3
12
1
Maritza
Serbia
So,about MIU 404...
...this drama might be the FIRST one to finally capture the true essence of what BUDDY COP trope means. So let`s talk about it.
First of all,I like to start every review of mine by thanking everyone involved in the making of this drama. As an aspiring writer,I`m well aware of exertions one must undergo in every production. Therefore,thank you,actors,producers,writers and the rest of the staff people do not usually mention,for giving us such a great project.
With that out of the way,shall we dive into what sets `MIU 404` apart from many dramas whose backbone lies in unity between the characters? I`ll be the first one to say,I didn`t have high expectations for this drama. Although I generally prefer Japanese dramas over dramas from other countries(though hypocritically two of my absolute favorite dramas are from South Korea,alas),that cover really didn`t inspire much. To be completely honest,I was so put off by this drama`s cover,I had to set it aside for MONTHS. Despite the fact Gen Hoshino(of `Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu` fame,amongst MANY other projects and ventures) was in this,I still had to think about whether to give this a try or not just because of that damn poster. But,only 48 hours after I started this journey,I`m here to say it was WELL worth it. Because,what a great drama this was. Seriously.
In my circle of friends,I`m known as an S class,thorough SCEPTIC. And that title is not for naught. Because I`ve written,seen and read so much,there aren`t a lot of projects,especially referring to dramas,that can really move me nowadays. I`ll find good,even great dramas. And whilst I can recognize their objective value to the medium as it is,many of them fail to move me in any significant manner. I am happy to report `MIU 404` is not one of those dramas. This one has a quality that is rarely seen today. And that `something` cannot be explained rationally for it`s something based on an completely irrational concept: soul. The type of chemistry this drama sports is often tried,yet rarely executed well. Even though the premise is quite so simple.
Two members of unit `MIU 404`,department of Metropolitan Tokyo police force,Ibuki Ai(a rough around the edges outlier whose seemingly only redeeming quality is his running ability) and Shima Kazumi(your good to Ibaki`s bad cop trope if you will) are grouped together,hoping to make a difference in the world...by running after high school pranksters,finding a little girl`s toy,uncovering a body covered in cat`s litter and the like. You know,the usually stuff. Yeah,this drama couldn`t`ve been made by any other country than Japan.
On paper,this is a true and tried formula Hollywood in particular,does good with. Get a character who wants to do good,by the book deeds,and one who`s so volatile and funny,together. Boom,magic. However,the way they went about showing this unlikely friendship form is so understated,yet easy,that I can`t,for the life of me,understand why some dramas INSIST on making everything so complicated. On Captain Kikyo`s orders,this odd pair is shoved in a melon bread van(figuratively of course...) and sent on their way to catch the baddies of Tokyo`s society. What we get,in reality,are two completely different people with the same goal clashing,discussing,philosophising and talking over each other,with everything being filmed in an almost documentary type of style. It is GREAT. It is quite exhilarating seeing one of my favorite types of characterization explored in a buddy cop drama. This is,quite probably,one of the quickest ways you,as a writer,can employ,to get me to care about your characters. People like to rave about D.P. and the like(which,there is a lot to like there,no doubt),but the first buddy cop drama duo that really got me to care was this one. I can genuinely see these actors as their characters,which should attest to the level of pretty much everyone here. Which brings me to my next point. Most of the performances here are so great in their heartwarming oddity. I`ve already mentioned Ibuki,Shima,Kikyo,but Jinba and Kokonoe also have my heart. In fact,the whole MIU 404 gang has it. Even Kuzumi(though his is a character that holds my biggest critique incidentally). Heck,even Shima`s previous partner Kosaka(played incredibly by Murakami Nijiro) in his brief cameo had me caring. One thing you`ll learn quite quickly with this drama is that you`ll come to care.
Another point to its advantage is just how bingeable it is. Seeing as this drama(for the most part) relies on the `new case per episode` approach,whilst many discoveries and dramatic turns(which many dramas would MILK and make it as overly dramatic as they could) happen in the background,it is quite understandable why I mention this. You`d be able to watch one episode of this drama per week,and due to it having such memorable characters,I`d wager you`d still remember what is crucial. I won`t reveal much about our antagonist,but just know,he`s charismatic,dramatic,takes over your screen entirely and played with such ease by none other than our veteran at this point,Masakik Suda. Yes,I was pleasantly surprised too,don`t worry.
Subsequently,the comedy used for many of the scenes is, drumroll please...ACTUALLY FUNNY. And NOT readily based on slapstick. The laughs aren`t derived from someone simply farting,or hitting a wall,or a misunderstanding. A large portion of that fun comes from Ibuki,Shima and the rest of the crew just eating udon,spewing cute burns and enjoying the banter that ensues. And it all feels so NATURAL. For example,one`d start talking seriously about something and the other(usually Ibuki with his intrusive thoughts) would join in and take it to another direction,while the first one didn`t even finish talking. Can you tell how desperate I am for another season of this yet?Huh?HUH?
This type of drama lends itself to possible great subsequent seasons,that`s all I`ll say.
The OST,as well,is understandably awesome. Penned by Kenshi Yonezu,it is expectedly JPOP-y and exhilarating at points. Even the cases themselves,being as insignificant as they are,paint a more realistic picture of police duty and,like Shima says,when topic of guns and arms came up:`Most number of cops don`t even reach for their gun in their whole entire career. I`m talking about firing one,forget about that. They don`t even REACH for one.`
After all of these accolades,I wouldn`t be myself if I didn`t mention SOME drawbacks. They mainly concern the latter batch of this show,especially the actual antagonist. Or rather,how they spliced the great tension about him with some questionable editing choices. There is a specific confrontation between him and Ibuki that is just magnificent. It`s not played up to be dramatic,but you can feel something brewing. Dialogue is pretty surface level,yet body language discerns irritability. And when it comes to a boiling point,it`s quite...underwhelmingly cut down. I won`t reveal more than this,but it does make for some immersion breaking moments I wasn`t a fan of. Some anime level immersion breaking moments.
However,whether this drama put me in a forgiving mood or there`s something else at play,is no concern of mine. What is,though,is me urging people to give this one a watch when they`re in an explorative,fun yet not one for dramatics state of mind. It`ll be worth it,I can vouch for this one. I just know it will.
Also,Hokada udon IS too soft. Only the real ones know.
First of all,I like to start every review of mine by thanking everyone involved in the making of this drama. As an aspiring writer,I`m well aware of exertions one must undergo in every production. Therefore,thank you,actors,producers,writers and the rest of the staff people do not usually mention,for giving us such a great project.
With that out of the way,shall we dive into what sets `MIU 404` apart from many dramas whose backbone lies in unity between the characters? I`ll be the first one to say,I didn`t have high expectations for this drama. Although I generally prefer Japanese dramas over dramas from other countries(though hypocritically two of my absolute favorite dramas are from South Korea,alas),that cover really didn`t inspire much. To be completely honest,I was so put off by this drama`s cover,I had to set it aside for MONTHS. Despite the fact Gen Hoshino(of `Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu` fame,amongst MANY other projects and ventures) was in this,I still had to think about whether to give this a try or not just because of that damn poster. But,only 48 hours after I started this journey,I`m here to say it was WELL worth it. Because,what a great drama this was. Seriously.
In my circle of friends,I`m known as an S class,thorough SCEPTIC. And that title is not for naught. Because I`ve written,seen and read so much,there aren`t a lot of projects,especially referring to dramas,that can really move me nowadays. I`ll find good,even great dramas. And whilst I can recognize their objective value to the medium as it is,many of them fail to move me in any significant manner. I am happy to report `MIU 404` is not one of those dramas. This one has a quality that is rarely seen today. And that `something` cannot be explained rationally for it`s something based on an completely irrational concept: soul. The type of chemistry this drama sports is often tried,yet rarely executed well. Even though the premise is quite so simple.
Two members of unit `MIU 404`,department of Metropolitan Tokyo police force,Ibuki Ai(a rough around the edges outlier whose seemingly only redeeming quality is his running ability) and Shima Kazumi(your good to Ibaki`s bad cop trope if you will) are grouped together,hoping to make a difference in the world...by running after high school pranksters,finding a little girl`s toy,uncovering a body covered in cat`s litter and the like. You know,the usually stuff. Yeah,this drama couldn`t`ve been made by any other country than Japan.
On paper,this is a true and tried formula Hollywood in particular,does good with. Get a character who wants to do good,by the book deeds,and one who`s so volatile and funny,together. Boom,magic. However,the way they went about showing this unlikely friendship form is so understated,yet easy,that I can`t,for the life of me,understand why some dramas INSIST on making everything so complicated. On Captain Kikyo`s orders,this odd pair is shoved in a melon bread van(figuratively of course...) and sent on their way to catch the baddies of Tokyo`s society. What we get,in reality,are two completely different people with the same goal clashing,discussing,philosophising and talking over each other,with everything being filmed in an almost documentary type of style. It is GREAT. It is quite exhilarating seeing one of my favorite types of characterization explored in a buddy cop drama. This is,quite probably,one of the quickest ways you,as a writer,can employ,to get me to care about your characters. People like to rave about D.P. and the like(which,there is a lot to like there,no doubt),but the first buddy cop drama duo that really got me to care was this one. I can genuinely see these actors as their characters,which should attest to the level of pretty much everyone here. Which brings me to my next point. Most of the performances here are so great in their heartwarming oddity. I`ve already mentioned Ibuki,Shima,Kikyo,but Jinba and Kokonoe also have my heart. In fact,the whole MIU 404 gang has it. Even Kuzumi(though his is a character that holds my biggest critique incidentally). Heck,even Shima`s previous partner Kosaka(played incredibly by Murakami Nijiro) in his brief cameo had me caring. One thing you`ll learn quite quickly with this drama is that you`ll come to care.
Another point to its advantage is just how bingeable it is. Seeing as this drama(for the most part) relies on the `new case per episode` approach,whilst many discoveries and dramatic turns(which many dramas would MILK and make it as overly dramatic as they could) happen in the background,it is quite understandable why I mention this. You`d be able to watch one episode of this drama per week,and due to it having such memorable characters,I`d wager you`d still remember what is crucial. I won`t reveal much about our antagonist,but just know,he`s charismatic,dramatic,takes over your screen entirely and played with such ease by none other than our veteran at this point,Masakik Suda. Yes,I was pleasantly surprised too,don`t worry.
Subsequently,the comedy used for many of the scenes is, drumroll please...ACTUALLY FUNNY. And NOT readily based on slapstick. The laughs aren`t derived from someone simply farting,or hitting a wall,or a misunderstanding. A large portion of that fun comes from Ibuki,Shima and the rest of the crew just eating udon,spewing cute burns and enjoying the banter that ensues. And it all feels so NATURAL. For example,one`d start talking seriously about something and the other(usually Ibuki with his intrusive thoughts) would join in and take it to another direction,while the first one didn`t even finish talking. Can you tell how desperate I am for another season of this yet?Huh?HUH?
This type of drama lends itself to possible great subsequent seasons,that`s all I`ll say.
The OST,as well,is understandably awesome. Penned by Kenshi Yonezu,it is expectedly JPOP-y and exhilarating at points. Even the cases themselves,being as insignificant as they are,paint a more realistic picture of police duty and,like Shima says,when topic of guns and arms came up:`Most number of cops don`t even reach for their gun in their whole entire career. I`m talking about firing one,forget about that. They don`t even REACH for one.`
After all of these accolades,I wouldn`t be myself if I didn`t mention SOME drawbacks. They mainly concern the latter batch of this show,especially the actual antagonist. Or rather,how they spliced the great tension about him with some questionable editing choices. There is a specific confrontation between him and Ibuki that is just magnificent. It`s not played up to be dramatic,but you can feel something brewing. Dialogue is pretty surface level,yet body language discerns irritability. And when it comes to a boiling point,it`s quite...underwhelmingly cut down. I won`t reveal more than this,but it does make for some immersion breaking moments I wasn`t a fan of. Some anime level immersion breaking moments.
However,whether this drama put me in a forgiving mood or there`s something else at play,is no concern of mine. What is,though,is me urging people to give this one a watch when they`re in an explorative,fun yet not one for dramatics state of mind. It`ll be worth it,I can vouch for this one. I just know it will.
Also,Hokada udon IS too soft. Only the real ones know.
Was this review helpful to you?
