Abe Hiroshi [阿部寛] The most funny actor I saw in doramas. I watched him for the first time in Dekichatta Kekkon, and I realised that if it was so hilarious was especially thanks to him, in spite of having a supporting role. The Trick saga, or other doramas like At Home Dad or Kekkon Dekinai Otoko proved his skills as a great comedian. However, he can performance more serious roles like in Shiroi Haru or in Shitamachi Rocket
Ayase Haruka [綾瀬はるか] The heir of the first two Golden Girls: Takako Matsu and Ryoko Hirosue. One of the most valued actress nowadays in Japan. If Hirosue hit debut was in Long Vacation, hers was in another hit: HERO in 2001. Three years later she led one of the most touching and reminded doramas of all times: Sekachu. Her performance was totally incredible. Later, she had another success thanks to her role in JIN and JIN 2.
Hirosue Ryoko [広末涼子] Undoubtedly this is the Queen of the doramas, the second Golden Girl, occupied the place of her predecessor, Takako Matsu, who could never prove her true value as an actress as she did as a singer. Her debut not was in Long Vacation, but this was the first important show where she appeared. However, since then she has had roles where she has performed characters who were the personification of the innocence and tenderness, like in Summer Snow or in Dekichatta Kekkon.
Further to tv doramas, she has a brilliant career in movies as well, appearing in international productions like Wasabi, with Jean Reno, or in successful japanese productions like Villon's Wife, Goemon or Departures, movie which won an Academy Award in 2009 for the Best Foreign Language Film.
Itoh Misaki [伊東美咲] I loved the performance of Misaki Itoh, the beautiful HERMES, in Densha Otoko. I'm still waiting to listen her saying again "Moe" with that sweet voice.
Kimura Takuya [木村拓哉] What to say about the King Midas of doramas. From last 90's to early 2000, everything touched by him turned into gold. He has the leading role in shows that even nowadays were still on the top of tv ratings records, like Hero, Beautiful Life, Long Vacation or Love Generation. Impossible being a fan of doramas and not knowing this actor
Matsu Takako [松たか子] The First Golden Girl of doramas, even now it's impossible to forget that scene in Love Generation, where she was doing some magic tricks singing that unforgettable melody. In spite of taking part in big hit shows like Long Vacation, Love Generation or Hero, the last two leading the doramas alongside Takuya Kimura (They were known as the Golden Combi), she couldn't convince about her value as an actress, being more known by her music carrer. However, in movies she has significant roles, working under the supervision of the famous director Yoji Yamada in The Hidden Blade, or in others with the main role like Villon's Wife or Confessions
Nakama Yukie [仲間由紀恵] No, she is not here for Gokusen, i don't like that dorama so much, she is here for Trick saga. She is one of the best japanese actress I have ever seen. She deserves to be in this list
Sakai Masato [堺雅人] If you haven't seen his incredible performance in Hanzawa Naoki, one of the greatest doramas ever, you're wasting your time reading this. Go and watch it!!
Suzuki Honami [鈴木保奈美] She is the secret of the popularity and success of Tokyo Love Story. Her performance as Rika was really touching and awesome. Thanks to her, the ending of that dorama was unforgettable, even nowadays. Along with Atsuko Asano, one of the references in the early 90's.
Takeuchi Yuko [竹内結子] She is one of the best and hottest actress in Japan. Her performance in Pride was awesome, impossible to forget.
Uchino Masaaki [内野聖陽] It's difficult to know if this actor realised in 2009 the great hit due to his role as Sakamoto Ryoma. Main part of the success of JIN was for his performance about the Vagrant from Tosa.
Yada Akiko [矢田亜希子] One of the best actress I have seen in doramas. I saw her for the first time in one of the most special shows like My Little Chef. Here, she is splendid with the main role, shadowing a young Aya Ueto. But one of her most famous success arrived with Last Christmas, a kind a Tokyo Love Story 2.0. Even being great there, I keep prefering her role in MLC
101 Kaime no Puropozu [101回目のプロポーズ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A brilliant story like Densha Otoko, but instead of an otaku a loser salaryman. In spite of being aired in 1991, when I began to watch this dorama I feel the japanese 80's on it, it was like I was be able to remind through it, movies, animes or even the unforgettable Let's learn Japanese's videos about Yan-san, of the 80's. The 90's began as ended its previous decade, with innocent stories like this one. Currently they are too exaggerated, too artificial, too commercial. Here you can enjoy an amazing plot with an antihero dude with the leading role, an ugly and small guy who has to conquer the love of a beautiful and charming woman afflicted by her past. It's normal that one of the most remembered couples of that decade was this one, made up by Tetsuya Takeda and Atsuko Asano. Takeda is one of the best actors I have seen in doramas, his performances are always unique and superb, and only when he has a more calm role, like in Jin, is when his performance goes unnoticed. And Asano is more like an american soap opera actress than a japanese one, I'm sure she was the reference for many of the actress who wanted to prove acting in doramas in 90's.
It's true that sometimes the story seems so innocent, more like a fairy tale, but it's only in certain moments. The rest of the show is quite interesting. Furthermore while I was watching it I saw what would end up being Long Vacation dorama, for me the reference of the 90's. Long Vacation had a much, much better music than this 101st Proposals. However this one is plenty of tributes to popular japanese love songs, and one is still in my mind: ���Ɵ��ƒj�Ə�
At Home Dad [アットホーム・ダッド] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the first dorama to treat about a cultural and social change like shufus (��v) or house-husbands, in a society like the japanese which is so patriarchal, it's normal that all the husbands, that for one or another reason have to be in charge of the house and children, don't be so adapted to this new situation easely.
Here, Abe Hiroshi shows why he is one of the best actors, performing perfectly the family and social problems that a new Shufu like him will have to face up. Very educational drama
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) If you want to see the power of love, this is your drama. You will admire the courage of Shuji (Kimutaku) and the strength of Kyoko (Takako Tokiwa).
Soo moving story
Bus stop [バスストップ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is other of the doramas that I have pending to watch since 2004, it's starred by one of the three hottest actresses I liked more in that moment, that were: Norika Fujiwara, Eriko Sato and, of course, Naoko Iijima, who has the leading role in this bus show.
About the dorama, from the beginning I found that it was so exaggerated, ridiculous and maybe a wasting of time, however sooner than I thought I found myself beginning to laugh with it. It's a love comedy, quite funny, where a normal guy falls in love with a top carrer woman who is spending a tough time at the moment. Through his positivism he will have to fight for the love of his cinderella, and this is the difference with 101 Kaime no Puropozu, where the main character had to fight against his negativism to get to his love. As always in this kind of dorama the supporting roles are so important, having a crucial and important part in the story.
Iijima here is splendid, more than I expected, sexy and great actress at the same time, 10 points for her. Uchimura is a funny and good actor, his character alongside with the ones who surrounded him transmit positivism to the show. This is the typcal dorama that nobody would have to underestimate never. Finally, with the opening by Shiro and the ending by Mr. Children, this dorama has two superb theme songs.
Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai [ダメな私に恋してください] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) After watching Kyoko Fukada's cameo in Galileo crime dorama, I look forward to giving her a second opportunity, after that horrible crap called Friends. Beauty as hell, but bad actress, it's time to see if she can surprise me in this new show, 14 years after Otousan and Friends.
First of all, I have to say that yes, she surprised me a lot, I haven't been able to recogniza her, I know she is Kyoko Fukada because is in the credits, but she doesn't look like "she of the past". I don't know what kind of face cirugy made to herself, but this Fukada 2.0 is hotter now, an impressive beauty. However my surprise was double when I saw her way of acting, it has improved a lot. I still think she is another person and no the previously known as �[�L����.
About the dorama, it's quite childish, but seeing that is a show based on a shojo manga where the main character loves eating meat, that is normal. So I already expected that. Anyway, it's easy to watch and not so boring.
Date ~ Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira [デート ~ 恋とはどんなものかしら] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This dorama is about another social issue that lately are the common denominator in most of them, if in Saikou no Rikon was pros and cons from a divorce or in Kazoku no Katachi, choosing living lonely w/o marriage, here is pros and cons of trying to find love when you are an unsociable person. Two antisocial ppl, one because is a leecher neet who lives depending on his mother, and the other one because is workalcoholic woman with an obsessive compulsive disorder, decide to date each other, pushed by their relatives, for finally ending up living a funny love story between a good-for-nothing hikikomori and a math-obsessed unable to read the situations.
It may look a simple story with a low cost, but it is one of the most hilarious love comedies I have watched since Dekichatta Kekkon or Densha Otoko. It's true that when I began to watch the 1st episode I thought: "What the hell is this??", but sooner than I thought, I started to laugh w/o a break with many of the comical events of the show. Besides, one of the most interesting thing, further to see acting Anne, the daughter of Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai - 2003), with the leading role, is the impressive supporting cast, with Ryoko Kuninaka (Kekkon Dekinai Otoko - 2006), Yutaka Matsushige (Kodoku no Gurume saga 2012 - 2015) and Emi Wakui (Virgin Road - 1997)
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This dorama is so hilarious, especially at the beginning, in the first episodes, and in spite of treating more seriously each situation in the rest of them, the supporting cast, special mention to Hiroshi Abe, help to maintain the laughs. Another thing to emphasize here is seeing how a bunch of good folks, confronting all their fears and problems, becoming step-by-step in adults. And although it's not a great perfomance like in Summer Snow, Ryoko Hirosue is who represents better this change.
Densha Otoko [電車男] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is one of the most funny dramas that you can watch. Although the story is about an Otaku, the argument is soo cute and intimate.
So hilarious the Kosuke Toyohara's character!, and to see in action to Eriko Sato is really a great pleasure!, you will see the courage of an otaku, and if you don't have a favourite j-drama actress yet, no problem!!, you will fall in love with Misaki Itoh, she makes miracles with Densha Otoko. Benoist!!
A fantastic Love Story that won't disappoint to nobody. I Recomend it for sure!!
Friends [フレンズ] Rating: 1/10 (Watched) It would have been a great drama about an overseas love. But it doesn't seem a professional work, the performance of the cast is good but could be much better, and the story needs more chapters to explain it well, as it happens too quickly, sometimes it seems so childish. However, the idea and the collaboration of the two countries are quite interesting
Galileo [ガリレオ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) After watching that crap of Mr. Brain, this is the best antidote for keeping enjoying with japanese crime doramas like this one, where a novice detective (Kou Shibasaki - Orange Days - 2004) will need the help of an arrogant and enigmatic physicist (Masaharu Fukuyama) to solve some strange and mysterious cases. A kind of Trick but using physics, less funny than the duo Hiroshi Abe & Yukie Nakama, but more similar to the american crime tv shows, proving that even in Japan it's also possible to achieve that high level of quality. Thumbs up for it, this is one of the most interesting doramas about this genre I have watched. This show is absolutely food for the neurons, and a good way to review my physics classes. Thanks to Galileo, Japan has already its new Grissom (CSI Las Vegas).
Glad to see some great cameos here like: Toshiaki Karasawa (Roosselvelt Game - 2014), Ryoko Hirosue (Summer Snow - 2000), Shingo Katori (Kazoku no Katachi - 2016), Miki Mizuno (Beautiful Life - 2000) or Kyoko Fukada (Otousan - 2002).
Genkai Shuraku Kabushikigaisha [限界集落株式会社] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) After watching Mayu Matsuoka in Mondai no Aru Restaurant, I wanted to see her with the main role in another dorama. Besides, this one is the first one from the NHK network that I have watched.
For me this is a Shigoto dorama disguised with country issues. It's interesting and try to be also instructive, but sometimes is a little bit boring. It's like watching an american telefilm about the Midwest farmers, but at the japanese way.
About Mayu Matsuoka, as she has to share the leading role, her work is shaded by the rest of the main cast. For this I keep thinking her performance in Mondai no Aru Restaurant is better, there she could use there different kind of registers that here she couldn't. Shosuke Tanihara is who has the main weight of the action in the show, being even Takashi Sorimachi in the background of the plot, in a so different role for him.
Gokusen [ごくせん] Rating: 4/10 (Watched) At first i thought that was a bad version of GTO with a female character, but while i was watching the drama i saw that was something different. However, i think that this drama could be better. Some charactars, specially some teachers aren't so good, i think Yukie Nakama is not the best actress for the role of Yankumi, and i don't like anything the background music, it's unbearable.
The best: The five main students, specially Kuma's character. And some chapters like 4, 11 and the SP, episode that for me it's not a special but the 13th chapter
GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Splendid Drama!, but i think some things that happen in the last chapter aren't explained so well. However, is one of my favourite dramas, the behaviour of Onizuka with his students are incredible. The fact that Takashi Sorimachi and Nanako Matsushima got married after work together in GTO turn this couple (Onizuka/Fuyutsuki) in one of the best of all dramas
H2~Kimi to itahibi [２〜君といた日々] Rating: 3/10 (Watched) Boring and childish drama.
It's very difficult to fit well a story of 24 volumens in 11 chapters, and this is the reason why i think that the plot lacks interest. When i watched the last episode i didn't care who'll win the duel between Hiro and Hideo or who'll win the love of Hikari.
Futhermore, the performance of the cast isn't quite good, i am sure that they can do it much better.
Besides, the drama has only 2 or 3 good chapters, the rest are very boring
Haken no Hinkaku [ハケンの品格] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) When I read the synopsis, it reminds me some japanese friends who did the same for getting more freedom to do what they wanted, like travel. They worked as haken for some time, and when the contract ended, they had enough time to, for example, come to Spain. It's almost the same situation like in this story.
About the dorama, I think this is one of the worst performances of Ryoko Shinohara, it was very boring seeing all the time her Christopher Lambert face, or known commonly Poker face, or her secret skills or abilities, it was like watching those american bad shows where the main character knows to do everything. This piss me off a lot. However the dorama is quite funny thanks to some characters like KuruKuru Perm (Yo Oizumi) or Miyuki (Ai Kato), even with the old man Ogasawara (Masao Komatsu).
As a fan of the Shigoto doramas, this is one of the best I have watched, I like the way they explained the "rivalry" between regular and temp workers, and more if it is seen from the point of view of the department chief Kirishima (Hiroki Matsusaka), for me one of the key points of the show.
As a curiosity, I wanted to watch this dorama since 2007, when I watched the scene of Ryoko Shinohara cutting tuna like a pro, in one of my visits to Japan.
Hanzawa Naoki [半沢直樹] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) At the beginning when I read the synopsis the first word that came to my mind was "Boring", What kind of interest must have a dorama about a banker??, I thought. However, don't get fooled about the same impression I had, the structure of the show is amazing, with an extremely interesting story, charismatic rivals, superb dialogs, a great soundtrack that fit so well with the scenes, and an incredible way to create turn of events, what in French is known as Coup de Theatre, all prepared to success. But if I finally decided to watch this dorama was due to the high tv ratings that it got in 2013, when it was aired by TBS. It's incredible to see how the ratings in Kanto area passed from 19.4% of the first episode to an impressive 42.2% of the last one, being even higher in Kansai, where by the way part the action takes place. This is an enough reason to check it out.
About Hanzawa Naoki here my two cents: First of all, in spite of using English subs, this show is one of the hardest to follow, all the dialogs are dense, the vocab is sometimes specific, so it's difficult to understand at the first time, and they speak so fast. It has all the condiments to feel like a rollercoaster, a little bit dizzy. However, about the rest this dorama is amazing, from the first episode you will end up getting hoocked on it, and it will impossible to leave it behind, looking forward each time for the next episode. Nothing more to say is needed, it has the same ingredients that have tv shows like Game of Thrones or games like Metal Gear to succeed. A hero against bad guys, betrayal, conspiracy, envy, thirst of power, but with the help of a devoted wife, a smart pal, loyal subordinates and a reason to triumph over all of this. �{�Ԃ����I
Hero Rating: 7/10 (Watched) One of the most interesting dramas, with great performance of Takuya Kimura, Matsu Takako and Hiroshi Abe. In this drama we'll watch the prosecutor's world, with a young man with very good skills to resolves difficult cases
Ichi Ritoru no Namida [１リットルの涙] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I have no words to describe this splendid drama based on a true story, although Haruto's character didn't exist. But, with no doubt this is one of the best drama that anybody can watch. It's not a drama for cry it's a drama to understand and admire the courage of a girl with an incurable disease
JIN [JIN-仁-] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) The Edo period wasn't only samurais and geishas. Thanks to this drama you will see with another eyes another Edo, quite far from the Chambara films and nearer to the Yoji Yamada movies.
All of this dorama is excellent, but the cast is really awesome, since Sekachuu I haven't watched a great performance of Haruka Ayase like in this one, and what can I say about Masaaki Uchino in the role of Sakamoto Ryoma?, it was an authentic revolution in Japan, it was like Ryoma spirit reborn around the country. About the background story of the doctor from the future is quite interesting as well. It's impossible not being so interested in every episode. Undoubtedly one of the best doramas I have ever watched.
JIN Season 2 Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The only dorama that I tried to follow every episode when it was aired on TBS. However, due to all the ppl who want to watch the show live, the KeyHoleTV's server was collpased and didn't work properly, being impossible to watch and listen it well.
This second season of this popular dorama arrive to its conclusion, having the opportunity to watch how the circle that began in the 1st one will be closed. In this second season the plot moves around Jin (Takao Osawa), Ryoma (Masaaki Uchino), Saki (Haruka Ayase) and Nokaze (Miki Nakatani) again. In spite of having passed two years from the 1st season, there aren't any difference from the initial one, it's like nothing changed, if you like the 1st one you will end up liking this new one. The cast is the same, and their performances are impressive like always. However, unlike the 1st season this 2nd focus more on the historical events of the Meiji Restoration, from the point of view of Jin and Ryoma. It's true that it's interesting for looking forward to know more about this Era of the history of Japan, however they are so politically correct that even facts and events explianed in the past of Rurouni Kenshin are more accurate to the reality than the explained in this tv show. But the main difference between the two seasons is in the final episodes, in there at last is where they explain what happened to Jin and his close friends.
Kazoku no Katachi [家族ノカタチ] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) It's a dorama very boring at the beginning, those ones you think it's a waste of time watching them, but I decided to give it a chance, and now I can say I don't regret. When the feelings of the characters start to flow is when it become more interesting, seeing that they weren't so plain as I guess in the first episodes. The plot is easy and simple, the struggle between living alone or not. Two neighbors who have decided the way of the solitude, will have to share their space by surprise with their respective relatives, during that time they have to learn to share and appreciate the values of the family. The cast is not so splendid, but the performance of Juri Ueno is remarkable, it's difficult to believe is the same actress who play the Nodame role in Nodame Cantabile. Superb! It's worth a mention apart seeing the logo of FC Barcelona Soccer team here. Forsa Barsa!
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko [結婚できない男] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Even the more rude and loner person has a bright personality hidden in the bottom of his heart. Another dorama about a person that don't want to marry, a typical issue used lately in these kind of TV shows, reflecting an aspect of the japanese society. Maybe it could look a boring plot, but with Hiroshi Abe with the leading role, I knew it would end up being quite funny and interesting.
Kodoku no Gurume [孤独のグルメ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) From the first episode I loved this dorama. Despite the fact that at the beginnig I didn't have much expectatives about it, I wanted to try especially for review my Japanese. My surprise was when watching the 1st chapter I became so hungry!!, remembering all the delicious dishes that I had eaten in my visits to Japan. After that moment, I wanted to watch all the dishes that appeared in the show and wishing that one day I have the chance to taste again or for the first time many of them.
Kodoku no Gurume Season 2 [孤独のグルメ 2] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The plot doesn't change from the first season, and the structure of the dorama is the same. Short episodes where Goro presents us the differente places where he goes to eat. Some episodes are better than others, but the whole show is quite interesting. I have to say after watching this cuisine show I decided to post in IG many of the dishes that Im eating in the different japanese restaurants where I go, adding to them the pertinent explanation.
Last Christmas [ラストクリスマス] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This dorama is overflowing so much positivism and joy. Impossible not to watching it without smiling and feeling better, looking forward to the next episode to keep smiling. I like the role of the supporting cast, special mention to Tsuyoshi Ihara and Ryo, it could have been more different w/o them. At last I saw Yada Akiko in a big show like this, the only one I watched was My Little Chef, an extraordinary dorama but quite different than a romantic story like this one. The weak point is the music, ok I like the American 80's, but this too much for me, sometimes is unbearable!, I'm beginnig to hate Last Christmas song. However, as I have said before, don't doubt it!, it's worth watching.
Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This was my first dorama I watched, so it's normal to say that this one is my favorite. Furthermore, the story, the cast, the music, all is excellent in this dorama. Besides to this, it was a great example of the doramas of the 90's, when the japanese pop culture didn't have too much influence on them yet. It's impossible not to feel something for Tomoko Yamaguchi's character, or understand the pain of the different characters due to their pertinent unrequited loves. However the most astonishing thing I saw here was one of the most passionate kisses I have ever seen in a Dorama. Absolutely recommended!
Love generation [ラブジェネレーション] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) The Perfect Couple or The Golden Combi for many people: Takuya Kimura and Takako Matsu. It's a good drama but in the end, when all episodes have been watched I didn't know if I like it a lot or only a few. Along with Long Vacation, this drama has one of the best soundtrack that I've ever listened
Manatsu no Merry Christmas [真夏のメリークリスマス] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) What happens if an old friend from an orphanage comes to you from a far island thinking that nothing have changed?. This is the plot of this drama, we can watch how the life of the characters change after Haru (Miki Nakatani) brought back to them childhood memories from Okinawa.
Good performance of Yutaka Takenouchi (Ryo), Ai Kato (Natsumi) and Nakatani when she is not yelling.
Maybe it's not an awesome drama but it's so interesting to watch.
Mondai no Aru Restaurant [問題のあるレストラン] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) After seeing her great performance in Saikou no Rikon I decided to watch a dorama where Yoko Maki has the leading role, and finally I betted for this one. First of all I have to say this dorama is not about a bunch of feminazis, and a transvestite, attacking everything related to men, so hey guys!, we can enjoy watching this show as well. It's a dorama about a group of acquaintances who decided to fight together to get a same dream, this sometimes reminds the concept of The 7 Samurais movie. Through this way to get their common objective, they explain some of the problems that might have women in a sexist society represented at the dorama, and how they can solve or overcome some of them. The show is so interesting and funny from the beginning, due to as there are different main characters, the action needs to start from the first chapter. But this means that it's difficult to see a leading one over others through all episodes. For this I think Maki Yoko performance is a little bit shadowed, so I keep thinking I prefer her role in Saikou no Rikon, where her skills like an actress brighted more. Finally, I found out two talents to follow: Mayu Matsuoka and Mitsuki Takahata.
MR. BRAIN Rating: 3/10 (Watched) Takuya Kimura, the Golden Boy from last 90's and early 2000, and Haruka Ayase, the heir of the last two Golden Girls, Takako Matsu and Ryoko Hirosue, star this mistery dorama which pretends to be a kind of crime investigation show that are quite popular in the States like CSI or NCIS.
About the show it's a pity that actors like Kagawa Teruyuki (Hanzawa Naoki - 2013) or Haruka Ayase (Sekachu - 2004 or Jin - 2009 & 2011) have to lower themselves to that level to allow Kimura stands out in this bad imitation between The Mentalist and Trick, created specially to suit him well. For this reason the only interesting thing that I find in this dorama is seeing all the cameos who appear in it, like Ryoko Hirosue (Departures - 2008), Koyuki (The Last Samurai - 2003) or Yukie Nakama (Shinobi - 2005).
Mukodono! [ムコ殿/女婿大人] Rating: 3/10 (Watched) Many people recommend me this drama, but finally when I watched it, I can only say I didn't enjoy watching it. The performance of Nagase Tomoya is too exaggerated and the way to represent the plot is quite boring. The kind of dorama that I won't watch it twice
My Boss, My Hero [マイボスマイヒロ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) For me this drama is better than Mukodono (2001) that has a similar story. Of course, Nagase Tomoya's performance is better here, too.
The way to mix high school students with yakuza is better than Gokusen drama.
Attetion to the performance of Yui Aragaki
My Little Chef Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Another way to see the art of cooking. What would you say if you have the opportunity to go to a restaurant where you can eat a customized dish only for you that helps you to rediscover yourself for ending up solving all your current problems?? This is the plot of this wonderful drama. It helped me to know one of the best japanese actress, Yada Akiko, who had the support at the show of another of doramas monster like Hiroshi Abe.
News no onna [ニュースの女] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) This drama might seem boring but it's quite interesting. It has very good episodes, all of them about the world of the TV news and a woman newsreader that have to fight between that world and her personal life after she had to report on air the death of her husband in a traffic accident.
Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Great drama about classical music, and though i don't like so much the unusual characters that act in the drama, like Nodame, i have to admit that i enjoyed with all the concerts. Bravo!!
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This is one of the doramas that most friends recommended me, and finally I ending up watching it. The plot of the dorama is interesting especially at the beginning, trying to call the nostalgy of old memories at the university. At the same time, there is a love story that according of the way is explained, seems more a kind of summer love. The relationship between the two main characters reminds me the one that had in Beautiful Life, a man who ending up falling in love with a disabled woman, in this case deaf. Saying this, I prefer more the performance of Tokiwa Takako than here with Kou Shibasaki, her performance didn't convince me. However her character helps us to understand better the complex personality of a person with a disability, always pushing herself to the loneliness. Further to this, in the last episodes there are a lack of events, like if the story ended up focusing too much in the two main characters, forgetting that sometimes the Hiroki Narimiya story was even more interesting than the main one. Satoshi Tsumabuki did it great, but in certain moments reminds me the shy guy in Dekichatta Kekkon. Great to see one of the first doramas of Juri Ueno, in spite of being so young here, her acting is so good. Finally, the ending theme is perfect for the show, if you ever had an affair in Japan, it's impossible haven't listened almost once Mr. Children
Otousan [おとうさん] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) The best drama for anybody that would want to be the father of these four cute and beautiful daughters: Naoko Iijima, Miki Nakatani, Ryoko Hirosue and Kyoko Fukada.
Pride [プライド] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This drama is like the beer, at first you don't like it so much, but gradually while you don't notice it, you begin to like it a lot.
Kimutaku shows again that he's the King Midas of the Japanese Dramas. Attention to the awesome's performance of all the cast, specially Yuko Takeuchi and Kenji Sakaguchi
Roosevelt Game [ルーズヴェルト・ゲーム] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) After watching one of the most interesting dorama ever like Hanzawa Naoki, and having watched Shitamachi Rocket as well, it's time to enjoy with the second adaptation to TV of novel of Jun Ikeido, it's time to Roosevelt Game!
First of all, this is literally a business dorama, it could use in those meetings where directors or chiefs want to show to their high, middle or low-level employees that the best way to manage or improve a company is being a team. This has nothing to do with the desire of justice and vengeance of Hanzawa Naoki, it's a different kind of dorama, where the main characters have to carry out with some measures to save their business and not going to bankrupt, like laying off part of the workforce or making to the rest of the personnel working a lot of hours without seeing their respective relatives as they'd wish. So now I can understand why one year later in Shiatamachi Rocket (a kind of Roosevelt Game 2.0) it appears the Tsukuda corporation where everybody is happy, having a boss performanced by the always funny Abe Hiroshi, where his family have some importance in the story, and the goal of the company is keeping on dreaming, inventing new devices. So, this way it's better and easier for the viewers to end up identifying with this variation of business dorama. Roosevelt Game tryies to do the same through the baseball team, but I think they fail in the message.
Ruri no shima [瑠璃の島] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Splendid drama about a girl and the inhabitants of a little island of Okinawa. Certainly, very touching!
Saikou no Rikon [最高の離婚] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) At first I thought this dorama was a trivial, insignificant TV show. However, from the episode 4 it improved so much, even to think it was better than I thought at the beginning. The feelings about the 4 characters began to flow easily in a very mature way. They treated the divorce issue correctly and adultly, giving to it a new point of view. But, as always happens lately, the performance is too exaggerated, until the point to think this ruin part of the plot of a dorama that could have been more interesting. Further to this, despite to know from the beginning how this dorama would end I would have prefered another final, I think this was ready for a new one, it was only necessary betting for it, and not always for the typical and expected happy ending. Finally, watching it I have found out an incredible actress here, Maki Yoko, the only one who gives to her character certain emotional depth. From now on I think I'll try to take a look to her performances in other doramas
Waiting in a queue...
Just as happened in doramas like Kekkon Dekinai Otoko, Date ~ Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira or Kazoku no Katachi, here is another show based in the difficulties that have many japanese ppl in their 30's or 40's to get married nowadays. An unrealistic view of the pure love relationships from 80's or 90's shows, a low or bad experience with the opposite sex, or the emancipation of the women from houseworks, expecting now more from men has contributed to this phenomenon. If in the doramas mentioned before, they try to show that love is not only happiness and joy, here it tryies to show how to flirt with women properly. A man who has everything what he wants, now he should get what he hasn't been able to get yet, love. A good opportuniy to see acting Eiko Koike in a dorama.
Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu [世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Undoubtedly one of the best dramas that i've ever watched. If i had to describe it with just one word i'd say: Love. We'll watch how the main character, Saku, have to learn to live after the death by leukemia of his love, Aki, 17 years ago. His memories will take us to that time to discover a true and innocence love of two high school students in a small town of Japan.
Sekachu, based on the best seller of Kyoichi Katayama, perfectly can be named Saku and Aki, no more is needed.
The performances of all the cast is excellent, specially Haruka Ayase and Takayuki Yamada. I've no words to describe it.
Shinzanmono [新参者] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Great performance of Abe Hiroshi as detective Kaga Kyoichiro. Although at the beginning the dorama is entertaining, since the episodes 5~6 the drama become more interesting.
Shiroi Haru [白い春] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A familiar and touching drama about a person that want to change his way of life and aspire to get a second opportunity. The relationship between Haruo (Hiroshi Abe) and Sachi (Nozomi Ohashi) is so moving. They did a great performance, but it's also notable the Yuriko Yoshitaka's, i'm sure she'll have a bright future.
Thanks to this drama we'll watch another Japan, where people have to try hard to get a job in times of recession
Shitamachi Rocket [下町ロケット] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) After the great hit of Hanzawa Naoki, I wanted to watch another dorama based on a novel of Jun Ikeido, as Hanzawa is. However, despite the fact that would be considered as a work belonging to the new Oshigoto genre, that Ikeido popularized, it doesn't have the intensity that Hanzawa Naoki dorama had. First of all Abe Hiroshi is Abe Hiroshi as always, he doesn't add any special feature here, his way of acting is the same that most of the doramas he has taken part. I am not saying he isn't a good actor, for me is one of the best ever, but here I expected to see another thing. The rest of the cast act well, but they aren't so charismatic. The story is interesting, but it could be almost the same as many of the Oshigoto doramas previous to Hanzawa Naoki, like Hero (2001), that is, interesting but not unforgettable. The difference with the rest would be that here is so visible the Ikeido's influence, like an structure of the show, a development of the story, a lot of business details or relative to them, and some turn of events, seeing before in Hanzawa dorama. Briefly, if you watched Hanzawa Naoki you will recognize similarities with it here, but don't expect the same level of quality and impact.
Star no Koi [スタアの恋] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Remembering my three sexiest actress in 2004, that are: Naoko Iijima, Eriko Sato and Norika Fujiwara, I decided to watch a dorama of one of them, in this case from Fujiwara. After watching her as supporting actress in Love Generation (1997) and News no Onna (1998) it was time to watch her with the leading role in this funny dorama, a kind of japanese version of Notting Hill.
First of all, The first episode was horrible, I almost shot myself listening all the time that unbearable melody. However, the rest of the show is really much better, funny and easy to watch. I thought it was about the common guy who wants to get the celebrity girl, but it was different. Being calm and realistic, it's he who doesn't want to start any relationship with her, and it will be her who has to take some initiative. If in other doramas the supporting cast has some importance, here it's crucial, because being the main roles, a quite man and celeb who doesn't undesrtand love, they will have the part of weight of the plot, special mention to Hiroko Anzai and Takashi Ukaji's roles. About Norika Fujiwara, her performance was splendid, but due to the needs of the script, maybe she couldn't show all her potencial as an actress. Even so, great for her. Sexy and beautiful as always.
Summer snow Rating: 6/10 (Watched) The last episode is the worst, it ruined the whole drama plot that could have been one of the best ever. As I just said before, if the dorama would have lasted just 10 episodes instead of 11, my rating would have been 9 or 10. About the cast, nothing to say, their performance is excellent, specially from Ryoko Hirosue, this is one of the show to see all her potential as an actress. Chapeau!
Tokyo Love Story [東京ラブストーリー] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) When I began to watch doramas in the distant 2004, I had already read that Tokyo Love Story (1991) could be the best doramas of 90's, in that moment it was difficult to believe after having started this long way of japanese tv shows with Long Vacation (1996), in my opinion one of the best ever. But now I have the opportunity to check how good TLS is.
The cast was so promising, Oda Yuji (Last Christmas - 2004), Suzuki Honami (News no Onna - 1998), Eguchi Yosuke (101 Kaime no Puropozu - 1991) and Arimori Narimi (eeto....), however this dorama has two parts, the beginning is quite simple. Im not saying it is not interesting, it is, but the way to explain it is horrible. However, from the episode 4 or 5 the plot improved a lot, so alongside with the main characters, the story grow up with them. Getting finally one of the best doramas to enjoy, even for being impossible to stop watching it.
The performance of Oda, what can I say?, it's the same of Last Christmas, it's like he doesn't act in another way, dull characters. And I could say the same about Arimori's character, quite boring. About Eguchi, his performance here has nothing to do with the other hit dorama of the same year, 101 Kaime no Puropozu. Here it's so plain and boring like the rest of the cast. But not all is bad, the only one I save is Suzuki Honami, her role as Rika is the light in the darkness of this dorama, it's the main reason to keep watching the show from the 1st episode. Further to this, although the whole of the dorama is not perfect, making me keeping thinking that Long Vacation is better, I don't have any doubt that its ending and Rika character make TLS unforgettable forever.
Just as curiosity, it looks like this dorama would have been used as inspiration for Last Christmas, like a new version TLS 2.0, after watching both, I think TLS is even a little bit better. By the way, 10 points for the opening theme: Love Story wa Totsuzen ni
Trick [トリック] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) With no doubt one of my favourites dramas. I couldn't stop to watch all the chapters trying to understand where is the trick.
Of course, for me the performance of Abe Hiroshi and Yukie Nakama are perfect, one of the best couple that i've watched in a drama.
Amazing!, you must watch it!
Trick Season 2 [トリック2] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) The second season of this amazing drama, if you enjoy with the first season you'll enjoy the same with this season, too.
Trick Season 3 [トリック3] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) The last season of this incredible drama. At last we'll discover the origins of Naoko Yamada. As i said with the 1st and 2nd season, the 3rd won't disappoint you, either. Amazing!!
Virgin Road [バージンロード] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This classic of the 90's was one of the first doramas to fall into my hands in 2004. However, I found the opening theme so unbearable and I stopped watching it. Now after having read very good references about it and having overcome my problems with Namie Amuro's song (Lol), I have been able to watch it completely.
First of all, this dorama surprised me, it is one of the 90's shows that represent better the typical pure love stories that were so popular in that time, a future single mother who fall in love with the bad guy, that ends up wanting to be the father of her baby, it's easy. It might seem a boring plot, but from the 1st episode the dorama is so balanced, maintaining the interest in every moment, there aren't too much doramas that can get this.
Further to this, I think one of the secetes of this show is the cast: Emi Wakui (Date ~ Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira - 2015), Takashi Sorimachi (GTO - 1998) and Tetsuya Takeda (101 Kaime no Puropozu - 1991). About Wakui, I have been reading good comments about her, recommending always this dorama, now that I just watched it I can say, she deservers all of them. Sorimachi proved here his skills as an actor one year before of his great hit GTO, undoubtedly this was a good cover letter. And what to say about Takeda?, this actor is amazing, for me one the best, he alone can change a dorama like this to a family one in a second, in spite of his height, his presence in the show is quite huge.
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101 Kaime no Puropozu [101回目のプロポーズ]
Abe Hiroshi [阿部寛]
