Densha Otoko [電車男] The funniest drama I have ever seen! Yamada-san, I love you!
Ichi Ritoru no Namida [１リットルの涙] You MUST see this drama. It's so powerful and will definitely have you thinking about it for years to come.
Ima Ai ni Yukimasu [いま会いにゆきます] Definitely the most beautiful drama I have ever seen. A brilliant portrayal of a pure love story.
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Definitely one of the best, and most unconventional, love stories I've ever seen portrayed in a drama. The characters are fabulous in a powerful plot.
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] A brilliant drama! With classical music, a stunning cast, and laughs throughout, how could I NOT vote for it?!
Pride [プライド] The best love story I have ever seen in a Jdrama!
Wedding Planner [ウエディングプランナー] This was an AWESOME drama! Not only does the cast include Abe Hiroshi and Satoshi-kun, but the females (ALL OF THEM) were completely stunning! A very heartwarming and fun story.
Wynter's artiste votes (9)
Ishihara Satomi [石原さとみ] I became a fan after watching H2! She's become my favourite actress out there at the moment. It must be her uber cuteness. There's something innocent about her appearance, even when she's playing roles like her character in Kimi wa Petto. Great talent.
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉] I was a little hesitant to vote for him, since he's #1 on the Top 50 list. But he really IS a good actor, and he was amazing in Pride.
Miyazaki Aoi [宮崎あおい] I've seen her movies moreso than dramas, but for each role she gives it her all. Rather than a talentless idol, she's a genuine actress and a great role model!
Nakama Yukie [仲間由紀恵] One of the best actresses out there! She has a grand range and throws herself 100% into her roles.
Shibasaki Kou [柴咲コウ] Kou-chan is a very subtle talent that kind of creeps up on you. I think she's a fabulous actress and can pull off a variety of roles.
Shiraishi Miho [白石美帆] I thought she was great in Orange Days and Swing Girls, but her performance in Densha Otoko really blew me away!
Takenouchi Yutaka [竹野内豊] Okay, so we all know this guy is drop-dead gorgeous, but he's also a wonderful actor who plays a wide range of roles... and pulls each character off flawlessly.
Takeuchi Yuko [竹内結子] I became a fan of hers after watching Pride, but it wasn't until I saw Lunch Queen that I realized just how talented she really is! She's true to all her characters and can successfully play with both dramatic and comedic roles!
Tsumabuki Satoshi [妻夫木聡] Excellent in Orange Days. Has the rare talent of being able to communicate with his eyes alone. >>gush<<
Wynter's dramas (110)
101 Kaime no Puropozu [101回目のプロポーズ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) The plot is very redudant and I got bored with all the misunderstandings, but I really enjoyed the character of Tatsurou and Junpei. The ending was predictable, but in a way redeeming.
Ace wo Nerae! [エースをねらえ!] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) A really "blah" drama with a predictable plot. Not really my cup of tea...
Akimahende! [あきまへんで！] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) My favourite family drama! So much fun to watch with really memorable characters.
Anego [アネゴ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A fun drama that I could really relate to! Also my first experience with Shinohara Ryoko, whom I absolutely adore now!
Anna-san no Omame [アンナさんのおまめ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A really funny, light comedy about a girl who's misunderstandings create a web around two people trying to be together.
Antique [アンティーク〜西洋骨董洋菓子店] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A nicely directed story about four men and... well... cake!
Attack No.1 [アタック No.1] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) This drama was so much like Ace wa Nerae that it was impossible for me to enjoy. I don't recommend it.
Attention Please [アテンションン プリース] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) One of the few dramas to make me laugh out loud. Seriously. Good fun!
Boku dake no Madonna [僕だけのマドンナ] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) A really boring and forgettable drama. If it wasn't for Hasegawa Kyoko, I wouldn't have finished it.
Brother Beat [ブラザー☆ビート] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of my favourites! Tamayama Tetsuji and Kuninaka Ryoko are so cute together!
Byakuyakou [白夜行] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) The darkest drama I have ever seen, and although I will never watch it again, I respect it for being a great work of emotional hell.
Churasan [ちゅらさん] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) The best asadora I've seen to date! The storyline is quite predictable, but the characters/cast are AMAZING and definitely make this drama a "must-see".
Churasan 2 [ちゅらさん２] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) OMG! Such a grand sequel! The story continues, and I was very glad to see every character (actress/actor) returned!!
Churasan 3 [ちゅらさん３] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Sugoi! The sequels are just as grand as the original!
Churasan 4 [ちゅらさん４] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Another great sequel that focuses on Oba, Mariya, and Yoko!
Cupid no Itazura [クピドの悪戯] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) The horniest drama I've seen, but still had a solid love story.
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I highly entertaining drama with the best looking male cast I've ever seen!
Densha Otoko [電車男] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This is the funniest drama, and perhaps the most addictive, I have ever seen. A good look into the mindset of a Otaku.
Dragon Zakura [ドラゴン桜] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Another school drama that deals with the empowerment of learning.
Engine [エンジン] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A fun drama with a charming cast kawaii kids!
Enka no Joou [演歌の女王 (えんか の じょおう)] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A very fun drama with a somewhat satisfactory ending (kinda corny). This drama made me a huge fan of Amami Yuki and I can't wait to watch more stuff with her!
Friends [フレンズ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This drama made a good attempt, but it was too short and therefore greatly lacking in plot development.
Fukigen na Jiin [不機嫌なジーン] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) This drama started off strong, but lost it's speed really fast. By the end I felt it was a huge disappointment. >>sigh<<
Gal Cir [ギャルサ] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) A totally lame drama that caters to tween girls and fanboys.
Galileo [ガリレオ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Galileo is a lot like Trick, and just as fun. I had fun watching the mysteries unfold and the chemistry between Kou and Fukuyama was grand.
Gokusen [ごくせん] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) As a sensai myself, who really cares passionately for her students, I just HAVE to love this drama.
Golden Bowl [ゴールデンボウル] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the best developed love stories I've seen... tho I thought the whole "bowling" concept unnecessary...
Good Luck !! [グッドラック！！] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) The cast and acting is amazing, but the storyline was a little lame.
GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 7/10 Although this drama and Gokusen are similar, GTO did not fail to emit its own charm. The casting was good and it was heartfelt.
H2~Kimi to itahibi [２〜君といた日々] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I really enjoyed Ishihara Satomi in this drama. The story was good and the angst was just awesome! The ending was just like I wanted it to be, tho I had to watch it a second time to really understand what happened in the end.
Haikei, Chichiue-sama [拝啓、父上様] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) When the best written dramas I've seen. Although I didn't like the main character much, the supporting cast was brilliant!
Haken no Hinkaku [ハケンの品格] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I LUFF Ryoko-san! This drama was addictive because it was so much fun!
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This was a really fun drama with a comedic romance and a storyline that can never get old.
Hana Yori Dango Season 2 [花より男子] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Not at all as good as the first one, but still decent enough. The last few episodes were grand.
Hanayome to Papa [花嫁とパパ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Satomi-chan as a bride - KAWAII! A fun drama about family values, work, and love.
Hanayome wa Yakudoshi! [花嫁は厄年ッ！] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This drama was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the storyline. Shinohara rocks!
Haruka 17 [はるか 17] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A really funny drama that made me laugh out loud in nearly every episode! Somewhat predictable, but still fun to watch.
Hito ni Yasashiku [人にやさしく / ３ピース] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This drama is an excellent look into the mindset and lives of men. A touching story that encompasses comedy, drama, action, and romance all into one.
Honmamon [ほんまもん] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) My fast Asadora. A beautiful story about a girl and her dreams...
Hotaru no Hikari [ホタルノヒカリ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The drama started off a bit slow, but got better around the seventh episode.
Hotman [ホットマン] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Warm and fuzzy. A great watch.
Hotman 2 [ホットマン2] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Almost as good as the first series!
Ichi Ritoru no Namida [１リットルの涙] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Definitely a tear-jerker. I've never felt so in awe of a drama before. It definitely makes you re-evaluate your life. Aya is an inspiration for all mankind.
Ikebukuro West Gate Park [池袋ウエストゲートパーク] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) The best gang-related drama I've seen. Tomoya-kun is great, and is complimented with a strong supporting cast!
Kamisama mou sukoshi dake [神様、もう少しだけ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) It grows on you. It's a little angsty at times and overly-dramatic, but Kaneshiro Takeshi totally makes up for that.
Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata [彼女との正しい遊び方] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Cute drama with some deep insights into what makes a relationship and how two friends shift from childhood to maturity.
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko [結婚できない男] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This was such a "feel good" drama. Definitely a good watch no matter what your mood!
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This was a surprisingly brilliant concept. Although there were a few awkward moments, it was overall fantastic. I loved the ending and the chemistry between master and pet.
Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003 [高校教師 2003] Rating: 4/10 (Watched) This drama is a waste of time and I DO NOT recommand it... unless you have nothing else to do. Then watch it only for Beniko's (played by Sonim) case.
Kuitan [喰いタン] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Another fun and awesome drama. I really love the food, and I really love Higashiyama Noriyuki!
Kuitan 2 [喰いタン 2] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The second season is just as good as the first! Really enjoyable with more character development.
Kurosagi [クロサギ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) I enjoy crime-related dramas and I found that this one definitely delivered. Besides, how can I ignore a sweet YamaP/Maki pairing??
Last Christmas [ラストクリスマス] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) A heart-warming love story revolving around the years most heart-warming season.
Long Love Letter [ロング・ラブレター〜漂流教室] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This was a great Sci-Fi drama with a grand love story and really touching scenes about humanity.
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) A grand love story with a handsome male lead and a very charismatic lead female.
Love and Eros [ラブとエロス] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) This drama was difficult to watch because it flipped around too much. The lead female character was annoying, although I could somewhat understand where she was coming from. I'm glad I watched this drama (for Tomoya), but I'll never watch it again.
Love generation [ラブジェネレーション] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the most Angst ridden dramas I've seen so far! We LUFFS it!
Love Revolution [ラブレボリューション] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A wonderful love story with the perfect amount of maturity and depth.
Lunch no Joou [ランチの女王] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A fun drama with an awesome cast and yummy food! What more could you ask for?
Majo no jouken [魔女の条件] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) Nanako did an awesome job in an otherwise terrible drama.
Medaka [めだか] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) After Gukusen, I have to say this drama is my favourite school drama. Mimura is great and I LOVE the supporting cast!
Moto Kare [元カレ] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) This is a very "blah" drama. The only thing that kept me watching was the side story and the various shots of yum-num food.
Mukodono! [ムコ殿/女婿大人] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Tomoya AND Yuko-chan?! How can one go wrong?
My Boss, My Hero [マイボスマイヒロ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A really funny drama about Yakuza and highschool. And of course, it stars Nagase Tomoya. YUM! >>gush<<
Nobuta wo Produce [野ブタ。をプロデュース] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is my favourite drama so far because it was nicely written and I loved the ending. It was so... fitting.
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the best dramas I have ever seen! Brilliantly funny, brilliantly classic.
Ns' Aoi [Ns’ あおい ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Satomi-chan is brilliant in this drama! It's a good, refreshing show that shows you the inner workings of a workplace, and explores the kindness of a good heart among larger political evils!
Nyokei Kazoku [女系家族] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) An amazing drama! Has the most evil characters I have ever seen in ONE show. Nicely done.
Odoru Daisousasen [踊る大捜査線] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A cop drama with a great cast and great stories! Really gets you thinking about some of the cases. I had a lot of fun watching it. I want to be a detective too!
Ohsama no resutoran [王樣のレストラン] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama is perfect in every respect. Excellently written and the host to incredible talent.
Okusama wa Majo [奥さまは魔女] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Although I'm still waiting to see the last episode, I thought this drama was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good time!
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) One of the best dramas I have seen. As refreshing as an orange.
Otousan [おとうさん] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This drama was far better than Oyaji and I really enjoyed the female characters.
Oyaji~ [オヤジぃ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) And excellent family drama about a stubborn father and his three very different children.
Pride [プライド] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) The best love story I have ever seen in a Jdrama!
Sapuri [サプリ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Not a bad drama, but didn't really have an substance.
Satorare [サトラレ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A unique romantic/comedy that has all the cute scenes and all the laughter of something very heartwarming.
Seikei Bijin [整形美人。] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A wickedly funny drama with a deep, underlying message. Ryoko-san is grand in this show!
Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu [世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A truly touching story about the death of a 17 year old girl and the affects this death has on her loved ones... in particular, the life of Saku-chan.
Shomuni [ショムニ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I didn't quite enjoy the drama until about the sixth episode. The characters grow on you and the drama becomes fun and enjoyable.
Shomuni 2 [ショムニ 2] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Just as good as the first season, but with better story-lines and a lot more humour!
Shomuni Final [ショムニ ファイナル/庶務二課] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Shomuni continues to be successful in my books. This drama was a wonderful addition to the Shomuni saga!
Stand UP!! Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Four cute guys and a lot of wasted condoms. What else is there to say?
Summer snow Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Not only does this drama have the most effective ending, but it also has one of the best characters I have ever seen -- Nastuo! A very good drama for those who like love stories with bittersweet endings.
Sweet Home [スウィート・ホーム/甜蜜家庭] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) One of the best comedies I've seen. Tomoko-san does a brilliant job and the drama doesn't carry a single dull moment.
Swing Girls [スウィングガールズ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the funniest Japanese Movies I have ever seen!
Tentai Kanzoku [天体観測] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I love these types of stories, where individuals feel the transition in their life, and don't know how to make the change. A real, raw drama. Awesome.
Tiger & Dragon [タイガー＆ドラゴン] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the funniest dramas I have ever seen! Nagase was just delicious! >>swoon<<
Tokyo Friends [東京フレンズ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Such a cliff-hanger ending! But it was really fun to watch. I want to be a Tokyo Friend...
Tokyo rabu sutori [東京ラブストーリー] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Akana Rika is one of the most memorable characters I've come across. Too bad the ending of this drama completely ruined it for me. >>sigh<<
Tokyo Wankei [東京湾景] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Although a bit melodramatic, it was overall a great love story.
Trick [トリック] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A drama about Magic Tricks! Really interesting to watch, and Abe and Nakama were grand together.
Trick 2 [トリック2] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The second season is even better than the first!
Trick 3 [トリック3] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Satisfying ending made it all worth it!
Tsubasa no Oreta Tenshitachi 2 [翼の折れた天使たち] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Again, another great set of episodes. Not as good as the first season, but the last episode makes up for it.
Water Boys [ウォーターボーイズ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A fun drama about boys striving to succeed in the world of synchronized swimming...
Water Boys 2 [ウォーターボーイズ2] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Almost identical plot-points as the first season, but Waterboys 2 still manages to hold its own.
Wedding Planner [ウエディングプランナー] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This was an AWESOME drama! Not only does the cast include Abe Hiroshi and Satoshi-kun, but the females (ALL OF THEM) were completely stunning! A very heartwarming and fun story.
Yasashii Jikan [優しい時間] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama is perfect in every way. It was like drinking a freshly brewed coffee. I highly recommend it to all who appreciate true beauty.
Wynter's drama reviews (109)
101 Kaime no Puropozu [101回目のプロポーズ] A Little too Redundant [Rating: 7/10] When I watched the first episode I was instantly hooked. I liked the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ concept being introduced and I was instantly drawn to Hoshino Tatsurou (played by Takeda Tetsuya). He was so pitifully ordinary in his actions that I couldn’t help but want to take him home. Asano Atsuko plays the beautiful Kaoru and although I thought she was appropriately cast, the character of Kaoru is what gradually decreased my overall enjoyment of the show. Kaoru is so insufferably annoying in her selfish, undeceive nature. I wanted to slap her every time she was on screen.
The plot was redundant. The misunderstandings were too repetitive, too short lived, and most were unnecessary. The saving grace for me was the supporting cast. For the first time since Lunch Queen I really enjoyed Eguchi Yosuke’s character. Even his hair was forgivable because he played such a wonderful character! Tanaka Ritsuko was delightful to watch and her character’s interaction with Yosuke’s was grand.
By the end of the show I thought it was good, but it was a disappointment after my anticipation off the first episode.
Ace wo Nerae! [エースをねらえ!] Such a Blah Drama... [Rating: 6/10] After getting through the first episode I realized that it would take me a while to get into this drama. I was wrong. I didn’t get into this drama AT ALL. I’m not exactly sure why. It wasn’t completely terrible, but it was completely void of any “wow” factor. I found myself forcing my eyes and mind to focus when watching, and if it weren’t for my inability to quit a drama once I’ve started it, I would have stopped watching Ace no Nerae after the first episode.
I did, however, make it to the end and yes I survived. I don’t regret wasting my time on it, and yes, by about the 6th episode I did feel like playing tennis and I did feel for some of the characters. The character development was satisfactory but the plot was really bland and, at times, boring. I found the story predictable and some scenes were a little too overdramatic. The last game with Reika and Hiromi really was exciting to watch, but it didn’t make up for the drama’s faults. I was disappointed in the fact that Ueto Aya’s character failed to convince me. At the tournament it seems she only got ahead because all her opponents suffered mentally, physically, or emotionally at some point and therefore either dropped out of the tournament or performed out of par with their usual skill.
Even Aya’s natural charm could not save this drama in my eyes. I did enjoy Sakai Ayana’s character and I think I was rooting for Matsumoto Rio’s character moreso than Ueto’s. Ishigaki Yuma’s hair entertained me to no end, but again, overall, this drama was just blah.
Akimahende! [あきまへんで！] Wonderful family drama! [Rating: 10/10] I had high expectations for Akimahende, and it definitely delivered! I love family dramas, and this one managed to maintain that extra flare. To begin with, the intro to the show is one of the best I’ve ever seen. The comedy is perfectly timed and ACTUALLY funny. Each character holds its own, which makes it really hard to have a favourite.
The casting was grand. I’ve seen Fujiwara Norika in Love Generation, and thought she was just okay, and quite dispensable. In Akimahende, however, she was simply marvelous. She was perfect as a struggling model with a determined head on her shoulders. She was one of the characters that made me laugh out loud in my seat. Then there was Uchida Yuki, who was paired with Nishimura Masahiko. Although physically the pairing looked quite awkward, both parties pulled it off so well! Sumire really looked like she cherished Sam, and Sam… let’s just say I’ll never EVER be able to forget that trench coat! I loved it when he popped onto the scene. His role was completely different than the one I’ve seen him play in Ns’Aoi, and I’ve convinced he’s an excellent actor. Ninomiya Kazunari was okay but Suzuki Anne was definitely the child-star in this drama. And of course, I can’t ignore the glue that held the drama together: Nakamura Tamao! Although I found her a little annoying at the beginning, she definitely grows on you.
Not a lot of thought is required to watch this drama, but it was grand regardless. Excellent comedy with a heart-warming theme. Although it got repetitive at times, it wasn’t enough to bore me, nor irritate me. Which is always a good thing. ;)
Anego [アネゴ] Awesome drama thanks to Ryoko [Rating: 8/10] Anego was a fun drama to watch. I was really able to connect with Shinohara Ryoko’s character, possibly because I feel like I’m in her shoes. The supporting cast was brilliant, especially Tomosaka Rie and Toda Naho. Both were so convincing that I’m almost afraid to watch another of their dramas for fear that the characters will be lost on me. The one thorn in my side was Akanishi Jin. I understand the casting director wanted someone young in appearance and in age, handsome and lovable… but I would have thought “good actor” would also be a quality they would be looking for. Jin’s portrayal of Kurozawa was bland and tasteless. I’m sure the bangs covering the eyes were intentional to hide the fact that he held absolutely no emotion throughout the entire drama. He did seem to improve near the end but he was still painful to watch. Luckily Shinohara Ryoko, who absolutely blew me away, carried his performance. This was my first exposure to her and I’ve become an instant fan. She’s one of the most charismatic actresses I have ever come across! She and Jin had absolutely no chemistry, but she was still completely believable and her outstanding talent helped me to somewhat forgive Jin’s lack of it.
The plot was good, and I particularly enjoyed the story involving Eriko and Sawaki-san. There were a lot of inconsistencies, like Naoko’s sudden proposal to Kurozawa without a proper “building up”, but it was still an enjoyable drama and I had a great time watching it.
I watched the Special as well, since the drama is left open-ended, but 3/4 of it was pure flashback. It was tiring to watch and I ended up forwarding most of it because I’d just seen all the scenes while watching the drama. The last 15 minutes are all you need to watch. I liked how the end was again open-ended, but I was disappointed that there was no resolve. And I’m not talking resolve through marriage or whatever. I’m talking about consistency with the theme. Throughout the entire drama Naoko is struggling to find happiness simply with who she is, and this secures the reasoning behind why she ended up quitting her job and leaving her “old life” behind. However, at the end of the special, she appeared desperate and pathetic while trying to find out what the future holds for her. This completely erased any sense of growth she had experienced by the end of the drama. So, although I enjoyed the drama, I found the Special disappointing.
Anna-san no Omame [アンナさんのおまめ] Good job, Becky! [Rating: 8/10] Another drama I went in to with no expectations, and another drama I’ve completed feeling wholly satisfied. For her first role as the lead protagonist, Becky does an amazing job. She’s everything her character needed to be: irritating, frustrating, annoying, pathetic, and downright unnerving. At first it was hard to watch the episodes because her character made the experience so exasperating. Yet, the more I watched, the more I realized that the drama itself was getting frustrated with her as well. The other characters expressed what I, the viewer, felt, and it dawned upon me that this was the point. As a viewer, I was SUPPOSED to feel frustrated and annoyed, the narrator constantly reminds me that I should.
This drama is a light comedy that makes fun of itself. The animation is really… well… animated, and some scenes are downright hilarious because of its lame antics (characters being replaced by dummies comes to mind). Kyoutaro (Kashiwabara Shuji) and Anna (Anzu Sayuri) make perfect secondary characters, and without either (especially Kyoutaro, for which Kasiwabara did an excellent and hilarious job in portraying), the drama simply wouldn’t exist.
I tip my hat to the creators. The concept of this drama was really interesting and kept me hooked, Riri withstanding. ;)
Antique [アンティーク〜西洋骨董洋菓子店] Sitting on the Fence [Rating: 7/10] After watching this drama − and taking my time to do so − I still don’t know where I stand with it.
To begin with, I had some trouble with the actual disks. The VCDs lagged and so the audio and images were severely distorted. I’m convinced that the problem wasn’t the CDs, but my own device through which I played them. Then I had a problem with the subs, which were TERRIBLE! I’m thankful that someone took the time to sub the drama, but they should also have taken the time to have them proof-read. The English was broken and at times it was difficult to figure out what the characters were saying…
But regardless of these annoyances, I still decided to push through and finish the drama. I was deeply aggravated with the constant narrations that popped up on the screen (not the subs, but text part of the actual drama). It was like the director didn’t think we’d “get the message” through the facial expressions of the actors and therefore provided the information for us. This bars us from thinking on our own and I was slightly offended. Aside from this, the drama was enjoyable. The casting was great. I was once again reminded by Koyuki’s performance that she really is grand, and of course Abe Hiroshi was brilliant in his portrayal of his role, as usual. Fujiki Naohito convinced me that he’s really more than just a pretty face, and do I dare admit this: Tackey wasn’t THAT bad. The surprise for me, and a rather pleasant one, was Shiina Kippei. I have seen him in Seikei Bijin and thought that he was terrible, but I’ve completely changed my opinion. He was absolutely marvelous in this drama, and truly held the cast together.
The plot definitely progressed through a manufactured pattern and most of the episodes were “fillers” between an otherwise interesting storyline, but the directing and atmosphere were amazing.
I guess I sit on the fence with this drama.
Attack No.1 [アタック No.1] Another bad sport drama [Rating: 6/10] Attack no. 1 is almost exactly like Ace wo Nerae. The storyline is exactly the same, there are similar plot points, and both dramas share some of the actresses. It’s like watching Ace wo Nerae all over again except with a different sport. Because of this, I found it really hard to enjoy this drama. It was painful to watch because it was so predictable and completely forgettable.
I’m beginning to re-evaluate my opinion of Ueto Aya. I mean, I like her and I think she’s adorable, but she’s been coming in a lot of bad dramas lately and I feel she needs to take some sort of responsibility, instead of her fans squealing about how it’s the drama, not her, that’s making the bad impression. After all, a really good actor/actress can make a really bad drama at least bearable to some degree. She failed to do so here. I found her character really annoying and frustrating to watch. I mean, Ueto has got to be the least athletic-looking actress out there, and yet this is her SECOND sport-related drama that I’ve seen. She was a little more believable as a tennis player, but a volleyball player is totally out of her league. Don’t get me wrong. She’s done great work in Attention Please and has already proven herself as a good actress. She just really needs to pick her roles carefully.
The coach of the Fujimi team also really annoyed me. His character goes through a roller-coaster without any depth or reasoning. He was too random and really ruined the “coach” persona. Sakai Ayana was good, as was most of the supporting cast (in terms of Volleyball players), but I still found the drama hard to enjoy. It wasn’t so much that it was utterly, devastatingly horrible. It was more that there was nothing exciting about it and turned out to be a manufactured plot with no soul. Unless you’re an Aya-fan and just enjoying watching her move about the screen, I don’t recommend this drama at all.
Attention Please [アテンションン プリース] Laughing out loud material! [Rating: 8/10] This is a drama written according to the textbook. You have a rebellious youth who takes on an impossible task. The youth is faced with obstacles, especially in the form of people who are waiting for her to fail. There is always one ore two people cheering for her, but for the most part it’s an uphill climb. She overcomes the obstacles and wins the people over because she is charming and a genuinely kind person. She succeeds in obtaining the impossible task after a tragic scenario that either deals with her biggest weakness, or one that is set up as another’s. Then, there is always the side story of love, where she finds out she’s in love with the same guy her friend has liked through the whole series.
Attention Please fits this textbook plot perfectly… but it works beautifully! Regardless of all the predictability, this is an extremely hilarious drama. Ueto Aya has demonstrated that she’s the perfect comedic actress, and although her voice gets a bit annoying, it’s SUPPOSED to be for her role. Her facial expressions are grand, and the physical comedy is done with good taste. There is a balance of good drama in here as well, with real character interaction.
There is nothing astounding about this drama. It’s just good, wholesome fun that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.
Battle Royale - Survival Program [バトル・ロワイアル] Interesting, if a bit predictable [Rating: 6/10] I liked the concept of this movie, but the plot itself was a little weak -- in the sense that it was very predictable and there weren't any surprises or twists. Although it was interesting to watch, I will probably never watch this film again. There wasn't enough of anything in it to hook me completely.
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Beautiful Drama [Rating: 10/10] It’s really hard for me to come up with enough things to say about this drama. I mean, when you watch such a brilliant work of art, the artists involved don’t leave the opportunity for you to grasp onto something and express its faults.
Beautiful Life is just a grand, heartwarming drama that touches the soul. At has everything for the serious romantic: Romance, lust, angst, heartache, fluff, truth, etc. The storyline was written with incredible emotion and the plot was performed with a will of its own. The pairing of Kimura Takuya and Tokiwa Takako was perfect. I was really impressed with Takako, since this was my first time seeing her in a drama. I’ve seen Takuya in Pride, and although he plays a similar role in this drama, it was perfect for the character. Yet again he managed to capture his audience with the emotion he emits from his eyes − much in the same way Takako’s emotions blossomed from her incredible smile.
The sub-plots were nicely woven into the main plot, but I almost wish that the drama had extended to include another episode. I found the last few episodes a bit rushed and I would have liked to see more of Shuji’s and Kyoko’s life while living together. This, of course, is merely a selfish whim of mine.
This was altogether a beautiful drama, and I highly recommend it to all.
Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon [美少女戦士セーラームーン] Better than I Expected [Rating: 9/10] What can I say about Sailor Moon? I grew up watching the anime, and when I heard there was a live action version, I wasted no time in getting it. The first few episodes were a little hard to swallow. I found it ridiculous, hokey, and lame. The actresses couldn’t act and the Youmas reminded me of grown people wearing silly costumes. However, the more I watched it, the more I started to enjoy it. Eventually I was addicted.
The actresses improve throughout the series and by the end you can really notice their growth. Miyuu (Sailor Moon/Usagi) blossomed perhaps the most and really pulled off her character. Each character was defined and each actress stepped up to the plate.
The story varies a bit from the anime near the middle and end, but it was solid with interesting plot variations. The effects were grand and brought back childhood memories of the anime.
On the whole, the live action really delivered and I’m glad I stumbled upon it.
Boku dake no Madonna [僕だけのマドンナ] SO borning! [Rating: 5/10] Thank god I made it through this drama! I went through a brief moment of weakness where I considered not finishing it, thus making it the first drama I wouldn’t complete.
The narration, especially in the beginning of the drama, really annoyed me and turned me off right away. I mean, Kyon would start with “This is my girlfriend…” and we would see the girl, see her dump him, and then he would say “This was my girlfriend, another hurdle I had to pass” or whatever.
This drama is beyond my comprehension. How does Surumi crawl through Kyon’s window when he’s on the third floor? Why does Honda-san’s girlfriend suddenly suspect him without warning? What is the purpose of episode 5-9 when everything could have been wrapped up within four epis or less?
Even the comic relief (the two men living in the same apartment as Kyon) was pathetic. Takki is a terrible actor, and he makes it worse by playing stupid, pathetic characters that are always dragged around by the overbearing women in the drama. Hasegawa Kyoko CAN act, but her character was so flakey I couldn’t even appreciate the skill that went into producing such a character.
Mind you, I found the women in the drama good and solid. Hasegawa Kyoko, Konishi Manami, and Maya Miki are grand actresses and even Shimatani Hitomi pulled through. But neither could save this drama in my eyes. It was too whimsy and BORING. So boring, that it was almost painful to watch at times. Initially I planned to give this drama a 4/10, but I think I’ll give it a 5/10 because the ending provided decent closure and wasn’t as bad as the rest of the drama.
Other than Hasegawa’s wardrobe, which was awesome, this drama is completely forgettable.
Brother Beat [ブラザー☆ビート] One of my Favourites! [Rating: 9/10] There are a lot of discrepancies in this drama that would normally peeve me. Like how Ai, in episode 5, claims that Tatsuya is like a brother to her, even though in the previous episodes there doesn’t seem to be much of a bond… or how Chisato has a lunch for four ready at the Amusement Park in episode 4, but initially she was called there by surprise. And lets not forget how Riku re-opens the Laundromat without any experience or knowledge of the business and is successful.
But regardless of all these inconsistencies, I LOVE this drama! So what if some things are really unrealistic. In the grand scheme of things, or in the frame of reference that is this show, it doesn’t matter! I’m a hopeless romantic and this drama did wonders in quenching my thirst.
This drama deals with family and love issues; two themes I always appreciate in a drama. There is just the right amount of angst, and sweet scenes, and comedy, and emotional “lifts”. The cast is uber cute and each actor/actress fits the character they play perfectly. My favourites are Tanaka Misako, who plays the corky, funny, lazy mother, and Kuninaka Ryoko, who plays a shy, unconfident, sweet store manager named Chisato.
And FINALLY, a drama that has eye-candy for female viewers! Tamayama Tetsuji is absolutely gorgeous, and his character is definitely the dream of every girl. Hayami Mokomichi is charming and pulls off his role nicely.
This has become one of those rare dramas that I will watch repeatedly. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a sweet, comedic love story!
Byakuyakou [白夜行] I hate this drama... but it was brilliant [Rating: 9/10] This drama is a love story between two children forced to commit murders in order to protect each other. The drama follows the events that take place afterwards in their lives, each event more complicated, each event more terrible, for one simple goal: to walk together beneath the sun once more.
This is the darkest drama I have ever seen. There isn’t a single ray of light in it and while watching I felt like I was drowning in the darkness. I wanted to stop watching, but I couldn’t. I didn’t like this show.
But it is brilliant.
Why are people bad? How do they become bad? Can you blame children for their actions? When do they become adults? This drama really makes you reevaluate rather dangerous morals. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions while watching. They were only children… and this must happen in life every day…. This is the second drama (Ichi Ritoru no Namida being the first) that has ever hit me emotionally and mentally this hard.
Every single actor/actress in this drama was brilliant, especially Yamada and Ayase. Never have I felt for, nor hated, two characters more.
This drama was sickening to watch at times and I felt dirty throughout most of it. I will never ever watch it again.
I don’t recommend this drama at all. And yet I do.
Churasan [ちゅらさん] My Ultimate Fav! [Rating: 10/10] I absolutely ADORED Churasan, and I’m so grateful that they released three sequels to fulfill the needs of devoted fans.
Although Churasan has a somewhat predictable and almost unrealistic plot, it is still an excellent watch. Sometimes you just need a happy-go-lucky storyline where everything always works out and everyone is left with a smile on his or her face. Churasan is the type of drama that reminds you that there IS happiness and peace in the world and that leaving things to Fate and Time is not such a bad idea after all.
What makes Churasan so wonderful and addictive is the group of memorable characters. My favourite above all is Mariya (Kanno Miho) − the dark, mean (but kind-hearted), realist author of fairytales. Her goofy grin when she receives delicious donuts from Oba, or her groan whenever people barge into her room, or the way she flings herself onto her couch when suffering from writers block, or the way she tries to hide in order to eavesdrop, and the way she is always caught in an embarrassing situation… all these thins contribute to her unique and memorable character. Following at a close second is Yuko-chan (Yo Kimiko), the outspoken, very kind and loving, motivated, aggressive, loyal, and hilarious woman who seems to connect all the characters together. And we mustn’t forget Eri, played by Kuninaka Ryoko. Ryoko-chan completely blew me away. Her performance is perfection itself and without her in this role this drama would not be as grand as it is. One will never tire of her big gorgeous smile and eyes that reveal more of the character than just mere actions could.
Of course, there are so many characters in this drama, and each one is memorable. The writers did an excellent job concocting each character, and each actor/actress did a phenomenal job turning those characters into masterpieces.
Watching Churasan is like being part of the family. You laugh with them, cry with them, and above all, you enjoy the time you spend being a part of them. This drama is HIGHLY recommended!
Churasan 2 [ちゅらさん２] Awwwww Eri, how you've grown! [Rating: 8/10] There was no real story for Churasan 2. It just seemed to be an extension of the first season. However, for Churasan fans (like myself), the sequel was very enjoyable.
First off, I love the fact that right away the sequel delved into the family/relationship aspect of the characters. In the later Churasan episodes the dynamic between characters diminished slightly and focused only on Eri and Kazuya. With the sequel, however, they put an importance on each character’s relation to others, which I had greatly missed and really appreciated.
Second, I was VERY pleased to see that EVERY actor/actress returned to play their roles. No character was replaced (even the smaller, less important characters returned!) and even the setting/locations remained consistent.
Third, although there was no real story, the overall storyline/plot revolving Eri and her peers progressed. We got a taste of what Eri was up to and the new additions to her life. This was great. It really makes me feel like we’re watching her grow and mature further and further in life.
The one bad point of the sequel is that it was too short (only 6 episodes!). But there is a third sequel, so I won’t fret too much. :D
Churasan 3 [ちゅらさん３] Another sequel, and still going strong! [Rating: 9/10] I was quite surprised when I started the third season of Churasan. I don’t know if there was a different director, but the feel of the show had changed. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, Time has changed and the drama needs to appeal to current tastes. It was just different…
Another change, and for the same reason mentioned above, was in the physical traits of the characters! I mean, of course this would be an obvious progression, especially since one cannot expect an actor to stay the same over the course of four years, but goodness! It was an all-at-once hit! Ryoko-chan (Eri) has gotten slimmer and more mature in her looks (did she dye her hair?!). Yoshiko-san (Eri’s mother) cut her hair REALLY short, Miho-chan (Mariya) grew her hair out long, and the most changed of all was Ayumi-chan (Shoko). She really has grown into a beautiful woman! The guys, for the most part, remained the same. Those who did change changed for the worst (Yamada chopped his hair!). Of course, this is nothing to gripe about.
Whereas the second season depended too much on the first season, I did find that the third season was stronger and had a definite story. It was nice to see the plot revolve around a couple of new characters with which the old characters interacted in a natural, seamless way. This sequel was more enjoyable than the second, although a bit inconsistent. What happened to Haruka’s crush on Kaneshiro? Didn’t Oba get engaged at the end of the last sequel? Where was her husband-to-be? Didn’t Eri and Fumiya previously strive to create their own clinic in Kohama? What happened to that dream? I hope the fourth sequel will answer some of these questions!
Despite these inconsistencies, I loved how yet again the same cast returned to play their trademark characters. I also loved the small jokes played (i.e. like when the head nurse drops into a scene. Eri asks “what are you doing here”, and the nurse replies: “I’m one of those characters who just drop in. Can’t have people forgetting I exist!”). So many pricesless moments!
Lets hope the next sequel maintains our high expectations!
Churasan 4 [ちゅらさん４] Is it Over?! :( [Rating: 8/10] Yet another great sequel… though I have to admit, I’m a bit torn with this one. In other words, it gave me a few causes for complaint.
To start with, not all the characters returned. The most obvious were Keitatsu and Haruka. They managed to explain Keitatsu’s absence in the storyline (and it was somewhat convincing), but they didn’t at all explain Haruka’s. Was she that dispensable?
Also, some of the main characters reverted into unnecessary minor characters. A clear example of this was Shoko’s character. In the original series, and in the two sequels, her character held considerable important content and benefited the overall plot. In this sequel, she was nothing more than a prop. She only had a handful of lines and would not have been missed if she had not been cast into the story. This disappointed me, but I can understand how it happened. The original series was 156 episodes, and the sequels are 6 episodes and 5 episodes (respectively), so it was easier to focus on each character and provide a flow of development for each. With this fourth sequel only 2 episodes long, not every character could be expressed. I understand this. But still…
Alrighty, now for the grand stuff (which, in my opinion, makes up for the negatives). Finally, a storyline that focuses on Mariya and Yoko! This sequel was perhaps the most heart-warming. The attention was taken off Eri a little bit and given to the two characters that have perhaps affected Eri’s life the most. This sequel was sad, but in a good way, and reminded me (the viewer) that although Life can be filled with positive things, it changes nonetheless.
There was a hint of a suggestion at the end of the sequel that we haven’t seen the last of Churasan, so here’s hoping!
Cupid no Itazura [クピドの悪戯] Solid Love story... but way too much sex... [Rating: 6/10] If I’m completely honest with myself, I actually enjoyed Cupid no Itazura. Not because I was a fan of the cast, and not at all because it’s exceptionally written and produced. The first six or so episodes were hard to swallow because they were so bizarre. There is nothing at all enjoyable about watching a 21-year-old virgin masturbate in every single episode. But after the sixth episode, a solid love story begins to arise. I wasn’t too blown away with the main character’s performance, or with Akiyama Rina’s (in fact, I found her completely annoying). But I WAS impressed with Kitagawa Hiromi. Not only was she physically cute and lovable, but also she portrayed her character very well. I was surprised at how talented she is considering the type of drama I was watching, but she really did convince the viewers that she was, in fact, Aysumi-chan.
So taking out all the hand-jobs and the concept of a disease called “Rainbow Balls”(bleh), I did find the love story intriguing and angst ridden… just the way I like it. The sub-plot concerning Aysumi-chan’s lover and his wife was also interesting. It made all the other discrepancies and randomocities (and there were A LOT) kinda forgivable.
Would I watch this drama again? Probably not. But because of the love story, I enjoyed it while it lasted.
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] BAM! [Rating: 9/10] This was such a fun drama to watch! There were a lot of serious parts but an equal amount of comedic parts: an excellent balance, in my opinion. As a female viewer, I found that this drama covered all my female needs in terms of male actors. You have Abe Hiroshi, who plays the tall, chiseled, handsome loafer who lacks all ambition but tries so hard when it comes to the woman he loves; then you have Tsumabuki Satoshi, who plays the cute, adorable “sidekick” type character who is genuinely sweet and nice with strong morals that eventually backfire when he tries to be aggressive in his relationship; and lastly, there is Takenouchi Yutaka who, other than the fact that he is drop dead gorgeous (both cute AND rugged!) he also plays a very attractive character. He is shy and romantic, corky and cool, childish and sexy. The female actresses play the perfect compliments to the men, and vice versa. Because each character is so specific, it’s easy to find qualities in each that are appealing, and therefore make the characters − all of them − quite memorable. (Kinomi Nana’s character and Chiba-san’s character stand out particularly for me!)
Although the storyline is simple enough − a one-night-stand that results in pregnancy − the plot was entertaining. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and the events that take place in order to shift the characters onto different paths. The various situations (for example, the father’s reluctance to accept Ryu) were handled realistically and believingly. At the end I found the drama dragged a bit and got somewhat repetitive, but I still enjoyed those final episodes.
If you're looking for something well written, tight, and deep, then I woundlt recommend this drama. I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy light humour and entertaining plot.
Densha Otoko [電車男] Otaku's Rock! [Rating: 9/10] I managed to complete this drama in two and a half sittings… it was THAT addictive. Although the story has become a cliché in western society, this is the first time I'm seeing something like this in a Japanese drama. As a computer junky myself, I found the concept to be really successful. I loved the way they gave a face to the different personalities on the internet, and how we could see the relationship growing between perfect strangers and Densha. I watched the drama on my laptop and at times I felt as if I, too, was one of the many people ranting at the forum.
Itoh Atsushi as Densha Otoko is my new crush. Although I found his nervousness a bit tiresome at times, his kawai-ness totally made up for it. He played the role of an otaku so well that I can't imagine him in any other role. Itoh Misaki was also the result of perfect casting. She was convincing as the rich, beautiful, incredibly sweet lead female. And although the two main characters are the most unlikely to ever end up together, the chemistry between them was amazing.
My only qualm with this drama was that the ending was so drawn out and redundant. The love confession took longer than was necessary, and the individual good-byes from Densha's internet pals was too repetitive. Other than that, the drama was amazing and highly recommended!
Dragon Zakura [ドラゴン桜] Your Typical School Drama [Rating: 7/10] Here we have another school drama that focuses on reforming “bad” kids, but unlike the more popular Gokusen and GTO series, this one deals with the reality that is life. In a very harsh, yet effective way, Sakuragi Kenji (played by Abe Hiroshi) reminds the six students of his special class that idiots are cheated every step of the way, and because they’re idiots there is nothing they can do about it.
The storyline deals with the system of society in which the most educated, no matter socially impaired, are cherished, and the stupid, no matter how kind, are frowned upon. As a teacher myself, I found Sakuragi-sensei’s style of teaching really interesting… and at times absurd. It’s fun to watch the cause/effects in this drama.
I was disappointed in the end. The two students who failed were the two I wanted most to pass. It seems that the powers that be wanted to stay away from the cliche´ ending where everyone succeeds and lives happily ever after, but I thought, after watching their suffering, that perhaps this cliche´ would suffice. Guess not.
Engine [エンジン] Fun to watch, but not twice. [Rating: 8/10] Although I enjoyed watching Engine, I must admit that it is a forgettable drama. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline in regards to the Orphanage and the staff, but I was confused as to the importance of Race Car Driving. This career of Jiro’s (played by Kimura) didn’t mesh well with the Orphanage storyline. In fact, the Racing career could have been easily replaced with any other career. The purpose of having a career in the first place was to demonstrate Jiro’s personal growth as an individual. It didn’t have to be racing. It could have been anything. I didn’t find that it was incorporated well at all.
Before watching the drama I read that many people didn’t enjoy the Kimura/Koyuki pairing. I had no problem with it. I think Koyuki has a difficult job appealing to the viewers. She doesn’t have the typical “kawaii” features and therefore doesn’t have the mass appeal… but she’s a fabulous actress. She was perfect in the role of Tomomi sensei. Her character type and Kimura’s character type really did go well together, even if they physically weren’t a match.
The children at the orphanage were charming and, once again, Ueno Juri demonstrated her wide range of talent. The plot became problematic when it fell into a stringent routine of featuring a child every episode, but I didn’t mind it that much.
In the end, I’m glad I watched this drama… but I probably won’t spend the 11 hours watching it again.
Enka no Joou [演歌の女王 (えんか の じょおう)] Very funny, if a bit corny! [Rating: 7/10] I heard a lot of mixed reviews regarding Enka no Joou, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started watching it. I was a bit indifferent after the first episode, but I was definitely hooked by the second.
Amami Yuki is a force to be reckoned with! Not only is she an amazing enka singer, but she’s a fabulously believable actresses. She gripped my attention and kept it within her grasp throughout her entire performance. I also enjoyed the characters of the supporting cast, especially Harada Taizo, who surprised me. He’s not the stereotypical handsome lead male character, but he was charming and lovable in his own way.
The plot was entertaining and I loved certain aspects of it. I loved how Himawari traveled through life making friendships and healing lives, although within her own soul she was battling loneliness. I was a little disappointed with the ending, or specifically, with the last two episodes. They seemed set apart from the rest of the drama and were a bit too corny. Now, I like corn, but not when it’s so strong and misplaced.
This drama is a successful comedy, and despite the ending I found it enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone who likes enka, fun, and the very talented Amami Yuki-san!
Friends [フレンズ] Good attempt, but not a complete success... [Rating: 7/10] I liked the premise of this drama, but I really think they should have made it longer. Parts of it were too chopped up and there were parts that definitely needed fleshing out. For example, the two leads learned Korean/Japanese way too quickly. This needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Chi Ten spent two years in the army, but it only felt like a few months. When Chi Ten learned that Tomoko was working in Seoul, his feelings needed to be explored… instead of him running off to see her once again. I mean, the two hadn’t seen each other in two years, but their reunion seemed so commonplace… as if it had only been a week since they had last walked/talked with each other. Their transition from lovers, to friends, to lovers again was too fast. It’s hard to tell just how long they’re actually apart before they meet again, and I think this distance is important to emphasize in order to make the constant departures work. They weren’t emphasized at all.
Although Fukada is a very pretty girl, I have never been a fan of her acting. My opinion didn’t change after watching this drama. She expressions for different emotions were all the same so it was hard to tell just what her character was feeling. It was really hard to watch her “pretend” she’s struggling with the Korean language. The male lead wasn’t any better. This was my first experience with Won Bin and I was immediately attracted to his good looks. However, the more I watched, the more I realized that he, too, isn’t a very good actor. Mind you, I haven’t seen any of his other works, but I was not at all impressed with his acting in this drama.
In all, this drama wasn’t completely terrible and I really did like the concept. I think making it a full 10-12 episode series really would have helped the development of the plot.
Gal Cir [ギャルサ] Seriously...? [Rating: 6/10] This show was dumb. It didn’t really have a plot and it had a very weak storyline (the search for Imoko) that broke apart way too often. Each episode was exactly the same in structure to the previous episode, only starring a different Para-Para girl. Although the girls were believable, it was hard to sympathize with them. And why, someone please tell me, was Fujiki Naohito thinking?!
There were a few funny moments, but overall this drama was just a waste of time. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t find it amusing either. I think it caters to tween girls (I hope teens have more sense) and fanboys. If you don’t fit either category, drop this drama and move on.
Galileo [ガリレオ] Way better than I thought [Rating: 8/10] The first thing I thought when I first started watching this drama was, “O no, they’re trying to recreate Trick!”
After watching a few more episodes, I decided this wasn’t such a bad thing because they were pulling it off very well. I found each of the mysteries quite fascinating and although some gimmicks were a little tiresome, on the whole I quite enjoyed the various plots.
It was nice to see Kou-chan in such a refreshing role. I’ve been a big fan of hers for a while but she always seems to fly just below the radar. I think I’ll bite the bullet and finally vote for her. This was my first drama with Fukuyama Masaharu and I think I’m in love. I don’t know if it’s HIM or his character, but he was very attractive in this drama and played the perfect Galileo.
From all the dramas I’ve seen, this one had the most elaborate, and the strongest, supporting cast. It was fun to see many familiar faces pop up and I found myself anxious to see who would appear in the next episode.
Overall, the drama is somewhat forgettable in the sense that it didn’t quite reach the status of Trick, but it was enjoyable to watch and I had some fun with it.
Gokusen [ごくせん] Inspirational [Rating: 9/10] This is a perfect comedy with a well written story. Everyone wishes for a teacher like Yankumi and the students of 3-D are lucky to have her. This drama is great fun and really entertaining. The stories are good and the characters are awesome!
Golden Bowl [ゴールデンボウル] Golden Ball, Golden Couple [Rating: 9/10] Although there is a lot of plot action right in the first episode, I found Golden Bowl really hard to get into. It wasn’t until the third episode where things started to pick up for me, and finally by episode five I was an eager watcher.
The whole “bowling” concept is really abstract. I like how the drama revolves around the characters that hang out at this bowling alley, but really the sport of bowling is just an excuse to play with the characters. The bowling alley could easily be replaced by a bar, or a park, or another sport, etc. Its link to the overall plot is weak and serves only as a location.
The plot revolving around the characters, however, is very interesting and mysterious. You’re never quite given the whole picture for each character, and therefore you need to watch carefully in order to collect all the pieces. I like that about this drama, and it helped me look over the uselessness of the bowling element.
The love story is one the best I’ve seen. It was slow in coming but very developed in its slowness. Hitomi and Takeshi were very convincing and I stopped watching the “actors” and actually believed the characters to be real. The casting for the supporting cast was well done and I was impressed with how naturally they all worked together.
Good Luck !! [グッドラック！！] Good, but really cliche [Rating: 7/10] I’m a little disappointed in this drama. Not because it was bad. In fact, this drama was very good. I think my expectations for it were just too high. I’ve heard so many grand reviews that my anticipation swelled to the point where I was expecting nothing but the best.
To be fair, the cast truly delivered. Kimura was brilliant, as usual, and it was nice to see him portray a character in moments of weakness. Shibasaki Kou was charming and truly shined in that modest, humble way she has with her audience. I was truly shocked with Tsutsumi Shinichi and his portrayal of Koda Kazuki. I have only previously seen him in Lunch Queen and his character was completely different. I was very impressed with his performance. Uchiyama Rina was really annoying in the beginning. Her pathetic, pushy character was not at all appealing. However, after her starring episode, when she fell back into just being an “extra”, she became a silly, loud, colourful personality again and was easier to watch. Of course, to balance her painful role, there was Kuroki Hitomi. I could tell right away that she is a gifted actress with quite a bit of experience. I’m still in shock that she’s nearly fifty. She has far more star quality and talent than most actresses in the business today.
It was the plot that let me down. The story was far too average. It was one big cliche´. We have the protagonist (Kimura) who is a young, handsome, upbeat individual who acts carefree but is really in love with his job and has a deep soul. Then we have the antagonist (Tsutsumi), who is perfect in all things the protagonist fails in, and causes much grief for the protagonist… in the beginning. The protagonist than realizes that the antagonist is in fact a nice guy and begins to respect him. In the end, the protagonist proves himself to the antagonist by some heroic act, and thereby makes himself equal to the antagonist, who in turn acknowledges and befriends/respects the protagonist. In the midst of all this, we have the female lead (Shibasaki) who is simply there as a vessel through which both the protagonist and antagonist can reveal their inner selves to the audience. Mix in some extras for comedy relief, and you have yourself a story.
I was disappointed when Koda’s past experience was revealed. It seemed really anti-climatic. I was assuming that he was the survivor of a crash, but instead the incident was lame. I was also disturbed by Shinkai’s quick decision to go through a surgery that had less than 10% success rate. If he cared about flying as much as he claimed, why gamble so readily? And his recovery took all but 5 minutes of the show. Why all the drama if you’re not going to play up the part? Because the main plot is thin, each episode has an inciting incident specific to that one episode. If it hadn’t been for the amazing talent in this drama, I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed it.
As it stands, this drama does have an amazing cast, and I enjoyed the drama… regardless of its blueprint plot.
GTO [麻辣教師] Better than I thought [Rating: 7/10] I watched Gokusen before I watched GTO, so half the charm had already worn off. I really enjoyed Matsushima Nanako's performance, as well as Kuroda Miki's. The end was great, and even made me a little emotional, being a teacher myself. I think this drama is good and teaches some good morals, even if it is a bit over the top. Don't expect anything too profound or artistic, and you'll like it just fine.
H2~Kimi to itahibi [２〜君といた日々] A very good watch [Rating: 10/10] H2 may seem to be about baseball, but the drama is so much richer than that. There is an underlying love story that isn't exactly about love, but about the affection that grows between childhood friends.
H2 is about shifting through feelings that question what love is, and the different forms of love.
Satomi-chan was brilliant, as usual, and Yamada Takayuki was very convincing.
The plot moves slowly, but effectively, and the comedy perfectly balances out the drama. Well done!
Haikei, Chichiue-sama [拝啓、父上様] Excellently written [Rating: 8/10] When I watched the first episode of Haikei, Chichiue-sama I felt overwhelmed and confused. There was a lot of information being given about the various characters and the opening situation to the plot. The episode seemed to fly by and I only had a grasp of what was happening.
The second episode clarified a few things for me… but only a few. I began wondering if this was going to be another one of those dramas that I have to force myself to complete. By the time I had finished episode 5, however, my opinion had changed.
This is a very well written drama. The story has a lot of depth and breadth, and gradually brings about different elements that are applicable to the overall storyline. Each character, even the minor characters, are developed as much as their character needs and you therefore really get a sense of connectedness and unification. The varying relationships make sense. For example, the relationship between Ippei and his mother, Yukino-chan, is rather unconventional… and yet when you are exposed to their situation in depth and the character traits of each, their relationship makes perfect sense.
I personally found the main character, Ippei, rather hard to like. He’s boring, corky, lame, and somewhat selfish. He’s SUPPOSED to be all these things… it just so happens that I get frustrated with these qualities in a man. Yumeko, around whom the characters gravitate, was cute and likable, though sometimes annoying. My favourite characters were Yukino-chan, Ritsuko-san, and Tokio. All three were perfectly cast and truly portrayed their characters in a believable, emotional success. Yukino-chan was incredibly believable, as is expected of Takashima Reiko. I’ve always enjoyed her in other dramas, but she’s not one of my favourites.
There is no definite conclusion to the storyline, but that’s okay. The drama is meant to capture a time in Ippei’s life, and because life will always continue, the lack of ending didn’t effect the drama over all.
This drama is made upon its characters, with a solid storyline to unify them.
Haken no Hinkaku [ハケンの品格] SO MUCH FUN! [Rating: 9/10] Haken no Hinkaku is terribly silly, and I enjoyed it VERY much. At first I wasn’t sure what to think. I adore Shinohara Ryoko and for the first time I was watching her in a role I had never seen her play before. Usually she plays the charismatic, sexy type. This time she was playing a sweater-clad, anti-social type. She was very fun to watch (like during her abrupt head swings, speaking in her cute announcer voice, and her morning exercises LOL!). I was also seeing Koizumi Koutaro and Kato Ai in roles I had never seen them play before and both did a fab job.
The storyline has many faults, like how Matsukata Hiroki’s character shifts from good-guy to bad-guy, and then good-guy again. When he turned into the antagonist, his direction with Omae Haruko sort of got mixed and lost and there was a serious breach in the plot. However, this was quickly rectified and because the drama is so silly, the fault was quickly forgiven.
I recommend this drama to anyone looking for something light and fluffy to watch. A MUST SEE for all Ryoko fans. :)
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] FunFun [Rating: 8/10] HYD is a fun drama and a little refreshing given the number of sorrowful dramas out and about. It is a romantic comedy that doesn't overdo the comedic relief, nor overdo the romantic elements.
The drama is a bit predictable, and there are no cliffhangers to make you itch for the next episode. It is full of cliches, but who ever said cliches were bad things?
Inoue Mao was excellent. Her facial expressions and her "crying" was very good. She's pure and silly and funny -- the perfect actress for this role. MatsuJun was okay, as were the rest of the F4. Doumyouji Tsubaki was wonderful.
I found the story a little rushed in the end and perhaps another episode or two would have added in making the character development a bit more successful.
There was definitely a "Harry Potter" feel to the show (especially with the background music) and I found it terribly funny when Makino actually makes a reference to it. Fun stuff.
All in all, not terribly brilliant and a bit regurgitated, but still good and pleasent.
Hana Yori Dango Season 2 [花より男子] Highly Diappointed [Rating: 7/10] I was disappointed with Hana Yori Dango 2, and not because I had high expectations. I actually didn’t have ANY expectations, considering that the second season is rarely as good as the first no matter the drama. The situations were too repetitive and over dramatic. Case in point: when Domyouji ran to the hospital after Makino fainted. The parents were in the room exclaiming to Rui just how much they appreciated his presence in Makino’s life. This scene came out of nowhere, and was far too random. Did her parents even know of his existence? There’s no evidence to support their expression. And of course, Domyouji over-hears and leaves, instead of doing anything about it. And lets now forget how Tama randomly pops up EVERYWHERE.
The series could have been MUCH shorter. They filled the space with misunderstandings and miscommunications and the plot seemed to go in circles without any breakthroughs or resolutions. Most of the show is just a waste of time.
Mind you, the series wasn’t completely unfortunate. For true Hana Yori Dango fans, this drama provided all the goodies. The characters were just as great, the soundtrack was awesome, and there a few good moments. The second half of the series improved so much so that it made up for the failure that is the first half.
I’m glad they focused a bit more on the other two members of F4 (Shojiroh and Akira), and gave us viewers an insight to their individual lives. It was good character development, even if minimal. Rui, for the first time, started to annoy me a little bit. It was hard to read him and he seemed so “blah” about everything. I understand that this is probably a character trait of his, but I personally didn’t like it and found it frustrating to watch at times.
Kato Natsuki was perfect as Shigeru − the unfortunate finance − but I think the writer(s) made a mistake in making her so grand. I started to like her best, and as a result, despised everyone else for using/hurting her… everyone else being the main characters of the show. I got all teary when they recapped her presence in their lives. She was terribly used and yet walked away with a smile on her face! It really made the other characters, like Domyouji and Makino, look cruel and selfish. Toda Erika (as Umi-chan) took the counter role. She was so nasty that you felt for Domyouji and Makino.
Anyways, I don’t feel like I wasted my time watching this, but I do wish there was more to it then just a rehashing or re-writing of the first series.
Hanayome to Papa [花嫁とパパ] Father of the Bride, eh? [Rating: 8/10] I thoroughly enjoyed this drama, though I may be biased because I love both Satomi-chan and Miho-chan. The story line is light and the plot succeeded in keeping my interest throughout. When the relationship is established within the first episode, I thought “uh… so what are they gonna fill the other 11 episodes with?” But they DID fill the episodes, and my interest was maintained throughout.
There were some unrealistic things that bothered me about the show. For example, Miura’s confession to Uzaki’s father that he wants to date her “with the intention of marriage” seemed to come out of nowhere. As a viewer, I felt cheated out of the first steps of their relationship because it was so rushed. Later the relationship between the two solidifies and becomes believable, but that initial confession was unrealistic.
The small unnoticeable pieces of comedy were brilliant. For example, when Aiko nearly bumps into Makihara-san while carrying a tray of coffee caused a priceless reaction from the actress (Miho). The slapstick is sporadic throughout and really makes the series quite fun to watch. Somewhere along the middle of the show, however, the comedy fades and it becomes serious and dramatic. The transition is smooth and I didn’t realize the shift had taken place until the second last episode. Although in some dramas this would have been a major uncontinuity, it fit the theme of the drama perfectly. After all, the theme is growth.
The male lead (Taguchi Junnosuke) was terrible, and I’ll be really surprised if he’s given more acting roles, but I didn’t mind him as much. Tokito Saburo (Uzaki Ken) was brilliant in this role. He annoyed the crap out of me in the first few episodes and I was afraid that if he continued that way, I wouldn’t be able to watch the rest of the series. But his character simmers down to someone more manageable, and by the end of the series he was one of my favourite characters. Ishihara Satomi is growing as an actress and as her fan I couldn’t be more proud. She still has a long way to go, but she’s levels above the other actresses in her age group. One thing is for sure, the girl can cry convincingly. And what can I say about Miho-chan?! She was absolutely perfect, as she is in all her roles.
Overall, the drama was fun. It’s obvious that it was geared towards females in their 20s, and perhaps that’s why I could relate to it a little.
Hanayome wa Yakudoshi! [花嫁は厄年ッ！] A Light and Enjoyable Drama [Rating: 8/10] This drama was a lot of fun. Mind you, I usually enjoy anything Shinohara Ryoko is in, but this drama had its own merits that made it a fun comedy.
I really enjoyed the different types of characters. They weren’t your stereotypical characters, but rather interesting and silly ones. A good example is Kaori, who was one of my favourites. She plays the antagonist, and yet she wasn’t evil. She was just mean, but her silliness made the meanness light. Iwashita Shima, who plays the head of the Azuchi family, was fabulous and her pairing with Shinohara was grand.
The story was predictable and the plot was a no-brainer, but this is hardly a fault considering the lightness of the drama. It was just fun. That’s all there was to it.
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e [花ざかりの君たちへ] I LOVE YOU NAKATSU!!! [Rating: 8/10] I found this drama extremely entertaining and really fun all the way through. Although it’s rather ridiculous in more ways than one, it was still great.
The concept isn’t or
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Brother Beat [ブラザー☆ビート]
Long vacation [ロングバケーション]
Pride [プライド]
Ishihara Satomi [石原さとみ]
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉]
Miyazaki Aoi [宮崎あおい]
Nakama Yukie [仲間由紀恵]
Shibasaki Kou [柴咲コウ]
Shiraishi Miho [白石美帆]
Takenouchi Yutaka [竹野内豊]
Takeuchi Yuko [竹内結子]
Tsumabuki Satoshi [妻夫木聡]
101 Kaime no Puropozu [101回目のプロポーズ]
Ace wo Nerae! [エースをねらえ!]
Akimahende! [あきまへんで！]
Antique [アンティーク〜西洋骨董洋菓子店]
Attack No.1 [アタック No.1]
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ]
Boku dake no Madonna [僕だけのマドンナ]
Churasan [ちゅらさん]
Churasan 2 [ちゅらさん２]
Churasan 3 [ちゅらさん３]
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚]
Engine [エンジン]
Friends [フレンズ]
Fukigen na Jiin [不機嫌なジーン]
Gokusen [ごくせん]
Golden Bowl [ゴールデンボウル]
Good Luck !! [グッドラック！！]
GTO [麻辣教師]
H2~Kimi to itahibi [２〜君といた日々]
Hito ni Yasashiku [人にやさしく / ３ピース]
Hotman [ホットマン]
Hotman 2 [ホットマン2]
Ikebukuro West Gate Park [池袋ウエストゲートパーク]
Kamisama mou sukoshi dake [神様、もう少しだけ]
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット]
Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003 [高校教師 2003]
Last Christmas [ラストクリスマス]
Long Love Letter [ロング・ラブレター〜漂流教室]
Love generation [ラブジェネレーション]
Love Revolution [ラブレボリューション]
Lunch no Joou [ランチの女王]
Majo no jouken [魔女の条件]
Medaka [めだか]
Moto Kare [元カレ]
Mukodono! [ムコ殿/女婿大人]
Odoru Daisousasen [踊る大捜査線]
Okusama wa Majo [奥さまは魔女]
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ]
Otousan [おとうさん]
Oyaji~ [オヤジぃ]
Pretty Girls [プリティガール]
Satorare [サトラレ]
Seikei Bijin [整形美人。]
Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu [世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ]
Shomuni [ショムニ]
Shomuni 2 [ショムニ 2]
Shomuni Final [ショムニ ファイナル/庶務二課]
Stand UP!!
Strawberry on the shortcake [ストロベリー・オンザ・ショートケーキ]
Summer snow
Swing Girls [スウィングガールズ]
Tentai Kanzoku [天体観測]
Tiger & Dragon [タイガー＆ドラゴン]
Tokyo rabu sutori [東京ラブストーリー]
Tokyo Wankei [東京湾景]
Trick [トリック]
Trick 2 [トリック2]
Water Boys [ウォーターボーイズ]
Water Boys 2 [ウォーターボーイズ2]
Yasashii Jikan [優しい時間]