Jin

Jin is an utterly remarkable TV drama and a true masterpiece of storytelling and emotional depth. Spanning a total of 22 episodes, the series is structured with sub-stories that seamlessly intertwine, creating a cohesive and perfectly balanced narrative right up to the final episode.

I watched Jin on Netflix in December 2024 and was astounded by its exceptional cinematography and acting, particularly considering that the series originally aired in 2009. Its production values and performances remain timeless, offering a cinematic experience that feels far ahead of its time.

Set against the backdrop of historical events, Jin presents a fictional narrative rather than striving for strict historical accuracy, yet it achieves a level of authenticity reminiscent of NHK's Taiga dramas. This creative liberty may render a few characters unconventional, but it is crucial to remember that Jin is a science-fiction drama, not a historical documentary. The series masterfully blends fictional elements with well-researched historical settings, bringing 19th-century Japan to life in a manner that feels both authentic and narratively compelling. The protagonist, Dr Jin Minakata, and his companions tackle complex challenges of the past with ingenuity and humanity, making each episode both engaging and thought-provoking.

At its core, the drama explores profound questions about the essence of humanity, the evolution of medicine, and the impact of historical events on the present and future. These themes are presented with an emotional resonance that encourages viewers to reflect deeply on the human condition.

Although the drama diverges slightly from Motoka Murakami's original manga in terms of subplots and its conclusion, the television adaptation offers its own unique charm. Its more grounded and realistic portrayal of certain scenes enhances the emotional connection to the story. Fans of the manga will find the drama equally compelling, while newcomers to Jin will appreciate its standalone brilliance.

I wholeheartedly recommend Jin to anyone who has yet to experience this extraordinary drama. Its exploration of humanity, history, and the timeless quest for progress makes it a must-watch masterpiece that transcends genres and generations.

Truly a fantastic series that grabs you from the beginning, interesting from every point of view, I congratulate the director his team and all the artists who act there because they really are very good. Ryoma you make me laugh sometimes!

You learn a lot about the history of Japan from its food, from the harsh reality they lived through and how they got through it.

The most important thing for me is the message that is always there to keep moving forward, fight and be the cause to achieve what you want while maintaining a defined purpose, makeup, costumes, stage and sound, everything in place.

This is a gem. Captivating story, endearing characters, superb acting, superior production values and fantastic music. A treat not only for those with an interest in Japanese history, but for anyone looking for thoughtful, engaging drama.

A touching series from start to finish, well acted, in a very Japanese style. We get lost in the political turmoil around 1860 in Japan, where war between factions was apparently the order of the day. But the surgeon Jin, who inexplicably travels back in time to this era, brings a magnificent touch of humanity, tolerance and mutual aid, where he puts all his medical and surgical knowledge at the service of all, without distinction. The two seasons focus on how he passes on his medical knowledge and know-how to a team of doctors, including the charming Saki, who is entirely devoted to learning the art of medicine from Jin. The extremely beautiful and pure relationship between them occupies a large part of the story's unfolding. Young Saki is the model of a young woman of great purity and touching idealism. A platonic relationship of respect and admiration grows deeply with Jin. In a very Asian style, the series takes the time to show the feelings between Jin and Saki, through the many adventures the two of them have in saving lives. In Jin's hospital, they reinvent penicillin and other modern techniques inconceivable at the time. The series isn't perfect. There's a lot of repetition, and the reference to Jin's sense of history 140 years before his time can be tiresome. In spite of this, the series is extremely pleasant to watch and has a timeless, universal dimension. You'll be hooked.

This TV series is truly a masterpiece,full of emotions in every episode.The plot is amazing and the actors are wonderful. It's meaningful and it brings tears to my eyes a lot of times. I strongly recommend everyone to watch this at least once.