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