chaos

It's simple, yet fresh in delivery and fine in execution, a mark of top notch direction. The whole casts and characters are marvelous including ALL supporting casts and chars. And there are some of the most celebrated classical pieces... and one of coolest arrangements of my favourite Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue".

A lot have been said about Nodame Cantabile, and there's still a lot more to be said, but let me reiterate some. What grabs me most is the character development. Despite the tone being mostly comedy, at the end, I have this feeling of relief as everyone had gone through their own (wonderful) life-altering journey. And the ever subtle romantic development really befits Chiaki and Nodame's characters.

This has been an interesting (romantic) story. And as the final curtain dropped, I gave the drama a standing ovation.

Encore, please!

Long Love Letter is not for everyone. The theme (human survival: physically and emotionally) is brought in role playing games style: world destruction due to humans wrong conduct on the environment.

*** spoiler warning ***

I particularly like the storytelling: it jumped back and forth to the future and today, and also flashbacks, to reveal each character's story and the loss brought to the ones they left behind. Just like puzzles, that I think, would not appeal and be confusing if this drama was shown one episode per week since I would run out of patience.

Mainly covered by despair and depressing atmosphere throughout, at times can be funny, the drama slowly built hope and positive stance towards life, to live today, tomorrow and the future. Regardless the slow pace at times, this is a unique and refreshing drama.

Tokiwa Takako (Misaki Yuka) and Kubozuka Yousuke (Asami) were good actors as always. Misaki's cheerful and optimistic nature balances the gloomy mood. Asami, although obviously younger and did look too young to be a teacher but it worked!, was calm but rather mysterious since he didn't have anyone left behind. The students were also interesting, each one has story to tell, that sadly weren't explored enough.