'1 Pound no Fukuin' comments, episode 4, 5 & 6

[winterspel]

I never had a chance to write up the last few episodes - it feels a bit weird to be revisiting them now, after time has passed (after all, we're up to episode 7, raw, and 6 subbed, so). But for the sake of completion, and I am a completist at heart, even if not always in practice, here are my thoughts on Ichipon 4-6!

Comments

[aiharu]

First of all, I'd like to say that I really like this drama because of Kame's acting. But I understand why it is rating low. For one, it's not hard-core boxing enough to attract boxing fans. On the other hand, it's not mainstream ( eg. Galileo ) enough to attract regular viewers.

As for the interpretation of Catholicism here, it's through the lens of how it is generally perceived in Japanese society where Christians make up less than 1% of the population. So if you break it down to different sects of Christianity, it's even less. And of course, there's also the history of Christianity/Catholicism & the West in Japan to consider. That's why often, Catholic symbols (cross etc) are used in a cultic sense in film and drama. One other recent example which comes to mind is Suga Shikao's PV for Death Note.

In the end, just like Mike He as Arab prince on Yukan Club, I don't think it bothers a lot of people there because these are all "fantasy". I mean, the reality of Catholicism is so far and exotic that "inaccurate" interpretation doesn't really matter for the target viewers --Japanese viewing public, that is.

[aiharu]

Oh, I forgot to mention. I don't really pay attention to Kame only stuff ( eg drama related-interviews etc..). But I remember Kame saying that for him Kousaku is a simple boy. He eats when he wants to, etc. Kousaku can't control his urges to sacrifice for his dream. And Kame said that he is not like Kousaku at all.

[ina]

Yeah, I think the most telling was Kame's answer to the question for which food he would break a diet and it was "Nothing". His co-stars all mentioned a specific dish.

[winterspel]

I am so glad that you like the drama for Kame's acting. :) For some reason that makes me really happy.

I also understand why the ratings are so low - honestly, I'm not surprised even a tiny bit. And because the ratings are so low, no one will remember or consider how good Kame is at even such a crack role, how much he elevates it...because the horrible ratings trump his ability to create something special with this kind of a story.

And re: Catholicism, I suppose I should have explained in my comments that I do know why they're botching it so badly - not the least of which is because I'm sure that all of this comes straight out of the manga - but culturally speaking, of course, I do know all the reasons you describe. Knowing it doesn't make me less irritated, however! I'm not saying that Western drama is any better at accuracy, but for my own sensibilities, which of course are vastly different from the target viewers of this drama, it's impossible for me to ignore it. It doesn't make the drama "bad" - but it is annoying.

[ina]

I still hope that someone like a director or similar sees Kame's good acting and has something nice for Kame.