Freaks and “Geeks”

 Also caught the first episode of the new murder mystery drama Geeks~Keisatsusho no Henjintachi starring Mayu Matsuoka, Minami Tanaka and Karen Takizawa as three self-professed "geeks" working in various departments of the Police Precinct. Though strict about never going overtime and expending energy outside of their duties, their natural curiosity and skills cause them to get involved in the various murder cases the detectives are working on whether they plan to or not!

Mayu as Yui Saizo

Minami as Masumi Kira

Karen as Iori Motoyama

In their regular capacity, Saizo is the resident forensics expert...

Kira,  department physician

and Motoyama a street traffic cop!

Along with them the Police department has a whole gaggle of others, including head detective Naoki Serizawa (Aoi Nakamura)

super go-getter Sho Sugita (Yuki Izumisawa)

...and the intense Ririka (Ano)!!!

Yui even finds time to develop a relationship of sorts with Adachi (Jin Shirasu), her unassuming next door neighbor!

Saizo and the gals getting down to brass tacks with the investigative team!

Interviewing this week's guest clients, Ryosuke Mikata and Ren Ishikawa. 

Seems someone orchestrated a murder during their wedding ceremony and the detectives need to find out who it is! 

Not to worry, those seemingly bored girls kicking back at the desks behind them got the skills and know-how to kick this crime in the butt! 

It's all in a day's work (more or less!) with THESE three gals, and it looks like no matter their apathy towards the job, they always get it done!!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogpsot.com

Back By Popular Demand! “Isekai Izakaya Nobu” Season 2!

 I had mentioned in my last gush about the cute timeslip culinary drama Isekai Izakaya Nobu getting the green light for a second season, and not only has it arrived, but subbing team monchi has already picked it up! Hallelujah!!

 
Our Second season begins much the same way Season One began: with Nikolaus and Berltholt having a duel of swords. But this time, thanks to the advent of the wonderful Nobu Izakaya, instead of honor, the two are fighting over which is the best dish, Salted Chicken or Soy Sauce Chicken, showing how much good food has changed them all for the better!

Yes, for now, it's ALL about the meals, and all the regulars are back as well:

Ryohei Otani as Nobuyuki

Rena Takeda as Shinobu

Shinnosuke Abe as Bertholt

Jin Shirasu as Nikolaus

Yutaka Kobayashi as Hans

Akane Hotta as Helmina

Yuzumi Shintani as Eva

Together they make best use of the time to whip up some standard izakaya fare- which is simply out-of-this-world for the old world tavern!

A traditional "foodie" drama dressed up with colorful characters and a fun sense of humor!

…and as usual, this is a drama that’s very dangerous to watch on an empty stomach!!!

Ahhhh, so hungry right now....

All Claws Out in "Animals"

Animals tells the story of a harried, overworked, and unappreciated AD for a popular Television Morning Program, named Umi Shikamori (Airi Sizuki) . Though she is 100% committed to her job and is fast, efficient and reliable, she is constantly belittled, blamed and saddled with all the problems the program generates.

So busy is Umi that she has little time for self-care, going days without sleep and no time for things like make-up or looking good for herself. But she does her job diligently for both her and her little sister Nagi (Yuna Hoshino) both of whom are living away from home and have an apartment to pay for.

But the thankless and endless jobs continue, and eventually all the overwork and sleepless nights comes to a head when Umi passes out during a broadcast. 

When she is woken by the Television Host, she blurts out, “I’m Sorry…I haven’t slept in three days!” This causes quite a stir as it is being broadcast live on air!

Glamorous model Hina Kazami (Erica Murakami) sticks up for Umi, addressing the camera that this kind of overworking employees is of a bygone era. She is even there to comfort Umi and reassure her that what happened was not her fault.

But of course, the angry TV director Okamoto (Kento Shibuya) doesn't see it that way, and when he and he studio feels the heat from angry social media outlets over the poor treatment of their assistants, he makes her apologize and even comes up with a plan for her to appear on TV to apologize in front of everyone.

Later that evening, the Shikamori sisters are visited at their home by an unlikely friend: Hina Kazami, who asks Umi if she would like to leave her current job and come work for the company she’s working with, a top makeup line called Animal Beauty.

Animal Beauty! This is a name  of whom Umi is familiar with, having pored lovingly over their latest products, But she doesn’t know if she has what it takes to work for such a fast fashion conscious company.

But this is quite a leap from the AD job she had before...could she really do it? Unsure, she says she'll have to think about it.  But after another grueling confrontation with her boss, Umi decides to take the plunge and goes in for an interview at last! 

She's quite unsure of herself. But with the help of friends she has made along with way because of her sincerity like photographer Kazuo Nagamine (Kyoka Honda) and Keisuke Sakaki (Jin Shirasu), maybe the awkward and unremarkable Umi CAN take that first step towards becoming a brand new woman, one that she can be proud of!

WELL, the Summer Season is starting off with a BANG, and Animals has surely hooked me with its intriguing 1 1/2 hour long pilot episode!!! at a short 8 episodes, this one promises to be an interesting one!
PS: Airi Suzuki was a member of C-UTE??? Whaaaaaa….Time sure flies…..