I was feeling kinda blah last night, so on an impulse, I decided to re-watch a couple episodes from Shomuni 2. I felt much better afterwards.

The whole cast is great, and I'm sure Shomuni fans have their favorite member from GA-2, but I gotta say, Keiko Toda is such a standout in this series. She's hardly ever mentioned in any of the Shomuni discussions, but her character is so unflaggingly spunky and funny in this series. I've seen her in a number of dorama and some movies as well, and she is one helluva actress.

Happy Birthday, Hosho Mai!!!

She played my favorite character in Shomuni!

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Otanjobi omedeto Naho Toda

shin 2

One of the reasons I'm still so fond of Shomuni, after all these years, is that I think of it as one of the few, honest to goodness, ensemble casts.

I tend not to think of any of the ladies, or any of the men... as the "star" of the show, or as my "favorite". The cast is the star.

I tend to think of these actors and actresses as individuals only when I see them in something else. And when I do, I tend to focus on them, and truth to tell, automatically like them, because they were a part of "Shomuni".

It's like going into a theater and seeing an old friend on stage. No matter how large or small the part... I find myself focusing on my friend's performance.

That happens to me every time I see someone from the extended cast of the 3 seasons of "Shomuni".
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Geezer wrote:

shin 2 One of the reasons I'm still so fond of Shomuni, after all these years, is that I think of it as one of the few, honest to goodness, ensemble casts. I tend not to think of any of the ladies, or any of the men... as the "star" of the show, or as my "favorite". The cast is the star. I tend to think of these actors and actresses as individuals only when I see them in something else. And when I do, I tend to focus on them, and truth to tell, automatically like them, because they were a part of "Shomuni". It's like going into a theater and seeing an old friend on stage. No matter how large or small the part... I find myself focusing on my friend's performance. That happens to me every time I see someone from the extended cast of the 3 seasons of "Shomuni".

I must say that Esumi Makiko's lusciously long legs do stand out though

Tu_triky

Yes they do. And I admit, I started watching the show because she was in it. I'd seen her in a couple of movies, and I thought she was fabulous. Still do.

But Mai Hosho has those amazing eyes and getting to watch her work would be enough to keep me coming back.

And shin2 mentioned Keiko Toda. That girl has the sort of timing that I haven't seen since Imogene Coca.

And don't underestimate Naho Toda. It's hard to play the unsympathetic character in a comedy... and have people enjoy seeing you come back time after time.

And I always found myself caring about Leo Morimota as their manager.

And I liked the bad guys from HR much the same way I liked Wylie coyote. And on and on.

When it all works like that... when everyone is an invaluable piece of the whole... it takes a show... especially a comedy... to a whole different level.
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Geezer wrote:

Tu_triky Yes they do. And I admit, I started watching the show because she was in it. I'd seen her in a couple of movies, and I thought she was fabulous. Still do. But Mai Hosho has those amazing eyes and getting to watch her work would be enough to keep me coming back. And shin2 mentioned Keiko Toda. That girl has the sort of timing that I haven't seen since Imogene Coca. And don't underestimate Naho Toda. It's hard to play the unsympathetic character in a comedy... and have people enjoy seeing you come back time after time. And I always found myself caring about Leo Morimota as their manager. And I liked the bad guys from HR much the same way I liked Wylie coyote. And on and on. When it all works like that... when everyone is an invaluable piece of the whole... it takes a show... especially a comedy... to a whole different level.

Yes, it's a rare gem....and like a rare gem its multitude of facets are what make it striking, alluring, and undeniably attractive.

bettebogart wrote:

I know there are at least two or three specials for this show, which one is the "New York Special"? Which season did that follow and do they film in New York or what's it about? It's referenced on IMDB but I don't find reference anywhere else for it. Or perhaps IMDB is wrong. Anyone know?

IMPORTANT: Please do not read the last paragraph if you do not want to know potential spoilers for the first Shomuni Special (1998).

I'm not sure if you ever found out and I could be wrong here so if anyone wishes to correct me please do but as far as I'm aware there is no New York special.

I always thought that the first "Shomuni Special" (1998) might have been it since they do mention New York in that special but according to the release date on IMDB the supposed New York special came out in 2000 which is actually the release date of the second special, the "Shomuni Spring Special", which has absolutely nothing to do with New York. As someone has already mentioned in this site it was about the Y2K millenium bug.

Incidentally does anyone know if there are any english subtitles for the 1998 Shomuni Special or the Shomuni Forever special or if anyone plans on doing any subtitles for either of them as it's such a shame that they are the only two missing from this excellent series.

I always got confused seeing the New York subs and thinking they were for the first 1998 special when in fact they were actually for the Spring 2000 Special which is a shame as I do own the first special but sadly do not know a lot of Japanese to really follow it (you can tell I'm a Shomuni addict as I got it even though I can't really understand it). Judging from the look of it I would say that the first special looks by far the best out of the three specials.

In case you don't know the first special is actually where Tokunaga (Keiko Toda) meets her e-mail romantic interest who it turns out marries her at the end (it's the same guy who appears in the Shomuni Final episode shouting "Honeeeyyyy" which is one of my all time favorite Shomuni episodes).

@ Seryass - you should use the spoiler tags for spoilers.

can anyone tell me wht Shomuni Forever all about???? i can't find the dvd in the market nor any upload in the net.. but i really curious bout it.. did tsukahara become ukyo wife or wht???

runpup wrote:

Happy Birthday, Hosho Mai!!! She played my favorite character in Shomuni!

Just because I was so happy to see her working again, I thought I'd mention that Hosho Mai has been doing some guest starring lately.

She's featured not only in the first episode of Aibou 6, but she's also one of the main guest stars in episode #3 of Mop Girl.
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Manga is to Literature
what Graffiti is to Art

Geezer wrote:

And don't underestimate Naho Toda. It's hard to play the unsympathetic character in a comedy... and have people enjoy seeing you come back time after time.

And Wynter agrees:

Quote:

I forgot to mention that I'm also a huge fan of Toda Naho's. She's prolly my fav right now!

[quote="gaijinmark"][/quote

You failed to notice Hosho Mai was the pivot...
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gomen
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I apologize for this lame review, but I'm anxious to start on Season 2!

My Review: 9/10

I have to admit, I didn�ft quite enjoy Shomuni until about the 6th episode. Each episode has its own plot, and other than the characters, which I didn�ft find attractive in the beginning, there is little connection.

However, it took me 6 episodes to realize that the connection is to be found IN the characters. It�fs a slow progression, but over time the characters swallow you up. As the episodes passed, one by one, I began looking forward to the walk the GA 2 girls and the Secretariat took before facing off; Rie�fs predictions; Chinatsu lifting that obscene latter over her shoulder; and Terasaki�fs and Nonomura�fs antics. Although the characters, especially the GA 2 girls, are a bit bizarre and extreme, they�fre quite enjoyable and very entertaining.

I was also seeing, for the first time, actors and actresses that I was familiar with play totally different roles that I was accostumed to (i.e. Kyono Kotomi, Hosho Mai, Toda Keiko, Morimoto Leo, Toda Naho, and of course Esumi Makiko). It was quite refreshing.

The Storyline is non-existent, but each plot is entertaining and well written. It�fs the characters that make the show.


On another note, yes, Toda Naho's character remains to be my fav.
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I finished the second season!

My Review: 9/10

I always have reservations starting the second season of any drama, especially when the first season was so grand. But I had nothing to worry about here.

Like with wine, the characters have gotten better with age. Now that we have gotten the initial introductions out of the way, it was fun to see the characters, especially the GA girls, be true to themselves in these new situations.

The story-lines were more varied in this season and far more hilarious. I was actually laughing out loud during some of the episodes. Everything is just a little more silly and I loved it.

I hope the third is just as good...
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Wynter wrote:

I hope the third is just as good...

It wasn't quite as good, but still about a 9.5 as opposed to the "10" I gave Shomuni2. Unfortunately, Toshihito Ito (the guy in HR) passed away shortly before Shomuni Final started. But episode 7 (I call it the "golden guy/best couple" episode) is one of my favorites of the whole series.

Finished the Third Season!

My Review: 8/10

You would think that a sequel would be dangerous after such a successful first season... but what about a third?!

I found this last season to be just as worthy of praise. Everything I said in my last two reviews for the last two seasons applies here. I am docking one point, though. I mean, c'mon. Chinatsu actually wore pants in this season

Alrighty, now I'm on to the SP.
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I finally got to watch the last "Shomuni" Special today. "Shomuni Forever".

For those who've been looking for it, I got it from:

http://mytvdrama.com/product.php?id=v014164dvd1mpg

This is the only thing I've ever bought from this seller, so I don't know how reliable they are. But I did get what I ordered.

One note. Once shipping and handling are added, the price doubles.

Another note. It does come with English subs. But they are awful. Since it was "Shomuni" I was willing to put up with them. But I don't know if I could say the same for anything else.
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