PRIDE

Winter 2004

Well, I'm finally reviewing my favorite drama Pride which stars Kimura Takuya (Halu Satonaka) and Takeuchi Yuko, (Aki Murase). When I watched this series, I seriously could not stop. I love Pride for many reasons and I can say that it tugged at my heart strings because I'm first of all a guy who loves sports in general and two of my favorite actors star in this series. I believe both Kimutaku and Takeuchi gave great performances; the supporting cast was also good. I just loved the pace of the drama, the editing and dialogue created great chemistry among the actors. The romance between Halu and Aki started out as a game but it eventually becomes serious with dire consequences. I really empathized with these characters as the series was able to go deep into the heart of what moved them and gave them a reason for being who they are. I like many leading men, but they aren't young such as Sato Koiichi, Nakai Kiichi, and Hiroyuki Sanada and although Kimutaku is getting up there I still believe that there is nobody around his age or younger that can dazzle on screen and give a mesmerizing performance like him. There's just something about Kimutaku that draws your attention like no other.

Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend this drama especially to any guys out there who want to watch a drama series, once in a while, with their lovely ladies. It is both inspiring and full of energy. I've never played hockey and I don't watch any of it on TV, but I do see highlights and know some of the great players past and present. I was first skeptical about a drama revolving around hockey, but if you are a sports fan, you will enjoy it. I have a greater appreciation for the game now that I watched this series. I don't think I will ever watch a series better than this one...maybe?

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 1.0
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

ORANGE DAYS

Spring 2004

Orange Days' plot is centered around a group of college students that are nearing graduation and are struggling to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Yuuki Kai (Tsumabuki Satoshi) is a social welfare psychology student trying to find a job with little luck. One day he meets Hagio Sae (Shibasaki Kou) playing the violin on campus. He is inspired by her talent but she is already intending to sell her violin because she lost her sense of hearing. Coincidentally Kai's friend, Yashima Keita (Eita) asks her out on a date but later begs Kai to go out with her instead after finding out about her hearing loss. Kai is forced to meet Sae at an amusement park and he doesn't know that it is Sae that Keita asked out. They eventually get to know each other better and Kai's knowledge of sign language helps their relationship as they go through ups and downs trying to figure out if they are truly compatible with each other.

Recommendation: Another drama with a talented group of actors. I heard some good things about Orange Days, but I was skeptical after hearing that the story revolves around a deaf girl. I'm not very fond of dramas when a main character has a disability because it can be frustrating to watch and some stories end up being really sad. That said, this series had a lot to offer with a strong love story, likable characters, and good acting. I think Tsumabuki Satoshi is a solid actor, but I don't know if it's his face or the way he acts, but his characters seem so normal and he doesn't bring a lot of excitement to the table. I really liked Shibasaki Kou and her intensity even when she didn't speak much at all. I thought it was an overall average drama, until one scene at the end of episode 7 pulled at my heart strings and I may have shed a tear. I also really liked the intimate scenes because they didn't seem forced. Some kissing scenes in other dramas just look terrible, but it seemed more natural in Orange Days with Kai and Sae. I have to put this one in the 5 crown category as it reminded me of my college days and the feeling of timelessness that went with it. The ending theme song, Sign, by Mr. Children didn't hurt either.

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 1.0
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

HOTARU NO HIKARI 2

Summer 2010

I watched part 1 a few years ago and back then I remember not being excited about this drama, but after watching a few episodes it stuck on me and I felt it was a "sleeper" hit. I really enjoyed it. Part 2 picks up the story between Amemiya Hotaru played by Ayase Haruka and Takano Seiichi (Fujiki Naohito) three years after Hotaru leaves for Hong Kong. When she returns to Japan in the summer she is shocked to see an upset Seiichi (or Buchou which means section or department head). During the three years that they were apart, she only sent him one letter while he was patiently waiting for her return. The story moves forward with both of them living under the same roof, drinking beer, and contemplating on the complexities of love and relationships.

Recommendation: This is a nice chick flick. It's light, funny and warm just like the summer. I got a few chuckles out of Buchou's imitation of Hotaru. In some ways though, the story line seemed a bit far fetched even for a drama. I mean how can you prepare to get married when you haven't had much of a physical relationship? And I really can't imagine someone waiting for a girl for three years when all he gets is one measly letter. Finally, how can Hotaru be so dense? Besides those difficult to imagine scenarios, this drama was good. It's upbeat and the story deepens when another young stud tries to woo Hotaru. The acting was good too and the characters were all unique and lively in their own ways.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

4.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

NATSU NO KOI WA NIJIIRO NI KAGAYAKU

Summer 2010

This drama stars Matsumoto Jun as Kusunoki Taiga and Takeuchi Yuko as Kitamura Shiori. Taiga is a second generation actor living under the greatness of his father's legacy. He always seems to find an excuse about not being able to "break out" but he never realizes that the problem lies within himself until he meets Kitamura who lives a cheerful life with her daughter. She was a big fan of Taiga's father and supports Taiga in different ways. Taiga soon finds himself attracted to her, but because of an unfortunate accident in the past, she is not quite open to love.

Recommendation: I enjoyed this drama especially since both of the main actors are quite good. Matsujun cracked me up with his childish gestures and Takeuchi Yuko's beauty is mesmerizing. At first I couldn't imagine how Matsujun, who still looks like a kid, can woo an older Takeuchi Yuko, but it did work on a certain level. Kobayashi Seiran who plays Kitamura's daughter, Umi, was really cute and Kiritani Mirei was descent. I liked how Taiga matured from episode to episode and I empathized with Kitamura while she was trying to deal with the death of her husband, but I felt like the 10th and final episode ended abruptly; like it was rushed. Maybe they could have added an 11th episode. The theme song Please Stay With Me by YUI went well with the drama. The genre for this drama is "romantic comedy" but it's not that romantic or super funny. It was a well done drama nonetheless.

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 0.5

4.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

LUNCH NO JOOU (LUNCH QUEEN)

Summer 2002

This has to be one of the greatest casts assembled in a drama series. Takeuchi Yuko, Eguchi Yosuke, Tsumabuki Satoshi, Yamashita Tomohisa, Yamada Takayuki, Tsutsumi Shinichi, Ito Misaki and Eita, either held or can still hold a major role in a drama. I sometimes felt like it was such a waste for some of these actors to play supportive roles, but obviously due to their popularity it probably can't be done anymore.

The story centers around a small restaurant that serves delicious food. The restaurant is owned and operated by Mr. Nabeshima and his three sons. The eldest son Kenichiro ran away, but sometimes comes home just to steal money from the restaurant. The second son, Yujiro takes responsibility and learns how to prepare, cook and manage the restaurant. Junzaburo, the third son, is still in training but is the most loyal to the family business. Koshiro the youngest son is still in high school, but has no desire to learn about the business. Hearing that his father fell ill, Kenichiro persistently requests a waitress, Mugita Natsumi to pretend to be his wife so that he can introduce her to his father. She eventually accepts his request, but things don't go well after Kenichiro is scolded by Yujiro. Kenichiro steal money again and disappears. Natsumi falls in love with the omolete and demi glaze sauce served at the restaurant. Even though her relationship with Kenichiro is a lie, she ends up working at the restaurant. At first, Junzaburo has a curiosity about her, but eventually the whole family is vying for her love in this sweet, romantic and utterly delicious drama.

Recommendation: This is really a great drama about family, relationships, and the food that keeps hope alive. I swear that after each episode, I was always hungry. I wish I could taste the demi-glaze sauce prepared with so much love and patience. I loved Tsutsumi Shinichi's character (even though it was a small role) because he seems like a serious person, but he is so frail and sensitive in this series. Takeuchi Yuko's special running jump kick was hilarious. If you're looking for something funny, light-hearted and inspiring check this one out, but remember to eat before you watch or else you might be craving for an omelet with demi-glaze sauce afterwards.

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 1.0
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

KABACHITARE

Winter 2001

Re-watching this drama brought back some good memories. One interesting thing about watching older dramas is that I often forget other actors who played supporting roles early in their careers. I couldn't believe how skinny Yamapi was and he still had some baby fat around his cheeks. Yamada Yu, Shinohara Ryoko, Tsumabuki Satoshi are so young and Toyohara Kyosuke who I remember well in Densha Otoko and Innocent Love also played a small role in the series.

Nostalgia aside, I wasn't so impressed by the series itself. The story revolves around Tamura Nozomi (Tokiwa Takako) and Sakaeda Chiharu (Fukatsu Eri). Nozomi is a free spirit, believing in the goodness of people, living positively and being grateful for the little things in life. Chiharu on the other hand works for a small law firm and never believes in people, only the law. As fate has it, both mismatched characters meet and their lives come crashing together. Although their personalities and views on life differ, they are somehow able to complement one another as they help various clients through their legal problems.

I enjoyed the acting of both Tokiwa Takako and Fukatsu Eri and respect what they can do on the set as they had great chemistry, but there were many scenes of bickering and I felt myself getting tired and annoyed by their incessant small talk about love and other problems. Also, I didn't feel like the characters developed very well. Nozomi and Chiharu's relationship deepened as the drama progressed, but they didn't seem to change or grow as much as I wanted them to. I also know that Nozomi is supposed to be a cheerful person, but I felt Tokiwa Takako overplayed her character. Episode 8 and 9 about the abusive husband was quite controversial, and I don't remember exactly which episode it was, but there was a scene of a naked Yamapi for any curious girls who are Yamapi fans.

Recommendation: I do recommend this drama if you're not looking for anything too serious. As I said before, it was a bit nostalgic to see so many good actors in their youth so if that floats your boat by all means check it out. There are some difficult terms and legalize as well for viewers who are into law. Other than that it had its comedic moments of ridiculousness, but it was also a bit drawn out and over the top.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 0.5
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 0.5
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

3.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

PROPOSAL DAISAKUSEN

Spring 2007

Proposal Daisakusen was surprisingly one of my favorite romantic dramas. It stars Yamashita Tomohisa as Iwase Ken and Nagasawa Masami as Yoshida Rei as two childhood friends who rarely see eye to eye and constantly miss opportunities to express their love for each other. The story starts out during Rei's marriage ceremony to Tada Tetsuya played by Fujiki Naohito whom she first meets in high school when he was her substitute teacher. During a slide show of Rei's life, Ken remembers how close he was to Rei, but never seemed to be able to make her happy. He desperately wishes to go back in time and redo his past when suddenly a fairy living in the church appears and decides to help Ken. The story continues as Ken goes back in time to win Rei's love during special moments in her life.

Recommendation: I totally recommend this drama not only was it romantic, but it really tells a story which most people are able to relate to. I don't think there is one person who never wanted to go back in time to change something they regret doing or not doing. I loved the cast which had good chemistry and the song from Mongol 800 was so nostalgic. At one point I thought Ken got too many "Hallelujah Chances," but didn't expect how the story ended. It was moving, inspiring, and brought back memories of my own past. If you want to watch a drama that is romantic, light, funny, and packed with nostalgia, this one is for you.

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 1.0
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

TSUKI NO KOIBITO

Spring 2010

I had strong mixed emotions about this drama. For one, I thought it was really hyped up because of the all star cast. I do believe that Kimura Takuya is probably the best in the business and Shinohara Ryoko is a favorite of mine as well. Lin Chi Ling, Kitagawa Keiko and Matsuda Shota were all good. I don't know how well Matsuda and Abe Tsuyoshi spoke Chinese, but I thought Lin Chi Ling did a good job with her Japanese.

Anyway, from the first few episodes I got this feeling that the plot was getting really messy. I didn't feel anything for Rensuke or any of the other characters, although I did appreciate the romantic buildup between Rensuke and Xiu Mei. I guess if the theme was romance, I wanted to see more development with all three women with Rensuke but it didn't really happen for me. It was a bit sudden and I felt it would have been nice to add one or two more episodes even though the last episode was quite long.

Recommendation: The last two episodes were enough to keep me satisfied with this drama. Kimutaku and Shinohara are polarizing. Because of these two actors, it is enough for me to recommend watching this series. It was too short and drastic for me to say it was a classic though.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 0.5
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

3.5 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

SUNAO NI NARENAKUTE

Spring 2010

Sunao Ni Narenakute stars one of my favorite (and in my opinion) versatile actresses Ueno Juri. I think that it is rare to find a drama that is great from the first episode all the way to the end. Unfortunately this drama was not that type of drama, but nonetheless it was good overall. It felt awkward when all the main characters met together in person for the first time after being friends on Twitter. I guess that was the intention, but as their friendships gradually grew stronger, I realized that I was also getting more interested in the story as well. This drama was sure enough filled with complicated human dilemmas but in some ways I felt empty handed partially because some issues were abruptly resolved and some subplots never reached closure. There were some heart stopping moments that I didn't expect which made this drama a pretty exciting one though.

Recommendation: Although I didn't think the acting or the story was particularly great, it wasn't bad. I felt like the series was building up to a climactic ending that never really emerged, but strangely I wasn't disappointed in watching this drama. In other words, it was like buying a nice puzzle, that never came with all the pieces.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 0.5
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 0.5
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

3.0 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

BOSS

Spring 2009

As I was watching Boss, I felt that it was predictable and I couldn't get into it at first, but as I kept watching the series, I gradually ended up enjoying this drama. Boss stars Amami Yuki as Osawa Eriko who works with a nice cast of actors including Takenouchi Yutaka, Toda Erika, Tamayama Tetsuji to name a few. Heading a newly created police division with a group of unusual detectives, Osawa Eriko takes on violent and difficult cases and proves to be a force to be reckoned with. Tall and beautiful, she must not only solve crimes, but also teach her small group of detectives to work efficiently as a team.

Recommendation: Boss was a fast paced, funny, and smart drama. The use of computer graphics was creative and each case that needed to be solved was interesting, but I wasn't very fond of the fact that almost all the episodes showed who the criminal was in the beginning because it took out the suspense of discovery. Obviously reality must be suspended to a certain degree when watching dramas, but there were some episodes that I thought were a bit over the top. Still, the series was entertaining and got better as it progressed. I recommend this drama especially if you like something fairly light, funny and creative despite the series being revolved around crime.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 1
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 0.5
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

3.5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

NOBUTA WO PRODUCE

Fall 2005

I must say that Nobuta Wo Produce is one of my favorite dramas of all time. I watched the series again to refresh my memory, and it's amazing to see how the main actors like Yamapi, Kamenashi, and Horikita Maki have gone to become big time stars. Even Toda Erika who only had a minor role in the drama is a super star these days. The drama follows three high-school students who don't have anything in common and would not have been friends if not for a unique circumstance. Kiritani Shuji (played by Kamenashi Kazuya) is a popular student and gets a long with practically everyone in class. The only person he can't stand is Kusano Akira (played by Yamshita Tomohisa) who is somewhat of an oddity and acts annoyingly around Shuji. A new student, Kotani Nobuko (played by Horikita Maki) transfers to their school. She is a reserved, quiet, and depressed student who gets bullied constantly. To do something unique and different before they graduate, Shuji and Akira decide to "produce" Nobuta (which is a nickname for Nobuko) or make her a popular student. These three unlikely amigos go through a unique adventure of ups and downs that eventually paves a path to true friendship.

Recommendation: I didn't expect much from this drama, but the story and the directing really blew me away. I thought the drama was creative in that each episode alluded to some kind of humanistic purpose or gave advice about the meaning of life. There were uplifting and moving scenes and it really went deeply into what young people think and do as they try to "grow" as human beings. It is interesting to see how Shuji wanted to change Nobuta and make her popular, but at the same time, he eventually changed himself as well. I highly recommend this drama and consider it a classic!

STORY: 1
ACTING: 1
DIRECTING: 1
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1

5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

CODE BLUE SEASON 2

Winter 2010

Code Blue Season 2 continues the story of the four flight-doctors in training who are working diligently to hone their skills and graduate from the fellowship program. After Kuroda leaves his position, a new supervisor named Tachibana played by Shiina Kippei oversees the four young doctors. The series again takes the viewer into the fast paced and hard nosed environment of the emergency medical service where a split decision can result in utter tragedy or ultimate joy.

After watching the first series, I was looking forward to the second season. I was not disappointed. I felt that the overall theme of season 2 focused on the personal lives of the main characters which also included the flight nurse Saejima. The first season was good but I really enjoyed the second season even more since the series delved into the characters past and personal issues in depth while having to work in an environment that needs to maintain a balance between separating oneself from the personal issues of the patients. Every episode was emotionally charged and most of the elements in this drama worked very well. I later found out that Lily Franky was in this drama which was interesting too.

Recommendation: Just like the first season, if you don't like blood and surgery, you may not want to watch this drama, but it is really good and worth the time to see it. It's amazing how tragic life can be, but when watching this drama, it was sad but not depressing which some dramas tend to make me feel. There is a good mix of tragedy and hope as well as some comedic scenes. I am glad they also added a few scenes that were outside of the usual hospital or emergency situation settings. The bar scene in episode 7 was one of my favorites.

STORY: 1
ACTING: 1
DIRECTING: 1
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1

5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

CODE BLUE

Summer 2008

Intense and inspirational, Code Blue takes the viewer into the world of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Starring Yamashita Tomohisa (Aizawa), Aragaki Yui (Shiraishi), Toda Erika (Hiyama), Asari Yosuke (Fujikawa) and Higa Manami (Saejima), flight doctors in training must learn quickly and efficiently to save as many people as possible. Personally and professionally, these doctors face a myriad of issues that test their determination to pursue the goal of riding the "Doctor Helicopter."

This drama was one of my favorites. After almost every episode, I imagined that there are probably doctors and emergency workers who must go through traumatic events on a constant basis. Of course I understand that this drama is fictional, but it really has to be a stressful job. This drama offers the viewer different perspectives during an emergency situation, from the doctors, patients, and worried family members viewpoints, it takes into account the fact that every human life cannot be saved; it's as real as it gets.

Recommendation: I highly recommend this drama, but if you hate seeing blood or surgeries make you cringe than this drama may be hard to watch. Each character is unique and I really liked the acting, the pace, and music with the theme song Hanabi by Mr. Children. Code Blue was a constant reminder of how life can be fragile and taken for granted. The characters are developed well and they grow through their trials and tribulations. I look forward to seeing the next season shortly.

STORY: 1
ACTING: 0.5
DIRECTING: 1
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1

4.5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

INNOCENT LOVE

Fall 2008

Can a drama ever be over-dramatic? This was my final impression of Innocent Love starring Horikita Maki (Akiyama Kanon) and Kitagawa Yujin (Nagasaki Junya). The story revolves around Akiyama Kanon who is trying to move forward with her life after a tragic event in her past, but the past always seems to come back and haunt her. With the support of Nagasaki Junya they try to clean up their personal issues and move toward a brighter future. I am a Maki-chan fan. I think she's good at playing different roles whether it be a bullied school girl or a girl pretending to be a boy, but I didn't think this drama showcased her talents fully. This was the first time I saw Kitagawa Yujin and he wasn't terrible, but at times I felt he was just acting too hard and I couldn't get into his character as much as I wanted to.

There is a mystery to this drama and some characters can be creepy such as Kiyoka, played by Uchida Yuki or the choir girl Mizuki played by Kashii Yu. The creepiness was good though because it added some excitement to a mostly slow paced drama. I did like the various sets like the piano bar and Junya's house as well as the theme song called Eternally played by Utada Hikaru, but I couldn't stand the down jackets that Junya wore; they were an eyesore. The story overall was good and I empathized with the characters struggles with their past issues and secrets.

Recommendation: If you like slow paced dramas with mysteries and creepiness this is a must watch. It is a love story, but not in the usual sense, there are different levels of love expressed in this drama which I thought was interesting. Horikita Maki was good and all the other actors/actresses weren't bad. I just thought some scenes were over-acted and predictable.

STORY: 1
ACTING: 0.5
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 0.5

3.5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

BUZZER BEAT

SUMMER 2009

I like the fact that sports can create dramatic events that are inspiring and moving. Incorporating a fun loving cast headed by Yamashita Tomohisa (Kamiya Naoki) and Kitagawa Keiko (Shirakawa Riko), Buzzer Beat takes you on a journey of love and reminds us to never give up on our dreams.

Chemistry was the first word that came to my mind when I was watching this drama. The cast worked really well together. Whether there were scenes with Naoki and Riko, Riko and Mai (Riko's roommate), or Mai and Shuji, there was hardly a dull moment. The opening theme song by B'z (Ichibu to Zenbu) sets the mood for this drama. I was constantly excited to listen to the theme song whenever it was played. Emotional scenes were abundant and a good drama will make you feel all kinds of emotions. The episodes kept getting better and better especially from Episode 4. There were heart cringing moments as well as moments of relief. The acting was done well and I didn't think the cast overdid their parts. There were plenty of scenes with male upper body nakedness that would probably drive women crazy, but being a guy I was more jealous than anything else! I thought the setting at the basketball court with the large ad displaying a child with balloons was a nice touch. It seems that good dramas tend to have this one setting that reminds you about the drama when you look back on it.

Recommendation: Buzzer Beat was one of my favorite dramas. I just thought the music, acting, writing, and directing fit well together. The story took me back to a time when dreams were strong, and hope offered a once in a lifetime opportunity, just like a buzzer beater.

STORY: 1
ACTING: 1
DIRECTING 1
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1

5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

TOKYO DOGS

FALL 2009

Tokyo DOGS stars Oguri Shun (Takakura So) and Mizushima Hiro (Kudo Maruo) as police detectives who are forced to partner up to solve a mystery involving a young girl named Matsunaga Yuki played by Yoshitaka Yuriko. Takakura is an accomplished level headed detective who was working in New York City until he was held responsible for a botched drug case and was sent back to Japan. His father was murdered by a Yakuza boss named Jinno and he vows to catch him one day. Kudo Maruo is a hot headed brash detective whose personality is totally opposite of Takakura's. Their relationship gets off on the wrong foot from the beginning, but through dangerous experiences they learn to work together to resolve an important case.

Overall I enjoyed this drama, but at times I got tired by some cliche scenarios. The acting wasn't particularly good, but I did enjoy Kudo Maruo as he provided comic relief and added some excitement to the series. Takakura So's conversations with his mother were funny too. Some of the minor characters jokes and punchlines were flat. I didn't think the series went deep enough to develop the characters especially Kudo Maruo's since we don't find out anything about his past or his goals etc. Matsunaga Yuki lost her memory and I felt that I was supposed to feel bad for this character, but I had a difficult time doing so maybe because I was looking for a spark to ignite her relationship with Takakura and there weren't enough situations which made me feel like Takakura and Matsunaga were close. Sometimes I think that these types of dramas are going to continue into another season which is why the characters may be underdeveloped.

Recommendation: If you like the main actors for this drama I think you would be disappointed because Oguri Shun and Mizushima Hiro do a decent job to push the series forward. Although I felt some dialogue between minor characters fell short of funny, there were memorable scenes in the series. I was glad to see the ending because the last couple episodes were quite interesting.

STORY: 1
ACTING: 0.5
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 0.5
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 0.5

3.0 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

SMILE

SPRING 2009

Since there are so many dramas each year, I usually pick one or two that did well in ratings per season. The viewership for Smile was not so high, but I love Nakai Kiichi and I knew that Matsumoto Jun and Aragaki Yui were popular. I gave this drama a shot and I was honestly surprised by the depth of the story as well as the characters. Hayakawa Vito played by Matsumoto Jun, is a young half Filipino half Japanese man who grew up enduring racism and prejudices. The past always seems to catch up with Vito as he tries to overcome his fears with the help of Mishima Hana (Aragaki Yui) and Ito Kazuma (Nakai Kiichi).

After watching various dramas, I ask myself if I learned anything from the story. I think it was a great idea to show how some people fall into the trap of "judging a book by its cover." I know that Japan is still mostly a homogeneous country and although my parents are Japanese, I was born and raised in the U.S. I felt the pain that Vito experienced when he was misunderstood. I also could empathize with Nakai Kiichi's character of being ashamed of who you are. The experiences that these characters went through hit home and I felt myself wanting to watch what would happen next.

I've watched a few movies with Nakai Kiichi and I always thought he was a versatile actor. In Smile, I think he did a wonderful job of adding a strong persona to his character who was a stubborn and talented lawyer, but also had a painful past. Matsumoto Jun did well to portray Vito as a kind, hard working young man. Aragaki Yui's also did well, although I did remember wishing that she could speak (Mishima Hana lost her voice because of a tragic event in her past).

Recommendation: I highly recommend this drama. It is about people who are haunted by the past, but through hope and love, they try to move forward with their lives. Nakai Kiichi is great, Aragaki Yui is very cute and Matsumoto Jun will definitely leave you with a smile.

STORY: 1
ACTING: 1
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1

4.5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS

MR. BRAIN

SPRING 2009

Being a huge fan of Kimura Takuya, I was looking forward to watching this drama. Although I felt that Kimutaku's performance was, as usual, very good being an eccentric neuroscientist, the drama as a whole did not do much for me. I didn't feel emotionally attached to any other character except for Kimutaku's (Tsukumo Ryusuke) even though his character never fully developed either. I was hoping for more developments between Tsukumo and Yuri Kazune's relationship (played by Ayase Haruka). There were many minor characters which I thought would have been nice to develop as well. Being a mystery/comedy, I guess this can be difficult to do. It is my intuition but maybe another series may develop in the future? I just felt a bit empty handed after it ended.

The drama was a short 8 episodes and mysteries would need to be solved by Tsukumo, Yuri, the two detectives and the Institute of Police Science. For the most part, I could not get too excited by the mysteries because I knew that eventually Tsukumo would solve them in his own clever way, but Kimutaku's acting skills pulled me through to the very end. I could not get enough of his high pitched laugh and the way he would skip and walk.

I was amazed by the number of famous or popular guest actors and actresses such as Gackt, Nakama Yukie, Kamenashi Kazuya, and Koyuki just to name a few. I also liked the two police detectives; Mizushima Hiro's character Hayashida who did a good job of creating a bit of comedy relief with Shitara Osamu's character Kanda. I learned a lot about the brain although some of the things they claim in the movie may be fictional.

Recommendation: I recommend this drama especially if you like Kimura Takuya and mysteries, but if you're willing to invest a lot of time looking for entertainment that is uplifting, moving, emotional, or exciting, this may not be the drama for you.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 1
DIRECTING: 1
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 0.5
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 0.5

3.5 OUT OF 5 CROWNS