Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Beautiful drama, beautiful acting, beautiful message. This dorama is unforgettable to me because of the subtle but poignat acting of Takako Tokiwa and Takuya Kimura. I have never been so touched watching a jdorama before. The powerful acting of the two leads makes this one an A++++.
Densha Otoko [電車男] I loved watching Densha Otoko! The story is so funny and touching at the same time. Itoh Misaki is perfect as Hermes, so soft and dreamy looking, and Densha acted very well as a inept but lovable Otaku. The were times I wanted to sock him for all his nervous stuttering and there were times I wanted to stand up and cheer him on! All his internet buddies were very entertaining too, Densha is a lucky bastard. Kittaaaaa!!!!!
Good Luck !! [グッドラック！！] Enjoyable drama, good acting by all the cast, and Tsutsumi Shinichi particularly. He was a scene stealer and I liked his highly charged scenes with Takuya Kimura. The story is quite fast-paced and gives a glimpse into the workings of the airline industry. The only quibble I have is that the characters personal stories aren't given much focus so the story doesn't have a deep pull on me. But it's light and breezy and fun to watch.
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Nodame Cantabile is the best live-action adaption of a manga I've ever seen. It's full of comedy, touching and inspiring music, larger than life characters who are all very endearing and funny. All the elements just blends perfectly together to create this masterpiece of a drama. Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri are fabulous together as Chiaki and Nodame. No one else can play these lovable lead characters the way they did. Highly recommended!! Two thumbs up!
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Orange Days is simply charming and poignant, and I fell in love with both Kou Shibasaki and Satoshi Tsumabuki in this dorama. The story is not a new one, but it is fresh and very well told. The performances of all the supporting casts were very good too. In the end, we cared and felt the growing pains of these young adults as they strived to become adults and make something of themselves. Sae was very challenging role and Kou Shibasaki was splendid in playing her, so much so, that I can't imagine another actress as Sae. Great drama, do not miss this!!
shanghai_honey's artiste votes (9)
Dohmoto Tsuyoshi [堂本剛] Excellent actor who draws us in with his very real and natural acting. I totally found Dohmoto Tsuyoshi very adorable and endearing in Summer Snow, although he is not your typical kakoii J-idol. Perhaps because he is so comfortable in his own skin, that we, the viewers are so comfortable watching him too. I seriously think this guy has a gift for acting, and hope to see more of his works.
Inoue Mao [井上真央] Inoue Mao and Ueno Juri are my two most favorite young actresses. Mao chan is not only kawaii, she's also spunky, funny and a good actress. It's always a pleasure to watch her onscreen and her Makino Tsukoshi was perfect. She stole the show from Matsujun, hahaha! Love this girl, her future looks very bright indeed.
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉] THE KING of Jdoramas! Takuya Kimura is a living icon; he made Long Vacation which was the first dorama I saw and was hooked on. It's amazing how he comes out with a constant string of hit doramas -- Long Vacation, Good Luck, Pride, Hero, Karei Naru Ichizoku to name a few, are some of my favorites. And the man keeps going strong. He will always be my most favorite Japanese actor. Love him!
Matsumoto Jun [松本潤] Matsumoto Jun did a good job playing the silent yet sexy Sawada in Gokusen. I didn't think he looked the part of Domouji in Hana Yori Dango, however, he pulled it off making his own version of Domouji, who could be dark, violent and cruel one moment, yet innocent, cute and irrationally silly the next moment. Good job Jun! But still, his most impressive role so far has been as Momo in Kimi Wa Petto. My goodness, what an adorable lil pet! Jun totally nailed the part of Momo. ^_^
Nagase Tomoya [長瀬智也] Tomobaby is sugooiii! kekeke, he makes my day with his silly and lovable acting in My Boss My Hero, fighting for pudding one minute and going all shy with the girl he likes the next. The guy is really funny and lovable in Mukoduno and Tiger and Dragon too. Plus he's really gorgeous sometimes (when he's not being a dork). wakaka!
Shibasaki Kou [柴咲コウ] She is awesome and sooo kawaii. Kou Shibasaki has this magnetic charm that you can't help but notice her. Very cool, talented and exquisitely beautiful. I think she's the most versatile young actress in Japan today. From her violent, sexy character in Battle Royale to her sweet and deaf character in Orange Days, this girl simply makes a huge impact on viewers! :)
Tokiwa Takako [常盤貴子] Takako Tokiwa will always have a place in my heart. She is a very accomplished actress who can work with many co-stars effortlessly. Her role in Beautiful Days was a tour de force. Simply unforgettable how she brought out her character's vulnerablity. Takako is the best!
Ueno Juri [上野樹里] Very funny actress! I liked her wackiness in Swing Girls and her turn in Engine too. She can also play a timid and gentle character in Orange Days. Ueno Juri is very talented and versatile. She is soo kawaii as Nodame, gosh she's brilliant! And I love her latest turn as Ruka in Last Friends. Kakoii desu ne? Gambatte Juri chan! ^__^
Yamaguchi Tomoko [山口智子] I just love this wonderful woman to bits! Tomoko Yamaguchi has it all - she's funny, sassy, lovable, spirited and all that a woman should be. Minami in Long Vacation is my favorite character of all time. Tomoko is like my role model for her incomparable acting, her personality and longevity! All hail the Queen!
shanghai_honey's dramas (8)
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Beautiful drama, beautiful acting, beautiful message. This dorama is unforgettable to me because of the subtle but poignat acting of Takako Tokiwa and Takuya Kimura. I have never been so touched watching a jdorama before. The powerful acting of the two leads makes this one an A++++.
Densha Otoko [電車男] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I loved watching Densha Otoko! The story is so funny and touching at the same time. Itoh Misaki is perfect as Hermes, so soft and dreamy looking, and Densha acted very well as an inept but lovable Otaku. The were times I wanted to sock him for all his nervous stuttering and times when I wanted to stand up and cheer him on! All his internet buddies were very entertaining too, Densha is one lucky bastard. Kittaaaaa!!!!!
Engine [エンジン] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Not a bad drama, but the least engaging one of Kimura Takuya's that I've seen. The kids are cute and all, but the dorama had a 'tv movie of the week' special sorta feel, which plays out in every episode. I think the scriptwriter could have brought out the racing aspect more to give the dorama an edgier and more exciting feel. Worth watching nonetheless.
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Quite entertaining, but too rushed for me to really feel the bond developing gradually between Tsukasa and Tsukushi. The cast chosen for F4 aren't exactly what I had in mind physically, but they did justice to the roles. Matsu Jun is a little fragile to play the domineering and tough Domouji, but his acting is quite endearing in bringing out the baka and softer side to the character. Inoue Mao made for a very cute Makino, she resembled the manga character the most, compared to the rest of the cast. Oguri Shun's Rui was suitably quietly appealing although I don't know what he saw in this Shizuka (eh...they could've picked a better actress for the role). All in all, Hana Yori Dango is very entertaining, but not really deserving of a top 10 position in the charts (which it seems to be heading at this point in time). It's ridiculously overrated by fan girls of Jun and Shun.
News no onna [ニュースの女] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Very entertaining drama! I enjoyed the mother-son relationship between Suzuki Honami and her rebellious son. It was a great performance from the casting and we get a glimpse into the world of news reporting.
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Orange Days is simply charming and poignant, and I fell in love with both Kou Shibasaki and Satoshi Tsumabuki in this dorama. The story is not a new one, but it is fresh and very well told. The performances of all the supporting casts were very good too. In the end, we cared and felt the growing pains of these young adults as they strived to become adults and make something of themselves. Sae was very challenging role and Kou Shibasaki was splendid in playing her, so much so, that I can't imagine another actress as Sae. Great drama, do not miss this!!
Slow Dance [スローダンス] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Slow Dance was a dorama I highly anticipated because of its huge and strong cast. After watching it though, I am feeling rather indifferent about this show. It is not particularly cute, moving or memorable. It is just an average story, with not too original or exciting developments in the story. Yes, it has similarities with Long Vacation, but Long Vacation is by far the superior drama with a lot of memorable scenes which moved me and I still remember today. It is true that the supporting characters of Slow Dance left something to be desired. In fact, Hirosue Ryoko plainly irrirated me with her flighty airy personality. She was hardly endearing and I couldn't care less if he won her 'prince' in the end. Fujiki Naohito's role was so boring and the only good character who made the show come 'alive' was Eri Fukatsu. Slow Dance is okay, but not good enough to be memorable. Although it had a good message the execution was pedestrian.
Summer snow Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Summer Snow is an unexpected gem. I was putting off watching this dorama for a long, long time until I've finished off some others. I saw the first couple of episodes which seemed slow. But when I finally got down to watching the rest of the dorama, it got me completed hooked. I felt involved and engrossed in the situations all the characters were in, and I laughed and teared up with them. Dohmoto Tsuyoshi acted as the caring, comical and big hearted elder brother to perfection. It was his strength and spirit that inspired and guided his siblings and those who got to know him. What a great memorable character. Oguri Shun played the semi-deaf brother very well. The rest of the supporting cast also performed well, and their characters are authentic and relatable. There is not a false note in their performances, that is why Summer Snow is very memorable to me. It is a simple but moving tale about life, values and love. The soundtrack is very fitting and beautiful.
shanghai_honey's drama reviews (5)
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] My favorite Jdorama of all time. [Rating: 10/10] Long Vacation remains to this day my favorite Jdorama of all time. The story, the cast, the OST, the pop culture influence it created - it is simply a classic. The story is simply but very moving and certain scenes left a deep impression on me, especially the conversations between Sena and Minami. Long Vacation is an apt title to describe where the main characters are at - it's about the period of time when people come at a crossroad and they're lost about what to do with themselves. The chemistry between Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi is simply spectacular and untoppable. Tomoko makes her character very fascinating with her bursts of energetic intensity and moments of vulnerability. Takuya shows his true depth as an actor here with his touching portrayal of Sena. Two thumbs WAY UP!
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Delightful drama that fills my heart with joy [Rating: 10/10] Nodame Cantabile is the best live-action adaptation of a manga I've ever seen. It's full of comedy, touching and inspiring music, larger than life characters who are all very endearing and funny. All the elements just blends perfectly together to create this masterpiece of a drama. Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri are fabulous together as Chiaki and Nodame. No one else can play these lovable lead characters the way they did. Highly recommended!!
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Very charming drama [Rating: 10/10] Orange Days is simply charming and poignant, and I fell in love with both Kou Shibasaki and Satoshi Tsumabuki in this dorama. The story is not a new one, but it is fresh and very well told. The performances of all the supporting casts were very good too. In the end, we cared and felt the growing pains of these young adults as they strived to become adults and make something of themselves. Sae was very challenging role and Kou Shibasaki was splendid in playing her, so much so, that I can't imagine another actress as Sae. Great drama, do not miss this!!
Summer snow Touching, realistic, magical [Rating: 10/10] Summer Snow is an unexpected gem. I was putting off watching this dorama for a long, long time until I've finished off some others. I saw the first couple of episodes which seemed slow. But when I finally got down to watching the rest of the dorama, it got me completed hooked. I felt involved and engrossed in the situations all the characters were in, and I laughed and teared up with them. Dohmoto Tsuyoshi acted as the caring, comical and big hearted elder brother to perfection. It was his strength and spirit that inspired and guided his siblings and those who got to know him. What a great memorable character. Oguri Shun played the semi-deaf brother very well. The rest of the supporting cast also performed well, and their characters are authentic and relatable. There is not a false note in their performances, that is why Summer Snow is very memorable to me. It is a simple but moving tale about life, values and love. The soundtrack is very fitting and beautiful.
Tokyo Love Story [東京ラブストーリー] Tokyo Lame Story [Rating: 1/10] After hearing so much about this supposedly 'classic drama', I watched it with high expectations. Boy, was I let down. What a tepid love story with unlikeable characters that made me feel like killing them all. Oda Yuji's character is such a wishy washy man who doesn't deserve a spirited woman like Rika. He and Satomi should just get together already from day one and spare others the pain.
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Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ]
Dohmoto Tsuyoshi [堂本剛]
