Hanzawa Naoki
So, today I got back to work, which was a bit of ... I don't know the expression, but I had a lot of things waiting for me , at least I was given a new keyboard! (*^^*) yeah such a small thing got me excited, well meh
Anyway, today I'm going to ramble about something I've seen and I wanted to review before I forgot everything about it.
But before that and even taking the risk of losing everything in this draft, I want to point out how much I love the Shitsuren Chocolatier's OST! I love it, plus I've read it will be out on my b.day! which is a great present for me! LOL, from Matsujun (≧▽≦) funny
Well today everything is, er except the beginning, about Hanzawa Naoki and of course Sakai Masato, whom I love. Yes I have this crush on him after Komikado sensei in Legal High *btw I still have LH2 to review* so when I heard, really late though, that this dorama of his, was having incredible ratings, being such a fan, I had to watch it. (*^O^*)
Data from wiki-addicts
Title:
半沢直樹
Title (romaji):
Hanzawa Naoki
Format:
Renzoku
Genre:
Suspense
Episodes:
10
Viewership ratings:
29.07%
Broadcast network:
TBS
Broadcast period:
2013-Jul-07 to 2013-Sep-22
Air time:
Sunday 21:00
Theme song:
Theme of Hanzawa Naoki ~Main Title~ by Hattori Takayuki
Yes, rating percentage 29.07%, it just started really well and the rating kept increasing until last ep. with the 42.2% that meant that basically half of the Japanese people were watching the finale. So, this alone is just a good reason to watch this dorama, even though there are certain considerations regarding culture and specially the salarymen's environment so well known for the Japanese people. But all I can do is to give my opinion from my western point of view, so here we go.
About the reasons
The reason for watching this was quite obvious, since I'm in the search of good quality doramas and/or the ones performed by my faves actors. This one seemed to fulfil both requirements. The rest of the cast are mostly veterans actors and the plot about a pack of bankers having banking problems seemed not that interesting but the genre is suspense, and Japanese doramas really lifted up that genre in the past. This isn't the exception.
Hanzawa approaching
About Hanzawa
I really liked the name (*^.^*) how unrelated, but the name of the dorama is because of its main character, he is a banker who works for Tokyo Chuo Bank and the first scene is really significant about the kind of job he does. That sole scene absorbs you into this world. A world inmerse in the essence of the existence of banks. So, you get to know or remember the importance of banks and the roots of their existence and specially in a mainly industrialized country such as Japan. But all of this is told in a really interesting manner in which instead of being complicated or extremely twisted you get to see the reasons explained for everyone, even those not involved in this world.
The offices were intimidating
A tiny screw like this is supporting Japan.
We import the materials, manufacture these light, yet strong screws, and export them back.
It's the same thing with automobiles.
A country like Japan with no natural resources came to be known as a great economic power thanks to the skill and technique of our craftsmen.
Packed in this one screw is the skill and passion of craftsmen.
That's right. Naoki and the bank are putting up money for their skill and passion.
Hanzawa Naoki
Translated by subie01
About the others
There were a couple of really known actors, *by me LOL*, such as the case of his wife, played by Ueto Aya, one of his friends played by Oikawa Mitsuhiro, he was in Nodame but I remembered him from the Lucky 7 SP and couldn't avoid of being suspicious of him because of his character there.
She is so beautiful, and the openning was perfectly simple
Then we have the chairman, Kitaoji Kinya, who acted in Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai and also in the Legal High SP.
The others were unknown, his other friend Kondo is a particular special character, his problems mental and financial and the way those problems are portrayed, made of him a very important key resource for depict the suspence and the level of stress in the plot.
Kondo, he looked like nearly having an stroke most of the times
Hanzawa loyal friends
The evil characters are very memorable, you can definitely identify which side of the line they belonged, even the faces settled the type of character they were.
Scary
About the other stuff
I love the music, the OST is amazing and is able to really emphasize the crucial moments in the plot. The opening fits perfectly in the episode and allows to breath in order to prepare yourself for the thrilling minutes ahead.
The sceneries, the bank, the offices, the houses, even the little details, all scream quality. Even the light, the use of the sunset and the white and black for emphasize the memories; everything about the view is captivating. The result seems to be a proper and genuine way to accomplish the full picture of this business world.
These guys ever relax?
About the bad
Even though I could easily recommend this dorama to everyone there are a couple of details to take into account before I can feel free to praise it.
First of all the culture issues, I mean this is like the ultimate fantasy for every salaryman in Japan. Hanzawa Naoki seems impossible to be fired and he literaly becomes the hero of justice, at least the purest kind of justice possible. I think this was the main factor for the outbreak in the ratings, but this may be also one of the reasons for failing at fully identify viewers belonging to other cultures.
Funny the coincidental pun in English with a very important topic, screws
Second, this is the story of a fighter of the justice for all of those who are weaker and unable to say a word of reply against their superiors in rank or position. But it kind of loses credibility along the way because of the result which seems to be extremely convenient regardless the increasingly difficult situations.
This scene was very intense
Third, and I'm just going to mention this, the role of the women can be perceived as limited to house chores and the unconditional support to the beloved husband. Which is highly praiseworthy but, why is it that our genre always gets cast as the supporting part? This issue is slightly discuss along the way, but our heroine loves indeed too much this husband who barely talks to her at nights and I'm not sure if he would recognize his own son if he happens to see him by accident one day. This again may be attached to the culture, but I couldn't help to feel a little claustrophobic after seeing Ueto's character, even though she is a strong women who goes looking for action. Maybe she is just a part of Hanzawa Naoki's story, well, the name tells us something obvious.
But they did look cute
And finally, the overacting, I mean the mean characters were really vicious even in the way they looked. At times I wondered if the guy who does the bank's audit was about to have a stroke, or his eyes were about to pop out soon. Even the last enemy in the line, Kagawa Teruyuki, who was in Rouroni Kenshin but he will always be Ohwada, and you have to say it fiercely, truly portrayed this full-of-hatred corrupted character. I mean sometimes I thought it was unhealthy to show this extremely ridiculous levels of stress.
Well, he is a kabuki actor after all
The last scene with Hanzawa, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or bite my nails
About my marks
I'm giving this a full four stars, yes, even despite the bad points, because this is a high quality job, a nice told story, that left the door open for a second season, and mainly because of Masato. Yes, his catch phrase, his looks, the last dramatic scene everything about him is a plus for this drama. Even though this drama didn't allow him to show a more freely perfomance such as in Legal High in which he was hilarious, I really enjoy his performance. Even and specially the kendo fights.
Well he has experience playing a samurai
The first ark is highly captivating and I think you are in no other side than with him, since the first scene. I think that was the key scene to put the whole Japan on his side. So because of the story telling, even though at times is tricky even for us, the audience; because of the charming scenes and cute chemistry with Ueto, because of the music that allows the dramatic moments to stand out, and the awesome views and sceneries. The takes from the banks and open spaces were awesome.
At least she stands for herself
Because of all the product is built in this quality pack, I'll give it a 4 stars and of course I'll watch anything Sakai Masato decides to do.
Plus he got even Riida to watch and get hook by his catch phrase. And Sho-kun!
Sho!
And Aiba! LOL
Aiba!
And me too, now there's just Matsujun missing! some Arashi member lend him the DVD!! Yes, I'm talking to you Riida! LOL Now, I just find out that some Nino is stopping the chain, plus thinking it twice Matsujun probably already watch it, LOL
*none of the gifs or pics are mine
Definitely a nice choice, a nice story, a nice casting, a quality product, and your superhero story if you happen to be a salaryman!
You won't be watching this!
Anyway, today I'm going to ramble about something I've seen and I wanted to review before I forgot everything about it.
But before that and even taking the risk of losing everything in this draft, I want to point out how much I love the Shitsuren Chocolatier's OST! I love it, plus I've read it will be out on my b.day! which is a great present for me! LOL, from Matsujun (≧▽≦) funny
Well today everything is, er except the beginning, about Hanzawa Naoki and of course Sakai Masato, whom I love. Yes I have this crush on him after Komikado sensei in Legal High *btw I still have LH2 to review* so when I heard, really late though, that this dorama of his, was having incredible ratings, being such a fan, I had to watch it. (*^O^*)
Data from wiki-addicts
Title:
半沢直樹
Title (romaji):
Hanzawa Naoki
Format:
Renzoku
Genre:
Suspense
Episodes:
10
Viewership ratings:
29.07%
Broadcast network:
TBS
Broadcast period:
2013-Jul-07 to 2013-Sep-22
Air time:
Sunday 21:00
Theme song:
Theme of Hanzawa Naoki ~Main Title~ by Hattori Takayuki
Yes, rating percentage 29.07%, it just started really well and the rating kept increasing until last ep. with the 42.2% that meant that basically half of the Japanese people were watching the finale. So, this alone is just a good reason to watch this dorama, even though there are certain considerations regarding culture and specially the salarymen's environment so well known for the Japanese people. But all I can do is to give my opinion from my western point of view, so here we go.
About the reasons
The reason for watching this was quite obvious, since I'm in the search of good quality doramas and/or the ones performed by my faves actors. This one seemed to fulfil both requirements. The rest of the cast are mostly veterans actors and the plot about a pack of bankers having banking problems seemed not that interesting but the genre is suspense, and Japanese doramas really lifted up that genre in the past. This isn't the exception.
Hanzawa approaching
About Hanzawa
I really liked the name (*^.^*) how unrelated, but the name of the dorama is because of its main character, he is a banker who works for Tokyo Chuo Bank and the first scene is really significant about the kind of job he does. That sole scene absorbs you into this world. A world inmerse in the essence of the existence of banks. So, you get to know or remember the importance of banks and the roots of their existence and specially in a mainly industrialized country such as Japan. But all of this is told in a really interesting manner in which instead of being complicated or extremely twisted you get to see the reasons explained for everyone, even those not involved in this world.
The offices were intimidating
A tiny screw like this is supporting Japan.
We import the materials, manufacture these light, yet strong screws, and export them back.
It's the same thing with automobiles.
A country like Japan with no natural resources came to be known as a great economic power thanks to the skill and technique of our craftsmen.
Packed in this one screw is the skill and passion of craftsmen.
That's right. Naoki and the bank are putting up money for their skill and passion.
Hanzawa Naoki
Translated by subie01
About the others
There were a couple of really known actors, *by me LOL*, such as the case of his wife, played by Ueto Aya, one of his friends played by Oikawa Mitsuhiro, he was in Nodame but I remembered him from the Lucky 7 SP and couldn't avoid of being suspicious of him because of his character there.
She is so beautiful, and the openning was perfectly simple
Then we have the chairman, Kitaoji Kinya, who acted in Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai and also in the Legal High SP.
The others were unknown, his other friend Kondo is a particular special character, his problems mental and financial and the way those problems are portrayed, made of him a very important key resource for depict the suspence and the level of stress in the plot.
Kondo, he looked like nearly having an stroke most of the times
Hanzawa loyal friends
The evil characters are very memorable, you can definitely identify which side of the line they belonged, even the faces settled the type of character they were.
Scary
About the other stuff
I love the music, the OST is amazing and is able to really emphasize the crucial moments in the plot. The opening fits perfectly in the episode and allows to breath in order to prepare yourself for the thrilling minutes ahead.
The sceneries, the bank, the offices, the houses, even the little details, all scream quality. Even the light, the use of the sunset and the white and black for emphasize the memories; everything about the view is captivating. The result seems to be a proper and genuine way to accomplish the full picture of this business world.
These guys ever relax?
About the bad
Even though I could easily recommend this dorama to everyone there are a couple of details to take into account before I can feel free to praise it.
First of all the culture issues, I mean this is like the ultimate fantasy for every salaryman in Japan. Hanzawa Naoki seems impossible to be fired and he literaly becomes the hero of justice, at least the purest kind of justice possible. I think this was the main factor for the outbreak in the ratings, but this may be also one of the reasons for failing at fully identify viewers belonging to other cultures.
Funny the coincidental pun in English with a very important topic, screws
Second, this is the story of a fighter of the justice for all of those who are weaker and unable to say a word of reply against their superiors in rank or position. But it kind of loses credibility along the way because of the result which seems to be extremely convenient regardless the increasingly difficult situations.
This scene was very intense
Third, and I'm just going to mention this, the role of the women can be perceived as limited to house chores and the unconditional support to the beloved husband. Which is highly praiseworthy but, why is it that our genre always gets cast as the supporting part? This issue is slightly discuss along the way, but our heroine loves indeed too much this husband who barely talks to her at nights and I'm not sure if he would recognize his own son if he happens to see him by accident one day. This again may be attached to the culture, but I couldn't help to feel a little claustrophobic after seeing Ueto's character, even though she is a strong women who goes looking for action. Maybe she is just a part of Hanzawa Naoki's story, well, the name tells us something obvious.
But they did look cute
And finally, the overacting, I mean the mean characters were really vicious even in the way they looked. At times I wondered if the guy who does the bank's audit was about to have a stroke, or his eyes were about to pop out soon. Even the last enemy in the line, Kagawa Teruyuki, who was in Rouroni Kenshin but he will always be Ohwada, and you have to say it fiercely, truly portrayed this full-of-hatred corrupted character. I mean sometimes I thought it was unhealthy to show this extremely ridiculous levels of stress.
Well, he is a kabuki actor after all
The last scene with Hanzawa, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or bite my nails
About my marks
I'm giving this a full four stars, yes, even despite the bad points, because this is a high quality job, a nice told story, that left the door open for a second season, and mainly because of Masato. Yes, his catch phrase, his looks, the last dramatic scene everything about him is a plus for this drama. Even though this drama didn't allow him to show a more freely perfomance such as in Legal High in which he was hilarious, I really enjoy his performance. Even and specially the kendo fights.
Well he has experience playing a samurai
The first ark is highly captivating and I think you are in no other side than with him, since the first scene. I think that was the key scene to put the whole Japan on his side. So because of the story telling, even though at times is tricky even for us, the audience; because of the charming scenes and cute chemistry with Ueto, because of the music that allows the dramatic moments to stand out, and the awesome views and sceneries. The takes from the banks and open spaces were awesome.
At least she stands for herself
Because of all the product is built in this quality pack, I'll give it a 4 stars and of course I'll watch anything Sakai Masato decides to do.
Plus he got even Riida to watch and get hook by his catch phrase. And Sho-kun!
Sho!
And Aiba! LOL
Aiba!
And me too, now there's just Matsujun missing! some Arashi member lend him the DVD!! Yes, I'm talking to you Riida! LOL Now, I just find out that some Nino is stopping the chain, plus thinking it twice Matsujun probably already watch it, LOL
*none of the gifs or pics are mine
Definitely a nice choice, a nice story, a nice casting, a quality product, and your superhero story if you happen to be a salaryman!
You won't be watching this!