Fan reviews: Majo no jouken

dramawater · 7 May 2014

I was actually hesitating to watch this drama since this is the first time I think that I've watched a series where a subject is a teacher-student romance. And I want to watch it cos I'm liking the actress Nanako. I'm actually trying not to expect much from the drama itself cos so far from I've watched in Japanese dramas , they usually started so slow, but actually this one moved really fast and focused more on the conflicts of having a teacher-student relationship. Also this is a drama that should be watched with open mind, while it's still not acceptable to have this kind of relationship to protect the students, certain circumstances may lead this to happen.

I actually liked the fact that they casted actors that are the same age as their supposed characters since we can see the stark difference, the main actor looks like a young guy and the teacher looks like an adult. I'm actually happy that they didn't get an actress that looked young to make this more acceptable. Though I have to admit having two quite attractive leads doesn't hurt the drama.

The story started when Hikaru driving a motorcycle hit Michi, then he turns out to be her new student. Then that started their interaction with each other at school and when the time Michi got bullied, they ditched school together and that started their attraction with each other, I think it started when they met but I think it was confirmed at that time.

I've thought Michi's character was weak especially at the beginning, she doesn't have control of her life, somehow she ended up accepting or more like forced to do things that were asked of her and the fact that she want to be accepted so much that she's handling things in a way that makes you just want to shake her. As one of her student said, she ran away when she encounters difficulties. She's quite impulsive too, she doesn't think of the consequences of her actions, there are so many times while watching this that I was like try to think of your actions more thoroughly since it's not only your life that gets affected. Announcing to a morning assembly that she's in love with Hikaru could quite possibly be the most romantic or stupidiest thing to do. I vote for idiocy on her part since like, was she stupid or what ; she's a teacher first and foremost, she should understand why there are rules that prohibits the teacher-student relationship since not many adults actually falls in love and just end up taking advantage of the student. I understand why she did this though, it's to show to herself , Hikaru and everyone that she made a decision and she's sticking through it, she's running from adrenaline now that she realized she can make her own decisions in life. She redeemed herself in the latter part of the show, the experiences she and Hikaru went through made her stronger and more mature, she knows she makes mistakes on her decisions and yet I don't think she ever regrets any of them. She has taken control of her life and one might say she can be rather reckless and irresponsible, but I believe that the's biggest turn in the story for me. She learned and accepted that there are consequences with her actions, she grew up.

Hikaru is a troubled student, while he may seem more mature than Michi since he comes off as serious and quiet, but for some reason I've never thought he was mature throughout the series, he's a young guy, he still needs a lot of guidance which he is not getting from her mother who seems to spoil him and had planned his life for him. He makes rash decisions too, I've thought he and Michi are like two adolescents trying to find their way in life except that Michi is supposedly the older one.

Now that I'm writing this review that I realized that aside from the love story between Hikari and Michi, the story has focus more in the development of Michi's character, could it be I'm bias on Nanako but nonetheless that's how I feel. Now to discuss their love story, it's sweet, poignant and makes you want to root for them. But there are many conflicts as well which is quite disturbing especially how Hikaru's mother treats him, there's a suggestion that the mother is in love with her own son. Then there's the fiancee and the best friend of Michi. I liked the side plot of her student who is being abused by her father, in a way she's instrumental in Michi's growth, she realized that more than focusing on being accepted, as a teacher her focus and priority should be her students. Then there is Michi's parents, the conflict in their family.

I rated this drama originally 9 but changed it to 8 because when I thought back on the story, while it tackled the difficulties that one may encounter if they pursue a teacher-student relationship, there are many parts of the story that I believed are used to detract from the taboo relationship, like to make it more acceptable, let's have a mother who's too possessive of her son's affection and the fiancee who turned violent when he can't get Michi back. It's like the direction is for the audience to root for the couple instead.

And really, is it like common for Japanese people to slap people around, why so violent, that really is disturbing and the fact that Michi was liked to be raped in the series and she didn't complain or report it to authorities, I don't know if it's because it's like an older drama but still I hope women and children and the weak are protected in their society because just basing on this drama, it's alarming to know that it's happening and that it's somehow acceptable.

mrsmith10 · 14 Jun 2011

I felt the storyline of this drama made it very interesting. It was edgy, controversal, and kept me going to see what was going to happen next. The Hikaru Utada song "First Love" is absolutely beautiful, even if it is slightly overplayed in the drama. A lot of people complain about Takki's acting, but after seeing him in three dramas including this one I have yet to see it. It's not the best drama but still pretty good.

ester_grace · 14 Dec 2010

One of the most romantic dorama..takky I luv uuuuuu!!

MonsterZero65 · 15 Aug 2010

The topic really puts some people off of an older woman and too young boy so many people will hate this drama based on that. I can't say it is a great drama. I love Nanako Matsushima and thought she acted her heart out so I may have given it a bit higher rating than if it was another actress in the roll. Still I thought it was well done and interesting.

Takashi · 12 Dec 2009

u cant ask for a batter performance from Nanako Matsushima, shes the reason why this drama is one of the most loved one! :)

dam Takashi isso freaking lucky to marry Nanako Matsushima!
this drama will inspire u from the beginning

arleneong912 · 28 Oct 2009

it was a very nice jdorama, i really cried a lot, for those who want romance, this is the drama you should see...

MonsterZero-65 · 26 Oct 2009

Matsushima Nanako is one of my all time favorite actresses so how could I pass this drama up? Impossible. LOL

The story is a little dark and pretty controversial and you really feel for everyone in the drama but it kind of drags along in parts and the pace was a little awkward. Great acting though so it salvages it for the most part and is worth checking out.

Replicant · 6 Jun 2009

Great drama. Great story. Great actors. Good soundtrack.
P.S. ichiban_noodles, you should leave your stupid country with the most ridiculous laws in the world as soon as possible and get to know what is really important in life, then you won't make such absurd comments.

jed_ka · 19 Apr 2009

very very nice

sos_fukada · 16 Jan 2009

The 2nd best JDorama i've ever seen after S.O.S!!! Great ones! Must see! I love forbidden love!!

threecharity · 3 Jan 2009

Tackey and nanako's performances in the Majo no Jouken were compelling and exceptional. I have to say that this is the best drama they have ever did.
Everytime i watch this show, it makes my heart feel painful , like it is shattering into a million peices. The love between the two characters is imaculate. This is certainly a heart wrenching show that everyone should watch. it is very deep....

oonqy · 6 Jun 2008

LOVE IT !
LOVE IT !
LOVE IT !

love the cast, love the story, love the ost !

everything is so fantastic ~

canary28185 · 3 Jun 2008

Yay! I start to know Takki from this drama

A very nice romance with happy ending..

Takki is so HOT :D

mercury0687 · 14 Feb 2008

The opening theme song is great, actually perfect. Main storyline is good too ; Teacher student "forbidden love".... Until she confesses to him in the library, everything about it was so cool.... but after that.... when she wanted to keep it a secret and eventually everyone finds out she decides not to quit and confesses in the midst of the entire school.... that was so stupid.... i understand it's all about love, but what kind of love will u have to go through all of this for? Insults, Disrespect, Accusations, it simply is not real enough... fits on screen but never wanna see something like that happenin for real....
after they go through all the trouble of running away, their passionate relationship misses all romance.... thru out she's busy working and he's home.... he finally confesses to her but she's asleep.... no holding hands, no lovey dovey talks.... and finally she's arrested.... asked shameful questions....
it really is dramatic....

linda100 · 15 Dec 2007

the story revolves around 'forbidden love' between a teacher and her student. Although I would imagine to some, just the thought of a teacher getting together with a student may be too much to stomach, and in society, this issue is so controversial, some would just not accept it. But for me personally, this series was enjoyable...although some people's initial reaction would be that it's disgusting for a teacher and student to form that kind of bond, and it's utterly wrong, but watching Nanako and Takki's (Hideaki) characters going through so much problems and obstacles, my heart just goes out to them, and eventually, I supported them and their relationship. Love is so un-predictable; you can't choose who to love and who not to love, and sometimes you could find yourself falling in love with someone you least expect. For Michi (Nanako) and Hikaru (Takki), some would see them as criminals simply because they gave in to 'forbidden love', but in my eyes, they're no criminals, in fact, I instead see them as 'victims' of true love; they were so overcome with true love for each other that they were so devoted to each other and so eager to run away to a place where their love would be accepted...I was truly touched by their love in the series, and I do support them. Although their situation would've been alot less complicated if the couple had at least waited till Hikaru turned 18 before they embarked on such a controversial relationship, but if they had waited, then there wouldn't even be a story or a purpose would it? If they had waited, then the series could've easily ended with 3 episodes! Then what would've been the purpose of making this series then? So the fact that they embarked on a relationship so quickly had its purpose. And I'm surprised that there are people out there who think the story is "un-realistic", come on people! Look around you, teachers becoming involved with their students has become more and more common in our society nowadays, though it may be considered a crime and wrong, but it DOES happen alot. I would think the story is VERY realistic. The only drawback for me about the series itself was the ending, it was abit confusing and left viewers hanging...other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it overall. Anyway, both the performances from the casts, particularly Nanako and Takki were great, Nanako was brilliant as aways (I've always liked her), and although Takki's performance was quite stiff at times in contrast and he had practically the same expression on his face most of the time, but it's understandable since this was one of his very first acting roles, but he still did good. And despite the age gap between them, I thought there was wonderful chemistry between Takki and Nanako, even though appearance-wise, they may seem mis-matched, but in my opinion, they certainly have the chemistry. I certainly wouldn't consider this a "tear-jerker", like so many Korean series, but it definitely had it's very sad moments where you would shed some tears here and there.

buddabubu · 28 Nov 2007

It is amazing to see Takizawa's acting so well at such a young age. Matsushima is so beautiful to play the teacher role, she would make you fall for any action she takes. They make a beautiful couple even with the age and status difference.

Nekrad · 17 Oct 2007

I have finally found all the episodesc (URGH!) I could go on living even without it, I donft even know if I will succeed to see all the ending episode without getting sick tired; The plot itfs not so bad but the drama is sometimes slow, sometimes fast, they didnft know how to take advantage of the interesting points of the story so the drama seems sometimes empty and in the end what u can see is only a woman and a teenager, a teacher and a student ,or maybe itf better to say two immature person who fall in love with each other.
---------------------SPOILER-------------------------
A woman with the peter pan complex ,who doesnft seem to be able to do something on her own initiative and prefers to follow the flow, one day discovers herself entrapped in her uncomfortable but convenient world made of:
1. her father-despot, who takes all the decision on her life, but on who she discharge all her responsibilities;
2. A mother who always stands on the side of her daughter. She will discover that she doesnft love her husband anymore and will leave him feeling that she has wasted many years of her life (it sounds a bit like desperate housewife eh,eh);
3. A boy-friend which she doesnft love but she doesnft leave either, she even accepts to marry him;
4. Her work that she hasnft chosen (naturally!).She feels inadequate and doesnft know how to behave with her student, how hold a dialogue with them, so she ends hurting the people more in need;
5. Her hbesthfriend ,she has introduced to her her present boyfriend, she always talk with her about her problems at school but never really listen to her, so she doesnft even notice that her hbesth friend has always had a crush on her boyfriend.

A boy who finds himself alone.
His father is dead, his mother is suffocating and ambiguous (Does she see her husband in her son? IS she in love with her own son? !shefs too much slimy !Disgusting!!!).She wants him to inherit his father clinic, so he must study to fulfil her dream, in the meanwhile she use a doctor to keep the clinic on going(and she use him 4 her sexual desires, like an anti-stress ball, the doctor is the true victim!)
He has betrayed his friend because he didnft want to be excluded from his school class, so he lost him.
They are both immature (the prof ..shefs not only immature, onto BAKA deso!) and doesnft want to take their responsibility , they want to be accepted by the society and have a place in it, but in the same time, not accepting the responsibilities and always following an harmful concept of freedom (some sort of island of Neverland), they refuse it.
When they fall in love with each other they have to decide to follow the rule of the society, do what the society wants them to do or do what they really want, even if it means to hurt all the people around them.
They decide to run away together and try to find their gisland of Neverlandh but in the end they will be drag back in the reality and they will be torn apart, they will reunite and then they will be torn apart againcUff!!!
!will they find in the end the courage to face the realty (and the people who they have hurt) and build an healthy relationship? Or will they run forever from reality just closing their eyes in front of it?

The leading actress, I think shefs really beautiful, but, as usual, she recites quite bad , she seems always the same character! Hello Fuyutsuki-chan!(see G.T.O)Nothing to to see at all with the interpretation of Koyuki (Engine) in the teacher role!Takizawa Hideaki portrays pretty well his character.
The other actor are good too (Ifve liked the character of the Hikarufs uncle, itfs the only one that moved me), but in the end I canft think of recommend it, itfs a mediocre drama.

ryuuseigun · 27 Sep 2007

makes u wana fall in love again!!!!!!!

ryuuseigun · 27 Sep 2007

this is the reason why i love tackey so much..!!!!!.. a tale of forbidden love that touches the heart..great performance plus one hot takizawa hideaki..utada's first love made it even more romantic and wonderful!!....omg if i was michi i would definitely run away with hikaru..ill give him my whole body and soul..(*drools over the hotness that is tackey)..XD..and btw i think the title was ment for hikaru's mother..lol..

adarutoshoppu · 31 Aug 2007

pathetic, cheesy and naive. i don't believe anything like that could really happen, not in japan.

student fall in love with the teacher, the teacher does the same. they love each other so much they fight with whole the world just to be together... what a crap.

besides, weren't there 238946821 dramas like that?



actually the only plus of this shoddy picture is takki's charm and good looks. like really.