Budou no Ki

Grapevine

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Shindou Yousuke
And three other people I do not know the name of (sorry)
*Edit* (got the names!)
Katagiri Kyoko as Matsushita Yuki
Katagiri Naoki as Nakamura Tooru
Sachi as Suenaga Haruka
Shindo Yosuke as a little kid - Nakajo Yui
Sachi as a little kid - Tsuchida Saaya
Toda Yasushi as Shofukutei Tsurubei

Genre: Family, Tragedy, Jdrama,

Summary: Naoki and Kyoko Katagiri is a married couple wanting to have children. They tried but failed and finally decided to adopt a child. But they ended up becoming foster parents instead. This movie tells the heartwarming story of the love between the foster parents and their foster children.

Review: Die hard fans of Yamapi should stay away from this, 'cause I honestly think you'll faint or do something equally pathetic. That is because he cries here. And yamapi crying... now that is the saddest thing ever. Hai.

But aside form Yamapi crying, there were all those touching moments between Yousuke and Kyoko. The soccer game they played together was just soo sweet. (though there were moments when I thought Kyoko was gonna accidentally step on the tiny kid ^-^)

Huge Spoiler!

Though really, why did he have to die???!!! Why Yousuke?! And the letter from him to his Mom was heart wrenching. Made me cry buckets! T_T And the barrette! The barrette incident was hugely touching too. *sighs* I just love this movie.

You guys should definitely watch this. I mean, I bet no one regretted watching 1 litre of tears. Well, this movie is similar to it to some extent. So yea, watch it. You'll learn something about love, trust, and all those other mushy stuff that makes the world a nice place for all of us.

Rating: 9½/10

Quotes:

All children have the right to be happy. No adult has the right to take away the light of hope in a child's eyes.

All humans have the power to love others. All humans have the power to be loved by others.

Yousuke: Um, hey mom...
Kyoko: What is it?
Yousuke: I'm sorry for breaking your hair clip, mom.
When I get big, I'll work hard and buy you a new one.
Kyoko: Yousuke...
Yousuke: I promise I'll buy you a new one, so wait for me to do so!

Note: Keep some tissues with you while watching this. I regretted not keeping some by my side since I was oh so confident in my ability not to cry. ¬_¬ So I had to make do with sleeves. And using sleeves is not hygienic.
Annd, Yamapi is choo kawaii in here~ ^o^

~Ppoi

っぽい

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Amano Taira (Hei)
Aiba Masaki as Kusaka Banri
Fukiishi Kazue as Sagami Makoto
Maeda Aki as Ichinose Hinaki
Furuya Yoichi as Hanashimada Eitatsu
Takahashi Yuzuru as Takaoka Torao
Hasegawa Jun as Mishima
Uesato Ryota as Baba
Nakamaru Yuichi as Kasuga
Akanishi Jin as Kimura Hisashi

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Growing up, JDrama

Episodes: 8

Summary: Hei is a boy, who is as cute as a girl. He has his own team of ADMIRERS. Who are MALE. He is even chosen as the third most "prettiest" in the whole school. His best friend Banri, is the elementary school heart throb who has around 17 girls confessing to him on his 'slow' days. What happens is, Hei falls in love with Hina, who also happens to like him, but as neither confesses neither knows. And then Hina's best friend Makoto, who is a "perfect" type girl, who is the prettiest girl in school and also an expert at kendo who is stronger than all the boys, also falls in love with Hei despite calling him a shrimp and clashing with him all the time. And it's also possible that Hei's best friend, lady killer, school idol and slightly narcistic Banri fell in love with Hina too. This is not mentioning Hanashimada who is in love with Makoto, Takaoka who is in love with Hei (whom he first thought was a girl) and half the school in love with Banri. It's an intricate love triangle quadrilataral pentagon hexagon . . . . situation.

Review: The Joana-uh~ bits killed me. XD It was hillarious. The entire drama makes you go "Eh~?" for the most part, but you get a lot of amusement, like Takki fangirling Yamapi and wondering what it would be like to kiss him, and Aiba actually trying to hold Yamapi down and kiss him. *snicker* Basically a lot of people chase Yamapi, and he is stuffed into female dresses upon occasion too. *snickers more*. Oh and yeah, in the beginning of the drama he gets groped in the train coz the pervert thinks he is a cute girl. And goes. "WHAT part of me looks like a girl!?" in a VERY adorable way ^_^

[Sorry for the lame review, but this minidrama and certain scans have eaten my brain. -_-' Might edit later if I get it back. My brain that is. Oh and Fably, you cannot say am not allowed to do this coz you haven't even posted a single thing in ages so there! >_<]

Music: Don't know yet, but the song is quite catchy~

Ratings: I won't rate this coz it's not technically a drama, but Takki fangirling Yamapi a mini one, but its worth a watch definitely :P Specially since the episodes are quite short and their are only 8 episodes. Also, its hillarious.

Quote:

What part of me looks like a girl?

~Amano Hei

***
Banri: GO!
Hei: What about the game?
Banri: We don't need guys who can't even confess to the girl he likes in this game.
***
More Quotes?
***

Note: Even CHIBI Yamapi runs awesomely, I swear, is it even possible for anyone to run hotter then he can?
Joanna~ah
XD

Byakkotai

白虎隊 （びゃっこたい）

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Sakai Mineji and Sakai Shintaro
Tanaka Koki as Shinoda Gisaburo and Shinoda Yusuke
Fujigaya Taisuke as Itou Matahachi
Yakushimaru Hiroko as Sakai Shige (Mineji's mother)
Nogiwa Yoko as Sakai Mon (Mineji's grandmother)
Takashima Masanobu as Sakai Yasuemon (Mineji's father)

(Complete List of the Cast at Dramawiki ^_^)

Genre: Historical, JDrama

Episodes: 2

Summary: Sakai Shintarou leads a life where he is allowed to do whatever he pleases and is utterly irresponsible and ungrateful. His paternal grandmothers who lives in Aizu spots him hanging out on a street with his girlfriend, smoking, and having no respect or regard for other people when she comes to visit. So after she arraives at his house, she tells him off for not having the spirit that was there in their ancestors, who had the pure spirits of warriors of Aizu, despite being a direct descendant of the Sakai family. She informs that she be staying with them for three days to teach them how live properly and to rekindle the Byakkotai of the Aizu's spirit in them. Shinoda Yusuke, a friend of Shintarou who gets caught in the crossfire, and Shintarou decide to "escape" while they can.

They run away to Shintarou's grandparents house, since it would be the last place his grandmother would come to look for them. His grandfather takes them in and promises not to tell his grandmother who is at his house at the moment. Since they are in Aizu, he insists that Shintarou and Yusuke visit the Byakkotai Memorial, and they reluctantly go. In the museum they encounter portraits which uncannily resemble themselves, which makes them really aware that they are descendants of the Aizu and witnesses history through the eyes of their ancestors.

Review: This is based on a true story and the story of the Byakkotai is an extremely tragic one. It is a pretty awesome tale of very awesome times. I mean, there is something infinitely cool about the Code of the Bushido and everything. Although, I reaaaally don't understand the way they think that committing ritual suicide is honorable or dignified. I really don't.

As always, Yamapi was totally adorable in this (as if there ever was a doubt. o^_^o). I feel that his portrayal of this character was totally on the dot too. He was an honorable yet confused adolescent who was also SUCH a momma's boy, to perfection. It also needs to be stated how totally hot he looked in his modern version hairstyle in which you can see his forehead. *_* How he and Tanaka Koki coment on his characters grandmother much like she was a natural disaster and plan how to escape is soo adorable as well.

I really did like this drama. It was very interesting, in addition to being moving and funny at times and inspiring and touching and sad. (And sad it was. Very. T_T)


~Spoilers~

Specially when all the members of the squad Gisaburou was in committed suicide, it was soo sad, and I couldn't help thinking what a total and utter WASTE of life it was. I mean they were so youthful and full of life and so YOUNG. and it was entirely based on a misconception too since the castle itself was not burning, the roads around the castle was and they only thought that all was lost and their families had committed suicide too only in their desperate and distraught state. Although I really feel sorry for their commander too, coz he had to live with the guilt that it was possible that they might have lived had he not gotten separated from them when he went to find food.

I also like how the drama raises the issue of whether it was more honorable to live on like Mineji or to commit the ritual suicide like they are supposed to like the Byakkotai who did so on Iomoriyama. Because, depending on the times, and how their were raised, it was certainly admirable and maybe even honorable (although I still cannot agree with it), and it shows a certain strength of will and extreme dedication to their code of honour and what they were taught.

But I think, that Mineji, was much more braver, to choose NOT to die (although he was about to commit ritual suicide once, which had me holding my breath going 'nooooo' ~_~). Because due to the situation, there was a possibility that people would call him dishonorable and things, but he chose to live on because he felt that it was the right thing to do. And like the girl whom Koki's character had a crush on's mother said, Mineji would have to work much harder in living then the ones who died.

It was also soo sad when Mineji's mother died. At least she was able to stop being cold to him and Mineji was able to discover how much his mother really did love him in the end.

It had it's funny moments too, this drama. Like when they went for artillery lessons and didn't speak to any of the women coz they had been taught not to, and how when the woman spoke they went all awkward, and the women kept repeating "You don't have to reply."

It was also so cute how Mineji and Matahachi observed how Gisaburou and Sayako interacted. Specially when Gisaburou mistakenly answered her they automatically turned their heads and went "You spoke to a woman!" And how they commented that they too, can shoot perfectly but weren't complimented like Gisaburou was by Sayako-san.

Mineji confessing that he was actually envious of Gisaburou for speaking to a woman was so adorable too.

It was also so sweet and funny how Shintarou returned home and was so polite and stuff, and when people kept commenting on it he kept repeating that he "wasn't sure how long it would last". Heh. ^_^

Music: You Raise Me Up by Celtic Woman (I actually like this song and thought it kinda went well with some of the situations, but I found it extremely inappropriate in this drama, considering its a Japanese HISTORICAL drama and this is an English song.)

Rating: 8/10

Quotes:

One day, when people can live according to their wishes...

Mineji, at that time... I'll always support you no matter what.

Mineji, please be born as mother's child again in another life in the future... okay?

~Mineji's Mother

***
No matter how painful it is, if we live on,
the rain will definitely stop, and we'll see a beautiful sky.

~Sakai Mineji

***
I won't give it up. I'm only giving up the appearance.
If I don't cast off my Samurai clothes, I won't make it back to the castle alive, right?
Every living person should have pride.
In order to keep the pride of a Samurai, I can't die.

~Sakai Mineji

***
More Quotes?
***

Note: Apparently there is a poem by Matsudaira Katamori on the site where the Byakkotai are buried.

幾人の　涙は石にそそぐとも　その名は世々に　朽じとぞ思う
Ikutari no namida wa ishi ni sosogu tomo sono na wa yoyo ni kuji to zo omou
"No matter how many people wash the stones with their tears,
these names will never vanish from the world."

Kurosagi (Movie)

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kurosaki (Kurosagi)
Horikita Maki as Yoshikawa Tsurara
Ichikawa Yui as Mishima Yukari
Kato Koji as Shiraishi Yoichi
Yamazaki Tsutomu as Katsuragi Toshio
Okunuki Kaoru as Hayasa
...

Genre: Action, Crime investigation, Crooks, JDrama

Summary: I LOVE the drama, so I was practically stalking crunchyroll, waiting for this to appear. Luckily enough, I was able to catch it two hours after it was uploaded (Reaaaly bad quality though T_T) and thus, was able to watch it before they took it off again, since am pretty sure it was licensed.

This is rather like just another, extra long episode of Kurosagi, the drama. There is another Shirosagi, one who uses promissory notes and declaring bankruptcy to swindle people. On one such case he swindled money from a woman, who has a young daughter who needs money for her heart surgery. Kurosaki contacts her and promises to swindle the money back. But this time there is a deadline suddenly as the money for the transplant has to be paid before a certain time.

The Shirosagi's name is Ishigaki, and he was behind some huge operation which greatly effected the Japanese economy some years back. And he was also connected with making Kurosaki's father bankrupt (therefore destroying his life) So yes, I suppose he is a larger scale Shirosagi then the others, a bigger fish, so to speak.

And there are other trials and realities Kurosaki must face of being a Kurosagi as well, but, more importantly...

Review: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY HAPPILY EVER AFTER FOR KUROSAKI???

There were basically, NO Tsurara/Kurosaki scenes. She could just have been a freakin extra! Well there was one, halfway good opportunity, but WITH NO MERITS. Damn, is it too much to hope for that the characters I adore live happily ever after? IS IT??? *calms down when she realizes she is sounding a bit too deranged*

The movie seems to center on Shakespearean tragedies. Macbeth, Othello and Julius Caesar seem to play a pretty dominant theme in this movie. So I can't help but wonder, is this perhaps some sort of premonition? That Kurosagi is also going to fall like Macbeth? Is he also going to be a once a hero, doomed to a tragic fate? It is very troubling. ~_~
Or maybe I'm just thinking too much.

For the first half of the movie I couldn't decide whether the movie was good or not. It did not make sense much, but it was really successful in bringing out moods, if in a bit of a haphazard way. But as it progressed, it made more and more sense and I was drawn completely into it and then at the perfect moment, everything fell into place. (Brilliantly ^_^)



Spoilers!

Although there was one thing which did not make sense however, that was how the atmosphere and everything was so damn convenient. {When shall we meet again? in thunder lightning or in rain? -__-'} And why were the sets and props for Julius Caesar left out in the rain? And HOW on earth did Katsuragi conveniently find himself in a coffin so Kurosaki could get a chance at threatening him with a katana in the rain (which was SO kool and made my heart pound. I mean, Yamapi, in the rain, in black, with that red scarf thing, with a KATANA. What more could my craving fangirl soul want? *floats away~~*)
Ahem. Anyway.

I loved the bit where Kurosaki had the katana pointed towards Katsuragi in the bar and there was this really intense atmosphere where I didn't even dare breath, thinking it was finally the confrontation between them, and then when Hayasa came, they went all, 'awww, you ruined the mood.' And then Kurosaki swiped the sword around and cut the shopping bag in half as he thought the sword was a fake. His expression when he realized it wasnt...

The main point of this drama is I guess, Kurosaki having to face the fact, that because of his actions as Kurosagi, other people are being affected. This fact is driven home when a person who was not his target gets killed because of a fluke. It was heartbreaking when he realized it. I really like how that aspect went on in the drama, although it was very touching, it was perfect. Because at first he was devastated but, he did not give up, he moved forward, with the determination he would NOT let it happen in future. He did not give up swindling either, and you have to admit, no matter how much you want him and Tsurara to live happily ever after together, that proves how strong his character is.

There was a nice bit of development on Katsuragi's background. Romantic too, suprisingly. Geez... I don't know what to feel about that old man, he is supposed to be easily despicable, but refuses to co-operate. -__-' I can't begin to imagine how Kurosaki feels, if me who is just watching this feels this confused.

Basically I loved this, although it frustrated me to no end. I adored how Kurosaki carried everything out so smoothly and coolly. Specially the part where he picked up the phone when Ishigaki called, and he was in the SAME room, and calmly pretended to be someone else. And about how he arranged everything with impeccable timing and planing. I don't know if it would have been possible in real life or not, but watching it (and Yamapi ^////^) made me believe it was possible, so for that, the movie gets a glowing recommendation from me.

It's definitely a must watch, (even if it frustrates you to no end due to the non conclusive way it is)

Music: Taiyou no Namida (Tears of the sun) by NEWS

Rating: 9/10 (I would have given the drama a 10, unlike Fably, but no matter how much I love the drama this is a 9)

Quotes:

It's okay if you run away, as long as you run as fast as you can.

~Kurosaki

***
Everything, it's just another notch as the clock keeps ticking
You only arrive at the final second when you give up
Life's a walking shadow

~Katsuragi

***
If, like Shakespeare said, "Life's but a walking shadow,"
until I die, I'll be a shadow.
Until I devour all the Shirosagi in this world, I won't let the curtain fall.

My name... is Kurosagi

I am a walking shadow.

~Kurosaki

***
More Quotes?

***

Note: I am looking forward to the next Kurosagi Movie, there SHOULD be one.
I'll place all my hopes that Kurosagi and Tsurara marry and get a specified number of kids whom they name after... umm... I donno, old man Katsuragi or something. Hey, maybe J.K.Rowling was on to some thing after all with the super annoying last chapter, sometimes you NEED to be told and reassured.
I understand now... *nods*

Proposal Daisakusen

Operation Love

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Iwase Ken
Nagasawa Masami as Yoshida Rei
Fujiki Naohito as Honda Tetsuya
Eikura Nana as Oku Eri
Hiraoka Yuuta as Enokido Mikio
Hamada Gaku as Tsurumi Hisash

Genre: Romance, Friendship, Time-travel, Destiny, Jdrama

Episodes: 11 (+ Proposal Daisakusen Special)

Summary: When you've known someone practically your whole life you would never think that you would run out of time to say what you need to that person. Iwase Ken and Yoshida Rei have been together since 3rd Grade. Kenzo never thought that he would be unable to tell Rei how he felt. He had always waited for the right time, and now, she is getting married to someone else. At her wedding, he is so utterly full of regrets and remorse, that the fairy who lives in the church the wedding takes place in decides to let him have another chance. Kenzo is given the chance to travel back in time (or 'time-slip') through photographs of the couple shown in a slide show and tell Rei how he really feels.

Review: The entire drama, technically takes place at a wedding reception, but the time traveling takes us through their lives, which has been in my opinion a cruel trick by fate. Both of them love each other, but they keep missing each other and fear and awkwardness arisen from them being childhood friends get in the way.

Through out the drama, I felt like murdering Kenzo most of the time. He was just so damned annoying. He didn't tell her, just because he didn't feel it was the right time and he was awkward and clumsy and scared but I guess that is why I do like his character after all. It makes him more believable. Not more likable, but believable. (Because really, I have never been able to comprehend the people who told people to be with THEM coz they would always make them happy. Where do they get the confidence from? ~_~)

This was very frustrating to watch. They just didn't do what they were supposed to and let perfectly good opportunities pass by! Although I suppose it's easy for me to yell at them from the sidelines... Because one thing I realized watching this is that you simply, utterly and totally, know NOTHING. How can you know anything really? *pffft*

Slide after slide, opportunity after opportunity, he did not tell her. But although I dislike him, he is somewhat endearing to me, because I cannot help but understand why he did pass up the opportunities. It's strange. ~_~

But I can understand that it would harder for him. Most people say that if they had a chance they to do it all over again, they would do this, or not do that, but when you get the chance, it would be more difficult wont it? Because your confidence is already blown by the knowledge that it did NOT happen, and that maybe, no matter how hard you try, it won't change after all. And you would be scared of hurting people. And of hurting yourself. If going through rejection once was hard enough, it would be harder to re live it again.



Spoilers

In the very first time he time traveled though, I was totally mad at him, because if only he had said something to her then, all the painful situations would not have arisen later on. I remember muttering at the Kenzo on the computer screen to just grab her and kiss her for the love of god! -_-'

After he DID kiss her, in a later time slip, I thought it would finally lead to them getting together, but my hopes were dashed when he was brought back to the present and he was still at the wedding reception.

Later on, it got more and more painful, because the distance between them was growing and other people became involved. Like on the new year picture, he was told that Rei was dating Tada-san, and that was so damn heart-wrenching. Him going to the baseball place and trying to absorb himself in that, and to try not to think about it. He was honest to himself, and said that he loved her, and that he would always, always love her, and that he would never be able to forget her even if he wanted to so he wouldn't have to feel the pain anymore, and he cried there, which truth to be told broke my heart into tiny shards. Being childhood friends in love has to be really really painful... (remembers Gokinjo Monogotari)

Although, at the end, when he finally told her how he feels and I was SOOO touched, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of disbelief, I mean for crying out loud, he tells her how he feels on her WEDDING DAY.

For the love of god, man. -__-'

Tada-san is also a good guy. In his case, I have reverse Kikyo/Kagome feelings towards his existence. I have absolutely nothing against him at all, In fact I think he was too damn irritatingly good. I mean, his bride technically left him at the alter, and not only did he let her go, he even helped her make up her mind and SENT her after Kenzo by putting the cuff links in both his hands. ~_~

This is also a very emotionally touching drama. I was driven to tears while watching it. Through out the drama. And in the last episode, its a wonder that my room wasn't flooded, it was that touching. Although, through out the drama, attempts were made to lighten the mood which made me chuckle in spite of the tears. Such attempts include Kenzo striking the "Hallelujah chaaance! Nooooooooo" pose. That was funny and along with some other things kept the mood of the drama from getting too sad.

I guess the point of the drama is to tell you that saying 'IF I had second chance I would do it over again' is pointless. It's better that you let go of the past and move forward. Then only will the door to miracles open.

Proposal Daisakusen Special

The drama ended with Kenzo realizing he had to let go of the past and move forward. But even if you know that, HOW exactly do you move forward?

This takes place one year after the conclusion of the drama. Rei's and Kenzo's friends, Tsuru and Eri are getting married in Hawaii. Eri runs away just before the marriage, because she feels that Tsuru does not love her. Who should appear to save the day, but the fairy who gave Ken the chance to go back to the past to win back Rei. He lets Kenzo go back into the past one more time, for the sake of his friends this time.

Spoilers Again

However, Rei and Kenzo are stuck more or less in the same place they were when the drama ended. They avoid talking about marriage, and about Rei's near wedding to Tada-san. Although through out the drama, Kenzo had run with all his might, for Rei, he realizes that after that, he had been running away rather then moving forward. So while he is in the past for the sake of Tsuru and Eri, he also faces up to the situations he had previously run away from, like facing Rei's parents and Tada-san properly.

This brought a definitive end to the drama. Although I liked the drama ending, which left a lot of possibilities open, this made me all relieved. Since Kenzo and Rei had made such a mess of things before I was wondering how on earth they will be able to move forward again, even IF they had a chance again. They seem to be such experts at ruining perfectly good chances after all, and I was right! But at the end, Kenzo was a man and asked her to marry him, and said he would make her happy. *dabs eye with hanky* It was very very sweet. ^_^

Music:
Ashita Hareru Kana by Kuwata Keisuke (Theme song)
Chiisana Koi no Uta by Mongol 800 (Insert song)

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

Today, the person I love most in this world, will marry someone else.

~Iwase Ken

***
The majority of humans don't understand the reality of something till it's over.

~The Fairy Dude

***
Humans... One thing you have gotten very good at through out history is making excuses.

~The Fairy Dude

***
If you keep on thinking tomorows always going to come your going to end up in pain. If you put things off for tomorow your an idiot

~ Rei's Grampa

***
Though she always has been by my side like this... I wasn't able to do anything.
Though she was always by my side like this, I didn't understand anything.
I really am the worst.

~ Iwase Ken

***
Fate... How can it allow pain like this to be possible? For the sake of one person to be happy, why is it that, if there is someone who is not grieving, it will not come true? But no matter how I look at it, I have to tell her these words. I love Rei, I love her so much it hurts.

~Iwase Ken

***
She has always just.. been beside me...
the one who knows her best is me.
But in the end...
these are just thoughts inside my heart,
because never once, have I been able to become honest about it in front of her.
Though I always have been near her, the words I thought I would say someday...
I haven't been able to say it after all.
That one thing, never did I say it.
I... I... was in love with Rei.
Honestly, if I say so, even now, I am still in love with Rei...
But, Rei, is getting married with Tada san today.
Though its excruciating for me, she will get married.
Because her place in my heart is so vast, the struggle for me to arrive at these words has taken an extreme amount of time.
Rei. Congratulations on your wedding.
Please... become happy
........
If you don't become happy...
If you don't become happy... I really won't forgive that.

~Iwase Ken

***

More quotes?

Note: There is a very amazing friendship between five characters in this drama including Rei and Kenzo as well... It's a truly enviable friendship, and really touching.

Kurosagi

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kurosaki (Kurosagi)
Horikita Maki as Yoshikawa Tsurara
Ichikawa Yui as Mishima Yukari
Kato Koji as Shiraishi Yoichi
Yamazaki Tsutomu as Katsuragi Toshio
Kishibe Shiro as Mikimoto
Tayama Ryosei as Momoyama Tetsuji
Reina as Osawa Yuuko
Okunuki Kaoru as Hayasa
Sugimoto Tetta as Kurosaki's Father
Aikawa Sho as Kashima Masaru

Genre: JDrama, Action, Crime investigation, Semi-Romance

Episodes: 11

Summary: The drama is about a young man, Kurosaki, whose family was destroyed by swindlers, and how he continues to get revenge by swindling from swindlers. Its like a modern, dark, Robin Hood story. He swindles money back to its rightful, swindled, owners. His life begins to change when he meets a law student who disapproves of his 'occupation'.

Review: For a Robin Hood and Uchiha Clan Massacre combo how could the drama not be good? The drama is based on a manga seriess of the same name and according to it there are three kinds of swindlers: 'Shirosagi', 'Akasagi' and finally 'Kurosagi'. Yamashita (Yamapi) did an awesome job in playing the dark and serious and sarcastic (and hot) con artist with the disturbing past. I loved his disguise characters! So cute, really! And the old man Katsuragi is pretty cool too. Though his obsession with pickles and his spitting is very disgusting. Also Shiraishi Yoichi is very lovable. I liked him from the moment I saw him, even though he was a swindler who Kurosagi wants to defeat.

I had difficulty understanding all the things about checks and inheritance tax and stuff, but that's to be expected since I'm a science student. (I wonder if business students understood 'em...) But I was surprised at myself for not understanding even the psychological/emotional stuff. Am I to draw a conclusion that I'm emotionally immature or that the drama was just waay twisted for me to comprehend? But, due to that, I was really gripped by it and tried to predict what would happen next (I have to give myself a fail for that >.>). Aside from that the drama is very fast paced and full of suspense. Very complex and real. A tear jerker at times, and a side stitcher at others (or maybe its 'cause I'm sadistic and like to see other people fooled). Though most of the times its dark.

I liked Kurosagi's wardrobe, yeah. ^o^ And his cat is so kawaii! I am so gonna get a cat when/if I get my own place! The scenes between Kurosagi and Tsurara were very little, but I liked it that way. Too much romance makes me physically ill...sometimes. I like subtle stuff *nods*.

Spoiler alert!

There was this scene in the first episode: Tsurara had tripped into the way of an oncoming train and then Kurosagi had jumped in there to rescue her. For more then three seconds they just stayed there gazing at each other not caring for the viewers who were screaming 'GET OUTTA THERE!!' while shaking their monitors... Are they both stupid?!

Second episode was very heart wrenching. Koyama was there! ^0^ Episode 7 was pretty funny and I got to see Yamapi in a kimono! Kyaaaa!! With a fan!! And I loved the ending episode! It wasn't an ending I think. More of a break...*thoughtful* I hope there's going to be a second season! There's so much loose ends. Like getting back at that annoying detective with that bloody laugh for starters! There's lots more I want to say about the drama but I'll stop here. ^-^

Music:
Daite Senorita by Yamashita Tomohisa (a very catchy song, though I fail to see the connection of it to the drama since it goes like "daite daite daite Senorita" Daite mean hold tight...go figure >.> But I like it immensely anyway! ^0^)

Rating: 9/10 (Though my heart is begging me to give it a ten I can't 'cause it'll be just for Yamapi and I don't want to be prejudiced while rating.)

Quotes:

Kurosagi: The law can't protect people. If its like that then why should we obey it?

***
Shinkawa (a swindler): God dammit. That kid... My money... GOD DAMMIT! My MONEY!!!

***
Hoshiya Sumiko: When something happens, lets say, wen the culprit is caught, society will deem the case closed, but to the victim and the ones involved, they will continue to live on forever in the incident... It must be the same for Kurosaki-kun, don't u think?

***
Tsurara: (clutching her heart) Its beating so fast...
Why? I always want to contradict you. Why? I want you to understand me! Why?

Kurosagi: (baffled) What are you talking about?

Tsurara: I love you! But then... why? Why are you a swindler?

***
Kurosagi: Bang

***
Kurosagi: Maidoari (Thank you, come again.)

***
More Quotes

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Note: There are people who really do take advantage of innocent and naive people without even blinking. 'Tis a sad world we live in. But then there are people who try to change swindlers and help out the victims of an incident. By watching this, I found out that there are very different relationships between people. Like the relationship between Kurosagi and the old man Katsuragi. I really don't understand it...

Watch Kurosagi here or here! Your choice!

Nobuta wo Produce

Cast:
Kamenashi Kazuya as Kiritani Shuji
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kusano Akira
Horikita Maki as Kotani Nobuko

Genre: JDrama, Comedy, School Life, Drama, A Lil' Bit Of Romance

Episodes: 10

Summary:
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. (taken from DramaWiki)

Review:
So basically, it looks like another plain old story about the unpopular outcast becoming popular by undergoing miraculous makeovers and discovering a fashion sense overnight doesn't it? Well it ain't so. Its far from that. This drama tells a quirky, heart warming tale of selfless friendship between three really different people. These guys really love each other. And it's so touching to watch them...

Spoiler Alert! (click to view)

I mean halfway through the 10th episode, i dashed to the bathroom to bawl! I'm known to sit through the most tragic love story movie with a stoic, indifferent face you know. That's why when i came out of the bathroom with red eyes my Mom was like, "And what's up with you?"

I told her about the heart wrenching drama I was watching and how crappy her Hindi soaps were.( She got really indignant about that, teehee!) I mentioned gruesome ways to kill her if she said anything about me crying over a drama to any relative of mine of course. ^.^

See the thing is I can actually relate to this drama, saying goodbye to a dear friend is the worst thing you could experience... I could so understand what they felt like.

This drama is highly recommended. You are bound to learn really important stuff about friendship, accompanied by laughs, throughout the entire show. Their growing, unwavering affection for each other will definitely move you! Watch it or die with an unknown regret which will always be like an unscratched itchiness between your shoulder blades...

Music:
Seishun Amigo by Shūji to Akira

Tag lines:
Akira: Akira Shock!
Akira: Kon kon (while doing that thing with his fingers! ^.^)
Nobuta: Nobuta power, enter!

More Quotes

Rating: A rightfully deserved 10/10!

Inspirations I got from this show:
Eat Japanese food at least once before i die.
Get friends like Akira, Shuji and Nobuta. But before that, try to become an awesome friend like them!

PS: Kame and Yamapi are so hot!