MEDAKA (めだか)

Fall 2004

Medaka is about a young woman named Meguro Takako played by Mimura. She has been living her life like a leaf in the wind; without any direction or motivation until she starts a job as a teacher for a night school. At first, just like her previous jobs, she doesn't really enjoy the work, but eventually she becomes more serious about her job and the challenges that come with it. Her nickname is Medaka which she isn't particularly fond of, but her students stick with that name. As she tackles the issues facing her students, her bond with them strengthens and she gradually learns the true meaning of being a teacher.

Recommendation: This drama was a nice feel good story. I've watched a few dramas that were set in a school environment like GTO, Gokusen, and Rookies where the teacher goes beyond the call of duty to help his/her students. Medaka was no different and so I caught myself being a little bored at times because of the predictability of the series. I also thought that some scenes were over dramatic although I know that dramas are supposed to be like that in a way. Still Mimura, who I really think is a good actress, stole the show. She has a great smile and portrays a pure and innocent type very well in this series. I also liked the perspective of a night school that showed different students of all ages going through a variety of issues different from traditional students. I also got hungry almost every time I watched an episode because Medaka and/or her students seem to always be eating something that looked delicious! I recommend this drama if you want to watch something inspirational; Medaka's smile did it for me.

Spoiler Alert: One small issue I had with the drama was that there seemed to be a love triangle developing between Shiina, Medaka, and Sakuragi that never fully developed. I was waiting for a scene in which Medaka was going to choose or at least hint at who she liked, but it never came to fruition.

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

4.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

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