Hana Yori Dango

Let see, I haven’t done any review for ages! Haha! Oh well, time to make another miracle come back by reviewing one of the drama I recently watched =)



Today’s review is about a drama that was quite popular (later you will know why the drama is an hot item >.> ), which is Hana Yori Dango a.k.a Boys Over Flower (what a gay name, seriously <.< ). The genre of this story is more towards romance and comedy.

The drama focused on a bimbo a.k.a poor girl (in Japanese term), which enrolled in a super-rich high school, Eitoku Gakuen, which only filled with filthy rich students. The girl, Makino Tsukushi (played by Inoue Mao <3 ), spent the rest of her years ion school by staying low and unnoticed due to afraid to be caught by the school’s weird ceremory/behavior. The central of the trouble, known as F4 a.k.a Flower Four (what the heck with this gay naming -.-), a group of four damn rich ‘bishounens’ (handsome guy in Japanese). They are idolized by the whole school and no one dare to go against them.

The member of F4, the playboy, Nishikado Soujiro (by Matsuda Shota)a heir of a tea ceremony school, Mimasaka Akira (by Abe Tsuyoshi) a madam killer whom parents had relation with the underground. Next, the mysterious and quiet Hanazawa Rui (by Oguri Shun), and the leader himself, Domyoji Tsukasa (by Matsumoto Jun), the son and heir of the biggest finance group.

The whole story started when Tsukushi tried to protect her friend from receiving punishment due to ‘Red Notice’. Due to the action, she instead received the ‘Red Notice’ shortly after that. She retaliates in the final moment and declared war with the F4 (with a BANG :P ), which no one have ever done. That was the turn point for the whole story began.

My own opinion on this series, it is seriously pissing me off >.< Why you asked me? This is because the dumb Tsukushi and Tsukasa >.< Thanks to their characteristics, I felt like punching them most of the time >.< Tsukushi, a naïve girl that always jumped to conclusion and only think for the worst case scenario. Tsukasa, a thick-headed, arrogant, and also always jumped to conclusion without even thinking. One more to boot, his Japanese grammar skills will laugh your asses off from the chair >.>

Hana Yori Dango had a season 2 and also a movie. I watched them all, but my summary about the others are pretty much less the same as the above paragraph. But actually the story flow itself was quite interesting. The background soundtrack also is a plus.

In the end, I would recommend everyone to watch this series. It might piss you off (both Tsukasa and Tsukushi’s characteristics), but I bet you will want to know what will happen in the end. I’m sorry to disappoint, but for me, the ending was a little bit… bleak? :P I can give it 7/10 though… Anyway, do try a first few episodes and see whether you will like it or not =p

Ciao~

Yukan Club

A story made for kids, that was what i had in my mind after finishing this drama. Wait, i don't think even kids would love this drama. I guess this was made just for the fans only >_> Yukan Club, literally means Leisure Club, in a school. If you ever watched an anime named Ouran High School Host Club before, it is almost the same. A story about a group of student whom ditch class and hang out in their clubroom. A bad example for kids <_< Usually these people will seek adventures while they are free and even involve with some police cases. The action is quite decent though. But the thing that failed this story for me is the characteristic of each character.

Miroku (played by Akanishi Jin), a motorbike lover and a MacGyver wannabe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver). Always sticking his nose to his dad's problem (his dad is a police commissioner >_>) and try to investigate as he is free anyway (for God sake, go to class is better <_<).

Seishiro (played by Yokoyuma Yu) somehow look decent but, always act too bossy >_>

Granmarie (played by Taguchi Junnosuke) is one of the character that i want to stab-to-death >_> A playboy character and somehow i found that he is too overacting >_>

Yuri (played by Minami) is a messed up character. She behave like a guy (hence the way she spreading her legs while walking instead of cat-walking >_>) A hyperactive girl with no brains lolz

Karen (played by Suzuki Emi) is the character i want to stab-to-death the most >_< Her role is a popular, beautiful with a super nice body which attracts most guys. Seriously, her appearance in this series is super ugly and i don't know what the make up guys are doing o_o Plus with her desire for rich guy, it made me more pissed :-@

Noriko (played by Kashii Yuu) is the "real" beautiful girl in this series. But... she also has a twisted characteristic, hate for men >_> but in the entire series she spent with Miroku, Seishiro, and Granmarie, she was ok. What the hell with that? o_o

So basically it is a-little-bit-bad drama to watch, i mean if you guys doesn't mind the awful characteristics with the main cast. Well, i'm bothered with that >_> But nevertheless, the actions were pretty good plus the adventure they got into were interesting. The ending was kind of so-so, so don't expect too much of it. Overall i can give it as 5/10 as the characters are sucks >_> I would recommend much this drama unless you are a big fan of those actors/actresses <_< Happy watching.

Ciao~

Nodame Cantabile + Europe Special

Yeah, after a long i went into the depth of my slumber, a new drama review xD This time we will be looking at a drama that based on classic musical or in another term, orchestra =) For those that think the story is just plain boring with classical music playing all the way, you are terribly mistaken xD Well, of course the music is there, but it is enjoying as this drama is a comedy based drama plus anime-like funny scenes xp

Our main character, Chiaki Shinichi (played by Tamaki Hiroshi), is a piano student in a music academy in Japan. During his childhood, he grew up in Europe and fell in love with classical music as he idolize the great conductor, Viera. Ever since, he always dream to be an orchestra conductor one day and travel to Europe back again. But... he has a phobia of something that prevented him from going to Europe xD In order to search for his quest, he met an infamous conductor strolling in his university, Strezmann, seeking him to be his mentor.

The heroine? Noda Megumi a.k.a Nodame (played by Ueno Juri <3), is a chaotic, carefree, and perverted pianist xD She studied in the same university as Chiaki and also in the piano department but under different teacher. She is a very talented pianist but actually she can't read the music notes at all xD Her goal was to become a kindergarten music teacher and she already produced a few music notes for the class. Her fateful encounter with Chiaki made her realized her true potential as a pianist.

Basically this story is damn good, especially for people who loved comedy and classical music x) There are pretty much comedy in every episode and Nodame's characteristic always made my day x) I'd give it a 9/10 as it doesn't have a quite proper ending, but nevertheless, it is enjoying =)

[WARNING, POST BELOW CONTAIN POSSIBLE SPOILERS!]

Nodame Cantabile Europe Special

Yes, this is an extension to the previous drama where the story continue as both Chiaki and Nodame went to Paris to pursue each own goal. Chiaki is joining the Conductor Competition in order to evaluate himself whether his skill is accepted in Europe level or not. Meanwhile Nodame is preparing for her new music academy in school where she accepted the scholarship offer to go there.

This special contains 2 episode as each episode dedicate to each character. Beside that, this special more concentrate on the love development between those two =) Nevertheless, the comedy is still there to entertain you x) Overall i can give it 9/10 as i feel it still need a proper ending, a piano concerto where Chiaki conducting the orchestra while Nodame playing the piano (my wishfull thinking xD). Anyway, hope you guys will enjoy this drama as i did. Engrossed with the power of classic x)

Ciao~

Dragon Zakura

Ummmmm... for those that need some motivation or tips for exams xD



Seriously this is kinda a weird drama, teaching you and giving viewers on tips how to score your exams >_> Oh well =D As i've said, this drama mainly about exams. Apparently there is a high school where the overall average of 36%, and about to declare bankrupt. So a lawyer was sent in order to give the school their notice and bankrupt. But instead of doing that, the lawyer intended to change the school reputation and at the same time save the school from bankruptcy by having 5 students from this school enrolled to Tokyo University (the most prestigious university in Japan). So he started a special on his own with his own selected teachers and own methods as the other teachers laughing at them. How they gonna end up? Go and watch it by yourself xD

Our hero, or should i say the only main character (as the heroine is pretty useless >_>)is Sakuragi Kenji (played by Abe Hiroshi) is once a member of motorcycle gang and finally end up being a laywer, a poor lawyer i can say <_< Due to his background, most of the poeple will say he is once a gangster although later he tried to explain that gangster and motorcycle gang is different xD He determine to teach the special class students until they managed to enrolled into Tokyo University using his own method.

Honestly i will say this drama kinda suitable for those that going to take exams, as it offer some quite good tips for studying (although i seriously don't feel like following it =p ). It also teaches the meaning of living and what will you face in this world (reality in other word). There are a few popular cast in this drama like Yamashita Tomohisa and Aragaki Yui. Overall i can give it a 3/10 since mostly it is about exams and it doesn't focus much on other characters like the students and the ending kinda so-so >_> Well, if you are interested about the exam tips, you might as well watch it xD

Ciao~

Kurosagi

<_< >_> this time we will look a drama that based on swindling



Swindling? Yes swindling. This story is mainly about swindling, meaning any type of swindling whether money, belonging, or trust. Normally in this world there is people who swindle for money, which is called Shirosagi (white swindler). Then there is a swindler who manipulate others feeling, that is Akasagi (red swindler). This drama is focus on the third, which uses Shirosagi and Akasagi as his main food, the ultimate swinder in history, Kurosagi (black swindler).

Our hero is Kurosaki (played by Yamashita Tomohisa) is an orphan where all his family member got killed by his won dad due to he got swindled by a person. Since he lost his sanity, so he dicided to kill his entire family since he don't have the money to support them. Somehow our hero managed to stay alive, or should i say saved by the nick of time. So after a few years passed by, he is living by seeking revenge to the person who tricked his dad that lead to the horrific incident. In order to catch the guy, he turns himself as Kurosagi and search any Shirosagi and swindle them back, at the same time, helps the victim.

Our heroine, Yoshikawa Tsurara (played by Horikita Maki <3 ) is a law student which determine to be a prosecutor one day after she graduates. Her first encounter with Kurosaki when during the incident at the train station. When she knows about Kurosaki's job, she tried to oppose as hard as she can, or should i say the entire drama she didn't give up on keep on asking Kurosaki to stop swindling and be a good person.

This drama i can say is quite unique and good =) It is mixed with suspense and at the same time the sadness of Kurosaki. I really like the main theme soundtrack (not the OP), but too bad isn't available to download =( It is a very interesting story while at the same time it teaches you in this world we can be tricked easily. Despite the ending is ok. But, but, there will be a movie of this drama releasing this August 2008 if i'm not mistaken. I think this one will have a proper ending =) Overall i give it 10/10 since it have a good storyline plus good soundtrack, plus Yamashita-san superb acting =D Hope you will enjoy this drama like i did =)

Ciao~

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Another great drama review =D



The above picture isn't for fooling your eyes, this drama contains lots of cute guys in action xD So for those that very interested in beautiful guys (girls usually =p). Its name is quite long but for those that read the manga before, they should familiar with the word Hana-Kimi. Anyway, this story is about a girl who disguised as a boy in order to enroll in all-boys school. The mission? She wants to help a guy (one of the student in that school) to get back to high jumping since this guy quited high jumping due to certain incident. You will know later when u watch the series =)

Our main character, the heroine that is xD is Ashiya Mizuki (played by Horikita Maki <3 ) actually is a japanese which currently staying in California USA. She had to fought with her parents when she wanted to came back to japan. She cuts her hair, wear vest instead of bra, use pants instead of skirt, and had to walk and talk like a guy xD

Our heroes, yes heroes xD are Nakatsu Shuichi (played by Ikuta Toma) and Sano Izumi (played by Oguri Shun). Nakatsu is really a hilarious character. I guarantee that you will love this character like i did xD The other is Sano Izumi where the person Ashiya Mizuki wanted to resume high jumping. This guy is kinda irritating at first and very cold to Ashiya. So Ashiya need to find her way to persuade him to get back to high jumping while maintaining her undercover >_>

This drama have 12 episodes with one SP in between episode 11 and 12. As for me, i really enjoyed the humor and chaotic scenes around the school xD This is one good drama that can make u have a good laugh =) Overall i can give it 10/10 since i myself really fond with comedy series =) Hope you will enjoy as i did =D

Ciao~

Nobuta wo Produce

This time i gonna review about a drama that have quite a few popular artists xD



This drama basically is about two guys (Kiritani Shuuji and Kusano Akira) trying to help a girl (Kotani Nobuko) to become popular in school. The girl just recently transferred to the school and since she has a 'dark' personality, she often bullied by others. So Shuuji and Akira decided to 'produce' her becoming a better and popular person in the school thus giving her a new nickname that is Nobuta =D

Our heroes, Kiritani Shuuji (played by Kamenashi Kazuya) and Kusano Akira (played by Yamashita Tomohisa) is both a high school student studying in the same class. Shuuji is very popular in the school and people respected him as he will help people no matter what. But actually his real personality is not like that. He just pretend to be nice. I can say this guy got a psychological problem >_> Meanwhile Akira is a laid-back and carefree person since he can't find the meaning of living <_< As for Shuuji, he really hate to be friend with Akira since it won't benefit him at all but Akira doesn't even want to care what Shuuji think and just keep be friend with Shuuji xD

The heroine will be Kotani Nobuka a.k.a Nobuta (played by Horikita Maki) is a shy and timid girl. Her first appearance in the drama made me think she is sort of an orphan and live by herself (since she has a long untreated hair plus dirty clothes >_>) She transferred to Shuuji and Akira's school as a transfer student. Upon from the day she started school, she often being bullied by some of the girls due to her personality and appearance. So will the 'produce' thingy work? Watch the show to find out xD

By the way, both Kamenashi Kazuya and Yamashita Tomohisa formed a temporary duet for this drama named Shuuji to Akira. Their song Seishun Amigo is used in the ending song of this drama. I really like the song and already memorized the lyrics xD Overall i can give it 7/10 as it have a good storyline and it quite mystery since there is a hidden bad guy xD The ending is quite ok and i bet it would surprised you a little xD Hope u will enjoy as i did =)

Ciao~

Lunch no Joou

This time i will review about a quite old drama, that is Lunch no Joou or a.k.a Lunch Queen =) This drama is about a girl who likes to eat lunch, the end xD Haha, just kidding. But the part that she really enjoys lunch time is true =) But the real storyline of this drama is how our heroine works in a small shop named Kitchen Macaroni and try her best to maintain the shop while also maintaining the relationships between the brothers, which owns the restaurant.

Our heroine is Mugita Natsuki, played by Takeuchi Yuko, is an independent girl that can live in any kind of environment. Apparently she kinda always looking for a job that offer a place to live. One day a guy dragged her during her lunch time and ask her to pretend to be his bride as this guy just want to calm his father down. But... this guy was lying and has his own objective >_> U will find out later when u watch =p So after realizing being tricked, Natsumi had to keep secret from the other brothers. She also decided to work there as she realized that the Omurice of Kitchen Macaroni is very delicious than any other store she had been before. But actually Natsumi had a dark past. What is it? Go and watch xD

As for the kitchen Macaroni, it owned by the Father which is Nabeshima Kenzo whom making the secret delicious demiglass sauce of Kitchen Macaroni. Then the elder brother Kennichiro, which ran away from home <_< The second brother Yujiro which currently works as the main chef. The third brother is Junzaburo while the last brother is Koshiro (played by Yamashita Tomohisa =p). Basically these brothers are troublemakers. I bet u guys also will get @_@ as the story goes along xD

Anyway, since i wrote too much xD the story is kinda above average. I can say that it ended well after the 'person' got caught. But the story will continue due to the unfinished 'business' between the brothers >_> As for the rating, i can give it 6/10, due to nothing-much ending <_<

Ciao~

Great Teacher Onizuka

This time, i gonna review about the quite famous jdrama that i recently finished watching =D



Yes, this is the infamous Onizuka xD For those that never heard of it, or just heard a glimpse of it, this story is about a young single guy is determining to be a teacher. But the problem doesn't end there. The students in the class are not 'normal' student. They are very naughty and also the untold secret among the students that made them rebel against teachers. So it is up to Onizuka to save them.

Our hero is Onizuka Eikichi, a former delinquent or should i say bike gang xD is determine to be a teacher. This guy is a black belt in karate and during free time he watches porn, mind u =p Since he has no qualification, it is hard for him to apply for teacher position in any school.

Our heroine, Fuyutsuki Azusa, a stewardess wannabe but in the end stuck becoming a teacher after she failed her stewardess exam. Due to that, she really doesn't have the motivation to be a proper teacher. Well,in the staff room, she is more like a slave to me >_> But it is all going to change upon meeting with Onizuka =D

Ah, 1 trivia, in real life, both Sorimachi Takashi (Onizuka) and Matsushima Nanako (Fuyutsuki) finally got married and now having 2 daughters =)

So overall i can give it 9/10 as it is very entertaining plus the moral value =) Ah! There are some nudity scenes in the drama, so.... think by yourself >_>

Ciao~

Papa to Musume no Nanokakan

Yay! Finally a comedy j-drama =D



This drama is about a father and his daughter accidentally switched body, so basically the daughter got dad's body while dad got his daughter's body. Actually both of them (before the body switching) are kinda bad especially in communication as they don't want to talk each other. The daughter just close with her mom while the dad unable to talk to his daughter made him feel lonely. So that is why the God punish them i guess xD

Our hero Kawahara Kyoichiro, is an old man who is hopeless against his daughter xD He always want to try to talk to her daughter but end up in failure. Nothing special xD But after the switching body incident, i can say his acting is impressive. Before this just an old man, but later becomes very active like a young person. The way he speaks, he walks, and everything he do really like a girl xD No wonder he won the award for best actor =)

The daughter Kawahara Koume, is a normal young girl who seeks what every girl in her age wants. She is played by my cute Aragaki Yui xD For her, her dad is very annoying that at certain time he always spoiled her happiness (not really though, just her own whim >_>). That is why she talk less with her dad.

Well, this story really chaotic xD During bath time, his daughter had to wash her dad while tying up his dad's eyes so he can't see haha xD It goes even worse when his dad forced to go for a date with a guy that Koume really like. U can imagine the horror xD To add the agony, Koume who had to go to his dad office (because her appearance is his dad after all xD) and simply cause chaos in the office xD Seriously there are no end to the laughter in this drama. Overall i can give it 9/10 as the story itself not really boring and have a good way of ending =) I really enjoyed it till the end, so hope you guys too x)

Ciao~

Bambino

Finally had free time to finished this drama =D



Let me remind you, there is no any bimbo in this series xD This story is about a guy who pursuing his dream to be an Italian pasta chef. He worked at a small italian restaurant with his gf as a part time so that he can learn the italian cooking. One day the owner Shin-san asked him to go and try to work part time at his best friend place at Tokyo. There he will find the true meaning of working as a chef =)

Our main hero is Ban Shogo, played by Matsumoto Jun (the reason why i watch it xD) He is still a college student that live with his gf Eri. But to be honest, i don't think there is any girl here can be considered as the heroine xD Why u ask? Because the story is focus on him =p

The story i can say it is above average. It is mixed with comedy, spice of life with a few emotional scenes >_> I can't look at the screen when he got bullied by other chef especially Katori >_< But it is fun to watch when he finally success in doing something =D The story might be a little jumpy i think around ep 9. But nevertheless, the ending was good besides i kinda expecting to see Bambino 2 after i finished watching the final ep. Why? u find out by yourself xD So overall i can give it 7/10 as it has a good ending =) Hope u will enjoy as i did and crave for pasta xD

Ciao~

My Boss My Hero

Wait a minute, i suppose to write about the recent job i got, not a j-drama, oh well =p

My Boss My Hero is a J-drama that have been taken from the original series from Korea. This story is about the main character is the heir of the powerful yakuza, Sakaki Makio. He is goddamn strong but the main problem with this guy is he is stupid <_< He screwed up a big-time business transaction and his father (currently the 'Kumicho' yakuza boss) is very furious with him.

So in order to fixed his dumbness, his father decides to send him to a normal high school as a 17 years old student (although he is already 27 =p). So the class he got in is full of nerds and troublemakers. To make it worst, he is stupid to begin with that he don't know any math or even proper kanji.

There are many funny scenes in this drama, pudding rush, exposed during basketball, and many more.He has to hide all his yakuza identity so that the people won't find out. Basically, this is a drama for those that need a good laugh =) As for the conclusion, this drama is very good indeed as the main character itself is so damn funny, especially with his face expression x) I give it 9/10 for this drama. Hope you will enjoy as i did too =)

Ciao~