14 sai no Haha [１４歳の母] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I consider giving a 10 to a show a serious compliment. With careful approach to the topic, 14 sai no haha is a drama with a statement to make.
Abortion is a serious issue in the Western world, and all the drive behind doing it or not is a moral issue. However, this show takes on a completely different perspective: instead of running away, why not embrace the troubled road ahead? The trials that the main character has in this series convey a thought process of love and concern for the baby; not whether or not it is moral to abort it or not.
In terms of acting, Shida Mirai, I believe, is an astounding actress in the making. For a 15 year old she is capable of expressing herself as well as any cheesy Disney teenage celebrity - if not better than them now having done a role like this. It is my sincere wish that someday the entire world will know her.
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Arguably one of the best real-life dramas I've ever seen. Like Summer Snow, it starts silly, and ends consumingly strong. Prepare lots of tissues - since even though you expect the ending, watching things slowly fall apart makes the story so much more tragic and tearful.
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Really, really touching!
It may be a little short-sighted in some areas, but nonetheless addictingly entertaining! Daisuki! :-D
Densha Otoko [電車男] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I loved the music, I loved Aoyama, and I loved the ending. The middle of the story gets really toilsome, so I can't really say it's the best choice for people who can't stand a LOT of senseless crying. Nonetheless, I know why it's great.
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The anime was much better, but I still think this drama is worth its weight in gold.
Hero Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Great drama...crazy comedy, compelling mysteries, and in my opinion Takuya's best character in comparison to all of his others (although overall, his purpose in Beautiful Life is more heroic, I believe.)
Ichi Ritoru no Namida [１リットルの涙] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Possibly the only drama in the last 2 years that has made me cry. The hardest part of watching this is seeing the main character slowly stripped away of her everyday functions, while altogether growing more and more mature at the same pace.
This drama is a must-see.
Jyoou no Kyoushitsu [女王の教室] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) It was pretty nice. The teacher was scary, but I loved her. :-D
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Charming, fulfilling, and overall a great watch. Beware of the somewhat silly conclusion, though - while it is well thought out and a new concept, it wouldn't appease the relationship between the two leads for the many lovesick-romantics (such as me.)
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) As of seeing a few more J-dramas, I understand Long Vacation to be a very gentle, heartfelt love story; without bringing the tragedy home like it's equivalents, Beautiful Life and Summer Snow.
This would be a great watch for anyone who likes classical music with their love.
Love generation [ラブジェネレーション] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Not Takuya or Takako at their best. It's a little too ordinary for a love story, I think; nonetheless it's good.
Pride [プライド] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) From what I've seen so far, it's colorful and interesting. Also, the main characters aren't blocks - they have a rounded development. My only gripe is the level of cheese in the sports and game drama...I don't find it necessary.
Slow Dance [スローダンス] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Really, really nice concept. I enjoy love stories that don't rush the conclusion just to make you happy.
To enjoy this show, just don't think too hard. It's a fun, gentle, and easy watch without massive levels of intense drama.
Summer snow Rating: 7/10 (Watched) It starts rather silly, but ends unbelievably strong. I strongly consider this show to anyone who likes tragedies, but to someone unfamiliar with Japanese culture, this should would be too ineffective.
To heart ~ koishite shinitai [to Heart 恋して死にたい] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) The anime was extraordinary, as is the TV show! Neither have anything in common, but I think the anime altogether was more fitting. This series dragged things out a bit too long, I believe.
Virgin road [バージンロード] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Really annoying at first. That dad...ugh. The middle and end are touching, though.
Yamato Nadeshiko [やまとなでしこ【大和撫子】] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Not bad at all. However, I think it's quite a bit surface and is loses a lot of luster as it drags on. At least the ending is really kawaii. :-D
requiem's drama reviews (2)
14 sai no Haha [１４歳の母] Captivating Drama - best I've seen in over a year [Rating: 10/10] Lately, I have been resorting to Korean dramas since most of the Japanese ones in 2006 weren't all that wonderful. Simply put - there are three reasons why this story turned out well:
1. The plot and theme is unique. There are several movies/dramas about having a baby, but this topic is extremely taboo, since children bearing children is considered quite an embarassing thing.
2. The entire cast was necessary. Each and every main/support character had a serious influence on Miki and Satoshi - and since the story and plot is particularly interesting to begin with, acting out the parts was almost instinctual for everyone.
3. There is a resolution, but a possible set up for a continuation. Since a 14 year old bearing a baby is quite a substantial subject, instead of cramming an entire way of life into one season, the production leaves off at a point where everyone can be happy, but the future is completely in question.
Altogether, I think this is a must-see if you consider yourself a fan of Jyou no Kyoushitsu, Shida Mirai, Shotgun Marriage, and other great dramas that have dealt with difficult questions. The OST is magnificent, the quality of actors is superb, and the experience is captivating.
On a final note, I will also say that this drama gives an incredible view on abortion. I won't spoil, but while countries like America babble about morality and narcissism, dramas like this bring up points not to be ignored whatsoever.
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Consuming... [Rating: 10/10] I find it rather difficult trying to rate this show by its actors/actresses, since either way I deny the story its true nature with labels. Beautiful Life is arguably one of the most thoughtfully written tragedies I have ever seen, in all of the entertainment I have explored.
Like Summer Snow, the story began with a rather silly, non-sensical taste of humor. It sat on my brain for a few episodes, until the real story begins. Then, as soon as the dark aura begins to eminate around the series, I started to cherish a relationship I honestly couldn't say I could have of my own. It starts to degrade, very slowly, into a powerful, consuming conclusion - and ends with a smile.
Prepare lots of tissues, and try to look at it with an open heart - a series like this is the key to art-influenced epiphanies.
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Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ]
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚]
Fukada Kyoko [深田恭子]
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉]
Matsu Takako [松たか子]
14 sai no Haha [１４歳の母]
Hero
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット]
Long vacation [ロングバケーション]
Love generation [ラブジェネレーション]
Pride [プライド]
Seikei Bijin [整形美人。]
Summer snow
To heart ~ koishite shinitai [to Heart 恋して死にたい]
Virgin road [バージンロード]
Yamato Nadeshiko [やまとなでしこ【大和撫子】]
