Mugi and the Gang in “Reversal Orchestra”

 “Reversal Orchestra”, the story of a recluse former prodigy violinist named Hatsune Tanioka (Mugi Kadowaki) who, for unknown reasons, left the stage 10 years ago and never returned. 

She now ekes out a life as a mere OL in the Public Office, careful to keep her famous past hidden, even when when asked if she knows or cares for classical music. 

She is content living a quiet life with her sister Kanna (Yuri Tsunematsu), though she still teaches violin to young students on the sly. And though she won't admit it, Hatsune still enjoys playing for herself when there's no one around.

 

In the meantime, a famous conductor named Asahi Tokiwa (Kei Tanaka) performing in Germany, is brought back to Japan by his father (Namase Katsuhisa), the town's Mayor, with the request/order of taking over as conductor of the city’s orchestra and whipping them into shape for a grand opening of a brand new Symphony Hall he is in charge of.

"Do this favor for your Father!"

Agreeing at last to his Father's demands, Tokiwa meets the Orchestra. But he is severely  unimpressed with the musicians he is suddenly saddled with, citing them as lazy and unprofessional. But he hears promise in their playing and knows that with a proper group leader, they can, perhaps, become something.

The slapdash Orchestra discovering the plans for the new Orchestra Hall: Kumi Taiuchi, Mari Hamada, Loic Garnier, Ryota Bando, Mitsuru Hirata, et al looking on. Will they be invited to appear at such a residence?

Tokiwa needs to find that special spark that will ignite this team of motley players, and hope comes his way when, judging an amateur violin competition, he is impressed by a young student and discovers her teacher is the elusive Hatsune Tanioka!! Judging by how well her student plays, he knows Tanioka still has the touch to make his dream orchestra a REALITY!

"Hey, this girl is pretty good!"

"Her teacher is Hatsune Tanioka??"

But first he will have to convince her, and as we spend time with them, we find out the reason Hatsune has left the profession all those years ago, and why it is impossible for her to return…or is it? 

Hoping her love of music will bring her back, Tokiwa is betting his future on her!

You all know how much I adore Mugi Kadowaki, ever since first seeing her as the shy ghost in “Omukae Death”, she has been stealing my heart with her eccentric roles of introverted teens and psychopathic predators to everything in between, but even I’M amazed at how quickly her star has been rising! She is slowly but surely becoming a A-list headlining actress, and I for one am ecstatic to see it!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

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