1
4
I was pleasantly surprise at the cameos at the end of the movie... cameos of actors who worked previously with Abe Hiroshi
On a side note, I wish more Higashino's books were translated, they are truly worth reading.
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It is an episodic drama, and almost all episodes were unpredictable. Like 90% of them. The last one was amazing. There is nothing Dako can't prevent nor can't do. These trio of con may make a lot of money, but to make money, they also spend tons. So most of the times it was very over-the-top, but that is why this drama was so much fun to watch. It was a witty drama, with lots of sense of humor.
I know it is almost impossible, but I wish this one has a 2nd Season. Or at least a movie. I feel like I didn't have enough time with Dako's, Boku's and Richard's adventures.
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This review may contain spoilers
I found this drama in some ways similar to "Ashita no Yakusoku" (a drama I wish to finish someday... if the subs are complete). It is a school drama, but with more emphasis in the teachers and teaching, unlike other school dramas like "Gokusen" and Cia. The visual aspect is darker, but while Ashita no Yakusoku has a more complex story, this one is more on the human side.Story: (8/10) I decided to watch it without reading the plot. I guess because of not having the chance to finish the drama mentioned above. So I was pleasantly surprised, since there isn't nothing more gratifying than starting a drama without expectations and without having read spoilers. The story is about a man (Sakurai Sho) who is appointed to be the principal of a high school in need of a good remodeling. Since he is primarily a businessman (a salaryman) he first sees everything as a product, but all his ideas are good and he is a hard working man. I liked his perspective of hiring best teachers for the different clubs; it is true that if the school excels in, let's say basket, more students will want to attend that school. A strong club attracts more students. I like how, as the school gets better in education, both teachers and students are more motivated to be better themselves, on teaching and on learning, respectively. And also how eventually they all are proud of their school.Cast: (8/10) Sakurai improved greatly since "Kazoku Game", but it could be also because his role wasn't cartoonish. There were a couple of times where I was seeing Sakurai the Idol (his round face was a bit distracting), but most of the times he was Narumi. I think almost all actors did a good job, even the students (I like the student who was going to marry Kuroki-kun). I even liked Seto Koji, specially when he was teaching English. As a suitor, he was like a puppy: a bit clingy and a bit annoying, but harmless. I do feel like Tabe Mikako's character was a a bit wasted. Aoi Yuu's character was better developed.The 3 main ladies were the best for me. The two in the love triangle and the counselor (Igawa Haruka). There were a couple of times where I was thinking what a lucky guy Narumi was, to be surrounded by 3 intelligent, hard-working, beautiful ladies... who also happened to be excellent actresses.I didn't like the bad guy since his laughs were just too much... all of him actually. Even when he was eating his lunch it was disgusting. Such a 2-dimensional villain. And I also didn't like the trio of teachers who were against Narumi. Such a shame because I like YosiYosi.Music: (8/10) Arashi's "Doors" is not one of my favorites, but I came to like it more with this drama. And I liked the OST, since it wasn't serious.Rewatch value: (8/10) Actually I almost never rewatch anything since there are so many dramas and so little time, so the rewatch thing for me would be the "recommended?". Yes, I would recommend it but to people who like to see how a entity improves, from being a MEH school to a praised one.I do think that this is one of those dramas that deserved at least one extra episode, but overall, it ended well. Was this review helpful to you?
Story: (9/10) This dorama is about family, marriage, friendship, comradeship. It is like every "Romance" J-dorama I see it addresses the reluctance of the MC to get married, and people around them pressure them to get married. I know that Japan has a low rate of marriage/low-birth, but sometimes this kind of stories can get a little preachy. Anyway, like in "Kekkon Dekinai Otoko", this is the story of a mature guy, Daisuke, who is pleased to live alone and doesn't want to get married at all. He is completely happy living in his own "castle" (as he likes to call his apartment, who looks gorgeous, btw) and drink his beer. Alone. That changes once his father comes with Kota, Daisuke's new younger brother, and imposes his presence in his "castle". Also, around the same time, Daisuke befriends his neighbor, Hanako.
Daisuke is not as anti-social nor awkward as Kuwano, but he is grumpy. It is not hard to sympathize with him. I would also be grumpy if my precious space was invaded by people. But those people are all kind, with a good heart, although there are also some that can be a bit bothersome (like all-happy-girl Tanaka-san).
Hanako deals with her own problems, her mother also comes and invades her personal space. And her ex-husband wants to get back together. Like many other J-dramas (a thing I absolutely love) is that the ex-husband is a good man, not evil nor bothersome. Same with Daisuke's ex-girlfriend.
All characters that become a friend sort of, thanks to Daisuke's dad, was likeable. Specially Sasaki-san (I adore this chubby actor, he is so funny!). This dorama is mostly about that, how Daisuke's dad comes back to his son's life and changes everyone that is around Daisuke.
For people looking for a romance: I wouldn't call this a romance, I prefer to call it a deep bond, a true friendship, a camaraderie.
Cast: (8/10) Ueno Juri was excellent, I was moved by her tears. Not a moment I thought "oh, this is Nodame". Too bad her hair was so awful, but she is so pretty I could ignore it sometimes. Same with Shingo. I didn't see Shingo, but Daisuke. They were both excellent. And of course, Sasaki-san was also terrific. Many people praise Daisuke's dad but I am not a fan of this actor. I think he has many mannerisms that annoyed me. He is always saying: "ano sa", "ano ne". Mizuhara Kiko was terrible as Tanaka'san, she pouts so much it is annoying. Kota, the younger brother, was pitiful, but I dislike when pitiful characters don't talk and go there with their head down. On the good side, I think that he looked like a Japanese Harry Potter. And also a bit like Yuriko Yoshitaka.
We have 4 mini-reunions in this show: Ouran High School Host Club (Haruhi and Honeysempai, and coincidence! he was called "Haru"); Tiger and Dragon (Shishou and Jumptei Jump); Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (mother of the killer, brother of the killed one), and Shingo and Arisa.
{Edit: there is a guy who played the personal trainer of Hanako at the gym. For days I was "who was that guy?". He isn't in any of the cast lists. Then I remembered. He was one of the butlers of Mei-chan no Shitsuji.}
Music: (9/10) I love the music "Unpredictable Story", bye Ellie. There are 2 versions, one slow and one faster. I think I prefer the slow one but even so,both are beautiful. Currently in my playlist.
Rewatch value: (9/10) this is one of those dramas that can be recommended to anyone. I don't think there would be a person, male or female, who wouldn't like this. It is easy to watch, it is charming, it is not slow, it is real.
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Story: 10/10
This is a very realistic manga/live action, about obstetricians and midwives and mothers and new-born babies. About the miracle of life and the sadness of death and being an orphan. It is an episodic drama, where we meet mothers-to-be in every episode. Some of them have their HEA with their babies, some of them doesn't, which was very sad. So sad to make the audience cry. All episodes were excellent, but there is one that was special, and that is Episode 5. I cried like a baby. Not only it is about a teenager mom who decides to give her baby in adoption, but it is also about Kounodori-sensei and his story, how he was separated from his first mama in the orphanage. My, the little boy being taken away while shouting his mama's name... just remembering about it makes me cry. Kounodori-sensei tells to a mother in an episode that life as an orphan has it ups and downs, and that episode made me see the downs... poor boys, all alone in the world, having a caretaker for all of them (when all they need is the love of a mother) and then being separated to go to another orphanage again. At least Dr. Kounodori did have 2 wonderful mamas, but still, his past was truly moving. And then, the teenager girl was such a good actress! It was like she was truly having a birth, and it was like she was truly giving up her baby. It was very sad, but at the same time, realistic (in the manga, her story has a HEA)
And the last case, with the little boy Naoto-kun having an extra chromosome (it was Trisomy 16 maybe?). OMG, I loved that little guy, I wanted to go in there and hug him. Poor baby, and his parents did not want him at first. It was sad seeing him, because I am sure in real life the little baby really had this syndrome. One of the other positive things about this drama is that they truly have premature babies, babies with problems, newborn babies, so it made everything more real.
Acting/Cast: 10/10
This is one of the few dramas that I watch for the story instead of the cast. I only knew a couple of the actors. Like Ayano Go, who I dislike. Or used to, because after this dorama, I can't see him as a douche anymore. Because he has the face of a criminal (sorry!) but in this dorama, he was always so calm, and nice, and such a good doctor, and no overacting at all, I ended up liking him. I thought at first that anyone could have played the doctor, why it had to be him? But he was so good I can't complain anymore. His friends, Dr. Shinomiya (Hoshino Gen) who was a blank-face guy at first, but who I liked so much by the end (his story was also kind of pathetic, and very sad) and Yoshida Yo, who looked so much like manga-Komatsu (except that the actress was taller). The 2 young actors, Matsuoka Mayu and Sakaguchi Kentaro, were adorable, although comparing to the other actors, they did overreact a couple of times. But all in all, I loved the cast, and also the guest stars. I mean, all the mothers when they cried looked so real! They were all marvelous, although the teenager mother could be my favorite. And the mother whose baby died because of the no-brain. Her case was also so sad :(
Oguri Shun, who is everywhere, has a role for about half of the drama. His daughter has some scenes in the last episode, and she is so cute! She looks so much like her parents. First it was "oh, the image of Oguri Shun!", but then, "oh, she looks so much like her mother!".
Music: 9/10
The music was nice and sweet, and the ending song was good, but it did not leave a big impact on me, as the musics in dorama I really love do. Some of the music the doctor plays at the piano were good and tender.
Rewatch value: 10/10
I would totally rewatch this! Nice story (never slow, never overdramatic, never "preachy" as some people like to say over doramas), nice cast (main and supportive), what is not to love? I would recommend this to anyone really, even to people who don't watch J-dorama. I wish I could find other one like this: human stories, real stories, with likeable characters and great acting.
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This review may contain spoilers
Is it weird to say this 6episodes drama felt much longer than the 70episode drama??I felt like I was never going to finish... it was pretty bad. It helped to see the familiar clothes and places and listen to the bgm though.
Watch it if you love Yingluo and/or the Emperor. I do and I do not regret watching this bad short drama... it was so nice to see them (and their servants) again ^_^
There are 4 main characters in this short drama: Yingluo's daughter (Zhaohua), Erqing's son (Fu KangAn), a prince and Prince He's daughter (when did he become a father?? if this princess was born around the same time as Zhaohua, her father was already dead??). None of these 4 characters were likeable. There is a lot of screaming, jealousy and falling in/out of love in the space of 2-3 episodes, which didn't make sense at all.
Zhaohua is a very immature and annoying princess and I guess she only resembles her mother in the stubbornness part. Otherwise, no idea why she was her father's favorite **eyerolling**. She falls for the prince in ep2 or 3 and by the next episode, she was in love with the other guy **eyerolling**. The prince doesn't like her in one episode but by the next he is in love **eyerolling**. The "scheming" and revenge plays were like a kid doing them... a spoiled brat doing them. Not brainy like the prequel.
I don't think saying this was short made it impossible to like the new characters since I've watched many short dramas that were very well executed in a short length. It still amazes me that both dramas were written by the same screenwriter O_O
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I loved Hiramasa-san, he is the epitome of what I consider Japanese men to be. Quiet, well educated, cold-looking, awkward, hardworking, no interest in woman or having a relationship. Main interest is living a quiet, comfortable life. All of these changes once he makes a marriage contract with Mikuri-san. I like how their relationship evolved. We may not have seen much skinship and lovey-dovey things between them, but that was precisely the charm. Mikuri has to do all the work but with patience. A man like Hiramasa-san would be scared off otherwise, ha! I like how she came up with little things (like Tuesday's hugs) to be closer to each other. And just when you thought this Hiramasa was just too slow and wouldn't do anything to take things further, he surprises us with a kiss! (ok, I was not surprised since I was spoiled on Tumblr... and because when that kiss happened, the kiss in YOI also happened. Ha!)
I am not really a super fan of Gakki, but she had a wonderful character in this dorama. It was impossible not to cheer for her, not to root for her. It was lovely how she falls for this little guy (this is not a lie... Hoshino Gen is truly little!). I love her imagination and how the dorama shows us how her mind works! The little scenes of her imagination were always funny to watch.
The other characters were all likable. In the past, I used to be not a fan of relationship between a much older woman and a much younger man. But in this case, it wasn't possible to not root for Yuri-san and the Ikemen-guy. Yuri-san is such a beautiful woman! I couldn't believe she was 49 years old, so I had to look it up. I am surprised to say that she is 47! She looks like 40 or less, even if you can see her wrinkles, which makes her even more pretty, because she is all natural! The age gap is not that much in real life (it is 11 instead of 17 years), and Kazami was a lucky guy to have her at the end. I love her point of view regarding marriage and being single, and I teared up a little bit the time she cried.
Story: As mentioned before, I was very interested in this story because Hiramasa-san represents Japan male youth nowadays. But it is not only that, the dorama also focuses on work and being a housewife, and being a new-mother who has a husband in an affair (and prefers divorce instead of accepting said affair... as far as I know, because of what I have read, Japanese women prefer to ignore the affairs of their husbands), and there is also romantic relationship between an older woman with a younger man, and a bit about homosexuality and the pressure of a Japanese person to come back to Japan after having lived outside for so long. I mean, although this was a romantic comedy (more comedy than romantic, and to emphasize this, I have to say I laughed out loud in almost every episode), there were also many serious and contemporary issues. The main issue may be entirely Japanese (main male character is an herbivorous guy) but the other issues are worldwide. The only, let's say "twist", that wasn't too much of my liking was the one at the end with Numata-san. And that's because he is like 60 years old and the boy is like 20. Ew.
Music: Excellent OST. So fine, the OP isn't "OMG, I LOVE IT!", but it is cute and with a nice mood and fits the dorama perfectly. The soundtrack that goes along the dorama was soo good. Like Italian-like (with acchordeon), and it was almost in every laid-back scene. And of course, the ED "KOI" is so catchy! I thought I wouldn't be part of the fandom, but I was wrong! The dance is cute, Hoshino Gen certainly can sing on live, and it will always be part of the best months of 2016 for me. One, because I visited Japan, and two, because YOI was also broadcasted at the same time. So from now on, every time I listen to this song it will be a natsukasshii! feeling for me XD
I would totally rewatch this, no doubt. And would I recommend it? Heck yes! This may not -yet- be one of my favorite dorama (I can't say WHY exactly), but I can say that anyone who wants to watch a light but realistic dorama, to give this a try. There are no silly misunderstandings, no overacting, no stupid tears, so soap-opera-ish scenes... totally recommended.
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Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
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- A sees B as a hero, respects him, thinks B is amazing.
- B is crazy about A
- A has self-esteem issues, is also shy
- B encourages A to do things
- A thinks lowly of himself/herself, but actually many people is there to support him/her
- B may be the sun, but A is someone we need to protect at all cost
I love A, my adopted baby <3
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I wish Nagasawa Masami had a bigger role... this movie made me realize she is great for badass-warrior-like roles (but she is also great for silly roles like Dako-chan... she just doesn't suit the cute, romantic, pathetic role).
As someone who has not read the manga nor the plot of the movie, I loved it. I will even re-watch it maybe this weekend. If the budget for the sequel is the same as for this one, I will definitely watch it, since the CGI was excellent, as well as the script and the action scenes.
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Kimura Yukino as the wife was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I don't think I'll be able to see her differently from the crazy, manipulative, lady-like, composed and lovely Maria-san. So beautiful too (her smile!). Actually, this couple was gorgeous.
And yay! Police here is smart and know how to do their jobs. I hate to watch dramas where the police is portrayed as useless and stupid. The detectives/cops connected the dots, suspected of everyone and MOVED in order to get to the truth. Kudos!
The mistress (Aibu Saki) is at least quite smart and not a nasty woman. To be honest, the only character I didn't like was the neighbor Kujirai Yuki, not sure if it was because she was so pathetic or I just didn't like how she was portrayed by the actress.
Every episode was a surprise. I couldn't predict any twist. Maria is the most likeable villain I've seen in a drama. I loved it from beginning to end. Actually, the end was genius XD
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Abe Hiroshi was, no surprise, amazing as Yamamura-san. He reminded me a little bit of Kusano from "Kekkon Dekinai Otoko" in his expressions, always sarcastic and with replies full of arrogance. Of course this is the kind of drama I love to watch, when this kind of guy learns how to depend on others, how to be kinder, and to value the "demeaning" job of being a househusband. And also when a man, who used to take women for granted, realizes being one is hard.
He had a wonderful chemistry with his wife (Shinohara Ryoko), his neighbor who is a dedicated househusband, and her daughter. I think I was hesitant to watch this because of Shinohara Ryoko. I don't know why but I don't like this woman ^_^ I have never watched any of her works, so my dislike is irrational. Nevertheless, she was excellent as the nice, hardworking wife.
But the chemistry I liked the most was between him and the little girl, Rie (Sakura Ando). They have many funny scenes, but also many tender ones. The little girl was excellent, there were many times where she was looking at his father with so much love. Or so much pride. Sometimes she was also looking at him a little sad. It was so nice.
The little neighborhood was cozy and their house looked like a candy-house. More like a cookie-house. Anyway, their ladies neighbors were too noisy for my taste, specially the "leader", but well, they all had a good heart.
I loved how Yamamura-san struggled with being a househusband, a task he took for granted. All the mess he did were so funny (starting in Ep. 1... Abe Hiroshi is SOOOOO good in comedy). Seems like the clean their houses every day O_O
Music was ok, there was one I liked the most because it suited Abe Hiroshi.. laid-back, funny and a bit silly. Kinda like, again, KDO.
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First episode was ok; to me, the weakest one. But Ep. 2 and the next, and the next, were all wonderful. Nagase Tomoya was excellent as Hara-chan. He is, in this drama, like a Japanese Jim Carrey. The way he runs, the way he laughs, the way he smiles... He is handsome but at the same time, goofy, which suits the character. The weakest character, for me, was Echizen-san, or "Kamisama", the mangaka. Not only she was a bit bland (but relatable) but the actress, Aso Kumiko, pouts a lot and I hate pouts. On the other hand, she has a sweet smile, and sometimes she looked like an older Gakky.
My favorite episodes were with the manga-characters and their first contact with the world. There was something innocent and sweet in all of these scenes, and the reason why the audience would fall in love with each of them. I loved their thumbs down. And Hara-chan smile :) The setting was lovely, albeit a bit empty. I wonder if there is a meaning for that. And also, what was the meaning of Tama-chan as a manga-character.
I love the OST. Ending song is by TOKIO, and also the nice melody that plays along the scenes. However, and this may sound strange since it is a children's song, my favorite was "Watashi no Sekai". Mostly because it IS the drama; we hear it in the opening song, but also, Hara-chan and his gang love to sing it when they are happy. The song is a bit like "It's a Small World": it is happy but also sad. It is nostalgic and sweet. The lyrics are meaningful, basically "Just let me be. We are all different. This is my life and that is yours". A bit depressing, but real.
The message of the dorama is to love yourself, to value your existence. To value your friends and family. Manga is a wonderful world, but eventually you have to live your own life. I wouldn't hesitate to re-watch it, how knows, maybe I would even love Ep. 1 as much as I did the rest. A hidden gem.
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If the manga is a 10/10, the anime is 7/10. If the anime was not good enough, the dorama is even less.
What is good:
The actors. Nakama Yukie looks exactly as Yankumi, and when she needs to appear sweet, she does, but when she has to fight, she looks like a bad-ass. The actors have a lot of chemistry: among the students, between Yankumi and her students, between Yankumi and Shin... The best moments of the dorama were all the scenes where the guys were together. And some of them look so young! Oguri Shun, Matsumoto Jun.. even an unknown Matsuyama Kenichi (who barely opens his mouth).
What was bad:
It is like the scripwriter took only the characters from the manga and nothing else. Everything was different. It seems like a crime to change such a wonderful manga. What was changed:
- Fujiyama-sensei: she lacks personality in the dorama; she is a beauty and nothing else. And she is not even a friend to Yankumi; her closer friend is an invented nurse.
- Shinohara-sensei: in the dorama, he is a detective who is not even close to Yankumi. He is always right in the middle of every fight, festival, party, etc. It was like he was working for the school or something.
- The Ooedo clan: they were a merely comic background. And the Kumicho was just a therapist for Yankumi, always there to listen to his Granddaughter issues and to have sympathy for her problems. Kyo-san is non existent, and Tetsu is "in love" with Yankumi (WTH!).
- Yankumi wants to be a teacher and nothing else. She does not want to be the Kumicho and her Grandpa supports her decision (as if Yankumi would refuse her role!).
-Every student's story: Kuma and his dad; Uchi and his mom; Shin and "his sister"... everything was made up. Honestly, I did not care about Kuma and Uchi, but that special episode, where Shin tells Yankumi that he wouldn't go to college and instead, was going to South Africa! That was such a big crime I almost burst in tears. Since when Shin cares to be a missionary?! Shin, who only wanted to study law to be the lawyer of the Ooedo clan and be beside Yankumi forever.
- The fact that she was a Yakuza is barely important. It is only relevant for her language, nothing else.
- Yankumi: this is not the actress' fault, it was the script. She acted silly most of the times. People who have read the manga know she is somewhat childish and silly, but not all the times. She was also a bad-ass, temperamental. And dorama-Yankumi likes to give looong speeches, which were kind of MEH.
Although I have to admit I almost squeal like the Shinkumi fan I am when Shin reveals he is also a rival in the love for Yankumi =D
Ending song: "Feel the breeze" by V6. Catchy song that fits the dorama perfectly.
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This is the second dorama I watched years ago -mind you, the second first Episode. After my first experience with Japanese dramas, I was excited to watch more, and after a lot of research, I decided for HYD. I barely finished Ep. 1... I disliked Doumyouji tremendously, although I did like Makino. And I have to admit, I thought the guys were very plain (they were supposed to be the most handsome of the school). So I drop it.
Then, I became a fan of Arashi. This dorama was mentioned once in a while. I started to like MatsuJun. I liked Oguri Shun a little bit. I read the manga then, and WOW, it became the shoujo manga I hate the most. But anyway, i just had to watch this, so here I am.
*This was good:
- The actresses: from Makino to Tsubaki. Makino (Inoue Mao) is a tough girl, she barely cries and she can stand up for justice. She is cute without being too cute; she is strong, she can kick ass whenever it is needed. It is not wonder why Doumyouji loves her.
- The setting: no wonder it is one of the most expensive doramas in Japan. Doumyouji’s mansion O_O, the mother’s office, the school… everything is so vast, clean and bright! But not only the buildings and rooms are beautiful; the streets are as well. It was Christmas’ time I guess, because all the lights in the street are amazing, plus the trees and the sidewalks all covered with yellowish leaves… Japan is so beautiful.
- The OST: I liked “Planetarium” by Ai Otsuka. It suited all the occasions so well. And although I am not really a fan of Arashi’s song, the opening “Wish” was fun and young-ish, and it went excellent with the presentation. It has an anime style that goes well with the dorama.
- Soujiro and Akira: I’ve read many times “Oh Doumyouji”… “Oh Hanazawa Rui”. Well, in my case was “Oh Soujiro and Akira”. Not because they are handsome (although Matsuda Shota is attractive in a very period Japanese style) but because they were so nice and easy going. In my mind, they were like Takenaga and Ranmaru (from YNSH), because the first one was more serious and the heir of a house of tea, and the second one because he liked to hang out with older, married women. They provided comic situations, they were just two sidekicks but very likable… from episode 3. Very good friends to Doumyouji (no idea why) and they helped him and Makino several times.
- Doumyouji’s love. I guess I am like all women, because I thought that Doumyouji was very romantic when he wanted to be. The times when he confessed his love to Makino, but more than anything, the times he proclaimed that of course Makino was the best of women because he chose her. And in front of many people, nonetheless! And because I am a big fan of bickers, I love every time he and Makino had their little discussions. Also, the hugs, because it is rare in a Jdorama to have REAL hugs.
- The symbol of the apple. I thought it was sweet, that it symbolized friendship. I love Japan, and find these little meaningful things is a delight.
*Kind of funny:
- The clothing. It was so bad (the shoes, the jackets... again the shoes). I guess that in Japan, while more rich, more tacky, and it is obvious here. It was so bad I liked it. I think it is part of Japan's charm...their over-the-top fashion sense. Although some guys -well, all except Doumyouji- needed a good haircut. I liked Doumyouji curly black hair; I think MatsuJun looks nice with this kind of style.
- Makino's English accent. In the last episode, Makino is a contestant of Teen Of Japan. There is a challenge where the girls have to give a speech in English. She was very cute; I could understand at least 30% of what she said :D
- When she gets trained by the F4 was also very fun. Specially because it reminded me again of YNSH.
*And the "Huh? People like this?"
- Errr.. Doumyouji. While it is true that from Episode 3 he gets more charming, I will never forget his behavior in the first episodes. I still think he is a punk who likes to punch people for no reason. But worst of all, he sent boys to gang-rape Makino. That is unforgivable! That is the lowest of the low. As my dear Mr Darcy would say: “My good opinion once lost is lost forever.” He is a sadist, not only likes to punch everyone, but he is also a bully to girls (he likes to shove them). Not the nice necklace, nor the sweet words, can make me forget and forgive that.
- Hanazawa Rui. This has to be the worst hairstyle of Oguri Shun. That color and cut were awful. He is a good looking guy, but he doesn't look like it in this dorama. I don't understand how girls can say he is a "knight" who saved Makino over and over again. While it is true that he saved her, he is far from being a knight. Or maybe I have Hanazawa Rui-manga impregnated in my mind. The first time he saved her, he told her "May be I shouldn’t have. What is the big deal? It’s only your virginity, right?". What a "knight", huh. They made him more appealing in the dorama, but I never warmed towards him. I never felt the "love triangle" from his side. He liked Makino, but that's it. He was not "in love" with her. (on the other side, it was a positive thing, cuz I hate love triangles)
- The bullying is terrible. The "Red Card" is the silliest of all, the students are all so fake, and the teachers... what teachers? Seems like this school was all students and no staff.
- Finally, to be honest, the plot is not one of its kind. Rich, spoiled boy falls in love with the poor, pariah girl. Love triangle. Bitch mother-in-law. First kiss after one bumps into the other. Both MC locked inside an elevator. Kidnapping. Dangerous situations for the girl. It was nothing new; it was almost like reading any YA book that are so popular nowadays.
To end my review, I would say that I do not regret watching this. It is, of course, A MUST. It has it funny and romantic situations, but also, a lot of silly ones. The good silly and the bad silly. I am not sure I will watch Season 2... I guess I will eventually, but after the last episode, I did not have the urge to continue.
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And it is... in some ways. First, the school is completely ridiculous. No teachers that we can see of, and the students do what they want. Also, some actors that were in HanaKimi are also in Meichan, like Nanba-sempai, Oscar and Hibari-san.
And there is where the similarities end.
It is true that, like it happened to me while watching HanaKimi, I kept thinking "this is so ridiculous". But with HanaKimi I was thinking this while I was laughing. Instead, with Meichan, every time I had this thought was with a straight face and rolling my eyes.
Let's start with our heroine, Mei-chan.
While Horikita Maki can't act, and while she was kind of annoying as Mizuki, Eikura Nana was dull as Mei-chan. Maki is a bad actress, but she has charisma. Eikura Nana is a better actress but she was so dull. And her character was exactly like those girls in shoujo manga I hate so much: so nice, so naive. She cries for nothing. She gives up when there is a problem. She constantly runs away. Two nice guys love her, no idea why. The villain of the story tried to ruin her life several times, yet she "forgives" her and wants to be her friend. The sidekick of the villain shot an arrow to her love, yet she "forgives" her. All people that are mean to her, she forgives them. Arggg!
Another thing that bothered me about her, which is not completely related to her, is the lenght of her skirt. Yes, Eikura Nana is tall and has nice legs, but she is supposed to be a nerdy, innocent, kind of silly girl! Instead, she wears the shortest skirt in school.
Her childhood friend, played by Sato Takeru, confesses his love for her. Yet every time he says something like "I will always be by your side", what is her reply? "Mameshiba...." (his nickname). I swear, this happens almost every episode:
- Kento: I will fight for you, I will not give up.
- Mei: Mameshiba....
- Kento: I will always love you. Maybe sometime you will love me too.
- Mei: Mameshiba....
- Kento: I will go to England to become a better butler to be with you forever.
- Mei: Mameshiba....
And when he decides to leave to England, she gets mad. Doesn't say goodbye. But oh wait, she regrets her decision at the last minute, and of course everyone, including her awesome butler, have to do the impossible so she can get to the airport to have the above kind of conversation again.
All I have to say about Sato Takeru is... dude, that orange hair! Seriously, it was awful. Looked like a mushroom or something. And he looks like a 90-year-old man in a boy body. The bags under his eyes! Please, eat more! He was pouting and stomping all the time like a little boy. He did not have a chance against his cool brother, who at least behave like a man.
The headmistress was a joke, and not the good kind. All she did was read manga (really???). Well, the whole school was a joke, actually. What with those four mean girls who were always crossing arms? Who were they to have so much power? And they acted so bad. Like, BAAAAD. Lucia-sama was another cartoonish evil character: supposedly fragile and beautiful, but disguising her mean motives. Yawn, at the end she "redeems" herself. How? Only by trying to commit suicide, but wait! Sweet Mei comes to save her and tell her she wants them to be friends **eyerolls**. The other girls were all 2-dimensional: the tsundere, the fatty, the rich brat, the weirdo, etc. None of them very likeable.
Not one moment I believed the bond between Mei and her classmates. Why would they? Because Mei "helped" them to keep their butlers? There was ZERO chemistry between the girls. And there were some good actresses. But yikes, no friendship at all there. I did not feel like they enjoyed shooting the scenes. The "best" of them (and at "best" I am referring to the most tolerable) was the little girl. The others were mediocre.
I found the idea of a girl and her butler very creepy, not romantic nor funny at all. These girls lived among girls only, except for their butlers. Of course some of them would develop romantic feelings for their butlers (which was prohibited). And how could these young, capable, handsome man be happy serving a spoiled rich girl? Some of them have medical abilities. Yet they were enslaved by these girls. Yes, ENSLAVED. They had to risk their lives for their mistress, they had to give up their own lives to serve their mistress. It was a very weird concept... The butlers did not own their lives; their mistresses did. There is a scene where Mei and Lucia-sama have a duel and the one who wins will keep Rihito-sama, like he is some kind of dog or something. In fact, Lucia-sama claims that she will have him forever and never, that she will own him.... Ehhhhh?
As for Hiro playing Rihito-sama, the perfect butler... While he looked very good as a butler, and he is very handsome with a model-like pose, I wasn't convinced with his acting. He squints his eyes very much (like he did in Kuroshitsuji).
In fact, the only one I think was very good was Osamu Mukai, as the evil butler. He looked good instead of ridiculous in his outfit. Other people, like the evil guy from "Liar Game", can look like he is cosplaying, but not Osamu Mukai. He nailed it in that white suit and white wig.
In summary, this dorama failed big as a comedy. Not a comedy, more like a parody but again, failed as one. It is more dramatic, but the silly kind of drama. The villains were cartoonish, the jokes were lame, there was zero chemistry between the actors, the acting was very bad. The dorama was saved by Osaku Mukai and the presentation of the show + the song. Oh, and for fans of the movie "BECK" almost all the gang is here, except the drummer and the rapper XD
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