[Criticism] BORDER Shokuzai & BORDER: Kenshikan Higa Mika: our opinion on the episodes!

To finish the month, we decided to come back with not a Japanese drama but 3.These are the three BORDER SPs released last year. And to do this, two of our editors have lent themselves with great pleasure to his investigations and tell you everything you need to know about BORDER Shokuzai & BORDER: Kenshikan Higa Mika!

Synopsis

Border Shokuzai

By killing Ando, Ishikawa has crossed the yellow line and seems to be going to the side of evil. While being interrogated by Kudaka of the police police, Ishikawa encounters the ghost of Sudo Mami who has just been killed and begs him to arrest his killer. He therefore embarks on the track of Harada Tomoyuki that he will try to confuse with the help of Suzuki.

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BORDER: Kenshikan Higa Mika

Higa Mika is the assistant to Professor Asakawa Toru who teaches forensic medicine at Eisho University. The police will call them after the discovery of the body of a schoolgirl cruelly murdered. However, Inspector Nakazawa Fumiaki can't help but have a bad impression of Asakawa. It was then that a second murder took place.

Trailer

Main cast

BORDER Shokuzai

(risk of spoiler)

Hayumi's opinion: Three years and not a wrinkle

We were eager to find out what this sp would give although slightly disappointed not to be able to watch a real sequel to this drama. However, we are very happy that after so many years of waiting, we can finally find out what happened on the roof of the building between our policeman Ishikawa and the criminal Ando. From the first minutes, we are again in front of the final scene of the drama that had left this bitter little taste of unfinished… And how to say, it goes rather well in fact since we find the familiar faces of our investigators namely Mika the coroner, Yuma and Takuji. Ishikawa finds himself having to make a choice that is likely to change his view of justice. A choice that may seem obvious if we were in his place and that will not cease to torment him until the end of this episode.

The first part is quite slow because our policeman finds himself interrogated following the death of Ando of which he is the only witness. The man is torn by what has happened and hesitates. In addition, the ghost of the murderer tries to drag him deep into the darkness of his soul. However, the second part centered on the murdered young woman who asks him for help will allow him to regain the beast. Moreover, we wanted to salute the stage performance of Mitsushima Shinnosuke (Haraguchi Tomoyuki the murderer with the suitcase) that we had seen in the drama Boku, Unmei no Hito desu and which is really against the current of his previous role. In the end, this special episode allows us to finally see the character of Ishikawa evolve, but we appreciate less the fact that his brain surgery remains pending.

Kana's opinion

Border-SP resumes directly at the end of the first season which makes it possible not to lose the thread of events. Regarding the scenario, we dive into the heart of the investigation into the death of Ando of which Ishikawa is the main suspect. However, this will not be the only investigation of the episode since once again, Ishikawa will go to the rescue of a soul in pain. We will dive into the heart of an episode full of suspense and twists. What will happen to Ishikawa? Will he plead his innocence or will he confess to pushing Ando from the roof? So many answers that we will let you discover as this special episode progresses. Regarding the acting, Shun Oguri (Ishikawa) does not disappoint us and shows us the full extent of his talent, as we could expect from him. In addition, we have the pleasure of meeting a very large part of the actors of the first season, which is very pleasant and allows us to remember some episodes.

This special episode concludes the drama Border. I admit that one season two would not have been too much.The plot about the case against Ishikawa could have been developed further. In addition, some elements could follow a second season. In particular, the way the investigation into Ando's death ends. So many elements that, I admit, my a little left on my hunger. This episode is satisfying, but could have followed a much more thorough and thoughtful ending, which would have allowed to leave the series properly and without regrets.

BORDER: Kenshikan Higa Mika

(risk of spoiler)

Hayumi's opinion: a well-conducted prequel

We liked his performance in the drama Border, so being able to discover more about the mysterious character of Mika played by Haru made us quite curious about this prequel. But it is above all how the young woman had managed to impose herself in the field and her role as a forensic scientist that interests us. And we are not disappointed that it is in terms of the format that is at least perfect and ideal for the survey that is proposed to us. In addition, the plot is not very revolutionary but remains pleasant while obviously having in mind and the atmosphere characteristic of the series. Moreover, Asakawa Toru who at first seems open-minded is in fact a despicable being who thinks only of his fame.

In this case, we were also interested in this very closed and masculine side of the profession which is very present and brings a lot to the story. An environment that wants to be hard and where a minority of women struggle to survive but our heroine is a fighter! However, we do not forget the presence of the handsome Kudo Asuka the policeman who helps Higa by offering him his help and trust. In conclusion, her two one-hour sps are really pleasant by showing us a universe from the feminine point of view which is appreciable. We better understand Mika's rather cold character and her restraint when she speaks to the police!

If we are a little disappointed by season two, his SP have however found favor with our eyes. Since some questions were solved and made us have a good time making us want to see the J-Drama again and hope for a sequel!