A Stalker's Guide: Kimura Takuya
We all do that - just admit it. You watch a drama, you get hooked and the main reason is: “Oh that actor/actress is so awesome! Just so handsome/cute/talented/sassy/simply bewitching!” And after you finish one drama, you immediately search for everything they ever starred in, because you just can’t get enough of them. For that favorite of yours, you’ll watch anything from rom-coms, through action movies, detective stories to melodrama. You’ll watch genres that you’d never watch otherwise and you even might find that you like them. So I decided to start A Stalker’s Guide To: series to make the whole experience easier. I will start with my personal biases. First on the list is Yamashita Tomohisa.
An all-around Japanese idol, working in the entertainment business since childhood, one of infamous Johnny’s boys, has played many different roles, that will suit every mood. So if you have a free weekend and wish to spend some time with this superstar, here are some of his best dramas.
If you’re in the mood for professional and serious Yamapi:
Code Blue1, Special & 2
Yamashita in a role of an ambitious and skillful young surgeon, who together with other interns learn the harsh reality of ‘flying doctors’ world, wherein the hardest of conditions the life of the patients depends only on the doctor’s abilities. Operations on accident locations, life drama, moral questions, difficult decisions, inevitable fate… this drama has it all! If Aizawa-sensei seems to be a cold and indifferent person – watch on! You might be surprised when you get to know him more.
Saikou no Jinsei no Owarikata ~Ending Planner~
Talk about unusual profession! Yamashita in a role of a young, aspiring salary-man, who later on decides that taking over his family business might actually be a better and a more meaningful way of life.
Add to this reflective atmosphere, family warmth and humor and a bit of investigation and voila! You get a wonderful drama, that will make you think deeper about your life.
If you’re in a mood for adorkable Yamapi:
Yamashita is playing Ken, a guy who always meant well, but never got it quite right. Now, when he feels he is about to lose the most important person in his life and he cannot do anything about it, he gets a chance to go back in time to fix his mistakes. Will he finally learn something from that journey? Find out for yourself;-)
If a cute boy with an unexplainable passion for trains is not adorkable, I don’t know who is. Yamapi is playing one of the guys facing the most crucial problem of adolescence. The drama is fun, ridiculous even, but still manages to touch on some serious issues. Plus, you get to see a teenage version of Yamapi.
You might say that Akira, Yamapi's character in this, is a lame and insane person. But you will grow to like him. The same as many others Yamapi's characters, there is more to him than meets the eye. The story of three friends is really well-done. It was a completely different makeover story from what you might see in other dramas.
If you’re in the mood for ‘catch-me -if-you-can’ Yamapi:
The plot is exciting and witty. But my hidden motive to watch this drama was to see Yamashita in different disguises. It’s really fun to watch him acting in so many styles.
If you’re in the mood for romantic Yamapi:
Emotional romance, love triangles, and rectangles, super hot scenes, hurtful misunderstandings, cute scenes, vexing exes… it’s a bit like watching a K-drama really. ;)
Disclaimer: I’m a bit hesitant to include this one because in my opinion it lost ‘it’ somewhere in the middle, but many people I know really liked it so it’s up to you.
So the only thing left is to wish you a nice time with Tomo. ;) And if you want more… You know that MONSTERS is about to start airing, right?
If there is an actor or an actress that is worthy of a Stalker's Guide in your opinion, and you have watched enough dramas of his/hers to prove it, please contact me about it.
