This show is one of the most entertaining, informative, witty, and hilarious shows I have seen in a long time. The story is not unique (a new forensic examiner comes to learn forensic medicine etc..) however, it is unlike any show that I have seen before. I believe the cast and each episode's unique story made this show so very, very interesting!

I think this show deserved more than 9 episodes! Each episode was very interesting, completely unique and genuine stories that I've never seen in any drama, movie, or special before. I really enjoyed watching each actor and actress find their way within their job and grow as a person and within their friend/colleague group! The cast and each story are very well balanced, if not "perfectly" balanced, to make this show as amazingly entertaining as it is! Also, as each story progressed it was very interesting to learn what goes on within forensic medicine.

Even though this show may be an underrated gem, each episode builds a very intricate story that leads to a very intriguing end! I hope more people will give this show a chance!

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I still have no idea what this show is completely all about. Yakuza.. Ad agency. Family man..? This show definitely has more depth, more personality, and more entertainment than just what the synopsis gives!

A couple of the actors I can honestly say I didn't recognize for a full episode! They blended into their roles so seamlessly it was almost scary how they seemed to have forgotten who they are and their true self just to become a role for a 12 episode show.

This show is a pretty evenly balance show of perfection within the story/script and the cast. A lot of shows with similar storylines or similar all-star cast line-ups (like this show) seem to prioritize one or the other, however, this show seems to have managed the role of story and cast "stardom" levels very well. I mean: the story doesn't take over and drown out an actor/actress's true potential or talents, and the actors/actresses do not overpower the story so all you see is them and you forget the story exists. Does that make sense? Maybe this whole review doesn't make sense, though I hope it does!

It does start off a little slow, but as you continue watching each episode continues to suck you in and you don't realize you're at the last episode until it's all over! If you like yakuza stories (action, fighting, gangs, police, etc..) then this may not be for you; but if you like nonsensical, true to life camaraderie with friends, co-workers, and family, as well as, drama, unusual humor, and a little ridiculousness then this show may be for you! I have to say this story is unlike anything I have ever seen or read, and each actor and actress has definitely fit into their role perfectly; if you are a fan of any person in this cast line up then you should absolutely watch!

I hope this review made sense. Though it all seemed to prioritize and overly praise some actors/actresses and the story, without really giving much away, this show really is a fantastic watch!

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I can see why people wouldn't like this show, but please do not let other reviewers and commenters bias you by their statements! Yes, this show does have it's bad points like it's a bit rushed in certain scenes, or you can figure out the criminal easily, or that a character is a bit annoying; but trust me when I say that that is not the entire show and is definitely not something that should stop you from watching this show! And yes I know that was a little hypocritical.

To be honest, what makes this show is it's cast! The entire cast was selected very carefully and the pride they take in their work shows so strongly it's almost tangible; each episode is full of real, honest, raw emotions that will draw you in immediately. The characters alone build this story, each actor/actress really put their all into each episode and has reminded me of why I wanted to watch in the first place.

The story itself is very interesting, not a lot of detective/police/crime/mystery dramas take this approach to their storylines and it's something very unique that can only be done if the right actors/actresses, writers, director, and staff are present. This story builds on each episode like stairs: each time you go up a step to a new story, bits and pieces of the main storyline surfaces. Not one moment in this entire show is wasted!

Also, if you like Fujiki Naohito then this show is a definite must watch!

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With a cast of so many wonderful talents (Kitamura Kazuki, Matsuzaka Tori, Takeuchi Yuko, Sano Shiro, Ishino Mako, Sasai Eisuke, Shida Mirai, and so many more!) I am so surprised that this show is not more well known. At least to me, it isn't. I did not watch this drama for the story; two of my favorite actors are Kitamura Kazuki and Matsuzaka Tori, so to be honest, I began this show for them. This is also my first time watching a Takeuchi Yuko drama/movie, too, but I have to say, immediately from episode 1 I was hooked!

The entire show is heart-wrenching and very charming; the cast has made this show a complete success, in more ways than just the obvious celebrity way(s). This show has so many feelings embedded deeply into each moment of each episode; I've laughed, cried, gotten angry and scared, and even had the goosebumps and felt my stomach drop to the floor with anxiety. The fact that this show is so real and honest is definitely due to not just the cast, but the writers and directors, staff, and crew. Everyone who was working on this show has put forth so much respect, effort, and hard work so much so that it is a very tangible existence.

This may be one of Matsuzaka Tori's and Kitamura Kazuki's best shows! Though I may just be biased.

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This drama is very much a "slice of life". Within this show are all representations of life and it's ups and downs, goods and bads, forevers and for nows, for betters and for worse. The story was told as if it was a movie, how life begins and where we go from where we started from and where and how we end, but the fact that it was played out and told as a drama with 10 episodes really goes to show the cast's and the writer's talent, skill, real honesty, love, and pride for this story.

This is a very unique story, in fact, I've only seen a small handful of shows that come close to resembling this storyline. However, this story in itself is so tangibly real that it's almost scary. We enjoy where we are with our friends and family, in our safety net, but then once our world gets widened with new people and new interests... it's simply that "life goes on". This drama is quite literally telling a life story of someone who civilization would consider "normal" in society; friends, family, a job, etc... But, if this was just a "normal" story, then it would not have been made into one of the most realistic, loving, honest, genuine stories I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

I think the cast is what really made this story so special. At first I wasn't too sure about Odagiri Joe's role, however, as I continued watching, I continued to fall in love with not only his character but how he grew as a person within this story and his role in "society" as a whole. From someone who was in one business to move so quickly, and so well, into another (not to mention new) field of work is something only someone with immense talent and love for his profession as a whole can do so well; it was almost as if he himself, personally, was moving through life and not his character. It was wonderful to see Katsuji Ryo in this story, I believe he was just as good (if not even on par or a little better) as Odagiri Joe. Katsuji Ryo first stole my heart in "Tokyo Dogs" and this show was the perfect place to see him transform in to such a different character.

This story is amazing and heart wrenching and ridiculously talented and filled with love.

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This show was something I started because of Odagiri Joe, but I continued watching because of the rest of the amazing cast and the story was definitely something unique and charming, something I've never watched/read before.

Seigi's way of thinking is definitely unique, to say the least; but I have to say that I agree with at least 50% of it, that is to say, I think along the same lines or I've had the same thoughts before, though I'm also pretty good at being like Kokoro-chan and keeping my feelings to myself. In a (very) long way, what I'm trying to say is, this show is something all families can relate too. Each character in this show's story had a very relatable, very tangible familial feeling to it; I could relate to at least everyone in Seigi's "family" at least once or twice.

This show is definitely Odagiri Joe at his best; his charm shows through with each episode and it is amazing to watch Seigi grow alongside each person who he regards as his "family", whether he knows it or not.

I can see why this show got cut short, but I also disagree with it being cut short. Just as the show seemed to be taking off in the right direction, it ended. Although I do like how it ended. This show is a very sweet, very relatable, talented, unique, tangible, honest and real story about life, friends, and family. It isn't one to be missed.

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To say that this show is a slice-of-life drama alone would be a huge mistake; however, that is exactly what this show is. Within each episode is almost something like a life lesson, but there are so many more feelings surrounding this show as a whole; each episode fit the last perfectly, almost like a long-running movie.

Yes, the show itself is a slice-of-life. but within the entire show there were so many different morals, lessons, comedic and dramatic moments, and even a few moments of fear and sadness. This show was almost as if you were watching what happened within the town and the classroom from a first-hand basis; like a fly on the wall.

This show is filled with talented child actors and actresses (and to be honest I don't think MyDramaList has everyone in the show on the cast list) that fit perfectly with the different adult actors and actresses to teach each lesson and to grow along with each other for each episode's story. This show's script sometimes had some very difficult things to talk about from different points of view, such as what the kids learned in school, what Hanafusa-kun learned or questioned on his own, or what the adults around the children were learning themselves. it was really interesting to see how different people, from different walks of life, with different ways of thinking came together with the want of expanding their knowledge while making friends and even growing together within themselves, the town, and their futures.

I know that last bit is a lot for a drama focusing on children's education that's supposed to be a comedy or slice-of-life, but this drama is just that. A comedic drama with a bit of realistic humanity and a lot of slices-of-life thrown into it. I, for one, personally, have learned a lot from this drama (even though it's a work of fiction). This drama is definitely very interesting and not one to miss out on.

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This is one of the most intense drama's I have ever watched. Each rescue was so real it was almost as if I was watching it on the news, however, I do have to admit there were also a few parts where you can definitely tell that the rescues were made for television. Though that isn't a bad thing! If the rescues for a television show became too realistic then that would be a problem, too.

The cast is insane! All of the hard work they each put into becoming was ridiculous, and it was wonderful to watch each character grow within themselves and the team. This cast must have gone through rigorous amounts (of physical and mental) difficult, extremely hard, draining, exhausting, and terrifying training to not only be a part of this show but to be a firefighter and a member of SR; "I can only imagine" has never been a truer saying than what I felt for the members of this cast while watching this extremely talented cast perform at their utmost best.

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This is the second special of Dr. Koto from 2004, I wish I could have watched the first but I can't find this series hardly anywhere. Though I am so glad that I got to see season one and the second special because once again this show had me hooked immediately! It's as if I'm pulled right back on to the island through the television.

This show has such a strong, honest life full of relatable moments and people that it's almost tangible! Each and every second of this story is flooded with humanity, kindness, love, and bitter and sweet moments. This series is a must for anyone who (of course) likes the medical/suspense/thrilling/slice-of-life dramas, but I also believe people will fall in love with this series just by the first episode because of how unqiue, real, and tangible this show and it's actors, actresses, and stories are.

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This show is not something to miss! I was captivated by the first few minutes of the first episode and with a cast of amazing, talented, and genuine actors and actresses this show is an absolute immediate favorite!

I wanted to watch this show at the beginning because I am a fan of Tanihara Shosuke, but once I began watching I noticed this show had a perfectly picked cast of many unique, talented actors and actresses. Sorimachi Takashi, for one, in my opinion at least, stole the show almost immediately! However, Matsuoka Mayu is a close runner up. I can see why these three (Sorimachi, Tanihara, and Matsuoka) are listed as the three main characters.

Although, once you begin this show, there will never be any letting go. With an exceptional cast (including the above 3) of favorites such as Hiraizumi Sei, Suzuki Kosuke, Furuta Arata, and Nagayama Aiko! This drama has touched on every aspect of human emotions; in fact, I would say "drama" is a fitting genre for this show because within each episode something happened that was very dramatic and very relatable no matter what field of work you are in or what type of life you grew up in or lead now.

The relationship between each villager was such a realistic family that it was fantastic to see them all hard at work and with each happiness, I felt it too; as well as with each bittersweet heartbreak. This show, I believe, is underrated and for the life of me I cannot figure out why. To watch the life of this village become alive again and again and again is something I would watch a hundred times over!

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I have to start this review off with: this is not a series to miss! Only 9 episodes is a shame but it is packed full with every type of genre you could imagine; heroes, villains, suspense, romance, drama, upsets, thrillers, mysteries, action, and so much more. I have never fallen in love with a television show so fast in my life!

At first I began watching this for the cast, with three of my favorite male actors (Kimura Takuya, Mamiya Shotaro, Saito Takumi) and one of my favorite female actresses (Nanao) this show was on my "to watch" list ever since the first trailer! Not one of these actors/actresses disappointed throughout the entire show; I saw new sides of them I've never seen and am excited to continue following their careers. Each actor/actress showed their true self within each character and it was amazing to watch them work as a team from beginning to end.

Each episode was full of emotions, laughter and tears, anger and happiness, frustration and so much more! I cannot count how many times I laughed within this series, though I can count how many times I cried. This show is ingenious, unique, honest, smart, full of reality, bittersweet, and a perfection that should be seen by so many more people and should definitely have more than 9 episodes!

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This show may be one of the most amazing, underrated drams I have ever seen! A million different emotions packed into the entire show, each episode made me laugh and cry; so much was packed within this show that it could have possibly filled one or two more episodes!

I wanted to watch this show mostly because of Tanihara Shosuke, something about his voice and the way he carries himself as he pours his full talent and unique skills into each role makes me attracted to his work. It actually took me until the second episode to realize it was Kitagawa Keiko and look into the rest of the cast; I was really excited that she and Sato Jiro were in this show as well!

Each episode was so different and unique to many of the other detective/crime/mystery/suspense/thriller dramas and movies I have seen before. The entirety of this show is something very genuine and relatable, not to mention something I've never seen before that had me mesmerized from the first episode!

This show balances out hilarity and serious pretty well, and each episode seemed to teach a lesson or moral which isn't something you get within American television/movies (which is why I prefer Japanese and South Korean shows; they actually mean something!)

The ending was not something I was expecting, but it was definitely interesting and made me wish for more episodes of this amazing show!

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This may be one of the most underrated medical-crime-detective shows I've ever watched. I think I went through 3 different actors to get to this one drama, which I had already put on my "plan to watch" list and forgotten about. But I cannot tell you just how happy I am that I watched this show!

None of the stories were lacking in any way, which made the drama itself perfect; just barely qualifying as a "slice of life", "crime", and "medical" genre drama. If you're looking for serious medical crime drama stories, then this is not the show for you. Yes, there is more slice of life in this than medical criminology, but it's pretty well even to fit the entire show and make it something so genuinely unique, honest, relatable, and full of mystery and suspense and thrills. I laughed and/or cried with every episode. This show is the definition of "one of a kind"!

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After binge watching seasons one through three, I can now see why Netflix had decided to air them as well! When I first heard about this show it was because it was coming on to Netflix and I wasn't too sure how good it would be, so I didn't watch it, and I'm not one to follow the hype of something and watch it just because others say it's a good thing. Though now that I've watched seasons one through three of "Shinya Shokudo"... I am so disappointed that I did not see this masterpiece of a series sooner! If you binge watch the series like I did, you'll see how everything connects from season 1, episode 1 until the very last episode of season 3.

Once I began watching this series, I realized how many of my favorite actors and actresses were in the entire series, which made me even more excited to continue watching! Though, I have to say that I honestly did want to watch this because I had just finished "River’s Edge Okawabata Tanteisha" and I wanted to watch more Odagiri Joe, this show definitely did not disappoint in any way, shape, or form! Each story had such a unique yet relatable humanity to it that I was mesmerized the entire time!

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This show was something I've wanted to watch for a very long time, but I never could have imagined that this show would be very intricate, very detailed, very hilarious, and amazingly well written!

Within the plot of the story, I never could predict what would happen next. Ataru was eccentric and the acting by Nakai Masahiro was so on point and accurate that I was enthralled with his talents from the first episode! The patience it must have taken to become Ataru and to return to Nakai Masahiro, and for the other actors around him (as people and as their characters) to adjust and respect and do their jobs so well is a testament to how amazing their acting skills are. Not to mention how it was so easy to see how genuine, real, and relatable everyone was in this show, no matter their involvement in the series; whether that was acting, producing, directing, writing, extras, filming, behind the scenes work, etc...

The research, empathy, sympathy, kindness, respect, and honesty it took to begin and complete this show as perfectly as it has turned out to be amazes me to no end!

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