[Discussion] Atami no Sousakan (Odagiri Joe)

Discuss Japanese drama series here.
Sorvaseven
Posts: 512
Joined: May 7th, '07, 15:06
Location: Europe

[Discussion] Atami no Sousakan (Odagiri Joe)

Post by Sorvaseven » May 6th, '10, 17:01

Atami no Sousakan

Odagiri Joe

Image

Info taken from Tokyograph

Actor Joe Odagiri (34) will star in a new drama series this summer on TV Asahi, titled "Atami no Sousakan."
The show reunites Odagiri with director and screenwriter Satoshi Miki,
whom he worked with on the popular mystery series "Jikou Keisatsu" in 2006 and 2007.

"Atami no Sousakan" begins with the disappearance of a school bus and four high school girls.
Still unsolved three years later, the case gets revived when one of the girls reappears.
Odagiri plays a sharp national investigator searching for the truth behind the incident,
which leads back to a seemingly peaceful town.

TV Asahi has not yet announced the time slot for the series.

Official Site
TV Asahi
Last edited by Sorvaseven on Aug 7th, '10, 10:07, edited 1 time in total.

siutou_amy
Posts: 91
Joined: May 30th, '08, 18:28

Post by siutou_amy » Jul 4th, '10, 03:12

Hello... =D

I was just reminded that this has already aired its first ep. Does anyone know if it'll be uploaded here, and if it will be fansubbed by anyone in d-addicts? Just trying to get confirmation ;P

Odagiri+Kuriyama+Satoshi miki seems like a winning combo~~~

toyotaku
Posts: 506
Joined: Nov 22nd, '05, 03:25
Location: United States
Contact:

Post by toyotaku » Jul 4th, '10, 03:47

siutou_amy wrote:Hello... =D

I was just reminded that this has already aired its first ep.
According to the official site, it doesn't begin airing until 30 July.

siutou_amy
Posts: 91
Joined: May 30th, '08, 18:28

Post by siutou_amy » Jul 4th, '10, 04:16

toyotaku wrote: According to the official site, it doesn't begin airing until 30 July.
ah, souka...
my bad!

I'll blame it on my late posting... I have no idea why I typed July 2nd. LOL
Thanks for the response xD

Sorvaseven
Posts: 512
Joined: May 7th, '07, 15:06
Location: Europe

Post by Sorvaseven » Jul 16th, '10, 16:01

A lot of updates on the official site: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/atami/

>> TRAILER IS ONLINE !


Image

Drazic
Fansubber
Fansubber
Posts: 223
Joined: Aug 12th, '06, 14:28
Contact:

Post by Drazic » Jul 16th, '10, 16:12

the trailer has been online for a while now ^^ This one is slightly longer though, cool =)

HaroRangers is looking for someone who can help us translate this, mail to staff [at] harorangers.com if you're interested in helping.

chokubi
Posts: 315
Joined: Dec 6th, '06, 15:38

Post by chokubi » Jul 16th, '10, 16:53

That trailer sure looks interesting with a hint of dark humor.
Will be looking forward to Odagiri Joe and the show's theme song, 天国へようこそ (Tengoku e Youkoso) by Tokyo Jihen, if anything.

captbanana
Posts: 24
Joined: Oct 2nd, '09, 23:28
Contact:

Post by captbanana » Jul 29th, '10, 21:25

Can't wait to see this, looks like a more serious side to Satoshi Miki.

lissamae
Posts: 94
Joined: Mar 14th, '06, 02:54
Location: Shizuoka, Japan

Post by lissamae » Jul 30th, '10, 10:54

Looks interesting, and I live really close to Atami so I look forward to familiar scenes!

chokubi
Posts: 315
Joined: Dec 6th, '06, 15:38

Post by chokubi » Aug 1st, '10, 18:20

Episode 1 looked good. I was right about the dark humor, but there was a lot more to it.

The American pop culture fashion "parade" was the 1st thing that stood out.
I wonder if the title had anything to do with it, but it was interesting that such a visual theme was used for everything local to Atami.
So far, I've noticed...
the bus driver's rockabilly hairstyle,
the mayor's Elvis hairdo + porkchop sideburns,
the mid-western(?) uniform of the Atami South Police Dept.,
the doctor's retro tracksuit + headband, and
the waitress's retro diner dress
It's giving off an anachronistic feel to the show but I'm liking it already.

They seem to be using a lot of awkwardness and inappropriateness in the dialogues and scenes, which makes the humor the kind that will only leave you with a sheepish smile.
I'm not sure if it's a signature style of Miki Satoshi but it does have the feel of a more serious version of Jikou Keisatsu, and maybe Trick too.
And I wonder what's the deal with Miki Satoshi and his constant use of stark nakedness in his dramas and movies.
At this point, I really curious about...
the whimsical looking dual light bulb "crystal ball(?)". And if it really turns out to be the case, I hope it doesn't become the lame gadget that solves everything at the end of the day.
Lastly, there wasn't much revealed about the actual crime other than how...
it occurred in the eyes of the driver.
It was kinda creepy how the 4th girl was constantly but partially hidden out of sight, never revealing her face. Then when she wakes up 3 years later, she had to illogically be fully covered in bandages, facially too. Then there was how the bus was rediscovered, it's state that it was in as they hauled it out of the water.
Everything collectively had the same visual sense that was dark and eerie.
It makes me wonder what kinda direction they're gonna take to solve the mysteries of the crime.

Overall, the mix of everything (visual or not) was weird but put together nicely. I think this one's not to be missed for any Jikou Keisatsu/Miki Satoshi fan IMO.
The theme song is great btw (what's not to like about Tokyo Jihen : P), probably the only orthodox thing about this drama too... JK.

theluckysix
Posts: 9
Joined: Jun 8th, '10, 13:23

Post by theluckysix » Aug 10th, '10, 16:51

chokubi wrote:Episode 1 looked good. I was right about the dark humor, but there was a lot more to it.
I'm interested with the case but I don't like dark humor. I guess I will stop watching after first episode
Btw, I think yes/no bulb will be like what you think :whistling:
Do you realized that there is actually 5 girls on that bus? I rewatched the scene when 3 girls were chatting at the bus to see their name but I realized that there are one more girls who sat at the back beside the one who are leaning at the window? They don't reveal two girls' face actually
:roll

lollercopter
Posts: 215
Joined: Sep 13th, '08, 08:33

Post by lollercopter » Aug 10th, '10, 18:11

No wonder this feel so very different from all other dramas I've seen (in fact, it hardly feels like a drama at all). Not only does the director have a movie background, but he's responsible for Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers, Adrift in Tokyo and Instant Swamp, all of which are very offbeat and funny movies (and quite highly acclaimed). I didn't even know Satoshi Miki has done dramas.

I really like the X-Files/Twin Peaks/Japan crossover. What's interesting about Odagiri's character is that he almost seems to know exactly what's going on, and is only playing along. He seems very self-aware. Well, I don't think he really knows, but he just gives that impression. It's also nice to see Kuriyama. I haven't watched any of her other dramas, but I've seen her around in movies.

starlight116
Posts: 21
Joined: Sep 16th, '08, 17:51

Post by starlight116 » Aug 11th, '10, 00:01

i think that the girl mysterious grow old for 3 years that it my feeling because the shool said forver forest i think they could use that as a trick

chokubi
Posts: 315
Joined: Dec 6th, '06, 15:38

Post by chokubi » Aug 11th, '10, 08:48

lollercopter wrote:Twin Peaks
Wow, now that you mention, it really does seem like this show is paying homage to that classic drama. It's been too long for me so I couldn't see the similarities.

Guess this explains the art direction and maybe other aspects of the show; like the left bend that the bus took, and the little coffee talk at the start of episode 2.

I even wonder now if Odagiri's character has a persona similar to Dale Cooper.

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Aug 22nd, '10, 14:46

lollercopter wrote:What's interesting about Odagiri's character is that he almost seems to know exactly what's going on, and is only playing along. He seems very self-aware. Well, I don't think he really knows, but he just gives that impression. It's also nice to see Kuriyama. I haven't watched any of her other dramas, but I've seen her around in movies.
I have the same impression, that he's only playing dumb, but in reality he already has some ideas. I like how he reacts with other people: the little policewoman and the girl who is in love with him. Chiaki has really weird role, I hoped she would be more independent but she seems clueless :D

The teacher from school seems really suspicious to me, I don't think she will be responsible for the disappearance of the buss, but she definitely has something to hide.

StatelessRich
Posts: 1
Joined: Aug 23rd, '10, 18:09

Post by StatelessRich » Aug 23rd, '10, 18:17

The similarities between this and Twin Peaks are endless.

Odagiri/Cooper
The local police force
The powerful man with connections to the mob and a secret brothel
The daughter of the powerful man who investigates the brothel and is attracted to the investigator
The weird locals
The scenes in a diner
The one survivor girl who awakens from a coma

As a big fan of Twin Peaks I'm very much liking the Japanese take on it :)

Did anyone else notice Shinonome walking toward the front of the bus when we see the girls in the window? I think she was being manipulated by someone to drive the bus.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to put spoiler tags around anything... this is my very first post D:

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Aug 23rd, '10, 19:12

StatelessRich wrote:I'm not sure if I'm supposed to put spoiler tags around anything... this is my very first post D:
I'm a beginner too, so I don't know. I feel like I'm the only one to watch it, so I came here to speculate about who is who :D I'm after 3 ep.
I think that the female teacher is really suspicious, she kissed the student! The bus driver also seems to know something. And the Greenpeace guy is too sweet and innocent he must be up to something... :)

20centuryboy
Posts: 552
Joined: May 3rd, '05, 15:59
Location: Paris

Post by 20centuryboy » Aug 24th, '10, 05:20

Reira_pl wrote: I feel like I'm the only one to watch it

Noi
Posts: 132
Joined: May 1st, '07, 03:27
Location: Chechón

Post by Noi » Aug 29th, '10, 04:27

In episode 4:
That scene in the car between Hoshizaki and Kitajima totally gave me ex-boyfriend/girlfriend vibes. Anyone else?
Also, in episode 5:
WTF, the bus driver with the rockabilly hairdo died?! K, that was unexpected.

popoycanton
Posts: 157
Joined: Oct 31st, '06, 03:48
Been thanked: 1 time

Post by popoycanton » Aug 31st, '10, 02:02

Its like Time Limit Detective all over again of course w/ Miki Satoshi, Joe O and the all too familiar cast. Awesome!

The off beat comedy, colorful character contrast, and gags are definitely a Miki Satoshi style.

Alpedra
Posts: 42
Joined: Aug 9th, '06, 08:54

Post by Alpedra » Sep 5th, '10, 20:50

It´s not a Drama for everyone.

But I love it. By far, the most interesting Drama of the season. Interesting characters, dark humor and a good story with interesting plot twists and cliffhangers. Very different from the usual cliched j-dramas.

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 10th, '10, 15:22

popoycanton wrote:Its like Time Limit Detective
I've started watching the series because it has the same director. :-)

What is the song the female teacher sings in 7 episode? I think I know it from somewhere...

Noi
Posts: 132
Joined: May 1st, '07, 03:27
Location: Chechón

Post by Noi » Sep 12th, '10, 07:12

OMG
I KNEW IT! Hirasaka was way too normal, he had to be inolved! And all the way up to his neck, too! Too bad for Kitajima... getting shot with a tranquilizer dart ins't very romantic.
Apparently it's ending next week :(

Most underrated drama of the season, IMHO.

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 13th, '10, 21:25

Most underrated drama of the season, IMHO.
I agree, I tried to persuade all my friends to watch it, but they prefer Joker, Mioka and NatsuNiji :-( This drama is really strange but in nice way. :lol Odagiri Joe and Chaki are awesome.
I hope the smart cop will save Kitajima!
And the song from 7 ep is Tsubasa wo kudasai

clakaz
Posts: 14
Joined: Jul 9th, '05, 16:58

Post by clakaz » Sep 14th, '10, 05:17

The best of the season.

One thing that I liked in episode 7

The culprit was actually revealed, but the real mystery is: what exactly he is doing?
I don't expect that everything will be explained in the last chapter but...

... we will get the main outiline, I hope. :lol

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 17th, '10, 17:43

7 ep: So interesting, and Kitajima is actually inteligent :-)
clakaz wrote: The culprit was actually revealed, but the real mystery is: what exactly he is doing?
I don't expect that everything will be explained in the last chapter but...

... we will get the main outiline, I hope. :lol
Well I understood that he was testing bringing dead people to life, but I still don't know why shinonome returned? Why the culprit helped with details about bus?

Maxrobo
Posts: 18
Joined: Sep 18th, '10, 09:35

Post by Maxrobo » Sep 18th, '10, 09:42

What is the song the female teacher sings in 7 episode? I think I know it from somewhere...
the song is" Tsubasa wo Kudasai" (Lend me your Wings, or Wings to Fly)

The song is probably from a japanese band of the 70s called the Red Birds :
赤い鳥 - 翼をください
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7in5rpYU584

a recent cover in enlish :
Susan Boyle ~ Wings To Fly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Gaz1LsyhA

Best version :
K-ON!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rlnaEHUY4w
Last edited by Maxrobo on Dec 14th, '10, 22:00, edited 2 times in total.

jessiesoon
Posts: 52
Joined: Feb 6th, '06, 06:55
Location: Malaysia
Malaysia

Post by jessiesoon » Sep 19th, '10, 09:57

jz finish watching epi 8 and i know i'm dumb....i have no idea what happened in the end...i mean, what really happened....

shinqtaro
Posts: 21
Joined: May 1st, '10, 13:07

Post by shinqtaro » Sep 20th, '10, 06:57

OK, I've read some online users' explanations, but none covers all the loose ends (including my own - it seems the explanation may be in the DVD or there may be a 2nd season).
What is clear is Atami is a place which has a boundary between the dead and the undead.
Some of the clues may be in the ending song's lyric:

There's only one truth if you say still I'm dreaming
    You're acting in a play you call your life
    The sketch of flowers on paper-Can you smell them?
    Well, I would rather bloom for eternity
    
    Don't talk to me
    I'm gonna suck and drink your life right from you
    No life in me
    I've got no time for changeless things and useless things
    
    Which one's the real face of the sky,day or night?
    How do you think? Uh...I suppose it's both
    It's contradicting the nature of existence
    It's somewhere I must without delay
    
    Good bye my sunshine
    Good bye my darkest days
    Cause I have just wasted my life away
    I'm more dead than alive
    
    Hello
    I'm gonna suck and drink your life right from you
    Don't come near me
    Now it is time to recognize when you've crossed the bar
    I am dead

clakaz
Posts: 14
Joined: Jul 9th, '05, 16:58

Post by clakaz » Sep 21st, '10, 16:33

The japanese internet is surely flooding with theories about Atami no Sousakan.

One thing that is certain is that it's totally related with japanese religious mythology.
Example:

The adress of Eternal Forest School is "Mogarinomiya". Which means "vigil shrine". "In earlier times, a person who had stopped breathing was not immediately considered to have died. Rather, mourning was postponed until after it was confirmed that the person could not be revived." http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwo ... tryID=1459


Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 22nd, '10, 19:40

clakaz wrote:The japanese internet is surely flooding with theories about Atami no Sousakan.
Can you translate, quote them, I don't know Japanese so it's hard to me to understand and I am really curious about the interpretations of the ending.

xaxa
Posts: 323
Joined: Dec 3rd, '05, 12:06
Contact:

Post by xaxa » Sep 22nd, '10, 19:56

just finished. wow, simply WOW! what a great drama!

as for the ending...
I think 2 stands for 2nd season)) there's just so many unanswered questions, that continuation is necessary

clakaz
Posts: 14
Joined: Jul 9th, '05, 16:58

Post by clakaz » Sep 22nd, '10, 22:33


The meaning of “2”

- Off course, there are people wishing for a second season.
- Like Hoshisaki stated, could be the fact that there are two culprits for the bus disappearence (Shinonome and Hirasaka/Kazeyama).
- But the most discussed meaning is more on the philosophical approach. The dual nature of existence. Or more specifically: the existence of two worlds: this world and the beyond, life and death. The “line” so repeated during the series is, off course, the line between this two worlds.

About South Atami.

South Atami City is a special place, it seems. But what kind of place? The theory is that South Atami is where this “line” is placed, in between, so his inhabitants are made of living people and dead people (though unnaware). Other theory is that the entire city is made of dead people unknow of their condition so they are in an eternal limbo (Eternal Forest). When they found the “true” (that they are already dead) is when they can finally proceed and go back to the life/death cycle (or go to the heaven, d’accord with other’s beliefs).
All of this don’t explain all the actions and just give the background to the history.
The people found a lot of hints during the episodes to justify the theories. Example.
- The plate number of the bus is 4392, which the japanese think can be read as “Yomi no Kuni” (the world after death, the Hades). The plate of Hoshizaki/Kitajima car is 7292, or “Nakatsu Kuni” (The middle world, or the present, normal world).

Thats all I can write for now, since I’m neither english or japanese procifient.

popoycanton
Posts: 157
Joined: Oct 31st, '06, 03:48
Been thanked: 1 time

Post by popoycanton » Sep 23rd, '10, 05:50

This is the most likely theory of all.
its the matrix :)

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 23rd, '10, 10:18

clakaz thank you so much for these explanations. I agree with life/death explanation, I think I will re-watch the series to search for more clues, however the ones that you've written are to sophisticated for me to find. I don't know Japanese that well.
I wonder if Hoshizaki came back...? I think no, since Kitajima dreamed about his disappearance.

Mirokujin
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 20th, '08, 06:28
Location: canada

Post by Mirokujin » Sep 23rd, '10, 12:46

best drama in the summer season!!

can't believe I almost missed it><

ep 8 was so great!! Now the whole drama is just too awesome for word~

might come and talk more later

justpeachy
Posts: 25
Joined: Sep 29th, '09, 01:18
Location: Florida

Post by justpeachy » Sep 23rd, '10, 14:32

Loved this drama. It was fun, quirky, interesting, and oh so retro. :D The characters were unique and entertaining, especially the investigators/cops. I really, really didn't want this drama to end. But again, another drama this season ended with unanswered questions.
I didn't like the end becase I didn't want Hoshizaki to leave Kitajima. Her last scene with her watching him run away and hoping he'd come was was heartbreaking. :cry:

So does this mean Hoshizaki's dead? Why did he want to follow Shinonome so badly? What is she anyway? Was she a spirit or a Shinigami helping people cross over, or something? And what was up with that hospital scene with the 3 girls chatting and then them being shown still unconcious. Was that their 'spirits' chatting or something? I shoud've paid more close attention to the drama. The bad guy is apparently fine and just killed? the nurse. I don't like that he'll get away. I also hope the '2' could mean a 2nd season so we'd know what the '2' really means and have the bad guy gets what he deserves.

One thing they didn't explain that bothered me was when Hoshizaki yelled at Kitajima about going off and doing stuff by herself because something could happen to her like Mokoto(name?). Isn't that the person who he always talks to on the phone; their boss or something? When he said that, I got a really weird feeling, but they didn't elaborate.

I got way too attached to these characters. :wink:

«minah»
Posts: 620
Joined: Jul 30th, '08, 16:17
Location: in a room

Post by «minah» » Sep 23rd, '10, 16:17

popoycanton wrote:This is the most likely theory of all.
its the matrix :)
Lol omg I was thinking that. But the old lady "oracle" didn't smoke cancer sticks all day though.

Mirokujin
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 20th, '08, 06:28
Location: canada

Post by Mirokujin » Sep 23rd, '10, 22:25

justpeachy wrote:Loved this drama. It was fun, quirky, interesting, and oh so retro. :D The characters were unique and entertaining, especially the investigators/cops. I really, really didn't want this drama to end. But again, another drama this season ended with unanswered questions.
I didn't like the end becase I didn't want Hoshizaki to leave Kitajima. Her last scene with her watching him run away and hoping he'd come was was heartbreaking. :cry:

So does this mean Hoshizaki's dead? Why did he want to follow Shinonome so badly? What is she anyway? Was she a spirit or a Shinigami helping people cross over, or something? And what was up with that hospital scene with the 3 girls chatting and then them being shown still unconcious. Was that their 'spirits' chatting or something? I shoud've paid more close attention to the drama. The bad guy is apparently fine and just killed? the nurse. I don't like that he'll get away. I also hope the '2' could mean a 2nd season so we'd know what the '2' really means and have the bad guy gets what he deserves.

One thing they didn't explain that bothered me was when Hoshizaki yelled at Kitajima about going off and doing stuff by herself because something could happen to her like Mokoto(name?). Isn't that the person who he always talks to on the phone; their boss or something? When he said that, I got a really weird feeling, but they didn't elaborate.

I got way too attached to these characters. :wink:
based on what Ive read last night
I believe Kitajima is one of those who committed suicide, so she belongs to South Atami which is a zone inbetween live and dead. She's probably the nurse on the floor in the end when the environmentalist woke up. Remember the school teacher? Hoshizaki asked her if she commited suicide before... Also remember the lady who runs the potery club? She has scars on her wrists. Also the lady working in the Cafe who said she's bored but couldn't leave...maybe the hotel owner as well. All these are people who came to South Atami after they commited suicide and will forever be there.

The biggest mystery in this drama is stated by the title of Gauguin's painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? South Atami is a world in between, not heaven not hell not human world either. Hoshizaki and us went through 8 episodes to get it.


South Atami residents can be

# people who commited suicide, such as the school teacher the lady in Cafe and Kitajima
# people who live like vege in the human world, such as the environmentalist.
# people who died from various reasons. (one interesting thing is...they have the opposite memory of the reality. When they say a girl is the only one survived from an aircrash...it actually means she's the only one died).

The big case in Tokyo mentioned by Hoshizaki and kitajima probably killed many police officers, including Hoshizaki's female boss. Hoshizaki's probably not dead but dying...maybe he's under surgery in the human world now, so he still has the chance to go back (kitajima was afraid that Hoshizaki would leave her alone was probably because she felt she couldn't leave South Atami but Hishizaki could...kitajima never managed to get through her phone call to Hoshizaki might mean...they were not in the same "world")

Obviously most of South Atami residents don't know they are dead. However there are a few who do know where are they. For example, the four girls, the bus driver, the witch, possibly the mayor as well (who doesn't behave like a mayor but he always says South Atami has its own balance and doesn't want outsiders to dig in too much) .

Hoshizaki said the whole city was trying to cover the case and prevent it to be solved. Yeah...because the residents of South Atami knew there's something untouchable behind the disappeared bus. Something they refused to know/face--they are dead.

There's a mystery between kitajima and the environmentalist...it'll be interesting to know their relation in real life. Also we don't know where the bus goes in the end, heaven, hell or the human world?

Mirokujin
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 20th, '08, 06:28
Location: canada

Post by Mirokujin » Sep 24th, '10, 01:17

now I think hoshizaki
probably has died for long...because in the last episode when he's smoking, he said he smokes once every year, which means in real life his friends/family visit his grave once every year~

lollercopter
Posts: 215
Joined: Sep 13th, '08, 08:33

Post by lollercopter » Sep 24th, '10, 02:02

I think this show was immensely promising at first, but the various plot threads didn't end up connecting in a coherent way, with some of them being seemingly forgotten along the way, and the final scene just came completely out of left field and didn't answer anything.

Also, the part where Kitajima fights the villain was some of the most cringe-inducing television I've seen in a while.
Kitajima stops to look at her phone, which doesn't just distract her but reveals her position and ruins her night vision. Or it would have if Kitajima and what's-his-name adjusted to the darkness like real people. They also don't hear each other well, even though under those circumstances you would hear the slightest movement. Then Kitajima places her gun on the table and... I have no idea what she's doing. Then Hoshizaki busts in and instantly shoots what's-his-name without even knowing what's going on. The whole scene is an affront to common sense. Also, what's up with what's-his-name escaping by killing one nurse? Obviously he would have guards watching him at all times.

hey9
Posts: 415
Joined: Jan 18th, '07, 22:30

Post by hey9 » Sep 24th, '10, 02:10

What the hell just happened lol...and reading the theories you guys have put up, maybe I will have to rewatch this one to see if I can pick up on some things I never noticed before. I think this is one of the best dramas in terms of building up tension - the show didn't necessarily have a lot of "boom" moments, but it still kept me holding my breath.
I was kind of hoping for a second season, there was a nice X-Files/Trick feeling to the show. Quirky but not overbearing in its weirdness (at least for me). A really lovely soundtrack, too. Great sets, great atmosphere, great characters.

I still have so many questions. What was up with that fish Hoshizaki killed at the end? What was stage 2 of the religious cult? Why did Kitajima freak out and start bawling when she found Hoshizaki? I like the theory Mirokujin put up. My brain hurts now haha.

«minah»
Posts: 620
Joined: Jul 30th, '08, 16:17
Location: in a room

Post by «minah» » Sep 24th, '10, 02:38

@lollercopter
Well she was trying to open up the window since she knew someone ( uh... Odagiri's character) was most likely out there. But I guess it was pretty amateurish to leave her gun there. The theories are interesting. I can't believe all of them because some don't add up. Like the bus driver is dies,,, but everyone can't already be dead if you actually show someone dead in the river. Though he is shown again at the end of the last eppy. I think he was taking them to the other side.... or something. And I think that's where those girls were at. I think they were actually up and talked about it where mentally on the other side because they were "dead" or something. But went back to laying down when she came in? I dunno... But I have a strong feeling there will be a season 2. There's too many things that just don't make sense. Like it sucks to make a series and it ends with more questions than barely at least one answer. But I can see this as a reoccurring series though with many episodes. It's very unique. I honestly don't feel like re-downloading it again because I hate when my hard drive gets lower and lower... but maybe in a month or so I might re-watch it. But not now though (I hate re-watching a show I JUST watched lol)

Mirokujin
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 20th, '08, 06:28
Location: canada

Post by Mirokujin » Sep 24th, '10, 02:38

lollercopter wrote:I think this show was immensely promising at first, but the various plot threads didn't end up connecting in a coherent way, with some of them being seemingly forgotten along the way, and the final scene just came completely out of left field and didn't answer anything.
the scene with the nurse on the floor is probably a scene of the real life. The guy lost his concience in South Atami after Hoshizaki shot him, so his woke up in real life where he was put as vege in hospital. The nurse on floor is probably kitajima in real life.

Mirokujin
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 20th, '08, 06:28
Location: canada

Post by Mirokujin » Sep 24th, '10, 02:51

I think stage2
might mean Mr.2 will direct the cult members to cross the line...

ersby
Fansubber
Fansubber
Posts: 366
Joined: May 26th, '08, 07:04
Contact:

Post by ersby » Sep 24th, '10, 06:59

Good, er, detective work, clakaz. That makes things clearer. My take on things:
Wouldn't it makes more sense if South Atami was a place where the lving and dead mix? If everyone there was dead, then why does anything die? Such that the coach driver begins the series alive, dies halfway through and comes back. Maybe that what Kitajima means when she says "Don't leave me behind", ie, her in the living world and he in the afterlife.
Hmm, I may go and watch episode one again to look for clues...

justpeachy
Posts: 25
Joined: Sep 29th, '09, 01:18
Location: Florida

Post by justpeachy » Sep 24th, '10, 08:48

Mirokujin wrote:based on what Ive read last night
I believe Kitajima is one of those who committed suicide, so she belongs to South Atami which is a zone inbetween live and dead. She's probably the nurse on the floor in the end when the environmentalist woke up. Remember the school teacher? Hoshizaki asked her if she commited suicide before... Also remember the lady who runs the potery club? She has scars on her wrists. Also the lady working in the Cafe who said she's bored but couldn't leave...maybe the hotel owner as well. All these are people who came to South Atami after they commited suicide and will forever be there.

The biggest mystery in this drama is stated by the title of Gauguin's painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? South Atami is a world in between, not heaven not hell not human world either. Hoshizaki and us went through 8 episodes to get it.


South Atami residents can be

# people who commited suicide, such as the school teacher the lady in Cafe and Kitajima
# people who live like vege in the human world, such as the environmentalist.
# people who died from various reasons. (one interesting thing is...they have the opposite memory of the reality. When they say a girl is the only one survived from an aircrash...it actually means she's the only one died).

The big case in Tokyo mentioned by Hoshizaki and kitajima probably killed many police officers, including Hoshizaki's female boss. Hoshizaki's probably not dead but dying...maybe he's under surgery in the human world now, so he still has the chance to go back (kitajima was afraid that Hoshizaki would leave her alone was probably because she felt she couldn't leave South Atami but Hishizaki could...kitajima never managed to get through her phone call to Hoshizaki might mean...they were not in the same "world")

Obviously most of South Atami residents don't know they are dead. However there are a few who do know where are they. For example, the four girls, the bus driver, the witch, possibly the mayor as well (who doesn't behave like a mayor but he always says South Atami has its own balance and doesn't want outsiders to dig in too much) .

Hoshizaki said the whole city was trying to cover the case and prevent it to be solved. Yeah...because the residents of South Atami knew there's something untouchable behind the disappeared bus. Something they refused to know/face--they are dead.

There's a mystery between kitajima and the environmentalist...it'll be interesting to know their relation in real life. Also we don't know where the bus goes in the end, heaven, hell or the human world?
Thanks Mirokujin and everyone for explaining everything. I'm not very good with interpretations and tend to take everything literally. For most of the drama, I thought it was just your normal crime show that's trying to solve a long unsolved mystery. :doh: "I'm so useless." lol.

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 24th, '10, 12:24

Mirokujin wrote:
the scene with the nurse on the floor is probably a scene of the real life. The guy lost his concience in South Atami after Hoshizaki shot him, so his woke up in real life where he was put as vege in hospital. The nurse on floor is probably kitajima in real life.
Why do you think Kitajima is the nurse? Shouldn't she be WAID agent or police officer? What was her relation with Hoshizaki than?

I would like to think that Hosizaki returned to real life as a reward that he figured it all out, but I'm not sure.

lollercopter
Posts: 215
Joined: Sep 13th, '08, 08:33

Post by lollercopter » Sep 24th, '10, 13:49

If you're going to speculate, base it on available evidence. Don't just make things up at random.
In the first episode Hoshizaki says that the town's problems are a result of two worlds that aren't mixing. This would seem to be some kind of reference to the world of the living and the dead. What's maybe even more puzzling is that he says "it came to me a short time ago when we went through that tunnel," to which Kitajima has a strange reaction, as if the tunnel was important and foreshadowing something. I also wonder why Kitajima only notices General Mouse when they're almost at Atami. She should have done so as soon as they left Tokyo. It's almost as if they just appeared near Atami, possibly in the tunnel Hoshizaki was referring to.

captbanana
Posts: 24
Joined: Oct 2nd, '09, 23:28
Contact:

Post by captbanana » Sep 24th, '10, 15:30

Any word on a second season? anyone know what the ratings were like?

mint-tea
Posts: 1
Joined: Sep 24th, '10, 09:51

Post by mint-tea » Sep 24th, '10, 16:20

Thanks everyone for sharing ideas! That helped a lot ^^
I was surprised to know that Atami is a real city in Shizuoka Prefecture...

Reira_pl
Posts: 33
Joined: Jun 17th, '10, 13:23
Contact:

Post by Reira_pl » Sep 24th, '10, 16:23

captbanana wrote:Any word on a second season? anyone know what the ratings were like?
The ratings was average. You can check them on soompi

«minah»
Posts: 620
Joined: Jul 30th, '08, 16:17
Location: in a room

Post by «minah» » Sep 24th, '10, 16:47

Interesting how this thread picks up after the series ended. Makes me happy because it was a good series ^_^

Mirokujin
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 20th, '08, 06:28
Location: canada

Post by Mirokujin » Sep 24th, '10, 17:18

Reira_pl wrote:
Why do you think Kitajima is the nurse? Shouldn't she be WAID agent or police officer? What was her relation with Hoshizaki than?

I would like to think that Hosizaki returned to real life as a reward that he figured it all out, but I'm not sure.
that's just one popular theory. Another theory is Kitajima is probably a fictional character created by Hoshizaki who couldn't get over the death of his female boss/his lover. However it seems that Kitajima is real and she has a mysterous relation with the Kazemiya guy...the last lines she said to him might have connection to what happened in real life. The big case in Tokyo Kitajima and Hoshizaki mentioned a lot probably was a case also involved Kazemiya guy~

It seems that ppl who enter South Atami lose part of their memories and have some twisted memory instead
the rating is average for a mid-night drama. The first a few episodes were kinda slow and random which might have driven some audience away. I think this drama is going to be a cult drama and will have a success in dvd sale.

captbanana
Posts: 24
Joined: Oct 2nd, '09, 23:28
Contact:

Post by captbanana » Sep 24th, '10, 18:11

«minah» Anything by Satoshi Miki is good

Thanks for the info Reira_pl the ratings don't look overly great, I hear people are saying there's a lot of buzz on the internet on J sites about it, lets hope it was relatively cheap to make and / or dvd sales are good, if that happens I think there will be a new season *crosses fingers*

ecco27
Posts: 155
Joined: Apr 12th, '08, 17:21

Post by ecco27 » Sep 25th, '10, 00:53

I'm sure there were some things about the end that went completely over my head and there were a lot of questions that I felt went unanswered but I really don't see where there could be a second season. The end felt like an end to me.

I'm sooo confused about the ending though! One thing off of the top of my head, the population of the school... so many girls and just 2 boys (ahh look there's 2 again!) it seemed odd to me and now it seems even odder. I wonder if that could be connected to any theories in any way? :scratch:

Also how about the detective who came and went (hah I forget his name), when I look back on it without him Atami (or the world or whatever) would have felt really closed off, like it was hard to freely come and go but he did. So where does he fit in?

prestoli
Posts: 472
Joined: Jul 15th, '09, 00:53
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Contact:
United States of America

Post by prestoli » Sep 28th, '10, 07:57

I just finished the finale and... wow. I really loved this series. The writing and direction were excellent. It was so well-acted and visually interesting, they really crafted every scene.

The end really threw me. Thank you to all who posted theories - it makes more sense to me now!

I got the feeling the end was the end and there won't be a second season. And I agree this will likely be a cult and DVD hit.

I love this writer/director's work so hopefully he'll come up with another unique series.

jegiwong
Posts: 11
Joined: Oct 27th, '04, 13:14

Post by jegiwong » Oct 5th, '10, 07:06

StatelessRich wrote:The similarities between this and Twin Peaks are endless.

Odagiri/Cooper
The local police force
The powerful man with connections to the mob and a secret brothel
The daughter of the powerful man who investigates the brothel and is attracted to the investigator
The weird locals
The scenes in a diner
The one survivor girl who awakens from a coma

As a big fan of Twin Peaks I'm very much liking the Japanese take on it :)

Did anyone else notice Shinonome walking toward the front of the bus when we see the girls in the window? I think she was being manipulated by someone to drive the bus.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to put spoiler tags around anything... this is my very first post D:
I've watched so many series this season. This is the one that I downloaded for quite some time and only watched it yesterday. Good thing I don't miss this one. It is my favorite among all summer series.. I find it with David Lynch "feel", esp. Twin Peak. I add one more similarity. Cooper like to talk to the voice recorder for the progress of the case, while Odagiri talk to the boss over the phone (but you never hear the voice of the boss).

chokubi
Posts: 315
Joined: Dec 6th, '06, 15:38

Post by chokubi » Oct 5th, '10, 14:45

One thing I like about this show is the tongue-in-cheek approach of how the pseudo-world was made. Part of that was the extensive (and sometimes slightly humorous) use of "number puns".
Like the number plates of the school bus and Hoshizaki's car, pretty much every significant number that belonged to something or someone had been specifically selected as a "label" to it.
Here are others I found:

South Atami Police's land-rover [5963] - "gokurosan" means "thank you for your efforts".
This one reflected how the three at South Atami helped our two leads with their investigation.

The nature conservation group's van [4649] - "yoroshiku" is used as a gesture when seeking cooperation with others.
So this one probably indicated their relationship with the district office.

Mayor's car [1188] - "iipapa" which means a good father.

Amount of money left inside the masked attacker's wallet from ep4 [¥1564] - "hitogoroshi" = murderer.

Hoshizaki's police badge serial number [4652] - "yorokobu" means "to be delighted".
This one was probably to describe his perpetual smiley face.

Kitajima's police badge serial number [4821] - I couldn't find other people's interpretation on this so I'm guessing that it could probably translate to "yohani" or "your honey". :P

Display outside South Atami Police Station [24689] - This figure has a description indicating the number of days since a traffic accident had occured.
Which goes to show that the town probably had "frozen in time" since 67 years ago. I guess this one explains the attire and fashion of the townsfolk, as well as some other stuffs.


Another thing I like about this drama is how the context of the visuals and dialogues are "camouflaged" prior to knowing that the underlying theme has an unorthodox take on life beyond the physical consciousness, requiring a second viewing.
Sasuga Miki Satoshi.

clakaz
Posts: 14
Joined: Jul 9th, '05, 16:58

Post by clakaz » Oct 6th, '10, 21:40

chokubi wrote: Display outside South Atami Police Station [24689] - This figure has a description indicating the number of days since a traffic accident had occured.
Which goes to show that the town probably had "frozen in time" since 67 years ago. I guess this one explains the attire and fashion of the townsfolk, as well as some other stuffs.
Oh, some people have stated that are some indications in the last episode that the actual investigations take time in 2013, so the bus incident ocurr in 2010, our current time. In other words, actually the city doesn't have traffic accidents since around 1945.
:idea: ???

chokubi
Posts: 315
Joined: Dec 6th, '06, 15:38

Post by chokubi » Oct 7th, '10, 04:05

clakaz wrote:Oh, some people have stated that are some indications in the last episode that the actual investigations take time in 2013, so the bus incident ocurr in 2010, our current time. In other words, actually the city doesn't have traffic accidents since around 1945.
:idea: ???
Yes, I agree too. A clear evidence of this is the date displayed on the camera monitors during the gunfight scene. Hence why I used quotation marks when I said "frozen in time" cos I didn't mean it in the literal sense.

The part about being traffic accident-free for so long isn't logically possible. It adds to the supernatural element of the town.

melampo
Posts: 1
Joined: Oct 11th, '10, 23:55

Post by melampo » Oct 12th, '10, 00:38

clakaz wrote: The plate of Hoshizaki/Kitajima car is 7292, or “Nakatsu Kuni” (The middle world, or the present, normal world)
Maybe the plate means "Nani Kuni" as if the question is "Which land/world is this?".

Romance
Posts: 687
Joined: Jun 19th, '05, 00:14

Post by Romance » Nov 14th, '10, 08:12

Awesome drama! Didnt get all of it though :lol

rootabega
Posts: 396
Joined: Dec 7th, '10, 18:29
Been thanked: 1 time

my very favourite

Post by rootabega » Dec 10th, '10, 04:41

I can't praise this inventive dorama enough. I tried the Trick series after viewing this, and I loved it, but this show will always be at the top for me. My mind and senses have seldom been so fully engaged watching television - what a treat for a cinephile like myself.

huss
Posts: 12
Joined: May 30th, '10, 11:31

Post by huss » Dec 10th, '10, 07:16

what was the name of the music piece and its composer that kept playing throughout the series (i think)?
it was even mentioned by the characters in the last episode

antspace
Posts: 1353
Joined: Jul 14th, '08, 06:41
Location: The Netherlands

Post by antspace » Dec 10th, '10, 17:22

It's Gnossienne nr.1 by Erik Satie. All of the music in this series is so good. All of this series is so good : ) The soundtrack contains the piano version and also the saxophone version. I believe it's still for sale at cdjapan. At least that's where I bought it.

dauntlas
Posts: 56
Joined: Dec 11th, '10, 01:35

Post by dauntlas » Dec 11th, '10, 02:55

Just finished watching the last episode (from the US)--Awesome. I've just started watching jdramas and don't have the advatages of being able to pick up all the Japanese cultural, religious and mythological (?) references, but I am a big fan of similar American works like Mulholland Drive (which I think is the standard), Lost, Twin Peaks, and try to see an old american Western TV movie called Purgatory. Anyway, I wanted to throw a couple of things out there while still fresh in my mind (sorry if these were mentioned here or elsewhere... I've just begun to look for theories-I'm disappointed I couldn't join discussions earlier.):
1- I think everyone in Atami is in essence Purgatory or limbo where both the dead and the near-dead (coma) can reside. Its a state of flux. Leaving Atami (Moving on) means going to heaven, hell or waking up. The dead are waiting to be judged./Coma people are waiting to wake up or to die. Either way they are all waiting for "STAGE 2". (waking up is a 2nd chance/life).
a) That is why Shinonome can speak to the 3 girls in one scene and the girls be "sleeping" on another.

b) similarly, Motoko, Hoshizaki ex-parter, can speak to him "from the other side" through the wireless. (dead motoko speaking to "half-dead" Hoshizaki)... Also I noted Hoshizaki saying to Kitajima "Do you want to end up like Motoko..."

c) The mayor's daughter is looking for attention. She left Atami to make a "movie" and when she came back she asks herself if "anyone cared about her movie". The "movie" is her real life. Maybe she tried to commit suicide and either is waiting to figure things out in purgatory or is in a coma-like limbo.

d) Hirasaka was trying to figure out a way out of dying. Ultimately he was judged and went to HELL. He woke up alone (given the dead nurse who he apparently killed) in an enclosure. If I remember my theology classes correctly, being alone for eternity is the definition for HELL.

e) The soothsayer left a note that she's figured out (after Mai told her) what 2 is (moving on) and that she left. THAT IS HER REVELATION (very LOST-like, if you know what I mean ;-))She hopes Hoshizaki will be able to move on.

f) when Hoshizaki realizes that Mai was an accomplice (theoretically in trying to figure out a way out of Atami/limbo/Purgatory). THIS IS HIS REVELATION and he gets to move on. (whether he was already dead or in a coma doesn't really matter).

One thing that does not exactly fit into my specific theory is what the Inn Keeper said to Kitajima... "Next time don't come for work, come to stay..." does that mean come back to purgatory, or does it mean come back to the after life when you are ready... I hope its the latter. Or maybe it means nothing.

Anyway, if you actually read all this and can shoot holes in the theory, please do. I'd like to know what these 8 hours were about! Again, am viewing this as a westerner with a Catholic upbringing's understanding of the afterlife (but hey, it was largely set in a Catholic/christian scool!) Also, I am reliant on another fan's subtitles (with all due respect to the obvious hard work he/she/they put into it).

User avatar
Gir
Posts: 853
Joined: Oct 27th, '04, 20:47
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Post by Gir » Dec 23rd, '10, 03:37

I just watched this one too, and really enjoyed it.
A second season could be nice (if done right) for some expansion on the story.
I'm very bad with names and faces, but I still can't believe I didn't realize that that was Chiaki Kuriyama until I was looking up info on the show after I watched it. I think she looked different in this show then before, and it's only been 5 years since Azumi 2, I wouldn't have thought I that would make that much difference. Maybe it's just the hair, she pretty much always use to have low bangs.

quluts
Posts: 4
Joined: Aug 26th, '09, 22:09

Post by quluts » Jan 7th, '11, 22:03

antspace wrote:It's Gnossienne nr.1 by Erik Satie. All of the music in this series is so good. All of this series is so good : ) The soundtrack contains the piano version and also the saxophone version. I believe it's still for sale at cdjapan. At least that's where I bought it.
"Gnossienne" was a word invented by Satie, who frequented various gnostic sects, which believed that the cosmos was created by an imperfect God. See Wikipedia which will tell you more than you want to know about gnostic religions. Cool, huh?

quluts
Posts: 4
Joined: Aug 26th, '09, 22:09

Owls

Post by quluts » Jan 7th, '11, 23:27

One more similarity with Twin Peaks: the owl / TV camera. "The owls are not what they they seem."

rootabega
Posts: 396
Joined: Dec 7th, '10, 18:29
Been thanked: 1 time

Post by rootabega » Jan 8th, '11, 07:23

Nice catch Quluts.

I am going to chime in with some similarities to the killer funny early 80s TV show called Police Squad, starring the sadly departed Leslie Neilson.

The intro announcer on Police Squad would boldly proclaim the name of each episode while a totally different title flashed up on the screen.
The intro announcer for ANS varied his recital of the show's title from a hoarse whisper to a half-strangled scream, seemingly apropos of nothing.
The gags aren't identical, but the MO is the same.

One of the highlights of watching Police Squad was noticing weird things in the background, such as the posters on the walls. ANS is the same way.

In ANS, the tall potted plant in the police station's meeting room (not the interrogation room) was always smack in the middle of the head of the table. Though it was obviously and completely in the way in several episodes, the characters were brilliant at craning their necks around it and contorting their bodies to narrowly avoid bumping into it, all the while oblivious to its presence. This running gag was definitely reminiscent of Police Squad.

Lastly, just like Police Squad, the more attentively you view Atami no Sousakan, the bigger the payoff. Multiple viewings always reveal things that were missed the first time around. My kinda show.

quluts
Posts: 4
Joined: Aug 26th, '09, 22:09

The real mystery

Post by quluts » Jan 9th, '11, 00:53

Forget about all this life and death trivia -- what the heck does "ala" mean?

badcompany
Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 21st, '10, 14:29
Location: Planet Dust

Post by badcompany » Jan 17th, '11, 15:07

So glad I watched this, has been a long time since I've enjoyed a dorama.

SSpiegel
Posts: 433
Joined: Oct 26th, '07, 22:52
Location: Finland

Post by SSpiegel » Aug 18th, '11, 11:12

This drama has once again proved how stupid I actually am. Honestly, I have zero ability for understanding symbolism. All of you who were actually able to pull such meanings out of this, well, my brain functions are that of an ameba compaired to yours. I'm deeply depressed right. I mean, I really liked it, but it would've been much more interesting if I hadn't taken it too literally. :(

quluts
Posts: 4
Joined: Aug 26th, '09, 22:09

It's all a game

Post by quluts » Aug 18th, '11, 22:21

S.Spiegal says,

This drama has once again proved how stupid I actually am. Honestly, I have zero ability for understanding symbolism. All of you who were actually able to pull such meanings out of this, well, my brain functions are that of an amoeba compared to yours. I'm deeply depressed right. I mean, I really liked it, but it would've been much more interesting if I hadn't taken it too literally.

I know you are just making fun of us, but few of us (myself included) noticed all the allusions and symbolism while we were enjoying it. We liked it so much that we are simply prolonging the pleasure by "looking for Easter Eggs" afterwards, as a computer game player would say. No one of us is all that smart (or conceited!); it took all of us combined with the help of Wikipedia to figured out what little bit we have. Plus some of us are codgers, with a lifetime of trivia to draw upon.

Gaijins might assume that references to "Police Squad" or Satie would be too obscure for the Japanese viewer, but American and European culture pervade the Japanese media. They even had "Monty Python" on Japanese TV! (However, they also had a panel on afterwords to try to explain the humor).

This doesn't spoil the underlying mysteries of the series for me, and I hope it doesn't spoil it for you. I can watch it over and over again, and enjoy it more each time.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests