[GEO9875] Furyou Shoujo to Yobarete (1984) DVDRip 01-24 Complete Series

Special Thanks: Farfromsleep

Series Info

Release Info

Synopsis:

Based on Shoko Hara's autobiographical novel, Shoko's life, marred by delinquency, misconduct and a harsh upbringing, takes an unexpected turn when Tetsuya's devoted affection and the soulful strains of his "sho"-a traditional Japanese gagaku wind instrument-offer her a melody of hope and a chance for reform.

Here are my English subs for Furyou Shoujo to Yobarete, one of my favorite overall fansubbing projects. This Daiei J-Drama from 1984 paved the way for shows like Toei's Sukeban Deka and Shoujo Commando Izumi, Union Film's Sailor Fuku Hangyaku Doumei, among others. As a big fan of Sukeban Deka myself, it's pretty clear that Toei picked up a few cues from this one when they eventually rolled out their iconic 1985 series. Some of the fight scenes here, especially one scene with a certain close-up of a projectile weapon, feel uncannily like the kind of dramatic yo-yo close-ups Toei would later make iconic. It also served as a catalyst for other Daiei-produced dramas that tackled delinquency, such as Janus no Kagami. This show essentially crafted much of the cinematic language for delinquent dramas on Japanese TV in the 80s, and the connection gets even more deep when you remember that Kazue Ito, who has a prominent role here, later popped up as a guest star in the Sukeban Deka III special, adding yet another layer to the synergy.

Coming full circle, while this Daiei drama went on to influence later Toei productions, it also clearly drew inspiration from Toei's earlier line of 1970s 'Pinky Violence' films, particularly in its depiction of delinquent dynamics, conflicts, and hierarchy. Yet, thanks to the nature of the TV medium, it avoids the prurient and exploitative elements that I personally find off-putting about those films.

The show also has a connection to real life, as it was an adaptation of the eponymous autobiography of Shoko Hara, a Bugaku dancer who the show's lead character is based on. Of course, being a Daiei drama, certain elements of her life were exaggerated and fictionalized. I believe Shoko Hara herself denounced the show.

Big thanks to Farfromsleep for purchasing the DVDs, making this project possible. Enjoy!