Zeni Geba

Japanese title: 銭ゲバ
Number of episodes: 9

Some info:
1) D-Addicts Wiki
2) Official Site (Japanese)

If one had to ask, the reason to pick up the show is because of Matsuyama Kenichi, probably most known for his performance as L in the live-action adaptations. He once again puts his great acting skills to the job, portraying a character who has gone insane and obsessed with the idea of money.

He plays Futaro, who had a pathetic childhood not only because his family was extremely poor, but also had a father who became a gambler and drunkard. Due to a fight with his father, he got an injury to the area around his left eye, as you can see from the picture. That was one major triggering factor in changing his personality and character. Another would be how his mother died to illness because she simply had no money to seek medical treatment for suitable medicine. He also hates those rich kids who happen to be born in a rich family which isn’t of their own effort and credit.

All these and more made him strongly feel that the influence of money over people is what causes all the sadness and pain for him, and is really determined to earn lots of money so that he is the one in power. Thus begins his path to rich and power, using any ruthless means to reach his objectives, even if it means destroying people’s lives and hearts or even killing if necessary. Of course, it also means all the scheming and poker face presented to other people. These are the areas where Matsuyama shines, where the kind of craze, desire and evilness are required to make the character come alive.

After he reaches his goal of having money and power, he realises there are things that he still lacks, which is happiness, which he thought he could attain with money as the lack of the latter deprived him of his happiness when he was a child. It is not surprising that in the end he chose to commit suicide because he couldn’t take the sins and guilt that he is carrying through the various things he have committed. This part of the story also tells us that various messages that are conveyed through the episodes which I think is a good balance to all the darker elements presented throughout the earlier parts of the show.

It is a dark story packaged with great acting from Matsuyama. I believe his role as the core character of the story really made the series a good one, though I normally don’t really like dark stories like these. If anything, Matsuyama’s acting is probably quite worth it. Heh.