Synopsis:
Sakurai plays the host of a live TV quiz program. On the show, contestants who achieve 7 correct answers win 10 million yen, and those who get 8 correct answers will have one of their wishes granted by the TV network. But while the questions start off innocently enough, as the game progresses, the questions gradually delve into the contestants' past crimes or indiscretions, presenting them with the dilemma of having to confess their guilt in order to win.

Sakurai's character also has a mysterious past. Before becoming the show's host, an accident had left him in a vegetative state for six years, which also resulted in him losing most of his memories.


The Quiz Show 2's story starts with an enigmatic show host; Kamiyama Satoru (Sakurai) who is guided by another mysterious man, the show's director; Honma Toshio (Yokoyama). The Quiz Show is just like your average game show, the host will ask the contestant 7 questions, if he or she manages to get 7 correct answers, the contestant will enter the "Dream Chance" round where if they get the answer right, they promise that the TV company will grant whatever wish they desire (which the TV company knows nothing about), be it a large amount money or even fame. The first few questions starts that are answerable by basic knowledge and common sense but as the game advances, the contestants are forced to answer questions regarding their misconducts and such.

The episodes are exciting and surprising like how MC Kamiyama throws occasional insults over the contestants and uncovers their secrets throughout an episode. As the whole series, the story is really well made, lot's of twists, turns and surprises. Episode by episode, the story unfolds and will leave the audiences guessing how things happened or how will it turn out. The theme song is quite nice too, no wonder the series won with the best theme song award.

Some nitpicks I could mention would be unrealistic parts like when MC Kamiyama fell on the stage writhing with headache, due to flashbacks countering his partial amnesia for a brief moment on several episodes while the camera is still rolling live. Live violence; The MC got slapped live. A live broadcast of attempted suicide. The TV company President or other higher ups from the company does nothing with the issue regarding the contestants' controversy or even the game show's platform and background etc... It could just be me or that would be Japanese entertainment for you.

Another thing would be repetitiveness. In the later part of the show, the questions are getting repetitive, audiences might notice that the answers to multiple questions are getting the same, the selection revolves around the show (in general), and almost always includes "Nitta Misaki" in the options. I know it's part of the story's development but the questions just gives a little constricted feel.

You can ignore the fact that I said more lengthy negative reflection around than its positive side, this JDrama is really good. If you can finish this series, you'll figure out how well the story is thought of. Overall, I'll give it a 4 over 5 score.


Cast:
Sakurai Sho (櫻井翔) as Kamiyama Satoru
Yokoyama Yu (横山裕) as Honma Toshio
Matsuura Aya (松浦亜弥) as Takasugi Reina
Maya Miki as (真矢みき) Saejima Ryoko
Sasai Eisuke (篠井英介) as guide
Enoki Takaaki (榎木孝明) as Tadokoro Osamu
Mizusawa Elena (水沢エレナ) as Nitta Misaki
Tanaka Tetsushi (田中哲司) as Yonekura Shinzo
Izumiya Shigeru (泉谷しげる) as Matsuzaka Gengoro
Wada Masato (和田正人) as Takeuchi Koki
Ohashi Nozomi (大橋のぞみ) as Saejima Minori
Moriwaki Eriko (森脇英理子) as Urasawa Miharu

Contestants:
Aikawa Sho (哀川翔) as Ando Kosuke
Minami (美波) as Mika
Narimiya Hiroki (成宮寛貴) as Miyamoto Kenji
Asano Yuko (浅野ゆう子) as Yutenji Nokko
Ishiguro Ken (石黒賢) as Tomobe Koichiro
Horiuchi Ken (堀内健) as Katsuragi Makoto
Sugimoto Tetta (杉本哲太) as Shibata Yuki

Other Guests:
Katagiri Jin (片桐仁) as Tazaki Toru (host of The Quiz Show season 1)
Totsugi Shigeyuki (戸次重幸) as Yamanobe Kengo (producer of The Quiz Show season 1)

Links:
ザ・クイズショウ
Synopsis from Tokyograph