* Genre: Psychological Thriller
* Episodes: 11 (with a 3 hour finale)
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: APR142007-JUN232007
* Air time: Saturday 11:00PM
Kanzaki Nao is drawn into a game that she is completely not equipped for. A game where the main concept is to deceive 100 million yen from the player you're up against. The first round starts out unfavorably for Nao and within the first week, she manages to lose 100 million to one of her past high school teacher (Fujisawa), whom she trusts wholeheartedly. She only manages to figure out his scheme when she overhears him on the telephone bragging about tricking her. This of course sends her to a frenzy. Although she's been living a life of constantly being trick, she has yet to learn from them. She thrusts herself in situations where she won't for a second doubt anyone's words. She goes to the police who can't seem to shed any light to her situation. The police officer did manage to point her to someone who could probably swindle her money back. (All of course part of the grand scheme - nothing seems to be a coincidence in this drama).
In comes Shini'chi Akiyama, genius swindler and recently release after 3 years of incarceration. Nao is there to greet him, not at the front gates because she's utterly lost, but still somehow manages to literally bump into him. Akiyama has no time to listen to a plea from someone who's ridiculously gullible. Akiyama tricks Nao, who manages to at least follow him home, into waiting by promising her that he will meet with her after he drops off his belongings. He, of course, leaves her overnight near the shops helpless and alone against the elements (not so dramatic - but he does leave her waiting in the dark, in the rain…). Akiyama is surprise to see her the next day still waiting at the same spot, since any sane and normal person would have left ages ago. He tells her that this is exactly the reason why she is swindled out of her money. Her blind honesty is her undoing. As he walks away she questions him if it's bad to be so idiotically honest. These words somehow trigger flashback memories for Akiyama. We see a woman lying face down and in her own pool of blood. Akiyama then decides to listen to her story.
Upon hearing that she lost 100 million, Akiyama decides to further investigate and they end up at the Fujisawa's front steps. Nao begs Fujisawa to give back her 100 million, but the teacher refuses. Eventually Akiyama's goading draws out a confession that Fujisawa is in fact playing the game from the start and plans to win it all. Nao begs for her money and appeals to his filial integrity by explaining her family situation, but Fujisawa refuses to listen. Akiyama tells her that if she's willing to take all the money away from Fujisawa that he's there to help her. He would only take half of the money she gets ($50 million). Nao does not wish to keep any of the money, but accepts Akiyama's help. The 26 days of psychological warfare begins. Akiyama and Nao take turns staking out Fujisawa's house, making sure that they're visibly seen. All part of Akiyama's scheme to psychologically harass the teacher. In the end, with Akiyama's help, Nao manages to win the game. But with her bleeding heart, she decides to help the teacher and give him her share of the winnings. Akiyama who sees this isn't pleased, but since he promised her that he would take half of her winnings, he gives her his share also. Since she didn't even win one yen, how can he take 50 million for himself? This selfless act no matter what the motive is solidifies the uber shippiness of this pairing.
Nao who is grateful to no end decides to do something special for Akiyama. She wants to at least cook him a meal. He isn't seeing the package as thrill-packed, yet he chooses not to refuse and allows Nao to drag him to her house (shippiness! - one must assert indifference when in this situation). Since Nao won the game, she didn't think that there would be a second round. She is shocked beyond belief, I don't know why, to find another envelope in her mailbox. (I would have thought that having a round one inevitably would lead to a second round, blah! but that's just me). The only way to bypass the second round is to give them half of the money that she's won. But since she already gave away her half of the 100 million to Fujisawa, she has no choice but to participate in the second round. Akiyama advises her to ignore the letter and not to go to the next meeting place. Nao doesn't listen and seeks the advice of the police officer, who she thought she could trust. She is then tricked into participating into the second round. Of course Akiyama who seems to have channeled Nao's subconscious manages to track her down and is then pulled into the game, not only as Nao's right hand, but now as a full pledged player.
Since I pretty much just explained the first two episodes, I'm going to concentrate on all things that made me ship this pairing. Since this is a fanlisting of the pairing, I figured I should leave the drama explanation to all the people who want to analyze, break down and review this drama. I have nothing but love for this drama, but what's making me watch it more is the shippiness of this very unlikely pairing. A man who's so jaded that he doubts everyone's motives and sees pass all the pomp and circumstance and sees nothing but the bad within everyone. And to a woman who can't seem to see past the facade and has nothing but complete trust and openly embraces people for who they say they are. They are two opposites who together make such a complete whole. With just a little bit of influence from each other, they might just end up being two balanced individuals rather than being at both ends of the spectrum. I will now be breaking down all the moments I believed to be shippy and rate them between 1 to 5 hearts.
In Episode three, Nao is surprised to see Akiyama at the second round meeting place. Nao explains that she is there because she fell for a trick. Akiyama is surprised that she is tricked once again. But he further explains that he only came there to stop her, but the only pass in is to become someone else's substitute. Nao feels guilty since she knows it's her fault and apologizes. Akiyama made my shippy heart beat some more when he says that the only thing they can do now is win and I quote "Let's win this game and get out of here." As in together, forever... haha, at least until the writers want. How can one say no to your knight in shining armor? Here is Nao, feeling all sorts of guilt for dragging him into this game and here is Akiyama saying the magic words to make any sane girl swoon. I know, a little overdramatic and completely over the top, but only a fangirl can understand the levels of shippiness here. I give this moment, 3 out of 5 hearts.
Akiyama in this episode wants Nao to gather information about the other players. In order to win they have to know at least why some of the people are there. Nao seems to have gathered more confidence upon knowing that Akiyama is on her side. I doubted at first his sincerity in helping her out, knowing how gullible she is. But I'll keep shipping until he proves himself otherwise. Akiyama also comes up with a plan to win the game by creating teams. Insert shippy moment. After his explanation about his plan, Nao is so excited to get out of the game debt free that she runs up to Akiyama thoroughly excited. As she jumps for joy, Akiyama seems uncomfortable at Nao being at such close proximity. I of course see it as a shippy moment. You must now think that I'm beyond delusional, to have written such a long summary and find this other wise none shippy moment, so important. But, I think that it does prove that he's on her side. These two moments earns 2 out of 5 hearts.
Haha!! The S&M moment in Episode four is beyond cute. I guess the writer is making a funny and I completely fell and appreciated it. Nao is so innocent that of course she'd have no idea what S&M stood for. It falls on Akiyama, whose bewilderment adds to the moment, to explain the meaning. He, at first, is speechless that Nao wants him to explain it, but recovers by calmly saying that it's a difference between defense and offence; with S being strike and M meaning maintain. Nao of course explains out loud that her personality is M, but since they're sticking to the strategy she will choose S. Akiyama is obviously uncomfortable with the conversation because Nao is being so straightforward, when she clearly doesn't understand the meaning of what she's saying. Her effort to soothe Akiyama and telling him not to worry because she is S is just so adorable. Akiyama tells her that this is a discussion that probably should not be said out loud. Nao of course agrees, but not because of what Akiyama meant. She thought that by saying things out loud she would be alerting the other people in the room about their secret strategy. I consider this a shippy moment because Akiyama for once is perplexed and at a loss for words. Of course only Nao could take him down a peg or two. Sometimes his confidence is a little overwhelming, and it's nice to see that Nao is someone who can catch him off guard. This deserves a 4 out of 5 hearts.
After being eliminated from the second round, Nao contacts Akiyama and expresses her worries. He, of course, already has a plan in place. The next morning, she informs Akiyama that she couldn't just worry at home about the game and that she's returned to the scene. He doesn't feel that she should be there since there's nothing she can do. But Nao does seem to bring Akiyama some peace of mind when she mentions that there are also other people who lost the previous day with her. This brings a knowing smile to Akiyama's face. This episode also brings a very devious reveal. Tsukahara (real name Fukunaga) who is someone in Nao's team ends up deceiving their team. On the side he also formed two other teams which guarantee him an eventual win. He of course rubs it in that Nao is to blame for inviting him into her team. While she looks at Fukunaga heartbroken, Akiyama looks at her somewhat helplessly. (I'm so glad to find out that he is holding himself back and letting Fukunaga dig his own grave). I thought it's a cute and worth mentioning because although Nao can be so gravely gullible, Akiyama knows it and somehow he still wants to help her. This moment is worth 1 out of 5 hearts.
Finally, after Fukunaga's tirade, Akiyama drops his bombshell. Akiyama's vote is a yes. It not only nullifies the voting round, but leaves Fukunaga fuming and up in arms. Nao's team doesn't lose and there's another discussion about how Akiyama manages to see right through Fukunaga's manipulations. Nao's mention about the other players returning is what confirms it all for Akiyama. The shippy moment comes when Akiyama mentions that the other players are there because they couldn't trust the remaining player not to run away with the winnings. Nao tries to explain that her reasons are different and Akiyama interrupts her and explains that he already knows that she's a special case. Hence, he knows that she has no doubt whatsoever about trusting him. Akiyama clearly knows that no matter what, Nao believes in him. I know that one can argue that she'll also believe in everyone else, but my inner fangirl believes that she trusts her Akiyama-san more than anybody else. I figure that it's worth 4 out of 5 hearts. Akiyama also made my heart pitter patter when he mentions that he saw right through Fukunaga from the get go. How he knew that he is the mole. Nao seems to agree with me because she is undoubtedly impressed and mentions how “sugoi!” Akiyama is.
In Episode five, Nao is upset to find out that Akiyama has sacrificed himself to pay everyone's debt and in doing so must continue to the third round. Even though he explains that he's not being noble and wants to find out whoever is running the game, it doesn't lessen Nao's guilt for bringing him into the game. Because of this guilt, she is easily manipulated into participating in a resurrection round “Restructuring Game.” The police officer who deceived her by bringing her into the second round and also giving her the information about Akiyama shows up again. He explains what happened to Akiyama in the past, what's been driving him to help her and what landed him in prison. It's all because his mother committed suicide after being deceived by one of her close friends. His mother fell for a pyramid scheme, lost her money and landed them in deep debt. Akiyama, who at the time attended college, would be unable to finish his schooling. His mother committed suicide to help Akiyama since her life insurance would enable him to get out of debt. Nao realizes that Akiyama's mother and her share the same trait, they're both idealistically honest and trusting. Akiyama saw his mother in Nao and could be helping her as to not repeat past events. Although I know that the police officer is only feeding Nao things he wants her to hear to convince her to play again, I'd like to believe that there's some truth behind the explanation. It does explain Akiyama's flashbacks and his quickness in coming to Nao's aid. Although not an outwardly shippy moment. Nao is convinced that by joining this resurrection round she will be able to save Akiyama. Of course, I know better. Akiyama is clearly the brains; I think Nao just wants to be near him (I can't find fault in that). I know that many people online find so much fault at Nao's super gullibility and that it borders stupidity. But I find her sweetness, which I know can be so frustrating at times, a special Nao trait. Just like Akiyama's exuberant confidence, Nao's trustfulness and genuine sweetness makes her who she is. There's no façade. Her intentions are pure. She's driven by what she feels deep down. It's refreshing to see a character without a hidden agenda. She's truly a character who is genuinely sweet, but also you'll find that you have to hate at times to understand. As convoluted as that explanation is, I'm clearly just attempting to explain why I can't hate her. These moments deserve 3 out of 5 hearts.
Episode six left me so frustrated with Nao. Yet I just can't bring myself to hate her. It only meant that Akiyama would come to her rescue since she's dug herself into a hole. She clearly had her sweet intentions in participating, and yes I admit delusional reasons about making a difference and now it's definitely backfired. Since the only shippy moment came when Akiyama came running to Nao in the end, it's definitely worth the whole episode of them not being together at all. It'll only mean that their reunion will be worth the wait. 3 out of 5 hearts.
Episode seven's reunion is a little on the anticlimactic side. Nao is clearly at her ropes end. She's in the dark, crying after being deceived by Fukunaga, when her knight comes to her rescue. If not in his armor, he's at least wearing white. I find that quite symbolic. The lighting worked as well. The anticlimactic part came when Nao just sits there in a daze looking up at him. I wanted at least a hug, or half hug, like I hear happened in the manga. If it's not too much to ask for, I would have loved at least something. I guess it is too much to ask for. They're possibly only shippy in my head. But as far as rescues come, this is still worth some hearts. I especially loved that when she's at her lowest low, he appears. Akiyama scolds her for participating in the resurrection round when they put in so much effort in winning the second round. He also points out that although she's trying to help him, she's not doing anything since she's losing badly. Still even with her completely pointless participation in this round, he's there to help her. 3 out of 5 hearts.
Akiyama teaches Nao how to cheat Fukunaga in the card game. He wants her to return the favor and give Fukunaga a taste of his own medicine. With Akiyama telling Nao what to do, she easily wins the game and manages to transfer 10 votes from Fukunaga. Nao's success in fooling Fukunaga feels out of character. Nao is being coached by Akiyama to deceive the others. I know that this is the only way for her to win, but it feels so uncharacteristic. Even though I don't fully agree and I wish Nao would come up with these ideas on her own, I know that she's motivated because she fully trusts Akiyama to get her out of this jam. I know I'm being wishy-washy at this point, but I can understand this deception. And the topping to their strategy somehow directs Nao in the lead. She successfully swindles 10 votes from each of the 7 players and ends up with 80 votes, leaving her 30 votes to spare and to sell off to the highest bidders. Signal Akiyama's entrance. He tells Nao not to apologize for her treachery and that this, after all, is Liar Game. The Akiyama reveal and the justification by the female secretariat afterwards made Akiyama's presence in this episode meaningful. The other players are upset that Akiyama who is an outsider is feeding Nao all these strategies. Of course, the female secretariat explains that each player is allowed to bring their personal belongings into the game and the best part…. here it comes… “Akiyama-san falls under Kanzaki-san's personal belonging.” Personal belonging!! I practically fell out of my chair after reading that translation. This comment definitely is the cherry to my sundae, the frosting to my cake and everything else in between. Akiyama's expression of not being the least bit offended after being described as one of Nao's “personal belongings” made the comment even more apt. Even though Akiyama is pulling Nao's strings, his statement about Nao controlling the fate of the rest of the players in her hands, states that he isn't completely taking over. It's as if he will also listen to her input. This scene scored 5 out of 5 hearts.