughter? he was not a good father or husband..
and thought TT was a great wife she was too great that he was able to take his hands off of the family matters and live only focused on himself


the title and the promise made me think he'd live a luxurious lifestyle with his family around the emperor, like he'd have been maturer as time went by but he never changed, his house was modest or "rich" enough as his parents were, did being the emperor's chef really benefit him? did he really "save" the emperor? did the emperor thank him? was he "honored".....

also, the ages were really over the place, like sure the actor was around 26 and he was a believable teen (though they only used his shortness to make him young, and he was just short) to 30 year old but later, especially the last ep he reeeaaallly did not look around 50s? especially around the other actually older actors.

anyway, it was interesting to see that time period, and I actually liked it until he cheated with his boss's wife though they seemed to have an open marriage but he lived with them for like 5 years afterwards I started to dislike him then. he was just lucky, he met the right people, the right mentors that even when he had obstacles and hardships it was not that hard for hard work to get him out, unlike the painter who was alone and never achieved his dream

also I never rewatch stuff

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Inspirational story. This biographical drama is a heartwarming and sometimes heart wrenching story about a hapless, irresponsible guy who finds his calling as a chef and goes on to become the master chef for the Emperor of Japan. One of the best dramas I've watched yet, this underdog story set in the early 20th century hooked me from the first episode to the last and had me binge watching it all week.

Based on a true story, the characters are fleshed out people who support and believe in each other. Sato Takeru portrays Tokuzu so well, I can't believe he is the same guy who plays the assassin swordsman in Rurouni Kenshin. I have a lot of respect this actor who can perform such demanding action scenes and then do such a different role so well. Starting off portraying the younger troublesome Tokuzo, he convincingly shows the character's development as he becomes a mature man with great responsibilities during turbulent times.

There is a touching love story, but it is not the focus of the the drama. Foodies will enjoy the attention given to food preparation and the drama and trials of becoming a chef and working in a kitchen. Though it is a historical drama about a chef, anyone can relate to it because really it is about finding your dream, striving for it and the family and loved ones that support you along the way. It reminds you to think about how you are living and working and whether you are putting your heart into everything you do.

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