I just watched Fuurin Kazan a japanese historical drama. It was pretty interesting, i learn a lot about the Japan history . The main reason i started to watch it was that Gackt was one of the actors, even if he only appeared from ep 25 till the end. All i can say is samurai, samurai, samurai 

Also i saw a movie....Kano...on wiki it said is a taiwanese movie, even if they talked in japanese .
The actions it happens in 1931 when Taiwan was under Japan rule. The film shows the multiracial Kano baseball team from southern Taiwan overcoming extreme odds to represent the island in the 1931 Japanese High School baseball Championship. Beyond all expectations the team advanced in the final game of the tournament.

will take a break with Amachan I'm currently at the return to Tokyo arc, also I really do developed a deep curiosity with one of the cast namely Kasumi Arimura (young Haruko)




for me she's the most beautiful Japanese actress, can't resist those cheeks so I'll be watching Keizoku (1999) to SPEC (2010) where sheis also part of the cast

She also had a supporting role in Shitsuren Chocolatier in 2014. That drama has an all-star type cast. The lead is played by Matsumoto Jun (Hana Yori Dango and Gokusen), the female lead is Ishihara Satomi (Be-Bop High School and a bunch of others since 2003), and the supporting class includes Mizukawa Asami (Last Friends, Nodame Cantabile, Detective Conan, Stand Up!, etc.), Mizobata Junpei (Hana Kimi and Buzzer Beat), and Sato Ryuta (Pride, Tokyo Friends, Rookies and Legal High 2).

I'm pretty sure I reviewed this one several pages ago. It's decent, though (spoiler alert) the ending isn't as satisfying as I would like....though probably not terribly unrealistic.

I'm a bit hesitant to try Shitsuren Chocolatier I've been reading a lot of complaint about it specially the ending...

I'm looking forward to her first lead role if I'm not mistaken; Umi ni Furu

alrick13 wrote:I'm a bit hesitant to try Shitsuren Chocolatier I've been reading a lot of complaint about it specially the ending...

I'm looking forward to her first lead role if I'm not mistaken; Umi ni Furu

The ending to Heartbroken Chocolatier isn't terrible; it's just unsatisfying. Typically in that type of drama, you want the romantic lead to be with the person he loves. It doesn't happen in this drama. However, I think that's not what the drama is about. It's more about shaking free of old emotional entanglements and moving forward with your life. In that, it's similar to the drama "Why I Can't Find my Love" with Karina and Oshima Yuko playing leading roles. Very similar in that none of the leads end up in the kind of relationship that the viewer might expect, but they all end up in a better place in their lives. To me, there is a degree of value in that type of story, too.

Though, the ending of Shitsuren Chocolatier is such that it is set up really well for a sequel; I hope it happens to have a more thorough resolution to the story.

Um - Amachan actually is an "asadora" - meaning "morning drama". NHK had that type of drama for quite awhile. Amachan was more or less the reason why people started getting interested again in asadoras. What's odd about it is that it's not set in old Japan, but was set some years before the airing of the asadora. But then again, because of the 80s flashback, it's more or less a period drama too. Not to mention it was timely given how big the current Idol Feudal Era is. I laughed out so hard that the producer looked a lot like Akimoto Yasushi hahaha I loved it a lot that it also incorporated a lot of the Idol Golden and Silver Era in the flashbacks too. sorry, I'm an old wota ROFLMAO During its run, it's such a big hit that they had a segment at Kouhaku Utagassen for that asadora.

Same goes to Hanako to Anne last year, though it was set in old Japan, which is more the typical setting for asadoras. It also was a big hit that it also had a segment in Kouhaku Utagassen. A friend of mine who lives in Yokohama said that the asadora before this currently airing series was also a big hit, given it's about the trials of a non-Japanese wife living during the Meiji era. The title of the asadora is Massan.

Speaking of asadoras, I'm faithfully watching the currently airing asadora, Mare. It's foodpr0n asadora. Though specifically, cakes and desserts. I'll probably skip the next asadora after Mare as it's set again in old Japan which I always struggle to watch.

Among other currently airing JDramas I'm watching is, Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san, another foodpr0n JDrama, but it's ramen this time haha Other JDramas I'm watching this season is Death Note (because duh, it's Death Note & was pretty hyped for it and even announced our group will work on it - but it's a good thing it got licensed or I'll be toxic weekly haha) and Dokonjo Gaeru (for nostalgia's sake, as I watched the anime re-airing when I was a kid (sorry, watching it with Japanese subs for now)).

The JDramas I watched faithfully last season while it was airing was I'm Home (since, duh? It's a KimuTaku drama, so most of the staff behind it will most likely be good) and the underrated NHK yorudora (late night drama) Lunch no Akko-chan, another foodpr0n JDrama (finished watching it with only Japanese subs, but it just started being English subbed recently).

As I tend to skip many dramas that's being aired, I tend to check what got awarded in the past season's TV Drama Academy Awards - http://dorama.info/drama/d_award.php - then try watching what won in that current season.

@alrick13, saldiven & everyone: if you want another teacher-student JDrama, might as well pimp our old work - ROOKIES. Though I really want to upgrade that in this lifetime, but I don't have the moolah to buy the BluRay boxset yet =_=;;

@Ais: I actually like the food dramas. I'm a big fan of food shows in the USA like Chopped, Top Chef, Bizarre Foods, Masterchef, etc., so that's probably why I like the food dramas.

I've watched Shitsuren Chocolatier, My Little Chef, Ando Natsu, Oishii Proposal and a few others that I can't remember right now. I'm watching a Korean drama based in a restaurant right now called My Little Ghost that's pretty good, though the site with the subtitles I'm using is only up to episode 4 right now.

I remember watching My Little Chef - but I watched it more than a decade ago haha Because of my hobby of translating stuff, I most of the time tend to put JDramas that finished airing on hold or backburner. Will tend to watch them only when I feel like it or have time. I give much priority to currently airing JDramas so that I can watch them weekly as they come out.

I have a hard time watching other Asian titles besides titles of my native language and Japanese titles. Probably because of culture differences but mostly because of language barrier. I next to don't really need English subtitles and only use them as a guide. Heck, if the English subtitles are just too plain wrong, I tend to turn it off as it serves as a distraction instead of helping me understand the title more. That's why I next to don't watch Korean dramas.

Anyway, since this thread is also about Japanese movies, might as well pimp these movies. The English subitles floating around are translated by yours truly:
> Solanin
> Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora
> Video Girl Ai
> Gin no Saji - though the released version is beta (& last time I checked, too much errors, ugh)
> Kamisama no Karute 2 - though the released version is beta, final version currently on QC
> Fatal Frame / Zero - though the released version is beta, but errors are minor
> Hot Road - though the released version is beta, but errors are minor
> Little Forest: Summer & Autumn - though the released version is beta, but errors are minor
> Kuragehime - though the released version is beta, but errors are minor

While continuing NHK's asadora, Mare, listed below are tentative titles I will watch / plan to watch this Summer Season. Might drop halfway whenever I feel like it :v

Looking at this list - https://jdramas.wordpress.com/2015/07/19/upcoming-summer-2015-dramas/

Definitely started watching and will continue watching:
> Death Note (duh?)
> Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san (because foodpr0n) -> Done.
> Dokonjo Gaeru (because anime nostalgia)
> Akagi (duh? And yosshaa! Skipping to Washizu arc!)

Still thinking of picking up:
> Shimeshi (because foodpr0n)
> Tonari no Seki-kun to Rumi-chan no Jishou (Mano Erina + Shimizu Fumika + school manga comedy)
> Tantei no Tantei ( because Kitagawa Keiko having a stoic role again. Last time was since she played Sailor Mars / Rei, if I'm not mistaken )
> Heat (because EXILE AKIRA)
> Age Harassment (because Takei Emi)
> Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu (because music)

If you like Kitagawa in a more "stoic" type role, check her out in Akumu-chan. Her character is relatively dark in this one (at least compared to her roles in Buzzer Beat, Mop Girl, and Paradise Kiss).

I`ve just saw Akumu-chan with Kitagawa Keiko and Gackt ,the drama was so beautiful. It seems that in 2014 was relesed a movie Akumu chan the movie, but still can`t find it to watch .

Another drama i saw was, again with Kitagawa Keiko.. "Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de" . Also Sho Sakurai, from Arashi was in the drama. The drama was very cool, a lot of mysteries, and there was a time when the action of the drama made you to think the butler (Sho Sakurai) was the criminal. Also there were 2 special episodes.

Another drama i saw was, probably the most funniest drama i saw in my life, "Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo " (Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches). I`ve watched the anime with the same name before , and this drama is almost like in the anime, a little funnier .

I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's on the list, once I find a site with English subtitles for it.

I started watching a funny movie called Drugstore Girl. It's kind of like a coming of age movie for middle-aged men. Five men in their 50's meet a 20 year old college girl and all develop a crush on her. They know they don't really have any chance of dating her, but even if there is only a 0.00001% chance, they still feel like they have to try. They know they're being foolish, but they can't help but try.

The female lead is Tanaka Rena, and she's really funny in this movie so far. I'm about halfway through; then I had to go to work this morning. I'll finish it up this evening.

Finished Keizaku (1999) main series, if Ouroboros is dark, well the series overall main plot is dark and twisted. Miki Nakatani and Atsuro Watanabe's acting is superb I just wish that I was able to watch them earlier I remember the earliest Jdorama that I have watched is Gokusen and GTO around year 2004

I've been thinking of watching Ouroboros (the female lead is the same actress from Nodame Cantabile), but I don't really like the darker stuff.

I've never read the manga/saw the anime, but I saw Assassination Classroom | Ansatsu Kyōshitsu「暗殺教室」 on the plane a few days ago.



I really enjoyed it and the sequel is out in 2016. The DVD/BluRay is out next month which means you'll get to see it using the usual methods. Check it out!

I did a quick summary of this together with a few other Japanese films (Maku ga Agaru, Kuroshitsuji etc) I saw recently here: http://stomachofchaos.com/?p=9554

I just saw DoS Deka (Ms. Sadistic Detective) with Tabe Mikako & Okura Tadayoshi. The story is very interesting. Is amazing how Tabe Mikako evolved from a lolita-fashioned detective in 2011(Deka Wanko) to a super sadistic detective in 2015 (DoS Deka).

I liked Tabe Mikako in Yamada Toro Monogatari and Yasuko to Kenji. They were both pretty funny, and though her characters in both were kind of annoying, they were also endearing and relatable.

Just saw Misaki Number One with Karina.
The drama was super amazing. One day Tenoji Misaki the number one hostest at Southern Sea in Roppongi becomes a high school teacher. Of all classesshe is appointed as the homeroom teacher for Class 2Z, a special class for the troublemakers at the school.

Joshua10red wrote:Just saw Misaki Number One with Karina.
The drama was super amazing. One day Tenoji Misaki the number one hostest at Southern Sea in Roppongi becomes a high school teacher. Of all classesshe is appointed as the homeroom teacher for Class 2Z, a special class for the troublemakers at the school.

Saw this a while back and I liked it too! Although it felt like a milder version of Gokusen without all the fighting!

Joshua10red wrote:Just saw Misaki Number One with Karina.
The drama was super amazing. One day Tenoji Misaki the number one hostest at Southern Sea in Roppongi becomes a high school teacher. Of all classesshe is appointed as the homeroom teacher for Class 2Z, a special class for the troublemakers at the school.

I liked that one, too.

I actually really like Karina. She can play a fairly wide variety of character types, from serious to comedic.

Here are some other of her dramas that I have seen and liked:

Summer Nude (2013)
Priceless (2012) {with Kimura Takuya}
Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu (2011) {Oshima Yuko is in this one and does well}
Freeter, Ie o Kau (2010) {with Ninomiya Kazunari)
Real Clothes (2008)

saldiven wrote:
Here are some other of her dramas that I have seen and liked:

Summer Nude (2013)
Priceless (2012) {with Kimura Takuya}
Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu (2011) {Oshima Yuko is in this one and does well}
Freeter, Ie o Kau (2010) {with Ninomiya Kazunari)
Real Clothes (2008)

Priceless is really a good one, but the ending was not as good i was expected

Amachan will be airing here in the Philippines in TV5

Hope it will be successful but it will be difficult because there are only two dominant TV network in the Philippines and TV 5 is relatively new I was hoping that ABS CBN will pick it up since they are really good in marketing Asian dramas. Also there is the issue of the theme I'm already at the episode where Aki is going back to Tokyo and it is safe to assume that overall the drama is not the typical love conquers all type which the majority of Filipinos really like.

I think that is why most Koreanovelas (Korean Drama as referred by local media) are successful here in the Philippines because like Filipino Teleseryes they focus on the subject of love and romance above else.

I just realize that I've been watching Jdoramas since 2003 and the only series that I feel deals more with romance are quite a few like Love Generation, Long Vacation, Proposal Daisakusen, Rich Man Poor Woman and the level of their romance is still lacking for the average Filipino viewer.


https://deremoe.com/2015/08/tv5-to-bring-japanese-drama-amachan-to-the-philippines/

http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/japanese-hit-series-amachan-to-air-in-tagalog-on-tv5/

Just saw Yamada Toro Monogatari (thank you saldiven)... The drama was so amazing. Can`t belive how great was. All the jdrama i saw with one of the Arashi members was great. But i wished to see more , like the college life, Takako will be with Yamada? ...something like that

And i saw a jmovie, "My girlfriend is a Cyborg". It was so great, the story was unexpected. I laugh a lot when the cyborg was with Jiro at university , but after the earthquake the story was so sad , from that moment till the end i couldn`t stop my tears.

Another jmovie i saw was "Eien no Zero (The Eternal Zero )". This was far the saddest movie i saw so far. The movie was 2h and 30 mins, and i cried almost half of the time. And it was released a special mini drama about the story in the  movie "Eien no Zero" and one of the actrees is Tabe Mikako.(Just started t0 download it 720p  )

And one hour ago i saw a great movie Attack on titan. What can i say about this movie ?... hmm Simply amazing.. Now i can`t wait for second part

I just finished watching Hungry! ハングリー!, a drama from 2012 languishing in my *koff* HDD.



A pleasantly funny drama and enjoyable to the last, especially if you love food. It's about a guy named Eisuke who starts a French restaurant called Le Petit Chou with his ex-band mates after disbanding.

Features Mukai Osamu (Hotaru no Hikari 2, Atashinchi no Danshi, Beck, Paradise Kiss) and Inagaki Goro of SMAP. There's a few more recognisable faces in this one like Miura Shohei (singer in Mukai's previous rock band in this drama, and of Crude Play in the film Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru) and Lily Franky even has a cameo. And I am in love with Kuninaka Ryoko after watching this...

I'd like to add that the antagonist (played by Inagaki) is called Aso who owns a company named Aso Corp, which sounds like an unsavoury Japanese word you shouldn't use in public. I couldn't stop laughing and I'm sure it was intentional!

It's pretty good and I actually watched all 11 episodes in one shot - I've not enjoyed watching a drama for some time now. Check it out!

Joshua10red wrote:I`ve just saw Akumu-chan with Kitagawa Keiko and Gackt ,the drama was so beautiful. It seems that in 2014 was relesed a movie Akumu chan the movie, but still can`t find it to watch .

saldiven wrote:I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's on the list, once I find a site with English subtitles for it.

The fansubber is not really that into the movie, hence the delay.

kudo_maharizu wrote:I've never read the manga/saw the anime, but I saw Assassination Classroom | Ansatsu Kyōshitsu「暗殺教室」 on the plane a few days ago.

I really enjoyed it and the sequel is out in 2016. The DVD/BluRay is out next month which means you'll get to see it using the usual methods. Check it out!

That's actually on my top priority list to translate xD;; Because it's a Shounen Jump title, I've started reading the manga, even before the anime came out (well, truth be told, I'm not really fond of watching anime. But I still love reading manga)

Started (re-)watching Hitotsu Yane no Shita 1, mostly because of the remastered Blu-Ray rip raws of series 2 are out. It is one of my first JDramas I watched back in VHS days. Was too young to get into it when we were still living in Ibaraki.

Darn. I can feel my age because I'm mostly fanboying over late 80s, early 90s idols, Sakai Noriko and Uchida Yuki XD;; Also cool that in season 2, I just found out that Matsu Takako had a recurring role <3 But the series, especially the first series, had the highest ratings that time (before KimuTaku dramas started to come out). Me and amrayu of SARS Fansubs also just chatted about it and I think we are more or less a go with the remastered Blu-Ray fansubbing of both series 1 and 2 of Hitotsu Yane no Shita.

Ah. Worth mentioning that RuroKen live action movies' Saitou Hajime is one of the main leads (the eldest of the siblings), along with Seijuuro Hiko. Both are still very young then though (since the JDrama first aired more than 2 decades ago).