[Criticism] Samurai Sensei meets a samurai in today's era!

We talk a lot about drama that, these days, exploits more and more the field of science fiction and more particularly, time and dimensional travel. It therefore seemed obvious to us to offer you a J-Drama on this subject. As we do nothing by halves, our choice fell on: Samurai Sensei. We talked about the Live movie last month!

Samurai Sensei

Original title: Samurai Sensei – Samurai Teacher – サムライせんせい

Country: Japan

Episodes : 08

Release period: October 23 to December 11, 2015

Directors: Osamu Katayama – Hisashi Kimura

Writers: Esusuke Kuroe (manga) – Tsutomu Kuroiwa

Genre: comedy – time travel

Synopsis

Takechi Hanpeita was a samurai of the Tosa clan involved in the historical events of the late Edo period (1603-1868). He is then condemned to be seppuku (ritual of ventration using a katana). But at the fateful moment, he wakes up alive and well in a world different from his own. The samurai jumped one hundred and fifty years into the future in Japan in 2015, more precisely. At first taken for a madman by the people he meets, he nevertheless receives the support of Saeki Makoto, an old teacher who welcomes him into his home, despite the reluctance of his granddaughter Haruka.

Main cast

Clash of Cultures

Before getting to the heart of the matter, know that the drama presented here is a live adaptation of the manga of the same name by author Kuroe S-suke. It all began, during the Edo period of turmoil and war of rival clans with the historical figure Takechi Hanpeita. A samurai, who following a rebellion of which he is the investigator fails this one, following the code of honor of the samurai is forced to give his life. Fate does not wish his death and doing things well, the man finds himself mysteriously propelled into the Heisei era (1889 to the present day). But, do we need to know Japanese history to better appreciate the drama? Well this could be a plus but, it is not necessary to know it. After all, the story revolves around comedy, Takechi's discoveries about this new world and another historical figure too, Sakamoto Ryoma.

Hanpeita vs. Ryoma

If you had lived in the time of the shogunate and samurai, you would probably be as lost as our hero, Takechi Hanpeita. Indeed, he does not know mobile phones, television or cars, enough to give us many laughs about things in our daily lives that seem banal to us. In addition, the culture also differs since in his time, Japan was totally closed from the rest of the world due to an isolationist policy. Seeing him in front of foreign tourists reveals this point well. The drama would have quickly fallen into uninteresting comedy if the arrival of another traveler had not seen the light of day. Indeed, Sakamoto Ryoma brings a new wind and a certain freshness because he also comes from the past. But behind this endearing character, hides another facet that we surprise ourselves to discover. Offering us more depth and leading us to reflect on our lives and values.

Money doesn't buy everything

This comedy without being of great originality, makes us laugh by its comic situations and its duo of endearing actors. In addition, the theme Samurai Song performed by Kanjani8, of which Ryo is one of the members, corresponds well to the atmosphere with its sounds oscillating between modern and traditional. We have a good time relaxing with this potache humor that always makes its little effect. The format is perfect, so we do not get bored and downtime is almost non-existent. Most of the secrets and mysteries of the drama are revealed and the drama is ultimately self-sufficient. The best moment is of course, the final scene of the confrontation that we have been waiting for! Through this drama, Takechi gives us a message that friendship cannot be bought with money but that we must keep a part of humanity in us.

Playwrights and J-Drama lovers or simply fans of Japanese culture, Samourai Sensei will be a good way to discover two emblematic figures: Takechi Hanpeita and Sakamoto Ryoma. All this through a well-balanced humor and a story for all!

To see the trailer click here.