I was thinking what I should watch. A drama with Shige or a drama with Shige? I decided to leave Troubleman for later. In the end I decided on Hokaben. It seemed pretty safe not to mention I'm already having a legal theme going on with the Good Wife so it made sense to watch this and compare. The poster is ugly, btw.


I didn't expect much after Rescue and one bad review (never reading her reviews again). But I think it's a decent drama. The main point is how the pure and kind main heroine faces the reality of a lawyer's job. Of course there's also the handsome tsundere boss who keeps dissing her but always ends up helping her anyway and a cute but awkward co-worker who tries to get her attention but keeps getting ignored. It's a valid plot except the girl is so terribly naive and emotional that you have to wonder how she even managed to graduate. Did she get a degree in Wonderland? But it's not that shallow and she does manage to invoke sympathy at least in me.

I think the cases are interesting enough. Episodes 5 and 6 pose some important questions and the conclusion is far from simple. You can't really say which was the right thing to do and I like that because that's how life is.

I also like the character development. Katase doesn't have many scenes in the early episodes and at first you don't take him seriously. He seems this dorky guy who tries to hit on Domoto who remain oblivious to him advances. When he doesn't try to get her attention he gets repeatedly shocked at the actions of his senpai. Yet at episode 5 things change. He works with Domoto and although they are both newbies they are now clearly shown to be on the opposing teams. They argue and it escalates. The puppy romance seems to die here. He goes back to being her awkward admirer later but at least you see Katase has a backbone and does what he believes is right and not just being Kudo's little pet. I personally think Shige's acting wasn't great but then it's always hard for me to judge someone especially when I know how they really are. But it's really cool that at the time of filming Shige was actually still at uni studying law.

I'm perfectly ok with the lack of romantic storylines. I mean that review said that neither of Domoto's relationships (Sugisaki nor Katase) are resolved but that's bullshit. Relationships between sexes don't have to always be romantic, even if there are some feelings involved. Domoto seemed fully focused on her job and not interested in romance whatsoever. I do have to say, however, that the ending was a bit too open for my liking. I guess even an absolute and unrealistic victory would have felt better.

Overall: I certainly think Hokaben was lacking in several ways. There was some poor acting and some parts seemed unfinished but at the same time it didn't have the terribly solemn patronizing tone that most professional Japanese dramas have, it did pose some interesting questions, was pretty engaging and easy to watch.

Rating: 7 (good)