Spent an extra 30 mins in training to learn some of Kanjo, thanks goes to Parvez for the good spar and bruises :)
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Sunday, June 01, 2008
J-Drama Summary Puzzle Episode 1
Tis the season for one word titles - Puzzle, Rookie, Battery, Change...
"Misako Ayukawa, a woman in her 30s, is an English teacher with ironically poor English skills. She values herself over her students, and money over love. She displays arrogance in front of her students, but acts pleasantly around her peers and family.
However, Ayukawa possesses a brilliant mind for solving puzzles. She ends up tackling various cases around the school along with 3 of her top students" Wiki Entry.
Ishihara Satomi (H2, N's Aoi) stars as Ayukawa Misako.
Satomi is usually portrayed as a ditzy innocent young woman, but her she plays the role of a early 30's hopeless Substitute English teacher who is like cute and candy on the outside but to her students she is cold and hoarse. Makes you wonder which of her persona's and voices is the real deal?
That is the highlight of the show is Satomi's "anti" personality and the way she bullies her students around (much taller than her too).
Unfortunately the Japanese language being as complex as it is, doesn't make for understanding how they solve some of the word games easy.
The way they go about trying to solve the puzzles is hilarious and makes for a enjoyable show. I look forward to seeing more of it and it's being subbed by Querbeet who did Security Police so should be some prompt releases.
Read More......J-Drama Summary Coin Locker Monogatari
Talk about strange!
Kojima Haruna (Singer from AKB48 and also in Yamada Taro Monogatari) stars as Hayama Miki.
"Miki, a high school student, has a secret involving a coin locker."
That says it all, Miki - a spitely high school girl -hangs out at the lockers at Shijuku Station, hanging around and always having her eye on locker 56. She even starts helping the station manager so she can sleep in his office at nights. 1st episode she chases a university professor with a fetish for female students, 2nd episode she helps an idol who is leading a double life.
There are only 4 episodes in the series so her secret will be out soon, but a strange and pretty easy going drama is about 20 minutes each episode so this is worth a watch in between all the other 45 minute long dramas...
Read More......Friday, May 30, 2008
J-Drama Watch: CHANGE Episode 1 summary
Yes I am back at long last!!
Kimura Takuya (Engine) plays Asakura Keita
Fukatsu Eri (Saiyuuki, Narito Rikon, Odoru Daisousasen) as Miyama Rika
Abe Hiroshi (Kekkon Dekinai Otoko, Dragon Zakura) as Nirasawa Katsutoshi
Kato Rosa (Jotei) as Miyamoto Hikari
"The story begins with the deaths of ruling party's Fukuoka legislator and his eldest son, his heir apparent, in an accident. It is decided that a by-election will be held, and Kanbayashi Masaichi, the leader of the ruling party, and secretary Miyama Rika conceive the idea of fielding the second son, Asakura Keita, who had been renounced by his father." Taken from D-Addicts Wiki.
Plucked from a easy going life and thrust in to the final week of a local election Asakura Keita, who is an unwilling candidate has to hit the ground running in this high tempo, high speed political drama.
Eri chan is back after her world famous stint as the monk in Saiyuuki (Journey to the West) and is pale and energetic as ever! She plays the secretary for the party's leader and is at the helm of the election campaign. While Abe Hiroshi puts completes the outing with a boot camp feel (Dragon Zakura all over again?) to add to the tension.
Looks good, and well scripted and the dialogs are fast and fluid, about time we had a good drama for the current season!
Special mention for Kato Rosa (previously in Jotei) who is very cute and fit in well.
Read More......Monday, March 10, 2008
Lack of updates
Series cut short, others finished but nothing that exciting.
Dear all,
I apologise for the obvious lack of updates, seems I have lost all will the blog at the moment after seeing Prison Break and Terminator series cut short (13 and 9 episodes respectively), Smallville only showing 2 episodes this years, and a lack of quality hard subs for Japanese Dramas.
There has been some light though, LIFE subbed by SOS is moving along at a better pace, and Hanayome wa Yakudoshi has been finished, so expect a review soon.
I haven't progressed at all with Bara no nai Hanaya and One Pound Gospel is a bit too light weight to appeal to me at the moment (9 episodes in the series).
Naruto has been sooooo slow this season - they still haven't got to Sasuke after 49 episodes, while Bleach is charging towards the end of it's story arc.
Maybe Heroes will be back soon? Maybe there will be some good dramas this upcoming season?
Expect reviews for Security Police and possibly Nodame Special - look out for Proposal Diasakusen special in the Spring!
Read More......Friday, February 01, 2008
Bara no nai Hanaya - J Drama preview
Finally I have something to bring you in 2008!
"
Shiomi Eiji is forced to become a single father when his girlfriend passes away while giving birth to their daughter, Shizuku. Desolate after the loss of the woman he loved, Eiji has little time or desire to even consider remarrying, working part-time jobs just to make ends meet. The one thing that gives meaning and joy to his life is Shizuku, but even that begins to trouble him when Shizuku begins acting strange, hiding her face by putting a cloth over her head when around other people.
One day after opening his flower shop, Eiji comes across a blind woman standing by the door, taking shelter from the rain. When he invites her to come inside the shop, she at first refuses, but later gives in to Eiji's kindness. They become intimate friends and she slowly grows to depend on Eiji's sincerity and good heartedness. After rescuing her a following evening when she walks into the street and is nearly struck by traffic, Eiji himself inexplicably discovers the cold of winter that has saddled his heart all these years slowly melting away... " - D-addicts Wiki entry.
Katori Shingo plays Shiomi Eiji (Saiyuuki)
Takeuchi Yuko plays Shirato Eiji (Lunch no Joou, Style, Pride)
Matsuda Shota is Kudo Naoya (Hana Yori Dango, Liar Game)
Yagi Yuki is Shiomi Shizuku
Yuko Chan is back! She plays a blind woman who accepts some help from the big hearted Eiji, but she seems to sense a lack of compassion from Eiji and wants him to forget his late wife and go out with her. Later in the first episode its revealed that she is in fact a nurse and is under orders from a superior to infiltrate Eiji's life and destroy him, how will this unfold - would Eiji ever find out?
Yuko still retains her elegance and looks but goes well with Shingo and the quick and witty dialogue suits the style of the show.
I was surprised to see Matsuda Shota in this series playing the bit part player of someone down on his luck and forced to leave his girlfriend and convinces Eiji to let him stay a while.
Point of interest is the young child Yuki, she plays her part well with strong delivery of her lines and solid acting, coupled with the fact she looks a bit like the deceased mother all adds to an interesting character.
The drama moves at a steady pace (apart from the intro which moves through (rather well made I might add) about 7-8 years of the father and child's life. Lines are good and the acting is pretty good throughout, the camera work is no slouch either with some fine night time shots and atmospheric shots during the raining scenes.
So far there are 2 episodes hard subbed by Love Song, I look forward to this show and the kind of stories that might evolve!
Read More......Sunday, January 20, 2008
J Drama updates Winter 2008
Honey & Clover, 1 Pound Gospel and more news!
Hello, I haven't updated recently since I have been waiting for some hard subbed dramas to come out.
I have been filling my Xmas time with watching older dramas such as Mukodono 2003 (Sars-Fansubs) and Shiawase ni Naritai (soft subs).
There was one J drama special one off feudal era comedy with Inoue Mao called Anmitsu Hime which was good fun to watch even it wasn't subbed yet (accidentally started watching it thinking it was a preview!), expect a review soon!
There are some hard subs to note - Sars-Fansubs have subbed episode 1 of Honey and Clover! Check their site for the details.
One Pound Gospel or 1 Pound no Fukuin is a comedy romance starring the ever popular Kamenashi Kazuya of KAT-TUN fame and has had episode one hard subbed by Sailor Spork Productions, again check their site for the details.
I have updated my Google notebook with links to the D-Addict forums topics with Soft subs that are starting up:
http://www.google.com/notebook/public/11986609191240181779/BDUkRQgoQuYSGp6si
Only have Saito San, Ashita no Kita Yoshio and Koshonin to show for at the moment!
Read More......Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Upcoming J Dramas in Winter 2008
My watch list for January till March
D-Addicts list of upcoming dramas for the new season
Remember in Japan the year's seasons are Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. So 2008 will start with Winter!
This line up may change depending on what I can get subtitles for :)
The layout of the list is title, genre then on to the leading actors (and some of the other series they have starred in).
Some of these are recommendations - while others of actors I am not familiar with - doesn't hurt to try new faces?
Bara no nai Hanaya, Human Drama
Katori Shingo (saiyuuki), Takeuchi Yuko (Lunch Queen, Style)
Hachimistu to Clover (Honey and Clover), Friendship & Romance
Narumi Riko (ruri no shima), Ikuta Toma (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, Akihabara@DEEP)
Saito-san, Comedy
Mizuki Arisa, Mimura
Binbo Danshi, Comedy
Oguri Shun (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e)
Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi, Comedy
Tamaki Hiroshi (Nodame Cantabile), Ayase Haruka (Hotaru no Hikari)
Daisuki!!, Human Drama
Karina (Bambino), Hiraoka Yuta (First Kiss)
Mirai Koshi Meguru, Comedy
Fukada Kyoko (Strawberry on the Shortcake, Yama Onna Kabe Onna)
Atsu-hime, Retro
Miyazaki Aoi
Sasaki Fusai no Jingi Naki Tatakai, Comedy
Inagaki Goro, Koyuki
Nodame Cantabile Special
Ueno Juri, Tamaki Hiroshi
I will update my google notebook with a list of soft subs as soon as the ball gets rolling! Thanks!
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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Dream Again - J Drama Review
Finally finished a drama from the current season - worth the wait!
Cast:
Sorimachi Takashi (GTO) stars as Ogi Shunsuke & Asahina Takaya:
Kato Ai (IWGP) as Ninomiya Satsuki:
Shida Mirai (14 Sai no Haha) as Fujimoto Hina:
Aota Noriko as Ushiyama Momoko:
Miyake Hiroki as Kumada Tsunehito:
Watanabe Tetsu as Maeda Kenzo
Suga Takamasa as Hishinuma Tsukasa
"Ogi is a baseball home run hero for the Giants but is forced to retire due to a shoulder injury, but years later he has been busy with other jobs and retraining in the hope of a dream comeback into baseball.
But a sudden accident claims his life but he gets a 2nd chance but only in the body of another man! The show follows the man as he tries to get by with his daily life as a wealthy fund company manager but still trying to realise his dream of playing baseball again in his new body." Taken straight from the preview.
This series is classed more as a sports/human drama - it has subtle blends of family,sports,romance and human drama mixed in.
The opening episode is really well set up for viewers - the plot is something new and fresh as are the cast.
Shunsuke's fool hardy approach to try juggling work at the Asahina company and train to become a pro baseball player again wins him many fans from employees to his daughter - and Mirai does a sterling job as Hina, more on that later.
Shunsuke gets close to fulfilling his dream of pro baseball but at a price, Hina has been hiding her heart condition hoping she can live out her last few months in a family and she is in a critical condition on her 2nd heart attack.
Shunsuke passes the pro baseball test as he promised with Hina but she is not recovering, in an act of love and desperation he pleads with Tanaka (Kodama Kiyoshi) who is like the angel looking over Shunsuke to swap his life for hers - take his life in exchange for her to survive and live on.
At the last moments Satsuki learns from the coach Kenzo (Watanabe Tetsu) that he is going to trade his life with Hina's, teary moments ensue and Shunsuke says that chasing his dream was more important than making it reality, he regrets not being able to make her happy with his own hands.
The fact that Asahina starts to fall for Satsuki again mid way through the series and she starts to see more of Shunsuke in him adds complexity - because Shunsuke cannot reveal his true identity directly to anyone or risks losing his new body completely!
He dies and Hina comes back to life from the brink of death - no Shunsuke is cheering her on from the afterlife. Tanaka has seen a massive changing in Shunsuke and throws a spanner in the works by sending us back to the beginning of the show!
Now Ogi Shunsuke is alive and reconciles with Satsuki, and the past plays out differently - Shunsuke gets back to pro baseball, Kenzo gets to go out with Kayo, and Mirai is alive and living with the real Asahina who looks to be more mellow now.
For the whole of the last episode I knew he was going to swap his life for Hina but I thought there might be a minor chance of something stopping it - like Tanaka saying he was just testing him! But I truly didn't expect it to all rewind to the start!
I was really moved by Mirai's performance in the episode when she is on the verge of trying to end her life because she has no future thanks to her heart condition, while Kato was in a real wreck emotionally because she kept being dropped hints that Asahina was in fact Shunsuke, but when she overhears Shunsuke talking to Tanaka she is broken to hear that he is Ogi Shunsuke, and likewise when he is going to die she is a wreck too. You begin to feel for her as it must be an emotional rollercoaster ride!
Takashi plays his role well, sometimes he is a bit naive or arrogant - a reflection of the old Ogi Shunsuke, and is rather cold emotionally but you warm to his baseball related antics and his constant attempts to understand the stock market!
This drama didn't get high rankings in Japan but with massive amount of air time dedicated to these actors I was well satisfied with their performances and am looking for more from them in the future.
This is a really enjoyable and satisfactory watch especially during the cold winter evenings! I will give this a 7 out of 10 because of the great cast otherwise it would be a 6.5.
Technorati tags: j-tv, drama, dream again, takashi, mirai, kato, shunsuke, satsuke, hina, japan, japanese drama, review
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Saturday, December 22, 2007
Joundan Janai - J Drama Review
A fun filled family comedy with a twist.
Read my summary for a brief introduction.
Oda Yuji (Odoru Daisousasen, Last Christmas) stars as Takamura Keita and his young wife Ellen (Ueno Juri - Nadame Cantabile) along with Ellen's Mum and Keita's ex girlfriend Hirose Rei (Ohtake Shinobu).
Having finished watched the older Nodame Cantabile I find Ueno Juri has matured massively from her previous role but still retains that loli kawaii look and those cute gestures making her a much better all round actress.
Oda Yuji is of course superb as usual and is solid throughout the series.
There are plenty of love triangles or other love interests but notably is Hirose Rei and Nonomura Saeko (Iijima Naoko) but Saeko stands out a lot and is a pretty powerful and attractive presence despite her age (39).
Towards the end of the series the comedy is a bit thin while they try to make head ways with the plot. But it all comes together in the end and ends pretty well, although I was disappointed by the wishy washy attitude of Ellen - possibly over emphasising her young age.
I would certainly recommend a look at this series and I would rate it a modest 7 out of 10.
Technorati tags: Ohtake, Shinobu, Ueno, Juri, Oda, Yuji, Iijima, Naoko, j-tv, j drama, joudan, janai, review
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Sunday, December 16, 2007
Smallville Season 7 episode 9 Summary
The messy filler like episode...
Seems Clark disappeared for 2 days at the end of the last episode and now he is back and wants Lana to open up and reveal everything she has on Lex and project Psion. Meanwhile the bulk of this episode is made up of badly written and badly acted story of a stalker who contacts Louis forcing her to write his story about Luthorcorp, threatening her that if she fails to cooperate he will kill Chloe.
The story that he is trying to expose was that he was a clone made in Lex's labs and he was an inferior specimen (since he is rapidly aging), but when Louis confronts the Chief Editor (Grant or Julian) we discover that both this stalker and Grant are clones.
Clark saves Chloe from the bomb in her purse and she exposes her truth about her meteor powers to Jimmy and even demonstrates her healing powers to him.
We hear again how Milton Find is probably back thanks to the liquid in the last two episodes. But more serious is that fact the Clark in this episode was bizarro Clark while the real Clark is still imprisoned in the Fortress!
Smallville will be on the writer's strike and will be off till Jan 08 somepoint.
This episode didn't get me excited much, just that scene at the end (see picture) was the highlight.
Technorati Tags: smallville
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Friday, December 14, 2007
Naruto Shippuuden 39 - Summary
The Hell Happened here?
Sai scopes out the meeting point in advanced to make sure it wasn't an Akatsuki ambush and then Yamato uses a wood element based transformation to mimic Sasori and uses Sakura's help to imitate his voice.
The Akatsuki spy was none other than Orochimaru's right hand spy Kabuto! Seems as though Sasori had put a spell on him and sent him to Orochimaru.
Amazingly Orochimaru appears on the scene and Kabuto turns against Sasori and Yamato has to reveal himself as he tries to escape Orochimaru's attacks.
He has seen through Yamato's plans and asks him to call the three "rats" he has hiding, Yamato gives the signal and Sakura, Naruto and Sai jump in.
Orochimaru is pleased to see Sakura and Naruto again and feels he can have some fun here, taunting Naruto asking him if he has improved more than Sasuke.
The animation was so much better than the last 4-5 episodes and I hope it stays that way for the duration of the series.
Read More......Thursday, December 13, 2007
Bleach 151-152 Summary
We get some Bankai Action!
Ichigo engages in his fight with Fallen Espada Dordonii, who makes light work of Ichigo when he releases his Zanpakutou and wants Ichigo to release his Bankai and fight him at full strength.
It's only when Nel gets sucked into the fight does Ichigo release his Bankai and then Dordonii attacks Nel some more to get him to unleash his hollow powers.
Ichigo wants that he will only see it for a second and it proves right when he beats him with only one hit.
They try to help the downed Dordonii with Nel's healing spit (lol) but Dordonii only gets ready to fight back.
Nice to see just pure fighting for most of this episode even if it was just Ichigo getting whacked around!
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Mop Girl - J Drama Summary
A Kawaii new star in this funny but cute comedy.
Review at Dannychoo.com (possible spoilers)
"Kitagawa plays the part of the slow but hardworking Momoko, a low-ranking employee at a funeral services company who carries a mop as part of her job. However, Momoko happens to possess a strange ability. Whenever she comes across the corpse of someone who has left strong feelings behind, she travels back in time to save that person from his or her fate".
Pretty new to the Japan Drama scene is model Kitagawa Keiko who plays Hasegawa Momoko a slow but energetic young woman who gets demoted from a Wedding planner company to a funeral one and now is part of a team who clean up murder scenes after the police have checked the scene.
Keiko is almost like a younger more rounded Ito Misaki, but in this role she is almost like a anime character making bizarre but cute noises and actions.
I felt after episode 1 that this might be similar to Jikou Keisatsu mixed in with the time travelling elements of Proposal Daisakusen, since it has murder solving elements which only span 1 episode. But the comic script allows you to see past the cheesy murder mystery and enjoy a good laugh and admire the cute Keiko Chan.
Episode 2 is more of the same but Keiko is really fitting well into the role and you can see there is virtually zero plot, but its good fun never the less.
This is being soft/hard subbed by TimeLesSub at a now standard winter pace of only 2 episodes thus far (sub thread is here).
Read More......Tuesday, December 11, 2007
When to grow up from high school dramas...
Isn't it about time the same old faces stop trying to be 16 year olds?
Read my preview of Dream Again
Ninomiya Satsuki played by Kato Ai plays a pretty and sensitive lawyer who has lost her boyfriend in the freak lightening death of Ogi Shinsuke. Kato Ai played a teenager in Ikebukuro West Gate Park (special review) but this drama is clearly showing that you still retain your class and gain respect and elegance when you play an adult.
Cant say the same about the current series Yukan Club as you can see in the shot below there are faces in there that were in Gokusen 2 (2005), played a teacher in My Boss My Hero (2006) while there's one guy is 26!! Give it a break! This series would have been just right as University students instead..
One the other hand Shida Mirai who plays the terminally ill Fujimoto Hina has come on leaps and bounds and is a really pivotal character in the Dream Again show as she radiates confidence and displays 2 distinct before and after personalities.
J Drama REWIND: Strawberry on the Shortcake
A bizarre but intriguing love story with an unusual twist.
This aired in 2001 and is voted in at number 34 all time Japanese drama by viewers at JDorama.com.
Takisawa Hideaki plays final year student Irie Manato, who has become so withdrawn that his outward "persona" is completely different person.
One day he meets a strange girl - Misawa Yui played by Fukada Kyoko, who is totally up front and honest and helps him put his "persona" behind him.
He gets drawn towards Yui, but is caught in limbo when he finds out his father is remarrying and the woman's daughter is non other than Yui!
No matter how hard he tries to resist he ultimately gets drawn to Yui's vibrant personality.
The drama also stars Uchiyama Rina as Sawamura Haruka (the Girl next door who has a long unexplained longing for Manato)and Kubozuka Yosuke as Saeko Tetsuya (IWGP, GTO) who eventually becomes the person Yui chases after and ultimately Manato's nemesis.
No matter what Manoto tries or who ever else gets between him and Yui his feelings increase to such a point that he will do anything to protect her and keep her happy - even turning against his friend Tetsuya.
The last episode kind of reminded me of Hana Yori Dango Season 2's finale - trapped in a snow storm and being forced to find shelter in a safe house till the morning.
I guess the only down side is the Manato and Haruka relationship which is complex and subtle but kind of branches off into nothingness and Haruka's final demise is a bit sudden and not very well laid out as the Manato x Haruka or Manato x Yui or Yui x Tetsuya or even Tetsuya x Mariko (the class English teacher).
It is an interesting watch - only 10 episodes, and moves along at a slow day to day pace almost - which is good to see once in a while as you get to see the character interactions and the pretty decent written script.
I would give this a 7 out of 10 since it wraps up nicely at the end not leaving you dissatisfied or wanting more.
Read More......Monday, December 10, 2007
ERIKA - Destination Nowhere
Opening Theme to the new J Drama - Mop Girl
Sawajiri Erika releases her 2nd hit song which is the opening theme for the currently airing in Japan.
Pretty decent song, as you can see it was released around Halloween time - hence the theme.
I would like to see Erika back in the Dramas but currently her pop and movie career have taken off since she did the songs in her last Drama "Taiyo no Uta".
Mop Girl Summary is going to be up soon as I finished watching episode 2 so I can give a more unbiased view of this interesting series.
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