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VCD Box
Soundtrack
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| Synopsis |
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Shomuni (�V�����j) is a comedic TV drama serial based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Gumi Yasuda (���c�O�V Yasuda Gumi).
The stories revolve around the Office Ladies of General Affairs department 2 (Shomu ni, or GA-2) in a large multinational company called Manpan Corporation.
GA-2 is called "the graveyard for female office ladies", simply because it is the place where female employees are dumped should they mess up big time elsewhere. Jobs include replacing used toilet rolls, changing light-bulbs, organizing company outings, among other menial stuff. As an added incentive, their department is located in the nether regions of the company - in the basement, and is in fact a disused store room.
However, it is these Office Ladies who always seem to solve the problem, and have created a niche for themselves within the company. | | Dramawiki |
| Soundtrack and Theme Songs (2) |
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| 1. | Sugao na Mama De [Izam with Astral Love] | [ LYRICS ] | | 2. | Soreja Bye Bye [Surface] | |
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| Drama Reviews (15) |
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!!WARNING!!
The review section may contain spoilers! Please understand
that you may find out about this drama's endings and plots!
| | 1. | Grows on You [Rating: 9/10]
I have to admit, I didn�ft quite enjoy Shomuni until about the 6th episode. Each episode has its own plot, and other than the characters, which I didn�ft find attractive in the beginning, there is little connection.
However, it took me 6 episodes to realize that the connection is to be found IN the characters. It�fs a slow progression, but over time the characters swallow you up. As the episodes passed, one by one, I began looking forward to the walk the GA 2 girls and the Secretariat took before facing off; Rie�fs predictions; Chinatsu lifting that obscene latter over her shoulder; and Terasaki�fs and Nonomura�fs antics. Although the characters, especially the GA 2 girls, are a bit bizarre and extreme, they�fre quite enjoyable and very entertaining.
I was also seeing, for the first time, actors and actresses that I was familiar with play totally different roles that I was accostumed to (i.e. Kyono Kotomi, Hosho Mai, Toda Keiko, Morimoto Leo, Toda Naho, and of course Esumi Makiko). It was quite refreshing.
The Storyline is non-existent, but each plot is entertaining and well written. It�fs the characters that make the show. | | Reviewed by Wynter on 8 June 2008 | | 2. | 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. The concept of under-performing employees isn't new, but Shomuni brings the concept to a new level. The instrumental soundtrack has an almost cinematic dimension, and the filmmaking singlehandedly updated the way dramas are seen.
Shomuni spawned several sequels - each good in their own way - but the original has such energy and originality that it deserves its own recognition. | | Reviewed by jdoramadotcom on 29 March 2008 | | 3. | A blast!!! [Rating: 10/10]
This is one of my all time favorite drama's. It is simply fun from start to finish. Way over the top and it revels in that. They are not pretending to be ordinary office workers or a serious drama. Only watch this if you can let go of yourself and enter the world of odd charachters and silly situations. If you can do this you will love it as much as I do. p.s. the Neko is one of my favorite charachters though he will not be in the credits. LOL | | Reviewed by MonsterZero-65 on 13 November 2009 | | 4. | Great Relief From Reality [Rating: 10/10]
Though this dorama is very different from the so-called "norm", it never failed to keep me hooked. Shomuni has so much humor jam-packed within only 45 minutes of show-time that you would think that it's not a dorama and has no story, but I still get caught into the relationship of tsukahara(kyono-chyan)... I guess I need not mention how beautiful her eyes are! ...*erHerm*... In one word, I would describe this dorama as "facetious"! | | Reviewed by KAZSAW on 16 May 2002 | | 5. | Nice Story [Rating: 10/10]
It's really funny and nice too. Not boring at all. I think this is one of the best dorama. Before watching it I thought it was just a story about a group of office women who were trying to look cool. But I was wrong it's a meaningful story. I think it worth for us to spend our time watching it!!Afterall Esumi's acting was great. | | Reviewed by Yuki on 1 January 2002 | | 6. | What role Koyuki played???? [Rating: 10/10]
I saw VCD several times but can't tell what small role Koyuki played???? Did she really appeared in Shomuni?????
Last night, I put VCD in my computer, still can't help laugh some funny scenes!
After graduated from college, I experienced frustrated and unlucky things through career years, this drama really hit the punch... | | Reviewed by inessalenin on 30 August 2006 | | 7. | Go girls or go-go girls? [Rating: 7/10]
The promise of a social theme about the condition of female office workers quickly drowns in the swamp of shallow entertainment to the beat of an overblown music score. With her modeling poses and shortened skirt, Esumi Makiko would be more convincing selling work uniforms in a fashion magazine than playing tough cookie. | | Reviewed by shari on 14 November 2007 | | 8. | Nice warm story [Rating: 9/10]
This is story about six so call OL and how they inspired the whole company. The script writer used the "Hero" technique, which included multiple short stories in one drama. I enjoyed the show. I'm not a big Fan of Esumi but she was great!
| | Reviewed by jdfan on 1 July 2002 | | 9. | Hysterical! [Rating: 9/10]
I loved this series! I thought it would be lame because what's so fun about the lives of OL? Well was I wrong! After watching the first episode,I quickly watched the other episodes and finished the series in a day. Very funny! | | Reviewed by Slackey on 29 September 2003 | | 10. | another funny drama [Rating: 7/10]
yes..this is another hilarious drama from esumi!
she makes a prefer leader in her department!
n the way she settles all the problem..man that's really cool...
but the casting doesnt satisfies me that much | | Reviewed by juliana_phang on 21 June 2003 | | 11. | 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. | | Reviewed by jdoramadotcom on 9 July 2006 | | 12. | Hilarious! [Rating: 10/10]
Oh I laughed the entire time. The cast plays such odd and interesting characters and they play them so well. Really my sides hurt at times seeing this. | | Reviewed by MonsterZero65 on 15 August 2010 | | 13. | Interesting! [Rating: 8/10]
Hey, it's time for us to take some rest after watching too much romantic drama...I think it is a very worth watching drama and very very funny! ^_^ | | Reviewed by nini on 22 July 2001 | | 14. | really funny [Rating: 10/10]
i found it really funny and cracks me up every week but some don't like it! | | Reviewed by eiko on 8 July 2001 | | 15. | VeRRy-VeRRy BesT!! [Rating: 10/10]
i LIKE THIS DRAMA!!!!!!!!! | | Reviewed by inter_gal on 9 August 2001 |
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| Comments From Users (104) |
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!!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 ShomuniFan [Rating: 10/10]
A refreshing breath of air from many other dramas. Very politically incorrect.
It features high-and-mighty female secretaries, personnel department heads with a zeal for cutting costs in the company, incompetent executives at the helm of the company who have love affairs...
You may think that from the description I gave above, it is some Tolstoy-esque drama of high intrigue, but it isn't. It's a comedy which showcases seven Shomuni -which is a short form for shomunika, or "General Affairs Section 2" - employees (usually people talk about the 5 pretty and 1 not so pretty females and forget about the male section chief) and their ordeals and private lives.
A little background: Shomuni is known as the graveyard for employees, where the most condemned female employees are sent to, with no chance of promotion. The personnel department and the head honchos of the company put them there just so that these employees would one day voluntarily resign (instead of sacking them as this would mean forking out compensation pay - I deduce) because their jobs are brainless and meaningless. Changing light bulbs, organising parties, changing toilet papers for your whole life, anyone?
Each of the six female characters in Shomuni is easily remembered according to her seating position in the Shomuni department (there's a reason why each lady sits where they do in the department office, which is actually the company storeroom).
Tsuboi Chinatsu - The outspoken lady presumably sent there because she is frank and blunt. Has a complicated social life and is very good with men.
Miyashita Kana - An elegant lady rarely seen having lunch at the company cafeteria. Presumably posted there because she rarely does anything and is not fired because of her unorthodox connections with board members. Nobody knows her past.
Tokunaga Azusa - The oldest (and ugliest) female employee in Shomuni. She hopes to get married and is interested in playing the stock market. Nobody knows how she ended up in Shomuni because presumably she has been there for so long.
Himukai Rie - The most interesting character in Shomunika. Presumably posted there because she may scare off her colleagues and employers. Again, no info on how she ended up there.
As for the sole male member of Shomuni...
Inoue Koji - As Chief of Shomuni, he does very little aside from feeding the female tabby cat that has been in Shomuni for as long as anyone can remember.
Two more members would join this mortley bunch - Tsukahara Sawako (in fact the Shomuni story started from HER perspective), a 21-year-old female who frequently makes mistakes, as well as Maruhashi Ume, a genius in many ways but has trouble getting along with people around her.
Strong acting, good soundtrack and kooky sense of humour. | | 2. | Comments by Tu_triky [Rating: 8/10]
An offbeat comedy filled with office hijinks. Makiko Esumi leads a bevy of woman in this no holds barred laugh factory. She shines in this role very brightly. The supporting cast adds a further dash of deliriousness. An empowering showcase of laughter with feminine heroines coming to the rescue when the going gets tough. My only reservation regarding this dorama is the lack of an overall story arc but when you want a refreshing change from somber melodramas the goofy antics of Shomuni may just lighten your mood with lots of laughter. | | 3. | Comments by enen_shun [Rating: 10/10]
Shomuni 1 is very interesting ~~ compared to other japanese dramas ~ this drama is one which u can need-not-catch-every-episode but u can still understand and enjoyed it ~~ the 6 girls in Shomuni (especially Makiko Esumi !) all have different characters ~~ interesting office ~~ lolx ~~ liked the way how Shomuni quarrels wif Secretery department ~~ ahhaa ~~ especially when both grps walked towards each other ... Makiko Esumi looked sooo cool in the drama ~~~ | | 4. | Comments by EstherM [Rating: 9/10]
What�fs not to love about Shomuni – I visited several offices at my stay in Japan and I am friends with a few non-Japanese who worked in companies in Japan and some of the things I saw and anecdotes I was told actually reminded me of certain scenes of Shomuni. What a wonderful piss take always wonderfully plotted by employees with the least value (OLs) in the Japanese business world. Brilliant. | | 5. | Comments by donna8157 [Rating: 9/10]
A fun drama centering around the life of six office women. Although they may just be OLs, the impact that they create on the entire company is great. Each of them, especially the lead, has a feeling of importance in self and doesn't let what others say about them bring them down. A real feminist type of drama.
"A woman's worth is defined by how many men she can conquer."
Haha. | | 6. | Comments by Jackykero [Rating: 7/10]
I was surprised how I actually liked this one. I first watched it because it one of the Doramas that became so famous that you need to see them. There is no real plot throughout the series, every episode comes with its little story, but the characters are interesting enough to keep your attention, and there's lots of fun. Worth watching for entertainment. | | 7. | Comments by Cerebus [Rating: 6/10]
Light fluffy and enjoyable even if every episode did have the same basic plot. It's just the sort of thing to cheer you up after a bad day at work. The confrontations between the secretaries and GA 2 are great, especially the interactions between Esumi Makiko and Toda Naho. | | 8. | Comments by blaupunkt [Rating: 8/10]
duh~ how can they make this drama much like gto, totally extreme n hilarious, but no touching moments i recalled~ doesn't have specific storyline i think~ thus making this drama much like a tv series [i think].. great though! ..and i didn't watch the shomuni 2 yet.. | | 9. | Comments by Ushiroyubi [Rating: 7/10]
a lot of fun. the body language, articulation, and demenor of the characters was quite 'anime-ish' with swords, lasers, and ships' computers being replaced by mops, ladders, and laptops.
Some really hysterical scenes as well....
Esumi Makiko is a diva, indeed. | | 10. | Comments by kaonashi [Rating: 7/10]
Since they made three Shomuni series, I expected the first in line to be better. Some episodes were really funny while others were pretty boring & meaningless. The cast's ok but not great. I kind of like office drama though so I enjoyed watching this one. | | 11. | Comments by nishishi [Rating: 7/10]
One of a kind.... damn.. its hilarious!!!
Esumi Makiko really caught my attention.. Shes a good actress.!!! And all the other actors have done a excelent job as well.....
If u r looking for something different... i recommend this one... =^^= | | 12. | Comments by arashinokoto [Rating: 7/10]
as i watched shomuni 2 first so when i watched this.. was a little impatient in the starting when everyone had to know everyone first for the show to continue.. but it was good.. kyono kotomi really shone in the series.. | | 13. | Comments by booniez [Rating: 7/10]
I grew to like the Shomuni series. They are entertaining and easy to watch. You are not left with cliff-hangers at the end of each episode so you can set your own pace rather than get sucked into the next episode. | | 14. | Comments by chokakoi [Rating: 8/10]
This show was always shown during my Sunday's lunchtime during then. It's very funny, especially seeing how Esumi truimphed over the secretary ladies and the men in the company. Ha~ I always thought she was so cool! | | 15. | Comments by Ezalor [Rating: 6/10]
Average start for an hilarious dorama. Gets very good in later episodes (would give 8 points), but finally drops in humour, originality and story denseness in the last two to three episodes. Therefore only 6 points | | 16. | Comments by otaking [Rating: 8/10]
I died laughing at this series. Esumi Makiko's character in Tsuboi Chinatsu is so straightforward and nonchalantly raunchy that it serves as the anchor to the rest of the characters. I love this show! | | 17. | Comments by atleast13 [Rating: ?/10]
i thought i wrote something here already. oh well. i liked this drama a lot. hosho mai was a little witch. it's one big flower power up in this office. def a chick flick. very funny. | | 18. | Comments by sukichan [Rating: 7/10]
haha XD now , this drama is among the first j-dramas I watched .. n I really love all seasons of this series XD the show is funny n the cast was great X) very enjoyable :D | | 19. | Comments by malorum [Rating: 6/10]
it was just SO SO SO..... i didnt like her character, acting so tough but she didnt do anything! All and all it was O...K.....though. I could sit through the whole thing | | 20. | Comments by laramatsu [Rating: 10/10]
Its funny all the way. Their approach to everything around them are different than any ordinary people which makes the drama funny and refreshing at the same time | | 21. | Comments by jdfan [Rating: 9/10]
This is story about 6 OL and how they inspired the whole company. The write used the "Hero" technique, which included multiple short stories. I enjoyed the show. | | 22. | Comments by jaycee [Rating: 8/10]
this dorama was extreamly funny........ esumi makiko played 'big boss lady' in the dorama... her other 4 friends made a very funny dorama all together........ | | 23. | Comments by Clockwork Orange [Rating: 10/10]
Funniest drama ever. Watch the HR department try to exterminate GA-2 and fail miserably! Each episode keeps you hanging on until the end. Don't miss it! | | 24. | Comments by tetsukei [Rating: 7/10]
Hoho, watch anime? This is the drama that is closest to an anime that I've ever watched. Very funny.
Humour 8/10 Story 6/10 Actors 8/10 Music 7/10 | | 25. | Comments by anoneko [Rating: 8/10]
This is so hilarious! I love the bitchy bickering that takes place between the secretaries and the Shomuni every time they meet in the corridor. | | 26. | Comments by paul_muaddib [Rating: 6/10]
In the beginning, this show had novelty etc, and Esumi Makiko is a big draw on her own. But as it gets along, the show becomes a little draggy. | | 27. | Comments by cheery [Rating: 9/10]
Interesting story of six office ladies. Very comical characters. The show is funny and full of surprises. The amazing storyline leads you on. | | 28. | Comments by amethyst [Rating: 7/10]
About 6 office ladies (OL) who are ostracised and looked down upon but somehow always manages to save the day. Lively, comical. Enjoyable. | | 29. | Comments by angel_87 [Rating: 10/10]
this is the best movie ever!!! i totally love the way chinatsu handle the problem and she is totally looking vogue in this movie.... | | 30. | Comments by Wynter [Rating: 9/10]
I didn't quite enjoy the drama until about the sixth episode. The characters grow on you and the drama becomes fun and enjoyable. |
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Read all 104 comments from users
| Users who voted for this drama (32) |
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| 1. | Hikara
this drama though somewhat repetative, showed great taste in how may or may not act towards one another, the comedy is very tasteful | | 2. | obekenobe
Hahahah. I really like this one. all the women are soo cooki. They are such great actresses. They are born to play this role. | | 3. | ren1999
Maybe manga is a good source for jdoramas. This one is funny and the unique talents of all the actresses are shown. | | 4. | inessalenin
Sometime to work for living is feeling aggrieving, and unrespect. Need a powerful, confidence women speak our mind. | | 5. | private_syaki_03
wow.. what the best drama that i have been watching.. actually i like makiko esumi.. she so tall.. cute hah.. | | 6. | laramatsu
The drama is so funny with their dark jokes and weird way seeing things. Definitely a fresh breeze. | | 7. | Dot
A hilarious drama that makes you laugh for every episode! A must watch for lovers of comedies! | | 8. | chocfudge_8008
This dorama made me fell in love with japanese dorama. It's senseless, but brilliant. | | 9. | paripy24
this series is absolutely hilarious! really love esumi makiko's performance here! | | 10. | AK
I love it. It made me laugh like a crazy and Chinatsu is.... amazing... | | 11. | iedot
aaa!!!! i really love all shomuni's series drama!!! SUPERB!!!!!!!!!! | | 12. | Shakyamuni
These office ladies are awesome! A funny and very enjoyable show. | | 13. | anoneko
This show is hilarious! It's a must-see. | | 14. | DiorKaneko
Funny drama.... and nice people too | | 15. | kamiyakaoru85
very funny and interesting | | 16. | joyfulgirl
esumi looks great.. | | 17. | hokage
It made me laugh. | | 18. | conan_00
Very Good!!! | | 19. | Ryvyan
Funny ehehe | | 20. | Yuki
hehe..later | | 21. | nihon
Excellent! | | 22. | Ozmek
happy film | | 23. | farahrasol
love it! | | 24. | kouru | | 25. | Genma | | 26. | Buruburu | | 27. | Mujer | | 28. | merumerumee | | 29. | Hero | | 30. | Tougen |
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Read all 32 votes from users
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