Fan reviews: Dragon Zakura

xkizoku · 25 Sep 2006

The beginning of the drama was good, because the problem was eyecatching. However, the episodes moved slowly and now that I think back none of them are very defining (that is, except for the beginning and end of course) because each episode was pretty much the same with the same levels of excitement. I would've stopped watching this drama maybe halfway through if I wasn't curious about the results, or wasn't a Yamapi & Teppei fangirl..
The ending was an okay, except I think because the episodes went on slowly the ending was a bit rushed to get to a conclusion.
As for the parts where romance were hinted, it was really fruitless because it was never solved. Mizuno and Yajima seemed to have something going on and also not at the same time; and Yajima didn't really seem to love Yoshino at all - but even when Yoshino stated that she pretended it didn't matter when Yajima got worked up over Mizuno's problems but she was actually bothered by it there was no solution and her statement was brushed off quickly and without emotion. I am still confused as to whether Yajima likes anyone at all and what of the two girls' feelings?
For Sakuragi, his speech, to me, was powerful at the beginning - but then it became that there were too many speeches throughout per episode and I even got tired of listening. When he was recruiting his students, besides Yajima the rest seemed to have just popped out of no where and suddenly felt like joining when it was obvious the whole school was really enraged by Sakuragi's proposal. I'm still asking "What changed the others' minds?" Their reasons on why they wanted to join the class were very vague, and I find it a rough edge that didn't let the story move smoothly and logically.
Furthermore the conflict between the twins wasn't solved and was pretty much left hanging because the fact that Jiro failed Todai and his brother didn't did not serve as a satisfying ending. I mean, WHAT ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AND RELATIONSHIP? What HAPPENED?
I was also astounded at the fact as to why Maki and Ogata were the ones to fail the entrance exam. Maki had all the best scores in the training class throughout the year! Why did Yajima make it? He didn't have very good scores and nor did he improve as much as the others. He even had a broken arm when he was writing! And didn't Ichirou suffer so badly during the exam from the stomach ache that he could barely write?
Anyway, the good thing about this drama was that when the characters were happy, I was happy; when they were about to take the exams I was apprehensive for them.. these were feelings that also had me clinging on to the characters. The music was good too.

ando_aja · 13 Sep 2006

Basically this is a comedy drama. I find it very funny. Maybe many of you will say that this is just GTO part 2, but this has its own charm i think. and maybe better than GTO in some way. And Abe just the right actor to play the main role. I've seen a lot of his drama lately and I like the way he intreprete the character.

>anca< · 3 Sep 2006

almost every drama dat has abe hiroshi is amazing. he makes u laugh all da time even if hes in a serious mood, plus dragon zakura definately makes me want to study harder now! esp wif those tricks they teach u there!!

elvis · 15 Aug 2006

it inspire me and let me know what will do in the future

noodlefreak · 10 Aug 2006

I have a weakness for high school dramas, or , actually, school dramas in general. I think the advice given in this drama is very good and it focuses on friendship and working together. cute drama. liked it very much.

CWZ · 31 Jul 2006

Yes, the drama is enjoyable, definitely worth watching it.

Keone · 11 Jul 2006

I enjoy watching this and hope there is a sequel. Would like to see if the three who didn't make it to Todai what happens to them and the one who didn't go becomes a lawyer.

Andro · 21 May 2006

It's a really great drama. I like the act of Yamapi and the others. Although the drama is like a mix of GTO and Gokusen, but not really that. I think the lawyer-idea was perfect and Abe Hiroshi played Sakuragi-sensei very well.

And it is true: There isn't a stupid student, only if they believe they are stupid.
And I don't understand, why parents thought they are stupid. They weren't only they believed it.

Grim Eyes · 26 Apr 2006

I hated Abe Hiroshi's character in this drama. Its not because he was always giving "tough love" to his students, but because he wasnt very good at it. He would just end up preaching to his students, and most of his self righteous speeches were either annoying or not convincing at all. I guess it could be attributed to poor writing. Without spoiling the ending, I'd have to say that it was one of the worst endings ever. The whole story didnt feel like it had a climactic conclusion and made you feel like you just wasted nearly 11 hours of your life by watching this. Avoid this show at all cost. I just wish someone told me those words sooner.

Kirari Ililah · 14 Apr 2006

I wouldn't say this was one of his best roles, but it was still an OK drama. Yamashita plays another quiet cool guy, Koike is peppy and the rest are also trying to get into Tokyo University. The concept seemed good, but it had some flaws with the acting and the story actually having a grip on the audience. It's a nice suttle drama, but not one of Abe's best. Shame because Abe Hiroshi is dang tall, dang funny, and has talent that can sore so far!
Some of the episodes were good though, like the way they learned things with each other, and the high expert teachers, but having that small love traingle and not so dramatic yet too serene ending was a draw back. The tale is a little predictable but nice as a quiet drama to watch.

andra mega · 27 Mar 2006

dorama about some students who're trying to enter japan no 1 university (Todai) is an attractive theme. But... when I watch this dorama, it's like watching GTO in different version.

I give rating : 4 because Yamapi's on it.

JAP FREAK · 17 Mar 2006

its pretty dull but at least there's yamap and teppei to see!

Shindou · 13 Mar 2006

Abe Hiroshi just carries this show through brilliantly! With all the quirky teachers and nice effective learning techniques (not necessarily new but unusual for this aspect of 'education' to be portrayed), this show was nicely built around a more specific plot compared with other typical teacher-helps-each-student-in-the-class dramas with far more realism than usual. All-in-all, a pretty decent drama with a good performance put up by the rest of the cast.

Eve · 11 Feb 2006

Dont miss this addictive and delightful drama!

Gabinwong · 17 Nov 2005

Well, I never expected this school drama would go so deep into the reality about education and hierachy system in the society. Just like others, I expected another replica of variety show like setting and a pleasing ending to make everybody happy. That's why it's such a great surprise to see Abe tortured the students recklessly.

I used to be kinda optimist, probably influenced by GTO, teacher should always comfort the students and compliment them. But it is proven to be just as extreme as purely discipline and punishment. Especially when students are in higher grades, it is a must to let them taste the real life other than isolating them with just beautiful dreams and ideology. We still have to face the reality some day, no matter how great our dreams are.

That's why I appreciate nearly all Abe said in the drama, especially this one:

"THE BEST TEACHER SHOULD PROVIDE LEAST SUPPORT AND LET HIS (HER) STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT SELF-RELIANCE!"

echo-Shan · 19 Oct 2005

That's a very nice dorama....................The cast, performance, thier ways of acting is pretty nice, i LOVE it so much............In addition, this drama also taught me many many things, including plenty ways of studying............................Watch THIS, guys!!!!!U won't be regret!!!!!!(I assure!!!).....

aeri · 18 Oct 2005

Alrighty, honestly, I thought that Dragon Zakura was a pretty good drama. Yet, again, there are similiarities from other dramas, but I never base my reviews on similarities with dramas that I've already watched. Dragon Zakura has an interesting beginning. It's just so much of a coincidence that something from the beginning of the drama is repeated at the end. It's testing your memory, so beware XD

As far as the development of the plot...I thought that a lot of problems that happened was pretty odd. I understand the poverty part. Tokyo University seem to be emphasized a lot in this drama. It teaches you a lesson, too. If you do not like society's rules, create your own laws [that are still justified and right in your opinion].

Yamapi is the main reason why I wanted to watch it, then Koike Teppei caught my eyes...and also, Saeko was really cute XDD I thought that the lawyer was enjoyable to watch~ I reccommend it! Well, to those that don't mind similiarities from other dramas and wants to watch something pretty touching.

shozen · 30 Sep 2005

abe hiroshi is ok. ending was disappointing.