Uncovering the infamous historical figure Akechi Mitsuhide

First of all, let's get our historical fact check. Mitsuhide is no other than the warrior who assassinated Nobunaga. While this is surely an act of betrayal. Keep in mind that both figures aren't perfect. Nobunaga might be famous for being one of the unifiers but he is also famous for being brutal & ruthless. There is no bad or good side here.

Mitsuhide might just also be one of the most mysterious historical figure of Japan. They don't have clear records of his childhood thus different to how Taiga dramas usually start (it most of the time starts with the lead as a kid) Kirin ga Kuru starts with Mitsuhide "Jubei" during his early days as a warrior just a few years before he becomes head of the Akechi clan.

When watching Taiga dramas I always look at the costumes, the way the characters talk, and the interior/sceneries. Costumes are on point, the acting & the way they talk truly takes you back to the sengoku period. Since Mino (Mitsuhide's hometown) is a village in the mountains there are scenes that captures the beauty of the mountainous region. Music was well matched depending on the scene although there aren't much. The opening is quite dark w/c is fitting to the destination of this story. I love openings of Taiga dramas including this so I recommend to not skip it, even just once, watch the opening credits as it is well made.

Hasegawa Hiroki as Akechi "Jubei" Mitsuhide and Sometani Shota as Oda Nobunaga reels you in with their portrayal. The way they talk, fight, or even just the way they stand, clearly creates the difference between these two men. They have a lot of scenes together and it was a feast watching these two great actors.

From the moment I started watching this, I've been wondering how would they end this, as most of us knows that Mitsuhide's life doesn't end in a good note. The ending was just right, a good take on one of the many assumptions on why he decided to turn his back on Oda.

Kirin ga Kuru "Awaiting Kirin", the title was mentioned a lot of times throughout the series. I like how they emphasized on it and explained this mythical creature the "Kirin". If you look at the poster for this drama, the black smoke-looking effect is actually a representation of the "Kirin". Try to look at paintings of a Kirin & you'll see the reference. I like what they did there.

Overall, I enjoyed this take on the mysterious man, Akechi Mitsuhide.

Just want to note that I am someone who mostly just watches Jdramas and interested in their culture and history. Please do read the tags/genre and plot before trying to watch this as this isn't your typical kind of drama.

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Life is too long to love only once

First of all if you're gonna watch this, you need to  know that with Kudo Kankuro as one of the screenwriter this will be a comedy rather than romance. If you're looking for something deep and focuses on romance you might rethink watching this.

This will give you all the cliché but it's charms comes from how the lines are out of the ordinary when they're supposed to be talking serious. They banter about the most hilarious things like what makes an affair an affair. The script openly talks about sensitive matters like it's just talking about the weather. I was laughing every episode.

Politics and show business are the main setting for this drama. The leads are public figures which makes everything messier because of the reputation they both have to keep. It gives you a peek—although of course a bit exaggerated—at what goes behind the scenes of these two worlds.

With all the comedy aside, the character development specially for Taishi is satisfying. Although like reality, when we realize what we've done it's already too late.

Nevertheless, it's a fitting conclusion for me. The concept of give and take was there & how wanting to have everything would always backfire. The moment the leads gave up on something they received good fortune in return.

The plot might not be new or remarkable but the cast definitely delivered like it's a blockbuster movie. Naka Riisa with her different expressions off and on cam. The way she can cry on her right or left eye on cue, crazy, actresses on her level are amazing. Matsuzaka Tori definitely looked the part of a no good man who can't say no to his mother. Surprised to see Nishikido Ryo back in a drama, he played the part of a soothing existence that felt fragile at times. Kamio Fuju had a short part and of course he just had to be there for some intimate scenes. At this point I'm convinced producers read the role "hot young actor good at kissing" and automatically think "Ah that's Kamio Fuju". He's charming as always despite the short appearance.

Personally, I think there's not a single drama that everyone will appreciate or love. Each drama caters to a different audience. If you find it unappealing then it's just because you're not the target audience. Give it a try and see if it's for you.

Kashikomi kashikomi~

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Captivates your ears, eyes, and heart

Listen to the Universe is a movie that captivates your ears, eyes, and heart through the sound of the piano.

I say ears because of the beautiful pieces they play in the movie, eyes because of how they used visual representation of the sounds the piano conveys, as well as how the cinematography is top notch. And lastly, heart because of how the overall story leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Rather than focusing on a main character, the movie focuses on the piano and how it resonates with different kinds of person.

It isn't overly dramatic, not highly technical, simplicity is it's charm.

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STORY:
A story based on the manga of the same title tells a tale of Kasane. A woman who isn't blessed with appearances but is gifted with a compelling skills in acting.
Being the daughter of a famous actress but not bearing a single resemblance to her mother's face, Kasane has always been out-casted which caused her hate for people. Before her mother dies she gives her a lipstick with the pretense that it could give her what she truly desires. With the mysterious lipstick on hand Kasane could switch faces with anyone she kisses. She meets Nina Tanzawa a beautiful actress whose only redeeming quality is her face. They agree to achieve their dream together by having Kasane borrow Nina’s face and act for her. Everything was going well until Nina realizes Kasane is taking over her life, Kasane who for the very first time felt how it is being accepted by society becomes obsessed with being Nina and thus their struggle begins.
This is a dark story that revolves in someone’s struggle for her dream, and of being accepted by society. At the start it gives you the feeling of sadness for Kasane’s circumstances then the story progresses and each character gets their personalities turned upside down. Throughout the later half of the movie it makes you ponder what is right. Kasane and Nina both have the same dream but their morals differed somewhere along the way.

CAST:
I’ve seen a lot of movies and dramas of Tao but this movie made me her fan. She played the strong overconfident Nina Tanzawa and the reserved Kasane with Nina’s face superbly. The ending play where she played Salome gave me goosebumps. Yoshine Kyoko did well as well but as for me Tsuchiya Tao stole the scene.

MUSIC:
The music differed for every scene which I think perfectly fit the mood of the scene. There isn’t any particular music that left in my mind after watching, probably mainly because there wasn’t much to begin with.

REWATCH VALUE:
This is the type of movie you could watch with your friends when you want something exciting that will get your full attention. As for re-watching it by yourself, suspense movies in general kind of loses it’s thrill as you re-watch.

OVERALL:
This movie really got me curious about the story so I read the manga after watching. There are so much more in the story than the movie. I personally wish they did the story between Kasane and Nogiku. All in all the movie is a gem in a way that it’s hard to find this type of movie that’s satisfying yet you’re left with questions in the end. I highly recommend reading the manga. The conclusion and reveal about a lot of secrets revolving around the mysterious lipstick is thrilling.

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I have read the manga before watching the movie and first things first the manga is still ongoing so I was wondering how the movie would end.

So here are the things I really loved about the movie:
- The characters were portrayed well, as an adaptation the characters physical appearance as well as traits were not changed much. The lead actors (Suda and Nana) totally draws you in, the way they looked at each other and interact, the chemistry between the two is strong so to speak.
- The ocean/under water scenes are breathtakingly beautiful. The film itself was taken in a way that captivates the audience and makes you go "ah I want to go to that place".
- The story is not too simple and not too deep. Its a perfect balance for those who are sick of the usual mushy love stories.

And the part/s that could have been improved:
- Details, if you haven't read the manga you might be confused at some part or think that the pace is quite fast. It could have been better if it was more detailed.

All in all its a movie worth watching!

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"So this is how I go to hell"

Got the chance to watch it in a limited film fest screening and it was definitely worth it. Let me say first that when I watched this the theater was almost full and the movie received a warm applause from the viewers.

On to the review.

The story revolves on Yoshii Ryosuke an internet reseller who purposely inflates his merchandise. As he repeats the cycle of bulk buying in cheap amount and reselling the items on the net at inflated prices, he acquires grudge from certain people who takes it into their hands to hunt him.

The first half focuses on Yoshii's routine with his factory job, her gf, his reselling on the side, and occasional talks with his school senior. The unsettling mood slowly seeps into his life starting from little pranks and gradually develops into a game of tag riddled with bullets during the later half of the movie.

The deadpan and detached characters that are all suspicious makes a great ensemble for the psychological thriller. The combination of sudden burst of emotions and subtlety of reactions in contrast to one another differentiates the movie from your usual psychological thrillers.

The script is another strong point of the movie which emphasized on the disconnection of the characters to the dire events surrounding them. Often being odd to the point of comedic.

The movie is an interesting take on the complex man who wants to keep his 'conventional happiness' as he descends on a path to hell indifferent to the bodies he leaves behind.

Suda's eyes mostly did the acting for this one. No cheap over the top reactions, no screaming, yelling, or any intense emotion except for one moment. The closing scene which focuses on his face as he utters the line "so this is how I go to hell" with the movie slowly fading out with his eyes as the last thing you see before the credits roll.

Okudaira, this young talent shines once again as a pivotal character filled with mystery. Others might not like the ambiguity of his nature and motives but I think it was perfect. His ambiguity was the take home given to the viewers. I love it when you're given something to make hypothesis on so you can discuss it with others after the movie.

Kotone seemed like an accessory for most of the part but eventually succumbs to her desires towards the end. That last little heart skip before the movie draws to a close.

Cloud is for the people who don't put everything on the scales of right and wrong or put themselves on the shoes of the lead or any character in the movie. Cloud is made for the people who enjoy a revenge, "what goes around comes around" kind of movie with unexpected turns. Those who don't mind morally gray to borderline psycho characters, ambiguity and unsettling silence. This is for the Noir fans.

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Light and entertaining approach to the familiar investigative Jdrama setting.

Nakaido Gouta brings his enthusiasm as a former teacher to his new career as a detective. But rather than the life of being a detective, Keiji to Kenji Tokidoki Hanji as the title says, focuses on the connection between the detectives (Keiji), prosecutors (Kenji), and judges (Hanji).

For those like me who don't want to watch the first season because of a certain actor. I'd say watching this season alone is fine. I did just that and enjoyed the show nonetheless.

What to expect: This is an episodic type of drama. The cases vary from petty crimes to serious ones. There's no detailed investigation like other detective Jdramas, rather, the drama shows the process from investigation of detectives, to interrogation by the prosecutors, up to the court trials with the judges. Well, just a bit of the court trial but still dives into how these three professions work along side each other.

What I love: Like a lot of Jdramas, this gives you a wide range of characters that you'll get to know as the story progresses. Some of them might come as annoying but gradually you'll find them endearing as they change with each case they handle.

While it introduces Nakaido and Meguro as somewhat of a buddy. This is definitely not your buddy drama. Although the two do bicker from time to time, the interaction between every character is balanced which emphasizes how everyone is part of the same team despite the differences.

The actors play a huge part everytime I watch a drama. Kiritani Kenta has always been fun to watch and I'm glad to see he's finally getting lead roles. Isomura Hayato's charms made me love the cast even more. The cast and acting is the strongest asset of this drama. They have gathered seasoned actors with some rising young stars. Acting was natural which makes the comedic scenes more appealing.

Overall, this drama is recommended for those who like detective themed dramas that is short, entertaining, and doesn't make you think too much.

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