Group Demotion or Everyone is Demoted is a Japanese drama that Aired on Sundays during the month of July. The drama lasted for ten episodes and is based off the novel of the same name originally written by Tetsuo Ebato. Japan's Bon Jovi: Masaharu Fukuyama stars in the drama with Teruyuki Kagawa, Hiroshi Mikami, Ryunosuke Kamiki, and Kai Inowaki. Yoichiro Hirakawa directed the drama.
A bank worker is transfered to a smaller branch that is said to be failing. If the branch can get a certain amount in loans that branch could save it's self from being closed down. This bank worker works as hard as he can to save the branch but little does he know, there's more problems under the surface of this bank he loves so much.
First off, let me start by saying that Group Demotion has absolutely no romance in it whatsoever.(middle aged marriage life only folks..) Sorry, this is not that kind of drama. Banking is strictly the main focus here. I know a lot of people won't watch this drama because to them there's no eye candy or a bank drama just seems like a boring viewing experience. You could say I wasn't too excited to watch Group Demotion either but Fukuyama was staring in it so I decided to watch as a fan of his. Not to mention most of the stuff he's in turns out to be pretty good. Group Demotion is about banking while not being only about Banking. I've ever watched a Banking drama where I actually cared about the aspects of banking itself. Somehow the story made me care about the math of the fact through the character's struggles. Viewers learn that much more goes into giving customer loans and how the loans benefit both parties. Also, the positive message that comes out of the bank helping so many people get back up on their feet. Most of us don't really take the time to realize how much banks help society. Sure, you have to pay the money back however, costumers are allowed to get a start on their businesses then pay the bank back later when they're earning more than enough to return the loan. This all ties into the plot full of fun events that you wouldn't expect from a drama like this. Each episode tries it's hardest to be as not boring as possible. I enjoyed the fast pace Group Demotion has when using scenes of on foot chases, running down roads toward the office, as well as fights in the office. Like I said above the drama gives viewers a heart warming feel watching the characters in the bank work for a honest corrupt free method to help people support their dreams financially. I loved how the drama flies into second gear after a few episodes that seem to be bring a sort of closure to the first conflict in someone's perfect world. Too bad the world is far from perfect in reality and the drama keeps going, adding a new bunch of conflicts to the story. Some parts of the drama can be frustrating when you think about the villains… Yep, A banking drama with villains. Who would have thought? Group Demotion concludes pretty normally though.
Group Demotion is at the type of Drama that requires everyone to be good at acting. No person in the cast being off their game throws the whole show off balance. Even the costars who have small parts have to be perfect in their character for the whole thing to stay interesting. Otherwise this would be another boring banking drama. I've watched other Japanese banking dramas before and stuck around because of the performances. Same instance happens here too. Fukuyama's performance in a character who went from being a deer in headlights to a strong stable character who fought for the justice of the integrity of his bank struck a chord within me. Teruyuki's character supports Fuku's character as the whole branch's team strives to survive in the corrupt world of banking. The unwavering support between the characters is something to seek out in your own life.
Group Demotion won't be a drama that makes it on to many J-drama lover's to watch lists. Still I suggest taking the time to watch some of this drama if you don't have anything else to do. You might be pleasantly surprised.
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