Fan reviews: Tiger & Dragon

ester_grace · 12 Feb 2011

I watched this dorama after unubore deka, it made me more in love with tomoya (he's SUPERB in comedy)

prestoli · 4 Feb 2011

Brilliant writing, direction and editing, and most of the cast is quite good as well. Although there are 3 leads, they act as a true ensemble.

doublemask · 4 Oct 2008

I love how the stories are within stories and how the stories connect with each other. Classic stories retold with a modern twist and yet still retains the overall theme or message. Nagase Tomoya definitely fits the yakuza character and portrays it well. Although the serious parts (which is only probably about 5% of the whole drama) aren't convincing enough, the rest of the drama is really funny. If you're looking for a good plot or something that makes you think then this isn't the drama for you. If you just want something light, entertaining with some witty dialogue, then you won't be disappointed. Overall, a drama you definitely have to watch!

Limes · 14 May 2008

I have been trying so hard to promote this drama to friends and family, but they just don't get my taste. Well, it is an unconventional drama with an unconventional storyline. That's why Tiger and Dragon has to be one of the best dramas. It's in a league of its own.

Nagase Tomoya again excels in his role, and the chemistry between him and Okada is electric. But they don't stand out as the leads - no, everyone is equally great and each and every character has their own little quirk which makes them all special. You remember all of them, and I believe that's a mark of great storytelling - when all the characters play their significant roles in their story and are all of equal importance, and thus, remembered.

I love the opening theme; it's still stuck in my head till now (I watched this in mid-2007) and I still laugh when I hear it.

One limitation, however, is that I watched an English subtitled version. I believe it would have meant much, much more if I had understood Japanese puns and Japanese culture more thoroughly. Still, a rakugo in a rakugo in a rakugo would certainly get even a foreigner like me interested in finding out more about the ancient art of rakugo.

This is a definite must-watch!

epin8 · 19 Feb 2008

This drama is absolutely brilliant. It's absolutely one of my altime favorites. The script is innovative, the comedy hillarious and the acting is superb. Nagase Tomoya plays the yakuza character as a natural. This series showed me an unfamiliar side to japanese culture and a great form of entertainment. After watching this show you'll speak the following words for several weeks: DON DON DON!!!,... Tiga Tiga Gilletiga... Tiga Anduu Duragon!!! And you'll be licking your lips in exaggerated manner somehow XD

Archaenon · 12 Aug 2007

I LOVE IT. It's so underrated. It's subtle and well though. I enjoyed it so much , after watching it I bought the LE dvd. Well worth it.

RedSamurai · 5 Apr 2007

Having finished watching 'My Boss, My Hero' , I was really amazed by Nagase's performance so I wanted to see more of him!

I was quite disappointed that Nagase character in this drama was almost the same as the one in 'My Boss, My Hero' : The untreatable, cold and scary yakuza o.O I could understand that it fits him really well, but I still have preferred to have a completely different setting.
All this said, you will EAAAAAAASILY forget about and start to fuse with the very rich plot that this drama has to offer!
In order to get right in the middle of the thing, especially if you start watching from episode 1 directly, some basic knowledge of Rakugo would be more than welcome. If you can't/don't want to, you could still watch 'the special' which sets up for the events in the 1st episode... let's say that it's episode 0 :D

Basically, each episode features a different tale that's "masterpiecely" presented and mixed in a clever manner with the real events! The result is so successful that you gotta watch it by yourself to grab a good feel about it!!

One last, but not least, thing to mention is the rock solid performance of Okada which was simply amazing, and was equal, if not slightly above, Nagase's... At least that's the feeling I got.

There's a looot of stuff that could be added, but I think the best is that you experience it yourself, ne? All in all, This Dorama is a one of a kind that DOES deserve your full attention. Watch it and you won't regret it ;)

neomanxl · 30 Dec 2006

Wow...thats all i can say. I just finished this drama and it has left me speechless. Besides the classic humour, which was exxtremely funny and justly placed, each episode, especially the last few, had a special message for everyone. The cast was all star, and i could definitely feel chemistry between all of them. I must say this is a must watch drama and will probably remain on my top 10 list forever. The only way i can sum up this great drama is... TIGER TIGER GILLETIGER

Wynter · 22 Dec 2006

Now that I've finally completed Tiger & Dragon (it took me three weeks due to my own lack of time management skills) I'm going through a withdrawl! I mean, I finished it last night and already I'm missing it!

There is so much to this drama I don't know where to start. I mean, the cast was BRILLIANT! Seperately the actors/actresses are awesome, but together it's like a whole new realm of creative dynamics has opened up before us! Hands down, Nagase Tomoya and Okada Junichi were the BEST! They're the perfect duo as "Tiger" and "Dragon". Tsukamoto Takashi played the character that made me laugh the most. The way this guy walked down the street made me roll on the floor until it hurt. Nishida Toshiyuki was absolutely brilliant. BRILLIANT! But jeez, he makes the ugliest woman. lol

The story was totally different than what I've seen before. The comedy is sutble and nicely incorporated into an otherwise heavy plot. The flashbacks were excellent and the mix between the Rakuga and gang world was nicely done. Although the basis of the story is simple and perhaps cliche, the way it was handled is practically an artform in and of itself.

This drama has everything for everybody. No matter what genre you like, there's something in this drama that will get you hooked.

For me, it was Tora's tongue. ;)

shari · 21 Dec 2006

An original concept but full of unappealing characters who do a lot of yelling, fighting and overacting. Nagase Tomoya's exagerated facial expressions worked well in My Boss My Hero but not quite so here.

monta · 17 Nov 2006

This dorama is really funny although this rakugo thing is so hard to understand. didn't really understand episode 1-5, but after finishing the whole show i suddenly understand each episode.
Great ending and soundtrack!

Shindou · 10 Nov 2006

For a dorama about Rakugo (a form of storytelling), it was a pleasant surprise that this dorama excelled at storytelling. The storytelling was superb and the acting, particularly by nagase and junichi, were top-notch. There is no doubt that this is one of the most humorous doramas i've ever had the pleasure of watching. Along with 1L of Tears and Hana Yori Dango, this dorama ranks among the best of 2005!

tomoyachikolennon · 4 Oct 2006

tomoya nagase really make a big impact on this drama.
im really enjoying and this drama really put himself up to the high standard and proven that his really a good actor.
well done!!!!!!!!!

Tu_triky · 2 Jul 2006

This is easily one of the funniest doramas I've ever seen. The acting, the writing, and the uncoventional storytelling combined to produce some of the most brilliant Japanese comedy I've seen in recent memory. The chemistry b/n the actors was nearly flawless and the multiple personalities of the main players was great to watch. I think this is the best work I've seen from Nagase Tomoya. Winner of the following TV Academy Awards for 2005 45th Television Academy Awards: Best Drama; Best Actor: Nagase Tomoya; Best Supporting Actor Nishida Toshiyuki; Best Screenwriter: Kudo Kankuro; Best Music Arrangement: Nakanishi; Best Opening: Katayama Osamu

Kirari Ililah · 14 Apr 2006

AWESOME, awesome drama with Nagase & Okada. Nagase can pull of that hard core look with ease. Okada is quiet, but has that sweet tone to him that still makes for a good pick in this role. It's hilarious as well as a lesson in the tradition of Japan's comedy. Never doubt how much you can learn from dramas about culture.
I suggest this one for anyone liking comedy, or Nagase's amazing and hilarious abilities.

takumi lee · 10 Feb 2006

Ito,the most beautiful and kawaii..........everytime u see her performence u can't believe ur eyes, she's tall and beatiful,of course kawaii

momoechan · 8 Sep 2005

This is the first time i've seen rakugo, never knew that the japanese have this. I'm amazed at how well the stories are interwoven in this dorama, the writer & director did a good job in giving a modern touch to old rakugo tales. Very engaging performance by the cast as well, though sometimes exagerated, i think it's necessary in this drama, else it'll not be what it is. Definitely a must watch for a different kind of dorama.

calico · 20 Aug 2005

I am one of the minority who was bored by this drama. And I did give it a chance and made it till about 4 episodes. Okada is a great actor and the ONLY great thing about this so-so drama, but even his star power in this drama just couldn't keep my interest. Yawn.....

jafrea · 9 Aug 2005

i haven't finished watching this drama, but so far until episode 5, i found out that this drama is real funny!especially nagase&okada's face expression in it...should watch this one!!!

aizawa^hase · 13 Jul 2005

Tomoya Nagase is uberly hot in this drama! very loudmouth as usual... hehehe..being a yakuza is totally matched him and at the same time doing rakugo. the most handsome storyteller in the rakugo world! kakkoi ne~ i like tomoya+okada in this drama..