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The Man
Senior Member
USA
710 Posts |
 Posted - 03/23/2004 : 9:46:30 PM
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This show is good.
I actually don't know where to start, this show is so good. I gotta watch this show again. I GOTTA WATCH THIS SHOW AGAIN.
There's a lot . . . I don't think I've ever experienced a Taiga drama like this one. Or any drama, in fact.
You'll be amused and yearn to see why there are so many Assistant Executive Officers in the Shinsengumi, how few other samurai shows (if any; oh, I take that back. Samurai Fiction did a good job) make us smile -- or laugh -- and shake our heads when a Shinsengumi officer addresses how his fighting style also makes him eligible for a night of drinking, too, how fighting over robes and armor, how "insult[ing] Edo food" can lead to opportunity, how a statesman waxes Japan's future and its options while the Star Spangled Banner plays in the background, all fits. The fact that you have a premonition it all will (despite what you know previously about Shinsengumi) is a great thing.
I'm not embarrassed that I didn't get all of the names once they were introduced because this drama shows how an ensemble cast should be part of the whole production. There are things going on all the time in each scene and you really can't take your eyes off the show for one second, and the best thing about that is you don't want to take your eyes off the screen once you start watching this show. Indeed, the writers of this Shinsengumi must have HBO as this show reminded me of curt dialogue and involved mood that The Sopranos similarly accords.
There is a better sense of camraderie in this rendition of the Shinsengumi than the previous one (which, while great in its own way, made those guys look like they were working in an office or something).
I make no apologies. There is a lot to look at and take in and, above all, ENJOY when you're watching this show. Doesn't hurt that Battle Royale alumni are part of this show, too. I GOTTA WATCH THIS SHOW AGAIN!
Edited by - The Man on 07/20/2004 11:12:42 PM
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Yariman
Senior Member
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2004 : 11:33:06 PM
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I'm glad ya like the show. I saw part of it and had to change the channel. Couldn't handle the bad use of lighting. The uncompressed audio was nice (compared to Musashi), but they should have at least cut the lows a little.
But don't let my review influence your decision...the writing and acting might actually be pretty good.
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Saburo
Advanced Member
1231 Posts |
 Posted - 03/24/2004 : 10:20:34 AM
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I can't wait to see this thread on the next KIKU commercial...
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Zhuge Liang
Starting Member
4 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 10:30:30 AM
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I watched the earlier 11 part (or was it 14?) Shinsengumi that aired back a few years ago. That was good, but I have high hopes that this will be even better. Also, I get to fill in my Ruroni Kenshin (anime) historical knowlege gaps a little bit. ^_^
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The Man
Senior Member
USA
710 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 11:18:38 AM
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Hey. The Man called KIKU-TV (847-2021) this morning. It's true. Yes, it is; I called the TV station.
And, the kind operator (a "ma'am," not a ""sir") informed me that Shinsengumi WILL be aired TWICE a week! The first episode will re-air next Sunday!
Can ya' say "hot damn!"?
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kenshi528
Junior Member
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 1:40:30 PM
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I recognized some of the characters from the Rurouni Kenshin OAV aka Trust and Betrayal (Kondo, Saito, Okita, Katsura). Even this episode was about the Kyoto Fires I think, right before Kenshin fled to the country. Anyways, pretty cool pilot, young patriotic men, hmmm, subliminal?
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ahoyanen
Average Member
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 2:43:02 PM
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I don't know. I just wasn't feeling this show all that much. Too much slapstick (IMO).
It's hard to not be biased after the airing of Musashi. |
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The Man
Senior Member
USA
710 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 3:05:48 PM
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True, but change and change-ups are good. Sometimes re-tellings (Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund, for Moby Dick and Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, for Jane Eyre are two really great ones) are welcome and, looks like this version of Shinsengumi -- a Japanese tale that have been done over and over -- is one of them.
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dobes
Junior Member
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 4:08:40 PM
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wow yeah i noticed the battle royale guys too. not to mention the guys from ping pong and jo odagiri.
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zoommer
Average Member
271 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 02:07:32 AM
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I was surprised, so I didn't tape it, but I kinda liked the show too. The actors are likeable, no subliminal stuff for me, thanks, so I might at least learn the names and attributes of some of the real historical characters. So, Kondo is a fencing instructor, is always fighting often in the streets, somewhat undisciplined but understands one version of the military sigificance of the Black Ships, is not interested in money, won't let an insult to his province go unanswered, wants to take the US flag so the foreigners visit is not a pleasant one, is willing to follow a senior official who seems to have some broader vision since he has little else to do.
Souji, the little kid that snuck up on Kondo, has a skill with the sword that comes once in a 100 years, spying and disguises are routine to get around the Shogunate guards, Rhyoma is willing to accept money and has an ability to mediate conflicts. Perry wouldn't defeat all of Japan but would support anti-Shogunate forces to topple the Tokugawa and install a puppet government.
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The Man
Senior Member
USA
710 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 08:53:34 AM
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Yes! Yes! Amen, amen, brotha' Zoomer. Not to single him out, but brotha' Zoomer gets it! This version of Shinsengumi's 1) the type of show/retelling of a tale we all know about; 2) fills in the blanks about what hasn't been addressed 'bout a famous story and takes certain liberties with what's already there (Frank Miller does this well in his take on Batman -- the reason why Batman's bat-chestplate is yellow on an all-dark costume? Bats WANTS evildoers to shoot at that [behind the symbol is a bullet proof vest]; 'nother one -- who wins in close combat, Batman or Superman? Answer: BATMAN if he's wearing gauntlets made of kryptonite, which is exactly what happens in Miller's The Dark Knight Strikes Again; I know, I know, I know, "shaddap, The Man, already!").
K-den.
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Reiko
Senior Member
USA
536 Posts |
 Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:03:23 AM
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Let me try to help make this thread grow as big as the one for Musashi... ehehe. ^_^
I found this site while surfing the web:
http://nhkshinsengumi.tripod.com/
Seems to be a fan site for the series in English.
Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours. |
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The Man
Senior Member
USA
710 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:12:39 AM
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AWWWWWW, MAANNNNNNNN!!!!! THAT IS AN UBER 'SITE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER FOR THIS SHOW!
WELCOME back, Reiko. I hope we get to see your synopses again!
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Reiko
Senior Member
USA
536 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 10:51:43 AM
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Thanks!
Synopses, eh? I'll see what I can do.
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"Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours." |
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Reiko
Senior Member
USA
536 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 10:55:22 AM
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Summary for Episode 1: (taken from the NHK World Premium site)
On April 29th, 1864, in Kyoto. Commander Isami Kondo with Vice Commander, Toshizo Hijikata leads Shinsengumi to raid roshi, masterless samurai. It was informed that a Choshu leader, Kogoro Katsura turned up at a Japanese-style restaurant where a group of roshi is gathering for conspiracy. The Shinsengumi members including Soji Okita and Hajime Saito dressed in the uniforms raid the restaurant ending in a great success. However, they could not arrest their main target, Kogoro Katsura who disappeared in the middle of the raid. Hearing this news, Ryoma Sakamoto remembers the time when he first met 21-year-old Isami Kondo, ten years ago in 1854. The scene goes back to 1854, when 21-year-old Kondo and his friend, Hijikata have a quarrel with Kogoro Katsura, young sarcastic swordsman. They also meet Ryoma Sakamoto and make friends with him. Ryoma suggests Kondo and Hijikata to go to Uraga to see US Commodore Perry’s "Kurofune" or black ships. They disguise as the attendants of Shozan Sakuma, politician and specialist on naval and coastal defense issues, to head for Uraga. When they see the ships they become overwhelmed with their size and realize their insignificance.
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"Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours." |
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zoommer
Average Member
271 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 7:57:02 PM
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After an endorsement from The Man I'll keep trying to generate interest in this thread. After taping the rerun of the first episode I noticed a few other things, and maybe some of my first impressions were wrong. The episode starts out with Kondo viciously pursuing Katsura like a wolf chasing a rabbit. The Shinsengumi seem to be experienced at planning and conducting raids though there was a slight administrative mix-up with the uniforms which is both comic relief and to show that they were not really well organized but their tactical plan to chase the samurai to the river bank worked perfectly and they are sure that they are better swordsmen. Ryoma is seen in his unusal light hearted spirit as he hears of the raid by his old acquaintences. It seems that it is Ryoma's reminiscencing of his first meeting with Kondo and Katsura ten years earlier and we know what happens to Ryoma probably in that same tea house room.
Ten years earlier Katsura helps Kondo's fencing school from being defeated by some other challengers and was probably paid for this service and was using this money from the Kondo school to buy the Soba which he left uneatened for a hungry Kondo, an act of charity that result in an argument that introduces Ryoma who looks like a beggar, so there are many poor but proud samurai and the government isn't working very well. Kondo envisions that all samurai will rise up to repel the foreigners not fight each other. Kondo's background seems to be a farmer and he lacks the strict upbringing and he doesn't seem to be very involved with the students at the dojo where even a talent like Souji is not disciplined. Then Kondo meets Sakuma who seems to bribe the guards with a cart of provisions and Kondo easily passes for a coolie. As stated by Sakuma ten years later Kondo should start thinking of the country.
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S H I N S E N G U M I !
