47th NHK Taiga Drama: Atsu-hime

[gaijinmark]

concertmaster: Racer's right. Just because we don't agree on Aitsu Hime is not really a good reason to leave. If you had asked me after episode 2 what I thought of it, I would have said I think it has the potential to be the worst taiga since Yoshitsune. But I really like the last two episodes. We'll see, maybe by episode 20 I'll be back to thinking it totally sucks. It's just a TV show.

[Kijinnmaru]

gaijinmark wrote:

Well, I'll give them credit for trying something different. If by "unique" you mean the obligatory scene every episode of 10 guys sitting cross-legged in a dimly lit room muttering to each other, I'll pass. I've already seen that scene. (A couple thousand times )

Unique as in a country that had a weak central government and provinces fighting/allying/betraying to gain power/survive/control the country. True feudalism is quite rare in history, and requires the above along with isolation. Combine that with samurai ideals-note I didn't say bushido; I think most here know how I feel about that load of bull-and Japanese historical dramas offer something that is quite unique from similar dramas around the world. Both the discussions of the times and the etiquettes are part of the complete immersion of such dramas. Would you prefer a 49 episode drama in ancient Japan where the characters are doing the "V" and talking about zits and being a player? This is one of the reasons I hate most of the garbage that Hong Kong churns out. "Trying something different" is good if actual useful innovation is the product, but different for the sake of different is absurd. I thought Knight's Tale sucked. I thought Azumi's "different" was the best example of combining a lousy plot with too much money, booze, and drug use.

I won't argue with you about why you like it. If you prefer "Taiga Romance", then that's enough reason why you should enjoy it. Like how I have my own preferences. If someone tells me that the drama is great for no other reason than the actor/actress who is underperforming, well that's a different story. What one likes and actual quality are two different things.

[bmwracer]

Kijinnmaru wrote:

If someone tells me that the drama is great for no other reason than the actor/actress who is underperforming, well that's a different story. What one likes and actual quality are two different things.

True that, dude.

[ralphm1999]

Sometimes I like delving into history. But not in Japanese dramas. I watch them because they are different from the dreary monotony of American fare. I like them because they have beautiful girls; they have great scenery; Even the male actors are superior to American offerings; they have nice long dramas letting me get totally involved with the story; the filming techniques are inspiring; I enjoy the fairy tale quality inherent in most of their dramas by virtue of the dress, the mannerisms, the set designs. I am not into watching those that portray angst, murder, or endings with a star dying after the entire drama sucks you in to wanting the star to live a long romantic happy life... my masochist days are over forever. As for taigas, great for serious students of history... not me.

So Atsu hime fulfills all that I want from a Japanese drama due mostly to Aoi chan's delightful protrayal of the princess. For me it's a continuation of Nana where I was enchanted by this elfin girl and saddened that she did not continue in the sequel. Since I am not working on the set with her, I could care less how self serving she might be in that environment. Now I can look forward to almost a whole year of seeing her on my TV screen once a week. What could be more pleasureable for a person with such shallow depth as myself who has no interest in serious viewing... Call me what you want, I simply want to enjoy my drama watching. Yippeee....

[Geezer]

I love Taiga Dramas.

I've been watching them faithfully for the last 14 years.

But "Atsuhime" is already wearing thin after only 6 episodes.

I've started thinking of it as the Shirley Temple Taiga. Where the cute as a button little Princess is ever so sweet, and ever so precious, ever so precocious... and ever so worried about the poooor.

This is the story of The Lollipop Shogunate.

I keep waiting for Bill Robinson to come out in a bath robe and do a tap number with her.
_________________

Manga is to Literature
what Graffiti is to Art

[bmwracer]

Geezer wrote:

I love Taiga Dramas. I've been watching them faithfully for the last 14 years. But "Atsuhime" is already wearing thin after only 6 episodes. I've started thinking of it as the Shirley Temple Taiga. Where the cute as a button little Princess is ever so sweet, and ever so precious, ever so precocious... and ever so worried about the poooor. This is the story of The Lollipop Shogunate. I keep waiting for Bill Robinson to come out in a bath robe and do a tap number with her.

LOL.

[gaijinmark]

Geezer: Although I'm liking it more than you, the analogy I was thinking of with Aoi and Eita was more along the lines of Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland in the old "Andy Hardy" series. Hopefully, I won't be seeing a subtitle where somebody says, "Let's put on a show and save the Emperor!"

[Itazura ichiban]

Many of these shows, especially taiga dorama, are puzzling to gaijin. Of course, because we are not the target audience. He haven't been prepped on Japanese history, or led to romanticize certain eras and characters. For instance, Astu Hime's suitor was actually a fairly famous figure, Toshi tells me. So instead of my thinking, "what a loser", Japanese would be thinking, "is that how he started?"

When we saw Musashi, she was mor interested in Sasaki Kojiro; apparently a matinee idol had played him in an earlier movie about Musashi.

So we not of Yamata, see these dramas through a glass darkly, and we get what we can from the stories.
_________________

- Douglas

[ralphm1999]

gaijinmark wrote:

Geezer: Although I'm liking it more than you, the analogy I was thinking of with Aoi and Eita was more along the lines of Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland in the old "Andy Hardy" series. Hopefully, I won't be seeing a subtitle where somebody says, "Let's put on a show and save the Emperor!"

That is the perfect analogy. So that's why I like this so much since I was a fan of both Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. (and Shirley Temple).
Thanks Atsu hime (and Aoi chan) for taking the boring seriousness out of a taiga and making a most enjoyable watchable fresh and lively drama.
Yippee....

[Geezer]

I'm happy for you Ralph. Enjoy.

But don't be surprised if other Taiga fans are less... enthusiastic about it.

After all, you said yourself, you don't normally like Taigas. But you like this one. It should give you a hint that (thus far) this one is fundamentally different.

It's like when I read a movie review in the newspaper that starts off:

Normally I hate Science Fiction, but this movie is different....

Or

I've always hated Horror movies, but this one...

Once that reviewer starts to praise the movie they've seen, I can be pretty sure I'm gonna dislike it. Why? Because I like Science Fiction. I like Horror.

And if a person who dislikes those genres finds "this new movie" to be wonderful... it usually means "this new movie" lacks the elements that go into making a good Sci-fi or Horror movie.

I don't begrudge you your joy of getting to watch something you enjoy.

I'm just disappointed that I'm already losing interest in it... and it's what's gonna be running on TV every week... for a year.

And considering how little Japanese programming we get up here in Northern California... that's sort of a drag.
_________________

Manga is to Literature
what Graffiti is to Art

[bmwracer]

Geezer wrote:

And considering how little Japanese programming we get up here in Northern California... that's sort of a drag.

Maybe a good time to re-watch one of the older Taigas, eh Geez?

[ralphm1999]

Geezer wrote:

I'm happy for you Ralph. Enjoy. But don't be surprised if other Taiga fans are less... enthusiastic about it.

I would be surprised if the regular Taiga fans liked it.

However, consider how many new Taiga fans will be created by this new Taiga experiment.

I hope it catches on since I know it will attract the legions who like myself are more enthralled by a romanticized version of history than the mundane bland school history version.

For example, last night, I accidentally saw the beginning of the Ten Commandmants (which I've seen before, not to mention I was one of the tens of thousands of extras in it back in the early 50s). Before I knew it 4 1/2 hours had passed and I was still fascinated by it. And I thought about this American version of a Taiga and realized that it was the skill of Cecil B. DeMille who instead of projecting a pure religious vehicle, wove an intricate suspenseful drama which included some of the most beautiful actresses of the 50s and more than a dash of romance.

So from now on, let's settle on 50 50 of the boring historically accurate Taiga versions and the romanticized suspenseful dramatic versions to satisfy all sides of the Taiga participants.

[Kijinnmaru]

They're all romanticized versions of history. In fact, the better taigas have almost a "fairy tale/legend" feel to them. They follow an outline of history rather than being accurate.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news(yeah, right ) but this "new Taiga experiment" isn't new. They tried the whole popular leads/contemporary acting/modern mannerism and issues Taiga a few years back with Emo-gumi, er....Shinsengumi. It sucked and watching it was comparable to passing a kidney stone. It started off with good ratings but plummetted when all the Shingo fangirls and fanboys(hey I'm trying to be understanding) realized they had to watch 49 episodes of history. It didn't create many new fans then, and it likely won't create many this time around.

[bmwracer]

Kijinnmaru wrote:

They're all romanticized versions of history. In fact, the better taigas have almost a "fairy tale/legend" feel to them. They follow an outline of history rather than being accurate.

Yes.

The worst thing that could happen if they turn it into a melodrama.

[Itazura ichiban]

They've been experimenting with bringing in the Younger Crowd into taiga dorama. SMAP as Shinsengumi, Gackt as whatever, etc.

But maybe we'll get lucky and see some chanbara, eh Geezer?
_________________

- Douglas

[bmwracer]

Itazura ichiban wrote:

But maybe we'll get lucky and see some chanbara, eh Geezer?

From Astuhime herself?

[ralphm1999]

Wow. Tonight's episode of Atsu Hime was mesmerizing and it's only the 7th episode. This incredibly powerful and suspensful drama has reached the point where I anxiously await the next episode and chaff at the long week before it appears. Now I remember how I used to wait for the daily ration of Churasan when it was doled out a pitiful 13 or so minutes per day.

Well, for a drama that started out so mediocre and boring, it is now packing a wallop of incredible intensity due in no small part to the super super acting of Aoi chan. Her charm and radiance in turn brings out the best of the actors orbiting in her presence. This is how Taigas should be produced to ensare even the most Taiga avoiders like myself.

[ralphm1999]

Only 4 hours to episode 8 of Atsu hime. I can't believe I'm counting the hours until it's on. But then when something is this good, it's worth looking forward to... right all you other lucky people in the Ch18 area?

[Itazura ichiban]

bmwracer wrote:

From Astuhime herself?

After this week's episode, I am afraid that we're not likely to get more thrilling than picking out nice kimonos...
_________________

- Douglas

[ralphm1999]

Once again a great spellbinding mesmerizing episode. I don't know how it can get any better. This is so good it will be worth watching over and over of course taking turns with Churasan. Great acting, scenery. Kudos to the producers, directors and of course Aoi chan who is now in the upper atmosphere of great Japanese actors.