* Title (romaji): Tiger & Dragon
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Comedy
* Episodes: 1 Special + 11
* Viewership ratings: 15.5%(SP), 12.78%
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period:
o Special: 2005-Jan-09
o 2005-Apr-15 to 2005-Jun-24
* Air time: Friday 22:00
* Opening theme song: Tiger & Dragon by Crazy Ken Band
* Ending theme song: UTAO-UTAO by V6
Synopsis
The tale of Tiger & Dragon revolves around Rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese comedy that can look back on an impressive 400 year long history. Nagase portrays the Yakuza follower Toraji who goes to a Rakugo performer to collect debts, while Okada plays Ryuji a talented Rakugo player who wants to leave behind the old fashioned world of Rakugo for good. Shortly afterwards these two very different characters happen to cross paths through a girl named Megumi and that's when all the real trouble starts igniting...
Cast
* Nagase Tomoya as Yamazaki Kotora / Hayashiyatei Kotora / Tora / Toraji / Toravolta
* Okada Junichi as Yanaka Ryuji / Hayashiyatei Kotatsu
* Ito Misaki as Megumi
* Nishida Toshiyuki as Yanaka Shoukichi / Hayashiatei Donbei / Shishou / Don-chan
* Shoufukutei Tsurube as Nakatani Ken / Ken-chan (Shinjuku RyuseIkai Kumicho)
* Tsukamoto Takashi as Nakatani Ginjiro / Gin-gin
* Takuma Takayuki as Hyuuga Jun
* Gin Pun Chou as Yanaka Sayuri
* Abe Sadao as Yanaka Ryuhei / Hayashiyatei Donta
* Nekoze Tsubaki as Yanaka Tsuruko
* Shunputei Shota as Hayashiyatei Donkichi
* Hoshino Gen as Hayashiyatei Dontsuku
* Fukami Motoki as Hayashiyatei Donburi
* Asari Yosuke as Murata Susumu / Hayashiyatei Udon
* Aoi Yu as Risa
* Kiritani Kenta as Chibi T / Takeshi-kun
* Arakawa Yoshiyoshi as Awashima Yukio / "Jumptei Jump"
* Omi Toshinori as Ta-chan (Soba Shop owner / Rakugo Fanatic)
* Hankai Kazuaki as Hanzou (Oden Stand Owner / Rakugo Fanatic)
* Matsumoto Jun as Yoshiko
* Itou Shuuko (伊藤修子) as Nakatani Shizuka
* Emoto Karin (江本花琳) as Yanaka Saya
* Horaguchi Shinya (洞口信也) as Manabu
* Hiroishi Keiichi (廣石恵一) as Kariya
* Koumoto Junichi as Liu-san
* Fukazawa Atsushi
Guests
* Hiroshi (ヒロシ) as Death Kiyoshi (Sp&ep7)
* Sugawara Daikichi (菅原大吉) as Tamotsu (Sp&10)
* Oomori Nao as BOSS Kataoka (ep3)
* Takada Fumio (高田文夫) as Takadatei Babahiko (ep3,7,10&11)
* Morishita Aiko as Mizukoshi Koharu (ep4&11)
* Furuta Arata as Maruo (ep5)
* Shimizu Michiko as Marimo (ep5)
* Yakushimaru Hiroko as Shiraishi Katsuko (ep6)
* Kohinata Fumiyo as Yanagitei Koshin (ep7)
* Takaoka Sousuke as Kaneko (ep8)
* Kitamura Kazuki as Tanabe Yasuo (ep8,9,11)
* Ino Manabu (猪野学) as Tetsuya (ep9)
* Shoji Yusuke (少路勇介) as Yasuji (ep9)
* Hashimoto Jun as Kaji Rikio (ep9-11)
Awards
* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Drama
* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor: Nagase Tomoya
* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor Nishida Toshiyuki
* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Screenwriter: Kudo Kankuro
* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Music Arrangement: Nakanishi Kyo
* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Opening: Katayama Osamu
* 9th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (2005-06): Best Supporting Actor: Okada Junichi
Review
This drama continues off from where the special that aired early this year, 2005, ended. It's about a yakuza member, Toraji (Nagase Tomoya) who has to collect payments from a man whose son used the money to open an eclectic clothing store. However, Toraji discovers rakugo (traditional Japanese comical monologues) through the man who later teaches him the art. The situations between the characters were hilarious and the comedy was very refreshing. I really enjoyed how the director was able to create a seamless transitioning between the rakugo story-telling - the re-enactment of thestory itself - and then the current drama happenings. It was very innovative and impressive to say the least. Each episode focuses on a different rakugo story and it was surprising that because of this factor, the series still didn't seem episodic, but still proceeded at a nice pace.
The main characters, Toraji played by Nagase Tomoya and Ryu played by Okada Junichi are both memorable and funny. They each had a specific character type and firmly stuck to it throughout the drama. The other actors also did a wonderful job. The dialogue in this drama was refreshing and witty. Overall, a great drama!
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