It is probably too late to put up a review of Legal High now, considering the drama aired more than one year ago. However the airing of the second season of Legal High prompted me to write a review. Plus I was unable to find a detailed review (good or bad) about Legal High.
To be completely honest, when Legal High aired last year, I had no intention of watching it. Something about the poster (and Sakai Masato's hairstyle) put me off. Seriously Aragaki Yui looks weird! I watched it for the sole reason that I had nothing else to watch. The japanese dramas of the last few seasons have not piqued my interest at all. Almost to the point, I began to feel that the quality of Japanese dramas are declining off late.
Anyway, ramblings aside, let's get down to business. Legal High is about a money/women-loving, winning-obsessed, fast-talking, rude, extravagant and spend-thrift genius lawyer Komikado Kensuke (Sakai Masato) who, besides all these adjectives has peculiar quirks (fear of heights, tone-deaf, etc). Calling him rude is actually being polite. He has absolutely no qualms demanding exhorbitant payment for his services and always wins cases. Justice is the winner, according to him.
Of course, in such scenarios there always is a do-gooder, hardworking lawyer who believes in helping people get justice (or some such naive notion) and in Legal High that person is Mayuzumi Machiko (Aragaki Yui).
Surprisingly, Mayuzumi was not as annoying as I expected her to be and the arguments between her and Komikado are extremely hilarious. Each episode contains a case which Komikado defeats the opposing lawyer who is usually appointed by the Miki Law Firm headed by Miki Choichiro (Namase Katsuhisa). Miki-sensei's aim in life is to defeat Komikado for some unknown/mysterious reason.
Although the writers have done an excellent job, the prize (for keeping me hooked to this drama) goes hands-down to Sakai Masato. He is absolutely brilliant as Komikado Kensuke (bizzare side-swept hairstyle and all). His dialogue delivery at break-neck speed, skipping and twirling about, exaggerated facial expressions are all hilariously done without seeming as over-acting. I have heard complaints about Aragkai Yui's acting before, but personally, in this drama I think she has done well and her character balances the weirdness of Komikado very well. Namase Katsuhisa rocks the villain role as usual (even if his villainy is not so comical in this as it was in Gokusen). Even Taguchi Junnosuke performs well in the small role he has.
Moving on to Legal High 2, the summary did not explain much so I started watching with the expectation that it would not be as good as season 1. Second seasons usually make me wary and eager at the same time (Gokusen 2 just didn't measure up to Gokusen. Although Trick 2 was better than Trick). Legal High 2, thankfully, is as good as/almost better (I can't decide. I love both so far) than Legal High.
There is a new character Hanyu Haruki (Okada Masaki), a charming young lawyer from a rich family who wants to settle cases peacefully with both parties happy or "win-win" in his words. Always sporting a smile (refreshing or creepy, depends on your opinion), he opposes Komikado's way of thinking. Hanyu (or as Komikado calls him, "Useless Prince of a jobless country") is enticing Mayuzumi to switch to his firm, which she refuses.
Six episodes of season 2 are out and I'm looking forward to how this will be concluded. Koyuki's character Ando Kiwa has built up a premise for a spectacular legal battle which will most-likely be the last episode of this season.
To summarize, yes I recommend Legal High to those who watch detective/police/mystery/suspense drama and in general to everyone who like good performances! Sakai Masato may have become an absolute hit with Hanzawa Naoki, but his acting in Legal High cannot be discounted.
Compared to other drama this fall 2013 (Ando LLoyd, which I really don't like. Kimutaku's dramas after Hero somehow have lost its charm), Legal High 2 is definitely a must-watch.
-Charana
To be completely honest, when Legal High aired last year, I had no intention of watching it. Something about the poster (and Sakai Masato's hairstyle) put me off. Seriously Aragaki Yui looks weird! I watched it for the sole reason that I had nothing else to watch. The japanese dramas of the last few seasons have not piqued my interest at all. Almost to the point, I began to feel that the quality of Japanese dramas are declining off late.
Anyway, ramblings aside, let's get down to business. Legal High is about a money/women-loving, winning-obsessed, fast-talking, rude, extravagant and spend-thrift genius lawyer Komikado Kensuke (Sakai Masato) who, besides all these adjectives has peculiar quirks (fear of heights, tone-deaf, etc). Calling him rude is actually being polite. He has absolutely no qualms demanding exhorbitant payment for his services and always wins cases. Justice is the winner, according to him.
Of course, in such scenarios there always is a do-gooder, hardworking lawyer who believes in helping people get justice (or some such naive notion) and in Legal High that person is Mayuzumi Machiko (Aragaki Yui).
Surprisingly, Mayuzumi was not as annoying as I expected her to be and the arguments between her and Komikado are extremely hilarious. Each episode contains a case which Komikado defeats the opposing lawyer who is usually appointed by the Miki Law Firm headed by Miki Choichiro (Namase Katsuhisa). Miki-sensei's aim in life is to defeat Komikado for some unknown/mysterious reason.
Although the writers have done an excellent job, the prize (for keeping me hooked to this drama) goes hands-down to Sakai Masato. He is absolutely brilliant as Komikado Kensuke (bizzare side-swept hairstyle and all). His dialogue delivery at break-neck speed, skipping and twirling about, exaggerated facial expressions are all hilariously done without seeming as over-acting. I have heard complaints about Aragkai Yui's acting before, but personally, in this drama I think she has done well and her character balances the weirdness of Komikado very well. Namase Katsuhisa rocks the villain role as usual (even if his villainy is not so comical in this as it was in Gokusen). Even Taguchi Junnosuke performs well in the small role he has.
Moving on to Legal High 2, the summary did not explain much so I started watching with the expectation that it would not be as good as season 1. Second seasons usually make me wary and eager at the same time (Gokusen 2 just didn't measure up to Gokusen. Although Trick 2 was better than Trick). Legal High 2, thankfully, is as good as/almost better (I can't decide. I love both so far) than Legal High.
There is a new character Hanyu Haruki (Okada Masaki), a charming young lawyer from a rich family who wants to settle cases peacefully with both parties happy or "win-win" in his words. Always sporting a smile (refreshing or creepy, depends on your opinion), he opposes Komikado's way of thinking. Hanyu (or as Komikado calls him, "Useless Prince of a jobless country") is enticing Mayuzumi to switch to his firm, which she refuses.
Six episodes of season 2 are out and I'm looking forward to how this will be concluded. Koyuki's character Ando Kiwa has built up a premise for a spectacular legal battle which will most-likely be the last episode of this season.
To summarize, yes I recommend Legal High to those who watch detective/police/mystery/suspense drama and in general to everyone who like good performances! Sakai Masato may have become an absolute hit with Hanzawa Naoki, but his acting in Legal High cannot be discounted.
Compared to other drama this fall 2013 (Ando LLoyd, which I really don't like. Kimutaku's dramas after Hero somehow have lost its charm), Legal High 2 is definitely a must-watch.
-Charana
What if I watch Legal High 2 without watching the Season 1, is that okay? Will I miss something?
ReplyDeleteHey!! Sorry for the really later response!! It would be better to watch Season 1 first because it sets up the characters (especially Mayuzumi and Komikado).
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