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This past October, the Japanese television station TV Asahi premiered the first episode of the Taiho Shichauzo (You're Under Arrest) live action TV series based upon the popular manga by Kousuke Fujishima. Taiho Shichauzo was one of Fujishima's earlier works and is also the creator for the hit series Aa! Megami-sama (a.k.a. Oh! My Goddess). Taiho Shichauzo has already been transformed into an anime TV series, OAV series and a movie. Even though only nine episodes of the live action Taiho Shichauzo are planned for production, many hope the live action version will share the same success as the manga and anime.
The basic concept and setting for the live action version of Taiho Shichauzo stays loyal to the manga and anime series. However, aspects of the storyline have been altered for television. Miyuki and Natsumi are both police officers assigned to the traffic division of Bokuto Station. Even though their main responsibility is just handing out tickets to parking violators, their over-enthusiasm and strong sense of justice prompts them to go beyond their duties and to act recklessly. In the first episode, Natsumi and Miyuki are out patrolling the streets when they notice a mysterious vehicle parked on the side of the street. The strange vehicle does not have any numbers on the license plate. Their suspicions of the vehicle lead them to a nearby supermarket in the process of being held up by a group of armed robbers. Instead of calling for back-up, Natsumi and Miyuki ambush the robbers with their martial arts skills. Miyuki attacks one of the robbers with a flying drop kick and unmasks the suspect. However, to their surprise it is their fellow officer, Ken Nakajima, and Miyuki and Natsumi discover they have interrupted a drill the police were conducting with the store employees for a crime prevention program. Their reckless behavior results in disciplinary action and a harsh lecture from the Bokuto Station section chief.
Although Natsumi and Miyuki endure numerous lectures and punishment for their behavior, they still continue their work while following their own ideals of justice and not the rules and regulations of Bokuto Station. But despite their great strength in martial arts and courage, Natsumi and Miyuki are also very kind and caring to people in need. When they save a teenage girl named Yuka from committing suicide after being bullied by her classmates, they are willing to defend her even though it may cost them their jobs. Also, fellow motorcycle rebel officer, Ken Nakajima, tries to help them although he won't admit to it. Even though he has a tough exterior, he secretly harbors feelings for Miyuki. The live action TV series seems to put a small emphasis on the romantic encounters of the characters, which may not be found in the anime and manga series.
The live action Taiho Shichauzo has a good balance of comedy, action, and drama in the storyline. However, some of the fight scenes are not as effective as in the manga or anime series. Despite the efforts of the cast, the fights seem too choreographed and appear unrealistic adding more comedy than excitement to the action scenes. The soundtrack for the series is well chosen, especially the opening theme, which is very upbeat dance track. The ending theme song, "Through the Rain" by Mariah Carey, seems to emphasize the more dramatic side of the series. The live action version of Taiho Shichauzo has great potential, but it is questionable if it will grow. Since its premiere in October, the series hasn't been able to earn enough ratings to rank in the top ten Japanese tv drama rankings yet. This may be due to the fact that there is competition this season with another new police show entitled Remote staring popular idol Kyoko Fukada and Kinki Kids' Koichi Domoto. If ratings do not improve, there is little hope that Taiho Shichauzo will return for a second season or as a continuation series. However, this will not stop Japanese networks from using manga and anime as templates for new series. As this trend continues to grow, perhaps we will see yet another Kosuke Fujishima manga come alive in Japanese prime time television.
Taiho Shichauzo (TV Series) © TV Asahi / TV Pia..
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