2011-01-29 Liar Game Season 2 + Movie

"All of you believe that the Liar Game is all about rewarding the best liar, don't you? Well, I sure don't. I believe that the Liar Game is all about conquering that desire within you to lie and succumb to your greed. It's a game that tests whether or not you can remain an honest and upright individual."

-- Nao Kanzaki

I never knew there was a second season for liar game until now! wowiwow Watching it sure brings the nostalgic feeling on watching season 1 back in grade 9. Since I watched it such a long time ago, I only have a faint memory of: 

1. the girl being really dumb (always repeats the game titles with this puzzled expression ~ I still remember her saying: "restructuring game?" LOL) 
2. the swindler was really smart but I didn't like his hair. haha
3. there was this crazy white haired evil man they encountered in the third round 
4. here was this mushroom head guy with this crazy laugh that was annoying
5. one of the games had something to do with guards, getting money across borders

I don't really remember the specifics of each game though. But it turned out to be okay because season 2 has flashbacks to remind audiences of the past.

In this season I'm glad to see Nao starts to make decisions herself and has plans of her own. Although at first I was annoyed at her stupidity in trusting so easily of others, I started to admire her perseverance in her own belief, which really changed the game. Juxtaposed with this naive, trusting girl is this new character called Katsuragi. She has the belief that men are naturally selfish, therefore, men only appear to trust each other and work together due to their own self-interests -- real trust will never form (omg this reminds me of Hobbes and  his state of nature @_@) Thus Katsuragi uses human greed to manipulate others, emphasizing on the foundation of liar game, but of course, it ultimately failed in the end, just like how liar game ended with the trust the players with each other.

As for the games played, there were six games played in total (including the one in the movie). My favorite one would be Angels and Demons ;)

Now recap on the games:

Round 3

• Russian Roulette: Fukunaga is hilarious. He completely pawned his opponent with his little acting and strategies. Though I wonder when he made those pencil markings on the gun that made his opponent believe it was gun powder. Also why would there even be gun powder when no real bullets are actually shot from the gun??! Fukunaga's crazy laugh bothered me. One or two is fine, but he went crazy during this round. @_@

• 17 Poker: one problem I had with this one is Kikuchi. Kikuchi was hinted to be this great opponent for Akiyama so I thought he was like this pro gambler or something of the sort. But the truth was a huge let-down. He was a boxer with acute eye sight??!! huuuhhh? Firstly, I question the possibility of eyeing a card through all the shuffling. A boxer who is very intelligent is good at poker? uhhhhhhh =_____= Secondly, even if you know where the Joker is, how can he guarantee that he will get it? Isn't there the possibility that Akiyama can get it too? (maybe they explained in it and I missed it but I dunno)...especially after seeing how he exchanged 4-5 cards. But how Akiyama ended up controlled the entire deck was impressive. Akiyama's explanation of perfect shuttle made my mind boggle. LOL but seriously, did they really expect a boxer with acute vision to beat Akiyama's smart brain?

• Roulette of No Rotation: the basic rules of this game is much simpler than 17 Poker, which is perfect of Nao (geez I wonder what she would do if she gets 17 poker). This game really showed Nao's improvement in that she no longer is reliant on Akiyama, that she can actually come up with her own plan!!! yay! And she earned the most with own her plan! yea yea yea. Even I feel proud of her for winning without Akiyama's help. I love how she's the boss of Kingdom of Sun ;)

Semi-final 

• Angels and Demons: technically with this game, everybody can win. But the rehearsal really threw off the balance of this group -- making people distrustful of each other because they want to get the top three. Although everybody cooperated in the beginning, Katsuragi's trio turned the whole atmosphere around. In the real game, the dealer commented how the people starting as demons are at a disadvantage. This is based on the assumption that angels are too selfish to risk their own crosses to save demons, therefore, demons are at disadvantage if angels don't want to save them thus too fearful of not being saved to reveal their statuses. However, if you think about it, the goal is not about who get the most crosses, it's about getting four or more crosses. Therefore, if angel has many crosses, converting a demon is more or less risk-free. Unlike the previous games, everyone can win this game. But Katsuragi's need to beat Akiyama complicates the situation, dividing the players into teams. Because of this division, some players face the possibility of losing. This real game is actually the battle between Katsuragi and Akiyama. Although everyone passed into the second half of the semi-final, I think Katsuragi ultimately won because in the very end, Akiyama's side was betrayed by the three players due to their forced contract thus saving Katsuragi's team. Katsuragi really showed her evil skills of manipulation by distorting the truth that touches human's insecurities, fear, and greed. I love how Akiyama and Katsuragi are battling head on with one plan foreseeing the next! My favorite part was how Akiyama's team preoccupied all the Rooms of Judgement. It was pretty funny ;D As well, the trustworthiness of Nao expressed in this round really sets up for their victory in the next. 

• Gold Rush: Although I don't remember what the Contraband Game from the first season was about, I faintly recognized the similarity of the setting and the questioning with the sheriff, etc. This game is intense because Akiyama's team started off in the losing position.The solution to their comeback victory is...trust. The story behind Akiyama and Katsuragi was also revealed. What I was confused about was during that university exam with deciphering the letter's writer, did Katsuragi thought of the answer herself and then confirmed it with her prof's wife or did she just ask his wife to find out the answer? I don't think it's a good example in showing that she has the ability to see others' inner emotions. Just like the time with Kikuchi, I thought Katsuragi beat Akiyama in a gambling game or something...but no, it was just an examination...=___= Nevertheless, the conclusion of the game was satisfying. However, one more thing bothered me: the random appearances of Yokoya. You'd think Akiyama will battle Yokoya in the end...but nuuuuu he backed out in the end?! wada?! What is the point of showing glimpse of his victory then? To set up the reasons behind Nao's placing in the final round? weird....

Final (Movie)

• Garden of Eden: I thought the setting was very familiar...did something similar happen in Season 1? I remember there was also this mysterious person X too and they formed alliances...hmmm. Once again, emphasis on trust vs betrayal. But what the characters are all much nicer than I thought. I thought they would be vicious and greedy since it's the final but they are actually much less fierce than Katsuragi or Yokoya. Not the most seat-gripping game but definitely interesting in watching how the game developed and how it ended. Also, how did Nao save Yokoya again? I don't remember T__T I think her saving him is the reason why Yokoya helped with Akiyama's debt...or else why? I still think his appearances are random. @___@ 

Overall the drama was enjoyable to watch. It's not too dragged on nor too short. Some of the tricks are pretty impressive. And the important theme of truth vs deception was conveyed very well. LOL I totally connected the sentence when Eri said: "But you did beat something..." *pause pause* "Human greed". ;D Though its too bad we never got the see the true face behind LGT though I like Eri and dealer of the game! They are sooo cool. hehe