Title: Monsters
English Title: Monsters
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Year: 2012
Episode: 08
Cast:
- 香取慎吾 Katori Shingo
- 山下智久 Yamashita Tomohisa
- 柳原可奈子 Yanagihara Kanako
- 蕨野友也 Warabino Tomoya
- 菊田大輔 Kikuta Daisuke
- 肥野竜也 Hino Tatsuya
- 白石朋也 Shiroishi Tomoya
- 日中泰景 Hinaka Yasukage
- 大竹まこと Otake Makoto
- 遠藤憲一 Endo Kenichi
SYNOPSIS
Hiratsuka Heihachi is an accomplished detective in the First Investigative Division of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Although he always solves the cases assigned to him, Heihachi is despised by his colleagues and superiors for his rude manner and petty disposition. Due to his lack of social kills, Heihachi usually works alone and his office or work area is isolated in the building's basement.
Saionji Kōsuke is a rookie detective eager to work at the First Investigative Division of the MPD. Although he is a privileged son of a distinguished family, Kōsuke intends to forge his own identity and path on his own.
Kōsuke is hired on probation and he must pass a qualifying test in order to be officially hired by the division. Kōsuke must pretend to be Heihachi's subordinate and keep an eye on him 24/7. He must report any suspicious dealings of Heihachi, such as deceptions and bribes, to the chief.
REVIEW
Monsters is an interesting drama about police detectives with peculiar personalities, as well as the working environment of the police departments. The culture in the police departments is not that different though as office politics and corporate hierarchy still exists in police departments as in other work environments.
I think most viewers will enjoy watching the drama because viewer participation is highly encouraged in solving the cases. By paying close attention while Hiratsuka Heihachi and Saionji Kōsuke are conducting their investigations, viewers may figure out who the criminals are because the clues are presented in the characters' dialogues and actions.
The drama tackles several fascinating concepts such as good and evil, as well as what a person should be and how a person should live his life. It's too bad that there's no clear follow through for these concepts in the drama though.
Saionji Kōsuke: A person, when he is born, is unable to choose the environment in which he lives in. However, within that environment, a person should be able to choose what kind of person he wants to be, and not live a life chosen by his parents.
I'm very disappointed with Yamashita Tomohisa's performance in this drama. I am aware of his acting limitations so I don't really expect any award-worthy performance, but he doesn't seem to be exerting any effort to act at all and I think that's a pity. It would have been better if a different actor portrayed Kōsuke, someone who actually makes an effort to do the role some justice.
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Monsters
