Incredible characters and music, must-watch
9 / 10SayaOtonashi · 2011
One of the best doramas I've seen so far! This is not a common dorama; it seems more like a long movie divided into several episodes (eleven, each of them being one day in Kita Yoshio's life before he commits suicide).
Incredible cast: Matsuda Ryuhei won a prize for his role, Kuriyama Chiaki is wonderful as always, really credible, and Kohinata Fumiyo was the perfect actor for his role. Konishi Manami did a wonderful job as well, but I don't quite like her. And what a nice surprise to see Namase Katsuhisa in there! Each character has an outstanding and recognizable personality, and it's beautiful to see how they are connected through all the story. Music is also wonderful, and it stands out as almost another character through the series, creating incredible atmospheres in different situations. In fact, because of this OST, I just got interested in jazz :D
Some have said this dorama is slow, but I just don't agree. It focuses on Kita Yoshio's deep feelings, his subtle changes, his peace of mind and his determination, his fears, his frustrations, his love, his gratefulness, his dark side, and all the subtle ties with all that surrounds him. If pace had been quicker, then all these things wouldn't have been so well explained. And again, Kohinata Fumiyo was perfect.
There's only one detail that was totally missed in the final episode, one specific relationship detail that wass not explained, and that's why I'm giving it a 9 and not a 10. Anyway I will rewatch this jdorama for sure, because I feel I will discover new things the second time I watch it, little details that I may have missed the first time. Please add this jdorama to your list ^^