Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu

Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu
Publicity poster
Also known asHomeroom by the Beachside
GenreComing-of-age, School drama
Written byYuji Sakamoto
Directed bySetsuro Wakamatsu,
Masaki Tanimura,
Yoshinori Muratani,
Kozo Nagayama
StarringYūji Oda
Theme music composerTakayuki Hattori
Ending themeKimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteiru by UZ
Country of originJapan
Original languageJapanese
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
ProducerKen Murase
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time54 minutes
Ep. 1: 30-minute extension
Ep. 10: 15-minute extension
Production companyFuji TV
Original release
NetworkFuji TV
ReleaseJuly 21 (2008-07-21) –
September 22, 2008 (2008-09-22)

Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu (太陽と海の教室, Taiyō to Umi no Kyōshitsu, also known as Homeroom by the Beachside) is a Japanese television series which premiered on Fuji TV on July 21, 2008.[1][user-generated source] The series starred Yūji Oda as Sakutaro Sakurai, the homeroom teacher of Third Year's Class 1 (class 3-1).

The television series was broadcast as part of the Fuji TV's Getsuku time slot, which airs every Monday from 9pm to 9:54pm.[1][user-generated source] The drama had an average viewership of 14.8% throughout its run.[2]

Plot

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At a particular private senior high school in Shōnan, Kanagawa Prefecture, 3rd year students are preparing for their university entrance examinations. Sakutaro is brought into the school by the principal in anticipation of the fallout from a scandal involving the school. However, his unorthodox methods of teaching and his emphasis on values is met with stiff resistance from his students, who are only interested in improving their academic results. His unorthodox approach also creates friction between him and the rest of the staff.

After helping his students with their various difficulties and imparting values to them in the process, Sakutaro's students begin to respect him as a teacher. The students also begin to realise the importance of pursuing their dreams rather than blindly following a successful path set by society. Together, the class grow as people and are able to tackle the many challenges that they faced. Sensing the growth of the students, the other members of the staff begin to question their previous fixation on grades and instead support Sakutaro's teaching methods.

Cast

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  • Yūji Oda as Sakutaro Sakurai (織田裕二, 39)

The homeroom teacher of class 3-1 and a Japanese language teacher. He is an economics graduate from Tokyo University, and obtained an MBA from Stanford University when he was just 24 years old. When he was on a job assignment in Africa, he was so moved by a native boy's desire to learn that he changed profession to become a teacher. He was invited by principal Kyoka to teach at the high school. Due to his background, his teaching philosophy differs from other teachers as he emphasises values over grades. This has led to disputes with other staff members, and in particular, chairman Kamiya.

The assistant homeroom teacher of class 3-1 and daughter of Kyoka. Although she is a graduate from Tokyo University, she became a teacher because she does not know what she wants to do in her life. Initially critical of Sakutaro's teaching methods, she gradually came to respect his teaching methods.

The chairman of the school management committee

Students

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A close friend of Hiroki since elementary school and subsequently his girlfriend. Her family owns the cafe "CAFE SEA-LASS", a popular hangout for students in class 3-1. Her childhood is played by Nana Shirasaka

References

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  1. ^ a b 太陽と海の教室. Hatena Keyword (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-01-09.[user-generated source]
  2. ^ "Taiyo To Umi No Kyoshitsu viewership ratings". Audience Rating TV (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-01-09.
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