Jdrama Review - NHK's "Shinsengumi!"

NHK's 43rd Taiga* drama "Shinsengumi!" is perhaps the longest (or one of the longest) series I've ever seen. With 49, 46-minute episodes we're talking over 37.5 hours of Shinsengumi in total! That's a lot of samurai hack-n-slash you would think, but really the show was more about the brotherhood of the men who gathered under the Shinsengumi; men from all walks of life and the dreams they had under the flag. That's not to say that this drama didn't provide as an excellent source of historical knowledge.

Whether it is historically accurate or not, the drama gives one the impression of becoming a scholar of the late Edo period in Japanese history by the time one finishes watching the last episode. This is either exceptional production or truly research inspired. Either way, for anyone even remotely interested in the events of the late Edo period, or the Boshin War, or the Bakumatsu leading to the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the events leading up to the formation of the new Meiji government, this drama is a must see!!

Now that's the boring historical aspect of it. 99% of the people who watch this drama however, did not watch it for this purpose. The main characters of the drama (men under Kondo Isami's faction) are all likeable, simple and yet unique & gallant within their own right. In fact, there interactions together, the brotherhood, the jokes, the drama, the love interests, the sacrifices, the dreams, the battles, and their ultimate tragic end are what keeps this drama so entertaining and worth the whole 49 episode stretch. Much of the success of this chemistry is in the actors themselves who convincingly played the roles of their historic ghosts brought into light. Most noteworthy is Katori Shingo (Kondo Isami,) a member of SMAP - a Japanese teen idol singer. His otherwise silly, goofy, and metrosexual offstage aura is totally erased as Kondo Isami, and what an amazing portrayal! As a matter of fact, the same goes for the rest of the bunch who also happen to be teen idols. Watching the drama, you would never guess that these men aren't the archetypes of traditional Japanese manhood off-stage. I guess the Japanese are good at transformations (people who watch a lot of anime should catch the joke :D)

The only real drag about this drama is exactly that - the drag. If you don't immerse yourself in the world of late 19th century Edo and Kyoto Japan then perhaps this drama is not for you. But even for those who are intrigued from the start, some episodes between major story arcs can seem a bit long and dragged out, bordering on the unnecessary dare I say. But these short sightings are next to nilch compared to all the other elements that have been praised.

As exciting as a period or historical drama can get, that's what Shinsengumi! is. The music is great, the mood is inspiring, the setting is authentic, and the value is ever-lasting. In fact, most viewers say this is rated as the best taiga drama yet. Even if I weren't a fan of the Shinsengumi, I would agree.

Presentation/Story: 8.5/10
Characters: 10/10
Setting: 9/10
Music: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Quirks: 3.5/10 (+6.5)


THE GOOD: You can beat anyone's ass in Shinsengumi Jeopardy. Cool samurai top-knots & battles. Plenty of macho-humming-like tunes to inspire you to change the nation!
THE BAD: 49 EPISODES??? Really, I think 20 would have been more than ample.
THE UGLY: Seppuku/Hara-kiri!!! (self-inflicted suicide, bushido style) also did i mention the 49 episodes thing?


Review: 8.3/10



* FOOTNOTE - For those of you who are wondering what a "taiga drama" is, its basically a drama that centers on Japanese nationalist themes and usually concerning something within the history of traditional Japan.

** About the photo - The flag of the Shinsengumi. It contains the Japanese character "makoto," which would render in English something to the effect of "sincerity/integrity" & "fidelity." It was said to be the outstanding quality of their leader, Kondo Isami. Shinsengumi members upheld the motto of their flag as best they could with a strict bushido code (i.e- samurai code.) And it encouraged the group to exhibit all the virtues of true samurai ideals.