An Ode to Utada: "First Love"

 About halfway through FIRST LOVE, the latest drama that’s been the talk among twitter threads, which just got release  a few days ago on NETFLIX.

Hikari Mitsushima plays Yae Noguchi and Takeru Sato plays Harumichi Namiki, two childhood friends who were each other's first loves, who by happenstance meet up again at the crossroads of their middle aged lives.

In the current time, Yae is a taxicab driver as well as a divorced mother with a teenage son named Tsuzuru (Towa Araki) whom she dotes on but rarely gets to see.

Harumichi is a Harmichi is a former Air-Defense Pilot who is currently eking out his days as a night watchman. He also is currently in a relationship with Tsunemi (Kaho) but there has always been a part missing in his life....

As the drama jumps back and forth between their golden days of youth as high school students experiencing their first romantic relationship and the sombre present day, we see their hopes, their dreams, and the tragedy that separated them all those years ago, to the point where they are virtual strangers in each others lives.

First Love is a story “inspired by the Utada Hikaru songs First Love and Hatsukoi”, and Utada does feature quite prominently in the show, as a musical backdrop as well as the favorite music of the main characters.

Of course for me First Love is already indelibly coupled with the 1999 Nanako Matsushima/Hideaki Takizawa drama “Majo No Jouken”, the drama of an illicit Teacher/Student relationship in which First Love was the theme song!

So far a VERY good drama that I’m really invested in! Hikari Mitsushima is awesome as well as actress Rikako Yagi who does an excellent job alongside Taisei Kido as the younger versions of the main characters!

Let's see where this one goes!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com

What I'm Watching Right Now!

 It's a new season and we've got a whole slew of new dramas to dive into! Here's what I've been checking out, and as usual, listed here in ranking by how much I've been enjoying them!

First Penguin!

You all know how much I love actress Nao and the always spunky and sassy roles she takes, and the part of novice fishmonger in first Penguin might be the BEST character she's played yet! We're at the halfway point of this drama and its been soooo soooo good- can't believe how much i love this show- every episode has me in tears with emotions, and the developments are still coming!

Doronjo

I will be the first to admit that so far, this drama hasn't been going in the direction I'd thought- FAR from seeing the birth of the conniving and charismatic Yatterman villainess , we seem to be stuck portraying the Doronjo character as this sad sack loser who has to deal with all the bad luck and grief the writers can dream up. Still, I'm strongly involved in seeing where this is going and it's still one of the dramas I'm watching with fierce dedication!

Reibai Tantei Jozuka Hisui

Invert: Jozuka Hisui Toujoshu

Well. This show has certainly taken me for a loop! Starting off as the story of a psychic medium who is involved with helping solve a serial killer case, at the halfway point, it completely pulled the RUG out from under us and morphed into an entirely different kind of show!!!

A good thing, too, because I was beginning to feel the drama a tad too much into the dark melodrama of things- the second arc of the show has a DECIDEDLY brighter outlook, one I'm game for!

Atom No Ko

I wasn't planning on watching this drama at first because the premise didn't really grab me, but after watching the first episode, it's seeming like one of the stronger shows this season, telling the tale of a gaming programmer who comes out of retirement to help a young woman who has just inherited her family toy company. We'll see where this one goes.

Miss Jokochi

An older drama from 2019 that subber EdwardWong decided to pick up, this drama, featuring Yasuko Matsuyuki as Amano, a genius engineer who finds, predicts and, hopefully, prevents dangerous mechanical failures in Job Hazards a la OSHA. This drama feels like a reliable KIKU show like Yasuko Sawaguchi's "Investigator Mariko" and watching Jokochi, I'm surprised it wasn't more succesful! A very good and entertaining show.

Tsukanoma no Ichika

Ah, the staple of classic J-dramas of times past and even now, the "doomed romance with Boyfriend/Girlfriend dying of a disease"  trope, more commonly known as the "Manic Pixie" cliche with the "Hyperactively Positive Girl who lives life in the moment because she doesn't have long to live, who finds true love before passing on". Yes, it's a predictable set-up, but always reliable, and, when done right, completely heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time!

 Wanted to watch this  purely for Sakura Fujiwara and haven't been disappointed yet!

Silent

An OK drama so far...? Iamn, I do like this drama of a girl who reunited with her childhood love only to find he has become deaf, but I'm amazed at how popular this show is getting! The raves and accolades are overwhelming, and I'm still trying to see what all these fans are gushing about!

Maybe I'm comparing it too much to the classic 1995 "Aishiteiru To Ittekure" for it to blow me away like it does others. Maybe this is this generation's Say You Love me.

Shinai Naru Boku E Satsui wo Komete

Story of a guy with a supposed split personality whom he is afraid is a serial killer. A the series progresses not only is it clear that he is not the one responsible for the crimes, but I'm even beginning to wonder if he has a split personality at all! From the beginning I've been more suspicious of those around him whom he calls friends, and I'm totally intrigued by the Yuki Sakurai character, who is turning into the best part about this drama!

Shotengai no Pianist

A wholesome drama about a former piano prodigy named Ren (Kita Komagine) who has long since sworn off playing but is reintroduced to the love of music through the enthusiastic efforts of a girl named Midori (Yuki Mio) and the family store's street piano.

Another gentle show to watch at the end of a day before sleep.

Koi No Dangan

Sheer curiosity drew me to this drama starring Fumika Baba as a college student named Yuri who falls in love with a yakuza leader named Oya (Yuta Furukawa), and though it's a lightweight High school rom-commy sort, I gotta admit  it's been entertaining  Let's see how long I last with this one LOL!

Kaidenshita No Gogh

Watching this drama more for the sake of seeing actress Sumire in her first leading role than any real investment in the story! Telling the tale of an overworked office woman who finds a renewed passion in painting when she joins an night class full of oddball eccentrics.

Sister

Argghhhhh, a "persecution' drama of the highest degree! Despite Miori takimoto and maika Yamamoto being two of my favorite actresses, this is exactly the kind of torment plot dramas that I really can't get into. An absolute chore to sit through and watch, even at triple speed ploughing ahead, just to get it over with!

Hokuo Kojirase Nikki

A lightweight drama about a young girl who is into all things Finland and dreams of someday moving there. Actress Hitomi Honda is cute as the obsessed Shimako, but at a mere 4 episodes at 22 minutes each, it felt more like a secondary spinoff show than a "real" drama proper...

Also thought I'd add the ANIME shows I'm currently watching as well!

Chainsaw Man

Wasn't sure what to expect initially from his show about a down on his luck guy who, through fate or by curse, becomes a half-human, half-demon hybrid with chainsaws emanating from his head and arms, but from the GET-Go it's been overwhelming me with its killer action scenes, naughty and bawdy humor and wonderfully flawed and fully developed characters!

There isn't a single character you don't immediately want to know more about, and you are thrilled to learn what you can as you tag along with the Demon hunting Team as they take down the demonic bad guys!

SPYxFAMILY 2

 

The continuing story of the Forger Family comprised of Husband Loid, a world renowned secret agent, Yor, the dutiful wife who is secretly a vicious assassin, and adorable Anya, the psychic daughter, who knows it all! 

An anime beloved by so many, half the fun is going online and going onto the reaction channels to rewatch and relive each chapter! 

My Dress-Up Darling

 (Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi o Suru)

A story of a shy and sheltered boy who is obsessed with Hina Dolls and making outfits for them gets drafted by the most popular and pretty girl in school in making costumes for her cosplay ventures sounds like a fairly mundane subject to watch but MAN, the FANSERVICE in this drama is OFF the CHARTS and I can't help but tune in week after week! Also some very cute theme songs!

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie

(Kawaii Dake Janai Shikimori-san)

Also still watching this drama as well, though I admit it's been slow going as it hasn't grabbed me as much as the other shows have. The story of a quiet and reserved guy how is befriended by a tuff as nails beauty who becomes his romantic guardian angel, I still intend to see this one out!

OK, I think that's about it for now...further updates as warranted!!!!

Yuming BANZAI! - Yumi Matsutoya 50th Anniversary Best Album

After the excitement of the Chisato Moritaka Box Set, I almost forgot to mention that along with it, I also ordered the 50th Anniversary Collection BANZAI by Yumi Matsutoya in the shipment!

I'll be honest, when I first ordered this, I misheard what Saburo was saying when he told me about the release and thought it was going to be her entire PV collection on disc.  I then realized it wasn't going to be videos, but a three-CD anthology selection of her best songs, plus a Bluray of her newest single "Call Me Back".

The collection starts off with a BANG with "Manatsu No Yo Yoru no Yume", the song that got me INTO Yuming in the first place! From there we go into a aural painting of all the Yuming classics, Hello my Friend, Haru Yo Koi, Rondo, Rouge no Dengon, Mamotte Agetai, and the wonderful "Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara", better known as "that Kiki Delivery Service song" by many!

These are all newly remastered versions of the songs by Go Hotoda, with additional songs remixed and edited by Masataka Matsutoya, But I gotta say, some these songs sound like brand new recordings, almost like Yumi went back in and re-recorded some of her vocals to a more quieter sound. Btu maybe that's my imagination!

Of course, there are a lot of songs and singles I would have chosen over some of the others in this collection, but that's why we own the CDs in the first place, so we can listen to them whenever we want!

The “One Concert To Rule Them All” Gets the Deluxe Treatment! Chisato Moritaka Live Rock Alive: Complete Box!

 As most of you already know, I am a HUGE fan of 90’s idol Chisato Moritaka and consider her works to be among the BEST that J-pop has to offer! As well, her Live Concert performances are top-notch and her laserdsic releases are also some of the all-time GREATEST ! And of them all, Chistato’s 1992 Live Concert LIVE ROCK ALIVE has GOT to be my HANDS DOWN favorite!

I gushed ALL about it here:

In 2015, Warner’s gave Chisato’s 1991 “Kokon Tozai” concert the Deluxe Treatment, remastered sound and picture on a blu-ray disc, extras and bonus tracks, etc, and I was beside myself with excitement! I consider Kokon Tozai to be another one of her great Live Concerts, and was blown away not only by the remastering, but with the deference and love with which it was made! 

 Now, with such a wonderful treatment going to Kokon Tozai, I was wondering and HOPING that someday Live Rock Alive would get the SAME treatment!

I waited. And I waited. And I waited! Warners Music continued to release new DVD collections (mostly from early 90's) , but never that fateful one! And as this short post in 2017 shows, I was giving up hope that they’d ever get around to giving Rock Alive that remastered touch! 

After years, I began to worry if they were ever going to get around to releasing a Deluxe Rock Alive and when I recently complained to Saburo,  he felt that Chisato was now focused on touring and concentrating on new recordings, and doubted there would be any more Remastered Blu Ray releases...So imagine my utter, UTTER surprise when, not ONE WEEK later, seeing THIS announcement on the Chisato facebook page:

WHAAAT! I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how spazzing out I was seeing that! I read the details once, then I read it again. And then, wasting no more time, RAN to CD Japan to see if they has it available for pre-order! Scrolling thru her items, I crossed my fingers and sure enough, THERE it WAS!!! It came in three options:

Of course I HAD to pick the Complete 3 UHQCDs and 2 Blu-ray Box Set- it if was anywhere NEAR as beautiful as the Kokon Tozai release, I knew I was gonna be in for a treat, and made my payment right then and there!!

Gotta say it was an ANXIOUS few weeks waiting for the release date and for my package to get shipped, but JUST today it FINALLY made it, and WOWWW, it was more BEAUTIFUL and DAZZLING than I hoped it could be!

Housed in a gorgeous glossy slipcase box with  awesome artwork on both back and front, the box was just LOADED with goodies: The original ROCK ALIVE CD, now remastered and released as a “UHQCD” and the original LIVE ROCK ALIVE concert on Blu-ray...

The COMPLETE Live Rock Alive concert on BLU-RAY, as well as the remastered concert on two CDs!

Flyers, Pamphlets and Stickers- For this celebration, They announced different bonus goods for the different dealers, we buyers at CD Japan got this postcard

Also included was a Replica Live Rock Alive Tour Program,a TREASURE TROVE of pics, interviews, and info!

And then there was the CONCERT ITSELF! This was ALREADY my favorite Chisato concert (and up for fave J-Pop concert of all time, TBH), but this was a SPECIAL treat- with clear, colorful video and bright, crisp audio, it was like seeing the concert for the first time all over again!

Already had tears in my eyes when Chisato went into her wonderful song “Fight”, and I was covered in goosebumps when she hit “Watashi Ga Obasan Ni Nattemo”! Tracks like “Mitsuketa Saifu”, “Wakarimashita” and “Yacchimaina” were as thunderous and SONOROUS as could be, and I had that volume all UP!

The box set boasted two tracks that were cut from the original Live Rock Alive release, “Benkyo No Uta” and “Sono Go No Watashi” and MAN, I cannot fathom why they would cut these songs out, they are great and Chisato is practically ON FIRE performing them!

My only guess is that they sounded like other songs in the set list: “Benkyo” sounding a bit like “Wakarimashita” and “Sono Go Watashi” like “Konomachi” and since the former had both been performed on the Kokona tozai Concert, maybe they had to make a choice. SO grateful to be able to enjoy it NOW!

I’ve also said that Chisato’s version of both “17sai” and “Ame” in this concert will always be the ‘true” versions, they are the ‘takes” that I love the most, the version that all others must compare. Just wonderful! Well, you could say that about the WHOLE CONCERT!

Once the concert was over, I immediately went back and rewatched my fave performances , (including those newly-added songs, they are so great!) and probably gonna watch some more before I pack the box up and carefully wrap it back into its cases!

With such wonderful care and details put into making this awesome release happen, one can only wonder what they have in store for LUCKY SEVEN!

NOTES:

-One thing about the audio remixing that I’ve noticed and thought it worth mentioning here is that it seems (to MY ears, anyway) that they’ve toned down the volume of the audience’s cheering and clapping, makes for a cleaner sound, but I REALLY noticed their absence in “Wakarimashita” and “Get Smile”, two songs where the cheering REALLY adds to the overall performance!

-Just realized that the picture of Chisato on the Live Rock Alive laserdisc (the one of her holding her cupped hand to her ear) looks like it is from a performance of “Benkyo No Uta”, one of those songs that wasn’t even on the original release! Now that’s some irony!

-Oh, and I'm GLAD to say that the Live Rock Alive Complete Box is sized in the same dimensions as the aforementioned KOKON TOZAI Set- makes it look SO much prettier when placed together on my shelf!!!!!