Fuji TV’s 37-Year Drama Slot: An Unexpected Work Named Most Interesting “Strongest Getsuku”
From "Tokyo Love Story" and "Rombake" to "Not to be Called a Mystery" and "The Beginning of the Sea," who stands at the top of the list among the many masterpieces?
The Rise of Occupation and Mystery
Usui: “Since 2000, Getsuku dramas have begun to place more emphasis on the protagonists’ careers, individual growth, and comedic elements.”
Usui: “There’s a noticeable increase in occupational dramas and mysteries. A representative example of the occupational genre is Code Blue: Doctor Helicopter Emergency Lifesaving (Season 2) (2010). Its charm lies in the fact that the entire team is considered the main character. The drama shines a spotlight on the medical field of air ambulances, which wasn’t widely known before, and depicts the doctors and nurses working together on the front lines of saving lives as they overcome challenges. The pressure, fears, and passion for medicine that each individual carries are explored deeply. The cast is also star-studded, featuring prominent actors such as Tomohisa Yamashita, Masami Nagasawa, and Erika Toda. Each character shows strong individuality and growth, resonating with and moving the audience.”
Tayuki: “For mysteries, we have the Galileo series (2007, 2013), Kagi no Kakatta Heya (2012), and Mystery to Iunakare (2022), all featuring eccentric protagonists. Personally, I found Masaki Suda’s performance as the philosophically-minded university student, Seiri Kunou, in Mystery to Iunakare to be the most impactful. What are your thoughts?”
Usui: “Some people found it difficult to follow Suda’s character’s philosophical perspective and unique thought process, but I think that was within the producers’ expectations and might even be considered intentional. As a result, the first week of the show’s streaming on TVer garnered over 4.24 million views, leading to a film adaptation. This is how mystery dramas continue to expand their horizons. Although it’s out of chronological order, I believe Confidence Man JP is another work that broadened the scope of Getsuku. Like Code Blue, it features a team as the main characters, but this time, they are a group of con artists formed not for justice but for scams. Their targets are often wealthy individuals and those in power who commit wrongdoings, and the justice con artists punish them. While what they’re doing is undeniably a crime, they resemble figures like the legendary Edo-period thief Nezumi Kozo, providing a refreshing sense of satisfaction. The original screenplay is solid, with each episode concluding with a twist. I find myself bracing for ‘Are they going to try to trick me again?’ only to get fooled every time (laughs). Although the average rating was 8.88%, all three films based on the series were hits.”
Mystery to Iunakare [January 2022 Season]
Starring: Masaki Suda
Highest Rating: 13.6%
Confidence Man JP [April 2018 Season]
Starring: Masami Nagasawa
Highest Rating: 9.5%
