366 Days with Alice Hirose

The first episode of 366 Nichi aired on April 8th, and in the following days as I waited for the show to be subbed, twitter was inundated with reviews of those who’d seen it, and none of it was particularly positive: boring, bad ending, etc, these were the usual comments, and after all these assessments, I wasn’t sure what to expect... WELL, I’ve finally gotten to watch the first episode for myself, and…I STILL don’t know what to make of it!  Our story:
Alice Hirose stars as a girl named Asuka Yukihara in high school going through life harboring an unrequited love for her classmate Haruto Mizuno (Gordon Maeda). Though she likes him and he seems to like her, as usual with dramas like these they both think the other isn’t interested in them and despite all their friends (Ryota Bando, Neru Nagahama, Keito Tsuna) knowing how much these two care for each other, after graduation, they go their separate ways.

Fast forward to the present day where the classmates of old hold a mini-reunion at the old school,  and of course everyone attends. After the party, the gang goes out to drink, and Asuka and Haruto  promise to keep in touch. She isn't sure what he thinks of her, but Asuka's feeling haven't changed...

 In the following days Asuka tries to reach out, but due to circumstances, they do not meet until set up by a friend. Finally alone to talk things out, the two are able to convey their true feeling to each other and get things out in the open for the first time in their lives!

Having finally revealed their hearts to each other, a new path opens up for the two…but there is a terrible tragedy up on the road ahead for them- one that threatens to tear them apart from each other once more...

That’s how the first episode leaves us, and I’m not sure just what kind of drama is going to follow. Is it going to be a tragic melodrama as the cast deals with the events of the accident? Or, as I suspect, will it be more of a mystery show, with Asuka and gang learning about Haruto’s personal life that he has kept away from them? Also some mystery about the Keito Tsuna character Kazuki. I guess time will tell exactly what this drama ’s gonna be about.  I’ll be checking this one out if only for the Alice Hirose goodness, but I’m crossing fingers this doesn't turn into another sloggy romance flick. I JUST got through with her LAST generic romcom “My Second Aoharu” and don’t feel like sitting through another!!!!

Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi

 Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi~ The King and the Wicked Woman: A wildly uneven and tonally inconsistent story of a so-called wicked woman from a poor family who suddenly becomes involved in a sham marriage with an arrogant wealthy heir to a vast family fortune.

Kanna Hashimoto stars as Ayaka Haneda and Ryosuke Yamada stars as Togo Nitta, an Employee and Boss of a Wedding Planner service, both of whom seems mostly unlikeable to everyone save those closest to them!

 Out of the blue they suddenly announce their MARRIAGE PLANS, to the shock of everyone, but we will soon find that both Bride and Groom have their own secret agendas for the union to take place….

On the surface, it’s your standard ‘fake marriage” romcom set-up, but the writers can’t seem to make up their mind if the characters are supposed to be loud and outspoken or kindhearted and sympathetic and what is presented varies wildly throughout the show, as if no one could figure out what the true characters motivations and purpose is!

I’ll say ONE thing for this drama: it’s FULL of stars, most notably in the actors playing the Parents, with actress Ryo and Muga Tsukaji as Ayaka’s humble Mom and Dad...

...and regal looking Nanako Matsushima and Go Riju as Togo Nitta’s refined and affluent Parents

Also a handful other others like  Ryoko Kobayashi as Saya Okada and Ryota Bando as Kento Kamiyama. These are the people that the Wedded Couple ACTUALLY care for, guess we'll see how they play into this set up....

Kento Nagao as Ayaka’s caring brother (who also serves as narrator)…

And as the couple's respective assistants/juniors we have Yuki Morinaga as Akita Koji, Nitta's secretary...

...and Ryota Miura as Haneda's wide eyed and gushing kohai Koki Takemoto!

Despite its’ scattershot and willy-nilly approach to the story, I’m guess I'm interested enough to see where this whole thing goes...and besides all that, MY OH MY, Kanna Hashimoto looks simply dazzling in this one!! If not for ANY other reason, I’ll watch it simply as a showcase for how PRETTY Kanna can get!

PS: There was this great gag where they're showing how Kanna's character Ayaka has been popular her whole life, and show a flashback where an online news crawl had dubbed her the "Once in a 100 Years Beauty", obviously making fun of the similar dubious title bestowed upon the REAL Kanna not so long ago, AHAHAHA!!

This isn't the first time a drama has taken a dig at that lofty nickname given her, looks like it will be awhile til Kanna can ever live up to it...or live it down!