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Osen [おせん]



Drama Details
Title:Osen
おせん
Telecast:2008-04-22 to 2008-06-24
Season:Spring 2008



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TV Station:NTV
Duration:10 Episodes
Viewership:9.1%
Genre(s):Comedy



Synopsis
Handa Sen is the "okami" (proprietress) of a long-standing restaurant in one of the lower parts of Tokyo. Although she is normally airheaded and loves to drink, she has an impressive mastery of a wide range skills, from cooking to ceramics to calligraphy. While the drama follows various events surrounding the restaurant, one of the series' highlights is its illustration of Japanese food and culture.
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Related Videos (2)
 OSEN
OSEN
00:18

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 Osen Opening
Osen Opening
01:25

154,209 Views

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Soundtrack and Theme Songs (2)
1. Odore [Micro (of Def Tech)]
2. Koi Uta - Koi Uta - [Tackey & Tsubasa]

Actor/Actress Cast (38)
Aoi Yu
蒼井優
Handa Sen
Uchi Hiroki
内博貴
Ezaki Yoshio
Sugimoto Tetta
杉本哲太
Fujishiro Seiji
Mukai Osamu
向井理
Takeda Tomekichi
Suzuki Ranran
鈴木蘭々
Suzuki Teruko
Kudo Risa
工藤里紗
Kubota Fuyuko
Morita Ayaka
森田彩華
Wakisaka Tamako
Okumura Tomofumi
奥村知
Hasegawa Kenta
Takuma Takayuki
宅間孝行
Hayashi Takashi
Watanabe Ikkei
渡辺いっけい
Chinpindo-san
Yo Kimiko
余貴美子
Asai Shizu
Yuki Saori
由紀さおり
Handa Chiyo
Katagiri Hairi
片桐はいり
Sakurai Michiko (ep. 1)
Matsukata Hiroki
松方弘樹
Kinoshita Hideo (ep. 1, 5)
Hankai Kazuaki
半海一晃
Minohachi (ep. 1, 10)
Okada Yoshinori
岡田義徳
Okamoto Nobuo (ep. 2)
Sato Hitomi
佐藤仁美
Okamoto's wife (ep. 2)
Nishimura Masahiko
西村雅彦
Tako-hiki no Ryu (ep. 3)
Oizumi Yo
大泉洋
Daiba Kenji (ep. 4)
Motai Masako
もたいまさこ
Choko (ep. 5)
Sada Mayumi
佐田 真由美
Kanna (ep. 5)
Masu Takeshi
升毅
Goda Takeshi (ep. 5)
Yoshida Riko
吉田里琴
Yuri (ep. 5)
Koizumi Kotaro
小泉孝太郎
Sendo Tamotsu (ep. 6)
Nakamoto Koji
仲本工事
Noguchi (ep. 6)
Umezawa Masayo
梅沢昌代
Okawara Fumi (ep. 6)
Kobayashi Susumu
小林すすむ
the restaurant manager (ep. 6)
Kinoshita Yukina
木下優樹菜
Kaori (ep. 6)
Muramatsu Toshifumi
村松利史
Taisho (ep. 7)
Ikezu Shoko
池津祥子
Momose Haru (ep. 7)
Rokkaku Seiji
六角精児
Fujiki Katsumi (ep. 8)
Sunaga Kei
須永慶
Yenpools's overseas director (ep. 9)
Natsuyagi Isao
夏八木勲
Nishioka Yasuo (ep. 9-10)
Ri Reisen
李麗仙
Yamajo's proprietress (ep. 9-10)
Kato Masaya
加藤雅也
Yada Mamoru (ep. 9, 10)
Naitou Takashi
内藤剛志
Yenpool's President Kanaike (ep. 9, 10)
Iida Kisuke
飯田基祐
Saito of Chuo Bank (ep. 10)
Kobayashi Ren
小林廉
Kanaike Ryo (ep. 10)
 

Related Links (1)
1. Official Site

Drama Reviews (4)
!!WARNING!!
The review section may contain spoilers! Please understand
that you may find out about this drama's endings and plots!


1. Not too bad/ disappointing ending [Rating: 7/10]
I enjoyed watching this drama. I agree that Hiroki's character was annoying (bad acting and all), but I'm so glad that there was no romance between the main character and himself. But all in all it was still fun to watch and learn about how they try to keep traditional Japanese culture alive. The ending had me disappointed though. What about that kid who ruined the food with ketchup? But it makes you wonder if their going to do a part two of this series. Who knows.
Reviewed by gothic_hydran126 on 24 July 2009
2. Made Me Want to Eat Traditional Japanese Food [Rating: 10/10]
Made me Really Crave Traditional Japanese Food from a traditional Japanese restaurant where they cook rice with straw but there aren't too many left as they are dying out.
One of my most favorite J-Dramas about the Osen of a 200 yr-old traditional Japanese Restaurant in Tokyo that will make you laugh & cry! Aoi Yuu acting was just great!
Sad ending tho, which leaves you hanging for more. Need a OSEN 2.
Reviewed by asugar2 on 24 December 2012
3. Oishisou! [Rating: 9/10]
Another drama where you really root for the characters. The main character can be a bit of a drag in the place, but Osen-san is awesome! Also, the food looks amazing. I have never craved a plain onigiri so much as when I was watching this show!
Reviewed by doramanoai on 4 March 2012
4. hmm [Rating: 6/10]
coming soon..
Reviewed by Di@na on 29 April 2008

Comments From Users (48)
!!WARNING!!
This section may contain spoilers! Do not proceed if you
do not want to read about this drama's endings and plots!


1. Comments by occultangle [Rating: 7/10]
Rather decent. I have never seen a drama about cooking before so it is fairly original to me. But not so original is the plot which tries to make cooking come off as something way more important than it is, almost spiritual. Likewise, while the main character, Osen, is interesting, she is far from believable as the Okami of a first class traditional Japanese restaurant. None of this is really bad, it's just typical where dramas try to sell characters you wouldn't expect teaching you lessons in life from subject matter you wouldn't expect. In other words it's totally expected.

A few other points of interest; it is occasionally educational, and if you are interested in cooking it could be really interesting; also the traditional buildings, artifacts, clothing, etc, are absolutely beautiful and provided at least half the enjoyment I got from this show.

Sadly the ending was weak. I am not complaining about the open-endedness, which I felt was touching, true to life, and totally appropriate, but rather I was upset at how random and rushed it all was. It was just another random plot device where Osen tries to save a specific method of making dried bonito of all things, and next thing you know everybody is crying, dude is quitting (again), restaurant's going about of business, ZOMG, the end.
2. Comments by Susan [Rating: 10/10]
Osen was a fantastic series that highlighted some of the increasingly obscure, but still important aspects of Japanese cooking and culture! Although it was sometimes inaccurate (the process of making miso was trimmed down in its explanation) and the characters could at times be annoying (I dislike Uchi Hiroki), I was enthralled by the parade of delicious-looking food and drink! I have a new found appreciation for Japanese cuisine and, although I won't be attempting to make much at home right now, I do hope to be able to afford to enjoy the cuisine at a restaurant such as Isshouan one day! My only real complaint about this drama is the somewhat shaky ending. I do wish they had developed a relationship between Osen and Yocchan a bit more.
3. Comments by pash [Rating: 7/10]
I totally loved the whole concept of preserving the tradition without giving in to the times, and I also really appreciated the photography and Aoi Yu's performance (and cuteness!). But apart from that, I have to confess that I found everything else just so-and-so, particularly the over-the-top, shounen-manga vibe which exudes from most scenes. Too bad, as far as I'm concerned; had it had a more adult, deeper script, I'd have liked it much more...
4. Comments by Kuraiyo [Rating: 8/10]
A very interesting and heart warming drama! I love cooking and this drama made me appreciate it even more, especially the whole traditional cooking was inspiring to me. So to me this was a drama worth watching. Nonetheless it wasn't perfect, I found Hiroki's acting to be a little annoying sometimes and the ending to me was a bit weak. Other than that it's a great 'feel good'-drama which was extremely interesting and fun to watch!
5. Comments by Eyeyore [Rating: 8/10]
A traditional Japanese restaurant becomes a conduit for conveying the fragility of Japanese traditions and history. Each episode deals with a specific tradition/culture, two thirds on food actually, vis-a-vis the 'microwave' or 'fastfood' culture which Japan now embraces.
And so, we have rice, tofu, dining ware,architecture, miso, bonito, radish etc, and a generous dash of dramatic scenes to make us all hungry for more.
6. Comments by Inujun [Rating: 7/10]
Pretty good overall, it was episodic and the good thing about it was the introduction to traditional japanese cuisines. Even then the story wasn't that catching and my main gripe was the absolute lack of romance. There were still some touching moments but then again, the pacing seemed a bit lacking. Actors seemed ok, Yuu was rather outstanding at some points especially when reverting from sweet to a strong firm danna-san.
7. Comments by pinkokoro [Rating: ?/10]
having watched only 3 episode, I can't fairly rate it however from the three episodes it's a really interesting drama, you will also feel hungry watchin this. Aoi yu is very likable, and Uchi has improve a lot from a guy who can't act. He still got to improve lot but after quite a hiatus he can deliver such performance is actually quite impressive in his standard.
8. Comments by Di@na [Rating: 5/10]
Well it's cute, indeed. Uchi played a very LOUD character but I am happy that he is on TV again *haha* and his romance with Aoi is really sweet. OH and i LOOOVE the theme song "Odore" by Micro from Def Tech. Amazing voice and the beat of the song is just breath taking.
9. Comments by deedlitmurata [Rating: 5/10]
Started watching..this drama, has nice cinematographics.. but the story is really boring, like there's nothing that would make the "CLICK" for me.. it's just plain, and the characters have no depth nor are interesting. But it's always nice to see closeups of food...
10. Comments by moonchyld [Rating: ?/10]
the first episode was great! i was expecting something with a low-budget feel, but everything's cool~ uchi's a good addition too. but of course, it's all about aoi yuu! if only i can find subs to understand all those difficult words.. XD
11. Comments by weetzie_bat [Rating: 8/10]
finally finished the whole series. the last 4 episodes were very touching. i immensely enjoyed this drama. very warm. yu aoi is so lovely to watch. and i love the food culture that was displayed here. totally gave me a new perspective!
12. Comments by EstherM [Rating: 8/10]
Yet another show about food and a beautiful traditional restaurant - but it's surprsingly charming and warm. Beware, not all episodes are subbed. EDIT: subs now available for all episodes. Nostalgic and cute (Aoi Yuu) until the end.
13. Comments by rikastar [Rating: 7/10]
Story-wise, this is a pretty standard food-themed dorama that centres around a restaurant. However, it is made more interesting due to the uniqueness of the restaurant and the tennen character of the lady boss.
14. Comments by chibichan [Rating: 10/10]
the overall story is really good. I fall in love with the way isshoan and the people in it preserves their original taste, The way they cook rice, make Miso, also their struggle with the new era wave.
15. Comments by desert-raven [Rating: 7/10]
Good series, good characters, though makes you hungry to watch all the great food. I really enjoyed the way that the cooking was done the traditional ways.

I'd really love to eat at that place.
16. Comments by oldasianguy [Rating: 8/10]
Interesting show about Japanese cooking....Aoi Yu was charming and cool!!!!......Uchi Hiroki's hair was annoying....A strand of hair covering his eyes and nose for 10 episodes is strange......
17. Comments by ginger ale [Rating: 8/10]
Still watching but loving it already because Aoi Yuu is so cute and perky and Uchi Hiroki is a funny eye candy. I love Japanese food and this drama is a foodie's delight.
18. Comments by hitomi #1 [Rating: 7/10]
Enjoyable time killer, Yu was superb throughout, so-so supporting cast, ending episode brought it down a notch, ended with really no conclusion to their problems.
19. Comments by Patazilla [Rating: 8/10]
Very artfully done drama, which wins with its demonstration of today's Japan and its food. The characters are nicely arranged and the food is really an artwork.
20. Comments by HHND [Rating: 7/10]
Good theme about Japanese food, culture, the way of life, but kind of too slow for my taste. Aoi Yuu alone makes it worth watching.
21. Comments by bobspelledbqwrds [Rating: 6/10]
I liked the moral of the story.
But the "new guy" bothered me. I didn't like his character and thought he was unnecessary.
22. Comments by yeoni [Rating: 7/10]
A wonderful drama, I loved the cooking and all the culture food stuff. Aoi Yu is absolutely stunning in traditional clothes.
23. Comments by yourasthma [Rating: 7/10]
a bit biased cos im a huge aoi yu fan. but the traditional food was very informative and well appreciated.
24. Comments by octane [Rating: 9/10]
wasn't going to watch this one at first. but end up pretty good. plot and characters both are great!
25. Comments by simpletoad [Rating: 8/10]
splendid. loved the insights on japanese cuisine, culture, art. especially adored all her kimonos. (:
26. Comments by room304 [Rating: 6/10]
a rather nice show to watch especially if you're interested in japanese cooking
27. Comments by marspeach [Rating: 8/10]
Not a classic or anything but Aoi Yuu is adorable and the food looks so good!
28. Comments by gaijinmark [Rating: 7/10]
Other than Aoi Yuu's wise beyond her years okami, pretty average drama.
29. Comments by jessiesoon [Rating: 8/10]
osen-chan kawaii!!
and the japanese food looks tasty!!
30. Comments by chokakoi [Rating: 9/10]
just finished this. like this kinda lighthearted drama.

Read all 48 comments from users


Users who voted for this drama (3)
1. asugar2
Great Drama about the Osen of a 200 yr-old traditional Japanese Restaurant in Tokyo that will make yoiu laugh & cry!
2. anasstassia
BRLILLIANT ACTING
3. bobopuzo