Akai Ito -Red Thread of Destiny

I have watched this for some time and haven't really found the "mood" to post things up on my dorama blog but hey. This is a good one to catch. If you guys don't already know, there is a movie out of the same name with the same cast of the show. The movie covers a condensed version of the dorama while the series ( by Fuji TV ) goes into more details.

The story is as most people know based on the mobile phone novel that had 36 million readers ( wow ) and i didn't initially pick it up because after watching Sky Of Love - i was thoroughly depressed. However, when the lead actor popped out on Astro... i thought i decided to check it out ( yes i am that shallow at times ).

Do you remember when you were in your teens, you had many friends but there is a small group which you were much closer to? Well, watching Akai Ito will bring back memories of such times. The red thread of destiny ( akai ito ) revolves around Atsushi Nishino and Mei Takemiya who from birth were bounded together by destiny and met when they where 15 going to 16 years of age.


Mei first met A-kun ( pronounced ah-kun and short for Atsushi ) in class when she picked up his chocolate bar. Theirs is a funny meeting at first, they keep bumping to each other in akward moments -such as, A-Kun, witnessing Mei being told that Yuza ( the person she originally liked before A-Kun ) was interested in her sister, her jumping around trying to get a phone reception on the school rooftop etc. ( That was a bit hilarious in some sense )


A-kun is initially a bit withdrawn from everyone and always seems to be having some chores or rushing off somewhere - and when asked by everyone he will say " i have things to do or" his favorite - "some adult situations to handle ... " however the group dynamics of mei's friends pulls him towards them.


The show does a flash back of how Mei and A-kun met 6 years back at a front of a cake shop and A-kun discovers a photo which gaves him indication they have met before. A little by little he realizes she was the little girl at the cake shop and slowly starts to fall in love with Mei. Check out the bit where A-kun asked Mei out on a first date- that was so cute! Lol

However, things turn a bit drastic after this, after the initial lovey dovey feel. As young teenagers, hormones raging, love affairs don't normally restrict to just a couple but there are others that interested in our hero and heroine. Taka, one of the guys from the group is interested in Mei, while Sara, ( the goth lolita girl ) was interested in Taka. Mei and A-kun themselves had a history in their family that has embedded deeply in drugs. A-kun's "adult situations" was actually his mother's drug problem that requires her to be in and out of rehab and hospitals as well. He hides his family problems from everyone including Mei, except with only the help of a guardian and Mami a girl he met when he was younger.

During a field trip to Nagasaki, Mei and A-kun set themselves up for a date which gets cut short 1/2 way as A-kun's mother gets admitted to hospital again this time. Leaving her alone with her friends in Nagasaki, Taka tries to make a move on her however, Sara who was having a crush on Taka feels betrayed and thought that mei was going out with Taka. She then decides to commit suicide unable to bear the hurt caused by this revelation. Here's where the story goes very fast pace here.

A-kun's mother's problems requires him to leave town for her rehabilitation to kick in and Mei, struggling to come to terms with Sara's attempted suicide starts of a series of misunderstanding that tears the 2 young lovers apart. Unable to understand A-kun's sudden departure from town ( he refuses to explain why to her and decides that the best way for her is to be cruel to her ) and also being blamed in school for Sara's suicide attempt, Mei, moves closer to Taka, the only person she thought understands here.


You need to watch the series as to what happens to A-kun and Mei from then on and whether these two star crossed lovers really get back together. The story will delve deeper into drug abuse and what happens to families when it happens, abuse ( yes, there is and i will not spoil your story you need to find out who ) and teenage pregnancy. I promise you at the end of the show your eyes won't be dry.
The 2 young thespians in this show deserve credit for this show. Junpei Mizobata plays the young A-kun. Now, when i watched him Hachi One Diver, i was not so impressed with him there. But in Akai Ito, he shines. A-kun is not one person who speaks a lot, but a lot of his emotions, feelings and thoughts are conveyed through Junpei's facial expressions. Also A-kun's character belies the maturity of a person so young bearing all his mother's problems stoically on his own. In someways, A-kun has become quite emotionally detached, that he rather put up with Mami liking him rather than to honestly tell her how he feels. There are some angles he looks a bit like a young takuya kimura with very expressive eyes, given the right drama, i think he can make it to takuya's level.

Mei was initially one character i thought who was pretty spineless but she turned out to be one of my favorite characters- her strength grows from each episode. The girl who plays mei looks sweet ( not very gorgeous but fits the story well ) and would love to save everyone except her self. The bits that really irked me in her character though when she accepted abuse from Taka ( aha- spoiler ) with reasons that i cannot fathom why one should. Possibly she blamed herself for his anger or insecurities. However despite what fate has thrown to her, unlike those around her that resorted

The other characters were well played, all likable yet characters with distinctive issues with each one of them. Only one i really do not like is Taka. I am not sure why they pick a guy who looks like a girl... what's with the over plucked eye brows for guys... Some how or rather he ended up not being my favorite character.

I have read some comments, this show is just for teenagers only but i don't really think so. A story if well told, will get audiences from all ages. The storyline maybe familiar but the actors and all carry the story to a point everyone can enjoy. If you start feeling any of the emotions any of the characters in show feel, i think it's a good show in my books. If you don't have anything to do this long weekend, catch this show.

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Last Friends

I must say, i am not into dark and deep dramas. Last Friends is such a drama but despite the darkness of the theme, i must say i did enjoy this drama. Does this sound twisted to you all?. This is particularly a difficult drama to watch as it deals with domestic violence in relationships. Not that i am in or was in that position but having witness a housemate many years ago, go through a similar situation was actually painful for some of the scenes.

Despite the cheery front cover, i bought the show not knowing the details behind the show. The story line is about young adults going through issues such as gender identification, incest ( of sorts ), domestic violence and finding the "right" one.

Michiru

Aida Michiru is a hairdresser in tokyo who is a sweet and simple girl. Michiru comes from a broken home and is looking for settling down with a nice young man. She thought she had found the right man in Oikawa Sousuke - a local councillor. The day of her moving in with Sousuke sets up a chance encounter with her school mate Kirishimoto Ruka. Michiru moves in with Sousuke and things seems peachy keen initially.

Ruka

Eri

Ruka, on the other hand while trying to chase Michiru, strikes up a friendship with Takeru a make up artist. She bumps into him in a department store, where she dropped her cup and he tries to return the item to her. Friendship grows from there and Takeru moves into a share house with Ruka and her housemate Eri. Who is later joined by Ogurin. The four live quite a happy life on the outside but each person has a deep dark secret within themselves.

Ruka who is a motorcross racer, has a day job as a mechanic and competes in motorcross races to gain access to All Japan male dominated championship. She does not see herself as a female but rather a racer or a rather sexless character. Her disdain for her own gender is shown when her trainer refers to her as a girl and does not have the ability of a man. However, when someone whom she does not like, tries to kiss her, she shows disdain as any normal girl would.

Creepy Sousuke

The story revolves around Michiru and Ruka who come to terms with a difficult relationship Michiru is going through with Sousuke. She finally becomes the 5th member of the share house when she appeals for Ruka to help her. That was quite a poignant moment for me because in cases of domestic violence the first break through is when the victim actually puts her/his hand out for help. Ruka, gladly offers. All is not as innocent as it seems as Ruka, is in love with Michiru. **shocker/spoiler**.

Difficult Topic #1

Takeru who seems like a gay make up artist isn't so actually as he is later diagnosed with the fear of sex. Wow. Men actually fear sex. Rare. Having been abused in his younger years, he cannot stand to touch a woman as it reminds him of his past - hence making every woman think he is gay. Until he spots Ruka. Now this is as complicate as you get. And to add on the complexity, later Michiru falls for Takeru.

The story dances around these topics and actually what's good about this show is how much detail goes into the show about the issues at hand. I have not seen an asian show that actually deals with such details before.

What i like about the show:
* The feel good factor when you are living as housemates- kinda reminded me of me uni days many many years back
* Friendships sometimes transcend all other aspects - sex, love, etc.
* How you stick out for one another - this is totally lacking recently in my work environment.
* Deals with difficult topic as bare as possible without being nauseating.
* Stunning acting from Ueno Juri- can you believe she is the girl in Nodame? Ditzy as she was in Nodame she completely plays the role of Ruka very well in this show.

What i dislike about the show
* Can't say much as i really cannot pint point anything i do not like about this show. It's good. I can see why it won many awards and also have a SP out.

Takeru

So who was my favorite character:
* Takeru for some reasons. I like the fact he is so thoughtful and caring- malaysian men - please. Watch this show. Take a book out of takeru's characters. Much as he knows Ruka loves Michiru, he rather be happy for ruka then to be happy for himself. So.. selfless... /:)

* That evil sousuke - my goodness. Such a good actor. I really found him so creepy and scary. I was at one stage not able to watch this character without having goose bumps. I still cannot understand what really motivated him to ill treat Michiru- besides the fact of an unhappy childhood, let alone what he did at the end. However, i did feel sorry for him in the end.

I would recommend this show for those who like deep and dark subjects. I for one, ( good as it is ) emotionally draining on me. I was exhausted after the whole series. Now. I need to go and un-depress myself with something more - lighter.

p/s: Utada Hikaru's song Prisoner of Love is so appropriate in this show. And the song is stuck on my head.

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Tomorrow(2008)

Dun talk with your mouth full, Dr Moriyama.

Like i mention, dorama season this year is pretty good in Japan. I have watched a few excellent ones this year. Well i am not complaining if there is such a windfall for me. I have been more of a japanese dorama fan than any other as you can see. Korean dramas are way to melodramatic for me and taiwanese - well i cannot really understand mandarin so i stick to my jdramas.

I was quite excited when YY said this drama was coming out. Reason being, i have not seen Yutaka Takenouchi in 2 years since his last show Kazoku. Which i think i reviewed before. Or did it. Here he plays a former doctor called Moriyama Kohei ( i so love the name - it sounds like those really traditional japanese names ) who left the profession due to a medical mistake. Moriyama decided to leave the city to forget about the medical profession and work as a civil servant in small town ( that looks like the town of Ise but actually filmed in Chiba prefecture )

The location of filming of the dorama.

Now, in japan medical mistakes are seriously taken ( unlike in malaysia ) where there is actually someone held responsible for the mistake. Sorry i find malaysia lacks a lot of things at times. And in this case, Moriyama took responsibilty of the death of a patient due to misdignosis of the condition. That was 8 years ago.

One day, a small accident in town makes Moriyama rethink his position as quiting. All this is due to the tenacity of a nurse Tanaka Aiko. Aiko works in small community hospital called Nishiyamamuro Hospital. It is a small somewhat run down hospital with many patients but few doctors or nurses. Yet the hospital serves this whole community whole heartedly regardless of this problems. Impending restructuring of the hospital sees that they need to turn away some patients but Aiko accepts them as the need to serve them is more. And Moriyama was impressed by her steadfastness.

A series of events leads to Moriyama finally donning the white doctor's coat where he had to save a pregnant woman from drowning in her own blood (SPOILER ) and he rethinks his decision to become back a doctor. Spurred by this event, he starts his part time job at Nishiyamamuro . But things don't end there so smoothly. Nurse Tanaka is connected to him in more than one ways. (SPOILER #2) and the arrival of a rather cold Endo Saya who is in charge of turning the hospital around to a more profitable enterprise.

Of course running a small town hospital means you have:
* Upstart young doctors trying to run the hosptial their way and privatise everything possible.
* Why so few doctors one?

I must say this story is a nailbitter. I sat through the show and could finish within 2-3 days. The story line intrigues you as it makes you fight for the underdogs in this show and there are many:

Underdogs:
* Moriyama Kohei himself- he struggles to gain confidence in himself and the people around him
* The hospital itself - it is such a stage of despair and lacking some human resources you feel for them
* The people of this small town itself - if the hospital goes bust they go bust!


The so- called challengers:

* Endo Saya

* The money eyed deputy mayor who cannot decide if he wants to be good or evil -:)

Now there is some truth in the show itself- alot of hospitals around Japan and around the world especially community hospital lack the funding that private hospitals has and it show cases problems faced by doctors and patients alike when money becomes a key factor in healing people.

What i like about this show:

I like this scene-part 1

I like this scene-part 2(spoiler!)

* Yutaka of course ! I must say i always prefer him short hair and clean shaven he looks very.. serious in this show but he is another one of the really great actors in Japan. Able to play many roles convincingly i find his role as Moriyama Kohei intense. You can see him struggle within himself - should he put his hand out to help or hide in his shell to avoid his own emotional lackings.

* Kanna Miho- superb actress here. Not the usual stricking beauty but her spunkiness in this show, challenging doctors and also her self to help people whom she sees is in need. I especially love 2 bits where 1) when her sister was seriously ill ( SPOILER #3) and her anguish was clearly written on her face. 2) when she fessed up she likes someone - hehehe -so sweet! This appears in the last bit but as you clearly know japanese dramas sometimes you can predict their ending.

* The small town feel. Call me old fashion but i love that feeling of being in a small time where you are quite close to everyone. Check out the bit where a major accident happened and there was not enough people to help out. I was like rooting for the poor doctors and nurses of the hospital.

* The show highlights common problems faced by a lot of people - many urgent and critical things with poor resources.

* Small touches like the sub story line on Endo Saya.

What i don't like about this show:
* Its too short- could have a run a few more episodes and this kitteh is happy.

* Quite a number of characters in the show that could be developed more. Of course this is only 10 episodes in shows so there is very little character development except for the leads.

* Kohei's character is something really too good. I won't be able to find any malaysian like him here. We unfortunately do not have such characteristics - and that sadly makes me think we don't have similar people in the world.

Those who are interested in medical dramas, do check out Tomorrow.

P/s: one more shot of Yutaka for the road - lol. Now, go back to work everyone.

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O Hanaya - san - Bara no nai hanaya

Ok lum lum session everyone. Thanks to YY who introduced me to this lum lum drama - ...... I must say, sorry k-drama fans. J-dramas always has that subtle drive that makes you CRY and CRY. It is not those damn hor leen ones but something in the way they write it that makes you go *sobs*.

Bara no nai hanaya is 2007 Best Winter drama and i must say i am starting to think Shingo Katori is a darn good actor. If he is reading this, Shingo - you have a fan here. He should do more of this romantikku doramas more as he has the capability to be come and excellent leading man.

The title means - flower shop with no rose. How can that be? Shiomi Eiji is a single father who brings up his little Shizuku after his girlfriend dies in child birth. His life is solely devoted to bringing the girl up and he works part time and manages to set up a flower shop to keep things a float. The reason why the shop has no roses is slowly unfolded throughout the series.

This show also marks the return of the great actress in my view Yuko Takeuchi. After her divorce, she is back into doramas. She is Shiorata mio, a blind lady who was seeking shelter from the rain one day. He offers here shelter from the rain. Prickly, initially, she soon starts to get used to Eiji whom she fondly calls "O-hana-ya san" each time she sees him.

I love that sentence. The way she questioningly say it, very sure that Eiji will say "hai" in return just touches that spot in your heart.

However, Mio is not all innocent as you think she is. Shizuku's mother, was a daughter of a rich doctor who is out to seek revenge to the man he thinks made his daughter suffer in her last days. He assumes that Eiji was the one and is all out to make life miserable for him. Mio, is one of the means in which he seeks revenge through.

One thing that is extremely good about japanese dramas, is their very frequent use of expression without much words. The way shingo expresses himself when he can't really say it in many words is just... excellent. He is not a very rich nor very clever man in this show, a rather average joe who believes if he wants and believe in something, we must do everything possible to protect it.

Will Mio be able to see the good in Eiji and win him over? What if Eiji finds out? Ha... turn in and watch loh. How can i give away the ending. Soundtrack is superb as usual. The theme song - Zutto Issho sa - heart rendering. I believe no other asian countries - can make such good dramas except the Japanese. They rock man. :)

Dorama title: Bara no nai hanaya
Lum lum rating: ****
Overall rating: *****
This is 5 out of 5 star rating.

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Yamada Taro Monogatari

Frankly, i am never a fan of Japanese Boy bands so normally i stay away from movies or any shows which are starring members of boy bands. I am not against them but just normally does not pique my interest.

So when i came upon the above title - i was not so interested as it starred 2 members of the band ARASHI, however turning to the back of the DVD it was the story line that caught my interest. I love shows of complete opposite. Poor kid in rich school.. Hehehe .. now that is what i call complete contrast- that goes to show why i find shows like Ouran High School Host interesting.

Yamada Taro(nimomiya kazunari) is a story of a poor boy who goes to an extremely fancy and snotty school. He gives the impression he is actually rich but unknown to his classmates he is as poor as a church mouse. ( How come church mouses are poor?? ). He's family even lives in a room house - where his 6 other siblings and his mom stays in happily despite the poorness. His unreliable father appears once in a while to add on to Taro's money woes. Despite being poor ( or bimbo in japanese) Taro's life is still very happy go lucky and nothing seems to disrupt his positive attitude in life. That also explains why his classmate mimura takuya(sakurai sho) is very intrigued by him

At the same time- he is the object of most of the girl's in his school especially Ikegami Takako. Her ambition is to get a Tama-No-Koshi which means to marry rich. I can't remember the literal translation but tama means jewel. She comes from a middle class family as well, so she is hoping to live a more pampered life. Now through out the course of the show - she discover the real Taro and also the true meaning of being in love with a person despite their background. I found her truly annoying in the beginning but after that, i got to see her in a different light.

What's good about this:

• It's funny! Hilarious at times and over the top at times. Check out the portion where Taro dresses as a girl, here is a teaser picture *cackle*. There are also times where Taro flashes his megawatt smile and all the girls in the room faint.
• In fact when Takako realizes the simplest things in life such as eating hot cakes with your family is a joy- i thought that was quite a good point in the show.
  

What's not good about this:
Sometimes, the over the top-ness is a bit kwa-cheong. Like the race for the Croquet or the beef race in the supermarket... :P Furthermore- i am just wonder how people can be so poor like the Yamada... sharing 1 bowl of dish every night. THAT is a bit kwa cheong.

Well, i wouldn't pass up this show. I find it interesting and have not stopped watching it. That is how i qualify if the show is good :)

Some interesting facts:

• Nimomiya is one of the first members in Arashi to star in a Hollywood movie. He had a part in the show Letters of Iwo Jima
• Taiwan has a similar series starring Vic Chou ( of F4) and the title is Poor Prince Taro.
  
• Sakurai Sho- is one of the few members of Arashi- who has gone to KEIO University
  

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