Blackboard night 1 review
I know we're in the midst of the Kagiheya and Mikeneko heat...but I think Blackboard deserves some appreciation. Getting it out of my system while it's still fresh in my mind (and guh, I don't think I can think of anything else for the rest of the night tbh).
I don't have an explanation for the rating (11.0%), though I saw many comments even among fans that it's such a sensitive topic that they didn't want to watch. Could the scandal have pulled some tricks? I don't know. There were also many fans in Japan who weren't able to watch realtime but recorded it. But rating isn't exactly reflective of quality.
What matters is that, it really was a solid and touching drama, and Sho performed so well. AND GOSH DID I BAWL MY EYES OUT IN THE SECOND HALF. T_____T (yes, that part.)
Tbh when it was first announced, it's such an emotional and realistic storyline that I was also worried for Sho's performance. None of his past works come even close to this degree of realism. And I mean transitioning from Nazodi to this? It's a whole 180-turn within a week.
But he did unexpectedly well. Yeah, a few parts where I thought his gestures or facial expressions could've been more subtle. But overall, I'm not too bothered. There were so many times where you'd just want to tell Shouhei that everything will be okay. The emotions. All the anger. The tears. Especially that part. I mean, we've seen him cry before in dramas (like TQS2), but although touched, I don't think his performance had me empathizing and crying with his character before. Not even KamiKaru, which I own and super adore. But this time for Blackboard, I didn't just watch him break down. I felt it.
All the supporting casts were also great, especially his students. Although I'm not a akb fan, Yuko left a good impression for me. I cannot help but recognized Masaki Suda ever since my friends showed me Kamen Rider W *laughs* And guh, Nakamura Aoi, you hunk. But you don't look 17 lol
The story had a controlled pacing. With each storybeat, Shouhei's values continue to be stripped apart by the social changes, like how yamato nadeshiko no longer exist for the sake of survival. I can totally see how he would be so heartbroken, struggling internally, to not know what to teach anymore as if he's no longer needed...cuz Shouhei really loved to teach and serve an important role for others. The flashback war scenes were brief but just enough. The ending left me touched yet empty ;_; so young...But so cool how it's linked up to Night 2's episode.
Amazing how many looks Sho has undergone for this role....crew-cut, Jesus hobo-look, the 1940 look. Though, I think few minor areas they could've improved in was hiding the right arm better, and perhaps giving him some more battle scars. I mean,cuz Sho naturally have really fair skin, he looked so unmarred and even angelic to some point. That isn't exactly what I'd think of for someone who returned from a war *lol* But, that may have been a characteristic that made him look fragile. Tho he seriously didn't look 10 years older than his students 8D
And okay. Don't hit me, but there were some parts I can't help but see it in a 腐 way *hides* I mean, ya know, Takefumi's hatred toward his sensei was so passionate. And uh, all the Shouhei shoved around by the many solders and all ←
Anyways...reading Sho's CUT interview, and his prior commentary, it's obvious how deep and how much this role means to him. How his first TBS role was a student, and at the age of 30, he's able to do the role of a teacher. It's very symbolic.
Blackboard can take my money for DVD already. Yesssssss.