[Review] Shounentachi: Koushi Naki Rougoku [Kanto Juniors version]

*Note: Do read the comparison version to see the comparison of the two versions as this one contains spoilers of the specific version and my thoughts about this version.

The show ran from September 3^rd till 26^th of 2010, and I am not sure which show was taken to be recorded. As this is a live musical theater, although the story line would be the same, there will be slight difference in terms of the jokes, the performance and the dynamic of the story itself for each show. Since the one I watched is the recorded version and the only view I could see is what the camera captured, therefore there will be some background action that I will miss in this review.

Basically the story is about a group of prisoners that are being bullied by the guards. An evil guard that likes to torture them just for the fun of it. Each of them having their own reason for being in there, and each of them carries a burden more than just being imprisoned. Each of them has their own back story to complete the show.

The prisoners were played by ABC-Z (Ebisu from here on) and Kitayama Hiromitsu, Senga Kento, Miyata Toshiya, Fujigaya Taisuke and Tamamori Yuta of Kis-My-Ft 2 (Kisumai from here on). These two group were clearly divided into two sides the red and blue side (just like DreamBoys, ne). Although being in the Ebisu team, Totsuka Shota of Ebisu is the neutral one in the show. He is sort of the lost one within the prisoners, but throughout the show, the acceptance of the Ebisu team is heavier compared to the Kisumai team towards him. Moving on, the story began to peak when the boys were getting sick of being bullied by the evil guard played by Sanada Yuma of Mis Snow Man (MSM from here on) and his minions (the other MSM boys).

During the break out, Hashimoto Ryosuke of Ebisu who acted sort of Fujigaya’s little brother was detained prior to the break out. Being a brother, no matter how much grudge he had towards Hashimoto, he still could not see his little brother being beaten and tortured, thus the act of saving him. It was concurrent to the saving of Hashimoto, the break out was carried out by the others of EbiKisu (Ebisu + Kisumai) team. When all of them was assembled and was about to break out, somehow Totsuka was held back, and was sacrificed in the end.

Though towards the end of the show, the good guard played by Nozawa Yuki of MSM rebelled toward the evil guard (played by Sanada Yuma) and most if not all the others were with him. Finally, the prisoners were changed by the event of the death of Totsuka and changed for the better.

The acting of EbiKisu and MSM were good. They were even better than when they were working on the Takizawa Kakumei (or was it Enbujou or Kabuki, I’m not too sure but EbiKisu were on most of Tackey’s show anyways), be it in terms of dancing, singing or acting. Fujigaya can control his emotion better and not laugh promptly at impromptu jokes, yes he smiled but the effort to stay in charcter was stronger and it definitely shows. MSM boys were good. Their dancing was nearly perfect and was even better than EbiKisu team. Acting wise, well this comes with experience doesn’t it, it’s obvious that EbiKisu had more exposure but MSM were not at all bad. In fact, Sanada and Nozawa’s performance were at par with Totsuka, Kitayama and Fujigaya.

The transition into songs between acts were super smooth and the song choices were amazing. My personal favorite would be the song during Senga and Goseki’s dance battle. These two, fair to say are the best dancer of their respective groups and it really shows. Their technique are amazing, Senga especially (although I am Goseki biased). Acting wise, the best actor would go to Totsuka hands down. His voice and his concentration were just amazing and his stage control was just perfect.

One part of the show that makes me enjoy them even more and in fact am looking forward to was the jokes by these Johnny’s boys. They like to crack a joke at a very weird moments and they would have just the most amazing time to show the weirdest things. Senga’s sea turtle (umigame) imitation was priceless… Although their joke were a little mediocre compared to the other version of this same show in Kansai. Apart from that, the performance was amazing.

The scene that would appeal to any fangirls or anyone actually would be the shower scene. The boys stripped down to their skintight, skin colored boxer shorts and having fun behind a mosaic translucent curtain that only covers their private parts. After the shower scene, the boys came out in their boxers and two wooden pails and have their dance numbers. This one is a must see for everyone.

Another scene that appeals to many fangirls specially and Tamamori’s fans especially, would be the part where Tamamori played the drums. I was surprised at his skills. He can play the drums. The princess of Kisumai could play drums. And he looks cool playing it too.

The best scene to me though is the death of Totsuka. He is so striking and he looks so handsome even in death. Kawai’s tears literally fell on Totsuka and the emotion of others really did reach the audience, even though through DVD. Totsuka is by far one of the best Johnny’s Entertainment actor, despite still being a junior.

The only thing that disappoints me is the showtime. EbiKisu’s voice does not; I repeat DOES NOT suit broadway show tunes. Especially, Tamamori, Goseki and Miyata’s voice really wrecked the tunes. The only nice song during the show time was Longest Night by MSM, Vanilla by Ebisu and Fire Beat by Kisumai. We’ll be Together was not bad but not really that great though.

Below is the list of actors in order of roles.

Prisoners:

ABC-Z (Goseki Koichi, Totsuka Shota, Tsukada Ryoichi, Kawai Fumito and Hashimoto Ryosuke)

Kis-My-Ft2 (Kitayama Hiromitsu, Senga Kento, Miyata Toshiya, Fujigaya Taisuke and Tamamori Yuta)

Guards (Mis Snow Man):

Sanada Yuma  *the evil guard

Nozawa Yuuki

Iwamoto Hikaru (also as police officer, and Fujigaya-kun's older brother)

Miyadate Ryota (also as Miyata-kun otaku character)

Sakuma Daisuke (also as Tamamori band bass player and Tamamori-kun younger sister’s voice)

Fukasawa Tatsuya

Watanabe Shota (also as Kawai-kun Junior)

Abe Ryohei (also as Tamamori band guitar player)

Kitayama’s Younger brother:

Kishimoto Shintaro

New Prisoners:

2 Johnny’s Junior *I don’t know their names sorry*

Violin:

Goto Hiromi

Keyboard:

Ishigaki Daisuke

I would strongly recommend this musical to any musical goers, even more if you are an EbiKisu and/or MSM’s fan. It’s a very very great show and worth every second and every penny spent. However because of the way they butchered the showtunes, I’d give the Shounentachi: Koushi Naki Rougoku Kanto Juniors version an eight out of ten (8/10).

以上、

～iejaーちゃんでした。

p/s: Click here to purchase the DVD