FAD: Zettai Karashi

4 out of 5

O for Otoshiki

Hi, this week I look at "Robots" with the 2008 Japanese drama, Zettai Kareshi (also known as Absolute Boyfriend)

Initial thoughts

Poster

I wish I could find a better trailer especially one with subtitles. This trailer looks a little tacky and contains cliché copyrighted music. It also does not reveal much which is rather disappointing. The poster to this Japanese television series looks good. I love how it does not reveal much besides the robot in its packaging.  I first heard about this Japanese Drama from one of my friends that had recommended it, saying it was a good series. I have also read the manga and was rather excited to see how the manga would play out as a drama. The opening credits were nice, very slick with its silver metal and displaying the three main characters and who is a robot/human. Although, I did forget that a lot of Japanese television shows like to put advertisements such as P&G in their opening credits, which got quickly annoying.

Nighto is developing feelings

Storyline

This Japanese television series is about a 22-year old woman named Riko who is desperate in love and after being rejected from her crush, ends up receiving a robot boyfriend from a company known as Kronos Heaven.

Although, the drama follows the same storyline as the manga, there are a few character differences. The biggest difference is that the main character, Riko is not a lonely high school student, like in the manga but instead a temporary worker at a confectionary company. The second main difference is that the second male lead, Soshi Asamoto is not Riko's serious childhood friend but instead her immature, at-first lack of motivation boss. This made the story seem a little more PG-rated and less ethically immoral.

The Landlord trying to make Nighto take his shirt off

Some of the side characters were rather amusing like the female landlord who seemed a little purvey, constantly coming into Riko's flat, just to see Nighto, the attractive robot boyfriend.

 

Non-Japanese Cultural Referenes

I liked how there was a constant reference to France and Paris, which characters mentioning going to Paris to study or looking up cook books in French or even mentioning Michelango's David.

Characterisation & Acting

Thank goodness they put pants on him!

I like how at the beginning, Nighto, the robot boyfriend was perceived as the perfect yet extremely annoying to Riko but as the episodes went on, Nighto learned to develop feelings and made Riko fall in love with him. 

 

At least Nighto knows what heaven is

The acting in this series was pretty good. I'm not sure whether there were special effects constantly put on Nighto, but I honestly believed he was a robot with all the sound blinking and all. The only person that I felt a little disappointed with, was the actor, Abe Tsuyoshi who played Toshiki, the second boyfriend robot that appears in episode 8 - 9. This was because he is a robot and throughout the time those two episodes, he just seemed like a normal person.... which perhaps is a good thing because he is the new-and-improved robot.

 

Soshi looks through Riko's flat window

and so does Mr. Electrician Guy... Seriously, is there no privacy?

Music

The music was good. Both the opening theme and closing theme were often used in each episode. This worked well to break it up and not annoy the audience all the time with its continuous theme song playing *cough* Boys Over Flower/Hana Yori Dango *cough* Here is a clip of the closing theme:

Final Thoughts

I liked this television show even though it did not stand to me nor make me want to cry with its sheer emotions. It did, however not drag on throughout the 11 episodes, which is a major plus. I watched this series on a DVD, my friend burnt for me but then I lost one of the discs and watched the rest on Drama.Net Would you prefer to have a robot boyfriend/girlfriend? Have your say in the comments.