Bijo ka Yajuu

美女か野獣 · Beauty or Beast

Winter 2003
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Summer
Autumn

Network	Fuji TV
Broadcast	9 Jan 2003 – 20 Mar 2003
Episodes	11 Episodes
Viewership	Average 18.5%
Fan score	8.4 from 29 reviews
Genres	comedy drama romance

Synopsis

After graduating from the Tokyo University School of Law, Makoto Tamiya goes on to Harvard University where she earns an MBA. She later works at one of the "big three" networks in the United States as a news reporter. While covering a story on an international symposium in Paris, Makoto is scouted to work for JBC Television in Japan. The news producer at JBC wants to use Makoto to help raise low viewer ratings. He persuades her to work for him for an absurdly high salary, and also gives her the right to hire who she needs.

While Makoto is being brought in to be the savior of the News Department, one man gets transferred from the Variety Department. His name is Hiromi Nagase. Since joining JBC Television, all he has done is variety programs.

So now the News Department has Makoto who thinks high ratings are the meaning of life, and Hiromi who values the success of a program as just a tool for the full enjoyment of life. These two totally different personalities mix it up and somehow reach a mutual understanding, creating a delightful "light comedy".

Synopsis: Fuji TV

Cast & characters 37 credited

Theme song

“The Galaxy and Maze” 銀河と迷路 — Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Fan reviews 29 reviews

8.4/ 10

10		10
9		5
8		8
7		3
1–6		3

Excellent Show!

10 / 10

Wynter · 2010

I have no complaints whatsoever. I went into the show with no expectations. After the first episode I still felt a little lukewarm, but very quickly the storyline and characters grabbed hold of me and that was that.

I LOVED Matsushima Nanako. I always thought she was a bit overrated. I guess I just needed a role like this to make me see why people love her so much! And of course, I'm extremely attracted to Fukuyama Masaharu as an actor and I felt this role was great and fun.

I liked the dynamic between the characters at JBC News. I wish I had a workplace like that. It was so warm. And the small bits of romance were sweet and not overdone. Everything worked so naturally well with everything else.

It was a great watch. Woot!

9 / 10

sena_ringo · 2009

very interesting dorama

It's showtime!

7 / 10

Shindou · 2005

Matsushima Nanako, as usual, does a great job playing a top-notch producer weighed down by a less top-notch but highly dedicated crew. Fukuyama Masaharu, as Nagase, truly embodies the spirit and determination of the team and injects the needed heartfelt touch to this entertaining drama. Nicely crafted episode plots will keep the viewer more than satisfied.

All 29 reviews