Yokai Ningen Bem - Being Monsters - Final Thoughts

When I saw its' promotion poster, I immediately thought of the Kaibutsu-kun drama because it had similar layout as to this one. I wasn't planning to watch this because my mind automatically thought of Kaibitsu-kun, although I had fun watching that drama, but once was enough, and I didn't want to watch another cheesy monster meets human world story. But Yokai Ningen Ben actually turned out to be quite different than what I expected.

The yokai trio includes Bem (Kamenashi Kazuya), Bela (Anne), and Belo (Suzuki Fuku). A long time ago, they were first created by a biologist, Professor Ogata (Agata Morio), who experimented on creating artificial humans. However, these three yokais were a failed experiment and they ended up being half monster and half human. As years passed by, they have lost contact with the professor and so, they travel from place to place, searching for his whereabouts and hoping that he will change them to a full human. Along the way, they have experienced many hardships, they've tried to hold on to their human appearance for as long as possible, but when they get over emotional, their monster side reveals itself. They have been prosecuted and feared by the humans who found out about their true nature which caused the yokais to isolated themselves from the human society and go into hiding. One day, Bem saves a victim from nearly being killed which this leads to a detective named Natsume Akinori, who became curious as to who Ben and his friends are and befriends them. They still continue to find the professor and slowly regain their trust in humans as well as, helping those who are in need of help.

It nice to see Kame back doing dramas again. It's been a long time since I've seen him in a drama. When's the last time I saw him? Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. I guess he's been busy balancing his music and acting career at the same. Which is understandable. And, yet he still looks great. I thought that Kame did a great job in this drama.

We also have Belo who is played by a cute little boy. I have looked at some of the images from the original anime, which was released about forty years ago, that character had a mature look and was kind a already a creepy looking. In this drama, he's the opposite, he's much more cuter here.

Then, there's Bela played by Ann. Did you know that she is the daughter of a famous actor named Ken Watanabe? I had no idea because the cast list only had her first name and no last name in it. When I found out about her last name, I was like, it can't be a coincidence. But wow, I learn something new everyday. I think I've seen her before in another drama called Samurai High School. But she was definitely much better in this drama than the samurai drama.  

I thought it was going to be another one of those light-hearted, cheesy show, but this story is much more darker and it takes its’ plot more seriously. It takes a look at a psychological aspect of  human life from the Yokai's point of view. It's actually kind of a sad story. These yokais are not bad people, but they are actually the good guys. They were just have been misunderstood by the humans for many years. Even if their pride has been scared, they still continue to find a way to become human.

It was an enjoyable supernatural drama and I liked the cast. The story has its sad moments, but it was heartwarming and bittersweet. I never expected to enjoy this drama, but in the end I loved it.