ITSUKA KONO KOI WO OMOIDASHITE KITTO NAITE SHIMAU (LOVE THAT MAKES YOU CRY)

 

Winter 2016

Okay guys, so I had to watch another Kasumi Arimura drama because I really liked Chukagusei Nikki. I also added her to my top actresses section. I'm currently watching Biri Gyaru, which is a movie that she is starring in and she is playing a character entirely different from these two dramas that I finished watching. She definitely has range and I hope she keeps acting more into the future. So Kasumi Arimura plays a young girl named Oto Sugihara. At a young age, she lost her mother and was sent to live with her uncle in Hokkaido. She grows up there and lives day to day in a small town without any big dreams or hopes. Ren Soda played by Kengo Kora was raised by his grandfather who was a daikon farmer. Ren wasn't particularly fond of school or hanging out with friends and simply wanted to devote his time supporting his grandfather on his farm. Unfortunately, his grandfather was scammed and he lost his property. Ren decides to leave for Tokyo to raise enough money to one day buy back his grandfather's farmland. Through a twist of fate, both Oto and Ren's lives are interconnected in Hokkaido and their actions open a new and unfamiliar path for both of them.   

Recommendation: So, off the bat I just have to say that this is one of my favorite dramas, HOWEVER, what is up with the title! This is my only real major complaint as I think it would be more memorable if the title was 99% shorter. That said, Arimura and Kora have quite a nice chemistry. Yes, it is another story about star crossed lovers that I've seen countless times, but it works. Now, the drama is far from perfect and some of the acting could have been better, but it definitely lives up to the long name. I really wasn't sure half the time whether the two leads would end up together or not so it was a nail biter for me in that sense. I recommend this drama if you want to watch another love story. It's nothing new, but I think when done well, these types of dramas always work and that's probably why they keep getting made. 

Story: 1.0

Acting: 1.0

Directing: 1.0

Character Development: 1.0

Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

ZETTAI KARESHI (絶対彼氏)

Spring 2008

Zettai Kareshi is about a young, single woman named Riko Izawa (Saki Aibu); a temporary staffer with relationship issues that works for a giant dessert company. One day, an "electrician" named Gaku Namikiri (Kuranosuke Sasaki) from Kronos Heaven offers a free trial to test a new ideal lover robot to Riko. Being a little tipsy and frustrated that night, she doesn't fully comprehend what she was getting herself into, but signed the papers to test the robot out. The next day the robot "01" is delivered to her door with instructions that requires a kiss from a human to activate it. Riko thinks it ridiculous but abides by the rules and leaves for work. Later, a sexy man follows her around embarrassingly stating that he is her ideal boyfriend. Riko calls the robot Tenjo Night and thinks of him as just another expensive appliance, but as Tenjo's unwavering devotion begins to affect her, she realizes that her heart is receiving mixed emotions as she's also drawn to her good looking boss, Soshi Asamoto (Hiro Mizushima). 

Recommendation: I heard about this drama a few years ago and reading the synopsis I wasn't interested in another love triangle romcom that screamed "cliche!" But I found it on YouTube recently and realized Saki Aibu and Hiro Mizushima were in it. Being a fan of both actors and just finishing up "Mei Chan No Shitsuji" that starred Mizushima, I checked out the first episode and got hooked right away. This drama was hard for me to rate for different reasons. First, the story is definitely nothing new (with the possible exception that a robot is part of a love triangle) and the style of directing and witty script have been seen and done. But with the actors all doing an exceptional job, I felt like it was executed very well overall. I really enjoyed every episode. In this case the phrase, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here. The drama is full of wit, interesting characters, and heart breaking moments (no pun intended). Although I did see the special episode which possibly could be episode 12 that came out the following year, but I think they should have left the ending at episode 11 so I'm not counting episode 12 in my ranking as it was kind of a useless story in my opinion. If you like a good, fun romantic comedy that also includes some thought provoking moments than this drama is one to watch. I'm always rooting for Saki Aibu to get more notoriety in the awards department but she was up against some heavy hitters from dramas like "Change", "Gokusen 3", and "Last Friends" that season and I think she was robbed of a TV drama academy award for her role in "Kaseifu No Mita." 

Story: 1.0

Acting: 1.0

Directing: 1.0

Character Development: 1.0

Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

    

LEGAL HIGH 2

Fall 2013

Masato Sakai and Yui Aragaki return as Kensuke Komikado and Machiko Mayuzumi respectively in "Legal High 2". Still undefeated in court, eccentric lawyer Komikado continues to wallow in his victories. Enter Haruki Hanyu; a handsome and spirited young lawyer who traveled the world and returned to Japan to gain experience under Komikado. Hanyu's perspective on the outcomes of a trial differ greatly from Komikado's, but they have great respect for each other. After leaving Komikado's law firm, Hanyu joins the Public Prosecution office which is working on a highly publicized murder case. Coincidentally, Komikado and Mayuzumi are hired to defend the suspected murderer. Is Komikado's days as a undefeated lawyer numbered? Will Hanyu's idealistic "win-win" strategy beat Komikado's "winning is all that matters" style? 

Recommendation: The ratings for the second season of "Legal High" were much higher than the first season. One reason is probably due to the fact that "Hanzawa Naoki" just ended and there is a Masato Sakai boom presently in Japan. I was quite happy with the first season, but I think the second season started out even better. From the get go, there was the usual slapstick, over the top humor that made the first season memorable. I'm still at awe as to how Masato Sakai can talk so fast. What I found really interesting about this drama is that, I thought I would get tired of each new case that was presented in every episode. This was the same format from the first season with the only difference being the Ando Kiwa murder case starring Koyuki which progresses throughout the drama, but most of the cases were quite good and were thought provoking. Despite the drama being a comedy, it presented some deep social issues. The characters all have a distinct trait, whether it be Komikado pointing his finger and swiping his hairline, Hanyu snapping his fingers and stating an Arabian quote, or Hattori-san revealing another talent or skill he learned while traveling overseas. Even judge Beppu played by Ryoko Hirosue returned from "Legal High SP" to show how much she loves actual field work. The little twist in the end caught me off guard too. I have a feeling that people will either really like this drama or hate it. Kensuke Komikado can be really annoying at times, but overall I laughed a lot and I also shed a few tears (probably from laughing a lot). I also liked the slow motion battle scenes that developed during the opening credits. Overall, I highly recommend this drama. Just remember that it is a bit crazy and over the top. 

Story: 1.0

Acting: 1.0

Directing: 1.0

Character Development: 1.0

Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

SAIKOU NO RIKON ~ THE GREAT DIVORCE! (最高の離婚)

Winter 2013

Saikou no Rikon ~ The Great Divorce! is a romantic comedy about a couple who constantly argue and bicker about every little thing. They don't see eye to eye and their personalities are so vastly different that it's hard to contemplate how they got married in the first place. Nearby, a seemingly happy couple suddenly encounters a major problem when a secret is accidentally revealed. Why do people get married? and why stay married when it's so hard to do so? Could the only solution be...divorce?

Recommendation: (Spoiler alert!) The screenwriter and directors of "Soredemo, Ikite Yuku" return with another high quality drama, this time working on a romantic comedy. I wanted to write a review sooner, but I didn't have access to the last few episodes for a long time. I'm so glad that I was able to finish watching this drama though. It was well worth it from start to finish. The story of two couples going through trials and tribulations and their coincidental run-ins with each other complicates an already difficult situation. It was fun to see how these characters interacted with one another as they all had different personalities and views on marriage. The story really gets to the heart of what marriage actually is. The acting was great especially by Eita who played Mitsuo Hamasaki, a high strung yet kind and caring young man and Ono Machiko who played Yuka Hamasaki, a careless free spirit. They had great chemistry and I'm starting to believe that Eita may be the most versatile Japanese actor right now in the drama world.
I enjoyed the directing and I'm a fan of the screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto. This drama is not fast paced and there is a lot of dialogue, but most of it is not meaningless banter. Also, there are a lot of dramas that have this "cliche" shooting style which I despise and I'm grateful this style is avoided. Obviously, directing is very important and I felt the difference in this drama. The directors begin the story with quarreling couples that evoke a feeling of hopelessness. Many times, as a viewer, I can "predict" or sense that the ending is going to be happy or sad, but even though you know the outcome, a good director will keep you on your toes. It was great to have some funny scenes that were not outright hilarious, but quite subtle and quirky. For example, I loved the scene in episode 4 when Mitsuo is cooking cabbage rolls and his eye glasses fog up. The beer scene in episode 6 when all four main characters are sitting at the table having a serious conversation was really good. I also liked the contradictory scenes like when Mitsuo needs to blow off steam and rents pornography, but later begs Yuka to refuse becoming an actress in that field or when Ryo Uehara (Go Ayano) talks to a senior citizen at the park about protecting his yet-to-be born daughter from scandalous men, when he himself acted the same way. The drama was able to project what it means to grow as a person. Again, this is very subtle, but I think it mirrors what happens in real life. In the real world, it's hard to change who you are once you reach adulthood and I think by trying to make marriage or even your everyday life to work, you need constant reflection. That reflection was manifested in the last scene when Mitsuo gets his routine dental check up and states that he used to get irritated and corrected people who called him "Hamazaki" instead of "Hamasaki" but now he doesn't mind being called by either name. The last episode was nice to include a scene in which Mitsuo and Yuka walk back to their apartment for the whole night which was similar to the scene where they first met after a major earthquake. In my opinion, this was a smartly written and well executed drama. There is no perfect drama, but this one was a gem. 

Story: 1.0

Acting: 1.0

Directing: 1.0

Character Development: 1.0

Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Winter 2000

Beautiful Life stars Takuya Kimura as Shuji Okishima and Takako Tokiwa as Kyoko Machida. Shuji is an up and coming talented hairstylist at a salon called Hot Lip. Raised in a family connected with the medical field, they basically disown him for chasing his dream to cut hair. Kyoko on the other hand is a librarian doing the best she can with an illness that robbed her legs and bound her to a wheelchair at the age of 17. On a fateful day both Shuji and Kyoko confront each other during a minor traffic incident. Their first meeting was a troublesome one, but gradually, their curiosity grows and they soon find themselves attractive to each other. They start a relationship, but with Shuji's popularity growing and Kyoko's disability hindering their lives, will they be able to overcome the onslaught of obstacles ahead?

Recommendation: Please don't read any further if you haven't watched this drama yet. First of all, Takuya Kimura is my favorite actor and when I was in high school, Takako Tokiwa was my favorite actress. I still remember when this drama debuted and I was so excited because I felt the timing was perfect for these two to work with each other. Now, don't get me wrong, this is a great drama and is a must watch, but it is probably also around the top of the list for the most saddest drama of all time. I actually watched this when it came out, but I was so worried about the ending that I actually stopped watching it around the 7th episode because I knew there wasn't going to be a happy ending. It was obvious because of the narrations by Shuji and Kyoko in every episode that this was going to be a sad drama. Still, the story, acting, directing was all great and it is a deep love story with a unique perspective. The final episode was truly heartbreaking. Interestingly, somewhere inside me still had hope for Kyoko. In a way I think the drama was meant to make the viewers feel this way. The drama made me think how life is precious and fragile. It also sent a message that it really isn't about how long you live, but what you experience that is important. I don't think I will be watching this again, but it was definitely worth it.

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

HANZAWA NAOKI (半沢直樹)

Summer 2013

This drama is about a man named Naoki Hanzawa who is the head of the loans division at the Osaka Nishi branch of the Tokyo Chuo bank. After being labeled a scapegoat for a 500 million dollar loss for providing an unsecured loan to Nishi Osaka Steel which files for bankruptcy protection, Hanzawa must face an internal investigation team that is seeking to oust the person responsible for the mishap. Hanzawa denies responsibility and rushes to recover the 500 million dollars before he is shipped out of the banking industry.

Recommendation: So most people have probably heard about this drama since it trended upwards in TV ratings basically every week. The final episode received a 42.2% rating which was the highest since 1989 and the 4th highest rated drama episode in history. It surpassed Kaseifu No Mita which aired two years ago as the most popular drama since 2000.
My initial thought about the drama was that it would be a little complex to follow since it deals with financial corruption, banking regulations and the like. However, it was quite the opposite. Voice-overs were quite common in the show to explain certain financial concepts to make it easier to follow. From the very first episode, the show was quite exhilarating. I was taken by surprise with the depth of the characters and the story-line with all its twists and turns. Also, the final episode is a nail-biter and quite intriguing. The acting wasn't superb, but I give Masato Sakai who plays Naoki Hanzawa a lot of credit for making this drama popular and great. The antagonists were also quite good especially Kagawa Teruyuki who plays Owada Akira. This drama truly lived up to the ratings it received. I think above all else, it was truly entertaining to watch. This is definitely a can't miss drama. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a second season.

Spoiler alert: The final episode lived up to expectations and Masato Sakai gave a powerful performance worthy of an Academy Award. I thought the last scene was perfect when the chairman demoted Owada and transferred Hanzawa to a different division. I believe the chairman felt threatend by Hanzawa especially since he could not be controlled when interrogating Owada. It was a shrewd move by the chairman as he could still hold power within the bank safely without Hanzawa stirring up trouble. Owada in turn, becomes an ally of the chairman on the board as Owada has no other choice but to follow his orders since he basically saved his job.

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

KAZOKU GAME (家族ゲーム)

Spring 2013

Kazoku Game is about an eccentric personal tutor named Yoshimoto Koya (Sakurai Sho) who claims a 100% pass rate into Tokyo University. Attracted by this specialist, Numata Kayoko (Suzuki Honami) and Numata Kazushige (Itao Itsuji) hire him to help raise their middle school son, Numata Shigeyuki's (Uragami Seishuu) grades. Yoshimoto agrees to tutor Shigeyuki on the condition that nobody interferes with his methods of teaching. The Numata's soon find out Yoshimoto is quite abrasive and tends to cause a lot of trouble that affects the family members. Curious and annoyed by Yoshimoto's presence, the elder son, Numata Shinichi (Kamiki Ryunosuke) searches for Yoshimoto's credentials and stumbles upon a dark secret that could get Yoshimoto fired. Who really is Yoshimoto Koya? What are his true intentions? Will Shinichi solve Yoshimoto's secret before his family is destroyed?

Recommendation: This is the second drama in which I've seen Sakurai Sho in a leading role. I was really impressed with his acting. To be honest, everyone did a great job. From the first episode I was hooked. I realized early on that this drama was more than a tutor teaching a kid how to study and so I knew what would basically happen in the end, but the way the drama was presented, with so much mystery surrounding Sakurai Sho's character and his setups made for a suspenseful and exciting drama. If you like dark comedy that twists and turns, this is a good one to watch. For me, I have to put in my favorite's list as I think this is a drama that I won't soon forget. Hopefully there will be another season in the near future. That would be...いいね～ (good).

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

LEGAL HIGH

Spring 2012

Legal High is about a young idealistic lawyer named Mayuzumi Machiko (Aragaki Yui) who seeks support for a difficult case and is inadvertently steered toward asking Komikado Kensuke (Sakai Masato); a veteran lawyer who has never lost a case. Unfortunately, Komikado is a selfish, greedy, irritable man who uses any means necessary to win. Begrudgingly, the two team up and after winning the case, Mayuzumi decides to work under the tutelage of Komikado. The two work well as a team even though their ideas of justice and winning cases are vastly different. Will Komikado's dirty tactics rattle Mayuzumi's strong moral values or will Mayuzumi's kindness and sense of justice melt Komikado's cold heart? It's a battle of total opposites!

Recommendation: I have to be honest in saying that I've somewhat lost interest in Aragaki Yui as well as Sakai Masato recently. I never really felt strongly about them in leading roles, but it goes to show what a good screenwriter and director can do for actors. There is no doubt that the two leads have talent, but after reading about the screenwriter Furusawa Ryota and Director Ishikawa Junichi winning the Television Drama Academy Awards, I got interested in watching this show. Unless someone has some major cache as a strong actor, I usually will look for dramas with quality writing and directing instead. In this case, I have to say I was quite surprised by Legal High. It is a comedy about lawyers and it is similar to watching an anime or real live manga. Taken in that context, I thought the show was great despite its extreme characters and situations. It was funny, witty, and entertaining. Sakai Masato does a really good job playing an eccentric lawyer and I would go crazy trying to practice talking so fast like he does in this drama. Aragaki Yui does well to support Sakai and the battle of morals and ethics between the two are quite fascinating. I had to give this my best rating because I think this drama is kind of unusual and so it should be seen because it's just weird and out of the ordinary. But that is why it was entertaining and I caught myself smiling after every episode. I watched the special episode as well and I look forward to season 2 coming this fall.

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

HAKEN NO HINKAKU (ハケンの品格)

Winter 2007

"Haken No Hinkaku" loosely translates to "a temporary worker's dignity" is about a temporary worker named Oomae Haruko (Shinohara Ryoko) who is highly skilled and maintains an A+ class ranking among her peers. In an ever increasing global economy, businesses need to stay competitive at all costs. In order to do so, full-time employees are laid off and cost effective temporary staff are hired. At S&F, a young man named Satonaka Kensuke (Koizumi Kotaro) is promoted to manage the newly created marketing division. For support, Oomae Haruko, Mori Miyuki (Kato Ai), and Kin Kosaku (Kamiji Yusuke) are hired to help out temporarily. Oomae works efficiently, but with somewhat of a chip on her shoulder especially when it comes to dealing with full-time employees. She  never works overtime, only works for three months per contract, and never socializes with her coworkers. But strangely for the first time as a temporary worker, she soon finds herself involved in her coworkers' affairs more than ever.

Recommendation: This drama still portrays the sign of the times. I personally was a temporary worker having to prove myself for six months to get a full-time position with benefits. I thought the drama did very well in showing the differing attitudes and perspectives of temporary staff. Shinohara Ryoko is a talented actress and she killed this role. It was filled with comedy and inspiring moments without the mushiness. The actors had good chemistry and each episode was well made. Oomae Haruko is basically a super hero in an office setting, but even super heroes are vulnerable and have weaknesses which she learns and grows from. I especially liked episode six when Oomae had to wear the heart headgear and make a cute speech; it was so hilarious. I have to put this series up there with my faves. I watched it twice and it was as good as watching it for the first time!

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

YAMATO NADESHIKO (やまとなでしこ (大和撫子))

Fall 2000

Bringing back a bit of nostalgia from my youth (I know I'm dating myself here) I took a road down memory lane and watched "Yamato Nadeshiko" again. The story is about a young woman named Jinno Sakurako (Matsushima Nanako) who suffered through the harshness of being poor. She vowed to one day marry a rich man and never have to deal with financial problems. Working as a stewardess, she infamously becomes known as the queen of gokkon (group dating) dragging her co-workers to join her in finding the perfect man to help her attain her materialistic dreams. Things start to unravel when she meets Nakahara Osuke (Tsutsumi Shinichi), a brilliant mathematician who fell on hard times. A sincere and pure hearted man who would do anything for Sakurako, he tries to desperately woo her. Unfortunately she wants no part of him when she discovers how poor he is. But as their lives indirectly intertwine, Sakurako isn't sure what it is, but something other than the power of money draws her more closely to this strange man.

Recommendation: Wow, it's really been awhile since I last saw this drama. I noticed many flaws that I didn't before, but it really doesn't change my impression of the series too much. The framework has been overdone and compared to dramas these days, the story is nothing new, but what makes "Yamato Nadeshiko" special is the draw of Matsushima Nanako. She really was great in this drama. Her beauty is unique and her charm is magnetic. I think this was one of her best works. Whenever I think of Matsushima Nanako, this drama always comes to mind. It's a feel good romantic comedy and has all the parts working like a cliched drama. The characters are great, Tsutsumi Shinichi plays a down on his luck poor man convincingly, and you just have to feel bad for Shiota Wakaba (Yada Akiko) who plays the "girl next door" type exceptionally well. Again the story is nothing new, but it is well made and one that I would put up with the all time classics.

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

SOREDEMO, IKITE YUKU (それでも、生きてゆく)

Summer 2011

Soredemo, Ikite Yuku or loosely translated as "Even So, I Will Live On" is a story revolving around a murder of a young girl named Fukami Aki. The murderer, Toyama Fumiya happened to be a friend of Fukami Aki's older brother. 15 years after the incident, the older brother, Fukami Hiroki unknowingly meets with Toyama Fumiya's younger sister, Toyama Futaba. Both the families involved in the tragedy live with grief, despair and deep regret. Despite a sorrowful past, Hiroki and Futaba seek a path of hope for their families and for themselves to move forward with their lives.

Recommendation: Although I usually skip sad dramas I really enjoyed this one. The acting, the depth of the characters, the complex story, the different perspectives of the tragedy from both the victim's family and the criminal's family were so well done. It is heavy, but there are some funny and quirky scenes as well. It is not mainly about the tragedy itself, but more of how the families of both sides of the tragedy live on. The story also hit home in a way because I personally went through a tragic event 15 years ago so it was strangely coincidental. The ratings weren't very high, but the drama as well as Eita who played Fukami Hiroki, the screenplay, and the director all won awards at the 70th Television Drama Academy Awards. I don't know all the contestants for best actress, but I think Mitsushima Hikari who played Toyama Futaba may have been robbed. She's an excellent actress. The story too was a complex one with an ending that I didn't expect. I thought there would be more of a resolution regarding Toyama Fumiya and between Hiroki and Futaba, but looking back I think the ending made the story more authentic in a way. Personally, I would like to see a special as I was really attached to the characters. Bravo for such a well made drama!

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

KASEIFU NO MITA (家政婦のミタ)

Fall 2011

Kaseifu No Mita is a drama about a strange housekeeper named Mita Akari. She is beautiful, intelligent, and does her job exceptionally well, but something about her is amiss. She is distant, doesn't smile, and doesn't open herself up about private matters particularly about her past. One day she is assigned to care for the Asuda family; a dysfunctional bunch who can't seem to get out of each other's ways especially since the father is unconfident in dealing with family issues and the mother recently passed away. But soon, they become intrigued by Mita's work ethic and gradually attach themselves to her presence while she desperately tries not to involve herself in their personal lives.

Recommendation: I find myself quite lucky that I found this series because I really had no intention of watching it. I was intrigued after looking over some ratings for the dramas in the fall season and found out that Kaseifu No Mita was getting huge ratings. I had to see what the fuss was all about and I wasn't disappointed. I actually watched the first 7 episodes consecutively (with a few bathroom breaks in between) and had to stop only because it was 3 am in the morning. I haven't had that experience in quite awhile. Matsushima Nanako plays a robotic housekeeper, Mita very well. I would say if Mary Poppins or Mrs. Doubtfire had a dark side, it would be Mita Akari. I really enjoyed the screenplay and/or the way the actors improvised in many scenes. Usually in group scenes there would be one actor speaking and the rest would just look on without moving, which does happen in this drama, but the kids tend to improvise well and are really great. Honda Miyu who plays Kii was adorable and the father played by Hasegawa Hiroki was funny. I really thought Aibu Saki was really good too playing a boneheaded sister in-law. As in most dramas there are extreme situations and you will find a lot here, but the story is quite fascinating and I was caught off guard. I would have to say this is somewhat of a dark comedy, but it provides valuable lessons about family relationships. There is a mystery that deepens after each episode and I couldn't believe the last episode had a rating around 40! I wholeheartedly recommend this series and if I was asked to watch this drama again, I would definitely say, "shochi shimashita."

Story: 1.0
Acting: 1.0
Directing: 1.0
Character Development: 1.0
Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

NODAME CANTABILE (のだめカンタービレ)

Fall 2006

Nodame Cantabile is about two gifted music students; Noda Megumi or Nodame for short (Ueno Juri) and Chiaki Shinichi (Tamaki Hiroshi) who are vastly different in terms of character, but possess near genius musical talent. At a young age, Chiaki was influenced by classical music when he lived in Europe. Having a famous pianist as a father, he was able to experience many musical events. He met a famous conductor named Vieira who taught him many things as well. Unfortunately, his parents divorced and he moved back to Japan vowing one day to return to Vieira and become his pupil. On the flight back to Japan Chiaki went through a life threatening crash landing. He did grow up to become a dedicated, disciplined, student of music, but due to the horrible flying incident, he could not get himself to fly on a plane. Everyday that passed by seemed useless as he grew unsure of what he was doing with his life in Japan. This is when he meets Nodame who coincidentally happens to be his next door neighbor. He hears her playing the piano at school and first thinks that it is terrible, but realizes that it's actually very good. Nodame is attracted to Chiaki, but he is turned off by her quirky behavior and undisciplined lifestyle. Despite their differences, they develop a strange relationship which changes the course of their lives in a way they never dreamed of.

Recommendation: Nodame Cantabile is based on a best selling manga and like most dramas based on manga or anime, I always brace myself for some major quirkiness. I wasn't shocked to find some here, but it actually wasn't as bad as say Hana Yori Dango. Masumi, the gay timpani player was the hardest to take, but other than him and maybe Mamoru, the second best conductor in the school, I think everyone else was quite pleasant although I understand that it is probably intended to be like a manga. Ueno Juri was really good playing a weird Nodame and Tamaki Hiroshi was good playing a stern Chiaki. I thought with the other good cast members like Eita, Mizukawa Asami (who are both in Last Friends with Ueno Juri), Takenaka Naoto, and Toyohara Kosuke, the comedy worked well. The story revolving around classical music was not only informative, but I really appreciated the genre more after watching this series. It's probably true that there are many talented musicians out in the world and since I can't play a lick of any instrument, it was quite inspiring. I really enjoyed this series; it was not only funny and uplifting, but I have to give out high marks for originality. It was a creative story about life, friendship, and the love for great music. Bravo!

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

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

LAST FRIENDS

Spring 2008

Last Friends is about six young people who eventually live together in a "share house" or basically a house that is rented by a number of people each with their own rooms but share the living room, kitchen and bathroom etc. Aida Michiru (Nagasawa Masami) is a nice young girl who develops a steady relationship with her boyfriend Oikawa Sosuke (Nishikado Ryo) until she becomes a victim of DV or domestic violence. Michiru coincidentally bumps into her longtime friend Kishimoto Ruka (Ueno Juri) who she hasn't seen in 4 years. Ruka always cherished their friendship and was saddened when Michiru moved away with her mother. Determined to stay in touch with Michiru, Ruka goes out of her way to protect her. Takigawa Eri (Mizukawa Asami) has been a long time tenant at the share house and eventually offers Mizushima Takeru (Eita) and Ogura Tomohiko (Yamazaki Shigenori) to live there. With all the personal issues that these young people face, they somehow find solace in each other and their determination to stay together create lasting bonds that become unbreakable.

Recommendation: Highly recommended! I don't remember seeing a drama that captures the essence of what young people go through these days. Last Friends really is good because it delves into social stigma like domestic violence and homosexuality that people have trouble coming to terms with. The series is a bit extreme on a certain level, but nonetheless most of the episodes weave in and out of complex personal situations between each character almost flawlessly. You can feel Ruka's pain of keeping a long and dreaded secret from her best friend and the powerlessness of Takeru trying to help her. I know that Nagasawa Masami was the lead actress, but Ueno Juri took over this show. It was amazing to see her play a quirky comedic role in Nodame Cantabile and transform herself into a boyish outcast of a character in this series. Mizukawa Asami who played Eri was also delightful as she created a lighter cheery mood in a dark series. I'm not a huge fan of Nishikado Ryo, but he did a good job of representing a creepy and obsessed boyfriend of Michiru. Anyway this drama shouldn't be missed because there are life lessons to be learned here and it teaches us that the world is not always black and white.

P.S. (Spoiler) I also liked the cover image of the series with 5 of the main characters kind of laying next to each other connected by red string. I don't know if it was easy to spot, but if you have some sense of creativity or enjoy symbolism, the image represents the character's issues/dilemmas...or so I think. I guess it can be interpreted in different ways, but this is what I saw. From the left you have Eri facing Takeru because she likes him, but Takeru doesn't see her as a girlfriend and so is looking the other way. Takeru is looking at Ruka with his eyes opened because he knows her secret. He also likes Ruka, but Ruka only likes him as a friend so she is looking the opposite way. Ruka and Michiru are facing each other because they are friends and they like each other, but Ruka is upside down because the way she likes Michiru is "different." Michiru also develops feelings for Takeru and so her hand is extended toward him, but Takeru doesn't have the same feelings and so his hands are tucked away. Then you have Sosuke who is next to Michiru because they are in a relationship, but they are looking away from each other because their relationship is not a wholesome one. The red (blood?) string represents the bond/relationship that the characters have with each other and that they are all connected in some way. I wasn't sure about the white clothing that they were wearing, but it may symbolize the purity of youth in terms of their thoughts and actions. Other than Takeru, everyone's eyes are closed symbolizing the fact that they are obscurred from certain truths about each other. What do you think?

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

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

GOOD LUCK!!

Winter 2003

Good Luck!! is about a young man named Shinkai Hajime (Kimura Takuya) who dreams of one day becoming a full fledged airline captain. Unfortunately, he encounters a strict, by-the-book captain/trainer named Koda (Tsutsumi Shinichi) who gives him a hard time. He also meets a brash straight talking mechanic named Ogawa (Shibasaki Kou) who believes Shinkai to be another young, popular, playboy pilot. But beneath his spontaneous and sometimes out of line character, Shinkai knows more than anybody else that flying an airliner united with the crew and taking utmost care of the passengers needs are just as important as safety procedures and regulations. With his passion for the skies, he not only gains vital experience, but he motivates and touches the lives of everyone around him.

Recommendation: Who would have thought that a drama about flying airplanes would be a good idea? I actually ignored this series at first because I didn't think it would be exciting to watch. But I was wrong. The ratings for this series hit above 30% at one point. I know that Kimura Takuya's dramas usually are very popular, but this was quite an amazing statistic. I later realized that obviously Kimutaku is a charismatic actor, but the supporting cast was amazing as well. The plot and direction was well focused too. I think the screenplay and chemistry between each character was great especially with Kimura and Shibasaki; the way they bantered back and forth was great. I wholeheartedly recommend this one. The characters are deep and I fell in love with all of them.

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

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

DENSHA OTOKO (電車男)

Summer 2005

Densha Otoko (Train Man) is supposedly based on true events. It's about an otaku (in this case someone who is obsessed with anime) named Yamada Tsuyoshi played by Ito Atsushi who saves a young woman named Aoyama Saori played by Ito Misaki from an abusive drunk on a train. Yamada never had a relationship with a woman and posts his experiences on an internet forum for single men. He receives advice from various strangers who eventually call him "Densha Otoko" on the net hoping that he could one day get together with the beautiful "Hermes."

Recommendation: This drama received high ratings and it was an interesting story. I really loved this series as it brought excitement and high emotion to a familiar storyline aka Beauty and the Beast. I basically was sucked into the world of an otaku and the series humanized this group who are usually seen in a negative light. As usual you have some weird characters that I would have left out entirely like the strange Japanese man with the connected eyebrows touring around the world. I also thought that Ito Atsushi did a great job playing Densha Otoko, but there were a few scenes that I thought were a bit too mushy with the studdering. I know that Ito Misaki was a former model and maybe she still is, but her acting was pretty good. I watched her in two other dramas called Kiken na Aneki and Yama Onna Kabe Onna, but her acting seemed one dimensional. I thought Shiraishi Miho who played Jinkama did a fabulous job. She enters whenever the Darth Vader tune is played and Toyohara Kyosuke who played Sakurai was just hilarious with his fantasies. Yamada Takayuki, Horikita Maki, and Oguri Shun are also in this dorama but they have small roles. I definitely believe this is a classic in the drama universe and it a series that you won't regret watching!

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

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

H2 - Kimi to Itahibi (君といた日々)

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Winter 2005

It's unbelievable how time flies. This is actually my first entry for 2011. I haven't posted anything for awhile mainly due to being lazy, but I was able to find the time and muster the energy to review one of my favorite dramas called H2 which is based on a high school baseball manga. The story revolves around Kunimi Hiro played by Yamada Takayuki who was an ace pitcher for his junior high school. He won the junior high school championship with his fellow teammates (and friends) Tachibana Hideo (4th batter) played by Tanaka Koutaro and Noda Atsushi (catcher) played by Nakao Akiyoshi. Unfortunately Kunimi and Noda both are diagnosed with physical ailments ("glass elbow" and weak waist respectively) that prevent them from participating in high school baseball. Both of them enter Senkawa high school which doesn't have a baseball team. Hideo on the other hand enters Meiwa No.1 high school which is known for their baseball tradition. Hideo's girlfriend (Kunimi's childhood friend) Amamiya Hikari played by Ichikawa Yui also goes to Meiwa. Eventually, Kunimi and Noda find out that the doctor who diagnosed them was not a real doctor and they were actually very healthy in the first place. They help their school's baseball fan club to become an actual baseball team and with the help of the team manager, Koga Haruka played by Ishihara Satomi, they strive to one day play in the famous high school tournament, Koshien.

Recommendation: I'm a sucker for sports dramas as I love playing sports in general. This was one of my favorite series even though I remember being annoyed by the English teacher and the character called Kine. Still, most dramas seem to include some wacky character from time to time so I wasn't too surprised. The thing about this series is that it's really not just about baseball. It's really a love story and the conflict between the four main characters (who all have names that begin with an "H" Hiro, Hideo, Hikari, Haruka) which was interesting to see play out.

Even though I never played on a high school team or met my first love in high school, each episode has a scene or two that reminded me of the "good old days" when times were simpler. With all the responsibilities that come with being an adult, it is funny to look back and remember the problems and issues that I faced back then that now seem trivial. Yet, it was still an important time in my life and I experienced heartbreak, death, and made close friendships that still last today. When I watched H2 those memories resurfaced; something about high school and the timelessness of baseball just did it for me.

STORY: 1.0

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

5.0 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

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