Ikuta Toma as Keisuke Yoshimaru in "Kakenai?"
Kakenai?? How did THIS drama turn into such a GREAT show?? In my original post I had written about how much I disliked it, how one-dimensional and incompetent every character was, little did I know how each chapter would show each person’s good qualities and comedic timing, til I ended up loving them all! This was one drama where I felt every character was an integral element of this zany drama. from main characters down to secondary and supporting roles, EVERY one charmed and was a welcome sight in each episode!
Keisuke (Ikuta Toma) is a novice writer who has been doing the family household chores while his more succesful novelist wife Nami (Michiko Kichise) writes the best sellers that keep food on their tables. But when Keisuke is selected to pen the script of a new drama with a major star in it, his sudden upgrade to professional shakes up their foundation and it is very interesting watching them go through this new development!
Not wanting to intrude on his writing, Nami keeps her opinions to herself and all seems well on the surface. It's only when we see her talking with her literary agent Hatano (Masumi Nomura) that we realize not all is sitting right with her and there may be jealousy brewing... But Keisuke can't see it because he is too busy being overwhelmed!
I really didn't like the three producers of the show (Kitamura Yukiyo, Mijika Nagai and Teppei Koike) when I first saw them, as they seemed like uncaring and over-demanding tyrants. But as the show goes on, over time you learn to love their efficiency, their clinical and robotic analysis of the scripts and situations, where they are always calm and collected...
....except where ratings are concerned, where lead producer Kitamura shows his petulant side, wailing about every percentage drop in the drama!
Among the many hurdles they must deal with on a daily basis besides keeping production going is catering to the spoiled lead actor's (Masaki Okada)'s whims. Though seemingly thick-headed at first, he eventually becomes one of Keisuke's greatest supporters!
Another nice side story is with daughter Erika (Anna Yamada) who is becoming curious about her biological father (Keisuke is her stepfather) She rooks in her younger brother’s tutor Senkawa (Fuma Kikuchi) into helping her locate her real dad, a task he isn't really into doing, but does so because he has a crush on her...
Senkawa becomes a valuable player in the Yoshimaru household when he also becomes a transcriber for Keisuke, making for some very funny scenes as he becomes the steady stenographer while Keisuke wigs out over his impending deadlines, LOL
Another side storyline I initially found over the top but soon became entertaining as heck to watch was with Keisuke's battle with his self-doubting subconscious which manifests before him as a bald, raving skinhead (played with glee by Kenta Hamano) whenever he's stressed out!! He goes to see a quack psychologist who ends up treating not only Keisuke but Nami as well, and his advice even helps Keisuke get an upper hand over the bolo-headed apparition, HAHAHA!
Even the little brother Sora and his best friend Chiaki as junior sleuths investigating all the secret problems each family member is hiding was a delightful diversion!
If you couldn't tell by now, I adored every facet of this drama and can't wait to re-watch it again!
Don't get me wrong, this show is SILLY as HECK and won't be to everyone's taste...but one that once you acquire the taste for, becomes pure joy!
