Drama Digest
Adapted from the iconic manga of the same name, “Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! SP” revolves around two high-schoolers, Shinji Ito and Takashi Mitsuhashi. They meet for the first time at a salon, and find out that they are transferring to the same school. The duo settles on reinventing and establishing themselves as Japan’s greatest delinquents. Set in the 1980s, this absurd masterpiece is a sequel to Hiroyuki Nishimori’s television drama adaptation of the same manga.
The Feel-Good Part
Yuichi Fukada’s adaptation of the manga revels in its absurdity. Casting actors who look like they have crossed the threshold of high school ages ago, Fukada dresses them up as obnoxiously as possible and gives them hairstyles that look downright ridiculous. It is clear to almost everyone that Fukada’s brand of humor is a product of slapstick comedy on television, and it translates into this. With dialogues that are running gags that are unpolished and almost bizarre, he creates a distinctive body of work that is equal parts puzzling and hilarious. Masterfully written, KKOW!! SP is a jewel in the crown of screen adaptations of high school fighting mangas. The action choreography is excellent, and it tinges every sequence with a certain amount of direness. The most vital aspect of this drama special is certainly its editing, because in the absence of the sudden zoom-ins and gaudy typefaces and ridiculous editing, things could have gone wrong.
The Disappointing Factor
People who are not used to Fukada’s brand of humor might struggle quite a bit to decipher the occurrences on screen. The action choreography, despite being impressive, leaves the viewer wanting more. Some people might find this to be too violent too.
In-Depth Analysis
This absurd artwork that Fukada creates stirs up nostalgia and makes you giggle at the sheer ridiculousness in every frame. With the tacky editing, the strange camera angles, and absolute psyched dialogue delivery, this drama special leaves your head whirring. The rivalry between different schools is one of the focal matters in this movie, contrary to other films and dramas in this genre which focus on the hierarchy existing in a singular school. The special also opens up the floor for the questions of gender performance and how the bullies partake in it. Kyoko, who is tough, becomes the embodiment of cutesy when she meets her crush, Ito, who responds similarly. Then, there is Mitsuhashi, who runs away from challenges, depending on Riko to get him out, although fighting is supposed to be a masculine field.
Star Power
Kaku Kento and Ito Kentaro are definite scene-stealers, and their dynamic is hilarious.
Overall Opinion
If you have not seen any of Fukada’s work before, you will find yourself in a loop trying to comprehend many things, but once you get comfortable, you will realize how much of a masterpiece this is.
