Consist of 9 episodes (1st episode 1 hour, 2nd-8th episode appr. 45 minutes, 9th episode 90 minutes), this series was enjoyable to watch. It was not too long and the pace was good.
In 2003, a fisherman, Saimon Dan, was arrested by the police when he was about to marry his fiancée Sumire. Saimon Dan was betrayed by his friends: 1. Kagura, a fisherman -who wanted to be the new captain 2. Nanjo Yukio, an actor - who wanted Sumire 3.Terakado, a land speculator - who wanted Saimon's land. Kagura provided the idea, Nanjo Yukio made an anonymous call to the police, and Terakado didn't do anything to stop them.
Iruma Kouhei, a police detective, led the arrest. Saimon Dan was to deliver a secret letter to Iruma Kouhei's father. Saimon Dan was accused of being a terrorist. He was taken to a foreign country's prison where he was tortured many times. It was kind of stupid, in my opinion. Couldn't they tell that he could not speak English? [The prison looked like Château d'If.] Years later in his cell he met Faria Shinkai, a former president (of the prison's country), who taught him languages and arts and knowledge, and gave him his hidden treasure.
In 2017, Saimon Dan broke prison dan returned home to begin his revenge.
There were some differences from the original novel, like Saimon Dan's old boss; here Morio was dying when Saimon Dan finally broke prison. So Saimon Dan repaid his old boss's kindness to his son Morio Shinichiro. Shinichiro also happened to be the first person to help Saimon Dan after he landed in his hometown. Another difference: Nanjo Yukio and Sumire had a daughter, not a son. There was also a difference in how Saimon Dan handled the conclusion of his revenge against Kagura and Nanjo Yukio. Plus, Saimon Dan didn't use any disguise and used a single identity as Monte Cristo Shinkai.
This series was definitely worth watching, although I don't like the ending. I wanted Saimon Dan to be happy in the end. I think they wanted to send a message that even if you succeed with your revenge, your heart will still be empty and you will not ever be happy. Just leave space for God's anger.
The original book's ending is better. The Chinese version (The King of Legend - 2012) also had a good ending, the main character was a sailor, wasn't he?
What I like about this series, is how they put the character's name and occupation on screen many times. It's very useful for forgetful viewers like me.
Monday, July 1, 2019
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