What Makes It the Best?
It’s no secret that K-dramas have earned an incredible reputation over the past couple of decades. The Korean entertainment industry as a whole has reached juggernaut status. From K-pop and film, South Korea has established an industry enjoyed by many worldwide, including the Western Hemisphere. One of the world’s leading entertainment giants, Netflix, would have a large library of such shows, with season two of Squid Games having just been released. With all these remarkable Korean shows being released, it’s easy to forget about another juggernaut within the Eastern entertainment industry: Japan. Widely known for its anime, which has steadily gained recognition as its unique medium, the rest of the entertainment industry has had a tough time catching up, particularly with their TV shows and dramas. This article contains sensitive topics, including brief mentions of rape and general not-safe-for-work content. Please proceed with care.
J-dramas are unique in a similar manner to K-dramas in that they follow their tropes, which separate them from one another. While most K-dramas focus on unlikely romances and workplace takeovers, J-dramas focus on unique hyper-specific scenarios resulting in unique experiences. No J-drama, available on Netflix or otherwise, holds a candle to Ikebukuro West Gate Park (2000). Based on the manga of the same name, this series follows tough guy Makoto Majima through his many odd encounters living in the “rough” part of town. Get ready for heartbreak, inspiration, and unique sensations never felt before.
Characters Larger Than Life
Regardless of whether it’s a K-drama or J-drama, the characters in a show can make or break it. The characters of Ikebukuro West Gate Park (IWGP) are unforgettable if nothing else. Throughout the show’s twelve episodes, viewers will meet a large array of characters who all somehow manage to stand out from each other while remaining relatable to viewers. The main character is the child of a single parent who has a troubled childhood with frequent involvement with gangs throughout his youth. Despite initially attracting the women around him, Makoto (Tomoya Nagase) suffers from a bout of impotence throughout the show, leaving him unable to develop full romantic relationships with the women in his life. Other unique characters include Kazunori, a hikikomori or extreme shut-in who suffers from self-induced isolation. This phenomenon has only grown more prevalent not only in Japan but in modern society as a whole. Other interesting characters include Takashi (Yōsuke Kubozuka), the eccentric leader of a local gang, and Makoto’s mother (Aiko Morishita), who may have been an idol in a past life. A young Ken Watanabe (Inception) can also be spotted in a recurring role.
One more intriguing thing about the characters in this show is that they feel alive even outside of the story. Oftentimes in a drama, characters outside of the main cast can feel stagnate. It’s as if those characters only exist when on camera. With the side characters of IWGP, it feels as though they are constantly up to something even if the viewer is not in on it and they aren’t the subject of the episode.
A Story Worth More Than Words
The story of IWGP follows Makoto as he attempts to solve the mysteries surrounding a friend’s brutal murder. During his journey for the truth, Makoto unwillingly becomes the go-to man for anyone with unsolvable problems. This creates an interesting plot dynamic where each episode revolves around a different issue seemingly unrelated to his friend’s murder.
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The show manages to tie it all up by the end while also staying true to itself. Without ruining the central plotline, each episode covers a vast array of issues, including those that make the show appear ahead of its time due to some of the topics covered. From gender transitioning to immigration and isolation, issues that still hold strong relevance even today are covered to a surprising degree. One particular episode follows Makoto having to protect the star of a “live camera website”. She is being mercilessly stalked by an obsessive fan who has forced his idolization onto her. With the excessive rise of today’s online personalities indulging in oversharing, this episode felt like an uncanny parody of today’s parasocial problem.
Another remarkable episode follows Makoto as he attempts to find a kidnap victim. As fears continue to grow, reports of a serial rapist begin to mount, with video footage reportedly being sold on the black market. There’s a peculiar scene where the cops manage to get their hands on the evidence and appear desensitized to the footage despite what it shows. Considering today’s adult entertainment industry and the various dark occurrences involved, this episode holds up frighteningly well.
Dramatic Style
If not made obvious by some of the subject matter and characters, a majority of whom are delinquents, this show was certainly intended for a more mature audience. The show carries underlying punk vibes with a never-wavering focus on youth and counterculture, fashion-wise and in terms of its cinematography. Since this show is set in early 2000s Japan, the fashion of that era is going to stand out with elements of the famous street fashion phenomenon of Harajuku and gyaru (the style where women dye their hair, spray tan, and wear the gaudiest of clothes) being particular highlights of the show. The main character alone has enough style to make the average fashion page on Instagram jealous. Regardless of whether a character plays a major role or only makes a brief appearance, every character is “dripping” in style from Makoto’s Ashton Kutcher look to his wannabe girlfriend Hikaru’s (Ai Kato) pixie girl look.
The cinematography is also impressively stylish, with an emphasis on interesting angles and chaotic shots that match the show’s youthful energy. There is one scene in particular where Makoto sees a naked man running. Makoto chases the wannabe nudist, but the scene abruptly cuts to the camera being on the floor as if the cameraman got knocked out. The show is filled with interesting shot choices, which contributes to the show’s overarching energy. One last important mention is the show’s theme song “Boukyaku no Sora” by SADS which is accompanied by an equally interesting opening sequence.
Final Words
For hardcore J-drama fans, IWGP has long held a special consideration as a cult classic. Aside from the energy radiating from the cast and crew, the show feels like an honest attempt to capture the essence of Japan’s youth culture at the time. The world’s obsession with Japan and its unique culture has never been a secret, with its anime being Japan’s top export. Due to this idolization and fantasization of the country along with its people, it can be easy to associate Japan with an unrealistic fever dream. Despite being a drama from the 2000s, this show gives a more believable glimpse into Japanese city life.
Ikebukuro West Gate Park is available to stream on Netflix.
Ikebukuro West Gate Park (2020) Official Crunchyroll Dubs Trailer
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| A lover of gore and over the top violence, no movie can make my stomach squirm. The only thing better than a bloody death scene is a well choreographed stunt. Whether it be action or horror, if it has blood in it, then I've likely already seen it. |
Kendra Dennis is a Pennsylvania-based creative and content writer. While her passion lies within the creative realm, Kendra enjoys any time she gets to write. Kendra graduated from American Public University System in June of 2025 with a BA in English. She enjoys writing stories that open up to a larger world where readers can get lost. You can find her daydreaming about her newest stories or reorganizing one of her many bookshelves.