DCU ~Tejou wo Motta Diver

Another drama I checked out that hasn’t really grabbed me is the new Hiroshi Abe crime Drama “DCU ~Tejou wo Motta Diver”. Seems to be a variation of the same old detective shows we see over and over, only this time underwater.
We have Abe in another one of his “brash and snarky but outstanding leader” roles as Masayoshi Niina (Abe), a deep-sea water diver and his right-hand man, Takako Nariai, played by Anne Nakamura in the same kind of role she did in “SUITS” and “Rental Kyuseishu”…

On the team we have the hot-headed guy Nishino (Mitsuomi Takahashi) who disagrees with everything Niina says, as well as a guy named Seno (Ryusei Yokohama) who idolizes Niina and faithfully follows him everywhere…

We have the usual "Butting heads with the chief” scenarios common with these kind of dramas...

… as well as “Clashing with the local police”, led by Shimizu (Ikusaburo Yamazaki)…

A sort of “Cold Blue” Diver-style, but I can’t say I was very invested while watching it…with so much on my plate already, I'm probably going to pass on this one this season....

A Life In Rakugo: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju 終わり

Just wrapped up the most wonderful drama about a lineage of rakugo telling performers told through the eyes of the elderly master as he is about to take on a new disciple . 

The scope of this drama, traveling through three generations of rakugo storytellers through childhood to manhood, from teacher to student, is massive, and often felt like I was watching an NHK Morning drama compressed into 10 episodes! 

VERY engaging drama with heartfelt acting throughout, especially from Masaki Okada, whom, playing key character Yakumo, ran the gamut from wide-eyed teen to seasoned pro and bitter senior with little effort! As well the energetic performance by Ikusaburo Yamazaki who played the bombastic scene-stealing Sukeroku, and the gentle and captivating Aya Oomasa as the show's doomed love interest Miyokiochi....

In the "present day" we had Riko Narumi and Ryo Ryusei as the young generation of aspiring tellers hoping to make the stage the home for their tales, giving closure to the overall story and ending the drama on a strong and sombre note!

This was one very involving drama, one that I will remember for a long time!

Posted by zdorama@zdoramaagain.blogspot.com