Hagane no Onnaハガネの女 – Release May 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Haga Ineko (Kichise Michiko) 吉瀬美智子 used to be a school teacher before she quits her job and trying to get married. Instead her supposed to be husband dump her at the last minute right before the wedding. While she’s wondering what to do with her life without a husband and a job, her friend persuade her to become a substitute teacher for a trouble class, a class which not a single teacher can stay on for long. Many of them gave up or transferred without any reasons. As Haga Ineko (Kichise Michiko) 吉瀬美智子 steps into the class, she instantly felt the threats and difficulties from the children.

Feelings and comments:
There is nothing new about the story of this drama. It’s just a story about a responsible teacher trying to fix a problematic class. Although Haga Ineko (Kichise Michiko) 吉瀬美智子 is the main cast in this drama but still the attention is on the children. These children really are good in acting. Some of the bully actions might not so comfortable to watch, especially when it’s carry out by the children. Even so this drama is still nice to watch. We just love to watch how the teacher working hard to direct each and every children into the right path. There is nothing special about the teacher but with a nickname call steel.

Things that caught my eyes:
Children are the main focus in this drama. You’ll find lots of familiar faces within as some of the kids often appeared in other dramas too.

Japan Drama Rating:
Nice to watch. This is a typical drama about a teacher trying to teach or educate a class of children. It’s another tough mission with problematic children. But still, audiences able to witness the success of teacher at the end.

Purchase:
2010 Japanese Drama : Hagane no Onna w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Nakama by Ketsumeishi

Japan Drama Preview:

Ogon no Buta黄金の豚 – Release Oct 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Tsutsumi Shinko (Shinohara Ryoko) 篠原涼子 was just release from prison for deceiving charges. Due to her criminal record, she was unable to find a job. Tsutsumi Shinko (Shinohara Ryoko) 篠原涼子 was then specially hired by government to audit and investigate civil servants who spend government funds for their own benefits. Tsutsumi Shinko (Shinohara Ryoko) 篠原涼子 was specially hired to deal with high ranking civil servants who are good in manipulate the laws. As it is very difficult for the board of audit special investigations division to go against and bring down high ranking crooked ministers, Tsutsumi Shinko (Shinohara Ryoko) 篠原涼子 has to fight from a different way, a way which she is very good in before she goes to prison.

Feelings and comments:
This is another drama created for Shinohara Ryoko (篠原涼子). You’ll find lots of similarities when compare with previous Shinohara Ryoko (篠原涼子) drama. If you like her previous drama, then this drama is for you. Although there won’t be much surprises and new stuff, it’s still nice to watch. This is not the first time Shinohara Ryoko (篠原涼子) pair with Oizumi Yo (大泉洋) and their interaction of jokes still as good as before. This time, there is couple of new actors which brings in a lot of new ingredients.
    There are some parts of this drama that are difficult to understand when it comes to accounting and calculation explanation. But still we can understand clearly which of the areas government civil servants tend to take the people’s money legally.

Things that caught my eyes:
The flashing huge calculator looks nice. But still I think this drama exposes ways of how government servants spend taxes for personal benefits.

Japan Drama Rating:
Nice to watch. Although the topic of this drama is a bit bored as it’s related to taxes, accounts and calculator, but still it is interesting to watch. The drama gives you a feeling of fighting evil with evil.

Purchase:

2010 Japanese Drama : Ogon No Buta w/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Mamotte Agetai by Yuna Ito

Japan Drama Preview:

Japan Drama NG Scene:

Dosokai同窓会 – Release April 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Miyazawa Tomomi (Kuroki Hitomi) 黒木瞳 just move to a smaller house due to financial problem as her husband lost his job for about a year. Life has been difficult for Miyazawa Tomomi (Kuroki Hitomi) 黒木瞳 lately so she decided to attend her class reunion party to cheer herself up. It has been around 30 years since she graduated from the school which soon to be united and combine with other school. At the party she reunite with her old friends Sugiyama Kosuke (Takahashi Katsunori) 高橋克典, Nishikawa Yoko (Saito Yuki) 斉藤由貴, Okubo Shinichi (Mikami Hiroshi) 三上博史 and many more. They have a good time catching up with the old times even though they are going through difficulties. Everything seems normal that night as they went back home separately. The next day morning Miyazawa Tomomi (Kuroki Hitomi) 黒木瞳 was told two of her friends did not went home but has run away from home as lovers. She was shock as why people can just leave everything behind without considering the consequences.

Feelings and comments:
This drama is about love. A group of friends and classmates are trying to recall the feeling of love which they experienced back in high school. Love is essential at any time, any age. Even if at middle age, people are still hunger for love. Just that as we live through half of our life, any decision we make are crucial because we have too many things on our shoulder. We cannot simply just follow our heart and pursuit for love without thinking about consequences.
The relationship and love in this drama is complex but yet simple. As this is not love in first sight drama, it takes time to interpret the relationship between characters. I suppose the acting ability of the actors has successfully brought out the complicated feelings among each other. 

Things that caught my eyes:
No doubt these actors look very much younger than their age. I suppose makeups and skin care products play a significant role in preserving their youth.

Japan Drama Rating:
Nice to watch. Although there aren’t any leading young actors in this drama but the performance of these matured actors are brilliant. Love stories are always interesting and fascinating regardless of any ages.

Purchase:
2010 Japanese Drama: Dosokai (Love Again Shokogun) w/Eng

Drama Theme Song: ex-lover by Sakai Ayumi
Watch at Youtube
Japan Drama Preview:

Jotei Kaoruko女帝 薫子 – Release April 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Nishimura Saya (Kiritani Mirei) 桐谷美玲 becomes a Ginza hostess right after graduating high school. Her intention is to find her long lost mother who used to work in a nightclub call Kaoruko. Minamino Miki (Kurokawa Tomoka) 黒川智花 at the same time also decided to become a Ginza hostess right after graduating high school. Her intention is to find her long lost father. The only clue that both of them has is a mysterious lady name Kaoruko which has the same title with the nightclub. In order to achieve their goal, they need to become number one Ginza hostess so that they can make use of the resources. Thus both of them compete for the number one title of Ginza hostess.

Feelings and comments:
If you watched the previous series of Jotei 4 years ago, I’m sure you’ll be familiar with the type of story presented in this drama. Instead of having one, this drama has two starters who aim to achieve the number one title of Ginza hostess. As both of them have different personality and characteristics, viewers are able to see a comparison of dealing with things differently.
    Both of the main characters are new faces but I think that doesn’t matter because the main focus is the story. The story of the training and obstacles they need to face in order to become number one Ginza hostess is fascinating. It is interesting because you don’t get to learn that from school. Although the story is much like the ugly duckling which turns out to be a swan at the end, it begins with little swan instead of ugly duckling.

Things that caught my eyes:
Obviously beauty and fashion is the most eyes capturing point in this drama. But still the different style of game played by both girls draws my attention.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This is another similar drama just like Jotei but with a different story. Again this is another story about how a girl survives the world of hostess and became success at the end. Well, in this drama there are two girls actually.

Purchase:
TV series, Original Soundtrack, Special
Drama Theme Song: Freedom by GIRL NEXT DOOR

Japan Drama Preview:
sorry, only interview clips available

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