Joou no kyoushitsu is one of the best Japanese television dramas.
The drama is about a class of sixth graders facing a "demonic teacher". I think already the scenario will please most people, because almost everybody of us can somehow identify with this situation. Well, but of course there is a lot more to this series than that.
First of all, the script is superb. Every episode is suspenseful, and gives you stuff to think about. Did any of your teachers ever told you something like that in this world of us "only 6% can become happy"? Well, this teacher does, and she confronts the children with more of that kind. There is a lot happening like bullying, theft, discrimination and rebellion. But unlike with many other rather artificial appearing series', all of it is interweaved into a quite believable, continuous plot. It gets emotional, but there is also much fun in it. It never takes itself completely serious, although there is much truth in it. This is an important point, why in my opinion this is so good. On the other hand, reading other comments I sometimes get the feeling, that many people miss the irony.
A good script is nice, but here we also see a great execution of it. The camera uses all the tricks to create the right atmosphere. I love the shots, when the teacher is looking down on the children and the children are looking up at the teacher. It is funny and scary at the same time. Furthermore the actors are simply wonderful. Amami Yuki gives us a perfect "demonic" teacher Maya. Beautiful, intelligent, mysterious, strict, cold, evil and more, she is everything. Shida Mirai, very cute, funny and when she makes her scared face, I can't help... it's just great, you have to see her mimic! You won't find any weak actor or actress in it, but convincing performances and really interesting and fascinating characters. Although we have some main characters, every single child in this class has it's own important role in the concept of the plot. (----Spoiler----) And when in the end, every single child is shown at the graduation ceremony and their names are mentioned, without any distinction, (----Spoiler END----) you really feel that this series does not just want to please the audience, but stays absolutely true to it's message.
And like I said before, this series has much to say to it's audience. In my opinion it does not force any message on us, but rather gives us stuff to think about. I always enjoyed thinking about these topics, because I always had the feeling that something was missing regarding my own time in school. I was happy finishing school and felt, that much of it was a waste of time. I could start philosophising about it now, but you will have more than enough stimulus to do so, while watching this one. And here is more than just topics regarding school. You can of course say, it's about life in general.
The music, stunts, set etc. is also of high standard. There are not many weak points to find here. (----Spoiler----) There is only something I sometimes wonder about. When I read statements like "I wished I had a teacher like that" or "Every teacher should be like her". Did these people really give it enough thought? (----Spoiler END----)
Well, build your own opinion! Watch it!!! It's worth it!!!
The drama is about a class of sixth graders facing a "demonic teacher". I think already the scenario will please most people, because almost everybody of us can somehow identify with this situation. Well, but of course there is a lot more to this series than that.
First of all, the script is superb. Every episode is suspenseful, and gives you stuff to think about. Did any of your teachers ever told you something like that in this world of us "only 6% can become happy"? Well, this teacher does, and she confronts the children with more of that kind. There is a lot happening like bullying, theft, discrimination and rebellion. But unlike with many other rather artificial appearing series', all of it is interweaved into a quite believable, continuous plot. It gets emotional, but there is also much fun in it. It never takes itself completely serious, although there is much truth in it. This is an important point, why in my opinion this is so good. On the other hand, reading other comments I sometimes get the feeling, that many people miss the irony.
A good script is nice, but here we also see a great execution of it. The camera uses all the tricks to create the right atmosphere. I love the shots, when the teacher is looking down on the children and the children are looking up at the teacher. It is funny and scary at the same time. Furthermore the actors are simply wonderful. Amami Yuki gives us a perfect "demonic" teacher Maya. Beautiful, intelligent, mysterious, strict, cold, evil and more, she is everything. Shida Mirai, very cute, funny and when she makes her scared face, I can't help... it's just great, you have to see her mimic! You won't find any weak actor or actress in it, but convincing performances and really interesting and fascinating characters. Although we have some main characters, every single child in this class has it's own important role in the concept of the plot. (----Spoiler----) And when in the end, every single child is shown at the graduation ceremony and their names are mentioned, without any distinction, (----Spoiler END----) you really feel that this series does not just want to please the audience, but stays absolutely true to it's message.
And like I said before, this series has much to say to it's audience. In my opinion it does not force any message on us, but rather gives us stuff to think about. I always enjoyed thinking about these topics, because I always had the feeling that something was missing regarding my own time in school. I was happy finishing school and felt, that much of it was a waste of time. I could start philosophising about it now, but you will have more than enough stimulus to do so, while watching this one. And here is more than just topics regarding school. You can of course say, it's about life in general.
The music, stunts, set etc. is also of high standard. There are not many weak points to find here. (----Spoiler----) There is only something I sometimes wonder about. When I read statements like "I wished I had a teacher like that" or "Every teacher should be like her". Did these people really give it enough thought? (----Spoiler END----)
Well, build your own opinion! Watch it!!! It's worth it!!!