Nice looking and sweet girl (see video below), not too famous as yet but that could actually be a plus. Eita will still go a long way.

Synopsis

It all started with a wedding as lives of four married women converge. They are from different backgrounds and diverse generations, appearing to be leading blissful lives. But underneath the facade, their days are strewn with betrayal, misery and deceit. The story will follow these ordinary women and uncover what is to them the true meaning behind family, marriage and love.

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Inoue Yumiko
Producers: Shono Jiro, Ueda Hiroki
Directors: Shono Jiro, Takanari Mahoko, Yamamoto Takeyoshi

Review

Plot/Story

It hits the viewer in the beginning that it is a “chick” flick with mainly female leads and casts ranging from actresses from their 20s to 50s. An interesting plot in the first episode, where a supposedly main character goes missing after her wedding night bash with her “girlfriends”, not so close ones at that. A definite hook to keep the viewers peeled for the reason for her disappearance.

As the story unfolds, the other 4 “girlfriend” characters are “brought” either by choice or by life’s many issues to find the truth and as such became closer as confidantes and eventually close friends.

Although the plot and direction is above average, the ending could be a lot stronger. The ending is where the drama fails in my opinion. It just does not wow the viewer to a point of exclamation “what a writing genius!”

Casting

The casting is done fairly well. Suzuki Kyoka is technically the lead and she did a great job of playing her uptight housewife role, she looks excellent at 40 btw. Hasegawa Kyoko is a pleasure to watch, she always brings her A class to the table. Fukiishi Kazue the youngest of the lot, looks great on camera but has a forgetable face and performance, could be a break out role for her although not likely in the short term.

The character who shined out of the whole cast lot is of course Momoi Kaori san, a very poised and experienced actress. A completely different league of her own, extremely impressed with her performance.

What does J think?

An averagely attractive cast when combined do a great job, however the issue with the drama is not the casting but the over plot construction and ending. If you are fans of housewifey family dramas with a twist, this may appeal to you but do be warmed about the lack of climatic ending.

Overall a good job by the main writer (Inoue Yumiko) who has penned <Gift>, <First Kiss> and <Engine> amongst others. I believe this is not her best work in the last couple of years, ganbate ne.

Rating: (Borrow the DVD)

Synopsis

An arson took it all away from Akiyama Kanon seven years ago. Her parents died in that fire, her brother was arrested as the prime suspect and her carefree life disappeared from that instant. She was shunned by the town as the sister of a murderer, yet she believes in her brother’s innocence and often pays him visits with words of encouragement. As life gets harder when nobody is willing to give her a job, Kanon decides to try her luck in the city and there she meets the man of her destiny…

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Asano Taeko
Producer: Nakano Toshiyuki
Directors: Kato Hiromasa, Matsuyama Hiroaki
Music: Kanno Yugo

Review

Soon to watch.

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Beautiful days – ?Arashi

ORION – Mika Nakashima

Official site

Synopsis

Based on the popular novel of the same name, Ryusei no Kizuna tells the story of three orphans, whose parents were murdered long ago. Together, the three vowed on a shooting star to one day avenge their parents. After many years, the two brothers have found the murderers, and are set to carry out their plan for vengeance when they realize they’ve made a serious miscalculation; you see, their sister…

Main Cast

Production Credits

Original writing: Higashino Keigo
Screenwriter: Kudo Kankuro
Producers: Isoyama Aki, Nasuda Jun
Directors: Kaneko Fuminori, Ishii Yasuharu
Music: Kono Shin

Awards

12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall 2008): Best Drama
12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall 2008): Best Actor – Ninomiya Kazunari
12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall 2008): Best Supporting Actor – Nishikido Ryo
12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall 2008): Best Supporting Actress – Toda Erika

Review

Will review after finishing all the episodes, almost there now ;p

More videos

Ending theme: Kimagure Romantic by Ikimono-gakari Download here
Insert theme: Hero by Safarii Download here

Synopsis

Wealthy daughter of a hotel chain mogul meets poor widowed father of three. Despite their vastly different values and beliefs, will their chanced encounter blossom into something more?

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Tokunaga Tomokazu
Producer: Tsuchiya Ken
Directors: Matsuda Hidetomo, Ishikawa Junichi, Sato Genta, Kitagawa Manabu
Music: Yamashita Kosuke

Review

Watching it at the moment.

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Mamoritai Mono (I Want To Protect This) – Aoyama Thelma

Synopsis

There exists a legendary team of surgical experts in Tojo University Hospital that specializes in the Batista procedure – one of the most difficult cardiac surgeries with the survival rate only at 60%. Ever since its formation, this team has shocked the country by having 27 consecutive post-operative successes, virtually unheard of in the medical community. They basked in the glory until three of the most recent procedures resulted in consecutive deaths on the operating table. Taguchi, a psychosomatic medicine specialist, has been entrusted with the investigation but is in over his head because of his soft nature and having to deal with skills beyond his realm of expertise. Then arrives Shiratori, a cocky Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare investigator. He not only labels Taguchi naive, but speaks with confidence that this is a murder, and the murderer is within this team of elites. As the mystery unfolds, so does the complicated affiliation between each of the seven team members. Will this unlikely duo uncover the truth in time?

Main Cast

Production Credits

Original writing: Kaido Takeru
Screenwriter: Goto Noriko
Producers: Toyofuku Yoko , Toda Koichi , Yamaki Kaoru
Directors: Ueda Hisashi ,  Imai Kazuhisa

Review

Will be watching it soon.

More Videos

Theme song: Nocturne by Hirahara Ayaka Download here

Nocturne – Hirahara Ayaka

Official site

Synopsis

Despite being a respected anesthesiologist at a famed Tokyo hospital, Shiratori Sadami has a disastrous family life. Before his life in Tokyo, his infidelity prompted his wife’s suicide and the incident separated him from his two children ever since. Seven years later, as he is being diagnosed with late-stage cancer and inevitably on the brink of death, he finds himself making way towards his hometown Hokkaido, his estranged children and his final moments in life.

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Kuramoto Sou
Producers: Wakamatsu Hiroki, Asano Masumi
Director: Miyamoto Rieko Music: Yoshimata Ryo

Review

Will review after watching it in full. Looks like a well written powerful heartlander touching drama (a signature of screenwriter Kuramoto san) that resonates well with Japanese all over Japan. A 5oth Year Anniversary drama from Fuji TV. This drama is Ken Ogata’s last performance before he succumbed to liver cancer and passed away in Oct 2008.

Always loved your performances since Black Jack in 2003 and your movies before and after that. Rest in Peace – Ogata san.

After 1 Episode

This drama comes across as a pretty serious family drama. Although the premise of an irresponsible father figure catching an incurable disease and repents and finally pass away in the last episode with a bitter sweet ending etc is a premise most people will roll their eyes at but this particular drama is slightly above average is terms of how it is setup and how good the actors are at their roles. The drama is pretty much targeted at the heartlanders/rural/suburbia Japanese and it did get a good response from those areas. Do look out for Kamiki Ryunosuke and his wonderful performance…Meisa looks great…

Review

To watch online, go here.

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Synopsis

Kohei Moriyama quit his job as a doctor 8 years ago and now works at the city hall. Since becoming a public official, he has become cheerful and optimistic. He is loved by everyone around him. However, his emotional wound from the past is not yet healed. He does not trust anyone but himself when it comes to important matters. One day, he meets a dedicated nurse, Aiko Tanaka. This encounter triggers his decision to reestablish a hospital. This is when he realizes… “Losing is not the end. Giving up is what ends everything.” –TBS

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (ep1-10), Yazu Hiroyuki (ep3,6,8)
Producers: Iyoda Hidenori , Masaki Atsushi
Directors: Yamamuro Daisuke (ep1-2,5,8,10), Kawashima Ryutaro (ep3,6,9), Kan Satoshi (ep4,7)
Music: Hasebe Toru, Segawa Eishi

Review

Plot/Story

Tantalizing opening with a good hook in Ep 1. A surgeon Moriyama Kohei who encounters a career setback and relegated himself to a small town doing something completely different. The story follows the rebounding of a surgeon in a small town, his encounters with various characters for e.g. Tanaka Aiko a nurse in a local hospital in the process of revitalizing a struggling hospital, the complicated small town city politics surrounding economic wealth versus community service.

A pretty common concept but held well with the character dramas and side plots laced together with the main plot which reveals the biggest coincidence of all.

A pretty good hook in the beginning, with strong dialogue and believable emergency scenes and human medical dramas subsodes. However, the ending can be much stronger.

Casting

The casting is done well. Takenouchi Yutaka was a little stiff  in the beginning episodes but gradually dove right into his role. Kanno Miho as always is a pleasure to watch with her angsy character and her great “on the spot” crying scenes.

The character who shined and caught my eye is Ogawa Tamaki, a very poised actress who has been acting since 93, with her last work in 2006. An actress to keep an eye on definitely, she should see more roles unless she doesn’t want to take them.

What does J think?

An attractive cast who did a good job. If you are fans of Takenouchi Yutaka this drama gives you a good example of his dramatic acting especially towards the later episodes. Story is captivating and makes you stay hooked to it, however the ending is predictable with a rather flat climax.

<Tomorrow> will appeal to viewers who like a good energetic medical drama coupled with human relationships and small town politics. There are quite a number of tear jerking scenes, do prepare tissues.

Overall a good job by the main writer (Shinozaki Eriko) who has penned <Kurosagi> and <Daisuki> amongst others.

Rating: (Worth buying the DVD)

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Tomorrow DVD

DVDs $3.00

Watch Online (Go Here)

Videos