Akira to Akira is a drama that was based off of the novel of the same name written by Ikeido Jun. The drama adaption was written by Maekawa Youichi and directed by Mizutani Tooshiyuki. Two roles of the Akiras are played Mukai Osamu and Saito Takumi. Leading behind them is an all star cast of well known big names in Japanese TV drama and films.
Two boys by the name of Akira come from very different social backgrounds. One Akira comes from a family that owns a large company while the other's family had a business but it went bankrupt causing them to flee into the night. Both Akira's have met each other during the course of their lives. Years later they meet again during a training fro new hires at a bank. Each Akira are on opposing teams for the training mission. Maybe these two are destined to be in each other's lives?
Akira To Akira aired for about nine episodes which is pretty normal for certain J-drama. I wasn't to interested in this drama for the first two episodes. Something about the whole production of the drama kept me watching though. One problem for me was that I wasn't openminded about the idea of watching this kind of drama. If you didn't realize by now, Akira to Akira is a corporate drama. Corporate dramas tend to deal with the aspect of how business works and it's not everyone's cup of tea. These dramas usually have long winded scenes talking about business strategies so you can expect that in this drama as well. Hang in there, viewers that are rolling their eyes ready to click off this post. Yes, this drama is very strongly based on the business of banking but it's not without a plot about a relationship that spans years in the making. In all of the talks about banking, There is a hidden underline message teaching viewers about family and humanity too. The episodes start to get more interesting once the drama gets into this realm of storytelling. My eyes were truly forced open to the struggles that people working at banks have to go through when giving out loans. A bank can't just give out a loan to anyone. The company has to show proof that they loan can be paid back in full. Some companies really need these loans to get out of debt or they will have to file bankruptcy. What the challenge ends up being is who do you give the loan to? A person who needs it and has no malice intent or a person who wants the loan but has no intentions of paying it back like they should. Some Companies are doing really bad in performance so that makes it harder for them to get a loan. However, current bad performance doesn't mean that a loan from the bank won't turn things into good performances. Also, just because a company has shown good performance doesn't mean that they will return the loan like they are suppose to, on top of not continuing to do poor in profit. We're not going to even talking about those companies that take out constant loans like somebody owes them something. Humanity comes into play when an employee from the bank most decide whether to give the loan or not. Their decision could destroy a family's livelihood in the process. Sadly, many banks don't think about the people that are requesting loans. Only thing that matters to them is if they will get the loan back. One of the Akira's was working to change the bank's selfish system.
Romance and shall I say "bromance" are portrayed in the actor's performances. Both Akiras come from different sides of the tracks but they both end up fighting for the same cause. I was thrown off a little by Mukai and Saito's acting in the beginning. You would think that this drama was going to be a rivalry kind of drama. Both actors evolve in their characters though. Especially when conflicts start hitting closer to home for both of them. The Akira boys become each other's pillar of support naturally. Some of the most beautiful scene of this drama are both of them being there for one another during the tough times. Other cast members add conflict to the boy's ever growing friendship. Family drama and corruption take a front seat toward to middle of the plot all the way to the conclusion. Here was another aspect of the actor's performances that I was not expecting. They took a corporate drama to a different level for those that want a little more spice and less nice. Many fans were shipping(relationship wishing) the Akira boys but this isn't BL(Boy's Love). One Akira has a female of interest that he has known since they both were young. While other Akira gains a girl that's interested in him who works at the same bank as the other Akira. They might have ended up together had it not be for these meddling women[INSERT ME LAUGHING.]!
I want to say that they soundtrack for this drama is amazing. Only one main theme song was used for the whole drama and it was enough. The track is a classical piece that starts off with the gentle playing of the piano. Then the piece builds up into a powerful sequence of violins. This song is used for the opening and ending theme song of the drama. It goes perfectly with the effects of the opening of the show. I loved the scenes used when the credits roll of the two Akira looking at the sea then walking down the boardwalk next to each other. It's so impactful to me. This track sounds like everything that is the Akiras's friendship.
Akira to Akira was a drama that takes a little settling into. When you get into just the right grove, this drama becomes a fun viewing experience. Not to mention the grand performances by the cast.
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