Liar Game 2 (2009)

This review is going to be shorter than the first for obvious reasons.

Liar Game 2 is a continuation of the first and all the same elements of the 1st Liar Game are in play in this second installment.

The premise is the same but the games are different. I liked that for Nao, the stakes are higher. She gets involved with the games for a purpose and her over the top hope for finding the truth and honesty in humanity becomes a real part of the plot. Again, the relationship between her and Akiyama further solidifies as the games go on. There is character development. Not just for the leads but other character/s as well.

I actually liked the games in this one better; higher stakes, bigger losses, twistier games. All good things!

If you like Liar Game than Liar Game 2 is a natural progression. Why stop at the first when you get a chance to re-enter this strange world? I highly recommend this sequel.

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Great series, watched from the first season all the way through. Kept me interested and on my toes. Although having to sit through explanations of the "sure win" strategy that never work got to me a little, the fast pace, creative characters and overall setting kept me enticed. The psychological factor in this movie played a huge role in my decision to watch, and I am glad to say I was not dissapointed one single bit.

Akiyama, and his "enemies" all were very appealing but once again sitting through Kanzaki Nao's failures that made the "sure win plan" fail was painful. With Akiyama's quick and creative responses the pain was only short lived. A top 5 for sure.

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Although the second season got a slightly higher rating, I actually was more excited by the first. Perhaps this is because Liar Game is a tournament, therefore although the games are different, it can get a bit redundant... especially with the acting. I realize that millions of dollars are at stake here, but too many overdramatic characters just annoys me to no end.

Speaking of Akiyama, with each episode he seems to get more and more arrogant. I roll my eyes at the fact that Akiyama always has to one-up everyone, like his grudge against Katsuragi Ryou. I actually kind of felt bad for her. Also, right when I thought Nao finally beat Akiyama to an insight, Akiyama had, of course, "already thought of that." Fine, don't praise her for finally thinking for herself. Which brings me to my next point: if Akiyama is getting more and more cocky with every episode, Nao is getting less and less annoying/stupid/naive. She finally becomes a stronger player, which makes her goodwill even more endearing.

The games were as risky as usual, and the psychological battles even more intense. No longer is the game obviously Akiyama's. Oh, no... he has a competent rival - the only person ever to defeat him, Katsuragi Ryou. One thing I loved were the touching stories! Although I had quite a few complaints, it was overall a great sequel.

I do recommend this after watching the first season, but please don't stop here as the movie is a must-see! I also highly recommend the manga, which differs a bit from the drama in an intriguing way.

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Still intriguing, but a little confusing and repetitive

I'm giving this the same rating as the first part. To start, I'm a huge fan of films and shows about high-stakes games, and this was no different.

A lot of the things I said for Season 1 still apply: This is a little cliche in terms of its characters: the ML is smart and cold, while the FL is bright but naive. With that being said, I really think the drama could have focused more on character backstory and growth. While I liked the contrast between the leads, the ML was the most interesting character of all, while the FL felt like she was there as a plot device, just for his character development, to get him and all the side characters to open up. To add, I still don't fundamentally agree with some of the messaging here; Nao really feels naive and trusting to a fault, and it felt more frustrating than inspiring.

Where my review differs from the first part is on the games. I liked the ones in S1 that were more simple and psychological, and while the ones in this part also had the psychological "lying" aspect, some of the games got way too confusing and I found myself not really using my brain as much as I would've liked. It was hard to follow and you could really only just sit back and watch things play out.

I also noticed that some of the games were very similar to those in part 1 — it felt kind of repetitive to watch the same games again, even with different characters.

Sidenote, again: the editing is still SUPER dramatic and it's still hilarious.

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A Renascence in All Ways.

The Liar Game returns after a two year hiatus, completely invigorated with power and deviousness. This series might be one of the few sequels out there that outshined its predecessor.

☆ Kanzaki Nao-chan and Akiyama-kun are pitted along with Fukunaga (AKA the Mushroom from S1) two years after their last match. However, this time, they are headed for the semi-finals. The games in the second season are unflinchingly deceitful. While the players of the S1 were pulled into the labyrinthine game against their will and with no choice left, the players in this one are clearly worthy of the arena. Not only are they experienced with the workings of the game; none of them are completely unintelligent. The stakes are much higher and the opponents far more stronger. I felt incredibly like an imbecile while watching the games unfold. All of them appeared facile, but once they begin, they are a far cry from what the players were promised. The psychological play on human minds was boggling to watch. It was a battle of brains that was absolutely nerve-wracking and thrilling.
(As an added bonus, I inadvertently got to know the rules of all the games mentioned in Poker Face by Lady Gaga.)

☆ While the Nao-chan in season one was forced to become enlightened about the depth of human greed and deception, this season is where she actually proves her worth. She maintains the same personality as in season one, but it's evident that she has actually grasped the concept of the Liar Game. Still dubbed as "stupidly honest", I suddenly realized why she was an integral part of the game.
Akiyama Shinichi is still the prime mover, but he is forced to face opponents who are as skilled as he was at his craft. He is as eccentric and enigmatic as he was in the past, but we see different facets of his that we hadn't seen before.

☆ The production style is definitely outdated, but the comically dramatic laughter of the 'villain' was more sporadic than the first season, which is definitely an improvement. I also found the OSTs to be absolutely fitting for such a thrilling drama. I loved both the Capsule songs used: Sugarless Girl and Love or Lies.

☆ The first season was tamer and provided the perfect basement for the second to be built upon. I admire the writer for managing to maintain the mysterious aspect of the show and deepening the purpose behind the ridiculous game of deception. For once, I didn't find them to be desultory, but witty and intelligent. It was a true test of human nature. This aspect is given much more focus in S2, which is undoubtedly more explosive than the first.

I can see why fans of such psychological gaming shows find this absolutely unforgettable and riveting. It left me pondering about how the game represents the real world and how vacillating humans have become due to their guile. I couldn't dislike Nao-chan. Someone like her was not meant for a game like this, but she is ultimately the player who breaks all rules.

Japan adds their own flavor in all the dramas I've seen and they did their magic with this one as well. Definitely one of the few series that got me scratching my head out of sheer confusion, but kept me glued to the screen to know the outcome.

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I like Liar Game 2 as much as I did the first one. Again, it was enjoyable.

Things I liked: Matsuda Shota, Nao got smarter, Fukunaga,

Things I didn't like: making Nao out to seem like some kind of savior, Nao's stupid smile after she's "saved" her rivals, the false notion that this drama is smart when it's actually not, the stupid cop with the gold tooth.

Did I say how much I liked Matsuda Shota? I LOVED him okay! Honestly, he makes the whole drama for me. Plot is pretty much same. Not much different, except I will say I like the three games at the beginning more than the games in the first drama. Not much to say, but I wanted to leave a review since I just finished it a couple days ago. Doesn't wrap up at the end, u'd have to watch the movie for that. Again, wouldn't recommend if ur looking for something smart, but if u saw the first one, I'd say go ahead and watch this one. Didn't disappoint me.

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Eu sou completamente apaixonada pela série. A Nao e o Akiyama são um dos meus "casais" mais queridos nos doramas, e Liar Game é um dos meus dramas preferidos, o preferido do gênero.
Há muitos detalhes interessantes além da trama thriller em si, como os cenários um tanto "retrôs", personagens caricatos, cores vibrantes e trilha sonora muito bem harmonizada com as demais características. A trama é bem envolvente, você fica vibrado e criando teorias, eu gosto muito de histórias assim. Os dois protagonistas são bem opostos e muito carismáticos, é ótimo ver o contraste das personalidades com uma Nao ingênua e bondosa e o Akiyama, que é um gênio desconfiado e impiedoso, mas com uma boa índole. Os dois interagindo juntos são a cereja do bolo neste drama, que não chega a ter romance, mas a gente fica shippando horrores kkkkkkk.
Vale a pena ver as duas temporadas e o especial. Lembrando que fizeram uma versão coreana, mas não achei tão boa quanto a original japonesa.
Super recomendável. Inclusive, se animar, o mangá também vale muito a pena. Fantástico!

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FL is unbearable

FL is 'honest and kind' in the most unbearable and infuriating way. I understand the overall message that the series is trying to convey, but it really does not come through. The FL always gets herself or others around her into terrible situations, and then the ML has to step in to concoct a plan to save the FL. FL would be broke and in millions of debt if not for the ML's ability to manipulate people. And yet, the FL keeps wanting to 'save' others when she couldn't even managing saving herself.

The series was projected to be something like this: terrible liar game forces people into bad situations. unfavorable things happen, but honest humble heroin ultimately saves everyone by being super honest. heroine inspires others around her to be honest or believe in honesty! honesty wins, yay!

In reality, the series is better described: stupid girl gets into terrible situation. guy lies and manipulates people to save stupid girl. (exactly the same as Pt 2, but somehow this sequel is worse). In the end, if you look at the events of the series critically, it actually sends a message opposite of what the writers wanted (I opine, or maybe this was their intension).

Also, the frequent closes ups of crazed burst of laughter from different players made this sequel really difficult to watch.

Do not recommend.

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Is kindness and equality a real thing when money is involved?!

This is the continuation of the first one, so the review will be almost the same. The major difference is Katsuragi Ryo, a former colleague of Shinichi, and the only person to have defeated him. I think that someone that reads this, certainly saw the first season, so i will not talk much.

STORY – Katsuragi is a genious without any kind of scrupolous, so she will be a master in the game Honesty - Trickery. Kanzaki Nao continues to live in the happiness and trusting paradise of herself. Again, Shinichi have to save her and their team from the behaviour of his partner.
ACTING – The main characters are very well played, Nao, Fukunaga Yuji and especially Shinichi and Katsuragi. The rest are also good.
MUSIC – did not find any music to keep and play, but the music is very well combined with the plot!
REWATCH – I will, certainly, watch some of the games again. Some games are awesome.

OVERALL – I really like this, especially the games and the back and forth between Shinichi and Katsuragi strategies.
I found Kanzaki Nao less hateful, maybe because she suddenly became smarter (go figure) or because I was used to her.
If you like riddles, games, etc please watch this!
And please, do not watch the Korean version. If you want to do that, please start with that first. I did the opposite and my brain cells committed seppuku!!! Nothing, nothing in the K version is better that this, and I usually love k dramas.
I give overall 8.5 because i think Nao is not a coherent character and she drives the story...

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An incredible 9 episodes that will leave you wanting more, yet leave you feeling extremely satisfied with the results. I wasn't such a huge fan of LIAR GAME but I decided to give LIAR GAME 2 a shot since I was curious on how the story will end up. This time around, I'm seriously obsessed with this show.

While only 2 rounds were played throughout this drama, they were both extremely riveting and interesting. I'm not sure if they themselves were intriguing or perhaps it was how it was played out by the characters.

I love seeing Nao, Akiyama and Fukunagi return, stronger than ever. While the stay true to their character, you can really see how much they've grown within the 2 year gap period. Not only was the character development great, but their relationship as the three musketeers (or you can say the amazing duo and the funny sidekick). Their bond was unbreakable despite all the risk. They brought such amazing qualities to the plate that made the drama felt complete. Gold tooth guy and mysterious worker girl were mysterious and creepy as ever, but they added the tension to the story that kept me intrigued. We're also introduced to new characters that don't seem to make an appearance in the Final Stage, but I loved their stories equally as much.

I read a review previously about how much they loved the music so I started paying more attention to it this time around. I can honestly say that the OST is the most unique but underrated thing you can find. it's thrilling, sort of like video game music. It makes the game more lively and spontaneities and adds a sense of "what the heck?" to the drama, which is what you're supposed to feel when watching.

All in all, LIAR GAME 2 was hella epic and one of my new favourites. I cannot wait to see how The Final Stage ties it all together.

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