I have read many reviews as I watched through the series. The beginning was bombastic, albeit starting to hurl me into an abyss of countless questions. I am trying to be as abstract as possible to avoid spoilers. The story seemed to develop brutally quickly, as if to rush for time, like a heavily edited movie. Besides establishing the two main guys as cops, the sudden appearance of Yuriko Yoshitaka , which almost immediately skipped to the part where she lived at Shun's place, and the entourage of Spec Ops department who seemed to consist of members who idly took desk jobs and gave support from the comfort of their office. The chief, a dignified actor, was somewhat titular, apart from the occasional 'fatherly' moments with Shun. The conversation lines are also very fast, which is good in a way, as it creates a sense of urgency. However, coupled with the many ???s already in my head, this simply rubs salt to the wound.

And Yuriko? I absolutely love her as an actress! Her radiant smile never fails to add some sunshine and cuteness to any drama. But her character here, who supposedly need protection, was living with horrendously lax security, and despite her precarious situation, not much was done to protect her, nor help recover her memory. Having watched many other dramas, an effective format would be for the cops to tackle a new case every episode, while gradually edging the protagonist towards the main plot which usually involves a dark sinister past.

Despite being set on this note, the cases from each episode is mediocre at best, with plots that are almost immediately predictable. That is a big negative for a tantei-genre drama. Oh and on top of that, we have Shun's 'mystery' past, and we have Yuriko's too!

On a more positive note, every episode, the initially irritating mother would call Shun at the most inopportune time. However, Over time, I started to appreciate that nonsensical humor within his family (I mean it in a good way) which proved to be an invaluable comic element in the show.

Sorry if I sounded like ranting, but I can't help feeling bad that a wonderful cast of Yuriko Yoshitaka and Shun Oguri is involved in a mediocre drama like this. Readers may not agree with me, but this is my honest, objective review of this drama.

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A Plausible Fairy Tale

At first glance, I was put off by the unpalatable appearances of the women. An afro with no eyes, a supposedly beautiful Rio Uchida with her eyes obscured by bangs, and others whom I didn't really notice at the start. It seemed like an outlandish gaudy manga-genre drama full of overblown expressions and contorted faces. Indeed, right at the start, the main protagonists was presented as either anthrophobic or autistic, and it was exhausting watching her, but almost 5min into the show, I found myself feeling comfortable and relaxed, for under all the alien appearances and an entire household of creepy eccentric women-creatures, you could sense their loneliness, innocence, longing for love and acceptance, and the similar fear of the outside world.

The story progressed, soon blooming into a romance (no spoilers here), and what I appreciate is that unlike other dramas, you won't see a sweet budding romance quickly warp into a sensual bed scene, or some rivalry in love turn into ugly backstabbing. Moreover, everyone in the show are pleasant, if not funny, and everyone has their parts culminate into an agreeable 'ever-after' ending. I feel refreshed and my heart sweetened by the innocence and sweetness of the story, be it camaraderie among inhabitants of the household, brotherly/family bonds of the politician's family.

Almost after finishing the last episode, my feeling was.... I don't mind re-watching it again, now. I guess that sums it up.

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If you are looking to watch a romantic drama, this is it! Adequately embellished with pockets of humour, a love life surrounded by best friends, and a romantic atmosphere that - though poignant at times, will make you vicariously feel in love.

This is one classic 'rich girl poor guy', or Lady & Tramp plot, with a pretty couple helming the show. Its already months since I watched the drama, and yet scenes from the story, with the dreamy OST 'Cool Whispers' hauntingly beckoning a sense of nostalgia, tempts to watch it again, if i wasn't already committed to a long list of dramas.

Also, we have a solid cast here - Kamenashi, Ayase, Erika Toda, all of whom are superb actors, and the also very good support casts whose presence themselves added interest and value to the drama. Of course,

Like many love stories, there are ups and downs, but yet, there are no draggy vexatious subplots or ridiculously unrealistic developments. Tatta Hitsotsu offers a fairy-tale-like love story, and yet it is more - a love that is pure, innocent, and beautiful, and certainly a hope-bringer to audience who want a break from sleazy "meet someone, then within few minutes - naked in bed" kind ofone-night-stand culture.

I highly recommend this drama. Unless you hate romance stories :)

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