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The Next Generation Patlabor – Tokyo War
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-S4jzmCMAAdzEH.jpg
" /> movie version
http://cdn.snsimg.carview.co.jp/minkara/blog/000/017/751/410/17751410/p1.jpg " /> original AH-88
Type: live action movie
Genre: mech, conspiracy, action
Year: 2015
Intro:
This is the final movie to the live action show of the same name. The movie is based on a 2011 novel by Oshii.
Synopsis:
2013, a disgruntled, and dissatisfied Self Defense Force group commits a series of terror attacks on the Japanese government. Their goal is to force awareness to the changes and new challenges in the post 9/11 world, and an increase in military spending.
Inspector Takahata Tosi arranges with the Police Security Unit – Special Vehicle Section 2 (and the russian FSB) to handle the crisis outside the law of the land. The terrorists preempt the police Patlabor unit by launching an attack that destroyed all the unit’s facilities. However, this was foreseen and the unit escaped just in time.
The Japanese Self Defense Force scrample their F-2 jets and AH-1 S&T Cobras into battle over the Tokyo skyline but are easily defeated. Takahata corners the renegade ground support crews and annihilates them.
The heroes are forced into a dramatic showdown. While Akira has trouble with her Labor, the other women fire away at the enemy bird. Akira has to stand in the open and remote control her labor’s weapon by eye sight. Akira, Takahata, and Kasha shoot down the enemy.
Critique:
The movie follows
Patlabor 2: The Movie. See there for more insider or background details as they are pretty much the same. The movie starts with a Hellfire destroying a the Yokohama Bay Bridge. It reminds of the Maverick attack in”True Lies”. Of course this is a movie trope. Neither missile would be able to destroy a section of such a large bridge. The difference is actually explained in the movie.
The terrorist’s motive in the movie to raise public interest was right at the time of the anime movie in 2002 but in 2015 events in the world has already overtaken it. As you may remember disagreement with China has raised Japan’s realization of their isolation and solitude. PM Abe and nationalists have worked hard to raise Japan’s foreign relations and international commitment. Major military projects were initiated and completed. Japan promised commitment in the war against terror, resulting in a Kenji Goto’s murder. As Abe “promised” in 2014, in early 2015, Japan changed its Constitution for international deployment & use of force, and the military budget was greatly increased.
Compared to regular action movies the movie is lacking a bit on action. By that I meant there’s no constant action. It has stretches that look like your regular drama show with long dialogues, too. The Patlabor actions are limited in their freedom of movement. I guess the budget wasn’t big enough for more.
The terrorists use a customized AH-88 “Hellhound” (see anime movie) classified as AH-88J2 Kai “Grey Ghost”. It’s a combined Comanche-esque design (completely different design! ) with an AI and state-of-the-art thermal optical camouflage. Obviously, the design was chosen for easy and cheap production of the mockup. It’s unlikely a real helicopter modified for the movie. It’s neither realistic, practical nor feasible as is. It still looks cool.
The story is kind of simple or rather does no dare to venture for more. Kasha’s FSB mentor is codenamed “Red Golgo”! Onodera is the master mind who idolizes and follows in the footstep of Tsuge (from the anime movie). He’s ruthless in achieving his goals. An eye for an eye – Takahata, executes the terrorists on the spot. Scary! Aside from the actors and their immediate surroundings, some news, etc. not much else is going on. It really feels limited. The air battle is good, although, not as extensive as say the american Godzilla movie.
Overall, it’s a Hollywood level movie with incomparable smaller budget. It’s well done in that regard but I doubt it will please everyone in the same manner as a real Hollywood action movie. It certainly sets a new bar for modern Japanese CG movies. If it wasn’t a live action but a full CG movie like Appleseed, it probably would have been a lot better.
Verdict: 8
Cast: 8
Cast performance: 8
Script/Directing: 8
Tsukahara Bokuden
http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag254/jashiman/JDorama/Tsukahara_Bokuden/th_Tsukahara_Bokuden01-030_zpssh2zppao.png
" /> 
" /> ShinEmon facing his biggest childhood enemy, the seedling!
" /> 
" /> Samon: No way!
" /> Mahiro
" /> unending defeat
" /> Samon makes a move on Kano
" /> final journey
Tsukahara Bokuden Episode 4 Eng Sub 3[BBvideo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5A_KRGQCCs [/BBvideo] Type: semi historical drama
Genre: history, samurai, action
Year: 2011
Introduction:
This is the story about the legendary swordsman Tsukahara Bokuden, considered to be the best Japan ever had. To this day people devoted to Japanese sword-fighting, would make pilgrimages to the Kashima shrine, where his
grave liesSummary:
ShinEmon was born into the Urabe Yoshikawa house, Hitachi no kuni (Hitachi Province, today’s Ibaraki Prefecture) on Honshu, but is adopted later.
In 1505, 7 years later, he’s coming of age and receives the name Takamoto, hence, Tsukahara Shin’emon Takamoto.
He has mastered the Kashima-chuko and Shindou sword style. He is eager to learn more and requests to be allowed to become a wandering swordsman in training.
As heir to the Tsukahara, neither his adopted father, the head of the Tsukahara, nor the head of the Hitachi Daijyou clan agree.
The Kashima shrine is rundown and has become less visited. After an insurgent attack on the shrine, ShinEmon is let go to spread the Kashima-chuko sword style and the Kashima deity’s fame again.
His younger sister Mahiro, is a shrine maiden serving the
Monoimi-samapriestess. Yamazaki Samon has doubt about his lowly self being allowed to accompany ShinEmon. However, he has no family to leave behind. If anything happens he will be punished or won’t be able to return alive either.
😈 Their first fight is against bandits (Mad Max 2) to save a poor village. ShinEmon’s logic gives the battle expirienced/hardened Samon a headache.
The first duel is against Maki Genki, the human devil with the Daifu Ryu style sword fighter (frog like style).
ShinEmon is confronted with the dilemma of unending fighting (war) bigots more. And he is asked for an answer to a way of winning without killing.
In 1508, they reach the capital Kyoto. On their way they save Kano from ruffians (free roaming ex-soldiers or bandits).
They get tracked down and invited by her father, the main retainer of the Oouchi-clan. From then on ShinEmon is entangled in the rivalry between the Oochi-clan and the Hosokawa-clan, who serve Kubo-sama (The Shogun).
ShinEmon is urged to duel Oono Hidetaka from the Hosokawa’s side.
Sometime later Enchin fails to assassinate Kubo. The Hosokawa, as revenge, suggest the Oochi, hence, ShinEmon take care of Enchin.
Enchin, is an Igamono (Iga ninja), who’s verse in any weapons like the sword, spear, blowgun, bo shuriken (stick shuriken). He actually uses an unknown secret weapon, too. ShinEmon can’t figure it out but jumps into the fight anyway.
In 1511, the Funaoka-yama battle is won [Atsumori (Heike Monogatari)]. ShinEmon is awarded for taking the enemy leader’s head. The Hosokawa assert, the presence and award of a guest is inappropriate and lowers the Shogun and his retainer’s honor. They suggest a new duel to show off to the public.
ShinEmon is forced to fight NanEi. NanEi is ruthless with a two bladed Naginata on both ends. It’s impossible to win against him with a sword.
In 1512, Kashima’s lord is killed in action.
In 1513, ShinEmon has noticely changed. It has been a while since any no worthy/strong opponent has showed up. Just when he decided to continue his journey he learns of powerful hidden sword masters.
He meets up with Okutsu Genzaburo to challenge him but he had already forsaken the sword. Okutsu tells him there’s no meaning in pursuing sword fighting/killing strength. There’s no escaped the from that hell. Sometime later, Okutsu goes on a killing rampage forcing them to face off. Dying, Okutsu tells ShinEmon he will soon enough fall into darkness, too. This more than disturbs ShinEmon and he develops fear of himself being swallowed up by darkness.
Meanwhile, ShinEmon saves Yamamoto Kansuke, famous future strategist. ShinEmon takes Yamamoto Kansuke as his pupil.
In 1516, haunted by ghost of his opponents, with deep suffering and worry ShinEmon decides to return to Kashima. Having returned he decides to cleanse himself in 1000 days of confinement prayers. At the end he obtained Hitotsu no Tachi (one sword), a new style of timing and stance.
With a looming infighting ahead, ShinEmon is forced to take sides. Upon deep meditation to find an answer he obtains Heihou no Ken (Sword of Harmony). It’s ideal is to win without a fight.
ShinEmon decides to leave on another journey. His former master tells him to never come back. No matter what happens he is to pursuit his own fate and not that of the clan. ShinEmon names his new style Shinto Ryu and takes on the name Bokuden. Boku as in Kiboku (tortoise-shell divination) (partially from his original birth name Yoshikawa).
Critique:
Remember this is the time of the Warring States, a time when headhunting was still in practice. For more refer to “Samurai Headhunters” documentary.
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/samurai-headhunters/0/3391088 http://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Samurai_Headhunters official clips
https://www.youtube.com/show/samuraiheadhunters [BBvideo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yA-i3GM7-E [/BBvideo]
Sakai Masato as as rebellious swordsman ShinEmonThe fights in the show are good. Although, there are sometimes too many cut scenes, but the slow motions are a good counter balance.
The fights are not not your usual kendo esque/ordinary style but “realistic” street fighting if I may say so
The fight with Oono Hidetaka reminds me of a fighting game match I had myself. It was most remembered because of the exact same action. Although, in my case it was a mid air kick contest that I won.
The fight with NanEi was highly anticipated because of the difficulty but it ended with just a single hit kill. It’s not exactly disappointing but seriously?
It’s nice the show depicts ShinEmon as someone who’s open to new things and is not biased. He rather tries to assimilate. adapts, transform new or other styles into more practical useful with his style or skill.
If you expected some romance you will be served only little. The show is true to historical records here. However, don’t bet on ShinEmon dying a virgin, though.
Miscellaneous stuff:
ShinEmon: “Not good, I guess food is more important than the match…”
Samon: “even an old saying goes “30% talent, 70% looks”.”
ShinEmon saves Kanon but Samon makes the move on her.
😆 Verdict: 8.7
Cast: 8
Cast performance: 9
Script/Directing: 9
Missing Noir M[Korea]
" /> Gil Soo Hyun taking measurements in his mind’s eye
" /> Jin Seo Joon’s secret: HOME
Type: police drama
Genre: mystery, crime, detective, action
Year: 2015
Synopsis:
Genius ex-FBI agent Gil Soo Hyun is recruited to head a new task force to solve the toughest cases. Due to his past he has an secret agenda of doing what he deemed right.
Veteran detective Oh Dae Young is partnered up, and is to keep an eye on Gil Soo Hyun.
Jin Seo Joon is the information gathering, analysis nerd. She has a secret past which serves to create a bond with Gil Soo Hyun, willingly or not.
Critique:
This show has perhaps the most twisted stories of all mystery crime dramas. The stories are good, suspenseful, interesting. Most of them have more than two twists. Nothing is what it seems and all involved appear to be the bad guy at some point. Until the very end it’s unclear who’s the victim or criminal or what’s the truth. Frankly, the story I liked most was more a ordinary mystery case. Be warned: many of the stories are dark, even creepy.
The actors are ok but it could be better. Too bad, the best actress is just a guest star and gets killed off.
Unlike other mystery shows only Gil Soo Hyun and Oh Dae Young do the walking. This kind of small team is kind of refreshing and it gives a new or better perspective on solving the cases. It also adds a thrill to it all.
Despite everything the show is really good.
Verdict: 8
Cast: 7
Cast performance: 8
Script/Directing: 9
ST Scientific Task Force [Korean]
" /> the team
Type: police drama
Genre: mystery crime, comedy, detective, action
Year: 2014
Introduction:
This show is referred as ST season 2!
Synopsis:
Five exceptional researchers are gathered and given powers for special investigations in response to diversified modern crimes. They are called the Scientific Task Force or ST for short. They work in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Scientific Crime Laboratory.
The elite rookie Inspector Yurine Tomohisa becomes the ST’s commanding officer.
Akagi Samon, the true leader; forensic expert; has a fear of other people; leads, organizes & analyses the team and their gathered information.
Aoyama Sho, a profiler with an American PhD in criminal psychology; a compulsive messy with order in the chaos.
Kurosaki Yuji, a chemical expert with such an excellent sense of smell that he is able to discern the scent of poisonous substances; unbeatable brawler; does not talk to just anyone.
Yamabuki Saizo, a Nobel price level chemical expert who is also a monk.
Yuki Midori, a physicist who also has an exceptional sense of hearing; a compulsive exhibitionist.
All of them possess great abilities but are socially inept.
The most eccentric of them is their leader and forensic expert,
Critique:
The show’s concepts are badly mixed and realized. And frankly, this overshadows everything for me. The show invests into comedy the wrong way, too. Or maybe because the actors aren’t well in doing them.
The team’s members are designed superficially similar to the genetically enhanced augments from
Star Trek DS9 – “Statistical Probabilities”For example Fujiwara Tatsuya as Akagi Samon when he finally has figured it out he virtually has a “headache” attack or some such sickness.
In the first half the stories are your ordinary mystery cases. This is the good part of the show. In the second it goes the way of
JOKER Yurusarezaru Sosakan. Here, renegade ex-policemen commit murder and try to turn people against the law and police. That aside the true aim (main theme) is to draw and plunch Akagi Samon into darkness. Turning him into a monster and making him the new leader of the renegades. This part is just bad and on the last drop. Verdict: 7.3
Cast: 7
Cast performance: 8
Script/Directing: 7
Boss 2
" /> Numata Yoshimi replaces Reiko and that’s just the start
😈 
" /> 
" /> OMG fan rage over a Korean boy group ; Eriko’s omiai under surveillance
" /> 
" /> Sachiko, the dark angel; Sachiko makes another unsuspecting comment
" /> 
" /> police super team; maskots Peepo! Peepa! Peepee!
Type: detective drama
Genre: crime, detective, action
Year: 2011
Synopsis:
It has been two years since then… Nodate, who has risen to become the counsellor as a result of the performance of Eriko and the unit, accepts an important case with the intention of securing another promotion. And, so he revives the Special Crimes Countermeasure Unit.
Critique:
The bad: Kichise Michiko as Narahashi Reiko and Toda Erika as Kimoto Mami aren’t available or only partialy available for the show. Reiko’s and Eriko’s farewell on bad terms over Mami’s exiling was sad.
Hasegawa Kyoko as Tadokoro Sachiko/Sacchi isn’t an equal replacement for Mami. She has a double background story we don’t to see much other than the implications and “results”. She is badass but we get only a glimpse.
Shaku Yumiko as Numata Yoshimi replaces Reiko. At first, she is your ordinary forensics but whoa once she starts her “play” she’s convincingly fanatic.
The episode with the ex-french-legion soldier was unsuspecting, yet, good. Darker yet less evil than the one with the ex-Yakuza boss. Both stories are typical twisted stories where our heroes end up saving the bad guys.
I have hoped to see Sorimachi Takashi (GTO) again and the show was leading on for a while, but he got killed off to introduce an even greater evil. That was a little disappointing. Omori Nao as Morioka Hiroshi, the mysterious ex-police now ministry-secretary. He plays the usual underdog antagonist but the show sent me for a loop until the end. His shooting skillz is superb is an understatement. Despite being cornered on both sides he shot them both and wins unscathed! It’s a true dark and heinous conspiracy. And it’s still not over yet.
Just when you thought Mami rejoined the show for good she’s killed off for the x times here. She’s really the preferred target in this series. Eriko also has become a prefered target in this season. In the end she’s infected with a deadly virus but manages to run a few times. That’s a bit too much even for her.
Miscellaneous stuff:
Notice Eriko recommending and praising lawyer “Takako Mamiya” from “Rikon Bengoshi” in the show. Notice the lawyer’s appearance at the airport. I think it’s just a print worn by someone, though.
Verdict: 9.5
Cast: 9
Cast performance: 9.5
Script/Directing: 10
Boss
" /> 
" /> 
" /> Eriko cool; Police work: maskot Peepo! ; the thief
" /> dream couple
" /> unacustomed to earthquake: is she really Japanese?
" /> 
" /> Reiko ; Katagiri
" /> 
" /> Kimoto Mami power up; Yamamura-san
" /> 
" /> Iwai-san takes a good sniff; Hanagata Ippei
Type: detective drama
Genre: crime, detective, action
Year: 2009
Synopsis:
Osawa Eriko is recalled to head the newly found Special Crimes Countermeasure Unit. Officially, it’s a quick response investigate unit meant to deal with high priority or difficult or modern crime. It is to provide assistance to Criminal Investigation Division 1. However, the truth is a complex layered matter of interest from various groups within the “organization.”
The unit has been raised by Nodate Shinjiro who also selected the colorful team:
Eriko, 40, Division 1/4 outcast inspector, highly intelligent, an expert in profiling, a beauty, a single among single, self-declared busty, heavy drinker, and messy (exhibitionist) sleeper.
Katagiri Takuma, 31, Division 1 outcast, a handsome, gloomy, hard working man, a master marksman, has shooting phobia, has no experience with women, , bloodtype B, self declared awkward.
Kimoto Mami, 25, expert forensics, Scitific Crime Detection Research outcast, fair introvert nerd, has difficulty to follow “order”, bloodtype B.
Hanagata Ippei, 24, rookie from a police box, healthy, willing to do anything, bloodtype O, a weirdo.
Yamamura Keisuke, 50, Sgt., Environmental Haelth and Safety outcast, careless “Trapper”, divorced twice, has a dislike toward beautiful women, likes cabaret clubs, bloodtype AB.
Iwai Zenji, 39, Sgt., Organized Crime Division (4) outcast, a brawler, cross-dresser, likes men, bloodtype AB.
It basically consists of peculiar police “troublemakers”, hence, the true purpose is to isolate them. The unit’s office is located on the 6th floor in the corner of the Annex building.
The unit solves cases due to each member’s peculiar strength and their boss’ intuition and smarts. The members more or less overcome their weaknesses for good or worse.
Critique:
So far this show has the best team of all police dramas. Half of the cast are better or best actors. The advantage is it makes a great show to enjoy. The disadvantage is some are not available for season 2.
The women are strong in this show. Amami Yuki as Osawa Eriko is just great as usual.
Takenouchi Yutaka as Nodate Shinjiro makes a good pair with her (and in other shows). In the show they have a 18 year old relationship kind of like Akane & Ranma, a like-despising one. Nodate says he raised the unit for his gokons (Nodate-kon).
Kichise Michiko as Narahashi Reiko is Eriko’s rival in womanhood. It’s a good friendly, poisonous relationship. A reason for cat fights! Toda Erika as Kimoto Mami is the junior for both woman to raise. She has the best character stories in the show. We get to see her grow while going through goo and bad time. Mostly bad times if not worse of all in both seasons, though.
Too bad the show is kind of short, there’s not that much or extensive relationship scenes to enjoy like in longer shows like NCIS. However, all necessary character stories and relationships are there so there’s is really nothing missing.
The majority of crimes turn out to have some mystery to them that are solved in smart ways. It’s very enjoyable to watch.
The conspiracy in the end was shocking, misleading, suspenseful. Even though I could guess roughly how it would go it kept me glued to the screen until the very end. Sorimachi Takashi (GTO) as Takakura Ryuhei, the mastermind of the Black Moon, was a surprise appearance. He’s always soo evil when playing the bad guy. Here he’s double/triple crossing everyone and escaping nearly all our heroes’ traps. He even plants a fuel-vapor (thermobaric) bomb that’s exaggerated as a nuke equivalent with no one in Japan able to disable it (except Japan’s foremost criminal bomber). This is too much of a Hollywood trope. All that needs to be done is preventing oxygen mixing or contact for a moment, e.g. sand, water, nitrogen would do. If you thought you’ve seen it all then brace for season 2!
Miscellaneous stuff:
The show is up to date on scientific research e.g. James Surowiecki’s work on the Wisdom of Crowds/Collective intelligence that just came out.
The first few seconds of the ED is very reminiscent to the Japanese “Yuki no Hana”. Well, I would have identified it regardless in which language.
Verdict: 9.7
Cast: 10
Cast performance: 9
Script/Directing: 10
