nhk9

A well executed drama with a few lessons about the relations between 'jinsei', the problems within one's 'jinsei', and wine. There is much to learn not just about wine, but the people who drink them, and also the people who serve them. We also get to know more about why some drinks are famous -- usually there's a story behind every famous wine.

We have Satake (Inagaki) who is the master sommelier of this French restaurant, La Mer. It seems that he's interested in providing the best wine when and wherever possible, to those who is in need of them. He also treats his wine with love the way one would treat his/her lovers.

Naho (Kanno) is the spoiled daughter of the bucho (head) of the French restaurant department of a chain company. She is teased by Satake about how she cannot become a sommelier. As an act of revenge, so to speak, she decided to become a sommelier at the restaurant that Satake works at. Over the course of the show, it seems like that Naho learned much from Satake, and became more of a respectable sommelier herself.

The show is filled with good episodes of humour and life lessons. Although I was expecting more revelations about Satake's background and Satake's character transformation, neither came. However, the theme of the show is consistent. So by the end of the show, we understand why the entire world is Satake's hall.

A light hearted show suitable for entertainment. I give it a 9/10.

The acting by Tsutsumi is fabulous (esp. Episode 9... very touching indeed). You get your same old Takuya with the different hairstyle. Shibasaki Kou's character is rather strong, but I don't really see a strong chemistry built between her and Takuya's character Shinkai. I'd have loved to see someone like Kanno Miho in that role instead, which would make the show even more fabulous. The supporting cast lead by Kuroki Hitomi is respectable, although not overly exceptional (maybe because they don't have much chance to develop)

The OST is fantastic for this drama. Anyway, I would recommend this to any dorama viewer.

Before I got my hands on this one, I heard that it's one of the more melancholic dramas out there, and that it's also one of Kimura Takuya's more famous and more successful dramas. After watching it for a while, I found the pace to be sluggish, and that the plot can be predictable. (esp. with the slogan "the days when we two are together") I have had this dorama for more than 2 years and still I haven't finished it.

I guess that there are more interesting doramas out there. As for Kimura Takuya's doramas, I'd much rather recommend to you his Long Vacation or Hero.

Good theme song by B'z nonetheless though.

Outstanding acting by Nakama Yukie. I have not seen her doramas until this one and I became a fan of her after finishing this Dorama.

The student cast has actors who can act. Sawada Shin is surprisingly cool and is suitable for his role. Aside from some of the superfluous one-dimensional male teachers in this drama, most of the supporting class is strong.

Like GTO, the plot is basically formed from merging the different subplots of the problems and troubles faced by the students and some of Nakama's colleagues. The story can be predictable at times, but the ideas and lessons that Yankumi delivers after the different scenes in which Yankumi comes to the rescue after her students beat up someone (or get beaten up) are quite touching. In the end Yukie delivers a lesson on what being a "nakama" (or friend) is about, and I think I learned much from that.

Overall, a refreshing drama. 10 for the acting. Some marks off for those annoying male teachers. But a recommended dorama for sure.

Sorimachi's acting is quite good in this dark drama. The storyline is a bit unconventional, but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't be watching it. Although the artist in the female lead is not an intriguing character, Sorimachi's heroism makes up for it. Also, I think I should applaud Sawamura Ikki's acting, since in this movie, he plays a very shady character, yet in Gokusen he plays a bright, and totally unrecognizably charming character.

Despite the age difference between Oda and Yada, the two seems to be able to work very fine together. You could definitely feel the chemistry between them.

The sub characters also worked hard in bringing the characters within their characters to life in this heart-warming drama.

One special note is the very good use of color contrasts and other filming techniques. I feel that the film makers deberately chose to decorate its settings in a very colorful way so to illuminate the atmosphere of the holiday seasons even further. A very good job on that department, since it's something that we don't normally see in Japanese dorama.

The plot may not be the best, but the actors and also the production makes up for it. I would recommend this to everyone.

Kanno Miho acting is sometimes weird (in a positive way) and quite funny actually. Tanabe Seiichi also has some chemistry with Miho. The plot is rather dry, since we're just seeing the same story lines over & over again (in the case of Ataru's sister's on and off relations with her boyfriend). The single-mother subplot for Oshio's lover is rather unconvincing, not to mention a bit tiring at times.

Watch this if you are a Kanno Miho fan (myself included). Otherwise you should just skip.