Aishiteru ~ Kaiyo [アイシテル ~ 海容] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I wish there was something higher than 10 to give this. I usually hesitate and think to myself "so is this drama really a 10 then? As in perfect? Or do I just really like it a lot?" and I hem and haw for a bit until I finally just give in to how much I enjoyed it, while not completely sure about the rating. Just minutes into watching this drama though, I knew I was in for something big--it was going to be a all-out sap fest or an unbelievably good drama. Halfway through the series and I was already decided this the best drama I've ever seen in my life, and possibly ever will see.
I don't even know where to start--there were so many things that could have went wrong with this because it is an incredibly delicate subject and the plot alone gives a lot of chance of turning it into another drama filled with cheap sentiment and overdramatics. Not to say that this is not one heavy drama, but everything is dealt with realistically and there were no easy way outs for anyone. Every character had to suffer and come to turns with the tragic event and their own actions; no one person was always right and they didn't behave like anything but normal, sincere people. Everything in this drama was executed perfectly, the actors flawless.
Most other dramas can make you laugh, cry, or just pass the time. Aishiteru is truly something else though, and I can say in all honesty this is the first time that one truly touched my heart and moved my soul. This is by and far my favorite. | Akihabara@DEEP [アキハバラ@DEEP] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This was such a pleasant suprise! I really loved the casting and every episode was worth watching (hard to say for most doramas). It was really hilarious, just my kind of humor--so lame, it's funny! Each character had their annoying moments though.. but it was just that, just moments. Box-kun was my favorite character; Toma really grew on me after watching this. I'd have to say it's one of the funniest doramas I've seen. Loved it! | Bambino! [バンビーノ!] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) bambino.. matsujun is certainly a draw ne? i like the cast a lot and i feel like without them, jun really couldn't have pulled this off. his over-acting was grinding my nerves and honestly the series didn't get good til about episode 8. for full review, check out my site: www.clearblogs.com/arashi |
Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) this dorama was something i watched on a whim.. i wasn't expecting much but i just wanted something fairly light to pass the time. it wasn't amazing but it wasn't bad either. i could only bring myself to really like the main character because the other characters were a little too over the top or unbelievable.. in the end i came to like the female lead because although she was a tad irrational, i could see where she was coming from. in all, not the worst, but definitely nowhere near the best. good to pass the time with though (= | GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) he really is the great teacher! onizuka is the greatest! so badass, i love this dorama! it's pretty formulaic since it goes pretty much one student per episode but it's also funny, inspirational, and touching all at the same time. and it's pretty much a gold mine in terms of the cast.. so many talented people in one dorama! there's a reason this is the #1 voted dorama on this site. a must see for sure!! | Haikei, Chichiue-sama [拝啓、父上様] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) |
Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) this is a really good dorama for a lot of reasons. i feel like not only was the acting and story good, but it was shot really well! i loved the sets and angles and everything.. it looked very clean and well though out. the whole group of F4 were great in their roles and i feel like it moved fast but at the same time the speed was just right. it's a really good dorama for teens or young adults to watch. for full review, check out my site: www.clearblogs.com/arashi | Hana Yori Dango Season 2 [花より男子] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) compared to the first season.. this is a BIG disappointment. it really was just fanservice to the people that loved the first. there are too many faults for me to really enjoy this one though--too many complications, everything was over dramatic, makino was getting REALLY annoying.. it was just too much. the only thing i really liked about this was the side story with soujiroh.. it was interesting to finally learn about him, but i don't think it gives justification for the series as a whole. for full review, check out my site: www.clearblogs.com/arashi | Kaibutsu-kun [怪物くん]
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Kaze no Garden [風のガーデン]
| Kekkon Dekinai Otoko [結婚できない男] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) One of the best I've seen so far. It is a really light and subtle kind of dorama. Everyone was excellent, not one character that I found to my dislike. One of my favorite things about this dorama was the music in it as well, it really suited the mood for his odd scenes. It also made me hungry watching this, everything he ate looked so delicious! And for those of you who love dogs, this is especially good! It's a very easy and enjoyable watch, I highly recommend it to anyone! | Koizora [恋空] Rating: 4/10 (Watched) |
Love Revolution [ラブレボリューション] Rating: 4/10 (Watched) I started watching it thinking I was in the mood for mature content after watching so much teen angst.. but then this was pretty boring. And the female lead.. she is too manly looking for my tastes. Ugh. Maybe I will appreciate it when I'm a little older.. and finish it as well (= | Maou [魔王] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) The first couple episodes seem to be a bit rushed and over-acted, but starting around ep. 4 everything starts to hit its stride and it just becomes an intense, engaging ride from there. Ohno really shines in his first lead role and his portrayal of both sides of Naruse was just spot on--you were rooting for him the entire time, nevermind the fact that he was in all honesty a murderer. | Mei-chan no Shitsuji [メイちゃんの執事]
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Mukodono! [ムコ殿/女婿大人]
| My Girl [マイガール]
| Nobuta wo Produce [野ブタ。をプロデュース] Rating: 3/10 (Watched) It was fun seeing Yamapi act like a goofy spaced out kind of guy but then it was a little too formulaic and dry.. I really don't think there was much to this dorama besides starpower and it's really overhyped. Drags on, gets hard to watch. But one episode I really liked was the haunted house one with the mirror.. probably the best part of the series. |
Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) honto ni.. i only started watching because of the three main guys, ESPECIALLY tsumabuki satoshi. i first saw him in waterboys and thought he was cute and funny so i wanted to see if he could do more.. this is such a great dorama though! it's really bittersweet and not too dramatic but also very sad in a mellow way.. loved it! | Proposal Daisakusen [プロポーズ大作戦] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) It's the first time I saw Yamapi in a starring role and I can proudly say that I am finally convinced he is deserving of the praise showered on him by rabid fans and critics alike. For all the countless times I've seen his dead-fish-eye look on his face, it makes it all the more heartbreaking to see him break out of it and show some emotion. It was entertaining, warm, funny (even knew when to make fun of itself), and more deep than I imagined it would be. But definitely the best part about this drama was the soundtrack--the music was timed perfectly and make it so much more heartbreaking. The conclusion did not disappoint and was a really satisfying and slightly bittersweet without seeming forced or unrealistic.. impressive considering the drama includes a fairy that repeatedly sends a dead-fish-eye faced guy back in time ~_~ | Ryusei no Kizuna [流星の絆]
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Saigo no Yakusoku [最後の約束]
| Seito Shokun! [生徒諸君!] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) | Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu [世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) What an amazing dorama! You know it's supposed to be sad but it isn't too overdone.. I loved the story of Saku's grandfather. It was good from beginning to end pretty much. The only reason it's not a 10 is that it got to be a little too much for an episode or two towards the end but overall it is a really amazing dorama. Certainly one of the best I've seen. |
Sensei wa Erai! [先生はエライっ!] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) It's a charming movie with a pretty clear plot and message. It brings me back to my younger years and reminds me of the things that used to be such a big deal. As always, Chinen was incredibly adorable and he was definitely my favorite part of the movie. Everyone else was decent, I probably liked the nurse the best (also in Bambino, I liked her better here though). It made me laugh, but I couldn't tell if I would be laughing if I didn't like Chinen so much. Hmm.. either way, it's a pretty good movie, but probably more for fans than anything else. | Slow Dance [スローダンス] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) I really liked all the guys acting in this.. I loved Richi, Eisuke, and even Yashima in the dorama but the girls kind of ruined it for me. Well, not all of them. My favorite parts of the dorama were the subplots with the ex girlfriends.. it was more sad watching their relationships come to an end than watching the other ones form and the main characters being hurt. I never felt much sympathy for Mino or Isaki at all. )= But all in all, it was a relaxed watch and I enjoyed it.. slow pace, some solid acting, good stuff. Not the best, not nearly, but pretty good. (= | Stand UP!! Rating: 9/10 (Watched) this is one of my favorite doramas! it is funny, real, and a touch melodramatic. i feel like it really captures the awkward stage of being a teen and makes light of it while showing us what these boys are going through in their attempt to become men. it's so much more than it seems to be on the surface, so much better than just another teen dorama. give it a shot, you won't regret it! for full review, check out my site: www.clearblogs.com/arashi |
Summer snow Rating: 8/10 (Watched) very good dorama indeed. it really is a tearjerker though, so fair warning for that. i think all the people were cast pretty well and the story moves fairly fast. there's some unexpected events that come up that really make things interesting as well. i don't want to spoil too much.. great acting for a great dorama is all i want to say! oguri shun was particularly good, this was his second starring role. | Sushi Oji! [スシ王子!] Rating: 1/10 this dorama.. i started it expecting nothing but was still disappointed with it. it may have good looking people, but that can't even salvage it. probably one of the worst i've seen so far. | The Quiz Show [ザ・クイズショウ]
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The Quiz Show Season 2 [ザ・クイズショウ 2]
| Uta no Onii-san [歌のおにいさん]
| Yamada Taro Monogatari [山田太郎ものがたり] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) this is such a great dorama! it is very light-hearted but has those moments that really touch you at the same time. i love how it is pretty consistent and doesn't try to do much at one time, like put in too much love side story to the main story. there were some things wrong with it that didn't benefit the series (such as the teacher side love story) but in all, it was excellent. loved nino's acting and loved the kids.. must see! for full review, check out my site: www.clearblogs.com/arashi |
Yuukan kurabu [有閑倶楽部] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) It started off good but was way too formulaic.. by the end I could tell everything they were going to say or do before the episode was even five minutes in. Then again, this is just a shits-and-giggles kind of comedy so I shouldn't have expected too much. Most of the characters got pretty annoying but I liked Seishiro and Miroku enough.. but even then, they had their annoying moments/episodes as well. I can't believe they repeated their stupid line about Yukan Club ever freaking episode. It was too much. Oh yeah, and the end was REALLY bad. Without the last 2 episodes, this series would have warranted a 7 at least. | | |