Naomi To Kanako

Also wrapped up an older crime/suspense drama from 2016 starring Ryoko Hirosue and Yuki Uchida about a battered housewife (Uchida)who, out of desperation, plots with ehr best friend (Hirosue) to murder her husband (Ryuta Sato) in an intricately planned web of deceit where they hope to get away scot free...

An okay storyline that kept me entertained throughout its run, not only for both Uchida and Hirosue's acting skills, but for Yo Yoshida as Sato's sister who seems to be the only one suspicious about the women and their activities... MAN was she COOL as HELL in this drama!!!

Nowhere Boy: Rental Nan mo Shinai Hito

Shota Moriyama (Takahisa Masuda) is a guy with the most unusual of jobs- he rents himself out as a guy who will do NOTHING. Need someone to hold your place in a line or reserve a spot at a park? He can do those! need an extra for something? Hire Moriyama! When we first tune in on him, he is in the service of a gent who has always wanted to have an ice cream drink, but feels awkward to go by himself. With Moriyama as a companion, why, he can proudly have his drink and it won't seem odd at all!

 As someone who feels uncomfortable sometimes eating alone at a restaurant (especially when it's one of those more-expensive ones), I can absolutely see the allure of this guy's service! And while it's true that there's nothing to be ashamed of eating alone, sometimes it's just more  to have someone with you!

Take this girl (Mirai Shida). She came to Tokyo with big dreams of making it in the advertisement business. but mere months after trying and she is set to return home. She'd like to spend her last day visiting Tokyo Tower, but doesn't want to bother with her town friends OR go alone.

Then she sees an ad online offering a service where someone will accompany her to whatever she wants...and will only charge the transportation fee!

 She meets up with the curious Moriyama and explains her situation, He is fine with gong with her, but advises that he will only anser questions "yes" or "no". He just can't make himself get more involved.

 They visit the famous site, but are soon bored and leave. In the end, the two spend the rest of the day sitting on the edge of a river.

 She tries to make conversation, but, as expected, he doesn't say much. "You really  do NOTHING, don't you!" she says, but she means it kindly.

This was jsut what she needed to wrap up her stay in Tokyo and leave on a strong note.

You know, there was a  arge part of this drama that reminded me of Ore No Hanashi wa Nagai as it's about a guy who makes a career out of doing absolutely nothing, but I suppose this drama was meant to be more introspective.

So far it's an OK show, we'll see where this one goes....

The Secret (Fictional) Life Of Kasumi Arimura

Just checked out Arimura Kasumi no Satsukyu, a VERY bizarre drama following actress Kasumi Arimura and the situations she gets into when she suddenly gets a day off in the middle of her acting schedule-

Each episode features an entirely different storyline so you know they are works of fiction, but it is SO strange to see her playing herself while actors play her relatives, neighbors, etc. 

She is clearly meant to be the “real” Kasumi, as she refers to roles she has played and her “home” is adorned with memorabilia of the various movies she’s been in:

...and we see her doing the mundane tasks of celebrity like signing autograph boards in her spare time...

 but it is so STRANGE to see her playing herself while actors play her relatives and neighbors, and then see "Mom" and "Daughter" fighting over these dramatic fictional family problems.

An odd alternate reality, perhaps? When Kasumi offers  incense to her father at an altar, all I can think is, “Is Kasumi’s Father passed away in real life?” I would suppose he WAS...but wouldn't it be gauche anyway, building a set with an altar for her to offer incense at, for the sake of some drama story? And when Fubuki Jun appear for the first time, I couldn’t figure out if she was supposed to be Kasumi’s mother or if she was there as Fubuki Jun herself!

Also very bizarre to see her go shopping with Fubuki Jun and have established actors playing the part of starstruck fans....

I dunno, novelty aside, wouldn’t this have worked much better is Kasumi simply played different characters entirely in each episode (like the excellent Aoi Yu drama CAMOUFLAGE)? Very strange drama!

Posted by zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

Crush Of The Day: Sei Shiraishi

Wrapped up the Nana Seino drama Shiro demo Kuro demonai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau  the other day and while it was an okay (if messy and convoluted), one big plus about it was seeing pretty Sei Shiraishi in it each episode!
My GOSH, she's just gettin' prettier and PRETTIER with each drama she's in!!!

Of course, Nana Seino was great in the drama too, but somehow I really took to Sei's character of Azusa Sajima, the one-time kidnap victim and current girlfriend of Naoki Morishima...

 somehow she always seemed sympathetic an it was a particular thrill as the show went on and her role got more prominent....

At times Sei reminded me of Satomi Ishihara in her younger days (think back to Satomi's "Kimi Wa Petto days), which is always a plus....

Watching Shiro demo Kuro demonai Sekai de Panda wa Warau let me see Sei in all her various modes, whether they be studious:

Elegant:

or even disarmingly babylike...(!)

Yep, Sei's the total package!

As you all may recall, I was first introduced to Sei from her role in the drama Zettai Seigi, where I was QUITE taken with her!

...and then a pretty guest role in Scandal Senmon Bengoshi QUEEN

...a meager role in the awesome nanao drama Miss Devil

..and of course her excellent role as Hana Kurimoto in Dakara Watashi wa Oshimashita!

Just waiting for Sei to be given a proper starring role where we can see just what she can really do! I'd love to see her do something like Satomi Ishihara's "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko No Uso", or Emi Takei's "Tokyo Zenryoku Shoujo"-something light and zany since she always seems so gloomy!

We'll keep an eye out for her!!!

Posted by zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

Ore No Hanashi Wa Nagai: Holy CRAP Was This Drama Great!!!

 I can't remember the last time I was so taken by a drama like Ore No Hanashi wa Nagai!

Such WONDERFUL characters in a drama that takes the time to let you know all about them and their worries, struggles, hardships and triumphs!

 NEET son Mitsuru is living a mundane and plodding life with his mother at a Coffee Shop, but when his sister Ayako arrives with her husband Koji and teenage daughter Harumi for three weeks while their home is being remodeled, the household turns into a lively uproar of personality clashes and preferences !

We learn of all the characters and their situations, and while it all seems insurmountable, by the time the three weeks have passed each and every one of them has found strength and solace within their family bond and friendships.

And by the time the drama ends and Ayako and her family are moving back, the house feels SO lonely and empty, and you realize what a wonderful thing they had created for those three weeks together.

Posted by zdoramaagain.blogspot.com