Dorama of the Year 1960s-70s - Ogon no Hibi

Mydramalist has thousands of doramas, so I exclude all those I can't find or equal/under 30 minutes length or under 3 episodes long or belonging to Detective or Wuxia or Sports or Boys Love, or sequels (unless only sequel gets subs), maybe some more blacklisted categories to follow. As expected, found almost nothing from the 60s and not much from 70s. Among the subbed ones only consider Ogon no Hibi (1978) a masterpiece.

1. Nemuri Kyoshiro 1: Sappocho (1963) [Sleepy Eyes Of Death Collection/眠狂四郎殺法帖] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Historical Nemuri Kyoshiro, a youthful and cynical ronin with unparalleled skill, is approached by both sides in a game of corruption, ambition, and double crosses. The leader of the Kaga clan, who thinks he has killed his smuggling partner, fears that the shogunate will discover his illegal activities. It's rather thirteen movies, but definitely a series of movies, so will do. It's nice that it's colored and mostly about talks with only rare bursts of action. But in the end it still does not vary much from typical fighting action.  Overall Rating: 5/10

3. That Guy And I (1967) [あいつと私] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Romance comedy This story about a college student, Nishida Keiko (eldest among four sisters) subtle love relationship with a delinquent guy, Kuroda Saburo at the university. Saburo is the son of a famous hairdresser. One day, a squabble during class started that sparked Keiko's interest in Saburo who has a sharp tongue and uninhibited, intense personality. Not translated. Black and white. Not bad, but hardly watchable without subs.  Overall Rating: 6/10

4. Mito Komon (1969)  [水戸黄門] (Finished 1/1152+) Tags: Jidaigeki renzoku with a kanzen-choaku flare With over 1000 episodes aired, Mito Komon is currently the longest running Japanese TV drama in history. The main character, Mito Mitsukuni, is based on Tokugawa Mitsukuni, one of Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandsons (son of Tokugawa Yorifusa) and lord of the province of Mito (now Ibaraki prefecture). Born in 1628, he was a scholarly recluse best known for researching the Dai-Nihonshi, a history of ancient Japan. Late in his life, he adopted the literary name "Komon" (Yellow Gate). The stories are based on popular legends about his incognito rovings around Ibaraki. Of course, in the series, he also puts right any wrongs wherever he finds them. The plots are basically the same. Accompanied by his faithful attendants, servants and ninja, Mito Komon wanders around the countryside, helping those he finds oppressed by corrupt officials or evil landowners. A violent struggle typically ensures near the end of each episode, at which point one of his attendants flashes Komon's inro, a lacquered case bearing the Tokugawa crest, thus revealing his true identity and proclaiming, "Here before you is Lord Mitsukuni of Mito, uncle of the Shogun." Realizing they are facing someone who wields incredible power, the evil doers drop to their knees and grovel. Suppressing their rage as being outdone, the episode ends with Mito Komon always putting everything right once again and then continuing on his journey. Not translated. Concept of wise ruler in disguise punishing corrupt lowly subordinates is simple and easy to repeat, but not much value for me dut to episodic nature.   Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Oh! Sore Miyo (1969) [Oh! それ見よ] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Romance comedy A single photographer and stylist Rosa Ogawa took the world by storm with her ''Oh! Sore Miyo'' commercial. Not translated. What I see from one episode is that it's about romance, dating, food, fotography, setting up intrigues in a comedy manner, and pantsushots, too.   Overall Rating: 5/10

6. Ooka Echizen (1970)  [大岡越前] (Finished 1/402) Tags: Jidaigeki crime drama Ooka Echizen no Kami Tadasuke (Kato) is a town magistrate based in Edo, appointed by Shogun Yoshimune in 1717 (the very first episode). Often preferring to wander among commoners in disguise, he actively keeps the peace in Edo and helps clear corruption out of local politics. From the second season, Tadasuke concentrates on defending the oppressed in unfair cases, and the third introduces troubles in his personal life, such as his relation-ship with his son. Like his fellow magistrate Toyama no Kin-san, Tadasuke was a real historical figure (1677-1752), a judge in the Tokugawa period who was eventually awarded with a small hereditary domain by the grateful Shogun. His long-running TV adventures have alternated in the same slot with the similar Mito Komon for 30 years, with lead actor Kato Go aging along with the character he plays—by this point in the original Tadasuke's life, the Shogun had died of old age! Though the episodes remain a formulaic blend of crime and punishment, they retain a peculiarly Japanese melancholy that has kept them popular with the local audience, though often regarded by foreign viewers as one step beyond a Martian soap opera in their alien qualities. In one classic episode in the 13th season, a sick mother discovers that her husband is a suspected murderer. Meanwhile, her young son is selling splinters of wood as pills in a futile attempt to make some more money for his mother—in other words, he is a little match boy. Learning that Tadasuke is looking for her, the mother decides to commit suicide, and her loyal son announces that he will also kill himself. Instead of admonishing him for throw-ing away his life, the Japanese mother is exceedingly proud and suggests that they should die together. Although the viewers probably know how this ends before the opening credits have even finished rolling, such simple stories have retained audience attention for three decades. Not translated. Not far from Mito Komon in concept, but easier to find since it's finished.   Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Dai Chushingura (1971)  [Epic Chushingura/大忠臣蔵] (Finished 52/52) Tags: Action, Adventure, Historical, Drama The famous Japanese legend of the enforced suicide of Lord Asano and the epic attempt by his loyal forty-seven samurai to avenge their unjustly punished lord is the basis for this year-long drama. Ranking it as a masterpiece would mean that I recommend it, but I actually can't recommend it for  several reasons. First, it's a pretty simple short story, so the vast amount of time is taken out of thin air, like showing countless traps set by spies and authorities and evading them by Oishi. I hoped for better fleshing out of ronings, but basically it's just Oishi and couple side-kicks that are in the center of attention. Quality is totally on par with NHK taiga, but only several actors are memorable here. Finally, only a technical reason, but available resolution from that time is barely enough to watch on a telephone and is painful to watch on a monitor. I understand that planning the vengeance took about two years in reality, and same chronology is used in the dorama, but over two years a lot of insignificant stuff happened to these ronins at many different towns, and it's not that interesting to observe nowadays, so had to increase playback speed for a good chunk of episodes. Great work for that time and watchable nowadays, but it's just not enough for me to recommend it.   Overall Rating: 6/10

8. Zatoichi Monogatari (1974) [座頭市物語] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Action, Historical, Drama The first of four seasons in which blind masseur Zatoichi travels from town to town gambling, drinking, and fighting off the local gangs. Zatoichi is probably the most famous franchise of samurai action presented in multiple movies and series. I think that even I watched it in childhood. The most surprising thing is that Zatoichi is middle aged and black-haired here unlike traditional image of old white-haired traveller. But it's episodic and not thrilling.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Akai Giwaku (1975)  [赤い疑惑] (Finished 1/29) Tags: Drama, romance Sachiko is the 17-year old daughter of radiotherapist Professor Oshima. After exposure to radiation in the hospital, she develops leukemia. As if that was not enough trouble for one lifetime, discovers that Oshima is not her real father, and that her boyfriend is really her half brother. Not translated. Akai series are typical fateful melodramas that only housewives can tolerate unless something stands out, and nothing really does here. Just a strong woman who overcomes all kinds of hardships.   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Akai Unmei (1976)  [赤い運命] (Finished 1/28) Tags: Melodrama The story of two girls switched in an orphanage. Not translated. Mixed up children is another universally understood and easy to make story.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Kaze to Kumo to Niji to (1976)  [風と雲と虹と] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Jidaigeki renzoku drama  The story of Taira no Masakado, a lord of the Kanto district in the mid-10th century, best known for his failed revolt against the Kyoto government in 903AD. Not translated. Rather simple looking, but all of taiga elements seem to be here already. No use to discuss without subs though.   Overall Rating: 6/10

12. Shin Kogarashi Monjiro (1977) [新・木枯し紋次郎] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Historical Monjiro avoids contact with others as much as possible and tries to live by his own skills, but he fights when there is no other choice left. Not translated. Sequel to a film. A different look at a travelling ronin since he uses non-lethal means even in rare fights. There is even some comedy involved. Hardly interesting though.  Overall Rating: 5/10

13. In Cold Blood (1977) [追族] (Finished 1/59) Tags: Drama Three well-known families in Hong Kong. In addition to business cooperation, the three families have inextricably linked and complex emotional relationships between each other. Among them, Yong Shuan and his family are robbed and killed on a cold winter night before the Lunar New Year. Curious and wanting to get to the bottom of the story, the journalist begins to investigate… Not translated. First available series from Hong Kong has especially inferior sound compared to Japanese series. All I understand here is that it's SOL and work of the rich witch some skeletons in the closet.  Overall Rating: 5/10

14. A House is Not a Home (1977) [A House Not a Home/家變] (Finished 1/59) Tags: Drama In Hong Kong in the 1970s  the construction industry was booming, but there were many crises hidden behind it like corrupton or usage of sea water for concrete to save costs. This is a story of several families involved in construction business. Not translated. Again powerful families from Hong Kong and again with poor sound. Looks like a normal soap opera with thematic tilt.  Overall Rating: 5/10

15. Akai Gekiryu (1977) [赤い激流] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Drama Love story between piano master and student. Not translated. This one is more pleasant to watch due to tilt into music and surprisingly high tension and relatively big number of action scenes.   Overall Rating: 5/10

16. Akai Kizuna (1977)  [赤い絆] (Finished 4/28) Tags: Drama A young woman, troubled by the fact that her biological parents were prostitutes, leaves her adoptive parents' home. She meets a young man and falls in love with him. The drama shows how this love, based on the "red bond" of blood, helps her to overcome adversity. Final available work from the red series focuses more on delinquents, but apart from that not far from typical romance.   Overall Rating: 5/10

17. Aniki (1977)  [あにき] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Drama Main character is a head of construction firm. His bride dies, and he gets closer with her younger sister. Not translated. Picture quality is finally adequate, rivaling that from 90s. Concept and realization are actually on par with that, so might be a masterpiece on my scales if it was subbed as I'd definitely want to watch it to the end.   Overall Rating: 6/10

18. Ogon no Hibi (1978)  [黄金の日日 （おうごんのひび）] (Finished 51/51) Tags: Taiga drama, renzoku drama Luzon Sukezaemon is a merchant who imports vases from the Philippines. The vases are highly valued as tea utensils and he makes a huge profit. This was the first taiga drama to concentrate on the lives of commoners and the reviled merchant class of the Tokugawa period. It documents the rise and fall of the merchant city of Sakai, as seen by its most famous resident, the semilegendary Luzon. I decided to watch all taiga with subtitles, so here we are. Great actors, action scenes and surprisingly many interesting events as Luzon encounters Nobunaga being redneck warlord, witenssing many important decisions and the outcomes. Luzon adventures and future-aimed wishes play alongside Sengoku battles that happen on the background. Some of these adventures are rather slow and insignificat. Plus, there are also companions with linked yet different stories. Goemon companion is especially hard to follow as he constantly goes the path of self-destruction without reasoning behind it. Basically, I'd take out one point for such multiple protagonists concept and another one for slowness of some episodes/stories, but otherwise it's definitely not without enjoyment.   Overall Rating: 8/10

19. Edo no Taka Goyobeya Hankacho (1978) [江戸の鷹 御用部屋犯科帖] (Finished 2/38) Tags: Historical, Drama In 18th century Japan a group of samurai falconers investigates people's appeals about corruption and crimes. Third Mito Komon concept already, and even subbed this time. Again, not particularly interesting.   Overall Rating: 5/10

20. Yagyuu Ichizoku no Inbo (1978) [The Yagyu Conspiracy/柳生一族の陰謀] (Finished 2/39) Tags: Action, Historical One of the most memorable roles for Sonny Chiba was his portrayal of Yagyu Jubei, the one-eyed master swordsman who helped protect Shogun Iemitsu during the early days of Japan's 17th Century. The Yagyu Clan under Jubei's father Yagyu Tajima-no-kami Munenori must protect young Shogun Iemitsu from the plots of those seeking to overthrow him. A fighting action with a pretext different than Zatoichi. Conspiracy is a strong word for such basic plots.  Overall Rating: 5/10

21. 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi Sensei (1979)  [3年B組金八先生] (Finished 1/23) Tags: School drama Stars popular actor Takeda Tetsuya as an inspirational teacher put in charge of an unruly class of 9th graders. This highly-rated series reveals a rarely-seen side of Japan's educational system. Not translated unlike later seasons. Cool series done in the right time with real delinquents still present and with very nice cast. Real pity that have to wait till 5th season to watch with subs.   Overall Rating: 6/10

22. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1979)  [網中人 (网中人)] (Finished 2/80) Tags: Drama Ching Wai (Chow Yun-fat) is a fresh graduate from university, and is hired by a jewelry company called Yu-Fook, and he rises up the career ladder quickly, due to his superb performance, and he forges a relationship with the Director's daughter, Fong Hei-man (Carol Cheng). The story continues smoothly, until an incident occurs. To pay his mother's (Tang Pik-wan) gambling debts, he embezzles company funds and is reported by the cunning Yuen Kei-cheung (Lee Tao-hung). Ching is sent to prison, where he meets and befriends a gangster chief Lung Koon-sam (Shih Kien), who helps him both in and out of prison. Ching gets a job at another jewelry company, and collaborates with Lung to expose Yuen's wrongdoings. Eventually, Yuen is caught, and Ching proposes to Fong. Ching Chan (Liu Wai-hung), is also another main character. Known as Ah Chan, he is an idle immigrant from the Mainland. He is forced to care for the Chings when Ching Wai is sent to prison. Unfortunately, Ching Chan commits a crime and is jailed, but manages to forge a family with his love Cheung Mei-po (Kong Ho-oi) Not translated. Start with criminal drama is indeed rather ugly as lots of people shout all the time. Then introduction with some romance follows and it gets into normal SOL tempo with rare emotional schenes. Don't see anything outstanding so far.   Overall Rating: 5/10

23. Dragon Strikes (1979)  [天龍訣] (Finished 1/60) Tags: Action, Historical, Martial Arts After the huge success of Reincarnated, the station followed up in 1979 with another popular period piece Dragon Strikes, again written by novelist Huang Yi and screenwriter Kong Lung. Set in the Ming Dynasty, Dragon Strikes follows swordsman Xiao Yiu Hau and the dangerous power struggle and tangle of corruption and conspiracies he encounters in the royal court and the martial arts world. The power struggle is evident both in the palace as well as in the martial arts world. This series focused on that of the 3 big clans with the Siu Yiu clan, Pai Ling clan, and the South Gate clan. Rivalry and politics of the palace mixed with the martial arts world make this a martial arts extravaganza! Not translated. Wuxia is not always properly marked and thus blocked beforehand. It's definitely one.  Overall Rating: 5/10

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