Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo (2013)

This drama is simple, straightforward and easy to watch. It's perfect for those days you just want uncomplicated comic relief. That said, although its meant to be a light rom-com, the drama still manages to touch on heavier themes such as: abusive relationships, single motherhood, compassion for the elderly, making sacrifices, and facing your fears. And don't skip the ending credits or you'll miss the storyline teasers!

The characters, if not all fully developed, were funny...often silly at times. Matsuda Shota as Dr. Kota was a juxtaposition of a bumbling lovestruck goofball with that of an efficient genius doctor. Matsuda is really such a versatile actor--he never fails to entertain me. Takei Emi as Mako also didn't disappoint. She was the opposite of Dr. Kota in personality and helped to ground his character whenever his eccentricities went overboard. I especially loved Dr. Kota and Mako's chats at the end of each episode--everytime Dr. Kota said anything inappropriate, Mako would mysteriously produce a "blue slipper" and smack him on the head with it. Hah. The supporting characters were also nice to watch--sometimes adding insightful words of wisdom; more often just providing comedic relief with their antics.

This show has a great song that was a perfect episode ender - Taiyou no Megami by Leo Ieiry. Very upbeat and optimistic, like the show.

I doubt I would re-watch this drama from start to finish. But I would definitely replay the funny parts where Matsuda is being geeky and adorkable.

Pros
With only 11 episodes (gotta love jdramas for this), you can easily marathon this in a couple of days. The other plus is its renzoku format--each episode concludes a storyline, so it's unnecessary to watch each episode to get the jist of the show. However, you may miss out on some of the storyline and character development that continues from episode to episode.

Cons
Some of the situations and events are a bit unrealistic in how they are addressed and/or resolved. And just about every episode is a cliche. But I think that's part of the show's charm. And I'll also admit to being guilty of fast-forwarding to the more entertaining parts whenever some of the episodes dragged along.

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This drama is quite literally one in a million! It has a wonderful cast, an amazing story, and bits and pieces from each genre. In the beginning, the story caught my attention but once I began watching, the story and cast had me immediately hooked, which is something you (or at least I) cannot say for most dramas.

There was thrills, comedy, heroics, dramatics, romance, suspense, and most of all it was such a unique and honest show that it felt like a true-to-life story, and not something cheesy and overbearing; which I feel most medical shows can be (Japanese, South Korean, American, or otherwise)...

To be honest, I only knew a couple of people from the cast when I first looked in to this show, so I honestly started to watch because of the story in the synopsis; however, I think this cast was picked because they were each perfect in their roles, even the guest actors/actresses. Each one acted off the other as if they were a real medical staff on the seas! It was very interesting and fun to watch them all work together, on and off the boat.

I wish there were more episodes to this series, or maybe a special, it was such an enjoying show to watch! Definitely a good drama for everyone to see!

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Чудесная предновогодняя дорамка с Мацудой Шотой, 11 серий отсмотрены буквально за день. Масса положительных эмоций и хорошего настроения.
Как всегда от всех врачебных случаев веет поучительностью, но это не мешает улыбаться и переживать за всех героев.
Отдельным плюсом - пейзажи - море, горы, небо - те самые отдаленные от урбаницазионной Японии острова между которых и плавает госпиталь-корабль. Очень интересно было узнать о такой практики оказания медицинской помощи.
Весело смотреть на Мацуду, не ожидала от него комедийного таланта, но его неуклюжие поиски жены, ради которого он готов "клевать" на первое симпатичное личико, вызывают гомерический смех. Шота очарователен, эти его пародийные звуки.

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Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo or Clinic on the Sea is a slice of life slash doctor series about a clinic ship sailing from one isolated island to the next, helping the residents, mostly elderly people because the young ones moved away to big cities.

I picked it up for Fukushi Sota, even though he only plays a supporting part here. But his Noboru is such a sweet pumpkin. And the goodest boy there is!

Who really surprised me, though, was Matsuda Shota who plays the lead here because so far, I've only seen him play rather serious stoic characters and here he plays such a goof! A great doctor, but also a goof. And I must say that comedy roles suit him so well!

Overall, this drama was... so-so. It's a quiet, serene one but I did find it boring in places. And though I'm glad I did watch it, I don't think I will ever RE-watch it.

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