Ataru mid-season impressions

Since the subs for this series are now out for all the episodes I have gotten around to getting further through the series and should finish it up soon.

Even though it had been a while since watching the first episode of the series I had no trouble getting back into things. I guess if anything the first episode did well enough to establish the characters and the set up for the series for it to be easily remembered. It just lacked a compelling mystery.

The biggest issue I had with the first episode was the mystery, as it lacked an emotional appeal, but as the episodes have gone on they have fixed that issue. In fact episode five gives us a mystery that Maiko's younger brother (played by Tamamori Yuta) is a witness for that not only helps invest viewers in the outcome but also gives him character development.

I still would not say that the mysteries are top notch, as they seem to vary in quality and ability for the watching audience to figure it out with the protagonists, but with the emotional ties it makes you care about having them be solved.

The chemistry between the main characters is getting better as Maiko is realizing that Ataru is needed to help her do what she really wants to do as a cop, solve crimes.

We are also getting good bits of the mystery about Ataru and the people he is connected to, which includes the FBI. And we do get some explanation of his Savant Syndrome, which is nice to get a better understanding of what is going on with him and explaining why he can do what he can do and not do.

It does make me a bit sad to see Mitsumune Kaoru in this, as while her part is minor she shines in it. I really think she has promise but with her health issues who knows if she will be returning to an acting career. I truly hope she does eventually.


This series has improved from the first episode and continues to get more compelling to watch with better mysteries and the series long mysterious getting some good bits of development. I am glad to have stuck with this series past the first episode though I can understand why it dipped so much in the ratings with the fact that it has taken time to iron out a lot of the kinks from the first episode.

I am looking forward to finishing this series and the special episode when that comes out.

Tamamori is a French time traveling chef, really

It has been announced that Tamamori Yuta will be starring in a drama this coming winter season. The drama is based off the manga series Nobunaga no Chef, which has a French chef, named Ken, be transported in time to the Sengoku period of Japan to become the chef of historical figure, Oda Nobunaga.

The drama will air of TBS on Friday nights at 11:15 starting in January.

Tokyograph article (English)

This is a pretty ridiculous set up for a drama so I am not sure if I can say that I am in or not for giving it a chance. Being very likely to be a comedy is a plus for me but I think I will have to see the first episode to see if it is something I would actually enjoy.

On the other hand a big congrats to Tamamori for getting a solo lead role. It really was only a matter of time with how he has been pushed by the agency as an actor for Kis-My-Ft2. And I think a more light hearted drama is a good way to go for a young actor to be the lead of. And hey, maybe we can see some of his onion cooking resurface. Or not, but I would love the writers of this drama forever if they could work that in somehow.

Also I think this assures us that Kisumai will have a new single early in 2013. I would be shocked if the group did not do the theme song for the drama and if they are doing a drama tie-in then I am sure we will get a single out of it. So it looks like Kisumai fans will have something to look forward to already for next year.