IWGP
I recently finished the drama IWGP, and totally loved it. I'm sure a lot of you have already seen it, but if not, there is more Yamapi under the cut to entice you.
IWGP isn't a typical drama: in your average drama, the cast usually consists of the male and female leads, their respective plot devices and some extended family. For epic romance type stories, that's a good thing, as it allows the focus to stay on the main characters. IWGP, however, has a place for many more people that this, everyone from the bowling alley employees to the yakuza. Despite having many characters, the show still finds a way to make them complex and interestingly developed.
The basic plot follows a young man named Makoto (played by Nagase Tomoya) who lives in an area (Ikebukuro West Gate Park) known for youth delinquency and gangs. One of Makoto's best friends, Takeshi (played by Kubozuka Yosuke) is the "king" of one such gang, called the G-Boys. Makoto, who is known for being tough and smart, finds himself a somewhat unwilling helper in several mysteries and problems of IWGP inhabitants. All the while, gang tension is mounting between his best friend's gang (which Makoto refuses to join) and a new gang, the "Black Angels."
I can't remember why I started watching IWGP. The plot seemed unappealing and the set seemed grungy, compared to most things I'd been watching previously. Even so, IWGP was awesome, and before I knew it, I had completely stopped watching My Girl (which I was watching at the same time) in order to finish IWGP! It's now one of my favorite jdramas, and I have yet to come across anything similar to it. Though my plot description might not make it clear: though this show generally deals with serious issues, it doesn't get too heavy because, well, it's also hilarious.
Not only is there a big cast, but it's loaded with famous actors. If you're a jdrama fan, you're bound to be recognizing actors and actresses everywhere. Here are some assorted screencaps. Bear in mind that I have very little screencapping skill...
Yes, that's Yamapi, age 15(ish) in a Grateful Dead shirt. He's befriended by the main character, and tags along for most of the adventures. Also, he draws dead girls.
This is the main character, Makoto. Nagase Tomoya is a Johnny's Boy and is the leader of the band TOKIO, I believe.
This is the king of the G-Boys, Takeshi. This picture is not actually from the show (in which he has blond hair.)
Of all the characters I loved in this show (including Yamapi) he comes out on top. I can only describe him as completely and utterly awesome, and guarantee that if you like a tiny bit of psychopath in a boy, you will fall in love with him ;P.
It's really hard to get a good screencap of him, but this is what Takeshi looks like in the show.
This is (one of) the antagonists named "Doberman" (sometimes called some other stuff too.) You might recognize him as Sakaguchi Kenji, who played Yamato, the goalie, in Pride.
The blond guy above is another friend of Makoto's. He was also in Pride and Kimi wa Petto.
Ken Watanabe plays the police commissioner (another really cool character.)
Koyuki (from Kimi wa Petto) plays Kana, a love interest (kind of)
Makoto lets Takeshi beat him to a bloody pulp...
...and then Takeshi kisses him (like a said, he's a tiny bit crazy.)
I couldn't get good screencaps, but the main guy from Orange Days, Kuma from Gokusen, and Oguri Shun (for a guest appearance) are also in this drama.
I'm not sure if did more scaring away than converting with this post... I wish someone more eloquent than me would recommend it! but seriously, just check out IWGP.
X-posted to my journal.
IWGP isn't a typical drama: in your average drama, the cast usually consists of the male and female leads, their respective plot devices and some extended family. For epic romance type stories, that's a good thing, as it allows the focus to stay on the main characters. IWGP, however, has a place for many more people that this, everyone from the bowling alley employees to the yakuza. Despite having many characters, the show still finds a way to make them complex and interestingly developed.
The basic plot follows a young man named Makoto (played by Nagase Tomoya) who lives in an area (Ikebukuro West Gate Park) known for youth delinquency and gangs. One of Makoto's best friends, Takeshi (played by Kubozuka Yosuke) is the "king" of one such gang, called the G-Boys. Makoto, who is known for being tough and smart, finds himself a somewhat unwilling helper in several mysteries and problems of IWGP inhabitants. All the while, gang tension is mounting between his best friend's gang (which Makoto refuses to join) and a new gang, the "Black Angels."
I can't remember why I started watching IWGP. The plot seemed unappealing and the set seemed grungy, compared to most things I'd been watching previously. Even so, IWGP was awesome, and before I knew it, I had completely stopped watching My Girl (which I was watching at the same time) in order to finish IWGP! It's now one of my favorite jdramas, and I have yet to come across anything similar to it. Though my plot description might not make it clear: though this show generally deals with serious issues, it doesn't get too heavy because, well, it's also hilarious.
Not only is there a big cast, but it's loaded with famous actors. If you're a jdrama fan, you're bound to be recognizing actors and actresses everywhere. Here are some assorted screencaps. Bear in mind that I have very little screencapping skill...
Yes, that's Yamapi, age 15(ish) in a Grateful Dead shirt. He's befriended by the main character, and tags along for most of the adventures. Also, he draws dead girls.
This is the main character, Makoto. Nagase Tomoya is a Johnny's Boy and is the leader of the band TOKIO, I believe.
This is the king of the G-Boys, Takeshi. This picture is not actually from the show (in which he has blond hair.)
Of all the characters I loved in this show (including Yamapi) he comes out on top. I can only describe him as completely and utterly awesome, and guarantee that if you like a tiny bit of psychopath in a boy, you will fall in love with him ;P.
It's really hard to get a good screencap of him, but this is what Takeshi looks like in the show.
This is (one of) the antagonists named "Doberman" (sometimes called some other stuff too.) You might recognize him as Sakaguchi Kenji, who played Yamato, the goalie, in Pride.
The blond guy above is another friend of Makoto's. He was also in Pride and Kimi wa Petto.
Ken Watanabe plays the police commissioner (another really cool character.)
Koyuki (from Kimi wa Petto) plays Kana, a love interest (kind of)
Makoto lets Takeshi beat him to a bloody pulp...
...and then Takeshi kisses him (like a said, he's a tiny bit crazy.)
I couldn't get good screencaps, but the main guy from Orange Days, Kuma from Gokusen, and Oguri Shun (for a guest appearance) are also in this drama.
I'm not sure if did more scaring away than converting with this post... I wish someone more eloquent than me would recommend it! but seriously, just check out IWGP.
X-posted to my journal.