I just finished BOSS Season 1 and 2, and as expected, Season 2, was nothing short of my expectations. The suspense was well kept, plots were intriguing and mind-boggling, cast was flawless.

Let me first do a rough summary on this drama, for both seasons.

Osawa Eriko is a returning high-ranking police officer who just returned from the U.S. Upon reaching Japan, her best buddy, Nodate, had already planned for her to be the head of the newly set-up department in the MPD, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Osawa Eriko isn’t the typical serious police officer you would expect, she loves M&Ms, kind of sarcastic at times, and a total slave driver, according to her group of subordinates, who all she comes to love in the end. The newly set-up department, the Crime Countermeasures Team, is apparently made up of the worst police officers from different departments, but they were actually put there so that their potential can be further brought out by FBI-trained Eriko. Kimoto Mami, the one Osawa comes to trust the most in the end, was originally from the Forensics Department, and was supposedly transferred to this department, because she never could arrive at her workplace on time. However, underneath that lazy and nonchalant façade, actually lies a brainy and highly-skilled girl that should not be trifled with. Kitagiri, was transferred, because he was an elite in the MPD, who could not shoot a gun, due to experiencing a trauma after an incident that happened several years ago. Hanagata Ippei, was a small neighbourhood patrol police, who got selected to join the Incident Response Team due to his pure and forward-looking attitude, something which many police fail to have now-a-days. Yamamura and Iwai, were also transferred due to reasons like violence, or being too absent-minded. Through solving cases and putting their lives at risk, they come to appreciate their jobs and you can see them change as a person, as well as their attitudes towards their jobs.

Next, about the cast. I would say this is a flawless cast. When I first saw the cast, I was doubtful about actually watching the whole things, as most actors and actresses in the drama were ‘strangers’ to me. But I was proved wrong by each and every one of their convincing acting skills, no matter how stupid and dumb the character looks. None of the cast is an idol (at least I don’t consider Toda Eriko as one), but mainstream actors and actresses. There is a strong chemistry in the cast as well and the acting with one another never seems too forced, but instead blends well together.

Yamamura and Iwai’s actors (Nukumizu Youichi and Kendo Kobayashi respectively) did a good job in portraying the ‘funny’ pair with the younger one constantly bullying the older one. Although Iwai was guy, the acting was not overdone, in fact, Iwai’s constant fantasies about the male characters actually fits the wacky storyline. Yamamura was the absent minded one, who cares too much about hair loss, but the characters actually becomes endearing overtime, like his panda soon becomes a normal thing in the plot.

I was really awe-struck by the chemistry between Amami Yuki and Takenouchi Yutaka, who acted Osawa Eriko and Nodate respectively. I’m really glad the scriptwriter didn’t force the two of them together as a couple, if not the show would have been a total flop. It’s lovely to see how Nodate seems to constantly pick on his girl-friend, yet at the same time, care for her. But since Amami Yuki and Yutaka’s acting are top-rated as well, their antics and sadistic conversations in the drama play an essential part in its dialogue.

I have always liked Toda Erika, for some reason. Her acting is almost there, but not exactly top-rated yet. I’m glad that she was able to act the Kimoto’s character well. Since her usual roles belong to the ‘cute’, ‘glamorous’ or ‘lady-like’ kind, when she appeared, I burst out laughing when she was too lazy to walk to the MPD building. Thank god she didn’t overdo Kimoto and her acting came to me as rather natural. It was rather disappointing when she was not in the main cast for Season 2 especially after I have grown to love Kimoto.

It was my first time watching Tamayama Tetsuji act (Katagiri in BOSS) and I must say I am rather impressed with his acting in Season 2. His character was rather boring in BOSS Season 1 as he was introverted and was a sort of rule by rule person. It was only after Episode 8 that I start to appreciate his existence in the drama more. However, I really like the way he acts when he is troubled or when it comes to the scenes when he is supposed to shoot but holds back due to his trauma. In Season 2, his character becomes more well-developed in the drama series (Kudos to the scriptwriter!) Katagiri seemed to have open up to the rest of the Crime Countermeasures Team, still being cool, but showing his perverted and shy side when it comes to having group dates or romance. Tamayama did an awesome job in switching between these emotions on screen. An actor I would love to see more from!

One actor I am really impressed with is Mizobata Junpei. This young actor never fails to surprise me with all the roles he is taking up. From Meitantei Conan to Mitsu no Aji, I have watched practically all his dramas and movies (Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu; Akai Ito) and realized that he is one of the rare actors that hardly get roles of the same personalities. In BOSS, he took the role of the mood-maker, the energetic healthy young one. I kind of shocked me because the role that he took was actually 4 years older than his actual age (o.o) but still, he did an awesome job, after all his image does fit the crazy and ego one. Although some might say that a determined and naïve role is easy to take up in dramas, I really adored Hanagata’s character and of course Junpei’s acting maybe because I had watched Shinzanmono and Mitsu no Aji before BOSS and well, the change is drastic. From a serious detective to a love obsessed person to a adorkable inexperienced young detective (again), I’d say he is a versatile actor. The person in charge of his outfits and costumes should make a change in choice of clothes for Hanagata though. I mean when you find out that Hanagata is actually 23, his fashion choice does not really match what you would expect.

For the new characters added in Season 2, which I shall not elaborate too much on. I wasn’t too impressed with their acting. Their acting simply did not have much impact as compared to the previous cast when Toda Erika was around. But I loved Narumi Riko’s acting as Kurohara Rika, her bluntness towards Yamamura as a teenager was rather epic (?)

This drama would suit anyone who is a Japanese Drama lover, a comedy and crime lover, and of course, a person who deeply loves the friendship and teamwork kinda thing. What I love about this drama is that, we get to see the bonds form amongst the people in the team amidst crime solving and tons of killing. A perfect mix between crime and comedy.

If I would rewatch this again: Definitely, someday when I have the time
Ratings? 9.6/10

Theme song? Full marks (Although the ending song didn’t really make an impact, Alright! By Superfly is darn addictive.)

Opening? 8.5/10 (Season 1) Well, with the whole cast being glam and all, there’s nothing to hate about the opening. 8.0/10 (Season 2) I preferred Season 1’s opening. I mean what’s with the throwing of people, breaking of glass on people’s heads and the most WTS moment was when there was water splashing. I mean seriously? Amami Yuki was pretty glamorous though.

Acting? 8.9/10 (Averaged out for both seasons) Thanks to the chemistry of the cast and a few outstanding actors and actresses)

Recommend this to your friends? Please do so.