Geezer wrote:

Sometimes it's good to listen to what other people think. I started watching Love Shuffle http://jdorama.com/drama.1374.htm because Yoshitaka Yuriko & Karina are both in it. If we're lucky, I think both of these young ladies are going to be around in movies and TV for a very long time, and I tend to grab anything that has either of their names on it. But the show "Love Shuffle" bored me at the beginning. In fact, I was seriously considering giving it a pass, but I kept reading such glowing reviews that I figured I'd stick it out. I'm happy I did, and thanks to those who championed this show. I finally started getting involved... interested... in the story around the 4th or 5th episode. And having just finished episode 7 I'm completely hooked. I can't wait to see how this all sorts out.

The first episode bored me, but it started to grow on me and now after the sixth episode I think it's one of the best doramas I've seen. Both the actresses you mentioned are outstanding. Yoshitaka Yuriko manages to out-act pretty much anybody else she shares a scene with, mainly with out saying a word. I haven't seen Karina before, but I definitely going to catch up on some of her past work.

In general the acting is of high class, as is the writing. Nojima Shinji must be the best writer currently working in Japanese drama. I'm slowly working my way through all of his work and after the slight disappointment of Bara no nai Hanaya, I think he is right back on the top of his game with Love Shuffle.

Geezer wrote:

Quote: Everyone has their superficialities (is that a word?) It is now.

Ah, turns out that it is:

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superficialities

Main Entry:
su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ty Listen to the pronunciation of superficiality
Pronunciation:
\ˌsü-pər-ˌfi-shē-ˈa-lə-tē\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ties
Date:
1530

1 : the quality or state of being superficial
2 : something superficial
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runpup wrote:

If you're going to watch Tiger & Dragon, watch the special first...It will eliminate a lot of confusion!

Thanks for the info, I see the Special came before the series which seems to be the opposite of what usually happens. Speaking of Specials, most of the time they aren't all that special, the Ikebukuro West Gate Park one was a complete mess, whilst the Densha Otoko ones where an embarrassment.

On topic: I've started Narita Rikon mainly because a) as I like to watch a mix of old and new dramas (it's from 1997) and the rest of the shows I'm currently watching are from Winter '09, and b) it has Fukatsu Eri and Abe Hiroshi in supporting roles. In fact it looks like it was Abe Hiroshi's first dorama.

It is a slight comedy about a newly married couple who realise they may be not right for each other after the honeymoon. It's fairly obvious where things are going to lead, and I think the plot is going to be spread a little thinly over 11 episodes, but it's pleasant enough and passes the time.

Cerebus wrote:

Yoshitaka Yuriko manages to out-act pretty much anybody else she shares a scene with, mainly with out saying a word. I haven't seen Karina before, but I definitely going to catch up on some of her past work.

Re: Karina, make sure you check out Daisuki! http://www.jdorama.com/drama.1248.htm

Quote:

Atashinchi no Danshi- Just what you'd expect. Horikita Maki cannot act. Most of the "ikemen" are pretty ugly. But it was kinda funny.

I am so happy that some else beside me think the same too.
but to be fair, i think that Jun Kaname is pretty enough.
but i still not going to watch this drama.

Wynter wrote:

Let me know what you think!

Check out taroqq�Ls review in the BOSS thread - I felt exactely the same.

Cerebus wrote:

Thanks for the info, I see the Special came before the series which seems to be the opposite of what usually happens. Speaking of Specials, most of the time they aren't all that special, the Ikebukuro West Gate Park one was a complete mess

Speaking of Kudo Kankuro�Ls work, I just finished Manhattan Love Story, which was full of Kizarasu�Ls Cat�Ls Eyes references and I remembered there is funnily enough a reference to Tiger & Dragon (which aired in 2005) in the IWGP special from 2003.

OT (or not) :I�Lll be straying again to watch the first episodes of a new Taiwanese drama (Black&White).

Im starting Ugly Duckling next. Im a Tokiwa fan.
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Eve wrote:

I'm a Tokiwa fan.

Me too.

I have been watching Itsuka mata aeru. It's not bad, but not very good either. There are some engaging performances and distinct characters. I rarely wanted to look away, and Sakurai Sachiko was lovely to watch. But there's nothing memorable about it, and after 8 episodes, in hindsight, it felt like there has been little substance.

I'm watching Engine - it's really funny and warm. the kids add a lot to the drama.
i just finished the first ep of Love Shuffle - the ep was good and i'm looking foward to see the other episodes. Tamaki is sweet as always. but he looks kinda old in this one.
surprisingly, Karina is ok and her charachter too.
Kanjiya's charachter is annoying. i liked her better in Swing Girls.

Now I'm wathin' Tiger & Dragon (with Nagase Tomoya & Okada Junichi) - and I'm really impressed with this dorama. Mostly 'cause there is Tomoya, he's georgeous, cool and impressive. No doubts for me on the stage he's the best yakudza! Tomoya is my j-dream. Junichi - I've found him pretty good-lookin'! (guess, he could be my b-friend, I would like to). After scannin' the persons I'd notice that rakugo is some sort of nice stories, full of a variety of ideas to be presented in.

So, I support the status of "Tiger & Dragon" as recommended.
=^___^=
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I just finished Seigi no Miakata today. I thought it was a fun watch.

Next I think I'm going to watch Nodame or Nobuta wo Produce.

nothing_noble wrote:

I just finished Seigi no Miakata today. I thought it was a fun watch. Next I think I'm going to watch Nodame or Nobuta wo Produce.

I just started watching Atashinchi no Danshi because Yusuke was in it. I loved every drama he was in and it seemed interesting.
I'm also finishing up Puzzle, Happy Boys, Honey and Clover, Room of King, and Unfair.

and I highly recommend either! I loved Nobute wo Produce! Yamapi gives a great performance in it!

I currently watching, Majo no jouken and Kami no Shizuku

I've just started Triangle

http://jdorama.com/drama.1366.htm

Nnnnnn... I don't know about this one.

Well, Love Shuffle started our slow and turned into a really terrific series.

Could happen again.
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Geezer wrote:

I've just started Triangle http://jdorama.com/drama.1366.htm Nnnnnn... I don't know about this one. Well, Love Shuffle started our slow and turned into a really terrific series. Could happen again.

Expecting lightning to strike twice?

I just finished 1 liter of tears and man... I cried a lot

I re watched azumi cos it was like 6 years ago when I first watched it and that time I am not that aware of the beauty of Jdoramas hehe...
I think this is the best acting of aya... I mean she doesn't look like an assasin.. so pretty yet so dangerous..

currently watching Attention Please.. I'm 3 episode to the end...yehey

My next target is My Boss My Hero, Nodame and Zettai Kareshi

I'll watch it on my next day off... shocks I'm so excited

Watched a few episodes of Star no Koi. It's more enjoyable than I expected, although sometimes I felt that none of the characters behaved like normal people. The ending to episode 3 with the press conference felt almost exactly the same as episode 4 ending of News no Onna.
Although I enjoyed Fujiwara Norika's performance, I think Hasegawa Kyoko was much prettier.
Got up to episode 8, not really drawn to any of the characters. Enjoyable light, romantic comedy to pass the time, but not recommended. The writing is pretty standard and a bit too silly sometimes.

xploring wrote:

Watched a few episodes of Star no Koi. It's more enjoyable than I expected, although sometimes I felt that none of the characters behaved like normal people. The ending to episode 3 with the press conference felt almost exactly the same as episode 4 ending of News no Onna. Although I enjoyed Fujiwara Norika's performance, I think Hasegawa Kyoko was much prettier. Got up to episode 8, not really drawn to any of the characters. Enjoyable light, romantic comedy to pass the time, but not recommended. The writing is pretty standard and a bit too silly sometimes.

One of the co-stars of Star no Koi is Furuta Arata...the beefy love rival..according to dramawiki, this was his second role in a drama...

His next role was in in Kisarazu Cat's Eye established him as one of Japan's premier comedic actors, imho...along with Okada Yoshinori and Abe Sadao...

If you haven't seen Kisarazu Cat's Eye, it must surely be the next on your list...
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The Cutest Girl in the World!

Thanks for the rec. I watched the first 4 episodes of Kisarazu Cat's Eye a long time ago, but was a bit puzzled by the comedy. It was definitely different and original, and there were some animated performances, but I didn't really laugh. I think it's usually the material rather than the actors that make me laugh (Churasan, Odoru Daisousasen, Ohsama no resutoran).

runpup wrote:

One of the co-stars of Star no Koi is Furuta Arata...

Another is Azuma Mikihisa as the eternal loser. He must be getting more sympathy fan-mail than any other actor.

One interesting thing I noticed about this drama (Star no Koi) is Kusanagi's body language. He seems to shrink whenever he sits next to Ms. Fujiwara, as if he disliked her (or women in general).
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