bmwracer wrote:

Yeah, but my initial motivation was to watch the entire series about Miyamoto Musashi... It just happened that Ryoko-chan had a starring role in the series... Actually, this series introduced me to Ryoko-chan, for which I'm eternally grateful...

Seriously?! I didn't know that! I thought you liked her from before Musashi. I liked her acting from Pretty Girls & Seikei Bijin so I already knew who she was.

I guess I like Shinsegumi better because it's more entertaining. Musashi was good, but it was a little too heavy for me.
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Rinrin wrote:

Seriously?! I didn't know that! I thought you liked her from before Musashi. I liked her acting from Pretty Girls & Seikei Bijin so I already knew who she was.

Serious!! I had no idea who Ryoko-chan was before Musashi. Once I saw her, it was "WHO IS THAT??!!" ...Love at first sight.

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I guess I like Shinsegumi better because it's more entertaining. Musashi was good, but it was a little too heavy for me.

Heh. I feel the opposite. I was hoping Shinsengumi would be a serious historical drama like Musashi, but I was disappointed...

bmwracer wrote:

Heh. I feel the opposite. I was hoping Shinsengumi would be a serious historical drama like Musashi, but I was disappointed...

Hey..it's not getting any funnier now..they've grown to become more and more serious. Serious dialog, serious killing ...

Akakage wrote:

Hey..it's not getting any funnier now..they've grown to become more and more serious. Serious dialog, serious killing ...

The series has improved a little as it went along, but it still has the same problems dragging it down. Much of the cartoonish gags are gone, but it still isn't very serious. For instance, when Kondo is discussing the haori design, he comes off as a wide-eyed, fan-boy who wants to dress up like Superman because he saw the movie. The design was suppose to represent their fierce dedication like the 47 Akou ronin did for their master. Instead it came off like a cosplay meeting.

And if the raid in the first show was indicative of how serious they'll be, then it doesn't look good for the future, even the Ikeda-ya, despite using better technology for filming. High tech filming of amateurish directing still gives you amateurish directing.

I do like how Hijikata is developing; his intelligence and cunning are really beginning to show. And he doesn't sing half bad either.

Kijinnmaru wrote:

I do like how Hijikata is developing; his intelligence and cunning are really beginning to show. And he doesn't sing half bad either.

Waaaaiiiiit a minute! He sings?! He can sing?! I didn't know that! Aka did you know that?!
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Akakage wrote:

I didn't get the chance to watch Musashi..DAMN!!! which I believe is great.

Even If you wouldn't like the story, you would surely love Mabo as Sasaki Kojiro !!!!!!!!

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Shingo, hmm..his acting is improving by episode that I watch. The best acting so far goes to Koichi Sato as Serizawa Sensei but ..after episode 25 I don't think that I would see him again..

Maybe he's acting is improving, but not enough to make me believe he's doin' well in this series ... The supporting actors are stoling the scene from him ... Wasn't he supposed to be the main actor ????

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Heh. I feel the opposite. I was hoping Shinsengumi would be a serious historical drama like Musashi, but I was disappointed...

I was hopin' the same ... And when I saw the first ep. of Shinsengumi, I must confess I was disappointed too ... But I decided to chill out and don't take the show much seriously ... I decided to just apreciate the handsome guys ... But in my heart, nothing will take the Musashi's place ...

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The series has improved a little as it went along, but it still has the same problems dragging it down. Much of the cartoonish gags are gone, but it still isn't very serious. For instance, when Kondo is discussing the haori design, he comes off as a wide-eyed, fan-boy who wants to dress up like Superman because he saw the movie. The design was suppose to represent their fierce dedication like the 47 Akou ronin did for their master. Instead it came off like a cosplay meeting.

I said it a lot of times here and I'll say it again: Shingo Katori absolutelly doesn't fit in this role ...
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Hi,

I just watched an episode of Shinsengumi and now having noticed this thread, I wonder if someone can help me out with a hair style question.

I am not familiar with Japanese history, so the first thing I noticed in Shinsengumi, is the hair styles that these men wear. The character that helps Shingo mama wears a full head of hair, and a few other characters have just short, modern day looking hair, and it looks like the majority of them have some sort of pony tail. A few important-looking characters sport the following style: top of the head partially shaved off, with a pony tail flipped back to cover the scalp. Did people, during this time, use hair styles to signify their status?

and what on earth did they use to fix the pony tail so neatly on top of the head?! their hair would have to be as stiff as straws wouldn't it?

icpmat wrote:

Hi, I just watched an episode of Shinsengumi and now having noticed this thread, I wonder if someone can help me out with a hair style question. I am not familiar with Japanese history, so the first thing I noticed in Shinsengumi, is the hair styles that these men wear. The character that helps Shingo mama wears a full head of hair, and a few other characters have just short, modern day looking hair, and it looks like the majority of them have some sort of pony tail. A few important-looking characters sport the following style: top of the head partially shaved off, with a pony tail flipped back to cover the scalp. Did people, during this time, use hair styles to signify their status? and what on earth did they use to fix the pony tail so neatly on top of the head?! their hair would have to be as stiff as straws wouldn't it?

It's a guess, but I think the actors chose what kinda 'do they wanted, so that they would look cool and not funny/weird.

icpmat wrote:

Hi, I just watched an episode of Shinsengumi and now having noticed this thread, I wonder if someone can help me out with a hair style question. I am not familiar with Japanese history, so the first thing I noticed in Shinsengumi, is the hair styles that these men wear. The character that helps Shingo mama wears a full head of hair, and a few other characters have just short, modern day looking hair, and it looks like the majority of them have some sort of pony tail. A few important-looking characters sport the following style: top of the head partially shaved off, with a pony tail flipped back to cover the scalp. Did people, during this time, use hair styles to signify their status? and what on earth did they use to fix the pony tail so neatly on top of the head?! their hair would have to be as stiff as straws wouldn't it?

Although I'm a jidaigeki fan, I don't know much about the hair style in this period ... I'm not sure but I think the shaved top was a sign of nobless and maturity ... And the pony tail in the top of the head was a important sign of honour ...
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I've posted these, actually, before...but I wonder why no one responses? x)


And I DO think Shingo's acting is progressing bit by bit. He's quite more natural now, in acting Isami Kondou. But anyway, I dunno what ppl really expected.... For Shingo to be able to bare and show his leadership, to be one character who can look like a real leader?

FYI, I've always wonder how can the character Isami Kondou himself be the leader of Shinsengumi. I mean, in books and comics itselves...i never can believe Isami Kondou is a leader of Shinsengumi, he really dont have the charm for it....as most of the time, it seems Hijikata who decides evrything, the operational brain for evrything and Isami just nods along....in EVERY Shinsengumi adaptation I have seen of.... Kaze Hikaru manga, Peacemaker anime, Gohatto movie....

So shld be a no-wonder Shingo cannot act and look like a leader of the big group. Coz Isami Kondou the character himself, too, doesnt really looked like a leader, anyway....or, at least, perhaps he IS a good leader...just it doesnt show enuff, since he is such a nice and kind-hearted man....

so i think Shingo has done his best....recalling on how much his acting stands out in other dramas like Miseinen as a retarded boy, Yomigaeru Kinro as a man with dual personalities, Hito ni Yasashiku...but how he didnt really stands out in Shinsengumi....makes me wonder.....


hm.....I can see bmwracer have a -yeah, right- looks on his face
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I felt that Shingo wasn't comfortable with the charater he was playing in the beginning which is why, to me anyway, he seemed very stiff. He seemed to be struggling with who his character was supposed to be and what kind of person his character was. I think that as he continued working on the drama he started to understand his character more and therefore is starting to be more "natural" in his character.

Does that make sense?
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Rinrin wrote:

I felt that Shingo wasn't comfortable with the charater he was playing in the beginning which is why, to me anyway, he seemed very stiff. He seemed to be struggling with who his character was supposed to be and what kind of person his character was. I think that as he continued working on the drama he started to understand his character more and therefore is starting to be more "natural" in his character. Does that make sense?

Yep. You're basically saying he's grown into his character, neh?

Rinrin wrote:

I felt that Shingo wasn't comfortable with the charater he was playing in the beginning which is why, to me anyway, he seemed very stiff. He seemed to be struggling with who his character was supposed to be and what kind of person his character was. I think that as he continued working on the drama he started to understand his character more and therefore is starting to be more "natural" in his character. Does that make sense?

The Man's two cents:

But, don't you think this "stiffness" is proportional to Kondo Isami's own pre-Shinsengumi demeanor? I mean, here's a farmboy insecure about his own lot in life as samurai despite his very competent skills? I think, too, that, gradually, following his experience of Commodore Perry's black ships, one'd surmise Kondo, a man who basically had to learn concern for country, to similarly " struggling with who his character was supposed to be and what kind of person his character was." No?

yanie_chan wrote:

And I DO think Shingo's acting is progressing bit by bit. He's quite more natural now, in acting Isami Kondou. But anyway, I dunno what ppl really expected.... For Shingo to be able to bare and show his leadership, to be one character who can look like a real leader?

In all fairness, that has nothing to do with Shingo. An actor can only use what he's given. If it's not written in the script, then there's not really much that can be done.

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FYI, I've always wonder how can the character Isami Kondou himself be the leader of Shinsengumi. I mean, in books and comics itselves...i never can believe Isami Kondou is a leader of Shinsengumi, he really dont have the charm for it....as most of the time, it seems Hijikata who decides evrything, the operational brain for evrything and Isami just nods along....in EVERY Shinsengumi adaptation I have seen of.... Kaze Hikaru manga, Peacemaker anime, Gohatto movie....

Again that falls unto the writers. Hijikata is one of the more interesting members of the historical Shinsengumi, so therefore is used more by writers. Kondo is more plain, therefore is pushed aside because they don't want to think so much.

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So shld be a no-wonder Shingo cannot act and look like a leader of the big group. Coz Isami Kondou the character himself, too, doesnt really looked like a leader, anyway....

The problem is that Shingo can't act. It has nothing to do with the stiffness or insecurity of the character. You can see him thinking of his lines before he speaks. You can see him counting off beats before it's his turn to speak again. The worst was in the beginning when he would prep himself to talk right before he spoke. Instead of looking like he was speaking, he looked like he was reciting lines. He's improved, and the editor hides it with timed cuts, but it's still there. Of course, the actress who plays Miyuki Dayu is worse.

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or, at least, perhaps he IS a good leader...just it doesnt show enuff, since he is such a nice and kind-hearted man....

There's no such thing. If he doesn't show enough, then he's a lousy leader. No one in a combat unit respects a person like that as a leader. They know he's worthless. In real life, nobody rises to the moment. They default to their level.

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so i think Shingo has done his best....recalling on how much his acting stands out in other dramas like Miseinen as a retarded boy, Yomigaeru Kinro as a man with dual personalities, Hito ni Yasashiku...but how he didnt really stands out in Shinsengumi....makes me wonder.....

I haven't seen his other works, so all I can do is judge him from what I've seen in Shinsengumi. I won't pass final judgement on the show until I've seen more, but I really expected better, especially going almost halfway into it's run.

bmwracer wrote:

Yep. You're basically saying he's grown into his character, neh?

Yeah! That's what I was trying to say! Gunfunit I typed all that junk for nothing. I'm such a dork! Thanks bmwracer!
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The problem is that Shingo can't act. It has nothing to do with the stiffness or insecurity of the character. You can see him thinking of his lines before he speaks. You can see him counting off beats before it's his turn to speak again. The worst was in the beginning when he would prep himself to talk right before he spoke. Instead of looking like he was speaking, he looked like he was reciting lines. He's improved, and the editor hides it with timed cuts, but it's still there. Of course, the actress who plays Miyuki Dayu is worse.

That's exactly what I think about his acting. When I look at his eyes, I can't see any sign of emotion or life. And he doesn't have any charisma ... I just see a insecure actor tryin' hard to play his role ...

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I felt that Shingo wasn't comfortable with the charater he was playing in the beginning which is why, to me anyway, he seemed very stiff. He seemed to be struggling with who his character was supposed to be and what kind of person his character was. I think that as he continued working on the drama he started to understand his character more and therefore is starting to be more "natural" in his character. Does that make sense?

I got your point, Rinrin-chan !!!!! But he's not natural enough ...
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I don't subscribe to NHK so I haven't watched Shinsengumi yet. But I've been following this thread since the beginning and read every comment. I've always known that I will eventually watch this, and despite all the 'not-so-good' comments regarding this dorama, out of curiosity, I find myself wanting to watch this even more.

And so, I can't pass judgement over Shingo's acting in this dorama, but for someone who have watched almost all of his doramas (I miss Love Story and DOKU though), I find him to be a pretty good actor. Mind you, I'm pretty critical when it comes to acting. I can find flaws in an acting even when an actor wins an Oscar. So when I read that Shingo's acting is just 'so-so', my first thought was, it's either the script, or it's because he's not comfortable in the role, or maybe like some of you have said, he thinks a lot. I hope to catch this one as soon as possible. Really wanna know what the fuss is all about. Then maybe, I'll post again, and be more objective next time.

BTW, yanie_chan, I also love him in Hito ni Yasashiku. And in Yomigaeru Kinro, he showed so many layers that I never knew existed. Maybe, he should get some sort of a bad guy role next time. He can really shine in this type of role, ne?[/b]
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Betsy Hayashi wrote:

I got your point, Rinrin-chan !!!!! But he's not natural enough ...

I agree with you Betsy. I think Shingo is a pretty good actor, but this isn't a good role for him. Normally when I watch a drama I think "Okay, I'm watching so-and-so character", but when I watch Shingo in this show I'm thinking "I'm watching Shingo trying to act as this character". I'm a little disappointed in him.
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Rinrin wrote:

I agree with you Betsy. I think Shingo is a pretty good actor, but this isn't a good role for him. Normally when I watch a drama I think "Okay, I'm watching so-and-so character", but when I watch Shingo in this show I'm thinking "I'm watching Shingo trying to act as this character". I'm a little disappointed in him.

That's exactly what I think when I watch the series ... I'm not tryin' to say he's not talented, but he's not a jidaigeki actor (maybe I'm too demanding because I'm a "chambara" maniac) ... I don't hate him, I have a sympathy for him, I think he's a funny and charismatic guy ... But in Shinsengumi his charisma disappeared !!!!!!
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*sigh* Poor Shingo. Oh well, at least Joe looks good!
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