Tantei Gakuen Q

I previously had a "Shida Mirai" festival of my own courtesy of guitarist and friend, Justin. I had seen Shida Mirai before in "Juuyon Sai no Haha" (14 Yr. Old Mother) and had hoped to see her in a more comedic role...or a more lighter character, cause thats what I think fits her projected personality.

First up is the live drama adaptation of the anime "Tantei Gakuen Q". And as the anime goes, its the story of 5 students who strive to be the successor of the famous Detective Dan and the Q Academy. The students that form the team is a mish mash of talents and personalities that augment each other's talents when they go solve a crime together. There is the overly optimistic, intelligent and naive Kyuu. The hyperactive, cosplaying Megu, with her photographic memory. The enigmatic and highly intelligent Ryuu. The group's tech and computer expert, Kazuma. And the eldest in the group (and the strongest when it comes to fights) is the sarcastic Kintaro. Each of them have their own reasons for joining the class, which was divulged later in the series as each character was put on the spotlight. Although I can say that Kyuu, Ryuu and Kintaro's stories are the most relevant to the flow and outcome of the story.

They also face Dan's arch nemesis, the "Meiosei", an organization that acts as a 'planner' for criminal acts, mostly murder. They utilize hypnosis and the weakness of human hearts in a two-fold effect; to make their 'clients' carry out the murder plan (even though they changed their minds of not going through with it) and as a safety plan, that activates when the perpetrator of the crime is caught by the Q Academy (it ends up with either the client's memory being erased when certain keywords or actions are made, instant insanity, or suicide).

In watching the series, I marvel at Kyuu's deductive reasoning as he figures out the 'alibi play' that most of the criminals used. But I do hate the cheesy, chummy chummy parts that usually occurs around Kyuu or Ryuu or Megu. And though Kintaro seems unreliable, he has the deepest human interest story in the series.

Although some of the mysteries seems obvious its still a fun series to watch. And you have to give it up to these young actors for their portrayal of the characters which, I heard, stayed true to the anime character's personalities and attributes.