17 reviews · average 8.9 / 10
Wynter · 20 Nov 2011
Another "you can always achieve the impossible" story-line that is endearing if not completely original. I loved Fukatsu Eri and Abe Hiroshi. KimuTaku was adorable as usual, but a change in acting style would have been nice. Although the story is forgettable, I'll always remember the dynamics of the characters in that big ol' house.
bobopuzo · 15 Jan 2011
Takuya kimura act more mature suited for the main character unlike any other dramas he played before
ester_grace · 27 Nov 2010
I've watched almost all of kimutaku's dorama/movie and I think this is the best one after long vacation and karei naru. He was awesome, I love the way he played the role as a naive, idealist and innocent politician. Fukatsu eri was great too, very adorable and ellegant. They were have a good chemistry. I also liked the comedic & romantic side which made this dorama not too serious.
Ender's Girl · 9 Oct 2009
The cast:
Kimura Takuya, Fukatsu Eri, Terao Akira, Abe Hiroshi, Kato Rosa
In a nutshell:
Mild-mannered schoolteacher Asakura Keita takes over his late fatherfs Diet seat and is swept into power as Prime Minister of Japan--but soon finds himself at the center of a political plot hatched by a powerful few to gain control of Government.
(SpoilLert: Moderately spoilerish.)
Politics for Dummies (cand Jdorama Viewers, Too!)
Hmmm.... This drama is riddled with all the ineluctable loopholes of a political fairy tale, and as much as I wanted with all my might for Kimura's character to succeed in that cutthroat world of politics, the implausible situations had me rolling my eyes most of the time. I mean, c'mon: nerdy and naive schoolteacher becomes premier of Japan, and single-handedly (oh, not single-handedly, but aided by a ragtag crew of housemates-turned-"political advisers," oh my!) attempts to turn the tide of corruption and greed that has permeated the highest echelons of government--AND tries to run the world's second largest economy in his spare time!!! Whoopee.
Maybe this drama bit off a tad more than it could chew, as most political fairy tales are prone to doing. I read a comment somewhere saying that Change felt like a 10-year-old schoolboy had been given a textbook on Japanese politics, and was told to go write a script, hehehe. I'm rather inclined to agree. I think a major stumbling block for me while watching Change was that Asakura Keita (at least in the first half of the drama) was too... dumbed down to be believable, looking so out of his depth in the legislature--despite his earnest efforts to cope with all his parliamentary obligations. The first half of Change mostly has Keita wandering the Diet corridors looking all... dazed and confused (wink, wink) and asking his secretary Miyama to "explain things to him as if he were a 5th-grader." He also spends far too much time helping Random Disgruntled Citizens who straggle into his office with their personal sob stories, than doing any actual legislation. (That scene in Episode 3 where the pigheaded cat owner detains Keita for hours when hefs supposed to be at some secret powwow with the Seiyu Party bigwigs--major ROLL EYES!!!) The writing plays up the Underdog-Zero-to-Hero archetype to the hilt, but the same tack which worked so perfectly in 2001fs Hero simply misfires in Change. (Curiously enough, Hero and Change were penned by the same screenwriter, Fukuda Yasushi.) The drama would have benefited from better writing, IMO\and a longer run that would more smoothly chart Keitafs transformation from bumbling do-gooder to a shrewder, more experienced player in the political arena.
Full-length review:
http://endersgirrrl.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/drama-review-change-fuji-tv-2008/
mr_dreamboy · 2 Aug 2009
if you are bored why not
sevilla.aishiya · 15 Jul 2009
This drama plot is very interesting; starting with slow pace - continue with fast dramatic change. So far, I'm a follower of Japanese politics but at the surface only.
Then I start to watch this drama and understand more the details of what parlimentarians and beuracratics are doing in the parliament house. Even about suit-pin that is attached at each parlimentarian's suit, they even don't cover up the price!!
Takuya is very well suited with Fukatsu Eri with Abe Hiroshi - a veteran player who makes this drama more appealing.
Jackykero · 5 Jul 2009
I very seldomly give a dorama a 10, but this one deserved it.
It's been a long time I haven't watched a dorama like this, I thought they did not make them anymore. I does not have any special effect or any innovative filming technique, it is just a very good story, well written, with some twists and surprises here and there to keep you going, the actors are all very good - even the younger or less famous ones every episode makes sense and does not drag, there's a good mix of adventure, comedy, a touch of romance.
Ahhhh, it's good to watch a good dorama like this one :-)
dannyboy · 26 Oct 2008
superb!
epah · 2 Sep 2008
i wonder why they said tis drama is not as gud as compare to other drama he star...for me it is indeed one of the most excellent drama...takuya kimura proves once again he is a very gud actor...he never failed me...he always up to my expectation...
in tis drama they picture him as geek...a kindergarden teacher who loves to watch star, he got no interest in politics until his late father assistant insist him that he should be in caimpagn...along the way he show them the real value of politics...the ending...well...cannot say..=)
iwan · 29 Aug 2008
I've been watching 2 episodes and still curious to see more...
So far, it seem potential to be great dorama of this year...
I want more..I want more...
fre3domlin · 1 Aug 2008
finish watching this drama not long ago..a well done for takuya kimura'a acting skill..he potraits his character very well..n this drama is also really gd as it brings the audience in dept into the politics world without us feeling boriing abt the plot..although this drama is more abt the politics world but there is oso romatic scenes in it..WATCH IT IF U HAVE NOT..
hirowei87 · 23 Jul 2008
It's a good drama. Honestly, I m a big fan of takuya kimura. He's d main attraction to watch dis drama n I hv 2 said he hadnt let me down so far except sora kara furu ichioku no hoshi . the storyline is interestin n I 'd watched de whole drama whithin one day.though d endin bit anti-climax , but overal it's a very entertaining drama.
Susan · 22 Jul 2008
Kimura Takuya was absolutely charming in this drama and truly displayed his talent and experience as a dramatic actor. The supporting cast, as well, were all wonderfully charismatic and shared a good level of chemistry with the lead actor. The story itself had the right balance of political intrigue, comedy, and romance to keep me watching on the edge of my seat from episode 1 right until the end. If you haven't yet seen this drama, then please do so!!!
popdod · 21 Jul 2008
Kimura is slowly moving more complex roles other than those typical romance characters. A political dorama is hard to entertain but somehow, with kimura's magical acting, it attracts the audience. Unfortunately, the ending doesn't seems complete...and madonna's song Miles Away doesn't really gel with this dorama.
Shindou · 19 Jul 2008
A well-written, well-cast and well-executed dorama showcasing some fine acting by the cast and an intriguing storyline. This dorama definitely brings back memories of Hero and Souri to Yobanaide with Tamura Masakazu. While not overly different from his other screen characters, Kimura Takuya plays the role very well and has some great chemistry with Eri Fukatsu. Abe Hiroshi was a great addition to the cast adding some nice comedic moments to the series. Kato Rosa was perhaps the only extraneous character who, whether because of her character or her acting, didn't add much value to the series. For those who are interested in this dorama, I would also recommend watching the British dramas Yes Minister and later, Yes Prime Minister which depicts the rigidity of the civil service.
8thSin · 17 Jul 2008
CHANGE stars Kimura Takuya and Abe Hiroshi from HERO, and also produced by the same director and scriptwriters as HERO.
Once again Kimura Takuya plays a pure-hearted man trying to help others, scaled up from a Lawyer to a Prime Minister. I am a big fan of HERO series, but CHANGE was even better for me.
Kimura Takuya just has that charisma as a leader, and he is the only person who could've handled this role. It was quite interesting seeing him with those dorky glasses... reminds me of Asunaro Hakusho.
Although slightly underused, Abe Hiroshi was also excellent, providing comedic relief for this serious drama.
The person I was most impressed with was Fukatsu Eri. Her chemistry with KimuTaku was even better than that of Matsu Takako, and I really connected with her character (plus those black stockings were really hot on her)
The cast for this thing is absolutely incredible, they managed to gather an amazing array of established actors, and possibly most amazing guest appearances since Furuhata Ninzaburou series.
Admittedly, the plot lacks reality. However, doramas are supposed to be about things that never happen in real life. Though the setting is impossible, character behavior in general makes sense, and impossible scenarios are executed so well that they are touching without being corny.
Although slightly too idealistic at times, I love the way they've depicted right and wrong and what truly important values are. This series has the most solid first and final episode of all dorama series I've seen. I espeically loved the final episode, where they've shown how resistant to change government policies are, even for something as trivial as serving teas for a meeting (this was very funny too). The 'climax' with 20+ minutes of uncut scene was very impressive, and there were so many great, memorable scenes throughout the series.
This is a really well-made dorama series with very high level of acting all around. The plot addresses the problems with today's election-driven politics, and attempts to make us think more about our roles in a democratic society. It's a series that made me laugh and cry, now one of my favorite series of all time.
kakeru · 4 May 2008
i've seen some pics of takuya as an elementary teacher. i guess his character is made geeky initially, before he becomes d PM. wow! dats a change indeed, compared to his previous doramas!! i cant wait. im thinking dis drama is gonna be a big hit!! :)))