http://mainichi.jp/life/weekly/frontpage/archive/news/2009/12/20091225wek00m040013000c.html

English article, introduction with snippets from interview with Fukuyama Masaharu

http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/entama/graph/20100115_7/?link_id=TN002

Pics of Maki Yoko as Sakamoto Ryoma's wife, I think...


I watched the first episode. It's quite good, simple but good at getting across what Ryoma and this drama will be about. I still feel Fukuyama is a bit old for the part, but I thought he did a good job establishing the character and conveying some of the emotions and thoughts going through Ryoma's mind.

Just watched Ryomaden ep 2, another good episode, cinematography and music stood out to me, and I was genuinely moved by a couple of scenes late on, looking forward to the next one. As others has expressed elsewhere, Kagawa Teruyuki once again put in a very good performance.

Very impressed with Ryoma den episode 3, the end of this episode was gripping and found myself immersed in the contrasting emotions of the characters. The plot is moving along at a brisk pace too.

bmwracer wrote:

Was there any announcement of when it'll be aired on 18.2?

I e-mailed them today. They told me it will start on 18.2 on Feb. 20th 9pm-10pm.

gaijinmark wrote:

I e-mailed them today. They told me it will start on 18.2 on Feb. 20th 9pm-10pm.

Duly noted... Marking my calendar now.

English softsubs for ep 1: http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopic_81813_0.htm

Jav_sol wrote:

English softsubs for ep 1: http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopic_81813_0.htm

Hmm, not sure if I should wait until it airs on TV or download the episodes......?

Episode 4 was over in a flash. Another good episode. The development at the end of the episode felt a little rushed but I guess that's not the focus of the drama. I am really surprised at how much I like Ryoma den so far.

Ryoma den OST

http://www.multiupload.com/OKFJA4XFAS

^^ Thanks, xploring!

Episode 1 airs this Saturday on local TV (Los Angeles, KSCI 18.2).

Ack, I marked my calendar, yet I still forgot to watch Episode 1.

bmwracer wrote:

Ack, I marked my calendar, yet I still forgot to watch Episode 1.

Looks like they split the first episode in half so I don't think you missed all of it. The good thing is it looks like Kagawa Teruyuki has a big part in this which is great, he was the best part of Kyoumei ga Tsuji

gaijinmark wrote:

Looks like they split the first episode in half so I don't think you missed all of it. The good thing is it looks like Kagawa Teruyuki has a big part in this which is great, he was the best part of Kyoumei ga Tsuji

I even missed the replay on Sunday: I caught the closing credits.

xploring wrote:

Ryoma den OST http://www.multiupload.com/OKFJA4XFAS

You're a saint, xploring! Thanks!

Synopsis of NHK Taiga Drama Ryoma-Den Episode can be found on "Japan Now & Then" at "Ryomaden Archives": http://blog.livedoor.jp/auberginefleur/archives/cat_50038938.html

Just watched episode 11. It was good. I was losing interest but this episode has turned it around. Hopefully they will get to the part where Ryoma meets Katsu Kaishu soon.

Takechi has become a very important character, but I don't really like how the character is written/acted... I know hardly anything about him but sometimes I get the feeling that he is portrayed in that way for the audience to be more impressed with Ryoma.

Ack, I missed today's episode.

I thought episode 12 was uneventful, but in hindsight,

Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:

Kusaka's repeated wailing over his late sensei really spoiled the impact of what was supposed to be a breakthrough in thinking for Ryoma. I didn't realize what it meant for Ryoma until they explained it after the episode.