A 2024 "Black Jack" Special

 Just caught the special drama featuring the infamous Tezuka Osamu manga BLACK JACK, that mysterious doctor with almost supernaturally gifted skills in surgery. This was standalone one-shot drama, a real shame because it was SO darn compelling and entertaining!!!

Issei Takahashi stars as the titular Black Jack, complete with fright wig shocked hair and Frankenstein scars, while Yuno Nagao (the actress playing “young” Asami in Brush up Life) plays his miniature assistant Pinoko. When there is a seemingly impossible surgery to be done, Black Jack is the man to call....

Shizuka Ishibashi also stars as Black Jack's nemesis Doctor Kiriko (swapped from a man in the manga to a woman here, (though I guess someone dubbed the “Grim Reaper” really holds no official gender!) Loved the confrontations the two had!

Kai Inowaki appears as a man looking for answers to the supposed suicide of his friend, and whom seems to think this mysterious doctor Black Jack holds the key to the truth, learning little by little about him as he watches him do his miracles to those inflicted by some major malady…and of whom can pay his exorbitant fees!

The Black Jack SP juggled three separate stories and while they were good, I wish I could have seen a whole SEASON of customers and cases. Additionally, the support characters like the aforementioned Dr. Kiriko surely deserved a whole episode all to themselves!  Would have loved to see these things expanded and explored!

I’ve been reading online that fans of the original Tezuka manga series and anime aren’t big on this adaptation, and as someone who has been stung by bad cinematic interpretations of beloved works, I completely understand, but as for me I have no real investment in the source material and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! MORE, PLEASE!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

Tsubame wa Modottekonai~ The Swallows Won't Return

 An extremely riveting human drama about a couple Yuko and Motoki Kusaoke (Yuki Uchida and Goro Inagaki) who, due to medical reasons, cannot successfully bring a child to term, and a healthy but down-on-her luck woman named Riki Oishi (Shizuka Ishibashi) with limited work prospects and a crippling debt. Between them is Plante, a Reproductive Medical Clinic dealing with infertility problems and act as go-between to match up those who can fulfill each other's wants.

Yuko and Motoki have been trying to have a child for some time now, but after a third tragic failure, feel things may be hopeless. With the pressure from Motoki's stern mother (Hitomi Kuroki) for Yuko to produce an heir to the affluent family's legacy, they are willing to try even an idea as outside surrogacy.

Meanwhile, Riki is eking out a struggling life through a series of short-term jobs. Through the advice of a co-worker Kawabe (Marika Ito) Riki applies to Plante (which she considers a dubious institution) solely for the money offered for donation of her eggs, though  the reason she puts on the application is "wants to help people". 

Upon arrival at the mysterious clinic, Riki is well to be cautious. But the woman who greets her, Aonuma ((Romi Park) seems considerate and friendly enough as she interviews her and explains what they might expect from her.

Giving up her eggs  is one thing but she is then told she is a prime candidate for child surrogacy. Riki is nervous  about the entire procedure, and only considers at the amount they will pay for her efforts. Part of her still doesn't want to do it. But little does she know she may be the PERFECT candidate to carry the child of a desperate couple, the one who can make their dreams come true...

Must say I was completely taken in by this show from the very  beginning... I know they've recently tackled a similar subject in the Haruka Fukuhara /Kyoko Fukada drama 18/40, but Tsubame wa Modottekonai seems like such a breath of fresh air, with all the predictable and cliched stories out nowadays, this is one where I'm not sure where it's going and am simply clamoring to learn more and more! So much so that I feel it may go on to become another BIG favorite!

PS: Oh My GOSH, Marika Ito is really KILLIN' IT with CUTENESS in this drama as the spunky Teruyo Kawabe!!!! As she's a co-worker of Riki's, I hope she won't be written out of the show and continues to appear, perhaps as Riki's confidante and friend?

In any case, I have HIGH HOPES for this drama!!!!

Waru: Hataraku no ga Kakko Warui Nante Dare ga Itta おわり

 And a fine time was had by all!

Really enjoyed Mio Imada’s first starring outing as the starry-eyed super-employee Maririn Tanaka in the business comedy drama “Waru: Hataraku no ga Kakko Warui Nante Dare ga Itta?" as she goes about using her unstoppable positive energy to help and heal workers who are being crushed by the daily struggles of work!

Watching her spazzilly stumble her way up through promotion through promotion (and facing new adversaries along each step!) made you want to cheer her on and made it such a joy whenever her sincere sensibilities persevered and won the day!

 

Above all, I loved the friendships Maririn builds over the course of the series, her sweet heart creating bonds that will help and guide her throughout all the highs and lows of the job- especially when it comes time to hunkering down and getting SERIOUS about bringing the goodness back to the company!

I admit I had reservations about svelte beauty Mio Imada taking on such a wacky and zany role (I just could not shake the feeling she was imitating Fuka Koshiba for those first few episodes, NGL) but of course she won me over and by the show’s latter half I was completely in her camp! 

WOW, can’t wait to see what Mio does next!!!