Ao no jidai [青の時代] This is the very show that got me head over heels into Doumoto Tsuyoshi. I had watched this dorama more than 4-5 times and his acting in there is fabulous. No wonder he won the best actor award for the season of that dorama. However, I rated this dorama a 8 and not 9 because while the chemistry between the two talented artistes, Doumoto Tsuyoshi and Okina Megumi is great, the later part of the plot goes kind of imbalanced to focus on the bengoshi's (lawyer) spilt personality problem, neglecting the main plot somewhat. Nevertheless, a good watch, dorama-fans! Worth all my thumbs up!!
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] I don't have to say more. It's a classic dorama hit! Was especially touched by the commitment of the character played by Kimura Takuya and in the last scene when he did her make-up.
Friends [フレンズ] I loved the chemistry and storyline between the lead actor, Won Bin and actress, Fukada Kyouko immensely. While this seems like a cliche love story across distance, it's not as simple as it seems.. it subtly takes on issues between Korea and Japan as well. A 4-disc mini dorama, it's very much worth a watch.
Gokusen [ごくせん] Had first caught this on SCV Ch 56 and then gotten my M'sian friend to help me get hold of a copy. I have a fetish especially for Teacher/ School setting doramas and this is one that really captivated me. Touching as usual.
Kamisama mou sukoshi dake [神様、もう少しだけ] A classic dorama hit that shot Fukada Kyouko to stardom. It's a nice, dreamy story that fulfills the imagination of girl fans like me to a certain extent. In retrospect, it was also considered a liberal dorama during its time, taking on issues about HIV aka Aids and exposing the practice of high school gals' secret aruibaito (part-time).
Kimi ga oshietekureta koto [君が教えてくれたこと] Tomosaka Rie is one good actress to watch. While she doesn't really have any classic/ popular works after her collaboration with Doumoto Tsuyoshi in the Kindaichi-series, she acts really well. Check out this dorama and you will get what I mean - Don't judge a book by its covers. Yes, this is not your cliche love story as thought to be.
Kindaichi shonen no jikenbo 1 [金田一少年の事件簿 1] Kindaichi took Japan by storm.. there was meant only to be one series. But due to the overwhelming response, not only the second part was filmed but also various other movies and aside, bangumi (variety shows). This alone goes to show why it definitely deserves a vote - so much so that Singaporeans who don't know Doumoto Tsuyoshi by his name, term him casually as 'Hajime-chan' or 'Kindaichi' (Jin1 Tian2 Yi1).
Love generation [ラブジェネレーション] Out of all the classic popular doramas, this is my very fave. Nice, romantic plot coupled with beautiful ambiences and interesting dialogues. I'm sure this is many others' cup of tea as well.
Aki's artiste votes (9)
Dohmoto Koichi [堂本光一] Co-partner of Doumoto Tsuyoshi in the duo, KinKi Kids, I hadn't really apreciated his acting until [Rookie] where he really brought out the character of Aida-kun. Later I watched [Tenshi ga Kieta Machi] and also [Remote] which convinced me that while he is not an unbeatable in the area of doramas as he is on stage in musicals, he deserves any viewer's thumbs up simply for his professionialism and efforts in acting.
Dohmoto Tsuyoshi [堂本剛] Naturally talented in the area of acting. Every single one of his dorama is a very captivating one. While Kimutaku has style, Tsuyoshi has the compassion that just shows in his great acting. Personally, I admire this talent wholeheartedly!! V(^0^)V He is not just talented in acting but also singing, dancing and hosting. He is our love-fighter forever!! GO GO TSUYO-KUN!!!
Fukada Kyoko [深田恭子] While she was quite a nobody in the beginning, her landing a good role in [Kami-sama, Mou Sukoshi Dake] paved the way for her to hone her acting skills to the standard it is today. I love watching her doramas cos' like Doumoto Tsuyoshi, they can talk with their eyes and really _act_! While some feel that she acts-cute, she's my fave actress for the efforts she puts in her acting and her pleasant personality.
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉] Almost everyone's favourite Japanese male actor, he is suave, cool and acts with his own style.
Matsumoto Jun [松本潤] An aspiring actor to me, it seems. First noticed him in [Bokura no Yuuki- Miman City] where he was still a kawaii little boy with his dog. I haven't caught Kindaichi Series 3 but watch [Gokusen] and you will get what I mean. Also heard and watched two clips of MatsuJun in [Kimi wa Pet] and I am enthusiastically looking forward to watch it.
Nakama Yukie [仲間由紀恵] She is another aspiring actress that I felt haven't gained the popularity she deserved much until possibly [Gokusen]. Hope to watch more of her acting in [Gokusen Sp].. if only I could get it!
Shibasaki Kou [柴咲コウ] My new fave Japanese female artiste! Looking forward to more of her works. She is both an excellent actress and singer. ^_^
Tomosaka Rie [ともさかりえ] Same, I felt that she is a very good actress who has not gained the popularity she deserved. Nevertheless, she is applauded much for her acting on stage.
Won Bin [ウォンビン] Sugoku Kakoiiii!!!!! Hope to see him cast alongside Fukakyon more ^-^