Another Dog Day Afternoon in “Bank Over: Shiro Satsu No Goto”

Shotaro Mamiya as the "Weakest Bank Robber In History"

Hilarious and FUN comedy about a hapless young man named Sasuke (Shotaro Mamiya) who teams up with his co-worker Taijiri (Hidekazu Nagai) to rob a bank of its funds only to discover another set of crooks holding up the place when they get there! 

Sasuke Sawatari is in dire need of money when his beloved sister Koharu (Asuka Kijima) collapses with a brain disease. The surgery needed to cure her can only be done in Thailand and Sasuke needs 10 Million to get it done.

After trying to get a loan at the Banking Institution that he will eventually be robbing, Sasuke resorts to a shady loan shark (Hannya) to get it. He will have to perform some insidious tasks for them, but it will be worth it for the sake of his sister.

When he gives the money over to his sister’s frumpy fiance Kenichi (Nishida) however, the guy seemingly runs off with the money, never to be seen or heard from again!

Sasuke then learns that the task the Loan Sharks want him to do is to knock off the Bank! He, of course, doesn’t want to do such a thing, but with the money gone, he cannot return it and withdraw from the deal.

He employs his tough-looking co-worker Taijiri to help him. It’s been rumored that this guy has been through wars and he can use his skills.

Thus the two raid the bank the next day where things immediately go south!!

With one set of crooks on one side and one on the other, it seems like a stalemate, when one of the girls speaks up. Her name is Sakura Oki (Moka Kamishiraishi), and she says she is a lawyer who can mediate between the criminals in an effort to bring the standoff to a close.

But what NO ONE knows is that almost EVERY SINGLE PERSON involved in this crime has a SECRET motive connected to it- everyone, from the Bank Manager, the tellers, the customers and even the POLICE! And as the crime drags on and more facets are revealed, we learn the backstories of each individual and their own personal stake in the bank robbery! 

Bank Manager (Masanobu Sakata) and Teller Shizuka Goto (Marika Ito) 

“Gyaru” Customers (Aya Kitai and Wan Marui)

“Sober Woman” Nuno Uraji

a scene stealing First Summer Uika as a Dominatrix and Mystery Man Kanata Hosoda

Detective Yamane: Yoshihiko Hakayamada

Even the two other robbers are given their backstory of how they came to be here!

Oh WOW only watched the first part (of two) of this glorious drama special, but so far it is INSANELY good!!! So many TWISTS and TURNS, I haven’t had this much fun being  conned and misled since the excellent 1998 Crime thriller  “Wild Things”!!!

Can’t WAIT for the conclusion!!!

Fruits Takuhaibin

About halfway through the drama "Fruits Takuhaibin~ Fruits Delivery Service and what a wonderful show it IS!!!

Returning to his hometown after his company in Tokyo went bankrupt, Shinichi Saita (Gaku Hamada) runs into an old acquaintance Misuji (Suzuki Matsuo) at a local restarurant who, upon hearing of his layoff, offers him employment at his business. 

What kind of business IS it? Shinichi wonders, but instead of explaining, Misuji simply takes Shinichi to the place, and after a brief introduction to the staff, including Masakane (Yosi Yoshiyoshi Arakawa) amd Mizuko (Fukiko Hara), learns that Misuji’s business is in fact an escort service under the name “Fruits Delivery Service!”

The girls themselves are the "fruits", and as he is introduced to the girls on hand, they’re even named after various fruits, and among the many he meets are

Ichigo (Rio Yamashita)

Mikan (Eri Tokunaga) 

Lemon (Rie Kitahara)

Yuzu (Rina Uchiyama)

Momo (Riko Narumi)

and Suika (Nuno Uraji)

He is then instructed to hurry up and deliver Mikan to her latest appointment! “B-But I haven’t even said I would accept the job…” he stammers, but he is whisked off, already employed by the company as far as they’re concerned!

And as he follows the girls through their various jobs and learns of their individual circumstances that led them to the escort business, the quiet and naive young man learns about life and all its harsh realities.

He will soon learn that the problems are a bit closer to home. On his first day back he runs into his high school friend Emi Motohashi (Riisa Naka), and upon calling up their mutual friend Oda (Tomoya Maeno), spend  happy evenings drinking up and reminiscing about the old days.

But what he doesn't realize is that Emi’s life since he’d departed hasn’t run as smoothly as he thinks, and though she keeps it a secret from everyone, Emi herself has gone over to the escort trade. How will this discovery affect their friendships and their lives?

LOVING the show so far and it’s a thrill to see which new actress will be the next “fruit” that gets introduced (each episode tends to feature one girl’s story), some are pretty, some tuff and coarse, and OH MAN the “Dragon Fruit” story STOLE THE SHOW for me!!!

This is one very touching and heartfelt drama and Saita is a perfect character to follow as he is both new and naive about the ways of the sex trade and yet kind and passionate about people and their well being. Easily the best character I’ve seen Gaku Hamada play!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com