Another Quartet in "Ichiban Suki na Hana"

Ichiban Suki na Hana, a story of four shy and introverted people who have, since childhood, struggled with the concept of pairing up with others and making true allies in life, and have found that, as adults, this same stigma has kept them feeling isolated and completely alone within the busy world they occupy.

There is Yukue Ushio (Mikako Tabe), a young woman working as a Cram School instructor who has recently been told by her supposed best friend (Taiga Nakano) that he can’t hang out with her anymore 'cause his new wife forbids it…

There is Tsubaki Haruki (Kouhei Matsushita), a man who earnestly believes he had found a woman to settle down with (Asami Usuda)…only to be dumped over phone just as the wedding day is on the horizon…

There is Yoyo Miyuki (Mio Imada), a pretty hairstylist who has never had real friendship outside of the men who see her as someone to go out with purely for her physical appearance… (where she is told off for constantly "leading guys on" when she says she only sees them as acquaintances)

...and finally, there is Momiji Sato (Fuju Kamio), a quiet lad working at a convenience store with dreams of someday making it as a graphic designer but is told that for his illustrations to touch others, he needs to be a more outgoing and warm person.

At this point, all four of our characters are unmoored and seem to be drifting into a desperate outlook...They all need something to spark their lives...and such a chance is on the horizon!

Through an unusual set of wild circumstances, each of the four happen to cross paths when fate gives Momiji, Yukue, and Yoyo individual reasons to appear at Tsubaki's doorstep!  Through this wonderful chance meeting, the four get to talking and through animated discussion, find that their personal problems at creating bonds and retaining relationships may not be so unique after all!

Though skeptical to even begin thinking about making new friendships, that same playful fate has decided that these four are meant to be in each others’ lives, and through that chance first meeting, will see them find solace in each other and realize they are not alone in the world.

As Bogie once said:  "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"

MAN, after just the first episode, I am feeling so STRONGLY about this drama- you never know what kind of drama you’re going to get with these “ensemble cast” kind of shows,  gratefully, what I found was less “Manatsu no Cinderella”, and more like the excellent “QUARTET” from few years back or even the recent “Nichiyou no Yoru Gurai wa”… Intelligent dialog and earnest characters make this for one drama that I’m SURE I’m going to enjoy watching in the coming weeks!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

Sei Shiraishi Cuteness OVERLOAD

 I had mentioned in my post about the new Yuki Amami/Kouhei Matsushita mystery drama “Gouritekini Arienai: Tantei Kamizuru Ryoko no Kaimei”  that, while I had not seen her in episode one, was expected to see Sei Shiraishi make her debut in the next one.

As you all know, I am a HUGE Sei Shiraishi fan and was looking forward to seeing her, and while I knew she was going to be fine in whatever role they gave her, I had NOT prepared for how DOGGONE ADORABLE she would be!!!

She is introduced in episode 2 where Kamizuru and Takayama are hired by Kamizuru’s once boss and now scorned enemy Genma (Toru Nakamura), to find his missing daughter Kumi (Shiraishi). Though reluctant to help out a man who has betrayed her, she can’t forsake a missing girl and Kumi is eventually brought back home safe and sound.

It's a perfectly fine case, but it’s what happens AFTER that gives Sei the showcase to TRULY show off her stuff, when the too-sheltered Kumi decides the best way to become strong is to WORK FOR KAMIZURU! This is an idea that puts off the detective team, until Kamizuru reasons that it's the best way to keep track of Genma and tells Kumi she's IN!~ Watch her JUMP for JOY at the news!!!

From here Sei steals every scene whether she’s the focus or not- as Kumi is a naturally dense girl, she is constantly getting underfoot of the sleuthing team, and is usually confused as to whatever is being discussed above her head!

She is a particular thorn in Takayama’s side- not only is he a perfectionist used to working by himself to the strictest guidelines, his ONE weakness is being around PRETTY girls, one of which Kumi SURELY is!!!

"Do I smell??? Why is Takayama always avoiding me?"

"Takayama is nervous around pretty girls".

An epiphany!

"SO! he's nervous around women!" Kumi gushes. " Hmmm...but why isn't he nervous around YOU, Kamizuru?" LOLOL, that's cuz Takayama doesn't see Kamizuru AS a woman, natch!

Poor Kumi- all she wants to do is join in on the team activities, but she is constantly rebuffed by Takayama, leaving her lonely and rejected! Is this the beginning of a fruitful relationship??? Whaddaya THINK?

Trying to escape the powerfully cute aura of Kumi.

"Stay there!"

So disarming watching her bravely trying to understand the conversations going around as Kamizuru and Takayama discuss the current cases to liasons and associates, but never fear, her sweet innocence brings a different take on the facts, and it’s sometimes her own observations that inadvertently “crack the case” for the agency!!!

WELL, I can see that my screencapping skills will be put to the TEST with this show so I’d better limber up my fingers and prepare for the NEXT episode!!!

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PS: I might ALSO add that Yuki Amami is totally on her GAME here as well, easily beating out much of her competition when it comes to “Quirky, Wacky, and Eccentric Genius Women” with her charismatic and madcap style!

 There was one scene which MAY be a easter egg for us longtime Amami fans when Kumi asks “Should I Call You BOSS?” to which Amami immediately wrinkles her nose! Could be just a throwaway line, but for lots of people, BOSS is THE Yuki Amami drama, the one she's most closely associated with!

Oh, and there was one scene where Kamizuru needs to infiltrate a dance club and goes undercover…but her idea of dressing up for clubbing is still stuck in the 90’s!!!

Takayama even remarks that she looks like she’s out of a 90’s drama, but I ain't gonna lie…Amami looked pretty darn attractive in that get-up!!!

MAN, you just don’t realize how long ago the 90’s were until you see her dressed up like this and go “WOW... I haven’t seen anyone look like that in….YEARS!” LOLOLOL

Such a FUN little drama!!!