Adventures In Cuteness: Yamaguchi Ayumi

Ayumi Yamaguchi as Shouko in Churasan

Churasan: Mada Mada, or, "Ain't You Done Watching That YET?!"

Sigh. Yes, I’m still only up to Episode 124 of Churasan. Several of you have mentioned to me how surprised they were that I hadn’t finished the Kuninaka Ryoko asadora by now after all these months, but the truth of it is, ever since Eri and Fumiya got married and had a child, it became like watching a real married couple, i.e, interesting for them and their family, but not so captivating for me personally.

Just about the only storyline going on that interests me is the growing relationship between Keitatsu (Yamada Takayuki) and Shouko (played with adorable sweetness by super-cutie Yamaguchi Ayumi) but it’s rough having to sit through three “Eri's baby” episodes to get a single “Keitatsu and Shouko” scene…

Really hoping they expand on their storyline…they’ve JUST confessed their attraction for each other in this latest episode, so things are looking good! And speaking of looking good, yep, I’m really starting to develop a crush on Shouko-chan…She's SUCH a sweetie, and she gives the most hilarious of "stunned faces" LOL

Hahaha, what a HILARIOUS parade of flabbergasted expressions from Ayumi! Note in the above pics that Kuninaka Ryoko herself looks particularly adorable as well, while poor Aiko Sato strains to be in the conversation...LOL

A Little Inside Joke Humor on "Churasan"

With Eri's first birth coming up, her parents Katsuko and Keibun have arrived in Tokyo to be with her, little knowing that she'd already flown back to Okinawa to be with THEM! Having a good laugh over the misunderstanding, the ladies of Ippukan get together to have some fun, and when they get on the subject of singing, an inevitable "inside joke" pops up!

LOL

Yoshiko Tanaka’s “daughters” say farewell to their TV Mother

Tanaka Yoshiko with Kuninaka Ryoko in Churasan

Tanaka Yoshiko with Kitagawa Keiko in Hitsudan Hostess

With her Seigi No Mikata Family: Shida Mirai, Sano Shiro, Yamada Yu

Was so sweet and touching to see so many of the actresses who played Yoshiko Tanaka’s daughters onscreen come to pay their respects at the recent wake. Yu Yamada and Shida Mirai (and TV Husband Sano Shiro) from Seigi No Mikata, as well as Kitagawa Keiko  (who played Tanaka’s daughter in Hitsudan Hostess) and Kuninaka Ryoko (who played Eri, Tanaka’s daughter in Churasan) were among the many guests gathered to say farewell to the late actress. Listening to their heartfelt memories of Yoshiko Tanaka, you can really tell that she was a caring person that really seemed like friend to them:

Kuninaka,  Kitagawa 

Yamada Yu, Sano Shiro, Shida Mirai

Yamada Yu (26, daughter in the 2008 drama “Seigi no Mikata“) spoke with tears at Tanaka’s wake, “We went out to eat together and talk, and if I was worried or in trouble, she would hold my hand and say ‘It’ll be okay’. I learned of her passing through the news. (I thought) why does it have to be ‘mama’… She always had a smile as bright as the sun, and I still can’t believe it.”

Kitagawa Keiko (24, daughter in the 2000 drama “Hitsudan Hostess“) commented, “(During filming) I never saw her with a dark expression. I wasn’t able to notice (her illness). I remember very vividly when she said ‘I’m happy that I get more children in the entertainment industry like this. It’s very lively.’ I wish I could have spent more time with her.”

Kuninaka Ryoko (31, daughter in the “Churasan” TV series) was called “Eri” by Tanaka, the name of her character in the “Churasan” series. The last time she saw Tanaka was when she visited the hospital on April 16th. With tears in her eyes, Kuninaka commented, “She always took care of me and I wasn’t able to do anything. (On April 16th) it was hard to maintain a conversation, but she knew I had visited and smiled. I remember her calling me ‘Eri’ all the time with a cute voice.”

(from Tokyohive)

Thought it was so sweet that Tanaka continued to think of Ryoko Kuninaka as her daughter "Eri" for the rest of her life. Working together for so long (an entire asadora and three specials), they must have been extremely close.

Also loved the fact that throughout "Seigi No Mikata", whenever Tanaka's mother character would do something cool, Yamada Yu's daughter character would proudly say (with a pumped fist), "Mama, NICE!", and here Yamada still referred to her as her "Mama".
Was nice to see her entire "Seigi No Mikata" family at the service, so touching.

Up To Churasan #62

We're up to episode #62 of the dleightful Kuninaka Ryoko asadora Churasan with no signs of slowing down yet!

Churasan #50: Cutie Honey Sighting

Continuing with the amazing Chursasan "Cavalcade of Stars", luscious Sato Eriko made a short but sweet appearance on Churasan as an adorably ditzy television announcer come to the Okinawan Restaurant to interview Kuninaka Ryoko and the gang.


PS: And yes, this means that I'm up to Episode 50 of Churasan.

Churasan #49: First Appearance of the Marshmallow Peeps Bunny

Continuing with the amazing Chursasan "Cavalcade of Stars", episode 49 featured the first appearance of cutie Konishi Manami, the j-drama actress I've always thought looked like a real life version of the Marshmallow Peeps Bunny.
Funny, It's only when I see how young she looks in this Asadora that I realize how long ago Churasan aired!

Sculpture Seconds

In an interesting side note, you all know that besides the zany Asami Mizukawa comedy Yume Wo Kanaeru Zo, I'm also watching the Ryoko Kuninaka asadora Churasan, right?

So, a few days ago, I’m watching Churasan, and Eri’s in Tokyo looking for a childhood friend that she thinks she’s just seen in the crowd, and is scanning the crowd from the base of this lighted sculpture…

Well, a few days later I'm watching the latest episode of Yume Wo Kanaeru Zo, and when Asami's character Asuka makes a date with a prospective boyfriend, she waits for him in front of a sculpture that looks all too familiar to me…

HAHAHA, Is this some famous statue in Tokyo, or are they once again shooting at Yokohama Business Park again?

ちゅらさん...So Far

Up to Episode 23 26 of  NHK Asadora "Churasan"...Wow, with 156 Episodes and 3 Specials to go, this could take a while... Not that I'm complaining or anything, as sweetie Kuninaka Ryoko is extremely easy on the eyes...

Please Stand By

We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog posting to bring you this picture of Kuninaka Ryoko eating an andagi.

We will resume regular blogging next week. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.