Love Somebody for Li-i-ife

[kaitou]

Over the weekend I got to show some of thehouseofmews my very favorite TV show in the whole world (sorry Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, you come in a close second). I love Odoru Daisousasen so very much. And every time I get to show it to someone new it just reignites my love, and it all just comes bubbling up like a sparkly pink volcano. Add to this the fact that they've put out the teaser trailer for the third movie and I'm just all a twitter.

Now, in the past it's been hard to share it with people. Poor flidgetjerome had to put up with me sending episode summaries and a few scans from the 2nd movie books. Then I got my hands on some fansubbed DVDs and inflicted those on eramundo and twigcollins. But now! Now there is Youtube, and other video sharing sites, and physical distance will protect you no longer.

So what is Odoru Daisousasen anyway? Literally it translates to 'The Dancing Criminal Investigation Network,' but the unofficial English title is 'Rhythm and Police' (yes, like in DDR. That's the opening theme song). Once they started to make movies they decided they needed an official English title and called it 'Bayside Shakedown' which I think is really extremely clever.

The series follows Aoshima Shunsaku, a newly minted detective as he settles into life at the Wangan police station and deals with the realities of police life. (vs the way he thought it would be from too many cop shows). The series is hilariously funny, but makes sure that you really connect with the characters so that you care about the serious drama bits when they unfold. If you liked Hot Fuzz, I can't imagine you not liking Odoru. (Yes, I'm talking to you annlarimer)


One of the main things that makes it awesome is the great characters. They're well rounded, and you really care about them and the dilemmas they face. In the main cast you have:

• Aoshima - Aoshima is a Golden Retriever puppy of a man. He's pure and noble of heart, eager to help, and prone to sulking when he doesn't get to have fun. His signature look is his army surplus coat. You know he's the hero because he's the one running in the closing credits. (Is there a trope for that? There is! Ha!)


• Sumire - Sumire is the tiny tsundere badass. She takes shit from no one and is easily the most competent of all the Wangan detectives. She will trade help for expensive dinners at fancy restaruants.


• Waku - When the series begins Waku is getting ready to retire. He's Aoshima's mentor, though he alternates his wise advice with complaints about his back.


• Mashita - The rest of the detectives in the Wangan station are 'enlisted' officers. There's only so far they can advance. Mashita however, is on the 'career' track. He is the son of a police bigwig, and a total bocchan. Technically he is at the Wangan station to work his way up through the ranks and gain experience. In reality he spends most of his time studying for his officer exams and being babied by the rest of the station. However he is a totally sweet dip of a guy who wants to do a good job.


• Muroi - Oh god, Muroi. Muroi is a total badass hardass with his own theme music. He is a police superintendent and coordinates any of the major investigations. Really this series is as much about Muroi learning to trust and respect the rank and file police as it is about Aoshima becoming a good detective.


• Yukino - Yukino comes into the series as the daughter of a murder victim. And spends some time as a literal sad girl in snow. But her role gradually expands and becomes important to the whole cast.

Another thing that's great is that they all really grow through the season. Waku comes to terms with things in his past. Aoshima becomes a skilled and confident detective. Muroi learns respect and trust. So on and so forth. Even Aoshima's bosses grow (slightly and with immediate backsliding, but still) How can you not love that??


I'll be back with more raving about this show later in the week, but I hope by now you're going, 'Ok Ann, I'm intrigued, but how do I watch it?'

You can find the whole series here. With subtitles! Because I love you enough not to subject you to my old summaries with things like, "Aoshima gapes like an idiot. Ok, maybe that’s just because I find the girl annoying. No wait. He actually dances a little. He’s an idiot."

I will be back to talk about themes! and pairings! and the ossim music! But now I'm going to fall down and go to bed. Goodnight!

Comments

[flidgetjerome.livejournal.com]

Wrrrry that last link, Wrrrry.

Now I am going to have to rewatch the entire damn thing.

[kaitou1412.livejournal.com]

XD

Sorry! The hard part is I can't find a way to show people the specials and the movies. The first special, and the movies have SO MUCH LOVE. They must be known!

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Ooo!

[kaitou1412.livejournal.com]

I hope you like it, because we can then make cracks about Danny Butterman set loose in Tokyo. (Though I suppose you can still make those cracks without having seen Odoru, but it wouldn't have the same appeal as when Angel and Muroi would to off to have a drink and commiserate over their lot)

[soranokumo.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey! This saves me from raving about it more on my LJ! XD

d00d, last night, we decided that Waku is like the Odoru!Great Slash Dragon.

Also, thank you for the link! The dvds you're allowing us to borrow work pretty well, but occasionally the subtitle track gets thrown off... which arguably makes it a bit harder to understand. Especially with Aoshima-ben and Old Man-ben being spoken so much.

[kaitou1412.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't think they're particularly good subs either. Episode 2, with the bomb is really so much funnier than the subs let on. But I was so excited. When I bought them Youtube still really wasn't a thing, and all of my DVDs are region2.

I'm glad that it's finding a new home. Now if only I could find the movies and specials!

[anchan218.livejournal.com]

Odoru Daisousasen is the best. :)

I hear they're making another movie soon? But it makes me a bit sad because Waku's actor is dead so he will not be appearing. :(

[kaitou1412.livejournal.com]

Movie 3 will be out this summer, and appears to be about bombs planted at the police station. I hear that Aoshima has been promoted, so he's in Uozumi's old position. There don't seem to be many people coming back, so that's really sad. I think just Aoshima, Sumire, and a girl who was in one of the TV Specials.

BUT!

Waku may not be returning, but one of the main characters is going to be Waku's Nephew. I think that has a lot of potential there.

[anchan218.livejournal.com]

Even Muroi isn't coming back? That is pretty sad. :( Hopefully Waku's nephew can make up for the lack of returning characters.