Juken no Kamisama

35 year old Umezawa Isamu works for a major trading firm and is a single dad to his only son, Hiroshi, a 6th-grader who hates to study but loves to play baseball. Ever since his wife divorced him on a whim 5 years ago, his days have been a constant struggle to keep up with work and household chores. One day, Isamu sets out on the task of finding his son a prep school for junior high entrance exams, but he becomes desperate when finding that most schools have already closed off applications. It is at such a time that Isamu hears about the Goddess of Exams. Rumor has it that she was accepted at all of the 17 topnotch junior high schools with top scores 2 years ago and that whoever she tutors makes it into the school of their wish 100%. Isamu finds out that the girl's name is Sugawara Michiko and begins a frantic search for her. When Isamu finally finds Michiko and pleads her to tutor Hiroshi, she demands, "If you want me to tutor your son, kneel down at my feet and beg."

Directed by —, Juken no Kamisama leans on a strong ensemble — Riko Narumi, Nagashima Mitsuki, Tatsuya Yamaguchi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about family titles of 2007.