Drama Digest
You rarely see what happens during actors’ casting and training process. Shuyaka No Isu Wa Ore No Isu clears that mystery. The show follows 19 young actors hoping to make it big. We follow them as they participate in a unique audition program. In this program, they train, learn, and live together, hoping to sharpen their skills and land a lead role in a new stage play and, hopefully, an upcoming film. By the end, only one participant will be victorious and get that coveted lead role. Who will it be? What are the tasks these young hopefully will have to go through? What is it that they will learn along the way? How will they succeed? Will they succeed in this industry? Watch the show and find out.
The Feel-Good Part
The show is a perfect look into the training process that goes into the selection, perfection, and dedication of young actors in the industry. The use of challenges and an overall game show makes it an entertaining watch for viewers, as we follow these 19 hopefuls while having some degree of drama and excitement. The show’s title is also a remarkable indicator of what to expect. The translation being The Leading Chair is My Chair tells us that this is a high-stakes competition with only one final winner, and with such high stakes, there can only be one winner.
The Disappointing Factor
While the concept seems full-proof on paper, there’s a problem when you realize that the show is about casting. The 19 contestants would have to audition for the show just to be auditioning for another show. It’s an audition of an audition. Moreover, there is only one winner in the show, so after all that training, hard work, and stress, only one person would get the role they have been fighting for since day one. While technically, this is how show business works, it would be more wholesome and caring to see all 19 contestants work for different roles in different shows, allowing us to connect with each one better. But, this is a reality competition show, not a reality show, so there has to be some level of stakes and competition.
In-Depth Analysis
Show business is tricky, and it might as well be a competition. Whether or not the show is trying to show the cutthroat nature of the industry is up for debate, but it shows how hard people work for a chance to be great. It shows each contestant’s struggle, determination, drive, and passion, making for an exciting show and a fun watch. It is a great show to watch, even if you are not an acting hopeful or somebody who enjoys watching people in the spotlight.
Star Power
The primary host of the show is Onoe Matsuya II. He has been an actor since he was a child and has starred in several projects. He has starred in dramas such as Onna Joushu Naotora, Hippocrates no Chikai, Aoi Tokugawa Sandai, and many more. He has starred in three movies; Sing Dance, Act: Kabuki featuring Toma Ikuta, Love, Life and Goldfish, and The Tale of Genji. He also has an extensive range of experiences in Japanese TV shows with guest appearances and regular appearances in shows such as Music Fair, A-Studio+, Arashi ni Shiyagare, Ningen Kansatsu Variety Monitoring, Sakurai Ariyoshi The Yakai, and many more. The show’s network is Abema TV, a channel that hosts several iconic shows such as Say You to Yo Asobi, Who is a Wolf?, Light On Me, 22/7, The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition, and more. Perhaps the show’s most significant star power is the cast of 19 acting hopefuls. They are charming and highly talented and make you want to root for them no matter what.
Overall Opinion
The show takes everything we know about show business and presents it to us in a fun game show that determines how the contestants will make it in the industry. If you are looking for an entertaining, easy watch with a lot of stakes and intensity, you should check out this show.
