Shibatora eps 1-5

I want to be a cop when I grow up...

The synopsis of Shibatora has warning signs written all over it. Ijyuuin as a cop? That sounds as convincing as Aragaki Yui pretending to be a doctor. To me, Ijyuuin is like those Kinki Kids. Girls may go crazy over their baby faces but they'll never be good actors are rather, a dorama will never be good because of them. Their performance will usually be decent but mundane. Basically Ijyuuin is destined to be pigeon holed into certain roles which isn't so bad except he'll never rise above mediocrity.

I wonder why all fights in Japan seem to be in warehouses and the people seem to magically know when and where they will occur.

I'm surprised that Fujiki Naohito is playing the supporting role this time, though he seems very uninspired. Maybe I've underestimated Iyuiin's star power? There is only one reason who I started watching this show, and that is Ohgo Suzuka who most d-addicts will remember from Sexy Voice and Robo. I always get mixed emotions when I watch her acting. Clearly, she is very fucking good. She's got that natural screen presence that many people would kill for. At the same time, there's the 'I can't believe she's that freaking young' guilt trip of enjoying her acting too much. She's got so much potential that its as if she could convince me her character were older than Aragaki Yui if she wanted to.

Only reason to watch Shibatora!

Surprisingly, the first episode is pretty good. We've got kidnapping, prostitution, abuse and murder all in one episode! Yes, anyone could see the twist a mile away but it was still executed well. Ep 1 proves that as long as Ohgo Suzuka has a meaty role, it'll be a good show. Unfortunately, as soon as her story is done in episode one, she is quickly relegated to supporting actress who is in the background and we get to the main and boring part of the series with Ijyuuin going undercover.


Shibatora descended into an almost unwatchable mess. I fucking hate all those teenagers crying, 'I don't trust adults' bullcrap. Anyone who says that should be thrown out of their house give $500 in pocket to fend for themselves and lets see how they like working for a living. The don't trust adult storyline is the most overused cliche in jdoramas and anime that its become a parody of itself. To make matters worse, a lot of the threats and dangers are really stupid. The whole Shinigami thing is so laughably bad and inconsistent.

No idea whyMinami Akina gets billing in the intro cause she does nothing in this show, except make me drool....

Like how the class could have taken on Shinigami's goons or how Ijyuiin was crazy enough to feel crazy for Shinigami for commiting attempted murder. I was ready to murder Ijyuiin right then for his idiocy. Maybe I should kill the script writer instead. Things take a turn for the better in ep 5 when we get to the main story. There's a more real and definitely more personal threat. Whether the writer can stretch it over 6 episodes remains to be seen.

Can't fucking believe she's not 18!!!

I would not touch this show without Ohgo Suzuka. So unless you've seen Sexy Voice, avoid this show. And be very careful of the beginning of ep 5. There's a scene that could turn you blind.

Proof Japan is truly the blessed country...