Tokyo Dogs Review

Tokyo Dogs:

Takakura So witnessed his father's murder at a young age. Pledging to catch the killer, he grows up to become an elite cop in New York City, where the criminal lives. His character is cool-headed and disciplined, yet adapts well. Because of major drug dealings, he gets sent to Tokyo to conduct a joint investigation with the Japanese police. There, he gets teamed up with, Kudo Maruo, a detective from a special investigative division. Kudo is a hot-blooded fighting expert due to his earlier days as a delinquent, but he makes a strong impression with his stylish appearance and is always interested in going on group dates. His personality, interests, and investigation methods are completely mismatched with Takakura's, but the two somehow work together to crack the case they've been given. (mysoju.com)

Plot:

This was the first real cop drama that I've watched so the only other cop shows that I can compare it to are american. Compared to American cop shows Tokyo Dogs is more a comedy than a drama. There is several different threads working to create the plot. There is main thread about finding the man that killed Takakura's father which is behind every episode. All the other threads are just as important and give some humor to the series. Although the whole "you killed my father prepare to die" story has been done before this drama gives it some spice to the sterotype.

Characters:

The characters are hilarious. Takakura is a serious and has a cold exterior that really cares for his family and his partner. While Kudo Marou is street smart and a playboy cop. Their partnership is a classic example of opposites attract. Although they seem to not like each other and fight over the strangest things (like how to eat noodles) their partnership is very successful. The third main character is Yuki. She is a young women who has lost her memories and her past is tied to the man that killed Takakura Sou's father. The three of them end up living together. The other characters are the rest of the department and the Takakura family. 

Acting:

Oguri Shun plays Takakura Sou. I have to say that I liked him better in this role than when he portrayed Sano Izumi in Hana Kimi. The short hair and suits really suit Oguri better than the school uniform. This role was basically written for him with how well he protrayed it. 

Kudo Marou was played by Mizushiba Hiro. The role was really a stereotypical role for Mizushiba so he played it well and made you love his character as much as him. Besides that all the other actors portrayed really what a police department would be like realistically. 

Setting:

This drama took place mostly in Tokyo hence the name. The drama was probably actually filmed in Tokyo

Overall Feel: 

The overall feel of the drama is really good. It has the viewers feeling a roller coaster of emotions from going to suspension, to action, and humor.  Although the main feel was that of comradeship which always leaves a pleasant after taste. 

My Rating: