Japan dramas : Currently Reviewing

Type: Japan dramas rant

June and July will be a pretty busy month for me. I've just recently completed some new Japanese drama and there are also some new Japan drama dvd that I also need to watch so I can make reviews on those as well. Feel free to suggest any new Japanese drama or the latest Japanese drama.

I have also randomly selected a winner for that i-pod shuffle. I will post a pic of the winner once they receive their prize. For the next drawing it will be a new Japanese drama dvd. I will buy Japanese dramas that are top rated Japanese dramas only. Dramas like Hana Kimi and other popular Japan dramas.

As far as suggestions go, send me a Japanese dramas list, preferably no more than 10 Japanese dramas. Submit to me at Jdoramafan@gmail.com .

I also mentioned on my twitter that I cancelled my trip to Japan for various reasons. I am also looking for people to write me anything that is Japan related, and I will post it here on my blog. This is just to keep my Japan dramas blog fresh with new content while I go on my little vacation. I will even include a prize for whoever can write the best article or review on Japanese related stuff. This includes Japanese love dramas, Japanese anime, new japanese drama, Japanese culture, stuff like that. Make sure that it is at least 500 words or more, but I guess if you can't write 500 words on those topics then I maybe be able to make a few exceptions. Just send those in the previouslly mentioned email that I provided.

So that's it for now. I will do my best to write a review on those new Japanese drama. Don't forget to send your suggestions also.

Till next post.

- J

Jdoramfan's Squidoo Page!

Type: Japanese dramas rant

Hey guys! Check out my new Squidoo page. What's cool about it is that not only can you see a feed of my blog there but also a search field for Amazon where you can search the Japanese dramas and Japanese dvd's you are looking for!

For now this is how you can buy Japanese dvds through my blog. Eventually you will be able to buy the dvd directly from the dorama that I am reviewing!

---> J-doramafan's Click for Jdoramafan's Squidoo!

I also want to thank to all those at Crunchyroll for the feedback and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

- J

Chance! チャンス！

Recommendation:
Genre: Comedy
Type: Japanese Dramas TV series
Air period: March 7 to March 14 2009
Number of episodes: 2 part special

Synopsis is as follows:

Horikita Maki Plays as Kawamura Tamaki who has a hard time landing a job. As she sifts through her mail she is turned down by just about every company, until the last letter where she is finally accepted by a travel company as a customer service agent. As a rookie she makes a mistake by accidentally doing a job meant for more qualified employees as a travel guide. However, the department in charge of planning and travel tours is impressed by the feedback she gets from the tourists. They speak of her in glowing terms and the planning department ends up hiring Kawamura. One day on the way to her new position, she bumps into Saori tamaki (Kuroki Mesa) and accidentally switches phones with her. As a result she ends up having to create an important presentation for her company giving her a "Chance" to make something of herself.

- What I think

This Japanese drama series is kept short and sweet as a two part drama special or "Tanpatsu".

The main plot is pretty straight forward after Maki accidentally bumps into Mesa's Character and switch cell phones. She pretty much has to fake it till she makes it. As predictable as it seems, it is still a fun Japanese drama to watch with little bits of comedy here and there. There is even a particular scene where Kuroki's scene collides with Maki's scene and they film it from each of the actresses relative point of view. Kind of like how they did the movie "Elephant" (google it and/or watch "Elephant" if you don't know what I'm talking about). It would've been awesome if there were more elements like that in this special. There is also a bit of a romance going on with Mesa's character which isn't realized until the second part of the series.



The music gave it a very Westernized feel playing various American hits throughout the drama. It was different but I liked it.

As far as the actors, Horikita Maki was as adorable as ever playing Kawamura Tamaki. Her role here is yet another step into becoming a more mature and even more capable actress as if reflecting her real life transitioning from a young tv actress to a grown up and professional drama queen. She is as enjoyable to watch as ever. It is very interesting (to say the least) to see Horikita Maki in this light.

Kuroki Mesa is a very good actress in my opinion and did well in this movie and can't really say anything more about that since she has a pretty simple role.

As for Gekidan Hitori, he added to the comedic value of this dorama with his goofy facial expressions and kooky antics.

All in all, Chance is an interesting Japanese drama, although for some reason I almost expected it to be a regular 10 to 13 episode series. I got the feeling that it was a bit short lived. It was fun to watch, but as big as a Horikita Maki fan I am, sadly to say, I give this Japanese dorama a four out of five riceballs. It was fun and I'd surely give it a chance. >_<

- J

Densha Otoko でんしゃ おとこ

Recommendation:
Genre: Romance Comedy (Based on true story made into novel)
Type: Japanese Dramas TV series
Air period: July 7 to September 22 2005
Number of episodes: 11

Synopsis is as follows:

In Densha Otoko also known as "Train Man" ,Ito Atsushi plays as Yamada Tsuyoshi, an otaku (geek) who's hardcore into Japanese anime. While taking a train ride, the beautiful Aoyami Saori (Ito Misaki) is harassed by an obnoxious drunk. On the same train is Yamada. Despite his Otakuness he musters up the strength to stand up for Aoyami. Thankful for Yamada's help, Aoyami sends him these Hermes teacups. Excited, he wants to thank Aoyami. There's one problem. He does not know how to communicate with women nor has he had any significant experience with them! The ecstatic yet confused Yamada doesn't know what else to do so he turns to a BBS known as the Aladdin Channel for help. His message reaches a spectrum of characters on the channel . Touched by his situation, the members give him tips and advice on how to act around Aoyami, whom he code names as "Hermes" on the BBS. He posts his every move on the The Aladdin Channel and is cheered on by his audience as well giving him adequate feedback.


What I think:

Ito Misaki plays a beautiful and elegant Aoyami Saori, aka "Hermes". She is well suited for the role with her slender figure and innocent facial features yet at the same time emitting a sort of snobbishness at first glance. Which makes you wonder how Atsushi's character could ever attain such a woman. Watching Yamada throughout the series was rather awkward with his excessive stuttering and facial expressions which I found quite hateful at times. This train man was just one big train wreck of a character. And even awkward still was his interaction with Aoyami. They had a sort of cute yet gawky chemistry going, just a very unlikely pair indeed. It took 3 episodes of getting used to the whole awkwardness of his character; almost like an acquired taste type of thing. As hateful as his character may have been, Atsushi's performance was very convincing to say the least. Just oozing Otaku. XD

Getting past all of that, the entire series is very entertaining with a colorful cast of characters, especially Yamada's BBS buddies which range from the normal to the WTF is that. The BBS community gave Yamada the confidence to pursue Aoyami and at the same time, touched their very own lives at home with his courage and persistence. Yamada's Interaction with the community seemed to be one of the more entertaining features with him receiving a unique reply from each individual.

As far as twists go, there doesn't seem to be too many of them in this series, everything seems pretty straight forward. To finish things off, this Japanese drama series is not bad and may require some audiences to get past the first few episodes just so they can develop a sort of "acquired taste" for Yamada's Otakuness. Other than that the story is interesting and since it is mostly a comedy it's sure to keep you laughing throughout the series.




Till next post,

-J




**On a side note, Horikita Maki plays as Yamada's somewhat mean sister Aoi. Finding her in dramas where she plays a less significant supporting role is sort of an easter egg for me since I'm such a big fan of hers.

Happy Birthday Ayase Haruka!

Happy Birthday!

Type: Rant




I just had to do a shout out to Ayase Haruka since it's her birthday and all. She's awesome in all the Japanese drama series she's in.


Happy 24 Birthday,

- J

Galileo ガリレオ

Recommendation:
Genre: Mystery
Type: Japanese Dramas TV series
Air period: October 15 to December 17 2007
Number of episodes: 10

The synopsis is as follows:

Shibasaki Kou plays as rookie detective Utsumi Kaoru. Although she has a strong sense of justice and a strong will to see a case through to the end, Karou's reasoning is rather myopic. Her first assignment proves to be quite puzzling and near impossible to solve on her own. Stumped, she seeks advice from ex-colleague Kusanagi Shunpei (Kitamura Kazuki) who points her to the man that has helped him on a number of occasions, Yukawa Manabu (Fukuyama Masaharu). Otherwise known as Tantei Galileo (Detective Galileo). A genius physicist and university professor he is reluctant at first to help but when she explains the seemingly impossible circumstances to him, he becomes intrigued. However he can care less about the actual case itself, it is only the unexplainable phenomenon that interests him. Not willing to accept any super natural explanations, Yukawa is determined to solve the unatural occurance with his keen intellect and his uncanny ability to explain anything with Mathematics and Physics.

Here is a preview




What I think:

Unlike most Japanese dramas, each episode has a unique plot of it's own not at all adding to the main plot, as there is no main plot. There really is no one underlying plot involved in Galileo. The only two episodes that correlate to one another is episodes nine and ten.

As for the cast, Fukuyama Masaharu plays a composed and philosophical Galileo. Always keeping his cool and never losing face. Just maintaining a sort of monotone feel through out the series. Not to say his acting was dry but this is what his role called for so I think he pulled it off rather well. His stoic character was also balanced by Shibasaki Kou's animated and cute character making for a very interesting chemistry.

There is just about no romance involved whatsoever, although Fukuyama's and Shibasaki Kou's chemistry is bread and butter and as attractive as Shibasaki's character is, he is unphased by her stunning beauty. Even then, there was just what seemed to be a tiny hint of romance that you almost wished to happen but never went beyond speculation.

Aside from the anti-climatic romance or lack thereof, there were a lot of interesting facts in the series. I learned quite a bit and almost reminded me of Myth Busters to some extent. It even brought back memories of a Bunsen burner, some glass tubes and chemicals. No, not drugs but rather a classroom filled with scientific goodness and the smell of epic fail due to an attention span of that of a goldfish. Other than memories of adolescence and tube filled classrooms, the overall entertainment value of this Japanese drama is quite enjoyable and I even got to see one of my all-time favorite Japanese dorama queens, Horikita Maki in episode 6. That's like icing topped with more icing and a cherry on top served on glass tubes on top of a Bunsen burner.
Definitely a fun drama.





Till next post,

- J

Hotaru no Hikari ホタルノヒカリ

Recommendation:
Genre: Romance comedy
Type: Japanese Dramas TV series
Air period: July 11 to September 12 2007
Number of episodes: 10

The synopsis is as follows:

Amemiya Hotaru (Ayase Haruka) works as an organizer for a well established design company. She just recently transferred from the sales department to work with the interior team. Her co-workers view her as an efficient worker that carries herself rather well. However, her private life at home is anything but efficient nor is she the same bubbly person they encounter at work. Living alone she loves to lay around and laze on her front porch rolling around in her own mess wearing jerseys not caring about love relationships, men or anything for that matter. She comes home every night to that same spot and drinks a canned beer and wakes up the next morning covered in newpapers. The complete opposite of her organized-self at work.

One day her landlord's son, Takano Seiichi (Fujiki Naohito), has a situation with his wife. They become seperated and he decides to live alone on his dad's property to reflect on himself. To his suprise he finds a girl living there. Takano finally realizes that it is Hotaru, the efficient organizer that works for him in the interior department! Hotaru and Takano agree to living together as boss and subordinate, not as man and woman. Given the circumstances, they must keep this a secret from everyone in the company, especially to Teshima Makoto (Kato Kazuki), the man she falls in love with.



What I think:

Ayase portrays Hotaru rather well. She has some unique and funny facial expressions when she's in her himono-onna (dried up fish woman) state yet at work keeps an elegant posture and a straight face. The Hotaru at work and the Hotaru at home are on opposite ends of the spectrum. It almost seemed a bit much as if there were two characters she had to portray. Either way, Ayase was just very amusing to watch.

Fujiki proved to be very entertaining with his role as well, playing the mature and professional Takano Sheiichi. Even at home he maintains his boss-like charactaristics but at the same was pretty funny when interacting with Ayase. The two of them were just very fun to watch when they were at home especially when Hotaru was in her himono-onna state. Very entertaining to say the least. As for Kato Kazuki's acting (or lack thereof) seemed rather bland and uninteresting with his character (Teshima Makoto). He was just dry and seemed to have no feeling. If not, that was just one very boring character he had to play. No need to go into it. Next....

There are a lot of silly moments throughout the series to keep you laughing but not so much that it loses sight of the main plot. It stayed on point and kept things on a sane enough level. On the romance side of things, there is a good chemistry between Ayase and Fujiki. They are just so comfortable with each other it gives off such a good energy. Not necessarily of romance but more of a certain level of comfort as if they knew each other on a deeper level. As for Takano living there with Hotaru, it almost puts him in a situation where a romance is sure to ensue. Even so, it is really hard to tell what his true feelings are for Hotaru. Their relationship stays rather platonic througout most of the series.



As the series progresses it becomes increasingly difficult to keep her situation and her alter-ego of himono-onna , a secret. Also the fact that there are two love triangles or better yet, a love web, further complicates the situation. There were a few twists towards the end that proved to be quite interesting as well .

The set was very clean, very good lighting and was easy on the eyes. As for the music, the most notable of the songs in the soundtrack was Kousaten Days sang by Ayase Haruka herself. Awesome vocals, the song is appropriate over the scenes it was played.

Overall, Hotaru no Hikari is a good drama that will keep you laughing through all episodes, however it could've used a little more of the romantic element, even so, my recommendation is still quite high for this drama. It's just very enjoyable to watch. Check it out.





Till next post,

- J