The Queen's Classroom

The main character of this series Maya Akutsu could only have been played by the imposing 5'8" Yuki Amami. Nobody else would have been convincing in this role.

It's a new school year, Kazumi Kanda (Mirai Shida), and Erika Satoh (Hikari Kajiwara) are looking forward to their new school year. They're hoping that Shiori Tendo (Sachie Hara) would be their new classroom teacher. But instead, they hear a rumor about a new teacher who is like a demon. They're hoping that they won't end up in her class. But they also hear a conflicting rumor that she's a really good teacher. Kazumi, and Erika ends up in her class. On the first day, Maya Akutsu, the new teacher laid down the rule. She would give an exam every week, and the two lowest grade student will be doing all the odd jobs around the class. Kazumi and her buddy Yusuke Manabe (Naruki Matsukawa) becomes the regular at this job. Maya further divides the class into group of six. In Kazumi's group, there was Hikaru Shindo (Mayuko Fukuda). She's a top student, but also has courage to match. She sides with Kazumi, and gets black listed. Kazumi's classmates are now in survival mode, and acts selfishly. But Kazumi tries to maintain the friendships amongst the classmates.

This series made two new stars - Mirai Shida, and Mayuko Fukuda who were only 12, and 11 at the time. Them, along with Naruki Matsukawa might have been the real star of the show. Without them, the series wouldn't have been as successful.

It's an unlikely story, but when the society becomes so dark, maybe we need teacher like Maya Akutsu to set things right.

I enjoyed the show watching the kids in action. They really were even match to the character of Maya Akutsu. Watch the show to see their stellar acting.

Luckily, a kind user of YouTube uploaded the English subbed version of this series so that people like me can watch them and I have to say that I'm enjoying every single episode!

Each character is well played by splendid actors. You can't help but to fall in love with Kazumi and her "Despite everything, I believe people are good at heart" attitude. Yuki Amami's "Maya" is positively scary and will make you glad that you didn't have a teacher like her when you were in the 6th grade. If you did have a teacher like her, you may not want to watch this show or you'll have to sign up for therapy. What's really amazing about this show are the super-talented kids - they're not background actors and actresses to a few star classmates. Their characters have their own personalities that make a major contribution to the show and the kids do an excellent job of bringing them out.

I haven't finished the series yet, but I'm going through the episodes like crazy. Each one will have you avoiding studying (like me) or working so you can find out what will happen next. "The Queen's Classroom" - great actors, great writing, great show. Watch it and fall in love like I did!

Gone those days ....those principles...dedication...it was used to be a both way traffic...now it's all about which board you are with and being snobbish about the school....parents used to have faith in our teachers to have the same goal n dreams for us ...teachers used to take extra classes...after work time...free of cost.

What a series ...acted superbly by all ...all students and all teachers deserve a stupendous.applause.

The role of MAYA ....can anyone do it better than her ...not a chance.

Not very well versed about Japanese emotional expressions ...but when your script is so strong and the acting is so natural ...do we need more explanations.

Those who recommend this for children have totally lost their plot ...it's for children parents teachers and for all of us so called grown ups.