ZDORAMA, AGAIN: Notes on Drama “Yokoso Wagaya e”

Monday, June 1, 2015

Notes on Drama “Yokoso Wagaya e”

Aiba Masaki and Erika Sawajiri

The new Aiba Masaki thriller Yokoso Wagaya e (Welcome to Our Home) is a suspense thriller about a family named Kurata who are tormented by an unknown assailant or assailants from the outside. At first elder son Kenta (Aiba) seems to be the cause- he confronted a rude passenger on the train and told him to respect the others, and was later followed home by someone- but as we learn more about the family, EACH member is dealing with SOME sort of person-problem at their respective businesses, and any ONE of these could be the stalker!

Kuratas:Akira Terao,Minami Kaho, Kasumi Arimura & Aiba

Reporting Harassment to the Police

An unusual and off-beat story for a drama, to say the least! By the opening credits, I at first assumed that this show was going to be a comedy, but it turned dark soon enough. Still, a very interesting show so far, and it doesn’t hurt that the drama is packed with a virtual star-studded cast featuring some of my favorite actresses, and seeing them in action has led me to a few thoughts:

1.Erika Sawajiri

Erika Sawajiri as Savvy Reporter Kandori Asuka

So great to see Erika back in regular dramas again! The role of the tenacious reporter Kandori is a perfect fit for her, so far she’s been only doing basic coverage of the Kurata’s troubles, can’t wait to see her really get moving as the case gets darker…The more serious things get, the more they will need someone like her on their side!

Commending Kenta on scolding the Rude Passenger

Asuka Kandori: Sugar Power for the Brain

2.Arimura Kasumi

Kasumi Arimura as Nana

This will be the third drama I’ve seen Kasumi in, and she gets cuter every time I see her-The first time I saw her was in Keizoku SPEC as the precocious Miyabe-chan, and then as Matsumoto Jun’s little sister Matsuri in drama Shitsuren Chocolatier, and now, keeping it in the Arashi family, I get to see her as Aiba’s little sister Nana!

3. Sayaka Yamaguchi

Sayaka Yamaguchi as Setsuko Nishizawa

Sayaka’s been known to play these focused, serious women, but MAN, in a show FULL of wishy-washy types who let people run all over them, Sayaka’s Nishizawa Setsuko is easily the COOLEST and most KICK-BUTT character in the show! She’s the only one who doesn’t take flak from the bullies and REALLY lets ‘em have it, she is my favorite character in this show.

Taichi Kurata and his diligent subordinate Nishizawa

Setsuko works under Aiba's father Taichi, a guy that, like his son Kenta, doesn't like confrontation and is easily bullied by his peers. She is the only one who actually respects him and strongly supports him.

One question though…why is Setsuko moonlighting as a seductively sexy hostess at night? Not that I mind- it's more intrigue- and MY does she look FINE!

4. Rika Adachi

Rika Adachi as a Babe, i Mean Hobara Marie

OH MY GOD, Rika looks so freaking devastatingly FINE, HOLY HELL, I cannot stand it, she is so freaking good looking! I don’t care that she only has a small role (that of Nana’s classmate Hobara Marie),WHAT A BABEEEEEE Need to see her MOREEEEE…