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Yamada Taro Monogatari [山田太郎ものがたり]



Drama Details
Title:Yamada Taro Monogatari
山田太郎ものがたり
The Story of Yamada Taro
Telecast:2007-07-06 to 2007-09-14

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TV Station:TBS
Duration:10 Episodes



Synopsis
Arashi members Ninomiya Kazunari and Sakurai Sho star in this comedy series based on "Yamada Taro Monogatari" by mangaka Ai Morinaga. Ninomiya plays the title character, Taro Yamada, whose family lives in extreme poverty. But because of his looks, intelligence, and athleticism, others mistakenly believe that Taro comes from a prosperous family. In contrast, Sakurai plays Taro's best friend Takuya, who really is from a successful family and who often helps out Taro in various ways.
Tokyograph

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Soundtrack and Theme Songs (1)
1. Happiness [Arashi]

Actor/Actress Cast (22)
Ninomiya Kazunari 二宮和也Ninomiya Kazunari
二宮和也

Yamada Taro
Sakurai Shou 櫻井翔Sakurai Shou
櫻井翔

Mimura Takuya
Kikuchi Momoko 菊池桃子Kikuchi Momoko
菊池桃子

Yamada Ayako
Matsuoka Mitsuru 松岡充Matsuoka Mitsuru
松岡充

Yamada Kazuo
Oshinari Shugo 忍成修吾Oshinari Shugo
忍成修吾

Sugiura Keichi
Fukuishi Kazue 吹石一恵Fukuishi Kazue
吹石一恵

Torii Kyoko
Otsuka Chihiro 大塚ちひろOtsuka Chihiro
大塚ちひろ

Nakai Masami
Shibata Rie 柴田理恵Shibata Rie
柴田理恵

Ikegami Maria
Musaka Naomasa 六平直政Musaka Naomasa
六平直政

Ikegami Ryunosuke
Tabe Mikako 多部未華子Tabe Mikako
多部未華子

Ikegami Takako
Utsui Ken 宇津井健Utsui Ken
宇津井健

Ichinomiya
Yoshizawa Yuu 吉沢悠Yoshizawa Yuu
吉沢悠

Ehara Makoto
Fukui Hiroaki 福井博章Fukui Hiroaki
福井博章

Osaki Shinosuke
Yamada Shintaro 山田親太朗Yamada Shintaro
山田親太朗

Ando Masaki
Kojima Haruna 小嶋陽菜Kojima Haruna
小嶋陽菜

Usui Kotone
Takahashi Ryousuke 高橋良輔Takahashi Ryousuke
高橋良輔

Okubo Shin
Ogata Sayaka 尾形沙耶香Ogata Sayaka
尾形沙耶香

Kasiwagi Honoka
Yarida Akihiro 鎗田晟裕Yarida Akihiro
鎗田晟裕

Yamada Jiro
Shimizu Naoya 清水尚弥Shimizu Naoya
清水尚弥

Yamada Saburo
Muranaka Haruna 村中暖奈Muranaka Haruna
村中暖奈

Yamada Yoshiko
Yoshida Riko 吉田里琴Yoshida Riko
吉田里琴

Yamada Goko
Shibuya Hokata 澁谷武尊Shibuya Hokata
澁谷武尊

Yamada Mutsumi
  

Related Links (1)
1. Official Site

Drama Reviews (4)
!!WARNING!!
The review section may contain spoilers! Please understand
that you may find out about this drama's endings and plots!


1. quite disappointing [Rating: 5/10]
Somehow the writers managed to turn a wickedly funny manga into a sentimental crapfest. They also missed out the best storylines which doesn't make any sense. The cast all did a great job from the teachers to Tarou's younger siblings but good acting can't redeem a bad script. Nino did his best to portray Tarou with the poor material he was given to work with. This is a sad example of writers who don't know how to translate manga into live action drama successfully.
Reviewed by zelie on 28 September 2007
2. a slight disappointment... [Rating: 6/10]
i was really looking forward to the jap adaptation of dis manga esp after watching the taiwanese version which is really very hilarious n entertaining. When nino is revealed as taro, i was kindof shocked... nino is a great actor, but he juz doesn't look 'princey' enough. But since jap adaptation is always better than the lengthy taiwanese ones (think hana yori dango), dis drama is actually on my 'must watch drama of the month'. But after several episodes, it is quite apparent that it fails to meet up to my expectations. A lot of the scenes are VERY cliche; most likely as a result of tryin to be as alike as the manga as possible... but they r more cliche than the manga or even the taiwanese version!!!! Watching is generally pleasant.. i burst out laughing in a few scenes (duh... its a comedy!). But in many others, i sqium in disgust... lets just say they try too hard to portray the warm family feeling...
Dis drama is not that bad seriously.... for a start, the basic storyline is interesting, and there r lotsa eye-candy to indulge. Nino, Sho and Oshinari Shugo will easily make any fangirl gleeful with their cuteness. i find the characters sugiura and masami esp funny n hilarious; they provide the comic relief. Nino is great in any role; i can c he tried his best at the role of taro... the only sad thing is dat the charater don even fit him in the first place. On to the bad parts... i somehow find Tabe Mikako annoying in her role as Takako... i was kindof hoping for a cuter looking actress after the disappointment in the taiwanese version... though her acting do somehow lessen the impact haha. Matsuoka Mitsuru is simply the WORST in dis drama.... if nino's casting is bad... his is even worse. What's with the fangs??? And he looks like his wife's son for god's sake! Seriously he really looks and acts like a weirdo in the drama... i was happy when he disappear in the episodes haha. I guess only the fangirls liking SOPHIA will like his acting.... The rest of the characters r ok... though i find sakurai sho's smile v identical throughout the show haha, but at least he is cute :)
The best thing about dis drama is the setting. Their high school, uniforms, mimura's house, taro's house is really great and in my opinion, brings the audience to the manga world. (sho n shugo in the uniform realli brings out the fangurl in me.. haha)
As a sidetrack, the theme song 'Happiness' performed by Arashi is great too! Super genki and catchy (though its better to watch their actual PV den the intro in the drama)
Conclusion! Yamada Taro Monogatari is a watchable drama. There are merits eg Nino's acting, basic storyline, eye-candy, funniness... as well as sucky parts eg some annoying characters, the much dreaded clicheness. I would say its ideal for gurls, guys would probably puke while the hair stands... Well watch it n decide for yourself... i might be wrong after all :)
Reviewed by kuroihikari on 1 October 2007
3. Quite funny [Rating: 7/10]
I liked this drama because I thought Nino did great in his role as a humble older brother (an-chan!) who cared way too much for his family~ I didn't really like Tabe Mikako as the main actress bcoz her acting was too exaggerated (although I did sort of get used to her in the end) also Sugiura falling in love with Yamada was lame and Torri-sensei's 24/7 anxiety attacks got old too soon.. Overall the story wasn't put together brilliantly but there were some pretty funny episodes, such as the maid and supermarket episodes~ I loved Yamada calling "shishou~~!" ^^
Reviewed by sezling on 13 October 2007
4. Sugoi! [Rating: 8/10]
I finished this last night. Two Arashi boys in one dorama. I was so spoiled to see them on one dorama. I love them. I really do. I love the dorama. I enjoyed every minute of it. I watched it for 2 nights. Can you imagine? I can't stop. I was crying all the time. I was laughing all the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both Arashi Boys gave justice to their role. Sho-kun fits the rich Prince. Nino-kun fits the lovable bimbo prince. They were both so lovable. I don't know why they say it was disappointing but for me It was a thrill from the first ep to the last. Watch it!
Reviewed by mrose on 10 December 2007

Comments From Users (70)
!!WARNING!!
This section may contain spoilers! Do not proceed if you
do not want to read about this drama's endings and plots!


1. Comments by Lady Zhuge [Rating: ?/10]
watched 5 episodes...put on hiatus for who knows how long
2. Comments by moonchyld [Rating: 8/10]
pretty funny! has its heartwarming as well as goofy moments.. the kids were adorable to watch~ an-chan! ^^
3. Comments by Shiranui [Rating: ?/10]
Nino desu kara! Can't wait for it to come out! Hopes for it to have lots of drama. Hehe.
4. Comments by fataliste [Rating: 1/10]
Disappointing.
5. Comments by tachan [Rating: 6/10]
Disappointment (and I'm a BIG Arashi fan). I know dramas aren't supposed to be realistic, but they really lost me with some of the decisions Taro made at the end.
6. Comments by Susan [Rating: 9/10]
Probably the best drama of 2007! Ninomiya Kazunari was adorable as Yamada Tarou, in the this delightful story of the bonds of family and friendship. Every episode was engaging and fun! I really enjoyed all of the inside jokes for Arashi fans (Air Guitar!), as well as all the great kids! Everyone did a great job. My only disappointment was that the series left out some very funny stories I heard were in the manga. Oh well! The drama does need to define itself. I wonder if this series will become an anime next? I'd like to see that!
7. Comments by Nermal [Rating: 7/10]
Not bad, not great... just ok!

I liked the manga better quite frankly but this had it`s cute moments. Gotta love the cast though! The kids are adorable! ^^
8. Comments by donna8157 [Rating: 7/10]
This is a cute rendition of the ever popular "Prince and the Pauper" however in this case, they don't switch places and one of them doesn't even pretend to be rich however because of his looks, intelligence, and the way he carries himself, the entire school thinks that he's royalty. The characters in this drama are pretty typical, but I really liked Yamada Taro's character. Ninomiya Kazunari was perfectly cast for this role and played the character very well.

Although the storyline wasn't that great and some of the character were a little annoying in the beginning (ie the Takako who fell in love with Yamada on the premise of him being rich), you develop a fondness for them and that is mainly because of Kazunari's role in their lives. The little kids in this series are just so adorable (Yamada's little brother and sisters), the acting can be very melodramatic but it's not too bad.

I recommend this drama for people who want a cute, fairy-tale like drama.
9. Comments by Odetted [Rating: 9/10]
Watching~
10. Comments by ainangst [Rating: 8/10]
I have to say I agree with SOME of the low rated reviews. I don't think this drama will be as entertaining without all the wonderful cast. The cast are lovely (hence my biasness). They did great with lowsy material to begin with. I can't stand the manga.. funny but annoying. I'm not satisfied with the storyline and they used a lot of cheap tricks to make the audience cry. However, overall it was entertaining.
If I'm not biased I might give this a 6. In the spirit of indulging my biasness, 1 extra point for Happiness and another for MimuTaro :P
11. Comments by Eyeyore [Rating: 6/10]
So far so good.....very funny. Don't look for their acting skills...it's all far-fetched and exaggerated - that's what draw me to the show.
12. Comments by hummer [Rating: 7/10]
This was enjoyable, but sometimes the cheese was unbearable. I felt the main girl of the series was insufferable - she simply came off as a whiny, shallow, and simpering golddigger. Some minor details of the drama seem extremely unrealistic, like the age gaps between Taro and his family. For one, his siblings are all considerably younger than him, and his parents also seem way too young. The redeeming points of the drama is it's genuinely cute and funny moments and a handful of the cast's acting talents.
13. Comments by sawadasmile [Rating: 9/10]
great dorama, but it got a lil boring towards the end to me... but really well done. :)
14. Comments by Kasuke_Tenshin [Rating: 8/10]
Another drama with Ninomiya kun... *_*
15. Comments by lynn [Rating: 9/10]
Download
16. Comments by ct_subang [Rating: 6/10]
Does Nino ever age??he really qualifies being a school kid...kekek...hafta say,love the lil kawaii kids in this one...
17. Comments by Dr_Pain [Rating: 9/10]
loveable..just loveable...you can easy get teary here TT__TT
But it's okay to do so ;__;"
It's also interesting to see such a poor family.
You learn to aprreciate things much more and get happy much easier ^______^b
Yeah it was really good Dorama..Sho and Nino is a pretty good combination XD
18. Comments by henrich012 [Rating: 10/10]
one of the best dramas this season
19. Comments by mrose [Rating: 8/10]
I finished this last night. Two Arashi boys I was so spoiled to see them on one dorama. I love them. I really do. I love the dorama. I enjoyed every minute of it. I watched it for 2 nights. Can you imagine. I cant stop. I was crying all the time. I was laughing all the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both Arashi Boys gave justice to their role. Sho-kun fits the rich Prince. Nino-kun fits the lovable bimbo prince. They were both so lovable.
20. Comments by shunrei [Rating: 10/10]
After watching 'Kaze no Haruka,' I became a fan of Matsuoka, Mitsuru! That's how I got to watch this JDorama. And I have to say Ninomiya, Kazunari and Sakurai, Shou are hot!
21. Comments by kireiyuhi [Rating: 8/10]
Hilarious and heart warming. Great Acting by nino and sho.
22. Comments by Kwiii [Rating: 9/10]
Watched! Liked very much! Delightful!
23. Comments by natzumi [Rating: 9/10]
touching, funny, best drama of the season.
24. Comments by x_XJules [Rating: 6/10]
not too great but still kind of cute. i really liked nino's character. he was darling (and i'm not even a nino fan!). surprisingly, the kid actors were pretty good too!
25. Comments by aliceeatcow [Rating: 10/10]
this is such a great dorama! it is very light-hearted but has those moments that really touch you at the same time. i love how it is pretty consistent and doesn't try to do much at one time, like put in too much love side story to the main story. there were some things wrong with it that didn't benefit the series (such as the teacher side love story) but in all, it was excellent. loved nino's acting and loved the kids.. must see! for full review, check out my site: www.clearblogs.com/arashi
26. Comments by ananas [Rating: 8/10]
nice
27. Comments by nienna [Rating: 6/10]
okay.... this show was not what i expected it to be. it's so unlike the manga which i love to read. but i guess ninomiya is kinda cute in a way and i really like sho~~ he's so rich~~! kyaa!!!
28. Comments by athida [Rating: 10/10]
Really good to watch. And Yamada has the cutest puppy eye looks! <3
29. Comments by suzzy [Rating: 9/10]
awwwsome
30. Comments by butterLiLy [Rating: 6/10]
Cute...But at times, the plot doesn't gave any sense. I was left with "huh?"
31. Comments by wanderingfish7 [Rating: 7/10]
Nino is always cute. Shou is really cool in this drama. But for the story line, mmm.... ok, not good, not bad.
32. Comments by aiscess [Rating: 8/10]
It took sometime getting used to it coz I've watched the Taiwanese version first but I started to liked it at around ep4.
33. Comments by oldasianguy [Rating: 6/10]
OK drama...there were some "cute" scenes....The cast was generally ok and entertaining...but there were a few who were annoying..particularly the 'dead beat' father...who not only was useless but generally is the weirdest looking actor I have ever seen...fangs and all......The plot got weak and scattered at the end..and unsatisfying......
34. Comments by Ohmiya [Rating: 10/10]
~AAH!~ i love it
35. Comments by afrockingirl [Rating: 9/10]
i LOVE this drama. it's family stuff and the supermarket encounters.. LOL.
yay nino~!
36. Comments by nimadifob [Rating: 7/10]
gets good toward the end
37. Comments by monta [Rating: ?/10]
no scores. i'm totally biased with the casts (look at those smiles) *ashamed. hehehe*

it was okay, nothing special. the acting wasn't stellar, but it wasn't bad either. one thing for sure, it is funny. the dorama started off really bad, i thought the first episode was really boring. but after the second episode the characters somehow grows on you and makes you wanna know what happens next. what's surprising is that the characters that i thought were annoying becomes less and less annoying as episodes go. still stupid though
38. Comments by Natsuki07 [Rating: 10/10]
Just love this drama...=)
39. Comments by nishishi [Rating: 9/10]
First things first i didnt read the manga.... so i cant make any comparison (in fact.. i never read mangas... they give me headache)

Nways... its a lovely dorama... Nino and Sho r great actors, specially nino... but i must agree with those who say that he didnt fit Tarou's character really well.... But still he's a good actor and beside that problem he managed to play his char really well....

The relationship betwen those 3 main characters kind of remind me of Wakaba mo Koro (thnx GOD they didnt use a love-triangle situation!!!)

But if theres sumthing 'bout this dorama that really should be praised... that imo would be the last episode!!! Damn... Yamada Taro Monogatari has one of the best endings i've ever seen!!! Really touching!!!!
40. Comments by Di@na [Rating: 8/10]
Another extremely cute story from a popular manga.
Firstly I thought that Nino absolutely do not suit to this role of a handsome "prince" because he is more the guy next door and roles like in "STAND UP!!" suits him moor.
Still he proved again what an AWESOME actor he is ( I have to say that he is one of the best actors in Johnnys Ent. FOR SURE!) and played this role very good.
Sho is suits perfectly to this role, I mean, he IS good-looking and it seems like he improved his acting skills a lot.
All in all its a totally cute jdorama BUT when you compare it to similar jdoramas like Hana Yori no Dango..well then I have to say that Yamada Tarou Monogatari is MUCH weaker (especially the settings are not as good as in Hana Yori no Dango). Nevertheless, great actors like Nino or Sho are worth to watch it. ^^
41. Comments by Kirari Ililah [Rating: 8/10]
Funny, yet can be cheesy. Cute and a nice combo of two ARASHI members. The kids were cuter though, haha.
42. Comments by natni [Rating: 7/10]
at first not very interesting....but i finished it finally.....i watched it because of nino and sho.....nino is so sweet....sho is so kakkoi....
43. Comments by v1olet [Rating: 10/10]
This dorama is a must watched, especially with 2 arashi member casted together in it. Nino-kun and Sho-kun were damn great. May everyone have a smile in their face. Cheers.
44. Comments by selphie086 [Rating: 8/10]
Really nice drama starring Nino and Sho. Hilarious and great acting.
45. Comments by yurifly [Rating: 8/10]
story was rather random and pointless, but nino and sho are cute...and all the kids, omg, aren't they the cutest things...I don't like the main girl's character that much...i found her fantasy rather annoying, although she did a great job with it. Overall it was enjoyable though. Oh I swear, Sho is in love with Nino, or rather Mimura with Yamada....the way he looks at Yamada...if thats not a crush, i dont know what to call it.
46. Comments by Fye_D.Flowright [Rating: 9/10]
If it is not based on manga, I definitely will give this drama 10/10. I think all the fanz of Ai Morinaga will frust with the storyline of this drama. But those who didn't follow the manga, like me..will agree that this is one of the best drama this year. I like the way Ninomiya present himself as an elder brother of 3 brothers and 3 sisters. A very responsibility guy..and honest..the way he try to make his family happy together is such a huge sacrifice to him. But sometimes, I can't see him as a Prince like Ikegami san admired on. Princely attitude is much more shining on Mimura-kun (Sho). If I'm one the girl in that class, I definitely will faint each time I saw Mimura looking and smile at me. ^^! Sho didn't bring much interest on me, but I love the way Mimura Takuya is. Cool..serious and sometimes caring about his friend..thats it..the main thing that every girl in the Ichinomiya crazy with. But the thing that bring much interest on this drama for me is, Tabe Mikako and all the sisters and brothers of Taro kun..
47. Comments by nurul addina [Rating: 10/10]
love nino and sho, hehehehehe
48. Comments by expanzee [Rating: 10/10]
Another school dorama. Nino's perf was okay but I think Sakurai did a good job. And Tabe Mikako is so cute!
49. Comments by AjiKan [Rating: ?/10]
TO DOWNLOAD
50. Comments by pinkokoro [Rating: 8/10]
COMPLETE.
51. Comments by inamoto_yoi [Rating: 10/10]
Very good drama.I hope i can be like a Yamada Taro kun.
52. Comments by dirtypink [Rating: 8/10]
it was really funny and fun!
but the last two episodes lost my interest.
there was no real plot to it except telling the story of yamda. ninomiya is so adorable.
53. Comments by irwinner [Rating: 7/10]
An ok comedy.
54. Comments by Jhvx [Rating: 10/10]
Very touching dorama and also funny at the same time, it tells the importance of family and friendship

Soundtrack deserves a 10/10
55. Comments by kaitosan20 [Rating: 5/10]
one of the worst drama i ever watched...it was disapoining.
56. Comments by Maiuuri [Rating: 7/10]
Funny at times but Ninomiya Kazunari really doesn't fit the roll of a princelike character... thats the only thing that bugged me...that and him working almost 24/7 and not looking like the undead.
57. Comments by dreamer10231 [Rating: 9/10]
funny and interesting...with sho and nino, amazing...watched this a second time around...
58. Comments by jessiesoon [Rating: 8/10]
the dad is.... :(
maa ii...sho to kazunari no tame ni....i will finish it!
sakurai sho is so cute with his itazura smile.....wicked!! love it...
but chou kandou in de end...
59. Comments by marspeach [Rating: 7/10]
Cheesy but cute show. Not a must-watch but not a waste of time either. I couldn't help from getting totally frustrated with the Yamada parents' irresponsibility though.
60. Comments by jindo [Rating: 9/10]
Hillarious.
61. Comments by yo-chan [Rating: 10/10]
<3
62. Comments by Vinny_Duvet [Rating: ?/10]
5 серий, 6-ую немного посмотрел
63. Comments by TakumaSan [Rating: 4/10]
horrible.. only watched it cuz i liked Arashi
but now i dont like them LOL
64. Comments by aoi_dolphine [Rating: ?/10]
KIV List
65. Comments by pochichan [Rating: 5/10]
Like the manga best. Seems there's something missing with Nino's expression.. the character in the manga is much more funnier
66. Comments by weirdsally [Rating: 5/10]
It was a cute drama but I definitely don't think Ninomiya was right for the role though I love his acting. I think it was pleasant to watch although a little too ridiculous and the characters seemed much too shallow.
67. Comments by azngelique [Rating: 6/10]
its cute.. funny..
68. Comments by jey92 [Rating: 10/10]
Shou and Nino are the best in this drama..<3
69. Comments by koala_bry [Rating: 9/10]
it's an enjoyable dorama...it's funny and sometimes, really touching!! really good dorama!! and tabe mikako is just soooooo cute in this dorama!! an instant crush..she just took my heart!! on___no a special thumbs up to the character yamada itsuko(the kuroke girl in the first episode) she's just an amazing actress for her age!! can't wait to see her more!! tabe mikako mo!! gyaboooo n___n anyone know what's her real name? i think she played the young aiko(ishihara satomi) in hanayome to papa..right?
70. Comments by chibichan [Rating: 8/10]
Nino as poor guy but have a face of prince. very nice story, watching it proves to me that Nino is a good actor, Sho is cute also

Users who voted for this drama (15)
1. suzzy
this was funny and a very good drama
the actor(nino and sho) did a grwat job from the begining to the end
in some pieces tears came to my eyes because of the perfomance giving by ninomiya and his costars that played his brothers and sisters
just wonderful
is amazing
overall the drama is really really good that all
the actors and actresses did a great job
2. Jhvx
3. ojouprincess
i'm lovin' it!
4. aliceeatcow
This is such a refreshing break from all the dorama tedium! It's sweet, warm, and incredibly fun to watch! It is definitely one of my all-time favorite doramas. Who cares if it is not completely in keeping with the manga? Does that matter? Not if something this good comes from it! Nino gives a great performance in this, he's amazing! Great supporting cast as well. Awesome, a must see!
5. togu
Watching it every friday. so funny
6. spaced_man
7. Reikorei
Ahhh---<3 This drama is super fun (* u *) !! Yamada Taro is cute.
8. FLOW
9. Natsuki07
This drama is very nice...^^
10. nurul addina
i like nino, he very caring in this drama....hehehe
11. dreamer10231
one of my fave shows...it's funny and shows the importance of family...there are a lot of things that you can learn from him although it may seem to be impossible...it's really funny...
12. athida
Really fun to watch! I hope there's a season 2 just so I can watch Yamada and Mimura again. ^_^
13. JellyFishSushi
HAHA! One of the funniest dramas ever! I can't for the life of me figure out why the ratings are so low!
14. nekOzuki21
15. Teenah
I love this drama, not just because of 2 Arashi members starring, but because of the story! It's funny and at the same time, very touching. I love Taro's family. The story is reaaally cute!! I totally love it. Friendship and Family!!