Trouble in Paradise: “Sky Castle”

Compelling drama about a series of rich Physicians' Families living in the fantastic affluent gated community  SKY CASTLE, who will do anything to further their own successes in both work and for the educational future of their children, even if it resorts to cutthroat tactics!

There is the Asami Family, composed of Husband Hideyo (Seiichi Tanabe), surgeon at the hospital, obsessively-driven daughter Ruri (Miu Arai), youngest daughter Maju (Noa Shiroyama), and the outspoken and calculating wife Sae, (Nao Matsushita).

There is the Nikaido family, with demanding husband Wataru (Kosuke Suzuki), apologetic wife Kyoko (Manami Higa) and smart but always lectured and berated son Sho (Fuga Shibazaki)...

…the gaudy and, truthfully, rather unrefined Natsume family, composed of unkempt doctor husband Ryutaro (Chikara Honda), the loud wife Misaki (Maryjun Takahashi) and their unassuming son Kensaku (Shion Matsufuji).

Above them all is the seemingly on-top-of the world Saejima Family. Husband Tetsuto Saejima (Jun Hashimoto) is next in line for a huge promotion at the Hospital he works at, and Wife Kaori (Naho Toda) has secured a deal with a genius tutor who has just helped their son Haruto (Riku Ohnishi) pass the college entrance exam with flying colors!

They are the envy of all the others in the neighborhood, and it looks like there is nowhere to go but up for them…so it is a real SHOCK to everyone when, one evening Mother Kaori climbs to the top of the highest tower in town- and LEAPS to her DEATH!

This rocks the community and leaves everyone unsure of what is  happening around them. Following Kaori’s death, Husband Tetsuto finds he has lost his promotion at the hospital and abruptly, he and his son pack up and leave.  What on earth has occurred here?

The families don’t have time to think, however, for in no time, a new family has moved in the the unoccupied house, and these are the Minamisawas. Unlike the other wives, wife Izumi (Fumino Kimura) is a down-to-earth sort, more comfortable digging in her garden than rubbing elbows with the elite. Their son Aoba (Manato Sakamoto) is the highest-scored student at school, a real feat since he seems to have had no fancy tutor help and has achieved it all on his own!

. And as for Husband Kohei (Ryohei Otani), he’s the physician who has been hired to take the promotion slot meant for Tetsuto Saejima, much to the surprise of the other doctors!

 When wife Izumi goes to introduce herself to the neighbors, she is treated politely but curtly by the housewives, especially Sae, who makes it clear that she is the top hen in this neighborhood!

 Though her reaction is cordial, once she leaves, her disposition changes and hints at a past filled with some animosity towards those affluent wives of Sky Castle. What can their connection be?

And then there’s the mysterious genius Tutor Ayaka Kujo (Koyuki). Boasting a 100% success rate for her students, she doesn’t come cheap, and adheres to a cold and stringent method of teaching, but there is something about her that gives off a sinister vibe that one cannot put a finger on…

Gotta say that after only ONE episode, I am already HOOKED on this show- such GREAT characters and scenarios. Additionally, for anyone who’s seen dramas like “Mother Game”, you can always count on Fumino Kimura to shine as the”common” personality among the haughty and posturing socialites, and though her agenda is still not yet revealed, she’s already my favorite character and I can’t wait to see what unfolds!

The "Renai Mangaka" House Makes an Appearance!

WELL,It’s been a little while, but the Renai Mangaka House made a long overdue appearance in the latest episode of Junai Dissonance, this time as the Family Home of Manami Usui (Manami Higa), bitter wife of main character Masaki Nitta (Yuto Nakajima) where they have harsh words at the gate!

As some of you may remember, this deja-vu home gets its name from the first drama I saw it in, the romcom Renai Mangaka with Riho Yoshioka going to work for a fabled artist...

Thought it was a one time thing til I saw it as the Ballet Studio that Kana Kurashina and Yoshihiko Inohara visited in The Company a few weeks later!

I was like, "HEYYYY, I KNOW that place!!!!"

Ya can't really blame 'em for using it- it's a really nice place that instantly gives off "affluent" vibes!

Wonder where it will appear next!!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

Notes on "Junai Dissonance"

Junai Dissonance, a gripping melodrama about an unorthodox teacher named Masaki Nitta (Yuta Nakajima) and a troubled student named Sae Izumi (Ai Yoshikawa) who meet under unusual circumstances and eventually become close.

A well-loved teacher named Yukino Kosaka (Miwako Kakei) suddenly asks Masaki if he would take over for her teaching duties while she goes on hiatus. She doesn't say why,  but once Masaki starts at the school, he finds the other teachers very vague and stand-offish about why Kosaka would leave. He instantly feels something has happened, but cannot think of what it could be.

Teachers like Usui (Manami Higa) and Kagami (Hidekazu Mashima) keep it vague.

He finds out that the students, however, very much loved Kosaka, and are very worried about her departure. In particular, Sae confesses to Nitta that Miss Kosaka was the only adult she trusted.

She is very concerned about what may have happened to Kosaka, and is determined to go look for her. In the end Nitta agrees to help with her search, and it's here they get to know one another.

In their personal lives, both Nitta and Izumi are having a hard time- Masaki is being pressured into taking over his overbearing Father’s business ( one he has no desire for) and Izumi herself has to deal with a scatterbrained Mother with abusive and thieving boyfriends.

Below: Father (Satoshi Jinbo) pressures his son.

Meanwhile Mother (Yasuko Tomita) makes daughter's life hell.

It is in the midst of this melee that the two connect and find solace in each other.

Individually, they've always felt detached and alone. But now they feel like there is someone who understands them.

Of course, a relationship like this between a teacher and Student is strictly prohibited and many go out of their way to make sure they stay far apart. But as the pressures become harder and harder, they have only each other to turn to....

A mesmerizing show so far, in particular Ai Yoshikawa is outstanding, (the fight with her Mom’s boyfriend had me on the edge of my seat!!!),  this might be the best acting I’ve ever seen from her!

So many facets to this show, so many intriguing storylines and at this point I still have no idea where it will all lead (though whoever did the synopsis for MyDramaList gave away some VERY HEAVY spoilers in their description, ACK!) and can’t wait to see more!