Nicely paced show, and I have to mention about how frickin' great the action sequences are, particularly the martial arts fight scenes, where it looks like practically Theatrical Release Quality kickboxing and brawling scenes. Watching this, it makes me wonder how much the actors had to train for this drama, it's REALLY impressive stuff!
And if that weren't enough, the show is upped ANOTHER notch by having a totally KAKKOI opening sequence! The screen opens to the strains of Arashi's awesome new song "Wild At Heart" as we the see the silhouettes of the formidable super-team, and as the song gets into full swing, we're introduced to the primary cast members:
Matsumoto Jun. Funny, though this drama was billed more or less as a Matsujun drama, it really seems more like an ensemble cast kind of show, at least so far.
Eita's kickboxing detective Nitta is by far my FAVORITE character on this show, such an odd and intense guy! For some reason, the way he walks around with his hands tucked into his baggy pasts (and that Fred Schneider mustache), he looks like a weird Super-Mario character come to life! And Damn, those fight scenes...does this guy box in real life?
Naka Riisa is so girlishly cutesy in this show as the high-maintenace yet totally insecure Asuka, whenever her undercover job calls for her to don her "alluring vixen" disguise, I am THERE!
I've always thought she was really pretty, and it's nice to see a character which allows her to dazzle me each episode!
Oizumi Yo laying another patently Oizumi Yo character, nerdy and hyperactive! He'll always be "Curly-Curly Perm" guy to me, and I have to say his character of Asahi isn't that far removed from his previous performances!
And then there's the lovely Boss-Lady, and while Nanako Matushima doesn't quite command the "Yuki Amami" authoritative brashness about her, we all know (from witnessing Kaistfu No Mita) that the chick is quick with a knife and has no problem laying someone out, LOL!
Sadly, Iriki Mari and Kadono Takuzo got the short end of the sticks in the opening; though they're part of the Lucky Seven Team, there's no name credits for them! They were lucky to even be in the group shot here, seeing as how the official web page picture only features the five stars! It's like those old Gilligan's Island where the opening song didn't mention the Professor and Mary Ann! AHAHAHA! Additionally, poor Iriki Mari's hardly even in the drama's group shots...
...As she's tucked way off to the side by the front door of the agency! LOL
Looking forward to more of this fun show!
