Extraordinary Attorney Minami Episodes 1-2 Review (Japanese Remake)
The Binge Team- October 27, 2026
The brand-new Japanese legal drama Extraordinary Attorney Minami (南田南弁護士は天才肌) has completely taken over my watchlist since it premiered on October 19, 2026. I've had so many thoughts bottled up since the remake was announced, and now that Episodes 1 and 2 are finally out, I need to get them off my chest! If you're a fan of the 2022 K-drama sensation Extraordinary Attorney Woo, you already know the big shoes this Japanese remake has to fill.
The J-drama follows Minamida Minami (Ashida Mana), a young, brilliant lawyer on the autism spectrum who joins one of Tokyo's top law firms. She has an exceptional memory, an incredible knowledge of complex legal statutes, and a deep love of marine life, especially whales. As she takes on challenging courtroom cases, she also has to deal with doubts from her senior colleagues and navigate the complexities of office life. By her side is Funai Minato (Takahashi Fumiya), a genuinely sweet and supportive paralegal whose growing bond with her brings some lovely moments to the story.
A little warning for my fellow hardcore K-drama fans, though: go into this remake with an open mind. If you've already watched the Korean original, you might end up feeling a little disappointed. Here's why.
Extraordinary Attorney Minami Ep 1-2 Review: What I Loved
Let me start with what I loved. Episode 1 gets straight to the point without wasting any time. The courtroom scenes, where Minamida Minami takes on her first assault case involving an elderly couple, are so exciting to watch. The way she pictures giant whales swimming through her mind as she pieces together the legal details still gives me goosebumps. Her reasoning skills are incredible, and watching her tear apart the prosecution's weak case using statistical evidence had me cheering for her!
In Episode 2, Minamida Minami and Funai Minato's workplace interactions are ridiculously cute. Funai Minato is such a charming leading man! He listens to her without talking down to her, helps her navigate the escalators, and looks at her with the softest eyes imaginable. I got so emotional when she talked about her favorite marine animal (whale) in the hallway. My heart!
Episode 2 also has a really good pace, with comedy that actually lands and production quality that looks bright, clean, and ridiculously polished. I especially love their little ritual of talking about whales or sharing a whale fact. Those moments are so sweet, and I can't help smiling whenever they happen.
What Disappointed Me About Extraordinary Attorney Minami
Okay guys, now let's get real about my biggest problem with this remake. After watching Episodes 1 and 2, I have some serious criticism of Ashida Mana's portrayal of Minamida Minami. Her performance reminds me so much of Park Eun-bin's original portrayal of Woo Young-woo that I'm struggling to see where Ashida Mana's own interpretation begins. From her speech patterns and hand gestures to the way she walks and moves her eyes, so many details feel almost identical to the Korean version. I keep noticing these similarities instead of getting fully immersed in her character.
I wanted Ashida Mana to bring her own style and personality to Minamida Minami, but right now, the performance feels more like an imitation of Park Eun-bin's than a fresh take on the character. Because of that, Minamida Minami doesn't always feel like a distinct character living in Tokyo. Instead, I keep getting the feeling that I'm watching a copy of a copy. I can't help noticing traces of Park Eun-bin's performance in Ashida Mana's portrayal, and it's making it difficult for me to connect with this version in its own right.
The writing doesn't help much, either. Episodes 1 and 2 follow the Korean original so closely that even the emotional moments, dialogue delivery, and camera angles feel familiar. I wanted the Japanese version to do more than recreate what already worked. I wanted to see how the story would fit Japanese workplace culture and social interactions, giving Minamida Minami a world and identity of her own. Instead, the first two episodes feel like a scene-by-scene copy of the original. It's like listening to a cover of a hit song that sounds almost exactly like the original.
Where's the artist's own touch? Where's the creative risk? Where's the actor's personal signature? With so much talent and a story this good, the remake had the chance to stand on its own. Instead, these first two episodes feel like a missed opportunity to make something fresh out of a story I already love.
Extraordinary Attorney Minami: Early Verdict and Rating
I'm still going to watch Extraordinary Attorney Minami every week because there's something comforting about its story, and Takahashi Fumiya is doing such a lovely job as Funai Minato. He's sweet, supportive, and exactly the kind of romantic lead I can't help rooting for! But I really hope that from Episode 3 onward, Ashida Mana steps out of Park Eun-bin's shadow and starts making Minamida Minami feel like her own character rather than a Japanese version of Woo Young-woo.
The ending of Episode 2 hints that the law firm might be going on a trip in the next episode, so things could get interesting! If you haven't watched the Korean original, you might really enjoy this heartwarming legal drama with its sweet romantic moments. But if you've already watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo, be prepared for some seriously familiar scenes. At times, it feels less like a fresh remake and more like a frame-by-frame tribute to the original.
So, what's my verdict after the first two episodes? It's not bad at all, but I definitely expected more. 7.5/10! I'm sticking around to see whether the next episodes can surprise me.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
I recommend Extraordinary Attorney Minami to fans who enjoy episodic courtroom dramas mixed with a little workplace romance.
Looking for more dramas like Extraordinary Attorney Minami? Check out our similar picks below:
Drama Info
TitleExtraordinary Attorney Minami (2026)
Total Episodes10 (Ongoing)
Review
1-2 Episodes
1-2 Episodes
CountryJapan
GenreRomance · Law
Release DateOct 19th to Dec 21st · 2026
Stream Netflix
Netflix
Main Cast
Ashida Mana
Minamida Minami
Takahashi Fumiya
Funai Minato
MAB Score (For Episodes 1-2)
7.5/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting
Chemistry