[Discussion] Legal High
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[Discussion] Legal High
In April 2012 a new drama called Legal High will be broadcast on Fuji TV. I'm curious if this drama will be a solid one. I'm often disappointed in law-dramas, but this cast is really interesting. Namase Katsuhisa role is mostly a laughing stock, so will he be fine with a law-comedy drama? Sakai Masato and Aragaki Yui... i think they fit well. So what are you thinking? I hope this drama will be available and subbed
Synopsis:
Komikado Kensuke is a cranky, sharp-tongued, cynical, wasteful lawyer who loves money, reputation, and women. He believes in the idea that “the winner is right,” and uses any means to maintain his perfect-win record. However, he gradually realizes that his idea of justice is wrong, and he begins to remember what it feels like to really fight. Mayuzumi Machiko is a rookie lawyer who is passionate about protecting the weak and is constantly at odds with her colleague Komikado. --Tokyograph
Cast:
* Sakai Masato as Komikado Kensuke
* Aragaki Yui as Mayuzumi Machiko
* Namase Katsuhisa as Miki Choichiro
* Koike Eiko as Sawaji Kimie
* Satomi Kotaro as Hattori
* Taguchi Junnosuke as Kaga Ranmaru
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Legal_High
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/legal-high/index.html
Synopsis:
Komikado Kensuke is a cranky, sharp-tongued, cynical, wasteful lawyer who loves money, reputation, and women. He believes in the idea that “the winner is right,” and uses any means to maintain his perfect-win record. However, he gradually realizes that his idea of justice is wrong, and he begins to remember what it feels like to really fight. Mayuzumi Machiko is a rookie lawyer who is passionate about protecting the weak and is constantly at odds with her colleague Komikado. --Tokyograph
Cast:
* Sakai Masato as Komikado Kensuke
* Aragaki Yui as Mayuzumi Machiko
* Namase Katsuhisa as Miki Choichiro
* Koike Eiko as Sawaji Kimie
* Satomi Kotaro as Hattori
* Taguchi Junnosuke as Kaga Ranmaru
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Legal_High
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/legal-high/index.html
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Hi Sorvaseven!
I am going to give this show a chance. I think Sakai Masato and Gakky will be interesting combination. Also, some nice other cast too, like Koike Eiko. I don't know what role Namase has but even when he is a joker in other roles, he works ok for me. So hopefully he will fit just right and the show will be good.
Legal dramas can be tough, never enough time to do what writers are trying to do I think? Maybe because to set up the case story and develop characters something has to go. I am hoping that unique casting will make Legal High a little different and good to see.
I am going to give this show a chance. I think Sakai Masato and Gakky will be interesting combination. Also, some nice other cast too, like Koike Eiko. I don't know what role Namase has but even when he is a joker in other roles, he works ok for me. So hopefully he will fit just right and the show will be good.
Legal dramas can be tough, never enough time to do what writers are trying to do I think? Maybe because to set up the case story and develop characters something has to go. I am hoping that unique casting will make Legal High a little different and good to see.
I liked the first episode, especially the ending. I really liked how over the top Komikado was, especially considering the setting. His over confidence and lifestyle is amusing to me, but if I met him in real life he'd probably annoy me lol.
I did kind of get flashes of Phoenix Wright though. For some reason the first prosecutor reminded me of Winston Payne.
My first time seeing Sakai was in his previous drama so.. seeing him like this is like "O.O........... wow" Lol such a 180! He's making this show. I was never a fan of Aragaki but with that aside...... I..... think any other female could've had her role after watching ep 2. She had a lot of personality in the first ep (I guess more determined and such) but ep 2.. she seem a bit, reduced? But yeah Sakai is amazing and is pretty much having me hold interest in this ^^ (though Namase being the antagonist ._. I know he has to not always do comedic roles but... yeah)
haven't watched the show but going to, probably tonight. Browsed through and still trying to get used to both Sakai and Aragaki's hairstyles! lol
EDIT:
Great show! Totally laughed my a** off with Komikado's attitude. This season seems to be better imo than the last. So many entertaining dramas, even though most of them are investigative.
EDIT:
Great show! Totally laughed my a** off with Komikado's attitude. This season seems to be better imo than the last. So many entertaining dramas, even though most of them are investigative.
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Hi, I seem to be the only one so far who didn't enjoy the first episode of this drama. The acting was waay over the top for me and Komikado did absolutely nothing to raise my interest or make it fun. This is one of the few dramas that I will not carry on watching as I deleted the second episode which is a shame, however I will keep an eye on this discussion for curiosity.
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I like the show.Heiwa Fansubs chose the right project and thanks to them, I got to enjoy it. First episode may have put some off, but after that it is a fun ride. Kind of 'Boston Legal' japanese way.
Anyone notice Mayu-sensei double-high kick at the opening theme getting closer with each episode? somehow made me remember the illustration-strip at the side cover of Akira Toriyama 'Dragon Ball' manga.When putting the total collection on the book shelf, we got a long drawing of DB characters...totally random thought, eh?
Anyone notice Mayu-sensei double-high kick at the opening theme getting closer with each episode? somehow made me remember the illustration-strip at the side cover of Akira Toriyama 'Dragon Ball' manga.When putting the total collection on the book shelf, we got a long drawing of DB characters...totally random thought, eh?
I'm delighted to see this drama. Many of us JP-EN bilinguals have worked in law firms, so some of this, like many dramas, looks hopelessly unrealistic. You would never, for example, in the real world see the same attorneys working this way in criminal law, copyright law, corporate law, etc. as in this program. But somehow the humor and outragous plots more than make up for that.
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i only watching 4 Jdrama currently, probably this is the one im really enjoying it.. not so good, but its the better one..
Legal High - im having a good time, good laugh with it..
Ataru - just OK ish..
Toshi Densetsu no Onna - lost interest, but still watching it..
37-sai de Isha ni Natta Boku - Dropped, lost interest..
Legal High - im having a good time, good laugh with it..
Ataru - just OK ish..
Toshi Densetsu no Onna - lost interest, but still watching it..
37-sai de Isha ni Natta Boku - Dropped, lost interest..
I'm really enjoying this so far! The first episode cracked me up, loved Gakky-Masato interaction.
About ep1
I love this series.
Generally speaking, i love how Gakky is the usual idealist often seen in legal jdoramas, but more close to reality. If we compare this to Hokaben, Aya Ueto was absolutely annoying in that jdrama, spouting around clueless and idealistic nonsense everywhere. At least Gakky doesn't preach, or at least, she does but Komikado won't listen to her at all.
Let's hope they will keep this level till the end.
About ep1
Generally speaking, i love how Gakky is the usual idealist often seen in legal jdoramas, but more close to reality. If we compare this to Hokaben, Aya Ueto was absolutely annoying in that jdrama, spouting around clueless and idealistic nonsense everywhere. At least Gakky doesn't preach, or at least, she does but Komikado won't listen to her at all.
Let's hope they will keep this level till the end.
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I'm quite surprised with this one. I picked it up yesterday because I was bored and finished the 8th epsidsode not long ago. At first, I was really hesitant, because I'm usually really not into law doramas....but this one is quite funny.
My prediction for the ending:
btw., Hattori with his "trifiling strong points" is hillarious. ;)
My prediction for the ending:
Last edited by GaussAlgorithmus on Jun 11th, '12, 10:31, edited 1 time in total.
GaussAlgorithmus wrote:I'm quite surprised with this one. I picked it up yesterday because I was bored and finished the 8th epsidsode not long ago. At first, I was really hesitant, because I'm usually really not into law doramas....but this one is quite funny.
My prediction for the ending:
btw., Hattori with his "trifiling strong points" is hillarious. ;)
I also thought it will be like that.
But I hope the ending is not as usual as that. For me that's too flat
And this dorama is really interesting and funny for me. Hope the ending won't disappoint me
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I'm VERY much enjoying this show! This will be the first (and hopefully not last!) drama I follow as it's airing along with Mirai Nikki (which isn't holding much interest for me outside of curiosity for changes from the source material). I love the characters, the stories, and especially that amazing OST, I downloaded it as soon as I found a link! (though it's for sure good enough to buy!). I really enjoy how the show doesn't have any kind of naive JUSTICE look at crime/law. While I don't mind plots like that, it's nice to just see a more realistic view. It seems far more like a Lawyers mindset on things, you aren't going to find THE TRUTH and JUSTICE for your clients and those involved, all you can do is do your job to the best of your ability.
I'm a bit miffed that there are some songs in the soundtrack that are arranged differently in certain parts of the show, I'm an OST junky so it's horrible to find I won't be able to have those versions of the tracks!
The show is doing pretty well in ratings so I hope it gets a follow up in a special or another season sometime!
I'm a bit miffed that there are some songs in the soundtrack that are arranged differently in certain parts of the show, I'm an OST junky so it's horrible to find I won't be able to have those versions of the tracks!
The show is doing pretty well in ratings so I hope it gets a follow up in a special or another season sometime!
Haha, this seems like a weird complaint. It just seems like Japanese entertainment in a nutshell is over the top, from comedy routines, to comedies, dramas, animation, etc.sunflower63 wrote:The acting was waay over the top for me and Komikado did absolutely nothing to raise my interest or make it fun. .
It seems like Law and the process of Court can be interesting, but in a work of fiction you gotta suspend your disbelief a bit right? I can't imagine there being shows about how the legal system seriously works, even Law & Order is filled to the brim with ridiculous amounts of over the top drama. They've got to spice it up a bit to get us interested, not just with law but with most anything from shows about regular life, romance, crime stories, etc. Though, at least you aren't renouncing it for this reason.ps790 wrote:Many of us JP-EN bilinguals have worked in law firms, so some of this, like many dramas, looks hopelessly unrealistic. You would never, for example, in the real world see the same attorneys working this way in criminal law, copyright law, corporate law, etc. t.
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I'm enjoying the series immensely. Sakai Masato is masterful. His exaggerated mannerism is perfect for the character with his speedy acid remarks and childish moments. Even with the over the top acting there's powerful subtlety mostly apparent throughout Ep 8 (the one with Komikado Sr.) and some in Ep.6 with his ex-wife.
Episode 8 blew me away and made me tear-up during Komikado Jr vs Sr. The situation might be an exaggeration but the difficult relationship between parent and child still felt familiar and relatable.
Episode 8 blew me away and made me tear-up during Komikado Jr vs Sr. The situation might be an exaggeration but the difficult relationship between parent and child still felt familiar and relatable.
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Although this drama is fun to watch, those of us who have worked in real law firms, especially doing litegation work, know what is shown in this drama has no connection whatsoever with the real world. Still, the silliness is fun to watch, although some of the dialog is so fast you may need to listen several times. Some lawyers in criminal and litegation cases clearly must have great acting ability, so somehow it seems natural that dramas would tend to focus on a world that also values acting.
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Hi Auvers,
for what concerns your remark to a part of my comment I agree with what you state that Japanese acting is generally quite over the top in all their comedy dramas but in most of the ones that I have seen and appreciated (My Boss My Hero, Nodame Cantabile, Don Quixote, Mukodono etc.) this type of acting is well balanced within the plot and makes sense in the story. Of course I have also appreciated many Jdramas in which over the top acting didn't exist at all but they were different genres.
For what concerns Legal High, I decided to stop watching it after the first episode as it just didn't 'click' for me, but I have seen that it is very appreciated on here and also in Japan its ratings are not bad. I suppose it is just a matter of different tastes...happy watching!
for what concerns your remark to a part of my comment I agree with what you state that Japanese acting is generally quite over the top in all their comedy dramas but in most of the ones that I have seen and appreciated (My Boss My Hero, Nodame Cantabile, Don Quixote, Mukodono etc.) this type of acting is well balanced within the plot and makes sense in the story. Of course I have also appreciated many Jdramas in which over the top acting didn't exist at all but they were different genres.
For what concerns Legal High, I decided to stop watching it after the first episode as it just didn't 'click' for me, but I have seen that it is very appreciated on here and also in Japan its ratings are not bad. I suppose it is just a matter of different tastes...happy watching!
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sorry to barged since I too enjoyed the other dramas (My Boss My Hero, Nodame Cantabile, Mukodono etc.) in comparison of their balance with over the top antics, I disagree that Legal High lacked balance or sense. While Komikado has his eccentricities, his arguments makes so much sense. It's a calculated and intelligent over the top character, with plot containing the same balance witnessed in the dramas you just listed down. Gakki's laid back cuteness helps make a good balance too.sunflower63 wrote:Hi Auvers,
for what concerns your remark to a part of my comment I agree with what you state that Japanese acting is generally quite over the top in all their comedy dramas but in most of the ones that I have seen and appreciated (My Boss My Hero, Nodame Cantabile, Don Quixote, Mukodono etc.) this type of acting is well balanced within the plot and makes sense in the story. Of course I have also appreciated many Jdramas in which over the top acting didn't exist at all but they were different genres.
For what concerns Legal High, I decided to stop watching it after the first episode as it just didn't 'click' for me, but I have seen that it is very appreciated on here and also in Japan its ratings are not bad. I suppose it is just a matter of different tastes...happy watching!
Maybe it's just a matter of taste. In one aspect Komikado/Sakai Masato is not a typical ikemen like Nagase Tomoya, Tamaki Hiroshi or Matsuda Shota but that's only my crude assumption at a glance.
I'd like to make a comparison.
I recently watched couple of episodes of misaki no. 1. in that series the assistant director/principal of the school is given some distinct mannerisims (sp?), she slightly over acts, uses too much body language and has a distinc talking manner (starts sentences normally but ends them in a weird speech impediment-al way).
After watching 3-4 episodes I felt that this was done for some comedic effect and mostly for marking the character as "not good/minor evil". If the series follows the cliches then at the end of the series the character will be transformed to good or will be realized that she was good after all.
In SPEC, Toda Erikas character was also with distinct characteristics (over acting, getting inside peoples personal space etc) that seperated her from the rest of the characters. I dont consider her a good actor so I dont feel she was successfull in fully representing the character but I felt this was also done deliberately but this time not for comedic effect. I felt that the caharacter was acting (or over acting if you will) that way to mask herself (in her case her observation skills and brilliance).
I only watched 4 episodes of Legal High and I reserve the right to change my mind but right now I feel Sakai Masato-sans over acting style falls in the second example I gave. I dont know what yet but I feel he is acting that way for some spesific cause; maybe to protect himself from hurting (again. it feels like there is something big between him and gakkys old boss), maybe masking (his brilliance so that his opponents dont take him seriously untill its too late?), maybe something else.
I look forward to finding out if my feeling is right or indeed if he was just over acting for comedic effect.
I recently watched couple of episodes of misaki no. 1. in that series the assistant director/principal of the school is given some distinct mannerisims (sp?), she slightly over acts, uses too much body language and has a distinc talking manner (starts sentences normally but ends them in a weird speech impediment-al way).
After watching 3-4 episodes I felt that this was done for some comedic effect and mostly for marking the character as "not good/minor evil". If the series follows the cliches then at the end of the series the character will be transformed to good or will be realized that she was good after all.
In SPEC, Toda Erikas character was also with distinct characteristics (over acting, getting inside peoples personal space etc) that seperated her from the rest of the characters. I dont consider her a good actor so I dont feel she was successfull in fully representing the character but I felt this was also done deliberately but this time not for comedic effect. I felt that the caharacter was acting (or over acting if you will) that way to mask herself (in her case her observation skills and brilliance).
I only watched 4 episodes of Legal High and I reserve the right to change my mind but right now I feel Sakai Masato-sans over acting style falls in the second example I gave. I dont know what yet but I feel he is acting that way for some spesific cause; maybe to protect himself from hurting (again. it feels like there is something big between him and gakkys old boss), maybe masking (his brilliance so that his opponents dont take him seriously untill its too late?), maybe something else.
I look forward to finding out if my feeling is right or indeed if he was just over acting for comedic effect.
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Its for both.kirtil wrote:I'd like to make a comparison.
I recently watched couple of episodes of misaki no. 1. in that series the assistant director/principal of the school is given some distinct mannerisims (sp?), she slightly over acts, uses too much body language and has a distinc talking manner (starts sentences normally but ends them in a weird speech impediment-al way).
After watching 3-4 episodes I felt that this was done for some comedic effect and mostly for marking the character as "not good/minor evil". If the series follows the cliches then at the end of the series the character will be transformed to good or will be realized that she was good after all.
In SPEC, Toda Erikas character was also with distinct characteristics (over acting, getting inside peoples personal space etc) that seperated her from the rest of the characters. I dont consider her a good actor so I dont feel she was successfull in fully representing the character but I felt this was also done deliberately but this time not for comedic effect. I felt that the caharacter was acting (or over acting if you will) that way to mask herself (in her case her observation skills and brilliance).
I only watched 4 episodes of Legal High and I reserve the right to change my mind but right now I feel Sakai Masato-sans over acting style falls in the second example I gave. I dont know what yet but I feel he is acting that way for some spesific cause; maybe to protect himself from hurting (again. it feels like there is something big between him and gakkys old boss), maybe masking (his brilliance so that his opponents dont take him seriously untill its too late?), maybe something else.
I look forward to finding out if my feeling is right or indeed if he was just over acting for comedic effect.
The same is for the case of Toda Erika in SPEC. Touma was funny and has a baggage. Literally too. Erika was brilliant and I personally think she deserves heaps of praises for Touma. As for Komikado, he's rightfully overconfident. The guy is not hiding behind his hairdo or brashness. I don't think he's pretending to be bad but he's naturally a charming douche. Personally both characters quirks were perfectly portrayed by these actors. They were convincing and the characters are unforgettable (even if you happen to dislike the acting method).
EP 10 : I think Legal High is the best comedy since Hero. I'm incredibly sad it's going to end and I'm torn between my expectation of a second season or a SP, and the fact that those things are always a let down compared to the first season.
btw, if Masato Sakai doesn't win an award for that, it will be a shameful robbery.
btw, if Masato Sakai doesn't win an award for that, it will be a shameful robbery.
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Hmm, this drama is over.
Could not really say I dislike the end.
I think it was a good end.
BTW: I try to make a clip of the intro fightsequence. (song: Ono Erena - Erepyon)
http://www.badongo.com/file/27512402
http://depositfiles.com/files/6wfvi5y2z
http://www.share-online.biz/dl/79YS3C6MAKT
Could not really say I dislike the end.
BTW: I try to make a clip of the intro fightsequence. (song: Ono Erena - Erepyon)
http://www.badongo.com/file/27512402
http://depositfiles.com/files/6wfvi5y2z
http://www.share-online.biz/dl/79YS3C6MAKT
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I've just finished watching the final episode and I must say I haven't been engaged by drama like this in a long time.
The final episode was a good ending but also a great episode in its own right , and it didn't even need an extra 10 or 15 minutes to do it! Despite the regular runtime, the extra bit of polish was apparent from the get-go and didn't let up.
Looking forward to the next season of this drama, absolutely loved every minute of it!
The final episode was a good ending but also a great episode in its own right , and it didn't even need an extra 10 or 15 minutes to do it! Despite the regular runtime, the extra bit of polish was apparent from the get-go and didn't let up.
Looking forward to the next season of this drama, absolutely loved every minute of it!
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There's gonna be another season?DragonSpikeXIII wrote:ILooking forward to the next season of this drama, absolutely loved every minute of it!
Hmmm... I agree... the blurry soft focus style does kinda make it seem like a fantasy memory, but IMO it was just to let us now that it was a flashback sequence.GaussAlgorithmus wrote: But one thing is still bogging me:
I think it really happened that way, since in the previous episode when they were making that video with the elderly people Komikado sensei was talking about how he wished she had more sex appeal and looked more like Masami Nagasawa. And since she needed a favor from him Mayuzumi tried to appear more sexy & stylish to get his attention, but in her usual way over did it a little.
I just find it funny that basically all Gakky has to do in this series to appear smart and sophisticated is to swoop one side of her hair back behind her ears.
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This drama is totally my thing. Extraordinaire.
The special don´t disappoint and delivers another big punch.
At this point the "tricks" of the screenplay are well known, but still always get me. Like how they use all the cliches of the feel good jdramas just to blow everything in the end like monkeys in the middle of porcelain.
The funny thing: even the parodical "preachy" parts works on the first level (let´s bring justice to world!) just because Sakai Masato is so good that actually, for a moment, you believe the Komikado became an asadora heroine.
so for Legal High and waiting for the second season.
The special don´t disappoint and delivers another big punch.
At this point the "tricks" of the screenplay are well known, but still always get me. Like how they use all the cliches of the feel good jdramas just to blow everything in the end like monkeys in the middle of porcelain.
The funny thing: even the parodical "preachy" parts works on the first level (let´s bring justice to world!) just because Sakai Masato is so good that actually, for a moment, you believe the Komikado became an asadora heroine.
so for Legal High and waiting for the second season.
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