This version has a better story than the 2007 version

... things make sense, likely because they follow the original plot. So no out of place subplots had to be added to build Manpyou Teppei into a sympathetic hero fit to be played by KimuTaku. But only if you look at it as a writer or a very cool-headed watcher.

However, as a mere consumer, I enjoy the 2007 version better (esp the rewatch as I rediscovered forgotten or misremembered scenes). Even though I already knew the ending and am aware how badly written it is as a story... I can only say it is a personal bias - I dislike most of the actors in the 2021 version except for Nakai Kiichi and I like ALL of the actors in the 2021 version, even the side characters (whether original or invented for the 2007 version) except for Aibu Saki. Rokkaku might have been excellent as Watanuki, but he can never compare with Tsurube Shofukutei. (I wonder if it is traditional to cast a comedian in this bad guy role...)

This is the key difference that resonates throughout the whole series. Because Teppei is not the hero, there is NO hero in the 2021 version. No one is remotely likeable, not even Daisuke. The Daisuke played by Kotani Kinya was classy Lawful Evil, the one Nakai Kiichi gave us is a kind of Neutral Evil old tanuki.

Everyone is a little bit tainted - the Teppei in this version has his faults.

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It's Ossan's story after all....

like many others i watched the "first" season before starting this one. i wanted to give up after the first episode - lack of Maki., plus I dislike both the "main" female character/actor's child-like voice (what's with japanese idealizing childish features in women. eww)

i am glad i persevere. here's why.

1. we get to see more of Kurosawa. I always thought him underappreciated and deserving more screen time when I was watching the first season. I guess I tend to be easily impressed by theatrical actors (even without reading up on them, one can easily sport which j-actors have been/are active in theater or Takarazuka. There is something different in their gestures and intonation compared to actors who never do live shows).

2. after episode 4 or so, i began to appreciate an actor whom I have unfairly judged as poor man's Hayashi Kento. Chiba Yudai is a talented actor in his own right, though I still think that his range is more limited than Hayashi's (who can play both scummy and cute characters with ease. I think Chiba is stuck and in danger of being cast as cute twinks even well into his 40s)

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Sou da sou da

Different setting from first season - our favorite "by-players" (minus Terajima) got stuck on an uninhabited island.

Unfortunately I could only watch the 2nd season raw. My Japanese is enough to understand the main story, but I am sure I missed out on all of the subtle jokes/references :(

Still, good acting overcomes language barriers, as they say.

----- spoilers below--------

turned out that they did go to the right island, but landed on the wrong side. but since they were late, filming went ahead, their characters were taken over by other actors. they ended up being this motley choir crew shouting "sou da sou da" at the end of the main characters' lines. (I dont understand why Endo Kenichi was in drag though....)

as in the 1st season, each episode features a special guest "byplayer". there is even one episode where the focus are on female byplayers

and RIP Sugiren :(

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