Wakaba [わかば] Wakaba seemed to go on forever - slow without being vital or original. Veteran Yuko Tanaka , however, is touching - bringing back wonderful memories when she starred in the remake of 24 Eyes..
jdoramadotcom's artiste votes (5)
Inoue Mao [井上真央] She makes HND click; without her, it wouldn't be half as funny or over the top. For her to carry a show against her competition - absolutely amazing. She's often laugh-out-loud funny.
Kimura Yoshino [木村佳乃] Kimura can have a comic style like Nanako Matsushima, but with more range and subtlety - an effective actress and a exceptional beauty. She also speaks English with native fluency, only adding to her resume.
Matsushima Nanako [松嶋菜々子] Matsushima is just "okay" in dramatic stuff, but she really shines with comedy. In GTO, she had a series of great reaction shots, and in Hana Yori Dango, she outshined the other actresses with her playfulness. A real giff for comedy.
Yamaguchi Tomoko [山口智子] Tomoko is at her best in comedies like Double Kitchen, where her hilarious double-takes are almost an art form. She rises above most of her comic competition and even eclipses stars wtih bigger names. Tomoko's cuteness isn't "turned-on" - it's very genuine, and helps makes her best work delightful.
Yuka [優香] It's amazing that Yuka doesn't have more votes, given her unapproachable great looks and good acting.
Atsu Hime [篤姫] Average expectatoins [Rating: ?/10] A fairly typical mix of light history and melodrama, as Japan deals with the encroachment of Western powers 150 years ago. Miyazaki Aoi is mildly appealing as the young princess working behind the scenes.
Atsu Hime [篤姫] Quietly grabs your attention [Rating: 8/10] This tiaga drama addresses the period when U.S. forces in the mid-19th century attempted to "open" Japan - thus threatening hundreds of years of relative stability. At the heart of the story - Atsu-Hime (Aoi Miyasaki), who marries a shogun in dubious health. Miyasaki is adequate in the title role.
This begins slowly, and takes over fifteen or so episodes before you're thrust into the convoluted world of Japanese court life; halfway through, it's arresting. It's considerably more accurate than many other tiaga dramas, but still has wiggle-room for fiction.
Attack No.1 [アタック No.1] It's okay, but it grabs you [Rating: ?/10] You really can't go wrong with a drama about an all-girl high school volleyball team. And Aya Ueto turns on the cuteness to make many scenes much more fun than they'd ordinarily be. Add some sports action and some gorgeous vistas of Mt Fuji, and this turns out to be surprisingly watchable (even if a little emotionally frantic). With judicious use of the fast-forward, this is briskly enjoyable.
Attention Please [アテンションン プリース] Fun, typical [Rating: 6/10] This is by-the-numbers comedy-drama with Ueto as a former rocker who wants to become an airline stewardess, because they look hot in a uniform. Ueto tries way too hard to look upbeat and cute, and the results are sometimes counter-productive. Only a few scenes are truly funny, or moving.
On the other hand, two others make it worthwhile. Miki Maya is amazingly effective as the "evil witch" who has to train uncooperative Ueto, and Aibu Saki is effective as the fellow tranee who puts up with her antics. It's almost a commercial for JAL at times, but mostly stays on track.
Double kitchen [ダブルキッチン] Familiar and fun [Rating: 8/10] Double Kitchen does everything right in its own modest way - the uniquely Japanese story of newlyweds who take the top floor of the family house - and everyone adds to the comic melee. It's been done before, but all the characters are vivid, and the situations nearly always amusing. Versatile Yoko Nogiwa excels as the mother-in-law, while Tomoko Yamaguchi always has a lively, beatiful presence. Familiar? Yes, but it works.
Egao no Hosoku [笑顔の法則] Pretty good, thanks to its star [Rating: 7/10] In many ways typical, star power pushes this drama up several notches. Takeuchi in particular is cute and energetic; she tries so hard that it's difficult not to pay attention, though at times her wacky reaction shots are a bit much. But the series excels emotionally - thanks to her - so you're willing to forgive small excesses.
Five [ファイブ] Slick, thrilling, and dumb [Rating: ?/10] FIVE is kind of like Subekan Deka in concept, but without the humor. This sliick drama is jammed with energy, and even has a few twists; the girls look great - especially sultry Saraina Suzuki. The fights and stunts are arresting, though the story doesn't make much sense. Tomoe Shinohara, as usual, is annoying. Despite sections with nice energy, annoying plot holes gradually expand like Swiss cheese - and then the drama becomes too much of a downer for my tastes. FIVE had a lot of potential, but squandered much of it along the way.
Fuurin Kazan [風林火山] A Winner! [Rating: 10/10] I don't give the top rating too often - it's the fascinating story of an unemployed, one-eyed samurai who aims to become an expert on the art of strategy. The plots have extremely clever twists, and the characters fairly appealing - not unlike the somewhat similar Musashi.
Gokusen [ごくせん] The planets align [Rating: 10/10] Everything aligns near-perfectly to make for a spirited comedy-drama in the spirit of GTO. The plot isn't completely unfamiliar: a high school teacher also happens to be the next in line to succeed a yakuza family.
What really makes it special is the cast. This series is packed with top talent, and the script is crisp and energetic. With GTO and Shomuni, one of my all-time favorites.
Jyoou no Kyoushitsu [女王の教室] Involving, but kind of lame [Rating: ?/10] The plot is really gripping (though not quite in a GTO kind of way), and it's hard not to root for the herione. At the same time, the plot is sometimes awfully convenient, and the evil schoolteacher has a knowledge of her class and parents that's not possible. The acting varies, but Yuki Amani takes control of the drama in the same way her character controls her classroom. The kids are really cute.
Keizoku [ケイゾク] Okay, but great ending [Rating: 8/10] Early on, this follows a predicable pattern: a brilliant, somewhat eccentric Tokyo University grad (Miki Nakatani) starts off in the police department's dead file room. With her special abilities for deduction, she manages to solve some of the most baffling dead cases, usually half-way through an episode.
The pattern is fairly uniform. Miki Nakatani is competent, but never a particularly skilled performer. Her relative blandness is matched with a number of skilled, eccentric personalities - and an ending that's completely unpredictable (and really quite thrilling).
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット] Icy Reception [Rating: 4/10] Kimi wa Petto has a concept that's almost fatally silly from the start: what happens when a good-looking guy (Jun Matsumoto) offers to become a busy career woman's (Sumire) dog?
It's preposterous, which is okay, but Sumire - called "Noh Mask" here - doesn't have the chops to render the comedy with the drama. Once we get past the unique concept, it falls into a predictable pattern. Matsumoto shows some skillful work; apparently for some, he's enough to make it work. I didn't buy it.
Kirakira Kenshui [きらきら研修医] Minami strikes gold [Rating: 8/10] Konishi shows the assured intelligence that makes her a natural for a doctor's role (not the first time for her), and this is a double-threat combined with her extreme cuteness. Her first chance to star, and she makes it work.
Koi no bakansu [恋のバカンス] A classic charmer [Rating: 10/10] This universal favorite is painfully difficult to locate, the delicious comedy of a salaryman playboy trying to juggle three girls at the same time. Truly funny, and arresting from stop to finish.
Mokuyoubi no shokutaku [木曜日の食?] Charming domestic drama [Rating: 9/10] This drama begins where The Graduate ends - an anxious guy (Nishijima) walks into a church and steals away with the bride (who doesn't put up much of a fight). Mokuyoubi no shokutaku starts from this premise to provide a light, quietly engaging love story. The bride doesn't escape, but nobody can understand why such a quiet boy should suddenly be possessed with such a will. Unlike The Graduate, the drama explores the most fascinating aspect of the entire situation: how does an apologetic Japanese family deal with such an extravagant show of love?
While dramatic, this is never heavy or overdone; it's essentially a love story.
Moppu gaaru [モップガール] Funny, but it's all Keiko [Rating: 8/10] Keiko Kitagawa is the cute, absent-minded 21-year old girl setting a course in the world of work - except a mishap demotes her to "mop girl." At a funeral services company. As morbid as it sounds, Kitagawa excels in the comic lead; her wacky grimaces are an unending source of laughs. Sure, the plot device is familiar, and maybe a bit thin, but stay around for the Kitagawa, who has enough charm to fuel the whole serial.
Shomuni [ショムニ] All time favorite [Rating: 10/10] An incredibly energetic, clever sendup of inter-office politics from the POV of those at the bottom of the pole. One of the few dramas I've actually watched more than once.
Shomuni [ショムニ] The best [Rating: 10/10] Shomuni is like a comic manga, with a diverse set of women who have literally dropped to the basement of their company. A sensational soundtrack fuels the stories, which usually address the art of urban survival in the workplace. Distinctive and without peer.
Swing Girls [スウィングガールズ] Predictable, but engaging [Rating: 9/10] Sure, Swing Girls has a rather predicable plot, but just about everything else is rather extraordinary. This is low-key comedy of a bunch of high school girls who maximize their time...but starting a swing band. And with only maybe one exception, the cast are the real-life musicians who inspired the drama. If you know this before watching, Swing Girls becomes even more impressive, and inspiring.
By high school stands - no, even by college standards - these girls play extremely well (eventually), making for a warm, inspiring drama that leaves a smile on your face. Swing isn't a personal favorite, but after watching this, I can be convinced.
Toshiie to Matsu [利家とまつ] Strong, not brillliant [Rating: 8/10] This period drama has a top-notch cast and a plot that continually engaging, but Matsushima Nanako holds the whole thing together as the wife of a minor general during the era of the Warring States. We come into contact with all of the major figures of the time, and one or two stretches are genuinely touching. You'll never forget Matsu's, "I'll take care of it" - an assurance that holds her clan together time after time.
This is more of a family drama, and so may not have as man of the breathtaking fights as the most successful period dramas. This works on a lower key, but still quite competent.
Zettai Kareshi [絶対彼氏] Almost perfect [Rating: 9/10] Zettai Kareshi has a silly concept, but runs with it to make an engaging and frequently funny drama. When lonely Aibu Saki contracts for a "love robot," the complications include bonding issues, amorous competition, and the expected repairs. Saki is sweet and understated, and somehow believable as the girl with boy problems and android issues.
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Wakaba [わかば]
Inoue Mao [井上真央]
Kimura Yoshino [木村佳乃]
Matsushima Nanako [松嶋菜々子]
Yamaguchi Tomoko [山口智子]
Yuka [優香]
Densha Otoko [電車男]
GTO [麻辣教師]
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子]
Hana Yori Dango Season 2 [花より男子]
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e [花ざかりの君たちへ]
Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho [こちら本池上署]
Shomuni [ショムニ]
Shomuni 2 [ショムニ 2]
Swing Girls [スウィングガールズ]
Attack No.1 [アタック No.1]
Attention Please [アテンションン プリース]
Double kitchen [ダブルキッチン]
Egao no Hosoku [笑顔の法則]
Gokusen [ごくせん]
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット]
Toshiie to Matsu [利家とまつ]
Zettai Kareshi [絶対彼氏]
