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DVD Box
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| Synopsis |
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The average time it takes to pass the bar exam to become a lawyer is five years.
Kaede is an ordinary looking 23-year-old girl who is a contract employee working at a Japanese company. She studies hard and miraculously passes the bar exam on her very first attempt. After a day at the Legal Research and Training Institute, Kaede becomes acquainted with seven other people who have also just passed the bar exam—all who have very distinct personalities.
Kaede's new group of friends include a dropout from society who barely attended school, a housewife that is busy raising a child, a former businessman who was about to be laid off, a former politician that has fallen from grace, and a guy who worked as a security guard for 10 years before passing the bar.
"Beginner" will follow the lives of these eight characters—each who have different ambitions, backgrounds, and dreams, as they work their way towards becoming lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. | | Fuji TV |
| Soundtrack and Theme Songs (1) |
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| 1. | Top of The World トップ・オブ・ザ・ワールド [The Carpenters カーペンターズ] | |
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| Drama Reviews (5) |
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!!WARNING!!
The review section may contain spoilers! Please understand
that you may find out about this drama's endings and plots!
| | 1. | I never thought legal studies could be so interest [Rating: 8/10]
For those who haven't seen it, this series basically involves the 8 main characters sitting around and discussing legal case studies. Those are the best parts IMO. I really enjoyed the intellectual discussions, people from different backgrounds sharing different viewpoints. The camaraderie and rapport, the re-enactments, ... and sometimes I could understand what the people involved in those cases felt, and see the dynamic appeal of legal studies, like in episode 3, these are the highlights for me.
Not much time was spent on the individual stories and backgrounds of the 8 main characters. The relationships between them were not developed very much either (no time), with the exception being Kitihara and Morino. While enjoyable, their friendship did not leave a particularly strong impression on me, and I did not wish for more time/explanation on these parts, other viewers may feel quite differently. Mimura, was quite good I thought. Her inexperience showed, but it suited her character. Matsuyuki Yasuko was probably the most convincing, though the Megumi's and the oldguys didn't have a lot to do.
I would recommend it. But the Chinese subtitles for this series was probably one of the most difficult to understand in my experience, so I guess only those fluent in Japanese can fully understand and appreciate this series. | | Reviewed by xploring on 8 September 2008 | | 2. | Different Drama [Rating: 9/10]
It's so hard to really give a objective review for a drama like this anyway because there are so many types of them out there. This drama doesn't really fall into any particular genre because it has a bit of everything, except perhaps, a love story, although they do try to brew something between some of the characters. But even that, it was really successful because I kind of wanted to see what was going to happened to those people love wise. Yes, I know this drama is based on law and it covers a lot of law in here, but really, I got the feeling they were also trying to show friendship between 8 people from totally different backgrounds, and also the wonder of the human spirit and when working together. Another thing that is worth noting is how they did a nice job portraying how different people can have different opinions and views towards a certain situation, and yet they all have their valid points and still manage to arrive at a agreeable conclusion. That's what this drama delivered, it's great! | | Reviewed by Hiro Toyo on 8 June 2004 | | 3. | the brains are there, but lacks the brawn [Rating: 7/10]
You'll probably wanna watch this if you're a bookworm or someone who likes to watch trivial shows like Jeopardy or something. While the casting and dialogues are brilliant, it lacks the action necessary to make this show more worthwhile. The first eps. was filmed inside a classroom for about 80% of the time. I know the horny guys won't mind seeing the babes, but seriously, let's be fair and real here. (and grow up too...pervs) | | Reviewed by Anjiro on 3 February 2004 | | 4. | :} [Rating: 9/10]
I think this is another drama that only people fluent in Japanese would understand...The subtitles (from what I've seen) don't do a good job, and the subtle (and not so subtle) humour in the whole series is lost. I love the internal monologues of everyone :} | | Reviewed by vash_donutangel on 26 February 2004 | | 5. | sugoku tsumaranakatta [Rating: 5/10]
extremely boring..
i dont quite like the cast either, besides joe.. | | Reviewed by juliana_phang on 16 July 2004 |
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| Comments From Users (39) |
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!!WARNING!!
This section may contain spoilers! Do not proceed if you
do not want to read about this drama's endings and plots!
| | 1. | Comments by xploring [Rating: 8/10]
For those who haven't seen it, this series basically involves the 8 main characters sitting around and discussing legal case studies. Those are the best parts IMO. I really enjoyed the intellectual discussions, people from different backgrounds sharing different viewpoints. The camaraderie and rapport, the re-enactments, ... and sometimes I could understand what the people involved in those cases felt, and see the dynamic appeal of legal studies, like in episode 3, these are the highlights for me.
Not much time was spent on the individual stories and backgrounds of the 8 main characters. The relationships between them were not developed very much either (no time), with the exception being Kitihara and Morino. While enjoyable, their friendship did not leave a particularly strong impression on me, and I did not wish for more time/explanation on these parts, other viewers may feel quite differently. Mimura, was quite good I thought. Her inexperience showed, but it suited her character. Matsuyuki Yasuko was probably the most convincing, though the Megumi's and the oldguys didn't have a lot to do.
I would recommend it. But the Chinese subtitles for this series was probably one of the most difficult to understand in my experience, so I guess only those fluent in Japanese can fully understand and appreciate this series. | | 2. | Comments by hummer [Rating: 10/10]
This drama is super awesome. I loved it. Of course it was fast paced, and after every episode, I thank my lucky stars that I'm fluent in Chinese and can read the Chinese *fast* since they seem to fly by with difficult law-related vocabulary. But the law cases were very interesting, and in one particular episode, it was heart-wrenchingingly sad as I cried my eyes out. But the characters were entirely loveable and realistic. The only flaw I can point out is that there wasn't enough *chemistry* between the main character, Kaede, and... shoot.. I forgot his name... Well.. the main character and the character that was played by Joe. It just felt 70% of the sparks were coming from her than him, and there were more feelings of admiration than feelings of romance from him... On the other hand, the chemistry between Shinichi and Yasuko's characters was just... spectacular. They were awesome together... Oh. And one more thing. Sometimes Mimura's smile can get a little scary. Or maybe it's just me. 0.o | | 3. | Comments by iluvhyde [Rating: 8/10]
Saikou deshita. I think this show is too funny. However, I didn't really enjoy the first disc and the ending, so it only got 8/10. But i love the Tsutsumi-Matsuyuki pairing, because it is like never seen before. Tsutsumi and Matsuyuki are so comical inside despite the fact they both gave such cold attitude toward others. The cases are really interesting but a little hard to catch sometimes (due to the many technical terms). Highlight of the show is the relationship that developed when the 8 of them got together. | | 4. | Comments by emiko [Rating: 9/10]
Uhh..the ending fits well with the title.Nice story about the friendship between 8 people trying to pursue their dreams.I especially love every scenes when all 8 of them were together and discuss about their homeworks/cases; most of the funniest scenes in this serial come from there ~ Although some terms are rather hard to understand/follow but it didn't kill my interest to keep watching Beginner through the end.Very motivating~! | | 5. | Comments by buzzybug [Rating: 9/10]
another odagiri's drama that makes me 'glued' from the 1st episode to the last episode... his baka-ness yet charming in this drama can make you wanna laugh... i never stop thinking when i watch this drama... with all the cases they handled, the great solution....made me feel...waahh..awesome...and this drama made me think that it's really hard to be a lawyer, ne... and i like the theme song too... | | 6. | Comments by yume [Rating: 7/10]
After rewatching this in depth, it's got the elements of mystery, comedy, lack of self-esteem turned motivation, and an underlining dating story. However, the bulk of this show is about law and about the desire to become a lawyer--sounds boring, right? BUT IT'S NOT. If you like figuring out cases and fast-paced thinking, go for this straight-forward drama. | | 7. | Comments by joyluck_sista82 [Rating: 10/10]
Mimura!!!! kawaii~ she's so sweet...actually i bought it bcoz of Joe Odagiri and it made me a fan of Mimura and Tsutsumi Shinichi...even tho i never knew a thing about laws and stuffs but luckily i understood what they're talking abt...esp lurve the soundtrack coz i love all carpenter's songs...never got tired watching it loadz of times... | | 8. | Comments by atheon [Rating: 8/10]
Jan 2004: I will give this 8.5 marks. I think that yasuko and shinichi could make a great couple, their acting is superb!! Ppl who will watch this in bm sub, i think they will have a hard time....i really enjoyed this show, learned a lot about law. | | 9. | Comments by pinkokoro [Rating: 7/10]
COMPLETE. 8 law students grouped together and try to solve some law problem given in class together. nice. I like their different personality and the fact they blend well together despite that. | | 10. | Comments by celery [Rating: 8/10]
Interesting and can guess who is the criminal when the casts discussed about the crime in the show. Odagiri is having a "bad hair" day in this drama. But still a cool and funny guy. | | 11. | Comments by Golgo_13 [Rating: 7/10]
Very good looking female cast, but unless it's subtitled in English, the legal terms in Japanese are much too difficult to follow. I like it because I'm in the legal field. | | 12. | Comments by iez [Rating: 9/10]
it's quite nice....got comedy, mystery and absolutely suits for those who ambitiously to become a lawyer (me?) hehehe....loves the chemistry between Yasuko-Shinichi as well | | 13. | Comments by aoi_dolphine [Rating: 7/10]
Very interesting combination of cast in this drama which brings out the normalised everyday situation upfront. Can watch this if there's no interesting drama around. | | 14. | Comments by cirrus [Rating: 7/10]
this drama is way better than i expected. the characters inside were all very interesting and their different backgrounds made this show more all-rounded. | | 15. | Comments by maguro666 [Rating: 8/10]
Nice.. remind me of Hero. some may find it too overloaded with legal stuff though.. but I don't mind that and really like it. | | 16. | Comments by tk_iva [Rating: 7/10]
an average doroma.. .lot of room for impovement. not highly recomended,unless you are interested in lawyer and stuff... | | 17. | Comments by marzyu [Rating: 6/10]
REALLY REALLY BORING!!!!! AND POINTLESS!!! OMG I HAVE SOOO MUCH HATE TOWARDS THIS DRAMA!!!! sorry if i offended anyone | | 18. | Comments by kinki_txr [Rating: 6/10]
Not bad however when they talk law, the translation does not really explains well about it.Overall an enjoyable drama. | | 19. | Comments by harshaz [Rating: 7/10]
good n sometime entertaining .. i wish there's more rabu-rabu coz joe is very cute when it came to 'that' .. heh heh | | 20. | Comments by Sun_Shang_Xiang [Rating: 4/10]
I like the cast , especially Matsuyuki Yasuko and I like The Carpenters but this drama is boring. | | 21. | Comments by aik0 [Rating: 8/10]
TEAMPLAY. One legal case study per ep. Mimura is sharp. Great chemistry between the characters. | | 22. | Comments by xhidex33 [Rating: 8/10]
It's pretty good~ A dorama about law and the relationship between the characters... very funny. | | 23. | Comments by Geezer [Rating: 5/10]
I didn't see it with subtitles, so it's rough to say how good it might have been. | | 24. | Comments by Q-chan [Rating: 9/10]
A very great court dorama... Lots of interesting cases. Love ODAGIRI JOE!!! | | 25. | Comments by freeze [Rating: 8/10]
Make me remember our group study when at University years ago (�Ȃ�����) | | 26. | Comments by ephesus [Rating: 3/10]
This drama was totally not for me. I thought it was boring, trivial crap.. | | 27. | Comments by yt [Rating: 4/10]
hard to follow and too much dialogue...
Too much giberish language.... | | 28. | Comments by wai [Rating: 10/10]
Very good~! One of the better law dramas i've watched. :) | | 29. | Comments by FallenStar [Rating: 10/10]
Excellent drama.
Great story with a great cast | | 30. | Comments by natni [Rating: 8/10]
joe is so sweet......love him....ok drama..... |
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Read all 39 comments from users
| Users who voted for this drama (8) |
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| 1. | iluvhyde
Heh... How should I put this~ This is a great show! I couldn't bring myself to continue to disc 2 cos I find that readin the subs was too tiring! But as soon as I start on disc 2~ I couldn't stop!! Its soooo FUNNY! Stick to it and you will really enjoy it! The case and especially the cast are ALL so good! LOVE the chemistry of Tsutsumi and Matsuyuki~ *rabu rabu* | | 2. | minerva
perhaps because I always love courtroom story, I really Love Beginner. The actors are great, the story also great, everything is great! | | 3. | jieao
very interesting show.. very educational as well.. | | 4. | rose718
best cast!!! | | 5. | ykobasig | | 6. | fone | | 7. | iez | | 8. | Panumas |
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