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The reason this drama was such a big hit is, of course, because of the content of the original work and the good script by Kudo Kankuro, but I think it was also because of the luxurious cast.
Also, many people who were not that active at the time have expanded their field of activity as a result of this work.
Makoto Mashima (Makoto) = Nagase Tomoya, Mitsuko Shibusawa (Hikaru) = Kato Ai, Takashi Ando (Takashi, King) = Kubozuka Yosuke, Masahiro Mori (Masa) = Sato Ryuta, Takeshi Yamai (Doberman Yamai) = Sakaguchi Kenji, Shunji Mizuno (Shun) = Yamashita Tomohisa, Kazunori Morinaga (Kazunori) = Takahashi Issei, Rika Nakamura (Rika) = Sakai Wakana, Fujio Saito (Saru) = Tsumabuki Satoshi, Hidaka = Endo Kenichi, Reiichiro Yokoyama = Watanabe Ken, Tamotsu Yoshioka = Kitaro, Hamaguchi = Abe Sadao, Ritsuko Mashima = Morishita Aiko, Chiaki Hashimoto = Yazawa Kokoro. Just from this brief introduction, the cast is amazing. Other famous people such as Kenji Haga and Mayo Kawasaki also appear in various scenes, so it's interesting to watch and see who will appear next.
Most of the cast members are now main cast members, which was possible at the time. Looking back at it now, I am reminded of how amazing it was.
Differences from the original
While the original is a cool and stylish work, the TV drama version is a violent action comedy.
In the original Makoto is a smart guy who doesn't get angry, but in the TV drama version he gets really angry (laughs). As for King, he appeared as the son of a bathhouse owner, and was called the "Ice King" in the original work. Where did the cool and mysterious King go? However, the catchphrase "Don't cut it! Don't close it! See you in Ikebukuro!", which was also on the cover of the original "Boy Counting Machine Ikebukuro West Gate Park II", is faithfully preserved, and both the original work and the TV drama version are works with strong messages. In addition, the TV drama version is based on the four chapters in the first volume of the original work and the two chapters in the second volume, "Fairy Garden" and "Boy Counting Machine", and the seventh episode (Yoshishichi's episode) and the eighth episode (Yohachi's episode) are original episodes not in the original work.
Strawberry Episode (Episode 1)
Subtitle: "We're Not Trash"
Based on the original work "Ikebukuro West Gate Park".
The drama begins with Makoto's catchphrase, "It's so annoying." Makoto, who is a bumbling idiot while helping out at his family's fruit shop, spends his days hanging out with his best friend Masa at Ikebukuro West Exit Park.
At the bowling alley where Masa works part-time, he reunites with his high school classmate Takashi. Takashi tells him that he is the leader and "king" of a color gang called the "G Boys."
Later, he finds Shun shoplifting and tries to extort him, but for some reason Shun takes an liking to Makoto and they start hanging out together. This encounter with Shun leads to him meeting Rika and Hikaru, and the five of them start hanging out together.
Meanwhile, in Ikebukuro, a "Strangler" attempts to strangle a series of high school girls, which eventually escalates into a murder case. The victim is Rika. This incident leads Makoto to begin searching for the culprit with the help of the G Boys, led by Takashi.
Carrot episode (episode 2)
Subtitle: "I'll take down my enemy"
Based on the original work "Ikebukuro West Gate Park".
Makoto is interrogated as one of the suspects. He claims his innocence, but he is subjected to brutal interrogation because he has no alibi. Fortunately, the witness, an older woman, knows Makoto well and says, "If it were Mako-chan, he would have noticed right away," so he is released. The four go to Rika's funeral, but... Makoto's mourning clothes are too small (lol) Is Hikaru wondering if the true identity of the Strangler is Sue-san, with whom Rika was having compensated dating? So, using Shun's sketch as a clue, they begin searching for the culprit.
After receiving a report that Su-san had been found, Makoto and Hikaru infiltrate a couple's cafe. Hikaru wants to flirt with Makoto more than investigate... Makoto notices something and leaves Su-san in the care of someone else, chasing after another person.
That person is the dentist (Haga Kenji) who Chiaki had a crush on. Having finally cornered the Strangler, Makoto and his friends do not hand him over to the police, but begin the execution. Makoto pretends that the culprit is a bowling pin and tries to throw the ball.
The culprit admits to being the Strangler, but denies that he was responsible for Rika's murder. Yokoyama steps in and the culprit is caught, but Makoto is convinced that the Strangler was not the one who killed Rika.
Who is the real culprit...?!
Mikan episode (episode 3)
Subtitle: "Ballad for the Princess"
Based on the original "Exciting Boys".
This is the first episode in which Saru, played by Tsumabuki Satoshi, appears. Hearing rumors of Makoto having caught the Strangler, the Hazawa group calls him and asks him to search for the chairman's daughter.
The deadline is one week. Makoto is given the extremely difficult task of having the monkey's fingers fall off if he fails, but he uses his natural drive and connections to solve the case.
It was a sad ending, but the end where the monkey colors the tattoo on his back was cool.
The Shiitake Episode (Episode 4)
Subtitle: "Lover from a Faraway Country"
Based on the original work "Lover in the Oasis".
Makoto and his friends have to catch Hebii, who deals in the stimulant "speed", in order to make Chiaki and Ari's love come true.
In this episode, it is revealed that Hikaru was nicknamed "Shiitake" in the past. Apparently, he ate shiitake mushrooms after hearing they were called magic mushrooms and got tripped on them...
When Ari is deported, Makoto says, "If you don't wear your glasses, they won't be found." This is an imitation of Ari's spontaneous proverb-like words, and I thought it was a wonderful scene that showed Makoto's kindness.
The Gorilla Episode (Episode 5)
Subtitle: "The Manliest Girl in the World"
Based on the original work "Fairy Garden".
The large number of kokeshi dolls that Hikaru saw in his room... To be honest, it's creepy. From this point on, strange things start happening to Hikaru one after another.
A man who calls himself Sho appears before Makoto. His true identity is Sachiko, a girl from his elementary school class. Sachiko, who had always admired men, has had a sex change. Sho asks him to help save Asumi, who is in a peeping room, from a stalker.
Denpa-kun is a great character when he chases the stalker, Rubber Man. Also, in this episode, Hikaru finally becomes Makoto's girlfriend. The way they interact is just like high school kids, but honestly... I'm jealous (lol)
Episode 6 on Channel 6 (Episode 6)
Subtitle: "My Only Friend"
Based on the original work "Boy Counting Machine".
Hiroki, whose father is a yakuza and mother is a celebrity, is kidnapped, and Makoto is asked to rescue him. The culprit is Hiroki's older brother, who is his child with his previous husband.
The theme of this episode is the love and friendship between parents and children. When Yokoyama steps in to stop Tada, the father, from hitting his brother, the culprit, Makoto says, "Let him do it. I hope he gets killed." The scene where he gets angry at his parents for not worrying about Hiroki's safety was memorable.
Yoshichi's Episode (Episode 7)
Subtitle: "Don't touch my old lady"
This is an original episode for the TV drama version.
Suddenly, Shimada Yoshichi appears and says to Hikaru, who is suspicious of Makoto and Kana's relationship, "That guy is definitely cheating on you!".
Shimada Yoshichi also appears in the drama as a comedian, but Makoto and Hikaru don't seem to know who he is. Poor guy... (lol)
Makoto sets out to help his mother, who has fallen prey to a pyramid scheme called Dream Connection, but it's not just any pyramid scheme - he's about to encounter a shocking incident!
Yohachi's episode (episode 8)
Subtitle: "I fell in love with a girl from Odaiba"
This is an original episode for the TV drama version.
The girl from Odaiba is Kana, and Hikaru is from Ikebukuro. This time it's Shimada Yohachi. He appears again at a family restaurant, but he plays a very perverted role.
Masa, who got a 15-year-old girl he met at a phone club pregnant, is threatened by the girls and asked for an outrageous amount of money. Makoto and his friends thought it was their own fault, but when they found out that Masa was in a serious relationship, they all decided to make money together. In reality, she is not pregnant, but Hikaru, who found out about it when they were just mugging, lectured the girls. Shun was watching Hikaru's behavior at this time... His behavior at this time influenced the two portraits that followed.
Kyushu Episode (Episode 9)
Subtitle: "Farewell, my dearest friend"
Based on the original work "Civil War on Sunshine Street".
Kana is stabbed by someone, Hikaru's behavior gradually becomes strange, the Black Angels are formed, the story is reaching its climax, and Ikebukuro is starting to look different than it was before.
Makoto believes that anyone he gets involved with will become unhappy and begins to blame himself. The conflict between the G Boys and the Black Angels intensifies, but King refuses to give the go-ahead and remains on the defensive.
Amidst all this, he gets a call from Shun, who seems to be acting strangely. He looks everywhere and can't find Shun...
Shun's body is found in Takashi's sauna. The sight of Takashi silently taking a weapon from his locker and yelling "GO---!!!" gave me goosebumps.
Takashi had always told people not to get involved no matter what, but this was the moment when his limiter was released as he faced the death of his friend. Takashi's completely lost composure shows that he values his friends above all else.
The Tenth Episode of the Battleship
Subtitle: "My Town Has Become a Battlefield"
Based on the original work "The Civil War on Sunshine Street".
Kana knew who stabbed her. Shun stabbed Kana while saying "I'm sorry". After hearing the truth, Makoto looks at the two portraits of Hikaru that Shun left behind.
Hikaru with a smile and a terrifying expression. What was Shun trying to tell us? Makoto relies on Kazunori's information to investigate Hikaru.
Meanwhile, as the conflict between the G Boys and the Black Angels becomes more and more violent, Mitsuru, a former G Boy, is killed.
With Yokoyama's guidance, the conflict in Ikebukuro is finally reaching its climax.
Takashi's Episode (Episode 11)
Subtitle: "The Longest Day in Ikebukuro 6/23"
Based on the original work "The Civil War on Sunshine Street".
The final episode where the truth of the incidents so far is revealed. Could the culprit be that person?!
In the last scene, when Kyoichi says "Stop it," Takashi says "If you're not going to quit so easily, don't get cocky and come at me!" This line is typical of Takashi, who has strong convictions, and it makes me cry.
A thorough explanation of the TV drama version of Ikebukuro West Gate Park (spoiler alert!) Summary
What did you think?
Ikebukuro West Gate Park is really fun to watch no matter how many times you watch it.
Please be sure to check out the original work and the anime scheduled to air from July 2020.
