YueofBlueGables
The first time I've read there was going to be a Kuroshitsuji movie, I was apprehensive. It could be either awesome or entirely wrong. Then I read the plot and I was all "wait, what???" and I knew it; I knew it was going to be a disaster.
Being a huge fan of the manga, I am very strict when it comes to adaptations. The anime was OK, but just OK, in my opinion. Why the need to change so many things? I cannot understand it, the plot and characters are perfect. The first season was... fine, I enjoyed it, but S2... it was a mess. Who the hell were Alois and his butler!? And that end.. **cringes** OMG, total disaster.
So back to the live-action. There are so many things so wrong in this movie, but I have to give credit to some good stuff. I will start to point out the ONLY good point of the movie, and then all the sins the director and staff of the movie made ti this wonderful manga.
GOOD:
- The fights-scenes: True, Sebastian has 2 fights only (and with only 1 knife! instead of several) but the one with Rin was AMAZING. I love to watch tiny Japanese girls kicking asses of several guys (and if they are in a costume, like a MAID costume, even better!) . It was very well done.
BAD... BAD:
- Sebastian: I like Hiro Mizushima, I honestly do. I loved him in HanaKimi, he was perfect as Nanba-sempai (weren't they all perfect in their respective roles in this dorama?). But he is a BIG NO as Sebastian. First of all, his hair. Sebastian with a messy hairstyle? Secondly, his dark skin. Wait, what? Sebastian, who has the palest of skins? Add to that the problem the actor had with this eyes (he looked ridiculous, why did he have to squint his eyes like that?) + the way he spoke (was that supposed to be Sebastian's manner of speaking?) and he looked like he was trying waaaay too hard.
- Setting: it is supposed to take place in a near future, but several actors wearing a Victorian costume? The character who replaces Ciel, Shiori, wears the same clothes and eye-patch that Ciel wears. But instead, she looks kind of misplaced, like she is cosplaying. Why the need to change the period of time if it is going to be Victorian-ish?
- Characters: oh my, the Shiori girl is supposed to be a descendant of the Phantomhive (she is in control of the Funtom company) and her story is almost exactly as Ciel's: her parents were murdered, she was marked with a sign, and when everything seemed like it was done for her, BOOM! Sebastian to the rescue. She disguises herself as a boy, but her nails are long and shiny as a girl's. Tanaka the butler is there (wait, what?), **cough*Mei-Rin*cough* Rin is there (wait, what?), and Undertaker?? Like, uh-huh, is that supposed to be Undertaker? He looked like an otaku dressing up for some event. Totally ridiculous...
- Plot: it was based in the first 3 volumes of the manga: Madame Red (Ciel/Shiori's aunt, with exactly the same story with the father), her... err, butler?, also kind of invincible. And no, it is not Grell (wait, what?) but some experiment she makes in a human guy. Can we say LAME? The awesomeness of that arc was, besides Grell, that it was a reference to Jack the Ripper. Which is missed in the movie.
- No "Yes, my lord": that's right, the popular expression Sebastian uses everytime Ciel commands him something does not exist in the movie (how could it? his "bocchan" is a girl). Instead, he says "as you command" **eyeroll**.
- That end: totally OoC. Like Sebastian would do that. Yeah, right.
If it weren't any cool fight scenes in the movie, it would have been a real torture. Not recommended AT ALL to the fans of the manga.
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I have to say that Hiro impressed me with his English accent. It was good and not awkward at all. His hair was a bit MEH; straight hair does not suit him and sometimes, he looked a bit like Michael Jackson. But he played his role very well; I thought sometimes he actually played the guitar (I don't know if he did or not).
Sato Takeru was OK I guess, in his role of Koyuki. The typical nice, naive boy from school, that is bullied (by no other than one of the "Crows" members!) and has basically, no interest in life. Until he meets this rocker and wants to learn to play guitar. I was more impressed with the bags under his eyes, to be honest. Such a young boy with that issue. He should have gained more weight (he was too thin when he was younger).
Osamu Mukai does well whatever he plays. Although I may prefer him in this kind of role, more tough. I did not like his bleached hair at first, but after a few minutes, I was OK with it. He did very well his role as a bassist; not too many lines but his presence was enough for me. Second best in the cast.
Kiritani Kenta was the best actor for me in this movie, hands down. I liked his rap, his crazy hairdo, and that scene where he fights against the bullies. He has such a funny face.
At least the female role in the movie, in the hands of Kutsuna Shiori, made sense (unlike in Crows :P). Her English was good, and I can't say anything bad about her acting. The transition from English to Japanese and vice-versa was well accomplished, and I liked when she was frustrated and yelled in English.
I also liked Sakurai-kun, new student at school and Koyuki's new friend. He had a good chemistry with the band, and looked to kind.
There is a good soundtrack, my favorite the one at the end ("Don't look back in anger"). There are some negative reviews about Koyuki not actually singing in the entire movie, but it did make sense to me, and I like that we only need to see people's expression to know he has a marvelous voice. Since the movie is based on a manga, and it is very hard to please people regarding something delicate as A VOICE, it was good they made it this way.
My only complain would be the length of the movie (2 hours and a half). It never drags nor it is never boring, but it is long.
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This is the first time I see a period drama (a Japanese period drama, that is). I learned so much. First, this character, Sakamoto Ryoma, who is one of Japan's hero (although you would not believe it in this show... he was more like a comedy relief, but I've read some text about him to be more informed). And then, their life styles. This is the 1862 year.
Top-notch things about this wonderful dorama:
- Cast: many familiar faces, but also some new ones. Ayase Haruka has never failed me. She is amazing in everything she does. I think I will like whatever she is in. She plays the daughter of an important family, and she wants to be a doctor (which was not possible in that time, for a woman). Needless to say, she looked gorgeous as Saki-sama, in her kimono and fancy hairdo. Her brother is Koide Keisuke, another actor that has never failed me. He may be a little to tamed here, but I liked him so much he could have said two words in the entire show and I would have still liked him. Other actor that I've recently started to like is Kiritani Kenta (as the doctor Saburi). He has such a funny face, and boy he can act! He was wonderful as the new doctor who practiced his studies with prostitutes. And then it is Nakatani Miki, as Miki and the courtesan Nokaze. WOW, what a pretty, elegant lady. I have seen her only in one movie ("Densha Otoko") and I wasn't impressed. She was too plain, in looks and in acting. Boy did I change my mind! She is beautiful, she moved me with her acting as both Nokaze and Miki. She was so elegant and lady-like as the courtesan. Everything, from her voice to her little movements, were majestic. OMG, even her little feet were elegant. I love her smile, I can't believe I once thought she was plain.
The new faces, for me, were first, Ozawa Takao as Jin. Excellent his role as the doctor. I don't think I will be able to see him in another role, he WAS Dr. Jin. He traveled in time, from present time to Edo time. It was not hard to put into his shoes. Everything he did -every life he saved, every person he met- could change history, and he was afraid of it. But more than anything, he was a doctor, so of course he changed perspectives; his and the people he met. I could understand why two strong females, like Saki and Nokaze, fall in love with him. He was just, he was kind, he was skillful. On the other hand, I could not take sides. I loved Saki, she was an independent woman who was interested in medicine. I loved Nokaze, who had a very sad past and wanted her freedom. I loved Miki, Nokaze's great-great-great-granddaughter and present girlfriend. I could understand why Jin was so aware of the little photograph he took with him (where he and Miki were posing. With every change he made into history, the photograph changed). I don't know how this will end... and although I hate love triangles -or love squares- I wish Jin all the happiness and wisdom to chose a woman among these wonderful women.
At first I thought the actor had a funny face... a bit weird, since his eyes are very apart. But with every laugh I liked him more. He had those tiny wrinkles that made him attractive, he has a nice body and nice teeth. On the other hand, he has a huge Adam's apple (is it weird to take notice of that??)
The actor who played Dr. Ogata was also wonderful. First time I see this man. He did a good job playing the most important doctor in this little town. I was moved by his tears. And I was convinced of his importance and intelligence.
The little boy... waaa, I had tears in my eyes when he was crying for his mother. At first I thought he was a bit annoying and not a good actor, but he proved me wrong with the scene with his mother.
Oh, and Kohinata Fumiyo has a small role as well! He was, of course, wonderful. WOW the number of roles he played so far! One of the most prolific Japanese actors.
The man who played Ryoma-san was good, first time I see him. I just did not like his role that much, mainly because of the way he talked, and also because I just couldn't make up my mind that a guy like him has been the most important guy in Japan history. He was just too... he took things like a joke, which is fine of course, but as Ryoma-san... not so much I guess.
- Setting: the backgrounds were beautiful. The houses -so Japanese-, the gardens! The little red district... the trees! Houses were wide and so clean.
- Costumes: Saki's kimonos and Nokaze's... O_O WOW, beyond gorgeous. Their hairstyles, Nokaze's high shoes, her make-up. I loved one of Saki's kimono which was pink. Or another that was blue with little flowers. Scratch that, I loved ALL her kimonos! From the top of their heads to their tiny feet... everything was pretty.
- The surgeries: I am one of those people that cannot see blood... and since Jin is a doctor who has to perform surgeries -brain surgery, skin surgery, breast surgery...- everything looked very real. I was like O_O OMG. And of course, praying that Jin could save his or her life. It did not always happen -obviously- but I was so happy when he did.
- Soundtrack: the ending song not so much. But the opening and the one that accompanied the most important scenes (by Takami Yu). It was sweet and a bit sad and just beautiful. I loved it and I am currently searching it to have it on my playlist. One of my favorite dorama songs.
Before I decided to watch it, I've read several reviews in order to decide. Most of the reviews said that the end was not good. I think it was good, a bit of a cliffhanger but not a life-or-death problem. It ended like it was supposed to end. Some get their happy ending, some get a HFN. A perfect way to continue a 2nd season, but for people who did not like it so much, it can also end here.
Rewatch value is 100% since I have watched it already twice.
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And a Korean-actor was cast, maybe to have a wider audience? The English he and Michelle speak was not bad, but it wasn't too good either. Which wouldn't have bothered me at all except that they talked in whispers! I had to come closer to the screen to understand at least half of it... and they were supposed to talk in English every day or so... ha! As if.
I loved the contest they have at school, it is one of my favorite plot to watch in a live-action. Kinda like HanaKimi, where there are several groups that compete against each other, in the silliest games! My favorite part of the movie! My least favorite: everything that was about Michelle and her brother. What a pain, it dragged so much sometimes. I wanted more Host Club, more Tamaki-Haruhi, not more about a girl with the most terrible hair (seriously, how could she comb that tangled mess??) and with a brother complex.
I wish the scriptwriter had chosen another arc instead of that... nevertheless, it was good to see the gang again XD
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I love Yusuke as Tamaki, he portrayed Tamaki so well. He was never stiff and I never thought he was overacting in a bad way, but in Tamaki's way. He was funny and charming, and yes, he looked silly most of the times, but that was the fun. I loved every time he was yelling "Haruhiiii!".
And the twins! OMG, they were excellent. Although I love the manga to death, I never truly liked the twins. They were too "melodramatic", and I was never a fan of their kind of fanservice (twin love incest or whatever). Worse, since I am "Tamaki Team" since chapter 1, I was never happy with the harem thing. BUT.... this dorama made me see a whole new point of view. I now understand more and accept why both of them are the way they are. And why both of them fall in love with Haruhi. At the end, they both became my 2nd favorite (which I did not have) and I admit I pitied them at the end. Poor guys :( but at least both of them love Tamaki as much as they love Haruhi, so it is not a big heartbreak.
Do I need to add that Daito was good as Kyoya? He was the perfect: handsome with an evil smile. I think that only once I thought that he needed to be taller, but otherwise, to me he was perfect (and he looked really good with glasses). Again, I never approved in the manga that Kyoya liked -romantically- Haruhi, but I liked the episode where he shows her that he could have attacked her if he wanted to. It was like seeing that scene from another light.
I've read somewhere that Kawaguchi Haruna (Haruhi) was too stiff as an actress. But to me, as Haruhi, she was perfect. I never cared about her wig; it looked good on her and I would have never guessed it was a wig, except in the first chapter when it was longer. She made good expressions when she was surprised, and whenever she smiled, she looked very cute. I am very satisfied with this Haruhi.
On the other hand, I can't say I am satisfied with Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai. Yes, the actor who played Honey-sempai looked the part, but while it works in anime and manga, it doesn't in real life. Instead of looking cute, he looked effeminate and, well, ridiculous. The CG when he hugged or jumped on someone, making him looked smaller was weird and kinda creepy. Thank God they did it only in the first couple of episodes. And really, a teenager carrying a stuffed bunny is awkward and not cute at all... As for Mori-sempai... the actor looked like him, but Mori-sempai should be a guy who either looks bored or just expression-less, not like a robot, like this actor did.
I was not really happy at first with making Nekozawa such an important character, but what can I say, I love Ryo! He is like one of my children (all Kyoryugers are) and I am just happy to watch him grow as an actor and have different roles from Kingu. And objectively, he did well as Nekozawa. Not only he looked like him, but I love how he portrayed him... it was like watching Undertaker from Kuroshitsuji, with that smile and black cape. I am so happy for him XD
The rating for this dorama was very low... it shows you that doramas with low rating can be really good! True, I wasn't a fan with the first couple of episodes, but when I was in Ep. 5 or so, I was loving it. It is true to the story, and I liked most actors in their roles. Highly recommended for OHSHC who aren't picky when it comes to looks! (Tamaki isn't blond; Honey-sempai isn't blond; Kyoya isn't tall, etc.)
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This review may contain spoilers
This is a very light drama, not the dramatic one I had expected. It was very easy to watch, and thankfully, many problems were fixed almost in the same episode, so there was no dragging.**Possible spoilers**
There may be a bit of bullying from the posh mothers' side, but it wasn't too much, just childish stuff like notes telling Kiko to go away. Nothing over-dramatic, and nothing that Kiko couldn't handle. In spite of being a single mother, she had at least her grandpa, plus her coworker. And later on, her ex. So this if far from similar to "Woman".
I liked Kimura Fumino as Kiko, she was strong and didn't overact. Never seemed pitiful, but resourceful. I think I liked Dan Rei as much (or much more) as Kimura Fumino. This actress was very lady-like, very soft-spoken. It is not hard to imagine her and her real-life husband together, they are very similar in that aspect.
The children were super cute, specially Haruto and Rika, but I can't say they were good. They overacted some times, specially Rika's crying. But I got to admit that I was tearful when Haruto made his speech of not being pitiful, with a huge smile. It was very tender.
I can't say that Kiko was perfect since her biggest flaw was her reluctance to let Haruto be with his father. But nevertheless, she was portrayed as The Heroine to the maximum, changing the life of these 4 women, who looked like they were going to Mean Mothers but turned out every one of them had a problem at home (hikkimori son, cheater husband, penniless, dictator mother-in-law). I dislike when in dramas the MC is preachy, always giving a 10-minute speech and everybody listening to her/him. This happens a lot in Mother Game. Yeah, ok Kiko-san, we get. You are perfect **eye-rolling**
Taking aside all the preach, it was engaging and somewhat relaxing. The male characters were either jerks or useless. The female were strong and never behave in a childish way (ok, except for the bullying). I mean, there were times where it would seem like the character would yell in despair, like when Satoko-san confronted her mother-in-law, but it was all very civilized.
Some of the conclusion of the stories were "and then?". So the evil mother-in-law only needed to be confronted ONCE to behave? Hmph (her son was so useless, what an a**-hole husband). And what about the Odadera's fate? The sensei (Seto Koji) was so MEH. Was he really in love with Kiko-san? What a way to show it, by being so reluctant to have working mothers in that school! I am glad of her answer.
A few complains maybe, but overall, it was easy and enjoyable to binge-watch it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Amazing how well received this dorama was, both in Japan and in the rest of the world (for people who watch doramas). In my case, unfortunately, it was a case of "everybody loves it except me". To be honest, I wasn't that interested in it, but I decided to watch it because of the wonderful reviews, and of all the awards it took that year. And I also love historical fiction, especially Japanese historical fiction, so why not.*Story: it is basically about Akiyama Tokuzo, a short-tempered boy, who after many years, becomes the Emperor's cook. He married young, but he immediately took off to Tokyo to learn how to cook, leaving his wife. Of course his parents + his in-laws were angry at him, and eventually, the in-laws make his daughter divorced from him, but he didn't care, he just wanted to be a cook. Then he goes to France, meets a french girl, falls in love. Years later, he gets the invitation to be the Emperor's Cook, decides to come back to Japan but his french girlfriend wants to stay in France, so he comes back alone. In short time, he meets his ex-wife again, marries her, have children, all while he cooks for the Emperor. Then comes the war, he has some difficulties and the story ends with him retiring after 50 and some years later.
Yeah, yeah, all very good. I see that the dorama has a lot of heart, which I absolutely love. There is a lot of friendship (Akiyama with his older brother, RIP; Akiyama and Shintaro, Akiyama and his former rival Yamagami, Akiyama and his former lover, Akiyama and his mentor...), and that is precisaly why I couldn't like the story. This is supposed to be about fighting for your dreams (which he did) but in the process, he hurts Toshiko, his wife. He makes his family suffer, his poor parents, his poor brother... Akiyama doesn't struggle so much, since everything is served to him. His brother gets him his first job, his mentor helps him to become the Cook, he gets help from people around him... Honestly, he got all too easy.
I hated how much Toshiko suffered, only because she has to go and fall for this immature brat. And then, because fate say so, they remarry. I hate that the 3 people that root so much for him were the ones that suffered so much, because of him.
All his "adventures" to become a cook were kinda boring. I think I only liked all the scenes that involved Toshiko. Episode 11 specially made me a bit teary-eyed. The final episode was not good. I hate all the American scenes, all the bully and discrimination, and the blond bully was so bad at acting! Cringe-worthy.
*Cast: the cast is top-notch. My favorite was Kuroki Haru, hands down. She was so good, she makes a perfect docile Japanese girl. She made me teary-eyed many times. Her life was so unfair :( Usami-san was also good, this kind of acting I like best (quiet, kind) and there is also the doctor from JIN who is so good at being nice and quiet too. Kiritani Kenta will always be excellent for me, he plays a laid-back guy here, happy and a bit silly (he is so good at this kind of roles). And of course, Suzuki Ryohei, the sick older brother. Poor Shutaro! It was so sad to see him thinner and thinner in every episode. If that isn't commitment from the actor, I don't know what it is.
Regarding Sato Takeru... all those reviews praising him, but also, most of those reviews say "I am a big fan of him". Well, I am not, and I can see this more objectively. To me, he was the worst in the cast. Not that he was BAD, but he wasn't good. He can cry, I give you that. But I hated how he changed his voice... why make it deeper? It felt unnatural. Because he was a short-tempered guy, the actor overacted in most of his actions, it was like watching an anime. I love overacting in comedies but it was unnecessary in this dorama, which was so real.
There were a few others who were so bad, but who weren't important to the story. Like Araki-san, the bully at Akiyama's first job... GAWD, all that shouting. The French girl was just "too happy" and the American people were so bad it is not worth mentioning again.
*Music: the OST was nice but the ED was MEH. On the other hand, the OP was so cute! I loved the little drawings (so Japanese, but in France!) and the song was well-suited. Also, the cinematography was really nice, beautiful colors and the settings were clean, clear and fresh. I almost wanted to live there.
Maybe if Akiyama were more sympathetic I would have loved this more, because the cinematography, the clothes, the period time, the food, the settings, (most of) the actors, were all excellent.
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If the manga is a 10/10, the anime is 7/10. If the anime was not good enough, the dorama is even less.
What is good:
The actors. Nakama Yukie looks exactly as Yankumi, and when she needs to appear sweet, she does, but when she has to fight, she looks like a bad-ass. The actors have a lot of chemistry: among the students, between Yankumi and her students, between Yankumi and Shin... The best moments of the dorama were all the scenes where the guys were together. And some of them look so young! Oguri Shun, Matsumoto Jun.. even an unknown Matsuyama Kenichi (who barely opens his mouth).
What was bad:
It is like the scripwriter took only the characters from the manga and nothing else. Everything was different. It seems like a crime to change such a wonderful manga. What was changed:
- Fujiyama-sensei: she lacks personality in the dorama; she is a beauty and nothing else. And she is not even a friend to Yankumi; her closer friend is an invented nurse.
- Shinohara-sensei: in the dorama, he is a detective who is not even close to Yankumi. He is always right in the middle of every fight, festival, party, etc. It was like he was working for the school or something.
- The Ooedo clan: they were a merely comic background. And the Kumicho was just a therapist for Yankumi, always there to listen to his Granddaughter issues and to have sympathy for her problems. Kyo-san is non existent, and Tetsu is "in love" with Yankumi (WTH!).
- Yankumi wants to be a teacher and nothing else. She does not want to be the Kumicho and her Grandpa supports her decision (as if Yankumi would refuse her role!).
-Every student's story: Kuma and his dad; Uchi and his mom; Shin and "his sister"... everything was made up. Honestly, I did not care about Kuma and Uchi, but that special episode, where Shin tells Yankumi that he wouldn't go to college and instead, was going to South Africa! That was such a big crime I almost burst in tears. Since when Shin cares to be a missionary?! Shin, who only wanted to study law to be the lawyer of the Ooedo clan and be beside Yankumi forever.
- The fact that she was a Yakuza is barely important. It is only relevant for her language, nothing else.
- Yankumi: this is not the actress' fault, it was the script. She acted silly most of the times. People who have read the manga know she is somewhat childish and silly, but not all the times. She was also a bad-ass, temperamental. And dorama-Yankumi likes to give looong speeches, which were kind of MEH.
Although I have to admit I almost squeal like the Shinkumi fan I am when Shin reveals he is also a rival in the love for Yankumi =D
Ending song: "Feel the breeze" by V6. Catchy song that fits the dorama perfectly.
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*Story: 10/10*
I was hooked from the very first episode. It is very human: it is about family, revenge, regrets, resentment, forgiving... Both families are still living in the past, even if the murder happened 15 years ago, but no one (except for the younger brother of Hiroki, played by Takana Kei, who looked a bit like Osamu Mukai sometimes) has moved forward. Fukami family is still sad and angry; and the Misaki/Toyama family is still with lots of regret and remorse and sadness. I love how Hiroki gets to know Futaba and slowly starts to realize that it is not the family's fault, at least not entirely. I know that it is part of the Japan society, to blame the whole family of the murderer (or criminal) and the family to become a pariah, but it was so sad! I mean, they suffered as well; they also lost a son.
And about the murderer, poor guy. He was sick. It was hard not to feel sorry for him. Total psychopath, but how it was represented you can tell he was mentally sick.
Although if we have to summarize, not a lot happens, it is never a dragging dorama.
*Acting/Cast: 10/10*
I mean, if it wasn't for the cast, I may have not watched this. I love Eita. I love Hikari. Mothers and father were also good, so pitiful... not to mention Kazama Shunsuke. I know him, of course, being a Johnny and bestie of Aiba, but I never once saw him as a Johnny; only as a pitiful murderer. Tears were abundant and all of them so good. Honestly, I wanted to comfort Hikari most of the times; she is just so vulnerable! I wanted her to be happy with Hiroki.
*Music: 10/10*
OMG, the music was so good! The OP and ED song was the same but full of feelings. And the OST is already in my playlist... sad and beautiful. I love it. I would give a 11/10 if I could.
Rewatch value: 8/10
Man, I am so disappointed with the ending. Otherwise this would have been a 10/10 for me :(
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Speaking about mangas, I was so satisfied to see that the manga used in the movie were done by the same mangaka that did BAKUMAN. His style is unique; any fan of his can recognize his work. And to see works like Otter in real life! Otter is a manga written by Hiramaru in Bakuman, and I always wanted to read it, even if it doesn't exist really.
So, the cast. There was a good chemistry between the lead actors, which didn't surprise me since I know they have worked together before. I liked that they could shake hands -or whatever you called that- only when they get serialized. It was a good point. I like that the "love story" with Miho wasn't as pathetic as in the manga/anime. In fact, they talk several times, over the phone and face to face, and it wasn't awkward, just 2 teenagers getting to know each other. She even sends him a photo of her! Something that lame Miho in anime/manga wouldn't have done. I think the scriptwriter or the director disagreed with the portrayal of the main female character in the manga/anime (it was sexist, let's be honest), so they made her less pathetic and less "I wanna be a seijuu to marry you".
Kiritani Kenta as Fukada-san was SPOT ON! He was excellent, he does this kind of character so well! The one who is rebellious and kind of a gangster but with a big heart. By far my favorite. I love his outfits, his expressions, and I am glad his role wasn't tiny. But well, all members of Fukada-team were good: Hinamaru had his moments of depression that did not fail to make me laugh, Nakai-san was there with his big belly helping his friends... True, no Aiko in the story, but it was understandable. Not all characters could be in a 2-hour-movie.
Yamada Takayuki was, I guess, a mix between the 2 editors the boys have, because he certainly wasn't confident Hattori-san. He even wears glasses and has long hair (again, not Hattori-san), and he is smaller than the boys, unlike Hattori-san. If I didn't have to compare, I'll say he was good, but nothing outstanding.
So, what was my main concern: Niizuma Eiji, who is one of my favorite characters, besides having an unique personality. Was Sometani Shouta exactly like Eiji is supposed to be? No. He wasn't as loud, as crazy, and with such weird and funny expressions and movements as Eiji. Was I disappointed? Well, not exactly. To be honest, Eiji is not a character that can be portrayed faithfully in real life, so what Sometani did was good. He did his role well, he did his research: he walked funnily, slouching, just like Eiji. He has a goofy smile, like Eiji. When he has a -metaphorically- battle against Ashirogi-sensei (penname that was never used in the movie, btw... they go by their names), he has the wings and when he is jumping, he does an Eiji-pose. Just with that I am grateful.
In the manga/anime, the guys form some kind of alliance when they encounter problems with their editorial. It begins when Saiko is in the hospital and the director forbids him to keep drawing while he is sick. All the other mangaka (Nakai-san, Aiko, Fukada-san, Eiji) support Ashirogi-sensei. Unfortunately, due lack of time in a 2-hour movie, that alliance could not be done as in the manga/anime. Instead, the guys help Saiko to finish his work. I liked that, that we could see how the guys, although rivals, are all friends. And although Eiji did not help him in drawing (it would have been very OoC) he helps in another way. Very well done, scriptwriter!
I liked the end, that things remain not-finished: Saiko and his relationship with Miho; their career as mangaka... I liked that they have this brainstorming of ideas with a blackboard, because for us fans, it was meaningful. We know what other mangas there will be, so this was like a "to be continued..."
For fans of the manga/anime, and for people interested in how the mangaka's world works, this movie is highly recommended. I am very happy to say that I wasn't disappointed and that I highly liked it.
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This is the second dorama I watched years ago -mind you, the second first Episode. After my first experience with Japanese dramas, I was excited to watch more, and after a lot of research, I decided for HYD. I barely finished Ep. 1... I disliked Doumyouji tremendously, although I did like Makino. And I have to admit, I thought the guys were very plain (they were supposed to be the most handsome of the school). So I drop it.
Then, I became a fan of Arashi. This dorama was mentioned once in a while. I started to like MatsuJun. I liked Oguri Shun a little bit. I read the manga then, and WOW, it became the shoujo manga I hate the most. But anyway, i just had to watch this, so here I am.
*This was good:
- The actresses: from Makino to Tsubaki. Makino (Inoue Mao) is a tough girl, she barely cries and she can stand up for justice. She is cute without being too cute; she is strong, she can kick ass whenever it is needed. It is not wonder why Doumyouji loves her.
- The setting: no wonder it is one of the most expensive doramas in Japan. Doumyouji’s mansion O_O, the mother’s office, the school… everything is so vast, clean and bright! But not only the buildings and rooms are beautiful; the streets are as well. It was Christmas’ time I guess, because all the lights in the street are amazing, plus the trees and the sidewalks all covered with yellowish leaves… Japan is so beautiful.
- The OST: I liked “Planetarium” by Ai Otsuka. It suited all the occasions so well. And although I am not really a fan of Arashi’s song, the opening “Wish” was fun and young-ish, and it went excellent with the presentation. It has an anime style that goes well with the dorama.
- Soujiro and Akira: I’ve read many times “Oh Doumyouji”… “Oh Hanazawa Rui”. Well, in my case was “Oh Soujiro and Akira”. Not because they are handsome (although Matsuda Shota is attractive in a very period Japanese style) but because they were so nice and easy going. In my mind, they were like Takenaga and Ranmaru (from YNSH), because the first one was more serious and the heir of a house of tea, and the second one because he liked to hang out with older, married women. They provided comic situations, they were just two sidekicks but very likable… from episode 3. Very good friends to Doumyouji (no idea why) and they helped him and Makino several times.
- Doumyouji’s love. I guess I am like all women, because I thought that Doumyouji was very romantic when he wanted to be. The times when he confessed his love to Makino, but more than anything, the times he proclaimed that of course Makino was the best of women because he chose her. And in front of many people, nonetheless! And because I am a big fan of bickers, I love every time he and Makino had their little discussions. Also, the hugs, because it is rare in a Jdorama to have REAL hugs.
- The symbol of the apple. I thought it was sweet, that it symbolized friendship. I love Japan, and find these little meaningful things is a delight.
*Kind of funny:
- The clothing. It was so bad (the shoes, the jackets... again the shoes). I guess that in Japan, while more rich, more tacky, and it is obvious here. It was so bad I liked it. I think it is part of Japan's charm...their over-the-top fashion sense. Although some guys -well, all except Doumyouji- needed a good haircut. I liked Doumyouji curly black hair; I think MatsuJun looks nice with this kind of style.
- Makino's English accent. In the last episode, Makino is a contestant of Teen Of Japan. There is a challenge where the girls have to give a speech in English. She was very cute; I could understand at least 30% of what she said :D
- When she gets trained by the F4 was also very fun. Specially because it reminded me again of YNSH.
*And the "Huh? People like this?"
- Errr.. Doumyouji. While it is true that from Episode 3 he gets more charming, I will never forget his behavior in the first episodes. I still think he is a punk who likes to punch people for no reason. But worst of all, he sent boys to gang-rape Makino. That is unforgivable! That is the lowest of the low. As my dear Mr Darcy would say: “My good opinion once lost is lost forever.” He is a sadist, not only likes to punch everyone, but he is also a bully to girls (he likes to shove them). Not the nice necklace, nor the sweet words, can make me forget and forgive that.
- Hanazawa Rui. This has to be the worst hairstyle of Oguri Shun. That color and cut were awful. He is a good looking guy, but he doesn't look like it in this dorama. I don't understand how girls can say he is a "knight" who saved Makino over and over again. While it is true that he saved her, he is far from being a knight. Or maybe I have Hanazawa Rui-manga impregnated in my mind. The first time he saved her, he told her "May be I shouldn’t have. What is the big deal? It’s only your virginity, right?". What a "knight", huh. They made him more appealing in the dorama, but I never warmed towards him. I never felt the "love triangle" from his side. He liked Makino, but that's it. He was not "in love" with her. (on the other side, it was a positive thing, cuz I hate love triangles)
- The bullying is terrible. The "Red Card" is the silliest of all, the students are all so fake, and the teachers... what teachers? Seems like this school was all students and no staff.
- Finally, to be honest, the plot is not one of its kind. Rich, spoiled boy falls in love with the poor, pariah girl. Love triangle. Bitch mother-in-law. First kiss after one bumps into the other. Both MC locked inside an elevator. Kidnapping. Dangerous situations for the girl. It was nothing new; it was almost like reading any YA book that are so popular nowadays.
To end my review, I would say that I do not regret watching this. It is, of course, A MUST. It has it funny and romantic situations, but also, a lot of silly ones. The good silly and the bad silly. I am not sure I will watch Season 2... I guess I will eventually, but after the last episode, I did not have the urge to continue.
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So once the shock of watching such a LQ dorama passed, I was hooked with the story. It has a Mexican soap opera feeling; the angles of the camera, the old soundtrack, the clothes... Even that apple in the middle of anything was so soap-opera-ish. I did not understand what it meant, although after half of the episodes, I kind of understood (the banner says "True love never runs smooth"; and it is obvious Teppei's and Riko's is True Love).
The story is a slice of life, a romantic one with several misunderstandings. Because the dorama has 11 episodes only, the misunderstandings don't last long (thankfully), but they happen one after the other.
All I can say is that the script was so well done I was immediately hooked, and it did not matter that I did not like most of the characters. Out of 5, I liked 2. I disliked the others intensely.
Who I liked?
- Riko, played by Matsu Takako. She can act, that is a big plus. Besides, I liked her personality. I like that she was so different from Sanae, that she was so easy-going and mostly annoying, but at least, very honest. Every time she cried, I was tearful. Poor girl, she suffered so much, but she never gave up! I admired her, because if I was her, I would have given up since episode 3.
- Eriko: Her best friend, interpreted by Fujiwara Noriko. She was a cheerful girl who was always there to support Riko-chan.
Before I start with the "who I did not like", I want to say that Kimura looked his best here. Not only he is younger (duh), but once he cuts his hair (or it is cut by someone else hehe) he looks really good. Nice haircut, simple but very sexy.
So...
Who I did not like?
- Teppei: while it may be true that KimuTaku looks his best here, it is also not his best role. Sure, Teppei is a "kakkoi" guy, he is a hard-worker, a nice friend and co-worker (what guy would be so nice to not have yelled at the girl who cut his glorious hair?). He also has his moments where the female audience would go "awwww" (such as when he hugs Riko from behind.. or when he runs to her hometown once he hears she is having an omiai). I had Shingo in mind during these scenes. There was a corner in SMAPxSMAP where the guys had to decide between A or B, which action is best liked by women? And according to Shingo, he had Kimura's characters in mind to decide, because Kimura's character are like, the epitome of Hero in a Romance. Well, not really. Teppei is not only a lecher, but an awful boyfriend. He makes Riko suffer constantly; he plays two sides. The only option Riko had was to trust him, and how could she? Even I had my doubts whether he really loved her or not. And once he hurt her, and she ran away, he went after her to do, what? To stay in front of her and be quiet? Say something, damn it!
Another thing I hated about him, but I guess it is all Kimura's, is that bad habit he has to smoke every damn time. In the office. Inside the taxi. At the bar. In his department. I hate smoking, and I hate that Kimura has, in that time already, smoker mouth (gray lips, stained teeth). Not appealing at all.
- Soichiro: what can I say, the Katagiri brothers are the worst. After he commits the worst crime a man can do to his fiancee, he has the nerve to ask for forgiveness. What an ass.
- Sanae: although she is nice and does not have ill intentions towards Riko, I could not stand her. The main reason is that I hate her type: perfect ex-girlfriend, perfect housewife, soft-spoken, always there with Teppei even when they have broken years ago. So fragile she needed Teppei (Te-chan **sneer**) always there for her (and the stupid guy who had to comfort her even when his Girlfriend was there suffering). Besides, first she "loves" Soichiro; then turns out, she has always loved Teppei, and at the end, she wants to try things over with Soichiro. Make up your mind, woman!
To me, the story was somewhat similar to Inuyasha (I love that manga/anime). Teppei is like Inuyasha (although Inuyasha was more sensible, and he truly appreciated Kagome), even their personalities were alike: serious, rescuing whoever needed him. Riko is like Kagome, suffering because her love one cannot forget his first love. And although she suffers and cries because of him, she cannot go away. Better to suffer than not being with him. I cannot say Sanae is like Kikyo because she is not... at all.
There is not a single boring moment on these 11 episodes; true, there were times where I was biting my nails because of certain misunderstandings (although I was always rooting for Riko, and if she misunderstood something, it was for a good reason). I would recommend it to people who likes or liked to watch Latin soap operas.
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It may be dull to watch a movie where the entire story happens inside a small, dark room, but Kisaragi proves the opposite. The script was very good, well paced, and I love the mystery. Not predictable at all. I was finding out the truth along the guys. The plot is the kind I love to read in books.
The actors were all good in their parts. Heck, another movie with Oguri Shun :S but his role was very different from the kind I saw so far: not cocky, not cool, just a fanboy happy to celebrate his favorite idol gravure's anniversary death.
It is funny because currently I am reading a book about idols, and almost everything they say in the movie about the girl's life is in the book...
Very recommended. Only 5 guys inside a room, trying to solve a mystery. But how the mystery is portrayed was spectacular XD
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- Good cast: many good actors (Yamada Takayuki, Osamu Mukai, Shibasaki Kou), many popular actors (Fujiki Naohito, Mizuhara Kiko, Maeda Atsuko), good guest actors (Namase Katsuhisa, Nishida Toshiyuki) BUT, to me, only 3 were exceptionally good. They were Kaho, Osamu Mukai and Takahashi Issei. I may have cried a little bit with Kaho and Issei, their roles were touching and they were so good, with such a natural acting. I can't say the same for Oguri Shun as Saburo... he can't play a goofy guy without seem pathetic. It was like he was trying too hard. There was no chemistry between him and his wife; it was like they were more siblings like a married couple. Yamada Takayuki was too creepy (creepy smile, creepy role and creepy stalking). There were a lot of shouting; "donno!" this, "donno!" that; the guy who played Mori was laughably bad.
- Beautiful outfits, with a nice fabric and catching colors. BUT, they were hardly historical costumes. They were too modern. WTH with Nobunaga and his outfits that resembled pajamas? If I am correct, the dorama takes a span of at least 6-7 years (at the beginning Nobunaga's sister gets married and at the end, she has 3 daughters). Saburo goes to the Warring States period with a pair of grey socks. And by the end of the dorama, he still has the same pair? Because in no way he kept at least half a dozen of the same socks in his bag. He goes with a white hoodie, and in the 2nd episode he has ANOTHER white hoodie. I get that he has to have some outfits that make him HIM, a person from another time, but to have his clothes half in one fabric and half in another was too much...
- It has it touching moments, like the one with Oyuki and Ichi and her husband, BUT there were many corny scenes as well. I hate when the dorama shows the audience how nice and kind a person is, trying to sell us his/her good image just to kill that character later. Not that I liked the guy, he was so pathetic. I couldn't even watch his face, and every time he shouted "Donno!!", my, how annoying. His son was another pathetic character.
- I like time travel stories, BUT, it was never explained WHY or HOW Saburo traveled in time. And what about the others? And what happens in the present day? I guess I am comparing it to JIN, where all was well explained.
- I liked that Saburo, with his fresh personality, made his retainers to love him, BUT it was also kind of ridiculous and far from believable how he escaped several dangerous situations, how no one wondered about his clothes or weird behavior.
- Good OST, there was one sweet, quiet one. I liked the opening sequence + the opening song (it was like adventurous, rockish) and the ending song is one of Mr Children, whom I know now from Orange Days. It was a good song, BUT there was one soundtrack that didn't suit the story at all and it was used several times when it wasn't supposed to be used. Like, it was a serious scene but the OST was like a fun one.
- I did not like the end. Besides, from being an annoyed Nobunaga's loyal retainer ("You are not the real Nobunaga, go away please") he suddenly decides that "please, stay with us donno". Huh? Make up your mind Tsune-chan. I hate that I won't see a likable character anymore in the movie, and that a hateful one will still be there with that creepy smile.
I don't know, many things would have been OK if this was a comedy, but it wasn't. And it wasn't a JIN either.
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I loved Hiramasa-san, he is the epitome of what I consider Japanese men to be. Quiet, well educated, cold-looking, awkward, hardworking, no interest in woman or having a relationship. Main interest is living a quiet, comfortable life. All of these changes once he makes a marriage contract with Mikuri-san. I like how their relationship evolved. We may not have seen much skinship and lovey-dovey things between them, but that was precisely the charm. Mikuri has to do all the work but with patience. A man like Hiramasa-san would be scared off otherwise, ha! I like how she came up with little things (like Tuesday's hugs) to be closer to each other. And just when you thought this Hiramasa was just too slow and wouldn't do anything to take things further, he surprises us with a kiss! (ok, I was not surprised since I was spoiled on Tumblr... and because when that kiss happened, the kiss in YOI also happened. Ha!)
I am not really a super fan of Gakki, but she had a wonderful character in this dorama. It was impossible not to cheer for her, not to root for her. It was lovely how she falls for this little guy (this is not a lie... Hoshino Gen is truly little!). I love her imagination and how the dorama shows us how her mind works! The little scenes of her imagination were always funny to watch.
The other characters were all likable. In the past, I used to be not a fan of relationship between a much older woman and a much younger man. But in this case, it wasn't possible to not root for Yuri-san and the Ikemen-guy. Yuri-san is such a beautiful woman! I couldn't believe she was 49 years old, so I had to look it up. I am surprised to say that she is 47! She looks like 40 or less, even if you can see her wrinkles, which makes her even more pretty, because she is all natural! The age gap is not that much in real life (it is 11 instead of 17 years), and Kazami was a lucky guy to have her at the end. I love her point of view regarding marriage and being single, and I teared up a little bit the time she cried.
Story: As mentioned before, I was very interested in this story because Hiramasa-san represents Japan male youth nowadays. But it is not only that, the dorama also focuses on work and being a housewife, and being a new-mother who has a husband in an affair (and prefers divorce instead of accepting said affair... as far as I know, because of what I have read, Japanese women prefer to ignore the affairs of their husbands), and there is also romantic relationship between an older woman with a younger man, and a bit about homosexuality and the pressure of a Japanese person to come back to Japan after having lived outside for so long. I mean, although this was a romantic comedy (more comedy than romantic, and to emphasize this, I have to say I laughed out loud in almost every episode), there were also many serious and contemporary issues. The main issue may be entirely Japanese (main male character is an herbivorous guy) but the other issues are worldwide. The only, let's say "twist", that wasn't too much of my liking was the one at the end with Numata-san. And that's because he is like 60 years old and the boy is like 20. Ew.
Music: Excellent OST. So fine, the OP isn't "OMG, I LOVE IT!", but it is cute and with a nice mood and fits the dorama perfectly. The soundtrack that goes along the dorama was soo good. Like Italian-like (with acchordeon), and it was almost in every laid-back scene. And of course, the ED "KOI" is so catchy! I thought I wouldn't be part of the fandom, but I was wrong! The dance is cute, Hoshino Gen certainly can sing on live, and it will always be part of the best months of 2016 for me. One, because I visited Japan, and two, because YOI was also broadcasted at the same time. So from now on, every time I listen to this song it will be a natsukasshii! feeling for me XD
I would totally rewatch this, no doubt. And would I recommend it? Heck yes! This may not -yet- be one of my favorite dorama (I can't say WHY exactly), but I can say that anyone who wants to watch a light but realistic dorama, to give this a try. There are no silly misunderstandings, no overacting, no stupid tears, so soap-opera-ish scenes... totally recommended.
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