Amihama Naoko [網浜直子] Naoko makes me laugh my butt off!!!! She's a great comedian in Women of the Onsen. She's just excellent at slapstick type comedies like this. Why doesn't Mr. Kaido just give in to her???
Fujiwara Norika [藤原紀香] I first saw her appear in SMAPxSMAP in 1998. She plays a great game of basketball! I've also seen her in GTO the movie, and she was great!! Very beautiful, nice smile... Man, she's eye candy!!!! Shwing!!!
Matsushima Nanako [松嶋菜々子] She is totally beautiful, and a very good actress. In all the Jdoramas I've seen her appear in, she gives off that adorable, innocent, and caring look, and it makes you feel good about her character. Sorimachi Takashi is a lucky SOB to be married to her.
Sakai Noriko [酒井法子] I actually know Noriko-chan as a singer first, then actress. I have every one of her CDs, picture books, YES! cards, and even a few of her autographs. I met her in Waikiki in 1998, best day of my life!!!! She's the most beautiful thing on planet Earth.
Uchida Yuki [内田有紀] I am totally suprprised no one mentions her role as the stubborn actress in Under the Same Roof. I guess a huge majority of JDorama.com fans don't watch dramas dating that far back (1993). Yuki was excellent in that series -- a must watch to witness an up-and-coming talented actress.
Wakui Emi [和久井映見] I've only seen her in Sister of Mine. She is sooooo adorable!!!! She has that personality your mother would love if you brought her home to show off. Wait, take that back... She's the type that will BECOME your mother... She'll pick out your clothes, keep you on a certain diet... Hehehe!!!! :)
Yabe Miho [矢部美穂] Miho is really funny in Women of the Onsen. Her character, Miharu, plays a really good side-kick to Kaoru. Great chemistry among the cast members. I wish Miho would go out and do more stuff, dramas or comedies.
groink's dramas (36)
3 nen B gumi Kinpachi Sensei Season 6 [3年B組金八先生] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This is a great series, accurately depicting school life in Japan. Kinpachi faces some personal problems. I like Ueto Aya in this series because I didn't have to look at her stupid smile. Highly recommend!
Aoi Tori [青い鳥] Rating: 10/10 (Bought & Watched) This was my very first jdorama ever. If you like William Shakespeare tragedies, you'll like this drama. Somewhat depressing throughout the series, but the ending has a very refreshing side. The special is really not that worth the watch.
Blackjack ni Yoroshiku [ブラックジャックによろしく] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Great drama! Depressing for the most part, but hell it's a DRAMA!!!!!! Dramas can't always be candy-candy, y'know?
GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 10/10 This is one of my all-time favorites. It is a feel-good movie, filled with positive emotions, people reaching dreams, and bringing down obsticles that get in the way. The series is better than the movie, IMHO.
Hitotsu yane no shita 1 [ひとつ屋根の下 1] Rating: 10/10 (Bought & Watched) This series is among my all-time favorites. It is a very warm, and inspirational series. All the characters are very good people. And, when bad things go wrong for each of them, you really feel for them. Sakai Noriko really made her mark in jdoramas with this series.
Imouto yo [妹よ] Rating: 10/10 (Bought & Watched) This is a full-on chick-flick if there was ever one! I love this series!!!!
Kasouken no Onna [科捜研の女] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This series basically uses a CSI-style theme, though the series has been on longer. Mariko is a very spunky woman! Very cute too! :)
Mama no Idenshi [ママの遺伝子] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This is a great jdorama! It's quite funny, but at the same time it told me quite a bit about the pressures of exam taking in Japanese society, and the importance of what schools your kids attend.
Musashi [武蔵] Rating: 10/10 (Bought & Watched) This is a excellent taiga drama! It's LONG, but it's a must-watch. I could give a damn about who's starring in the series -- the story and the historical significance is important for all Japanese culture fans to know about.
Onsen e Ikou [温泉へ行こう] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Love this series! Very funny! The comedy is slapstick style. I can see a Japanese anime/manga made from this series very easily. I love Kaoru... She's a very caring person, hard working, works her way through obsticles, doesn't let anyone get in her way.
Seija no koushin [聖者の行進] Rating: 9/10 (Bought & Watched) This drama breaks many of the JDorama stereotypes, which I find refreshing. This is Issei's greatest work! His portray as a mentally challenged adult is incredibly convinsing. The mentally challenged people are abused in the story which most drama fans may have a problem with. However, I feel a story like this must be told so that the JDorama fans are aware of the situation. Not all dramas are romantic, you know? BTW, I didn't like Noriko-chan's performance in this series.
Toshiie to Matsu [利家とまつ] Rating: 8/10 (Bought & Watched) It is quite involved for my taste. Tons of famous people in this series. Heck, it has Sakai Noriko, so you can't go wrong!!!!
Toshishita No Otoko [年下之男] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Excellent drama! Some people may gross out on a 50+ woman and a 40+ man, but hey it happens!!!!
Wataru seiken wa oni bakari [渡る世間は鬼ばかり] Best Daytime Japanese Drama EVER! [Rating: 10/10] Of course, I also love American daytime dramas. And, Wataru takes on the exact style of an American daytime drama. The drama is based around Daikichi, who is the otousan of five daughters. Daikichi owns Okakura, a 5-star Japanese restaurant most people can only dream of dining. The entire story lines are based on each of the five daughters' lives, ranging from bitchy mother-in-laws, the kids, and so forth. The 2nd oldest daugther is married into the Kojima family, the owners of Koraku, a ramen shop. I'd say about 50-percent of the story is based on the Kojima clan. If you like family dramas, this is a MUST watch. In Japan, Wataru is HEAVILY marketed via merchandise -- from plastic figurines to Koraku-brand instant ramen. There are currently six completed seasons, of which seasons 3 through 6 are English subtitled by JN Productions, and aired on KIKU-TV.