Rich Man Poor Woman

Rating: *****


Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 11
Cast: Oguri Shun, Ishihara Satomi, Aibu Saki, Asari Yosuke


SYNOPSIS:
"Oguri Shun plays Hyuga Toru, an affluent man whose personality is on the contrary, speckled with flaws. A CEO of an IT firm who is published on Forbes as a billionaire, Toru attained his fortune through chance and pure luck. A woman who meets Toru and eventually becomes attracted to him is Sawaki Chihiro, played by Ishihara Satomi. Chihiro is a hardworking college student at Tokyo University who has prepared for her future as much as she possibly could through studies and obtaining licenses. Despite her efforts, she has yet to land a job. Upon meeting Toru, she begins to unravel a genuine pureness inside him and solitude resulting from such pureness, which eventually draws her closer to him. The two repeatedly conflict each other, but little by little learn about one another to grow and develop together. Despite the worldwide recession and financial difficulties, there are people like Mark Zuckerberg who began work from merely an apartment room or a garage that end up growing to be companies generating over ten billion dollars revenues after merely 10 years or so, embracing their new found wealth by living the dream life. Whether it's a game or application software, Ecommerce, or other IT related firm, there are more than a few who rose in fame to such status in recent years. On the other hand, Japan's unemployment rate for new grads dropped to a record low and those who want to work are unable to, or their wishes to work at their company of choice is not granted.  A Cinderella story of the real world. Will the two be able to compromise their values and lifestyles to become a happy couple? -- Fuji TV
"


REVIEW:
When I first heard about this drama, I wasn't impressed.  I thought, "What, another Cinderella story?  Isn't it kind of old?"  But then I watched and I couldn't stop.  This drama is extremely addicting.  I wouldn't recommend  watching this if you are about to go to bed.  There were some problems, like all dramas have, but it was very good.  A must see! :)


What did you think of this drama? Comment below!


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Mop Girl

Rating: ****


Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Comedy
Episodes: 10
Cast: Kitagawa Keiko, Tanihara Shosuke, Asami Reina, Takaoka Sousuke


SYNOPSIS:
"Kitagawa plays the part of the slow but hardworking Momoko, a low-ranking employee at a funeral services company who carries a mop as part of her job. However, Momoko happens to possess a strange ability. Whenever she comes across the corpse of someone who has left strong feelings behind, she travels back in time to save that person from his or her fate."


REVIEW:
As you may have guessed, I'm not a huge fan of Japanese dramas.  The few television series that I've watched that were not anime are few and far between.  That is mainly because of the "flower boy" style that I hate.    What is the flower boy style?  Well, I'll explain.  What I mean by flower boy style is those weird haircuts that are feathered and dyed a vomit orange or yellow.  This picture is of Oguri Shun, who is is an award-winning Japanese actor.  

Oguri Shun
Although he is handsome, that yellow hair makes his skin look horrible.  In dramas, people cast actors and dye their hair in an attempt to make them "handsome", and then the script says how handsome the main character is.  However, in my opinion, this orange hair makes them look ugly.  I mean, extremely ugly. In my opinion, Japanese like Tanihara Shosuke (the male lead in Mop Girl), who do not dye their hair weird colors, are much more handsome.                            Tanihara Shosuke
So, when I find a Japanese drama that doesn't include bad actors with orange hair, I'm very excited.  Mop Girl has probably been my first Japanese drama in a year that I actually enjoyed.   The only problem with this drama is that I seriously think that the drama was too short.  Japanese dramas are the shortest series I have ever seen.  They tend to be about 10 episodes.  I kind of feel that they should have extended the story, as the characters never got any kind of conclusion.  However, in the end, I found the story very funny and I enjoyed it very much.  I definitely recommend this drama. :)




What did you think of this drama? Comment below!


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Oh! My Girl

Rating: ****

Genre: Family
Episodes: 9
Cast: Hayami Mokomichi, Kato Rosa, Okada Yoshinori, Tomosaka Rie, Yoshida Riko

"Yamashita Kotaro was living a peaceful life as a publisher part-timer pretending to be a mobile phone novelist until two females suddenly appeared in his life. One is his six-year-old celebrity niece and the other is the little girl's stern manager. As he is forced to live under the same roof as the little prodigy, their differences soon manifest and disputes ensue. However, through co-habitation, Yamashita slowly comes to appreciate having a family and the warmth it brings, all the while developing a love-hate relationship with Fuji Mineko, the manager."

Although it's not one of those dramas that you would watch over and over again, I really did enjoy watching this short little drama for the first time. Some sources say that it is a family, romance, and comedy show, but I disagree. After watching the drama, I would say that it's more of a family drama. Although there are some funny moments, it definitely shouldn't be classified as a comedy. Also, it definitely isn't a romance drama either. I really don't understand how people can watch the show and get romance out of it. Anyway, it's a drama worth watching if you enjoy family based dramas.

Love Shuffle

Rating: ****

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 10
Cast: Karina, Matsuda Shota, Tamaki Hiroshi, Yoshitaka Yuriko, Daigo

"Usami Kei is a salaryman who has risen in status due to his engagement with Mei, the wealthy daughter of his company's president. Shortly after she breaks off the engagement, a power failure leaves him stuck in the elevator of his apartment building. Trapped with him are three others living on the same floor - Airu, a trilingual interpreter, Ojiro, a model photographer, and Masato, a psychiatrist. While waiting, their conversation hits upon their love lives and the question of whether there is truly only one fated partner for everyone. As a result, they decide to try "shuffling" their relationships with each other..."



This was probably one of the most unique dramas that I have watched before.  There were some things I didn't like about it, but I really thought that the plot was interesting.  It has been a while since I watched this series, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but it was a drama worth watching.

Nagareboshi

Rating: ****

Genre: Romance
Episodes: 10
Cast: Inagaki Goro, Kitano Kii, Matsuda Shota, Takenouchi Yutaka, Ueto Aya

"Takenouchi plays an aquarium employee named Kengo, who seems ordinary at first glance but actually possesses a secret that he would sacrifice everything in order to protect. Meanwhile, Ueto plays Risa, a young woman working in the sex trade in order to pay off her brother's debt, though her situation has led her to contemplate suicide. These two characters, both full of despair, meet each other and end up entering a contract marriage purely for its benefits. However, as they overcome various troubles, their relationship begins turning into true love. Tokyograph"

I haven't watched a decent Japanese drama in a long while. I think it is because the comedic dramas are always a bit too over dramatic. However, once I started watching this, I couldn't stop. The production was gorgeous and I didn't find any major problems with the acting or the consistency. The only real problem with the production is that I don't understand how Risa can wear shorts even in Winter. I mean, isn't she cold?

Although I enjoyed the drama, I didn't really like the ending. I felt like there should be a bit more to this story. It felt like there was still more story left to be told. In any case, I would definitely recommend this little drama.

Kurosagi (Movie)

Rating: ***
MOVIE!

Genre: Crime, Romance
Cast: Daichi Mao, Horikita Maki, Ichikawa Yui, Takenaka Naoto, Yamashita Tomohisa

"Kurosagi is a film based on the 2006 popular TV series Kurosagi.Kurosagi is about a young man named Kurosaki who had his family destroyed by swindlers (con artists). When Kurosaki grows up, he becomes a swindler named Kurosagi, so that he can avenge his family. Ever since his family was destroyed by swindlers, Kurosagi swindles other con artists and returns the money to the victim. "

Much like the tv series, Kurosagi was good, but not great. Acting was decent, production was decent, but it made me kind of sleepy. I think the reason I get easily distracted watching this is because it is anti-climactic. It's a series of short stories, basically, put into a movie. There's really no strong main plotline in this movie to hold it together. Also, there really isn't any headbutting. All of the swindlers are no match for him. I would really like to see him almost get caught a couple times by the swindlers and end up being smart enough to get away with it. On another point, it says Romance in the genre but there's just about none of it. Horikita Maki is supposed to be playing a main character but she's only in a few short scenes. If you didn't watch the tv series you probably wouldn't even know she was a love interest at all. All in all, it just didn't phase me..

Kurosagi

Rating: ***

Genre: Action, Crime, Romance
Episodes: 11
Cast: Horikita Maki, Ichikawa Yui, Kato Koji, Reina, Yamashita Tomohisa

"Kurosaki is a young man whose family was destroyed by swindlers. Despite that, Kurosaki grows up to become a con artist known as Kurosagi. As Kurosagi, he swindles other con artists and returns the money to the original victim. He works with the master swindler Katsuragi Toshio even though Toshio had a hand in the destruction of Kurosaki’s family. Kurosaki's life begins to change when he meets Yoshikawa Tsurara, a young law student who disapproves of his disrespect of the law. Can she persuade Kurosaki to give up swindling and his quest for revenge? "

The plotline was good and most of the script was great. However, however, however... I really don't know.. Something made me get easily distracted. The acting was great. Horikita Maki always is a natural in front of the camera. The opening credits were very unique. The costumes were wonderful. However, it wasn't something that I couldn't look away from. Still, it was a good drama to watch if you're bored.

P.S. WTF is with the bare chest and suspenders in the opening titles??? Is that supposed to be fan service? Idk, it was just random haha.

Fanservice:

Hotaru No Hikari

Rating: (I can't rate because I don't remember it much)

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 10
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Fujiki Naohito, Kuninaka Ryoko, Kato Kazuki, Takeda Shinji

"Hotaru works for a famous interior design company. It's a glamorous job but Hotaru's private life is totally the opposite of glamorous. She lives alone, and when she isn't working she's mostly lazing about her rented house in training wear. She's not interested in men. In fact, she isn't interested in anything. "I'd rather lay around than fool around," is her motto.

Her landlord is a bar owner, and one day his son, who has just separated from his wife, comes to inspect the rental property, not knowing that someone is living there. He is shocked at the mess, but not as shocked as Hotaru. He turns out to be her boss, Takano."

Although I don't remember much about this series, I do remember that I liked it. For me, I really related to the main character, Hotaru, who is very lazy at home and is a total slob. I recently remembered this series after learning that there is a sequel to it. I'll review the sequel as well once it finishes.

Elfen Lied

Rating: ***.5
Anime!

Genre: Action, Drama, Ecchi, Horror, Romance, Psychological
Episodes: 13 + 1 OVA

"The Diclonius, a mutated homosapien that is said to be selected by God and will eventually become the destruction of mankind, possess two horns on their heads and have a "sixth sense" which gives them telekinetic abilities. Due to this dangerous power, they have been captured and isolated in laboratories by the government. Lucy, a young and psychotic Diclonius, manages to break free of her confines and brutally murders most of the guards in the laboratory where she is being held, only to be shot in the head as she makes her escape. She survives, falling off a cliff into the ocean and manages to drift along to a beach where two teenagers, Kouta and Yuka, discover her. Having lost her memories, she was named after the only thing that she can now say, "Nyuu," and the two allow her to stay at Kouta"

Although I'm sure that this anime is probably supposed to be for guys to watch (As it has mainly female characters and has a lot of nudity and gore) I actually really like it. As a gore enthusiast I can't help but want to watch it over and over again. Truthfully, though, the opening song brought me to tears a few times after watching the anime. When you first watch the opening credits, it's just a song, but as you watch the anime, you'll see how well the song fits the anime. The reason it is only 3.5 stars is because: (1) there were too many unneeded nude scenes -.-" (2) some of the storyline is just plain bad.

Atashinchi no Danshi

Rating: ****

Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 11
Cast: Horikita Maki, Kaname Jun, Mukai Osamu, Okada Yoshinori, Yamamoto Yusuke

"These days, the term "homeless" has taken on new meaning. There are youths referred to as "net cafe refugees," who have neither a job nor a place to live, but who find themselves hopping around internet cafes. One such refugee is a 20-year-old girl named Chisato, who lost her mother at a young age due to sickness. She spent her youth trying to escape from the huge debt her father left her, and her battle with the repossessors unfolded every night. However, her life changed after meeting one man named Shinzo, changing her views on the meaning of "family." Shinzo comes from a rich family tracing back to the Edo period, and he adopted six good-looking sons with the hope of one becoming his successor, but all of them have strange personalities. Shinzo promises to free Chisato from her debt if she marries him and becomes the mother of his sons. However, a life with these six guys under one roof will not go smoothly. "

This is a series I definitely enjoyed. Although I'm sure there were plenty of things that weren't that great, it is something worth looking into.

Gigolo Wannabe

Rating: **.5
MOVIE!

Genre: Comedy
Cast: Narumi Riko, Suga Takamasa, Oguri Shun, Kirishima Yusuke, Matsuo Toshinobu

"Seven young men who are desperate for quick money arrive at a desolate seaside bar, called Dog Days, to audition as "hosts." This is the highly popular occupation of entertaining female patrons with smooth talk and a soothing smile while offering them drinks at "host clubs." Although their previous jobs varied from street performer to ex-banker, they are all happy to get this dream job so easily, until they discover that the manager has run off with their deposits! Upon seeing them so discouraged, the sympathetic bar owner offers his place for them to open up a host club by themselves. With the help of his granddaughter, Chika (who has a heart disorder), and despite the combination of their initial confusion, personal problems and a typhoon that almost blew the place down, they gradually find the true meaning of friendship, trust and love. "

I really didn't like it at all. There was nothing in the script that made me want to watch it again. It wasn't overly funny, sentimental, or unique enough for me to watch again. Maybe I didn't get to watch the whole thing? The place I was watching it only had a certain amount of parts, but the place it stopped at left me hanging and confused. All and all, it's not something that I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Hana Kimi

Rating: ****

Genre: Romance, Comedy, School
Episodes: 12
Cast: Horikita Maki, Ikuta Toma, Kamikawa Takaya, Konno Mahiru, Oguri Shun

"Based on a popular comic, this hilarious comedy follows the chaos, troubles and friendship at a boys’ boarding school after a girl-disguising-a-boy joins. Mizuki ASHIYA (Maki HORIKITA) has just come back to Japan from California where she was raised. She fell in love with a hopeful high jump hero Izumi SANO (Shun OGURI), but he has quitted after an accident. As she wants him to go back to the sport once again, she enters the same high school as a boy! With a short hair, flattened chest and lowered voice, she starts sharing the same room with Sano at the dorm. Living in a dorm at a boys’ high school is hard enough; changing clothes, bathrooms, etc., but things get even more complicated when Shuichi NAKATSU (Toma IKUTA) has a fancy feeling about Mizuki while Sano notices Mizuki is actually a girl and falls in love with her but she doesn’t notice he knows!"


Best clip ever:

One Pound Gospel

Rating: ***.5

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 9
Cast: kamenashi kazuya, kuroki meisa, minamisawa nao, okada yoshinori, yamada ryosuke

"Hatanaka Kosaku is a talented boxer who turned pro at the age of 19, winning his debut match with a first round KO. He is talented, but he has no guts. His uncontrollable appetite is an even bigger problem. He can’t put himself in the right weight class, he runs out of energy because of hunger, and he gets knocked out while his eyes are set on food at the ringside. However, Kosaku’s life changed when he met Sister Angela, a novice nun in the convent near his boxing gym. She became the source of his power, and Kosaku fights only to win her heart."

Innocent and lighthearted, this is a show that will make you smile. Although it is a bit anime-like I enjoyed it.

Absolute Boyfriend

Rating: ***

Genre: Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 11
Cast: Aibu Saki, Maya Miki, Mizushima Hiro, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Ueno Natsuhi

"Izawa Riko is a temp worker in search of a boyfriend, and she ends up in possession of a "robot" known as Night Tenjo, who is programmed to be the perfect boyfriend. However, this creates a love triangle with a distinguished young man at her company who has feelings for her.

One Litre of Tears

Rating: ****

Genre: Romance, School
Episodes: 11
Cast: Jinnai Takanori, Nishikido Ryo, Riko Narumi, Sawajiri Erika, Yakushimaru Hiroko

"This beautifully moving drama is based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25. The script is based on the diary Aya kept writing until she could no longer hold a pen. The book that later followed entitled “One Litre of Tears" has sold over 1.1 million copies in Japan alone. Fifteen year old Ikeuchi Aya was just a normal girl, soon to be high school student and daughter of a family who works at a shop that makes tofu. As time passed, unusual things started happening to Aya lately. She started falling down often and walks in a strange way. Her mother Shioka, takes Aya to see the doctor, and he informs Shioka that Aya has spinocerebellar degeneration - a terrible disease where the cerebellum of the brain gradually deteriorates to the point where the victim cannot walk, speak, write, or eat. A cruel disease, as it does not affect the mind in the least. How will Aya react when told about her disease? And how will Aya live from now on?"

Nobuta Wo Produce

Rating: ****

Genre: Drama, School
Episodes: 10
Cast: Erika Toda, Horikita Maki, Kamenashi Kazuya, Kimura Yuichi, Yamashita Tomohisa

"Kiritani Shuji is the popular guy who gets along with everyone, from the jerks to the nerds to the just plain weird. The one person Shuji cannot stand is Kusano Akira. To Shuji, Akira is just plain annoying. He laughs, talks and acts funny. Things heat up when a new student comes to school. Her name is Kotani Nobuko, a girl who has no self confidence at all and is content at being made fun of and bullied in school. Shuji and Akira come to an accord that in order to make use of their "youth" they will "produce" Nobuko as the next popular girl. One of the conditions, however, is that nobody should find out that they are working together as a team to make this concept possible. Unveiled here is the story of true friendship between three unlikely candidates who would not have been friends if not given the special circumstances."