What dramas are you currently watching?

I've started Kirasazu Cat's Eye, it's very similar in style to Ikebukuro West Gate Park but not as dark. I was a bit concerned that the leads where chosen for their haircuts rather than acting ability, but I needn't have worried as most are reasonable actors and they are a charismatic lot, just what you need in this short of show.

Also up to ep 6 of Golden Bowl, this one just gets better and better.

akito-kun wrote:
Tomoko Yamaguchi[/b], I had never seen her before, she's very good !

In addition to Bmwracer's recommendation of Double Kitchen, I'd say watch Ohsama no Resutoran and Sweet Home if you really want to see Yamaguchi in top form; besides, those two series are imo superior to anything else out there in terms of dorama comedy.

akito-kun wrote:Leo Morimoto has a small part in it though, and doesn't appear in every episode :(

He has a larger role in Shomuni, seasons one thru three.

akito-kun wrote:If I had to compare it with Nodame Cantabile, as it's also about piano... I'd say it's more touching. But much more confidential, obviously not a big hit.

Um, Long Vacation had very big ratings (average=29.1%, peak=36.7%). If you exclude Asadora and Taiga series, it ranks among the most popular renzoku dorama. In comparison, Nodame, since you mentioned it, had an average rating of 18.8% with a peak of 21.7%.

Personally, I think LV is overrated, although not nearly as overrated as Kimura Takuya. (These two opinions are definitely not shared by most members of this site :hehe:)

Yamaguchi though, is the real deal. (I do not think I'm in the minority on this one)

Cerebus wrote:I've started Kirasazu Cat's Eye, it's very similar in style to Ikebukuro West Gate Park but not as dark. I was a bit concerned that the leads where chosen for their haircuts rather than acting ability, but I needn't have worried as most are reasonable actors and they are a charismatic lot, just what you need in this short of show.

They seem similar because both dramas have the same writer. If you really like the style and want something that will trip you out as far as casting goes, watch "Tiger and Dragon" next- its pretty much a fusion of the cast. It was my favorite of the three.

I'm watching Shomuni, thanks gaijinmark and shin2 for the advice...

It's really fun ! And there are some actors I like : Makiko Esumi (seen in Sore wa totsuzen...) Keiko Toda (seen in Star no Koi), Katsumi Takahashi (seen many times :D ). I can't wait to see Koyuki.

But well... I watched 6 episodes so far and I really can't say I like Leo Morimoto's part in this drama :( He's more like a fool that noone cares about, too bad for such a classy actor.

KeepMeCaffein8td wrote:

They seem similar because both dramas have the same writer. If you really like the style and want something that will trip you out as far as casting goes, watch "Tiger and Dragon" next- its pretty much a fusion of the cast. It was my favorite of the three.

The main reason why I'm watching Kisarazu Cat's Eye is that it is written by Kudo Kankuro. I'm planning to try all of his shows at some point, so Tiger and Dragon is definitley on the list.

I'm just seen the third episode, good fun but sometimes I wish it could be a little more coherent.

Cerebus wrote:
The main reason why I'm watching Kisarazu Cat's Eye is that it is written by Kudo Kankuro. I'm planning to try all of his shows at some point, so Tiger and Dragon is definitley on the list.

I'm just seen the third episode, good fun but sometimes I wish it could be a little more coherent.

I really liked Kisarazu Cat's Eye. It probably had the most creative use of flashbacks I've ever seen.

akito-kun

I'm not sure if Koyuki is in Shomuni or not. I think that might just be an error in our cast list. [/list:u]

gaijinmark wrote:akito-kun

I'm not sure if Koyuki is in Shomuni or not. I think that might just be an error in our cast list. [/list:u]

According to DamaWiki, she's not: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Shomuni

gaijinmark wrote: I really liked Kisarazu Cat's Eye. It probably had the most creative use of flashbacks I've ever seen.

akito-kun

I'm not sure if Koyuki is in Shomuni or not. I think that might just be an error in our cast list. [/list:u]

Amazingly, it comes full circle...

My first post here was about if Koyuki was in Shomuni...

Just finished Triangle. Good story, I really got into it towards the end. I'm going to have to search out more dramas with Hirosue Ryoko.

Next up, Oyaji...hey, how about that, Ryoko is in that one too. :victory:

-Dave

ps. Any others with her I should know about?

desert-raven wrote:Just finished Triangle. Good story, I really got into it towards the end. I'm going to have to search out more dramas with Hirosue Ryoko.

Next up, Oyaji...hey, how about that, Ryoko is in that one too. :victory:

-Dave

ps. Any others with her I should know about?

I hear Dekichatta Kekkon (Shotgun Marriage) is supposed to be good.

akito-kun wrote:Just finished watching Long Vacation...

Very charming drama with a kitschy touch from the 90's :mrgreen: I love that.

Good actors especially Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi, I had never seen her before, she's very good !

*swoops in* Did somebody say... LONG VACATION....? :mrgreen:

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, akito-kun!!! :victory: LV definitely cracks my Top 5 Kimura dramas... and I've seen... quite a bunch now, heh heh. :nut:

A good follow-up to this drama would be LOVE GENERATION, which Kimura did a year later. Monster hit of a drama, rated even higher than LV. (Although LV is a much better pound-for-pound drama than LG.)

Heh heh, shin2 is quiiiite right about Kimura's Potent Polarizing Powah in this thread, but I have yet to meet a member who doesn't like Yamaguchi Tomoko. She isn't conventionally beautiful, but oh boy, she's. HAWTTT!!! :metaldevil: (And I'm a girl, lol.) The sheer force of her personality and screen presence really pulls you in. Knockout figure, too! Too bad she semi-retired shortly after LV. (I think.)

Anime Dad wrote:

Yeah, pretty good. The guy who plays Galileo is a little... bland.

Oh, sweet. Turns out I am not alone. :naughty: How did that stodgy, colorless man ever find work in J-Ent? Dull as dishwater. It boggles the mind... *evil laughter* :mwahaha:

Still, Episode 5, ehhh? I admire your tenacity, lol. I think I gave up after 3. :shakehead:

You mentioned GALILEO, and I just remembered TRICK 1, which I watched for an episode (or tried to) before bailing. At least I gave it a chance, ne? Hahahahaha. Mebbe I can take it up again when I'm less... preoccupied. It's hard to concentrate on the plot when the production values and screen quality scream "1975!!!! 1975!!! I was made in 1975!!!!" every bleeping second. :twisted:

*skedaddles outta here*

Ender's Girl wrote:Too bad she semi-retired shortly after LV. (I think.)

Working with Kimutaku can do that. :beaten:

Anime Dad wrote:Yeah, pretty good. The guy who plays Galileo is a little... bland.

Oh, sweet. Turns out I am not alone. :naughty: How did that stodgy, colorless man ever find work in J-Ent? Dull as dishwater. It boggles the mind... *evil laughter* :mwahaha:

Hey, don't make fun of dishwater: it gets my dishes clean, particularly when hot... :mrgreen:

Tepid dishwater on the other hand..... :bleh:

Ender's Girl wrote:

You mentioned GALILEO, and I just remembered TRICK 1, which I watched for an episode (or tried to) before bailing. At least I gave it a chance, ne? Hahahahaha. Mebbe I can take it up again when I'm less... preoccupied. It's hard to concentrate on the plot when the production values and screen quality scream "1975!!!! 1975!!! I was made in 1975!!!!" every bleeping second

Interesting. I think you zeroed in why Trick came out so negative for me at least. It had the feel of an amateur production. For me there was no connection between the leading characters... just kind of a romp in the park with a stranger.

Ender's Girl wrote:It's hard to concentrate on the plot when the production values and screen quality scream "1975!!!! 1975!!! I was made in 1975!!!!" every bleeping second. :twisted:

I noticed that as well... But I got over it: I had the feeling it was intentional... Tongue-in-cheek. :mrgreen:

Ender's Girl wrote:Oh, sweet. Turns out I am not alone. :naughty: How did that stodgy, colorless man ever find work in J-Ent? Dull as dishwater. It boggles the mind... *evil laughter* :mwahaha:

OMG, you NEEED to check out the jdrama "Itsuka Mata Aeru"! I was never into Fukuyama Masaharu even though I knew of him since the mid-to-late 90s and I wondered why he was so damn popular. After I watched that drama, I was all :inlove: Also, do check out some of his music (he writes the lyrics/music for all of his songs, INCLUDING the Galileo theme song, which he does his own version of) too! I recommend:

~ Hello http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwCTFbEqrz8
~ Message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0egEbvz-E0
~ All My Loving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgHtwDhy3nU
~ Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZnkFJPMVZY
~ Kiss Shite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sJ-wdgWqzQ
~ Sakurazaka http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgQpDiOyty8

I DARE you NOT to fall in love with him after watching that drama & hearing his music. ;) (Just ignore some of his outfits and you'll be good, I think.) :mrgreen:

OT: I think I'm gonna watch more ‚Û‚Á‚©‚Û‚© if I have time.

bmwracer wrote:
I hear Dekichatta Kekkon (Shotgun Marriage) is supposed to be good.

Somehow I never could get into that series. Even being the YT fan that I am. :sweat:
@Cerberus- Golden bowl is straight strikes right thru the final frame! :victory: What a wonderful series!
Continuing on with Katagoshi No Koibito. ep 7 now. And ep 3 of Asuka though I dont seem to be able to make it through with a whole Asadora yet.

@ Ender's Girl- FElt much the same about Trick. Couldnt get past ep 1. :sweat:

Eve wrote:

And ep 3 of Asuka though I dont seem to be able to make it through with a whole Asadora yet.

I can sympathize with you. I felt the same way in my first asadora. It's an acquired taste I think. Now I'm an asadora fanatic. By the time I saw Asuka I was well on my way to fanaticism so I enjoyed it thouroughly. Especially with Takeuchi Yuko in her first major appearance what's not to like. Because asadoras are so long, the writers use a lot of fill material. The secret is to fast forward through the fillers until you are an asadora aficionado. If you make it through Asuka, maybe one day you'll return to Churasan too..... :doh:

bmwracer wrote:
I hear Dekichatta Kekkon (Shotgun Marriage) is supposed to be good.

I think you're listening to fanboys and fangirls on this one, beemer.

Hirosue plays one of the most insipid characters you'll ever find in a dorama series (and that's saying something). As for the rest of the cast--a lot of big names but they come off as pretty banal. Only Sonny Chiba offers any spark. Dull writing, dull acting.

shin2 wrote:I think you're listening to fanboys and fangirls on this one, beemer.

Hirosue plays one of the most insipid characters you'll ever find in a dorama series (and that's saying something). As for the rest of the cast--a lot of big names but they come off as pretty banal. Only Sonny Chiba offers any spark. Dull writing, dull acting.

LOL.

That explains why I haven't seen it myself, even though I have the discs for it. :beaten:

ralphm1999 wrote:
Interesting. I think you zeroed in why Trick came out so negative for me at least. It had the feel of an amateur production. For me there was no connection between the leading characters... just kind of a romp in the park with a stranger.

:rofl: @ "...romp in the park with a stranger." Hahahaha

Heh heh. I don't think I stuck around long enough to see if there was any connection between Nakama Yukie and Abe Hiroshi, lol. Too bad, because I'm incredibly fond of Abe Hiroshi and the characters he played in HERO and CHANGE. I think my cyber-friend Peggy (J-D username: brad2) described him best: "That man is funny in a sharp way." :thumbsup:

Eve wrote:
@ Ender's Girl- FElt much the same about Trick. Couldnt get past ep 1. :sweat:

Oh-ho! Ohohoho! So now the TRICK non-fans come out of the woodwork, lol. :hehe: Still, I DO feel better knowing I'm not the only one who deep-sixed this drama after the first episode. :victory:

bmwracer wrote:
I noticed that as well... But I got over it: I had the feeling it was intentional... Tongue-in-cheek. :mrgreen:

Really? :beaten: There's "intentionally tongue-in-cheek," and then there's "unintentionally unaesthetic, with rock-bottom production values." :twisted: I'm sure the drama has its redeeming qualities somewhere (buried underneath all that technical grottiness, lol), but for now I'm putting it on hold... indefinitely. :sweat:

sadacori wrote:
OMG, you NEEED to check out the jdrama "Itsuka Mata Aeru"! I was never into Fukuyama Masaharu even though I knew of him since the mid-to-late 90s and I wondered why he was so damn popular. After I watched that drama, I was all :inlove: Also, do check out some of his music (he writes the lyrics/music for all of his songs, INCLUDING the Galileo theme song, which he does his own version of) too! ....

I DARE you NOT to fall in love with him after watching that drama & hearing his music. ;) (Just ignore some of his outfits and you'll be good, I think.) :mrgreen:

Egads! The man... sings!?!?!??!! :mwahaha: (Then I realize this is J-Ent, so it makes perrrrfect sense. :rolleyes:) *trudges off to Youtube to listen to those blasted music vids*

*scampers back* Egads!!! The man really CAN sing!!! :shocked: (Y'know, the first time I said this I was just being sarcastic... :sweat:) Okay, okay, I see it now, I see the mid-'90s cuteness, I see the talent. :bonk: And when I first saw him smile ("Hello" video, 0:17), I was like, "it's alive!!! it's alive!!!" :rofl: The fact that he plays guitar is actually a huuuge plus, so that most of the time he felt less like a J-Pop Idol and more like a... REAL MUSICIAN, lol. (I liked "Heart" most of all, listened to it thrice. :P "Hello" and "Message" were nice li'l ditties, and I like how their music vids were so... laid-back and stripped down. :good: Didn't care much for the other three songs, though.)

So. Yes. Okay. I shall give that 1995 renzoku you mentioned a try. :victory: Mebbe the Blue Fairy remembered to bring Fukuyama Masaharu to life for that particular drama, ne? No such luck for him in GALILEO, I'm afraid. This was in 2007, so the Blue Fairy prolly had her hands full zipping from one Idol drama to another, trying to animate all these little wooden J-Pop puppets (J-Puppets? J-Poppets? hahaha), so she may have overlooked poor ol' Professor Galileo... :nyah:

***

OT: ANEGO. The first half of the drama was funny and entertaining, but all that Domestic Disturbance (lol) in the later episodes was a one-way ticket to dullsville. :shakehead: Not very good writing, overall. But Shinohara Ryoko--wow, whatta knockout. Beautiful, winsome AND hilarious. :applaud: Now the problem will be choosing which among her scad of dramas to watch next... :headscratch: Any recs? :victory: And Akanishi Jin... :naughty: A bit wooden at times, but I found his character awfully cute, heh heh heh. The way he was written, Kurosawa Akihiko was little more than... ornamental, but he and Anego looked great together, heh heh heh. :nut:

SLOW DANCE Episode 1. Wow. This drama is really slooooow, lol. Tsumabuki Satoshi is maddeningly attractive as ever (and a talented actor to boot!), but I dunno, there doesn't seem to be much chemistry between him and Fukatsu Eri. The writing and direction are all over the place, so unless there's any significant improvement later on, I guess I'll be watching this drama for the sheer Eye Candy. (Oh! And you too, Fujiki Naohito!!! :rolly:) Which ain't exactly the worst thing, ne? :drink: