Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

Series Details

Format: Renzoku
Genre: Friendship, Human Drama
Episodes: 11
Broadcast network: Fuji TV
Theme song: Prisoner Of Love by Utada Hikaru

I’m a Prisoner of Love…A Prisoner of Love…

You know, the thing that stuck with me well after the end of this first episode was how fast Sousuke went from a kind boyfriend to one of those jackasses that beats women. Granted I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked up Last Friends, I had heard a few things about the first episode from a friend but I never thought that the show would be this dark. Seriously, watching as Sousuke beat the hell out of Michiru really made me shiver. Michiru’s fear was just that real for that scene to have such a profound effect on me. Slapping her was already bad enough but I honestly didn’t see the kicking coming. I mean come on, what the hell? Is jealousy really so powerful as to drive a man to kick his girlfriend repeatedly in the stomach (that’s a rhetorical question)? Just as I expected he apologized immediately after beating her and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking ‘Are you kidding me? You’re sorry? What kind of nonsense is this jackass saying?’. What confounds me even more is that she’s obviously going to go back to him as indicated in the next episode preview. In all honesty, I could never wrap my mind around why women (or anyone for that matter) would stay with someone who beats them. Is it because they’re masochists? Or is it because of love? If it’s the latter then that ‘love’ will really lead to one’s death some day…

The first episode has already touched upon a wide range of themes that most shows, be they anime or live-action, do not explore. Even if they are present in other shows they’re either just touched upon lightly and forgotten soon after. I already touched on the abuse in relationships aspect. Another one to note is senpai-abuse in the workplace. This may not to be new to some and may seem to not be a big deal but I don’t think that kind of thing should be made light of. It’s rather easy to say ‘Michiru should kick this bitch’s ass for stomping on her feet/burning her hand’ but then there are the consequences to be concerned about such as either having to find another job (which is difficult) and possibly having to deal with the police (that part can be tricky some times I think). Dealing with that sort of conflict requires more thinking than most would allow.

Of course I have to mention Ruka (played by Ueno Juri of Nodame Cantible fame). Her character is one of the more interesting ones in the cast. It’s pretty obvious that she cares a lot about Michuru. Yeah, I’m talking about her feelings being in the lesbian zone. While her feelings are as clear as day I’m not ready to write her off as a lesbian as yet since she may be interested in men as well if her interaction with Takeru is any indication. Speaking of Takeru, are they trying to purpose make him look gay? From the way he dresses, to how he reacted to the girl who kissed him on the cheek, and how Eri points out that he might be gay because of his feminine outlook on things…it all seems a bit too cliché for it to be true. Of course I can be wrong but given that he has expressed interest in Ruka, I don’t think it’s likely. Eri’s character was analyzed in-depth as yet so I’ll look forward to talking about her in future episodes.

Last Friends is definitely one of the more unique doramas I’ve picked up in recent years. I’ve certainly haven’t watched many that are as dark and ‘in your face’ either. The cast is definitely strong and convincingly portray their characters to a point where you may just forget that this is all just a show and not real-life events. I also have to say that I’m really loving Utada Hikaru’s Prisoner of Love. I find it to be a pretty powerful song that seems to have been specially crafted for Last Friends. I’m definitely looking forward to the single. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the past catches up to the current Michiru who is pregnant. I’m guessing that the father is Sousuke though who knows what sort of surprises might pop-up to prove that wrong.

Oh yeah, if you’re looking for summaries of Last Friends then head over to Garten’s site. I’m not really a fan of summaries so I can’t promise that I’ll do them for Last Friends like I did a few times for LIAR GAME last year.