Haha, Hey, I Know Who They're Talking About!

 Sakura Oba (Minami Tanaka) convincing Mai (Meru Tashima) that she has the potential of a particular “idol-turned-actress”in the latest episode of “Kichijoji Losers”…

As soon as I heard that, I was like, “Hey, I know who they’re talking about!” LOL!

(PS: Of course, there's the added joke that HKT48's Meru Tashima is herself an idol turned actress!)

A (Share)House Divided: “Kichijoji Losers”

Six unlikely applicants arrive at a share house where they are all set to begin living together...These six people could not be more different from each other, and right off the bat their personalities begin clashing- even before they have been properly introduced each other! 

 

There is Satoshi Abiko (Takahisa Masuda), an agreeable man working as a substitute Teacher, who tries to sensibly suggest how to proceed, an act which some take as arrogance.

Manta Hata (Jin Katagiri) is a struggling entertainer who nitpicks every action that anyone makes as a threat and something to analyse and complain about!

Mai Michizuki (Meru Takashi) is a sexy and sassy cabaclub hostess with a big attitude and a mouth to match!

Midori Kurumizawa (Mari Hamada) is a middle-aged woman working as an undisclosed “civil servant”. Though mostly quiet and reserved, when she gets her gumption up, she can become as outspoken as the rest of them!

Sakura Oba (Minami Tanaka) is a commanding and dominating force, quick to sum up and judge everyone by their actions, a VERY kakkoi character, though she is relentless in her admonishments, much to the faint-at heart Satoshi!

And finally we have kindly old Ryuji Ikegami (Jun Kunimura), a man who primarily chose to live in a share house to be around people. Soft-spoken and thoughtful, he becomes the person Satoshi will confide in when things get rough!

The caretaker arrives (well, he actually was in the bathroom taking a dump when they all met, LOL) and gives them the keys to their respective rooms. They are stunned that the owner himself is not here and press him for more info. 

Backing off and desperate to leave, the man says he’s only here because they were gonna pay him, but leaves them with one horrible bit of information: 

...each and every one of them was specially selected to live in the share house…because they are all LOSERS!!!

This STUNS the motley bunch of new tenants, who all feel that they personally aren’t losers, but to the others in the house, it’s pretty clear that each of them LACKS something, and ALL the faults, warts and all will eventually come out over the course of their cohabitation!

When the six tenants begin living together, the slowly get to know each other, and for better or worse, begin to understand what the other is going through…but it will be rough as each new day brings new problems for the feisty group top deal with!

And then there’s the mystery of a yellow door on the main floor which they are strictly FORBIDDEN to open…what could be the secret it holds?!

A wacky dialog-heavy drama in the style of such dramas as “Ore no Hanashi wa Nagai” or “Kakenai”, I was keen to see who the screenwriter was and was kind of surprised to find it was actor Tetsuhiro Ikeda, who had written a few other dramas besides this! But it’s pretty fun and I’m looking forward to seeing more!

PS: Say, this Meru Takashi sure is a cutie!!! Such a scene-stealer, she alone is reason enough to watch this drama!!! Fortunately, there's even more!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

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....