Seven Reasons Why You Should be Watching JIN!

[topazera]

Time travel, gorgeous historical settings and damn attractive people. What's not to like?
I know, I'm so in love with list picspams right? It's either this or I spam everything in an episode... so lists it is. :) This time I bring you several excellent reasons why you should be watching the Japanese drama JIN (or if you already are, several reasons I love it)! In this drama season, My Girl has been providing me with sap (in a good way) and an opportunity to ogle Aiba consistently while You're Beautiful is just the kind of drama crack I can't get enough of. Yet JIN may still be my favorite drama that I'm watching.

To use my specific frame of reference (please don't judge this show by my taste in other shows! ;) ), JIN is like a combination of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Rurouni Kenshin. You get the excitement of old-fashioned medicine blended with the intrigue of a transitional time in Japanese history. The series follows Minakata Jin, a surgeon in modern-day Tokyo who is thrown back in time to the Bakumatsu period. He is left to wonder if he'll ever see his fianceé and own time again, creating a new life in the past in the meantime.

1. History with a twist.

When I first heard about this show, two things peaked my interest: Ayase Haruka and time travel. As it's important to the structure of the show, let's start with the latter! I think bringing your main character from the present to a past era is such a perfect way to do a historical drama. While this show keeps the integrity of the period, Minakata Jin brings a modern point of view and sensibility with him. It allows the show to explain and break open old traditions for the audience. In addition, the time travel aspect adds a thread of mystery to the show. There's definitely moments that really screw with your mind, in a pleasant way! I'm only a few episodes in, so I couldn't possible spoil that for you! There's still so much I don't know but I'm eager to find out. :D

2. Our hero, Minakata Jin.

Minakata-sensei, as he's usually called, is the heart of the series. As the audience, we're introduced to this new time through his eyes. Every time he tries a medical procedure with his limited resources, we're invested in his success or failure. I think he's a great lead character: he's sort of odd and flawed but unambiguously a good guy. I like that a lot of his strength comes from his skill as a doctor. In a short span of time, I've really fallen in love with this guy's face. Just look at that crazy toothy crocodile smile! Those forearms also aren't hard on the eyes. NECK.

3. Attempting surgery with stone knives and bearskins

Note: Totally not impugning the medicine of the Edo period, it's a Spock quote. XD
You can't really talk about our main character without mentioning the importance of his profession! We meet Minakata-sensei at a low point professionally, a failed surgery has caused him to doubt himself. But when he arrives in the past, he's forced to jump back in. Okay, I know medical dramas aren't everyone's cup of tea but it's really fascinating to watch Minakata-sensei try and translate his skills to 150 years in the past! Plus it means life or death drama is built into the series but in an expected way so it's not quite as emotionally taxing as surprise cancer. :)

4. Saki is the BEST. Seriously.

While I really love everything about this show, I may love Saki a little extra. Saki is our heroine, and not in the way that just indicates she's the love interest of the hero. She meets Minakata-sensei when he takes her brother's surgery on his shoulders. From the moment you see her inquisitive eyes, you know that Saki is going to learn, to change, to become more than what she thought she could be. Saki is a great mix of softness and pure steel. Bonus: she's played by Ayase Haruka and therefore gorgeous. And wears beautiful kimonos all the time. And is generally kickass. SAKI. ♥

5. You can't do Bakumatsu without a lovable ronin

Now this may just be my previous exposure to Rurouni Kenshin speaking, but you really can't explore a chaotic period of Japanese history without a lovable ronin with a mysterious past! I don't want to give too much away but the show definitely inspired me to go wiki the Bakumatsu period to figure out the historical events that have (and will) shape the characters introduced in this drama. Something that really needs no explanation: this guy's face. He totally has the best facial expressions. And awesomely growly and informal speech. To quote phrenk, "The way he talks reminds me of Nagase's voice in My Boss, and indeed a lot of his mannerisms also remind me of such. He is kind of like a shorter, older, dirtier Nagase. Which is to say: awesome." (Also awesome, her picspam on the subject! Just be very careful in your scrolling, there is a point where she warns for spoilers in episode three that you really cannot go past! Warning! ♥)

6. No weak links here!


Basically, no matter what size part, all the characters are really well drawn. This show not only builds a new world, it populates it really convincingly. From Saki's tough-as-nails mother to the respected head of medicine in Edo, everyone is compelling and carries their own history. There's even a kid who's in no way cloying and is in fact really likable! I'm interested to see where all these minor characters go.

7. Building a world isn't so hard with settings like this.


As you can see from this small sampling, this show is amazingly beautiful! I love the colors, the cinematography, the lighting! As it's set in another time period, they really had to build a new world from the ground up. JIN creates a rich setting, from the architecture to the small details on an outfit. Really, I could just watch this show for its visual beauty! When added to all the other things it does right, this drama really winds up being a knockout!

I hope I've given you a taste of the pretty and the interesting elements you'll find in JIN! I really recommend you download the first episode and give it a try. It has certainly stolen my heart! As I mentioned in my previous pimping efforts, if you're interested in downloading this or any other Asian drama, you should go join jdramas. Go here to download the show if you're already a member. We're about half way through the release of subs, so you have a nice head start!

I hope you enjoyed the picspam! Thanks for looking and any comments are more than welcome! JIN. :)

Comments

[rabidline.livejournal.com]

MY GOD, THIS SHOW IS GORGEOUS WITH A CAPITAL FUCKING G.

Wow. Just- wow. *brain melts from extreme prettyness* Okay, I'm sold. THE KIMONOS AND RONINS AND FFFFF-

Great picspam!

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Oh man! Do you watch Asian dramas already? I didn't think you were part of my flist that did! Either way, I'm so so excited to hear that you might check out the show! It is seriously gorgeous. And just really good. I could do another whole picspam of just the lovely shots of kimonos in this show, that is such an advantage to watching a period show.

HOORAY, I hope you try JIN! When I was making this I was hoping I could catch the attention just one person! JIN.

[rabidline.livejournal.com]

Well, I haven't really watch Asian dramas- there was that one time of Boys Before Flowers (they're a huge hit amongst my friends) and I definitely watched the live-action version of Nodame Cantabile- but yeah, my experience in Asian Dramas? Not much.

But man, I'm just a sucker of PERIOD CLOTHES and GORGEOUS COLORS (this is why I have both Marie Antoinette and Memoirs of A Geisha in my DVD player- I watched them on mute. Sometimes. They're pretty OKAY.) so this picspam really got me excited! I'll try searching for DVDs, but if I can't find it, I'll definitely check your links.

Oh, about Asian Dramas; what's your opinion about Coffee Prince? I saw it in my favorite DVD store weeks ago and I'm contemplating about buying it. Also, any more recs?

:D

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Yeah, JIN is still currently airing in Japan so I wouldn't think it would be on DVD yet but it's so awesome that you have that option in your area! And I hear you, I actually saw both Marie Antoinette and Memoirs of a Geisha in theaters because they looked so pretty. I wasn't 100% on board with plot but man, it was totally worth the price of admission! XD

Well clearly I'm biased on the subject, considering Asian dramas are my main fandom at the moment, but I'm always encouraging people to try more of them. :)

Coffee Prince is one of my very favorite shows! It's much more of a purely character-driven or slice-of-life drama, with a emphasis on the romance. Keeping that in mind, I think it's one of the best executed ones I've seen. So yes, I rec Coffee Prince! And JIN! Hmm if I knew how you felt about those two, I think I could build more recs from there. Dramas cover so many genres and tones, so I'd want to know if you were looking for crack (more on the Nodame side) vs. realism, character-driven (like Coffee Prince), romantic (okay, that's an element of most dramas but some more than others!) or something darker or with more plot (like JIN). Or historical, but I just started on that side of things myself. :)

Do you want me to give you a list of some of my other favorites in general or do you want to narrow it down first? I'd be happy to give you more recs either way! Yay, I'm so excited that you might be trying some of my recent favorites. I'd be thrilled if I shared more fandoms with you. ♥

[ohmyghost.livejournal.com]

I've heard such good things about this show! I've even downloaded the first episode, but I haven't really been pulled to it, if that makes any sense? (Probably code for: "I have been too lazy to watch it yet.") But these pictures are gorgeous *_* SO YOU MAY INDEED HAVE WON ME OVER

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Yesssss, I'm so pleased! No, I get what you mean, there's a lot of first episodes that I download and then leave sitting around while I wait for the mood to strike. In fact I knew JIN as "that show I've heard good things about" for a long while before I watched it and fell in love. ♥

DOOOO IT. /peer pressure :D

[woelvs.livejournal.com]

this show seems so beautiful and I love Ayase, thanks so much for the awesome picspam/pimping!!
will have to check this out after finals :)

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Eee, I hope you do! I'm so happy with this show that I just want to share the love. I love Ayase too, I would give shows a try just for her! Thankfully she also happens to be in a show that's awesome! And allows her to wear kimonos and stun me with her beauty and tenacity, oh Ayase Haruka. ♥

Thanks for commenting! :D
(...why don't I have an Ayase Haruka icon yet, that is terrible.)

[biases.livejournal.com]

I downloaded the first episode a couple of days ago but I'm going to finish Kami no Shizuku before watching anything else. I was planning on waiting until this one was completely subbed but your gorgeous picspam may have changed my mind. It looks fantastic!

Have you seen the British show Life on Mars? It's another awesome example of time travel (kinda) done right.

[topazera.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yeah, waiting for subs can be a killer! This show, with all it's plot and such, already feels too short to me so I'm glad to stretch it out a little. :)

Have you seen the British show Life on Mars? It's another awesome example of time travel (kinda) done right.
Oh man, I downloaded the pilot of Life on Mars but it's been sitting on my hard drive for months! I should get to that now that I need to supplement my JIN/time travel kick. From what I've read about it, that's actually a way more apt comparison than either of the shows I mentioned. :) I think they're structured in a pretty similar way.

[timescout.livejournal.com]

Sorry to butt in but.... about Life on Mars (one of my all time favourite shows) just make sure you've got the British version with John Simm and Phil Glenster and not the American remake. Because I don't think there was a pilot for the British show, they started straight from episode 1. *bows and retreats to make a proper reply*

[satoyan]

You already know how much I love this, and Jin. (And Jin. And Saki. And you!)

In this drama season, My Girl has been providing me with sap (in a good way) and an opportunity to ogle Aiba consistently while You're Beautiful is just the kind of drama crack I can't get enough of. Yet JIN may still be my favorite drama that I'm watching. Agreed!

I love the juxtapositions in the pictures of the first reason. (Especially the creepy fetus vs. the kaleidoscope.)

In a short span of time, I've really fallen in love with this guy's face. ME TOOOOOOO.

HAHAHA SURPRISE CANCER and by hahaha I mean TEARS TEARS DAMMIT.

SAKI. SAKI. SAKI. SAKI. SAKI. NOT ENOUGH <3s IN THE WORLD.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE HIM. (And thanks for the pimp and the quote and the love! Awwww, LOVE.) We really do have a lot of the same caps, umai. <3

For reason 6, my overwhelming feeling was BUT YOU LEFT OUT _____! Then I realized that it's just that EVERY CHARACTER IS AWESOME. JIN, YOU ROCK.

So pretty, Jin. So pretty.

Gorgeous as usual, toplet. A++++++!! I am so happy that this might cause even ONE more person to watch Jin. It is just that amazing.

[topazera.livejournal.com]

You already know how much I love this, and Jin. (And Jin. And Saki. And you!)
Tangent: What is the capitalization for this show? I've been using "JIN" because then I can conveniently think of Minakata-sensei as "Jin". But I'm confused!

(Especially the creepy fetus vs. the kaleidoscope.)
Thanks! I was debating what shots to use to get across the creepy without having to look at the creepiest shot even though you know it's coming every time I looked at the picspam. ;)

SAKI. SAKI. SAKI. SAKI. SAKI. NOT ENOUGH <3s IN THE WORLD.
I almost gave Saki a double-length panel, like "other characters" or "scenery" but then I decided that would be totally unfair. I think I told you this but it was touch and go until the POSTED.

(And thanks for the pimp and the quote and the love! Awwww, LOVE.) We really do have a lot of the same caps, umai. <3
Right back at you! *squishes* I'm glad you take that as a compliment and not just that I'm totally ripping you off because talking without spoilers is haaaaard. XD

For reason 6, my overwhelming feeling was BUT YOU LEFT OUT _____!
I felt the same way! But it was already getting pretty extensive! And I was just looking at the promo pic on jdramas and thinking "Hey, do I even know that old guy yet..."

Aw, you're bringing on the blushing as usual. It is always ~the dream~ to get one person to watch who wouldn't have otherwise, I can only cross my fingers! JIN.

[brokendartist.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about watching this since there's timetravel, does he adapt very quickly to the past?
and it looks like a pretty show :)

[topazera.livejournal.com]

I definitely recommend it!

does he adapt very quickly to the past?
Hmm, I would say he does. There's the ongoing conflict of whether he can return to his own time and trying to figure out if what he does changes the future, but being in a doctor, he's really forced to jump in and start using his skills and finding a place in the world pretty quickly. Plus, the show is only going to be eleven episodes long so things have to move fast! :D

It is really pretty! And hee, your icon is appropriate! Speaking of pretty shows and time travel... :)

[outof-focus.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this post. I'm behind with jdramas this season.

I'm fascinated with time travel and this drama combines more than one of my interests. I'm downloading Episode 1 already.

[topazera.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped you narrow down your jdramas for the season, I hope you like it when you give it a watch. :) The time travel aspect is definitely what first hooked me too.

Also I was stalking your icons (as you do) and YEH, You're Beautiful and Hanson? I love your taste! ♥

[miss-magrat.livejournal.com]

JIN JIN JIN. LOVE THE PICSPAM :)

I'm a bit hyper, but I handed in my essays, so I can finally catch up on it, hurray! :D Which makes me a tiny bit excited.

And YES, best drama of the season, hands down. I think I even like it more than Iris, which is saying a lot.

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I can see you're just a tiny bit excited. ;)

JIN JIN JIN. Oh man, this is the first time I've spoken to someone who already loves JIN that's not phrenk! I just want to grab your hands and jump up and down! It's so great!

I'll have to get to Iris at some point. I've heard such good things about it but it seemed a little... traumatic maybe, for my state of mind. I say, as I go back to my graphic shots of brain surgery. XD

I adore your icon by the way! I was looking at that very shot and thinking "Wow, you could just crop this cap and voila, icon!" Pretty! Saki and Jin! ♥♥

[miss-magrat.livejournal.com]

It's amazing, isn't it? I'm not usually big on medical dramas, an yet JIN so effortlessly blends together medicine with history, and mystery, and just the right amount of star-crossed romance (very weird situation for me - as much as I adore Saki, I don't want her and Jin to have any romantic relationship, as I ship Jin/fiance-or-Nokaze SO HARD) I can't help but be completely enchanted.

Iris is good, you should definitely try it! But yeah, I guess there is some difference between brain surgery and the characters having their whole lives completely ruined XD

Thank you! That was exactly why and how I made it - and I'm pretty sure I didn't even have to fix the colours...

[chudelya.livejournal.com]

I was really meaning to watch this, but I'm kinda low on free space on my hd. Now that you posted about it, I'm craving to see it

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I know that situation well! I've had to delete something to download anything new for months. It's really tough when you're a packrat like me! :)

I hope you get free space and a chance to try this show soon! ♥

[chudelya.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hope I get that chance coz I really want to see this. Thanks for the post, by the way. ^_^

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

Ok you've done it. I'm going to ddl it :).

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Yesssss. I hope you like it when you give it a try! Thanks so much for commenting! :)

[bumbleberri.livejournal.com]

Whoa I usually don't like watching medical genre dramas...but this one DOES intrigue me. And omg I love YOUR SCREENCAPS. They look so amazing!! When I saw this on my flist, I immediately knew I had to check your '7 reasons to watch JIN' because of your stunning caps^^
I've seen this drama title everywhere, like on mysoju, youtube, viikii...but I've yet to pick it up :D Maybe I should? Though I'm currently simutaniously watching two taiwanese dramas right now after You're Beautiful (OMG. LOVED. THAT. SHOW), but I'll try to squeeze in this one since the other two come out only once a week :)

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Oh man, thank you so much! Sorry this comment is so belated! It was so fun working with these JIN caps, it's such a pretty show that it only needs a little polishing to make it shine. :)

I hope you get a chance to at least check this one out! I heard about it because of the positive buzz and you can see how that turned out for me. *giggles* (I MISS YOU, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!)

[(Anonymous)]

HIHI I'VE FINALLY GOT TIME TO WATCH JIN!!! :)

I'm so glad you recommended this series because I don't think I've seen ANY japanese drama with a unique storyline/suspense as this one!! This drama is actually getting me interested in Japan's history too haha if only they had these dramas on American history, then people who probably pay attention in class more! LOL
I'm loving all the characters, especially Saki & the doc XDD I want them to end up together! :P

I'm currently on the fourth episode, but I heard this drama only has 11 episodes total?? T.T It's ending so soon, I wish they extended this drama!!

[bumbleberri.livejournal.com]

btw, the above comment was from me haha
I forgot to log in xD

[topazera.livejournal.com]

OMG, sorry this comment is so late! And I was so excited to get an update!

I'm so glad you recommended this series because I don't think I've seen ANY japanese drama with a unique storyline/suspense as this one!!
I agree! This is actually mt first historical drama and I'm just having so much fun. It's nice to have such a solid plot and the setting just has such weight. I think the sense of history helps it feel like such a real place to me.

I'm loving all the characters, especially Saki & the doc XDD I want them to end up together! :P
I'm really glad to hear you say that! Other people are so accepting of the starcrossed love of Jin and Miki... but ugh, I want Saki/Jin to happen so much. I can't help that I love them above all other characters and they're in the same time period! :D

Why isn't this show kdrama length? That would work so well! Oh yeah, since this is so belated, I haven't seen past episode six! Don't spoil me, I'm slow and saving the end!

I'm so happy that you liked the show! :D

[animefreak42.livejournal.com]

YES YES YES.

I was just kind of nodding along and staring the entire time. <3 As much as I enjoy ogling Aiba in My Girl, JIN is definitely the drama I'm most rabid about this season. I especially agree with your reaction to the hearing about JIN: Ayase Haruka + time traveling! Ayase Haruka is so awesome, I love her. I can't believe how much of a ditz she was on AnS given her incredible acting. Have you seen Tatta Hitotsu no Koi yet? That was the first drama I saw with her in it, and it got me into Kame and her at once.

[animefreak42.livejournal.com]

Oh, also, I imagine this drama would be even more awesome for the Japanese since they know all the history and the significance of Sakamoto Ryoma's character. It kind of blows my mind, given how this drama one of my favorites ever and I'm not getting the historical cues at all (except when the subbed nicely points them out).

[topazera.livejournal.com]

OMG, sorry this comment is so late! I know, I haven't seen that AnS episode still but Ayase Haruka was also very ditzy and unique when I saw her on a TOKIO show. ♥ I love her even more for being so weird in real life!

I haven't seen Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, I didn't realize just how many people I like are in that show! I already have a soft spot for Kame from Nobuta but then also Koki and Toda Erika and Kaname Jun. I'm going to have to get around to that one!

Oh, also, I imagine this drama would be even more awesome for the Japanese since they know all the history and the significance of Sakamoto Ryoma's character.
Yeah! I love that too! I didn't mention it in the picspam because I didn't want to spoil the reveal for the... two (hee) people who'll know enough Japanese history. But I had so much studying up with Google so I'll know if we start diverging from history. :)

[timescout.livejournal.com]

Nice picspam of a great drama. Thanks!

I was captivated by JIN from the get go. It's so pretty, the cinematography is awesome! It's also populated with interesting charcters from the major to minor and I'm really intrigued to see how it all ends. Just waiting to find some time to enjoy episode 7 now that the subs are finally out.

JIN!! ;)

[topazera.livejournal.com]

JIN!! :D

Thanks so much for the comment! I needed to capture just fraction of my love for this show. I've been watching it pretty slowly, every episode is so fulfilling, so whenever I watch a new one it's such a treat! I'm both super excited and a little nervous to see how it ends. :)

SPOCK/UHURA AWARDS: YOU'RE NOMINATED!

[herm-weasley.livejournal.com]

Hi! You've been nominated at the Spock/Uhura Awards (http://community.livejournal.com/spock_uhura/559156.html) over at spock_uhura! Come check out the nominees list (http://community.livejournal.com/spock_uhura/559156.html) and see if you have to choose between two of your works to compete! ;) CONGRATULATIONS!

[anenko.livejournal.com]

I was swayed by this picspam, and oh god, is Jin an *awesome* show or what? I want to race through the episodes, but at the same time, I'm so invested in these characters that I'm dreading the thought of any of them not making it through with a happy ending.

Episode 4! Saki and the big discovery!

*must find Jin icons*

[topazera.livejournal.com]

Yes! I saw you had joined in the fun and was very excited, I've just sucked at commenting this week! Sorry!

But yay, JIN! Isn't it just so good? Everything about it is so solid: the writing, the cinematography, the acting (I fully intend to stalk Osawa Takao from this point on). Predictably (for me), I'm watching the episodes slowly since I don't want to let these characters go. Every episode I'm trying to will them towards the best possible ending and hoping no one I like succumbs to illness or a need for brain surgery. I trust you JIN, I'm just a worrier!

I'm happy to have had a small part in your decision to start this one, though once you start, JIN does all the work of getting you hopelessly addicted itself! :D

[anenko.livejournal.com]

I stopped watching at episode eight, too worried to continue. I'm waiting for spoilers to hit my flist regarding the end before I go on. Like you, I trust JIN, but. . . *bites nails*

I'm not good at watching currently airing dramas! The tension!

I managed to get a couple of people on my flist to watch JIN. My great accomplishment for the end of the year. *g*

[scanky-chops.livejournal.com]

I've just watched the last episode raw (OMG IT'S OVER NOOOOO!) and i randomly was checking out stuff and found this and it's completely ♥.

SO PRETTY. Also, Saki is badass and i'm glad you gave her her own reason 'cos yeah, fantastic. XDXD

I uh, also added you 'cos JIN ♥ and you picspammed Hotaru no Hikaru. I effing love that drama. XD

[topazera.livejournal.com]

I've just watched the last episode raw (OMG IT'S OVER NOOOOO!)
Oh, I am still stretching it out over here! This should be a sixteen episode jdrama, c'mon!

SO PRETTY. Also, Saki is badass and i'm glad you gave her her own reason 'cos yeah, fantastic. XDXD
Ha, okay, if I was being honest (and as incoherent as I feel), she'd probably be my number two reason. After AKJDSKJKFJDHFKDJ THIS SHOW IS FUCKING AWESOME♥. JIN~~

I uh, also added you 'cos JIN ♥ and you picspammed Hotaru no Hikaru. I effing love that drama. XD
Ooh! I'm definitely adding you back! Of course I've seen your icons all over and they are amazing. I just usually try to refrain from using them since otherwise I would never bother to make my own. ;) And, yesss, I adore Hotaru. I started out thinking "Oh this is cute, I totally identify with Hotaru and her home-hair!" and before I knew it, I was horribly invested in everyone and crying OTP like crazy. Such a good show!

Thanks for the awesome comment!

[aweenz193.livejournal.com]

i cried a lot at the end. i reeeeeeaaaly333 hope there's a second season. datte ne, i stil dun understand the existence of that scary-looking baby in the jar.. hohohoh

[enders-girrrl.livejournal.com]

gorgeous picspam!!! loved your crackling commentary as well. i think we both love this show for all the same reasons. i just finished watching JIN a few weeks ago (don't know what took me so long, lol) so the feelings are still very fresh and new. go saki!!!

[bys2ke0.livejournal.com]

hi, I'm currently watching JIN and I like your picspam a lot! Can I translate this entry into Vietnamese to share with my friends? Promise that I'll credit you D:

Thanks for your awesome picspam XD

[taiwanf4sale.livejournal.com]

just finished watching JIN and JIN2. i can't agree more with all the reasons you listed here! ^_^
i love minakata-sensei. and sakamato-san. and saki-san.
with them, you can't go wrong XD
ah~! i'm gonna miss minakata-sensei T_T he made me smile, laugh, and cry. so much. XD