Hana Yori Dango 1 Sunday, May 25 2008 

Hana Yori Dango 1 soccerzfan 4:20 am

Casts:
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
Matsumoto Jun as Doumyouji Tsukasa
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
Matsuda Shota as Nishikado Soujiroh
Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira
Sato Megumi as Sanjou Sakurako
Nishihara Aki as Matsuoka Yuki
Seto Saki as Asai Yuriko
Fukada Aki as Ayuhara Erika
Matsuoka Emiko as Yamano Minako

Synopsis:
Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa, the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui, the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro, a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira, a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4’s bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.
Makino hopes to pass her days quietly– without drawing any attention to herself– but one day, she stands up to Domyoji in defense of her friend. The next day, Makino gets the dreaded red notice. Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a “tough weed”. She declares war right back on the F4. Her resolve gets the attention of her crush Hanazawa Rui and oddly enough, rouses romantic feelings in her worst enemy, Domyoji Tsukasa.
The series is based on the Japanese shoujo manga “Hana Yori Dango” (Boys Before Flowers) by Kamio Yoko.

This is honestly the first Japanese drama I’ve ever watched in my life (not counting A Million Falling Stars b/c I never finish it). This drama is also the reason why I am so into Japanese drama right now. I admit even though it is a little late for entering the world of Japanese drama, I really don’t mind the catching up since I will have lots of drama to watch. My friend told me a lot about this Japanese version of Meteor Garden but I never pay any mind to it because honestly speaking, I don’t really like Meteor Garden. Being a typical teenager that I was when it first came out, I admit I was really hype about it but then when I really take time to think about it, I realize how crappy Meteor Garden is. I wonder how F4 gets so famous after the released of Meteor Garden since they’re not even “hot”. But that’s not the point, the point is, I found this version 10x better than Meteor Garden minus the chemistry of F4 in Meteor Garden.

Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
I’m not really sure why but I was never a fan of Barbie Hsu regardless of which character she plays so when I saw Inoue Mao playing the same role, there is no doubt I would think Inoue is better. On the physical appearance, I think Inoue fits the character more because Barbie is too short compare to F4 whereas Inoue has a lesser difference in height. Barbie always show this irritating and annoying look on her face whilst Inoue has this adorable and innocent look. I know it’s not fair to compare them since i’m pretty sure there is difference in the script description of their character but I can’t help to enjoy watching Inoue’s acting.

Matsumoto Jun as Doumyouji Tsukasa
When he first appeared I couldn’t hold onto to my laughter because my first impression of him is “how gay.” His curly hair makes him look gayer too and worst when he smiles. It took me quite sometimes to get used to his face and his acting but because his character is likable, I didn’t dislike him for long. beside from better acting, I think Jerry fits better with this role. But if I have to pick, I would pick good acting over good looking any day.

Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
As much as I like how Oguri Shun portrayed Rui, I have to admit Vic Chou is hotter and way cooler when he doesn’t talk. They both have a special personality that if I were to pay the main girl, I would too fall for them. In the beginning, I really hope Makino would end up with Doumyouji but after how badly Doumyouji treated her and how Rui is so caring I was hoping she would develop feeling for Rui instead. But that’s beside the point since it occurs frequently in season 2 than it is in season 1. This character doesn’t require much acting so I think Vic would be best to play this role.

Other characters:
Maybe it’s just me that the F4 in the Taiwanese version have better chemistry than the F4 in this version. When I watched Meteor Garden, I actually feel their friendship as if they knew each other for sometimes but when I watch this version, I don’t feel anything. it seems to me that Tsukasa beats the other F3 whenever he feels like it whereas I don’t remember when Jerry hits the other F3. A drama will grow on me when the characters are interacting with each other and by the end of this drama, I saw that the relationship between the characters develop a little bit.

I like the fact that this drama is a lot shorter than Meteor Garden because if I remember correctly, Meteor Garden is a little bit lengthy. I like how this drama doesn’t waste any time and go straight to the main storyline. There are several minor differences between the dramas but not a drastic change that will deviate the main plot.

 

Hanazakari No Kimi Tachi E Sunday, May 25 2008 

Hana Kimi soccerzfan 4:17 am

Also known as: Hana Kimi

Cast:
Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki
Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi
Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi
Ishigaki Yuma as Tennoji Megumi
Mizushima Hiro as Nanba Minami
Yamamoto Yusuke as Karashima Taiki
Kimura Ryo as Senri Nakao
Kyo Nobuo as Himejima Masao
Iwasa Mayuko as Hanayashiki Hibari
Matsuda Madoka as Kishizato Juri
Kiritani Mirei as Amagasaki Kanna
Kurose Manami as Imaike Komari
Taira Airi as Abeno Erika

Plotline:
Ashiya admired high jumper Sano ever since she first saw him on television and determined to help him jump again after his injury trying to save her in the States. She returned to Japan and enrolled herself in Osaka’s High School for boys to help motivate Sano to jump again despite her parents opposition. Her admiration slowly grow into affection for Sano whilst Nakatsu, also began to develop feelings for her. At the same time, she entangled herself with many events occurred within this school particularly in many competitions between the 3 dorms.

Personal Opinion:
I am consider myself very difficult in choosing what I want to watch and what I will finish. I haven’t watch a drama in the longest time that I actually watch till the end and at the same time enjoying it. This drama is considered my favorite drama of the year surpassing Romantic Princess and Hana Yori Dango 1 which I recently watched. I have yet to finish the Taiwanese version of the same title because it simply wasn’t as captivating as this drama to get me to finish it. I admit I started Hana Kimi – the Taiwanese version that is with great expectation since I heard many good words about the drama but I quickly felt disappointed when I began watching it. I had no choice but to stop watching it altogether because 1. I was busy with school work and so I want to devote whatever free time I have no something worthwhile and 2. Ella isn’t the most beautiful girl there is to be compatible with the adorable Wu Chun. I agree it was a little shallow on my part but I really expect chemistry between the actors before I can get myself to like them. Anyway, so during the week of finals, I started surfing the net because god know studying would be the last thing I wanted to do, and I came across this. I hesitated at first but then I gave in because I saw Oguri Shun name in the cast list and after watching Hana Yori Dango 2, I felt in love with his character as Rui so I thought I wanted to see more of him. Let just say I ended up finishing this drama for none of the reasons I started watching it. I felt in love with the casts, every single one of them, and more importantly, I am in love with Nakatsu’s character. I also like the fact that this drama is only 12 episodes because it goes straight to the main point without having any boring details attached. As of the moment I’m writing this, I rewatch this drama 2 times already and will watch more when I have more time.

Characters:
Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi
There are so many characters in this version that I absolutely love but the one I truly love is Nakatsu. I’m not sure if it’s the actor that play the role or the character in the general that make the character Nakatsu lovable. From the moment he appeared till the end of the show, I want to know what happened to him. I think his character is the most developed one of them all, more than Sano and Ashiya. He went from being mean to Ashiya, to care, and finally to love. His character is charming, funny, and cute. I can’t think back to any scenes that he appeared that he is not funny. He simply dominate the screen whenever he appeared and this is one of those drama where I wish that the main girl do not end up with the main guy and for once let the 2nd guy have the girl. The reason I finished watching this drama is because of him.

Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi
Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought he was cute. This realization help me understand that a character in a show can influence the way someone view an actor. This was indeed misleading since I felt in love with his character as Rui in Hana Yori Dango and thought that he would be as handsome and as good as he was but wow, am I wrong. After watching this drama, I don’t think I want to watch anymore of his drama. Honestly, he’s not cute at all, and his character is really boring to watch. Every time he appears, he ruins the mood of everybody. This character acts as if the world owes him something, like he’s the only one suffering but in fact it is his own decision to quit high jumping. I have no idea why Ashiya would fall for someone like him. Is it because he is “cute”? Or because he saved her? Love is blind i’m telling you.

Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki
I admit she is better looking than Ella but besides that, I think Ella makes a better character than she is. This girl didn’t know what she wants from beginning till end. She claims that she comes to help Sano jumps again with no other intentions but after he jumps, she decides to stay. It is clear that she is in love with him since the beginning but she didn’t realize so until the end. I do want to know what she sees in him. It is clear that every time she face any problems either emotional or social, Nakatsu comes to her rescue yet at the end, it’s Sano that she likes. I have no problem with her liking Sano’s character either, except this version portrays his character is a cocky, proud, cool character whereas everyone else in the show is down to earth and friendly.

Other Characters:
Like I said above, beside from Nakatsu, I also watch it for everybody else excluding Sano. I love the 3 dorm leaders and they have their fair share of good parts. For example, the dorm leader #1 is very good with handling girls and everyone recognizes him as the player type and every time he appears, everyone asks him for his opinions regarding girls. Dorm leader 2 and 3 are very funny in their special way. Every time they appear, the whole serious atmosphere from Sano disappear and everything turns into a comedy. They are unique in their own way and when they work together to defeat their enemy, they’re invincible. Their summer vacation working at the beach where they compete with other high school is really fun to watch.
Then there is Yamamoto Yusuke acting as Kayashima Taiki. Even though his character is weird sometimes, as I continue to watch, I realize his character is perfectly normal. He just talk really less but every time he says something, it really start me laughing. I like the whole “I can see the aura” thing that come out of his mouth. Love his chemistry of Nakatsu too, especially the scene where Nakatsu is in the midst of debating whether or not he’s homo, he asked his roommate, Kayashima “What happen if you find out i’m a homosexual?” Kayashima have this blank stare like he usually does then reply “I would ask to transfer out of the room.” Then Nakatsu gave him a nod like he would done the same too. Such great chemistry that I love every time they interact.
There is of course the doctor who is there for Ayashi every time she is in trouble or face a problem within the school. I find that their relationship is realistic and the doctor growing from a women phobic to finally learn how to accept woman. He himself didn’t realize this transformation until the end when Ayashi leave. She slowly change him without he knows that he is changing.
Let just say I miss the cast more than I miss Ayashi and Sano.