नाओकी कंज़ावा

Both great and disappointing at same time.

The first half of season 1 was amazingly captivating. Ramped up pressure, underdog struggle, battle of wits and scheming. This got my attention then held it until 3am in the morning.

As much as I was excited, the second half of season 1 was a great disappointment. It reuses the same plot as the first half season 1 (just with different characters and companies). The entire atmosphere felt unnecessary revengeful and fueled with hate. Hanzawa's dire need to have revenge and his constant mad expressions got real old real fast. I expected Hanzawa to rise above and become that change in banking he himself stated in the first half of season one but he selfishly chased revenge to the uttermost.

Hoping season 2 would deviate from this formula

6.5/10.

Who'd have thought corporate banking shenanigans could be so entertaining? Hanzawa and his loan section are nudged by higher ups to approve a shady loan totaling millions. Before you can say something smells fishy, the account goes bankrupt, and execs throw all blame on Hanzawa. One thing they don't reckon with is his tenacity, his skills in following the money, and the dark vengeance that drives him. Traps launch out of nowhere and enemies hateful and cunning circle like jackals. Foes learn - screw with Hanzawa, and it's double payback! No killings - no shootings - no nudity. Ratings smash across Asia. Highly addicting.

I don't understand why people rave so much about this series in the first place. Yes, the main male lead is a very good actor, yes the first part is mildly entertaining - albeit not entertaining as the first Legal High season - and it flows generally well, but the second part gets uberconvoluted, repetitious and boring in the incredible span of TWO EPISODES that I watched during the morning time after sleeping yet they induced me into a sleeping coma nonetheless. After watching a 50-episodes long tokusatsu that didn't bore me once, two episodes of the second half of this J-Drama were enough to put me to sleep. If you're interested in giving Masato Sakai a try get the first season - not the dreadful second one - of Legal High and it should suffice.

Hanzawa Naoki" is an exceptional Japanese drama that masterfully combines suspense and financial drama. The story revolves around an ambitious banker who navigates corruption and conflicts in his workplace. The strong performances from the cast, especially the lead actor, add depth and realism to the characters, making the series both thrilling and impactful. With its sharp dialogues and well-crafted narrative, "Hanzawa Naoki" is a must-watch, whether you're a fan of financial drama or stories that explore personal and professional struggles." The series is characterized by intense storytelling and gripping plot twists that keep viewers engaged throughout. The lead actor delivers a powerful performance, deeply embodying the character's determination and ethical struggle. The show also shines with sharp dialogue and a complex narrative structure, making it a standout in its genre.

I am following the male lead since after legal high, and is simply addicted to him since i read his story to his stardom. I am a very biased person and once I am addicted to am actor, I would see his drama no matter what.

Male lead belongs to the stage. His exaggerated kind of acting suits perfectly the role of lawyer in legal high, but not in this drama.

Other than that, the drama is ok in other aspects, plot, acting of supporting actors, story twist.