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Nodame Cantabile
5.27.2008 12:29 PM \| Link	I've enjoyed the story of Nodame Cantabile both as a manga and even a video game for quite some time, so I knew the drama would be fun to watch - but I had no idea it would become my favorite drama yet! The story is about students at a music academy (I always describe it as Fame with classical music) and their struggles both academically and emotionally. The main characters are Nodame, a piano savant who is slightly crazy and lives in a room full of garbage, and Chiaki, a brilliant, refined conductor who lives next door in a kind of Odd Couple relationship. There are tons of other interesting student personalities, along with Maestro Stressman, a famous European professor who is basically a philosophical pervert! The series is full of emotion and comedy at the same time, even using anime style effects every now and then, and easily had me crying by the fourth episode (a new record, I think!). This drama is extra special for me because I love classical music, and watching everyone learn and perform famous pieces was wonderful - I especially enjoyed how Nodame "talks" to the composers to get to know them as a way of understanding their music. Music is used as a metaphor for enjoying life throughout the series, and it really makes its point well during the several concerts and competitions - watching everyone work so hard and then succeed is just inspiring (and tear inducing!). This is the first time I watched a drama while I'm in the middle of the manga series, and it was interesting to notice the differences while they were fresh on my mind. Of course, there are plenty of cute actresses to enjoy, and Ueno Juri as Nodame herself can be stunning, even though most of the time she's crazed and frazzled. I also watched the amazing four-hour special that came out after the series ended, and it was great to enjoy another wonderful story set mostly in Europe with lots of on-location shooting. I think Nodame Cantabile has something for everyone - romance, comedy, and inspiration, and I'm looking forward to watching the whole thing again someday! Labels: jdrama
First Kiss
4.28.2008 8:15 AM \| Link	Wow, it's been way too long since I enjoyed an entire Japanese drama series! I actually downloaded First Kiss in December of last year, but only watched one episode before my Christmas DVD avalanche, so I'm glad I finally had time to see it all. I didn't know anything about this show, but I wanted to see something else with Inoue Mao since I loved her so much in Hana Yori Dango. Unfortunately, in this series she spends the first several episodes being a total jerk - it's tough to watch her being such a mean-spirited character at first, but I guess that comes along with having a terminal heart condition! Her character Mio decides to spend a summer in Japan with her older brother before she has a risky operation, and her simple but kind-hearted brother decides he wants her to find love so her summer will be full of good memories. Of course, there are tons of supporting characters, such as her brother's funny roommates, her lead doctor (played by the female lead from Nanisama, who was nice to see again), the young doctor who becomes the romance of the show, and her brother's devoted girlfried Haruna, who ends up rejected (how can they do that with such a cute character?). Part of the show is set in Los Angeles, with some of the worst "they have no idea what they are saying" English I've heard, but once we get to Japan the story gets moving fast, and starts the tear-jerking machine in motion. I've begun to see that Episode 6 is usually the "major crisis" episode in these shows, and this time it included a huge typhoon while Mio's brother tries to get her some nitro medicine! The build-up to the inevitable romantic kiss is especially good, and the final life lessons are well-presented and interesting, especially if you think about how life would be if it could suddenly end. First Kiss isn't a spectacular drama, but I really enjoyed it, and now that I have the craving for more, I've already downloaded two more series to watch (maybe I can get to them before Christmas)! Labels: jdrama
Dr. Koto's Clinic
11.24.2007 7:25 AM \| Link	My pal Barron watches a lot more Japanese drama than I do, so his reviews really help me filter out what I should watch with my limited time. He went absolutely crazy for Dr. Koto's Clinic, so I had to watch it, and I just finished the whole series yesterday. When I started watching the first episode unfold, I was a little worried that the series was going to be too slow for me, since all the dramas I've watched previously have been much more goofy and romantic, but suddenly there was a dramatic appendectomy happening on a boat in the dark, and I knew I was hooked! The basic plot involves a talented doctor from Tokyo who moves to a remote island as the only doctor for a small community of people. Koto has to gain their trust, and he does so in the most gentle, caring way, making him one of the most fascinating and inspiring characters I can think of! All of the acting is wonderful, with actors ranging from old folks who truly seem crazy and children who can cry so convincingly. And speaking of crying, this is definitely an emotional drama! There are lots of other things to say about this great series, but to me its best quality is the way it communicates the value of living and what life is all about. Dr. Koto finds a way to persevere and enjoy his circumstances, and affects everyone around him not only by saving their lives on the operating table, but by demonstrating humble dignity and love. Dr. Koto's Clinic perfectly accentuated my thankful Thanksgiving mood! Labels: jdrama
Hana Yori Dango (Season 2)
11.12.2007 6:20 AM \| Link	A great way to take breaks from studying Japanese all day is to watch an episode of a Japanese drama, so suddenly I'm already finished watching the second season of Hana Yori Dango! I really enjoyed the first season, so I was looking forward to finding out what could happen next. The first episode is double-length to kick things off, and even takes place mostly on location in New York City, but unfortunately I thought it was disappointing (just like the first episode of the first season), since it was filled with too many boring flashbacks to last season. Thankfully, every other episode really delivered, and now I think overall that the second season is much better than the first! The main plot this time has to do with a marriage forced by Tsukasa's witch mom as a business ploy for a corporate merger, so while Tsukasa is busy with his fiancee Shigeru, Tsukushi has lots of time to spend with Rui (who I still like more than Tsukasa as a character). Shigeru starts off disgusting but eventually becomes a fascinating personality, but besides this main thread, there are loads of subplots to flesh out the other characters. I loved the story of Tsukushi's brother's kokuhaku, as well as Yuki's love for Nishikado. The end of the season gets a little weird with a convenient "selective memory loss" plot, and introduces a new cutie named Umi-chan, but she turns out to be the most evil of them all! Finally everything wraps up a little too perfectly, but when you're sitting there crying in front of the TV, you don't really care! In the end, both seasons of Hana Yori Dango were so much fun to watch, and I'm definitely going to miss it now (but I'm going to check out First Kiss soon so I can see more of Inoue Mao)! Labels: jdrama
Hana Yori Dango
10.07.2007 9:04 AM \| Link	I haven't had the time to watch a Japanese drama series in ages, but now that I'm enjoying being caught-up on the DVD watching, I finally got around to checking out Hana Yori Dango, which I downloaded a million years ago! Unlike the series I've watched in the past, which sucked me in within the first few minutes, I actually didn't care for this show at all after the first episode. The storyline, about a poor but spirited girl trying to survive in an elite school basically run by four super-rich brat guys (the "Flower 4"), was just a little out there for me, and the boy characters were so evil that I just hated them and all the trouble they were causing poor Tsukushi! Thankfully things recovered very quickly in the second episode, once they did a little character development on the boys, and I really enjoyed watching Tsukasa and Tsukushi getting stuck in the elevator. The love triangle involving Rui was fun (and I found myself rooting for the wrong guy), and the whole subplot with the insane ultra-cute girl was interesting and bizarre! So once things got moving, it didn't take long for me to get caught up in all of the characters, their friends, and their families (Tsukushi's family is especially warm and entertaining!), and the big finale with the Teen of Japan competition is pretty exciting. Of course, I found myself crying out of the blue - maybe it's just the music, but Japanese dramas are so skilled at digging out the emotion! It was interesting to see Matsumoto Jun as Tsukasa, since to me he will always be Shin from Gokusen (since that was his first role for me), but I can't wait to see Inoue Mao in another role - her eyes are so expressive and amazing! Hana Yori Dango isn't the best drama I've seen, but it was so great to be watching any Japanese drama again that I loved it! Labels: jdrama
Gokusen (Season 2)
1.29.2007 8:28 AM \| Link	Since I've had so many things to watch lately, it's been a while since I took the time to enjoy a nice Japanese drama. Back in August, I was addicted to Gokusen Season 1, so I decided it was time to finally watch Gokusen Season 2! Most people seem to enjoy the second season more than the first, but it's not so clear-cut to me - I think both seasons are equally fantastic, but of course there's always something special about starting a show when you already know the established characters. Since most of the cast graduated from Yankumi's high school class in the last season, there's a new bunch of delinquents for her to tame (although Kuma from Season 1 shows up a lot, too). The hideous head teacher is back, but he's not the real enemy anymore - that job goes to the superintendent, who definitely makes you hate him with each evil smile! The series formula is pretty much the same, and Yankumi's fighting scenes are just as unconvincing, but the action doesn't really matter. The story still has the unbelievable power to twist your emotions around until you're forced to sit in front of the TV, laughing and crying, until Yankumi teaches these guys (and the audience) about life! I can always use some inspiring words about doing my best and living without regrets, and they might as well come from the beautiful Yankumi! Labels: jdrama
Gokusen (Season 1)
8.25.2006 7:30 PM \| Link	I've finished watching another classic Japanese drama, the incredibly popular Gokusen (gangster teacher) that lots of drama fans call their favorite! I first heard about this show in a YesJapan video, and when I mentioned it to my pal Barron, he got the show and shared it with me. The plot is really simple - Yamaguchi Kumiko is the heir to a notorious yakuza (Japanese mafia) family, but decides to become a school teacher instead. Of course, she's assigned to Class 3-D, full of the most trouble-making delinquents at the school! Kumiko is a sweet, geeky girl with glasses, but when her students need her, the glasses come off and she kicks butt - one of the big jokes is that she starts speaking in "yakuza mode", and everyone around her is shocked at her language! Each episode is full of comedy and plenty of heart-warming moments, and the cast has so many great characters. The 3-D students are cool and likeable in their own way, and the other teachers are great, too (this was the first time I actually knew some of the actors, including 1st generation Morning Musume member Nakazawa Yuko). Even though this series has 12 episodes (one more than usual), I still felt like it ended too soon - I could have easily watched more! This show was so popular in Japan that it inspired a second season (which I will watch soon!), a manga, and even an anime (which I will rent!). I'm totally hooked on Japanese drama! Labels: jdrama
Densha Otoko
8.09.2006 8:56 PM \| Link	I've finished watching my third Japanese TV drama! (I wonder if I'll be saying "I've finished my 137th drama" in a few years?) My pal Barron has been so nice getting shows for me, and recently he gave me all 11 episodes (plus an extra bonus episode) of Densha Otoko. Recently this has been a famous story in Japan - kind of a "true life" fairy tale. It's about an otaku (geek like me) who happens to stand up for a beautiful girl being bothered on a train, and he tells his story on the internet. Tons of "fans" start giving him advice (as well as the name Densha Otoko, or Train Man), and their message board exchange goes on for several months, as he gains courage and eventually gets the girl! The story was so popular that it was made into a TV show, a movie, and even several manga. The TV series was fantastic - definitely full of over-the-top acting and situations, but so heartwarming and full of emotion. Several episodes had me in happy tears! It's always fun to root for the underdog, and this is a great story that's really uplifting. I loved how they spent time not only on the main plot, but also on various lives of the other people posting messages, all of them finding courage to change their lives for the better because of the inspiration of Densha Otoko himself. The show is full of cool anime references and otaku culture, and I enjoyed every minute of it! Labels: jdrama
Star no Koi
7.20.2006 10:42 PM \| Link	I've finished my second complete Japanese dorama and I'm definitely getting hooked! Just what I need, another obsession that requires hours and hours of free time! This time I watched all 11 episodes of Star no Koi (which Mikie-san loaned to me), and it was a wonderful, heart-warming show. The plot is about Sousuke (that name is so popular!), a regular guy who works at a ham sales office (you definitely learn a lot about exotic hams in this show) who accidently meets Hikaruko, a famous actress. Through all kinds of coincidences, they end up seeing a lot of each other - he falls in love since he's just been dumped by a childhood romance (and that fact that Hikaruko is gorgeous), and she slowly falls in love with him since she's lived a sheltered star's life since childhood and he is full of appreciation for the simple things in life. There are tons of funny scenes (I especially enjoy seeing everyone getting tipsy at the izakaya), but all kinds of emotional moments, too - I cried much more than I did when I watched Nanisama! There are wonderful messages here about following your dreams and breaking down imaginary barriers that are encouraging to hear, so I really loved this series. I have to say that the last episode is pretty hokey (it uses a "future flash-ahead" that's kind of silly), but it's still great. Now I'm ready to tackle some of the shows that Barron gave me! Labels: jdrama
Nanisama!
6.16.2006 9:41 PM \| Link	I've finished watching my first official Japanese TV drama, and it was so much fun! The show was Nanisama, which is an older show from 1998 - Mikie-san loaned me the DVDs, and she definitely picked out a great story for me. If you don't know, Japanese dramas have a limited number of episodes, so the plot definitely has a beginning, middle, and end, rather than just continuing on and on until cancellation like shows in America. I guess they're like soap operas with higher production values! Nanisama is about a likeable office worker and his troubles with his new female boss, a high-strung consultant, who secretly has another life (with her young son). I was surprised to see there were so many characters, and each of them is given enough scenes to develop. There are lots of hilarious scenes, and many, many touching moments as well (definitely good material to work up some tears). I really enjoyed watching the whole thing - it's just like a 10-hour movie! I'll definitely have to suppliment my anime consumption with more live-action dramas, I think. Labels: jdrama


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