Antique [アンティーク〜西洋骨董洋菓子店] Again, if you've read my review for "Virgin Road" you'll find that I tend to enjoy dramas that don't focus too heavliy on roamce and unbelievable complications. So I think that "Antique" is one of the best dramas ever. I also enjoy the fact that the story is not focused heavily on one character in particular, but four. Humor frequented this drama also. The fact that the main characters were actually even capable of smiling was a more than enough to keep me watching. Naohito Fujiki, Takizawa Hideaki, Shiina Kippei, and Abe Hiroshi did an excellent job in this drama. "Antique" certainly gets my vote.
Majo no jouken [魔女の条件] Very compelling and a little out of the ordinary. This was the first drama that I'd ever seen, so call me biased but...I really enjoyed it. The two main characters suit each other in an odd way. I wasn't bored at any point as I watched this drama so that's a good sign. I'm not a romantic in the least, but this drama really had me hoping for a happy ending. I think that a lot of people take it a little too seriously and are easily offended by it, but they shouldn't be. Hats off to the actors, actresses, and screen writers in/of this drama. Two thumbs up and highly resommended to jdorama beginners and vets alike.
Nobuta wo Produce [野ブタ。をプロデュース] It was just like reading a manga. Well, almost. Having said that I really enjoyed it. Especially how they ran into/tripped over stuff all the time XD. It was so funny because that kind of stuff happens to the best of us. The characters were over the top and just all around entertaining. As far as the story goes, it wasn't too complicated. I liked it so I gave it a 9/10. Didn't give it a 10/10 because...well, maybe I should since I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Anyway, I enjoyed it. I had no idea that any of the Johnny's boys had roles in this mini-drama (since I don't know a lot about JE to begin with) unitl the very end of the series, so this is a totally unbiased vote here. I honestly enjoyed this drama for what it was...so yeah. It was great. That's all. Thanks for reading this.
Virgin road [バージンロード] Very good drama! This is one of the best that I've ever seen. I mean, quite a few people wouldn't agree with me, but I think very highly of this drama. Considering the fact that its pretty old (and the gradual yet constantly rising standard of j-dramas) I can't help acknowledging the well thought out plot and the forever entertaining cast. Some of the more recent dramas that I've seen actually pale in comparison to this one. Why? Because the storyline wasn't overun with complications. It wasn't too sappy and too romantic/dramatic either which is a plus for me; mainly because I hate that kind of stuff ^__^'. Although it wasn't very eventful (fights, people running away from home, etc.) it was still very good. I truley enjoyed the moderate pace of this drama as well as the simple yet complex position in which the main character stood. This drama gave me a break from all of the saddness, jealousy, cheating, etc. that runs rampid in so many other dramas. I could truley relax and watch it. The actors did an extremely good job too. There wasn't a dry patch in the bunch at all ^__^. So, in summary the simplicity of this drama was what made it truely enjoyable. In my opinion it is definately worth watching; especially if you just want something relatively light-hearted to get into.
shoujo22's artiste votes (8)
Abe Hiroshi [阿部寛] He's just an awesome actor. What else can I possibly say to do this man justice? ^^
Fujiki Naohito [藤木直人] I like Fujiki Naohito because he's very quite and not really in the public eye much. The fact that he's such an great actor just adds to his appeal. I've liked all of his dramas so far, so I can't help liking the guy.
Kaneshiro Takeshi [金城武] Kaneshiro-san kicks ass. He's starred in some of my favorite Chinese and Taiwanese movies, then there was "The Returner" and "Golden Bowl". They were both good. And that's a lot coming from me because usually I could care less about bowling ^__^'
Koyuki [小雪] Great actress, seems very down to earth...even though she's a model ^__^'
Nakama Yukie [仲間由紀恵] She's pretty funny. I think that her demeanor is just really down to earth and cool. *shrugs* What else can I say? I just like her.
Takizawa Hideaki [滝沢秀明] Forbidden love was my first drama ever, so naturally I liked most of the actors and actresses in this drama. (Would have voted for Matsushima Nanako but I couldn't find her in there). Anywho, Tackey's awesome. Love him lots! ^__^v
shoujo22's dramas (16)
Antique [アンティーク〜西洋骨董洋菓子店] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama was very refreshing in the fact that there were no odd, heart-wrenching love triangles/complications or anything like that. There were more than two characters to focus on and it was just...I don't know. It was something different. I'm just glad that there wasn't an overload of melodrama. My favorite character was the Cafe's boss btw. He was a hoot.
Boku dake no Madonna [僕だけのマドンナ] Rating: 1/10 I really wanted to like this drama. The first episode really made me laugh, but then after that I have no idea what happened. I stopped after the third episode because the leading lady's character is such a flake and because I got tired of her pining and being pined after.
Gokusen [ごくせん] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I liked it very much. I wasn't really all that familiar with any of the cast, so there were honestly no biases on my part. The only bias that I might have had was the fact that I love the anime ^^. Some might say something along the lines of "It wasn't realistic".
My response: ......well, yeah. It's a live action-type drama themed after an anime/manga. What else did you expect? Of course it's not realistic. Read the summary and choose wisley *nods*. Anyway, I liked it because it made me laugh and because it was a bit over the top at times. I recommend it. That's all.
GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 10/10 Funny. Not melodramatic (I hate melodrama btw). I recommend it if you're into over the top antics and comedy.
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) It was quite amusing. I give it a 10 out of 10. Although...Domyouji had a thing for abusing people. He was kind of like the Ike Turner of F4 *lol*
Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) It was pretty good. I kinda sorta read the manga while waiting for my sister in the bookstore one afternoon, so I was familiar with the main storyline. Hm...to be totally honest it was exactly what I expected. So no, I wasn't disappointed. I get a little annoyed when I read other people's reviews and they say stuff like "I was suprised about the good ratings and blah blah blah blah blah blah...". No, you shouldn't be. Some people actually like it *nods*. So here's my advice to you: If a drama is said to have been created in the image of a manga, it's going to be over the top. Period. No if, ands, or buts about it. Do a little research (i.e. google-ing) on said manga and think to yourself "Do I really want to see a live action version of this?" You'll save yourself some time that way most of the time. So if you're not into manga (or are a devoted MastuJun fan) then this drama might not be for you. Having said all of that, I thought that it was pretty good.
Kisarazu Cat's Eye [木更津キャッツアイ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Tu_triky told me about this one so I watched it. I must say, and I mean every word, that this is by far one of the best dramas that I've ever seen. It was hilarious and just damn good. 10/10...what else can I possibly say?
Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003 [高校教師 2003] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Pretty good. I give it an 8 because the protagonist is kind of a jerk. I like the fact that he's actually not likeable at times; despite the fact that he's dying, you still wanna shot him most of the time (i.e. you don't always feel sorry for him because he's dying). I like Fujiki Naohito, and this drama was definitely watchable, so yeah...it gets an 8.
Kurosagi [クロサギ] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) It was pretty good. I was actually quite surprised that I stuck with it to the very end. Although I admit that the drama started to drag towards the end, it was enough to keep me interested.
Majo no jouken [魔女の条件] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This was the first dorama that I'd ever watched, so of course I liked it. I still have fond memories of it, so it gets a 9.
Nanisama! [なにさまっ!] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Funny. It's different from my usual choice of drama, but that's alright. This drama is really pretty good.
Nobuta wo Produce [野ブタ。をプロデュース] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I thought it was pretty funny. It gave me a well needed break from all the seriousness and melodrama that I've been (unexpectantly) picking and viewing from my drama list. The acting is kind "meh", but it made me laugh, so I'll give it a pretty good little rating.
Strawberry on the shortcake [ストロベリー・オンザ・ショートケーキ] Rating: 4/10 (Watched) Hm....watched this again and it kind of made me go:
"............"
Yeah. I don't want to say that it's a horrible drama. I can't really say that since some people actually like it (a lot). It just wasn't good in my opinion...and this is coming from a Tackey fan here by the way. It gets a four just because I couldn't stop laughing at Kyoko Fukada's character....even when I clearly wasn't supposed to...
Anywho, having said all of that stuff, my opnionion of this drama doesn't mean that I won't recommend it to anyone. Go for it! You might actually like it ^^.
Trick [トリック] Rating: 10/10 I love this series. It is true that in order to watch and understand this drama, you must understand the Japanese cilture to an extent-- but I think that it can still be enjoyable for anyone.
Virgin road [バージンロード] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama was just really, really, really good. It just goes to show you that even the older dramas kicked @$$ too. I'm not going to start a long-winded explaination of why I liked this drama. Just watch it and decide for yourself.
shoujo22's drama reviews (2)
Antique [アンティーク〜西洋骨董洋菓子店] Excellent [Rating: 10/10] Not too sappy, overly dramatic, or unbelievable. The sweets look great and all of the actors and actresses do a fine job in this one. I really enjoy the balance between humor and drama and if I could give it a vote higher than a 10 out of 10 I totally would. "Antique" is excellent...don't know what else to say. Definately worth watching. *thumbs up!*
Virgin road [バージンロード] Very good! [Rating: 10/10] Very good drama! This is one of the best that I've ever seen. I mean, quite a few people wouldn't agree with me, but I think very highly of this drama. Considering the fact that its pretty old (and the gradual yet constantly rising standard of j-dramas) I can't help acknowledging the well thought out plot and the forever entertaining cast. Some of the more recent dramas that I've seen actually pale in comparison to this one. Why? Because the storyline wasn't overun with complications. It wasn't too sappy and too romantic/dramatic either which is a plus for me; mainly because I hate that kind of stuff ^__^'. Although it wasn't very eventful (fights, people running away from home, etc.) it was still very good. I truley enjoyed the moderate pace of this drama as well as the simple yet complex position in which the main character stood. This drama gave me a break from all of the saddness, jealousy, cheating, etc. that runs rampid in so many other dramas. I could truley relax and watch it. The actors did an extremely good job too. There wasn't a dry patch in the bunch at all ^__^. So, in summary the simplicity of this drama was what made it truely enjoyable. In my opinion it is definately worth watching; especially if you just want something relatively light-hearted to get into.