Title: ルーキーズ Rūkīzu (Rookies)
English Title: Rookies
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Year: 2008
Episode: 1
Cast:
- 佐藤隆太 Sato Ryuta
- 市原隼人 Ichihara Hayato
- 小出恵介 Koide Keisuke
- 中尾明慶 Nakao Akiyoshi
- 桐谷健太 Kiritani Kenta
- 城田優 Shirota Yu
- 高岡蒼佑 Takaoka Sōsuke
- 佐藤健 Sato Takeru
- 五十嵐隼士 Igarashi Shunji
- 川村陽介 Kawamura Yōsuke
- 吹石一恵 Fukīshi Kazue
- 能世あんな Nose Anna
- 尾上寛之 Onoue Hiroyuki
- 村川絵梨 Murakawa Eri
- 伊武雅刀 Ibu Masato
- 大杉漣 Osugi Ren
SYNOPSIS
GReeeeN - キセキ Kiseki (Miracle)During the three and a half months that he was working at the Futako Tamagawa High School, Kawato Kōichi gravitated towards a bunch of delinquent students who are former members of the school's baseball club. He earnestly encourages them to figure out their dreams, and he wholeheartedly supports them as they try to make their dreams come true.
Kōichi resigned as a teacher at Futako Tamagawa High School. For the last eight months that Kōichi is away, the Niko Gaku baseball club is left on their own. During this time, Mikoshiba Toru is trying to figure out why their beloved coach left and what he is trying to teach them by leaving.
REVIEW
This one-episode drama is basically a summary of everything that happened in the ルーキーズ Rookies drama, plus some scenes that weren't previously shown.
Rookies is about figuring out your dreams and being brave enough to make your dreams come true despite the overwhelming odds. It is about working hard and giving it your all, despite knowing that you may possibly fail in realizing your dreams.
Although I like the drama's premise, I didn't like the drama as a whole because of the extreme violence particularly in the first couple of episodes. I suppose I should have been prepared for some violent scenes considering that the characters are delinquent youths, and I think I was but I felt that most of the bullying and the fighting are unwarranted for the most part.
I don't condone bullying in any form, but I feel it was much worse in this instance because Mikoshiba Toru is bullied by his friends in the Niko Gaku baseball club. I mean, the people who are hurting him physically and ostracizing him are the people he hangs out with, and if you can't be comfortable and safe with your friends, who can you be yourself with?
I hate the fact that the Niko Gaku baseball club members are always walking on eggshells when dealing with Shinjo Kei because of his volatile personality and vicious temper. They don't stop him from hurting another person because what, that's who he is? And why is it other people's responsibility to avoid him so they won't be beaten and killed? Why can't Kei be held responsible for his aggressive actions and violent outbursts?
I suppose it doesn't help that I hate Kei as a character because I think he is not an honorable person. There are several instances wherein he attacked a person who has his back turned and who is not even aware that Kei has some issues with him. If you're going to fight someone anyway, at least fight in an honorable manner.
Anyway, I'm impressed that all the Niko Gaku baseball club members have remained friends throughout, and have worked out all their issues with each other. It's not easy to forgive other people and forget their transgressions, let alone trust them to always have your back.
I understand the members' desire and resolve to give it everything they've got, particularly in the one deciding game that will determine their future as a recognized baseball club. In most cases, that desperation is the driving force for people to win or to succeed.
But I don't understand how they are willing to sacrifice their health and their future for just one crucial game. I mean, if they are really doing their best in that important game for the opportunity to continue playing in more games, what will happen if their serious injuries are exacerbated to the point that they will not be able to play anymore?
Rookies is a great drama and I find it really entertaining. I wouldn't mind watching it again but I'll probably skip all those violent scenes.
ルーキーズ Rookies
ルーキーズ－卒業－ Rookies －Sotsugyô－
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ルーキーズ Rookies
