Tokusatsu Gagaga (2019) [Drama Review]

Tokusatsu Gagaga; or, Be a Hero!

     When you love something, it never really disappears, does it?

The passing year 2019 was rich in many great dramas from South Korea, China, and Japan, but I could check out only a handful of these because of the tight time schedule and busy workload. In consequence, I find one of the dramas I managed to watch particularly relatable: Tokusatsu Gagaga is a wonderful story about the pursuit of personal interests, making new friends, and discovering the true self.

Release Info

Developed by: Niwa Tanga Starring: Fuka Koshiba, Kana Kurashina, Haruka Kinami

Language: Japanese Original Title: トクサツガガガ No. of eps.: 7

 

Synopsis

Kano Nakamura (Fuka Koshiba) is a 26-year-old diligent office worker. However, at her time off, she is a devoted Tokusatsu geek (a fan of special effects shows). Nakamura lives in constant fear that her co-workers will find out about her passion and socially condemn her. The same fear applies to Nakamura’s mother (Yuki Matsushita) who is a fervent enemy of Tokusatsu shows and believes that girls should only be interested in girly stuff. Nevertheless, during her attempts to avoid being exposed, Nakamura meets people with similar interests and learns how to accept herself without feeling any shame.

 

Bestial Storm! Jushowan!

Tokusatsu Gagaga is a 7-episode drama produced by NHK network on the basis of a 2014 manga series created by Niwa Tanba. The show itself is not yet another parody of popular Tokusatsu franchises like Super Sentai or Kamen Rider, but more like a love letter to everything these shows encompass. Evidently, the real Tokusatsu shows are not referred in any way due to copyright issues, but the fans should appreciate the fact that TV Asahi participated in the production of this drama by designing the suits for the characters of the fictional Jushowan show watched by Nakamura. (The "Jushowan Rangers" looked super cool!)

 

However, the drama is not all about throwing Easter Eggs at Toku-geeks. The story is actually an extremely touching tale about not minding the social conventions and enjoying what we truly like, regardless of age, gender, or race. In fact, Nakamura is not the only geek in the drama. She encounters fellow Tokusatsu fanatics, like a peculiar lady called Yoshida (Kana Kurashina) who is also into Jushowan, and a child "Damien" (Kokoro Terada) who often shares existential quotes. In addition, Nakamura befriends an idol fangirl, Kitashiro (Haruka Kinami), and an anime fan, Mr. Yakuza (Manabu Takeuchi). Because of them, the main protagonist learns there is nothing infantile in loving the childhood stuff, for it motivates the geeks to be better in daily life.

 

As a result, Tokusatsu Gagaga tackles many common stereotypes, such as work ostracism, living in loneliness, school bullying, or tense family relations. The last aspect is especially important because, in the second half of the drama, we see Nakamura stand up to the greatest enemy, her own mother. The conflict and its resolution is the reason why this show is so great.

 

The only small disadvantage I could think of is the insufficient number of episodes. Some of the subplots could have been carried further, so the drama could have easily been 10-episodes long. Yet, the shortness is redeemed by the involvement of Tokusatsu veterans: Kenichi Suzumura, best known to the fans as Ryutaros/Kamen Rider Den-O Gun Form, is the show's narrator; whereas Tomokazu Seki, the voice of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger's Mobirates transformation device, plays General Genka. In addition, legendary Tokusatsu actor Hiroshi Miyauchi has a cameo at the very end of the drama!

 

With regard to performances, Fuka Koshiba is just awesome as Kano Nakamura (I loved her over-the-top expressions!). Another great performance is delivered by Kana Kurashina as the unforgettable Yoshida (a.k.a. "Toraiger No Kimi!"). Haruka Kinami, Kokoro Terada, and Yuki Matsushita provide wonderful supporting parts.

 

Recommendations

If you love some particular franchise, or you are a multifandom type like me, then Tokusatsu Gagaga is the perfect drama for you. It brilliantly communicates the message of never giving up and pursuing one’s passion. Like many other viewers who liked the show, I wait for the second season. Please make it happen, NHK and TV Asahi! In the meantime, I’m going to blast the EmerJason’s main theme through my car speakers: Emergin’! (Fight!) Emergin’! (Fight!).

Overall score: 9/10