Love Shuffle

Love Shuffle is a new drama that I am watching. The plot is so unique so I really want to write about it.

Country: Japan

Year: 2009

Episodes: 10

Cast (Last name, First name):

Tamaki Hiroshi as Usami Kei

Matsuda Shota as Sera Ojiiro 

Tanihara Shosuke as Masato Kikuta

Karina as Aizawa Airu

Kanjiya Shihori as Kagawa Mei

Kojima Hijiri as Kamijou Reiko

Yoshitaka Yuriko as Hayakawa Kairi

Naito Daigo as Oishi Yukichi

Synopsis: 

One day, four neighbors who live in the same apartment and on the same floor but have never seen each other before, coincidentally all get onto the same elevator. Lightning strikes and the elevator stops. Since they have nothing else to do, they introduce themselves to each other. They learn that all of them have some sort of problem in their relationship, especially Kei. Masato Kikuta, a psychiatrist, decides to create a game called Love Shuffle and invites all four of their partners to be a part of the game. At the end of each game, they will "shuffle" partners. After they are done spending a week with someone besides their real partners, they decide if they want to stop participating because they either are now sure they want to continue with their partners or they realized that they are not fit to be together. The game continues until all of them find their "happiness." They each learn something new about themselves, like why their relationship doesn't work or who they are or what they like. 

Characters:
Usami Kei is the manager of a huge company, who lacks confidence because he got his position from his fiancee. He is engaged to Mei, the president's daughter. He likes Mei very much, so hopes that this game will help Mei understand that they are the best for each other and that he will only love her.

 Sera Ojiiro is a photographer for models. He likes to classify his pictures as erotic. He is a great friend to have and knows what the ladies want. He is a really talented photographer but is even more talented in making people show natural emotions during a photo shoot by asking them really sad questions of their past. Thanks to him, we learn about the ladies' past. His partner is Reiko.

 Masato Kikuta is a psychiatrist that speaks very gently and likes to give people nicknames and say jokes. He is the MC and dealer of the Love Shuffle game. He seems very chill and gentle but actually has a little secret that we learn pretty early on. He is also described by Reiko as barbaric. Personally, I think his smile is creepy.

A tad bit tomboyish and possesses a strong personality, is translator, Aizawa Airu. She can speak 4 languages. She has a sad past that includes a special someone. That person is the reason why her relationships don't work out, according to Ojiiro.

 Kagawa Mei is the daughter of the president of a huge company and is engaged to Kei who suddenly calls off the engagement. She describes Kei as someone who doesn't seem confident but fell for him when he was sparkling when he rescued her on a ski trip. She wants to take part of the game to be with other men for once and grow as a woman.

Kamijou Reiko is beautiful, has a nice body, and has a rich husband that she loves very much but is cheating on her. She explains to Ojiiro that love and attraction are different and that she loves her husband but wants to remain a woman by engaging in sexual interactions with other men.

 Hayakawa Kairi is an art student and Kikuta's patient. She hallucinates and says that she sees "him" (not Kikuta). She doesn't really show emotions at the beginning of the drama. She has even committed suicide before.

 Last but not least is Oishi Yukichi, a rich businessman that likes Ai-Ai (Aizawa Airu's nickname), but she doesn't love him back. He is a bit awkward and sees money as the answer to everything. 

Review:

I am not finished with the drama yet but I like it so far. Pretty short, so we don't see each week that much. However, their change and what they learn about themselves and each other are apparent. I do feel that it is rushed, but I do see growth, so I'm okay with the short number of episodes. My favorite characters are Ojiiro, Ai-Ai, and Kairi.

I recommend this drama because it is a breath of fresh air among dramas with overused plots. Japanese dramas always have the most unique plots, so if you are feeling a bit adventerous, give Jdramas a try.