Ichikei no Karasu (2021)

Iruma Michios -- A very uniquely done courtroom/law drama

I started this drama as it was coming to its end, and I loved how simple yet deep it is in its dialogues and execution. For example, when Iruma Michio told Nagaoka Makoto it was up to him to decide how he accepts the truth about his father and his death in episode one, probably one of the most explosive episodes along with all the other episodes the only thing I could think was how powerful that one sentence was -- brilliant drama, and this was just me watching the first episode. At the time, I could only imagine how much better the drama would get, and it did. It not only tackled the law and the injustices it commits but also touches on how the elite view the law and the twisted perceptions they impose on it to benefit themselves. I wish the world were full of Iruma Michios.

As I watched this drama, I was reminded of Frederick Douglass's quote when he said. "Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." A very uniquely done courtroom/law drama presenting the heart of the law while applying the rule of law with a brilliant cast in the marvelous Takenouchi Yutaka as the very humanistic judge Iruma Michio aiming to render the "correct" judgment, not just the politically acceptable one.

When they say it is not power that corrupts but fear, they are absolutely right -- fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it, and fear of the courage of power and what is different corrupts those who are subject to it. So, in that sense, it's not that Iruma is different, but in how he interrupts the law as it was meant to be in that justice cannot be for one side alone but must be for both sides and parties regardless of one's station in life.

Such a simplistic drama, yet it manages to raise such piercing questions in how the higher-ups in the legal system and the general public view and interpret law and justice. And to that end, I am a complete sucker for dramas with bold messages, and Ichikei no Karasu's was clear that true freedom requires the rule of law and justice and a judicial system in which the denial of rights to others does not secure the rights of some. And that judges should not just interpret the letter of the law but understand it and apply it fairly and justly.

Undoubtedly the drama and Iruma Michios wouldn't have been as good with the support of its wondrous cast in Judge Komazawa Yoshio, who makes it possible for Iruma and the rest of his team to be who they are - true to themselves and the judgments they consciously render; Nakamura Baijaku as Chief Secretary Kawazoe Hiroshi, and law clerks aIshikura Bunta, Sakurai Yuki (Sakurai Yuki), Ichinose Itoko (Mizutani Kaho), and prosecutors Ide Iori (Yamazaki Ikusaburo) and Ichinose Itoko (Masu Takeshi). I love how principled this drama was to the end. Highly recommend it.

"Until justice is blind to color until education is unaware of race, and until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men's skins (statues), emancipation will be a proclamation but not a fact" ~ Lyndon B. Johnson.

Read More

People who have different ideology and way of thinking are everywhere to be found in the work place or anywhere in the world but it becomes a hard thing when you encounter people like these in a job of a judge where you're supposed to make such big decisions based on evidences and YOUR ideology and you have make those decision with someone who has the total opposite ideology as yours.

I always find dramas like this interesting when one main character of ours works according only to their brain and the other only listens to the heart. I wanted that throughout this drama, not only the female protagonist changes but both of them start to understand each other and use a mixture of both ideologies cuz a job like a judge needs both heart and brain but that did not happened. I know saying a drama is not great becuase it did not followed the route I wanted it to is not really right but this is just my opinion so I'm saying it honestly.

I wanted the drama to go more deeper but it was like the usual investigation drama that tells you to follow ideologies all the time cuz the real world doesn't do that so it's drama's job to put all the idealism in it. Is that a bad thing ? Not at all but I don't agree with it. I like idealism but I like my dramas to be at least a little realistic. You have this formula of this ideal hero who's always right with no flaws but I think that's a flaw in its own atleast to me and we see him bickering with kuroki's character throughout the drama. Is it fun ? For sure at first but it gets boring after some episodes.


There's a new case for them to judge each episode. It follows the typical crime , investigation drama but it's interesting and entertaining enough for you to watch one episode weekly. Judges do all the investigation cuz apparantly police is lazy and useless lol Every episode has a bizarre question that has been asked by the male main character's nephew and in the end of the episode we get the heart-touching answer of it by the female main character.

If we talk about the acting then I have nothing but praises. Everybody did their job flawlessly as expected from the critically acclaimed cast!

I definitely won't rewatch it cuz I was already bored Sometimes in the first watch but that's just me plus I rarely rewatch stuff.


So overall, it's not really a bad drama cuz it was entertaining and fun but it was nothing groundbreaking or special. Do I recommend it ?

Hell yeah if you wanna be just entertained trying to solve investigations with judges but if you want something special out of ordinary drama that'd touch your soul, this one isn't for you.

Read More

So Interesting!!! SEASON 2 PLEASE!

WHY?
I really like this drama! This drama succeed in making me wait each week to get a new episode and watch right away!
The story itself got so much potential and they sure to use it well.
The contrast between the main leads are interesting! And I can see the characters development well.

NICE BALANCE FOR ME
This is a nice balance for me who's searching for a nice light comedic yet know when to have a serious atmosphere and stay interesting until the end- kind of drama. This live action still got those manga feeling too~

MYSTERY?
This drama's mystery still makes me surprised, but that comes from a person who didn't watch mysteries drama on daily basis, so if you're like me, I will say, how the story unfold is interesting!
Though, this might not be the drama for people who search for a total mystery and super unpredictable drama, but, TRY WATCHING 2 OR 3 EPISODE :D maybe you will discover a drama suited for you.

Somehow this drama able to make my eyes sweat a bit too.. T^T

ENDING (no spoiler so its fine guys)
The ending is GENIUS! It make sense too! Without giving Iruma that "Main Character Cheat" to get-away-with-anything-treatment!
I think because they make it the way it is now, they can end the drama there or continue it because I can still see potential if they continue the drama. its like they closing a drama by opening a new potential! >^<

I think if they make one, season 2 would be super interesting :) Aaa I would really like to see how his life after that

Read More

..I INVOKE~!!..

..Iruma x Sakama..

..hmm. . .this is my first time to watch this kind of genre about judge, though zero idea but this series help me to learn how the process of judgment occurs..

..so far what's unique on these judges is that they do a investigation to - going to the crime scenes, interviewing people, etc that for me is not they're job (I guess)..

..a decision that took a lot of days to do with no regret on the result..

..the climax for me, the highest emotions always occur on the court itself..

..hoping for a second season since, Iruma's past is still a puzzle - so minus star for the story haha..

..and by the way, my new crush actress goes to Kuroki Haru hihi..

Read More

Becoming a Crow

This show itself is a fantastic stand-alone story because it is one, however, the more I watched the show (from beginning to the end) I couldn't help but find some similarities between this story and a couple of other drama's I have seen within the court/lawyer/investigator genre. Which only fueled my interest and admiration for this show!


Some similarities lie within the cast and others within the "feel of the story", and the story itself. I left a few recommendations for this show on the recommendations page, and they may clarify for other viewers what I mean if they choose to look into the recommendations made. Also, if someone has any difference in opinions or shows that are similar, I would like to hear from anyone, if you feel comfortable enough to message or comment to me, that is.


The seriousness and the humor are a perfect balance, with each episode just as the moment became too dark and mysterious, someone within the "Ichikei" team managed to lighten the mood; whether that be with humor, a confident speech, a story that seemingly has nothing to do with the topic at hand, or just a simple "i agree" as a form of "back up" to whatever plan was created or a person in general. It was really nice seeing everyone within the "Ichikei" team as main characters. Even though it is listed that there are only two main characters throughout the show, I couldn't help but disagree. Everyone within the "Ichikei" team seemed to be "main characters" as per my own definition; the spotlight really never specifically seemed to focus on one person in particular, and none of the characters seemed to fight over who would be most important or more involved as the "main person".


The relationship within each case, and each episode, was obviously built with tangible respect, kindness, and honesty. No matter the rank of the actor/actress held in the story: clerk, judge, lawyer, prosecutor, criminal, civilian, victim, defendant, etc. It felt like the show was continuously giving life lessons within each episode, though as very comforting, self-illustrated children's books (you'll know what i mean if you watch lol). Nothing spoken about in the show, and nothing that happened was too cheesy, confusing, or hard to understand; the show progressed at a very even and thorough pace. Not one bit of this story feels left out or left behind; though the end was a bit of a cliffhanger... I, too, would very much like to see what kind of judge(s) Sakama Chizuru and Iruma Michio will become!


I do like that they took this drama, not from a criminal or law perspective, but from the judge's perspective. It was nice to see human issues that I could relate to in a show that I really liked. The weight of judging a person, the weight of having a stranger's life in your hands, their future, is really terrifying! After watching this show I feel like I can see the truth and honesty of humanity with a very raw, genuine, and unique sight. After watching this show, I feel like I can hold myself to a higher purpose; making sure I always tell the truth, and things of that nature. I'm not going out to pursue the job of a clerk, judge, lawyer, or prosecutor. But I do have to say that this show left a very strong impression on me; something very deep, very beautiful, and very honest. This show is a must watch! You will laugh, cry, get angry, worry, and almost become a detective; it is a very enthralling, mysterious, charming, intense, and immensely entertaining show!

Read More