Just finished Double Face - Sennyuu Sousa-hen and it was pretty awesome. An excellent remake of Infernal Affairs, and in some parts even better than the original. Nishijima Hidetoshi really looks like Tony Leung, right down to the haunted look, and acting-wise was pretty good. Music was great too.

Can't wait to get down to part 2.

Edit:
Just finished part 2 and it was pretty good. The ending scene was pretty symbolic and I like how it was done. Kohinata Fumiyo rocks like a boss, and unlike Infernal Affairs, I thought the ladies' roles in Double Face (aka Wakui Emi and Aoi Yu) were quite nicely done and not superfluous. Overall, a very satisfying watch.
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gaijinmark wrote:

Don't give up on 'Samurai High School'. I seem to recall it was one of the better dramas of that season.

Been meaning to check this one out. Now Im going too.

WAtching Orange Days finally. Going slowly as Im watch One Piece too.

now off to the anime thread.
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Trade or Distro
It's all good!

Check out my drama trade list: http://www.freewebs.com/evendrama/

gaijinmark wrote:

EstherM mentioned 'Moteki' in the recommendations thread. Realized I hadn't seen it so I've watched the first two episodes and so far it's great!! Besides having another of my favorites, Hikari Mitsushima, Mirai Moriyama is perfect as Fujimoto.

Happy to hear that you liked it too! Despite not being realistic in the strictest sense, it gives in my opinion realistic glimpses of the actual Tokyo dating/romancing scene.

Speaking of Mitsushima, I had the pleasure to watch the first episode of Woman, the story of a widow with 2 kids. During the 15 first minutes it seemed one of these cheery ganbaru against all odds dramas but then it leaps forward and jumps right into something much better.
Also, it's interesting to watch at times where a Miki Ando gets trashed by the press for deciding to be a single mother (see update from gaijinmark in the iceskating thread). Well thanks god, much to the disdain of the general public, who also thinks it's none of our business.

EstherM wrote:

Happy to hear that you liked it too! Despite not being realistic in the strictest sense, it gives in my opinion realistic glimpses of the actual Tokyo dating/romancing scene. Speaking of Mitsushima, I had the pleasure to watch the first episode of Woman, the story of a widow with 2 kids. During the 15 first minutes it seemed one of these cheery ganbaru against all odds dramas but then it leaps forward and jumps right into something much better.

I ended up liking 'Moteki' a lot. I think he stole his 'time machine' from Taizo Harada's 'Nep League'. The four actresses were all very good although once again Mitsushima stood out. I was wondering if it was because of the way her part was written or because of her. I suspect more the latter.

Good to hear the 'Woman' might be pretty good. Been looking forward to it.

OT: Up thru epi 9 of 'Galileo 2'. The two final episodes might turn out to be the best with Yuki Amami. It hasn't been disappointing, just not anything new or different from the first one.

Woman episode 1 was really good. Got a bit teary there in the middle. A lot of room for back story and development for Koharu's relationship with her mother, not entirely sure of their emotions and thoughts during their conversation. The hardship and challenges in Koharu's life feel very real, though there are a nice balance of the brighter side of life too.

^ yes Woman seems to be this season's winner.
I forgot to mention, I also checked out NHK's mystery drama Gekiryuu ~ Watashi wo Oboete Imasuka? They have cast three of my favourite - because less commercial and very beautiful - actresses: Tomosaka Rie, Tanaka Reina and Kuninaka Ryoko. I will definitely continue this drama about 5 former friends who unwillingly try to resolve the mystery around a friend who disappeared 20 years prior. And that at a time when all their lives seem to go apeshit anyway. Could fall flat but so far I enjoy it.

Oh and I watched the Yamapi drama with the silly title Summer Nude last night. It seems to be a love square (Yamapi versus Karina, Toda, Masami) and ticks most boxes of the trendy drama: expect some running and maybe somebody is going to the US around episode 10 I will not continue.
On the gossip side, Toda Erika needs to gain some weight seriously.

Hmm, I suddenly got the urge to re-watch Densha Otoko
So I'm tying to look at my archives now and see where I put it...

hopefully I get to watch it during the weekend...
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I'm currently watching that winter the wind blows 😊 and still waiting for the english sub of 35 sai no koukousei

watching Woman at the moment, solid screenplay so far that gives a very realistic experience of what's happening. worth watching. reminds me a bit of Mother. It turns out, both are written by the same guy, Yuji Sakamoto. BRILLIANT as always.

another solid drama is is Furueru Ushi

passed up on Summer Nude and Shomuni already. NEXT.
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EstherM wrote:

On the gossip side, Toda Erika needs to gain some weight seriously.

They just started showing 'Code Blue' here and she makes Ryo look fat, can't imagine her being much thinner!!

OT: "Galileo2" episode 10. Special guest villainess Yuki Amami.

Woman episode 2 was very good, and very sad again. I am not sure about the story, I hope it's more than unraveling of mysteries in the past. Koharu's and Nozomi's feelings were well expressed, though I didn't understand Nozomi's action until she explained...



Last Present up to episode 9. Quite a nice family drama, even though I wasn't that interested at the beginning. The highlights for me were the scenes between Asuka (Amami Yuki) and her daughter Ayumi (Fukuda Mayuko), and when characters were considerate of others' feelings. Nagasaku Hiromi was very likeable here. Not really feeling it for Amami Yuki, even though she played the main character here.



Nobunaga no Chef. Watched 3 episodes last month. Not bad, better than expected, but even then only Shida Mirai kept me watching, but her role here is very minor.

Started ep 1 of Shinzanmono - pretty decent so far, Abe Hiroshi was solid as usual. Mehh on Kuroki Meisa, but it was a pleasant surprise to find Natsukawa Yui among the guest stars.
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Naruyouni Narusa episode 1.

I was surprised by the playful/amusing tone of the drama, was expecting a serious but heartwarming family drama (It could still be that). Makes some of the serious social commentaries/observations a bit more enjoyable I suppose. It may feel a little strange if Asano Atsuko continues to be so peppy all the time. Episode 1 was basically setting up the restaurant and introducing the characters, the 3 lodgers didn't have much screen time. Everyone were really in support of Asano Atsuko's character in the first episode, hope they will have more story for Tachi Hiroshi's and Shida Mirai's characters in the next episode.

^ Sounds like they have finally given Asano a decent role. The last two dramas I saw her in ('Freeter' and 'Itsuka Hi') her character was so one-dimensional, with her talent, it was like sending Reggie Jackson up to bunt.

hmm, I'm planning to watch Joker (starring Anne) for a while now but its taking forever to grab the series....

Anyway, did start watching Summer nude - story seems ok so far and have well known casts.
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Episode 5 of Doctor X. One of those dramas that follows the ol' and tired template. Ryoko and Uchida Yuki are awesome so far, but that's about it. The operations are not believable and the supporting cast (with the exception of Uchida) are having a hard time winning me over.

Still, four more episodes to go! Watching Ryoko in a drama makes up for all the rest.
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Wynter wrote:

Episode 5 of Doctor X. One of those dramas that follows the ol' and tired template. Ryoko and Uchida Yuki are awesome so far, but that's about it. The operations are not believable and the supporting cast (with the exception of Uchida) are having a hard time winning me over.

Yeah, I guess the plot line isn't anything new, but I just love Ryoko's no-nonsense, take charge attitude... Strong, confident, intelligent women are terrific.

Just finished watching Moto Kare.

There was nothing special about it in hindsight, except perhaps the acting performances of the two leads, but while I was watching, I had a hard time to stop watching. Probably would have finished it in two days if I had time. Hirosue Ryoko was really good in this I thought, but the story was fairly flat and both Domoto Tsuyoshi's and Uchiyama Rina's characters were rather weak and uninspiring. Glad it was a happy ending though (for me anyway). I enjoyed it.

I'm currently watching Summer Nude which basically means I need somebody to recommend me another dorama for this season.

Looking at previous posts I am definitely going to check out Woman.

Can't remember the last I screamed out "WHY??!" with teary eyes since 1 Liter of Tears.
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