Bloody Mondayブラッディ・マンデイ– Release Oct 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Takagi Fujimaru (Miura Haruma) 三浦春馬 also known as Falcon the hacker is a high school student that lives with his sister Takagi Haruka (Kawashima Umika) 川島海荷. Their father Takagi Ryonosuke (Tanaka Tetsushi) 田中哲司 works as a government agent Third I and always not around home. One day an incident that wipes out the entire population of a small town in Russia initialize a terrorist attack towards the peaceful Tokyo city. As a famous top computer hacker, Takagi Fujimaru (Miura Haruma) 三浦春馬 has the ability to gather and crack secret information. His ability is very concerned by either the government agent Third I or the terrorist group. His action might determine the success or failure of terrorist attack towards Tokyo city. His father Takagi Ryonosuke (Tanaka Tetsushi) 田中哲司 understand the ability of his son and trying hard not to involve his family into this incident. Unfortunately things turn badly within minutes as Takagi Ryonosuke (Tanaka Tetsushi) 田中哲司found himself trap or setup by the terrorist and the only advice that he can give to his son is the two words “Bloody Monday”.

Feelings and comments:
This drama involves a lot of people. Apart of the main actor Miura Haruma (三浦春馬), every cast within this drama has the chance to show their talent in acting. A lot of actor or actress that I never lay eyes on before are now craft inside my mind. This is definitely a drama that brings out a lot of talented actors.
As for the drama itself, the story is very exciting with the script written in a way that you’ll keep on watching it nonstop. The only thing that probably might drive you crazy is that you can’t figure it out who’s the good guy and who’s the bad guy. That’s how it is when involves secret agents.
Perhaps the so call terrorist attack might not be the most dangerous thing that can happen. The fear within public about terrorist might just be equally dangerous. Steering up public fear can be lethal as it causes panic within society. The drama shows that by controlling information you basically control everything. Nowadays all information has its price. Sometimes the price is much more expensive then a human life.

Things that caught my eyes:
Seems like thumb drive is much more important than a notebook for a hacker and is much more convenient.

Japan Drama Rating:
Worth watching. Not many exciting drama just like this one. Some similarities from US award winning TV series 24 can be found in this drama.

Purchase:
TV series, Original Soundtrack, 2008 Japanese Drama: Bloody Monday w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Over the rain ~Hikari no Hashi~ by flumpool

Japan Drama Preview:

Tomorrow – Release July 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Moriyama Kohei (Takenouchi Yutaka) 竹野内豊 used to be a surgeon 8 years ago. Due to a medical mistake he quits his job as a doctor and moved to a quiet country side. He started his life by working as a public servant in the city hall. After so many years working peacefully without letting others know that he used to be a doctor, he was then assigned to help rebuilt the local hospital. A talented doctor and also a hospital manager name Endo Saya (Ogawa Tamaki) 緒川たまwas assigned to rescue the hospital from bankruptcy. Due to the insufficient of doctors around, Moriyama Kohei (Takenouchi Yutaka) 竹野内豊 once again pick up the scalpel for the sake of the local people. His decision was mostly influence by a nurse name Tanaka Aiko (Kanno Miho) 菅野美穂.

Feelings and comments:
The first impression this drama gives me is that doctors are humans too. They are just like ordinary people with their own problems and secrets. There are not many people that can successfully become a doctor or a surgeon. The demand of doctor is always high. It will be a waste if a doctor quits. That goes the same to hospital too. It will be a big problem for a place that does not have a hospital close by. Imagine if you need to drive few hours from where you live just to reach the nearest hospital. Sometimes patients might not be able to wait that long to reach the hospital.

I don’t see much action from Takenouchi Yutaka (竹野内豊) either in movie or drama lately. So it’s kind of nice to be able to see him in this drama. Still after so many years, his acting doesn’t seem to improve much. I think Kanno Miho (菅野美穂) shines brighter in this drama.
As usual there are a lot of moral and ethical topics in this drama as it is related to medical. The main issue that you’ll find in this drama is that money is still very important no matter what. Nothing is free. Somebody else needs to pay for the medical fees in order to keep the hospital operate.

Things that caught my eyes:
Such a big hospital but still can be run and operate by just few stuff. The nurses seem to be able to look after so many patients and help out in the operation room.

Japan Drama Rating:
Worth watching. Besides, we don’t get to see much action from Takenouchi Yutaka (竹野内豊)

Purchase:
TV series, 2008 Japanese Drama: Tomorrow w/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Hikari by Hoshimura Mai

Japan Drama Preview:

Yume wo Kanaeru Zo夢をかなえるゾウ– Release Oct 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Hoshino Asuka (Mizukawa Asami) 水川あさみis a young office lady that always dreams to marry a fine young man and live a happy life. At her 25th birthday as things seems to be going well, everything changes over night as she lost his boy friend and her apartment. What’s left for her is an unsecure job, a bag of cloths and a small old temporally apartment. As she is crying out loud for her bad luck and the losses, the elephant god Ganesha (Furuta Arata) 古田新太 appears. Apparently this is the same old apartment that the elephant god Ganesha (Furuta Arata) 古田新太helps Nogami Kohei (Oguri Shun) 小栗旬few years ago. This time it is Hoshino Asuka (Mizukawa Asami) 水川あさみthat needs help to regain her happiness.

Feelings and comments:
No doubt that the story of this drama is crazy and interesting. You can find a lot of teaching in this drama that is useful in our daily life. Honestly I really have a hard time watching this drama at the beginning. Perhaps maybe it is because of Oguri Shun (小栗旬). I was expecting to see more of Oguri Shun (小栗旬) but instead he only appears few minutes in the first episode only. Maybe due to this disappointment that makes me difficult to continue watching this drama. After dragging this drama to episode 2 and 3, I finally get into it as the story seems interesting.
I suppose the special edition of this drama should move to the end until this drama finish. That will give Mizukawa Asami (水川あさみ) a chance to actually build up her character into the audience.

Sometimes we are taught by our grandparents about things that we should do and should not do. These teaching are difficult to understand by youngsters as it only can be justified later. These teaching have been passing on from generation to generation as it was proven by time and experience that it is meant for good. As time passes by, a lot of these teaching disappear and lost as they are no longer suitable nowadays. Still we have to remember it. We don’t have to practice them but at least we need to preserve these teaching as it is evidence or a historical proved that our grandparents existed.

Things that caught my eyes:
The elephant face with the long nose sure is interesting. But I’m more curious about the quotes and the famous historical people. Especially the quote “If you don't have bread eat cake".

Japan Drama Rating:
Fun to watch. There are lots of crazy ideas towards the pursuit of happiness.

Purchase:
Original Soundtrack, Special, 2008 Japanese Drama: Yume Wo Kanaeru Zo w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Continue by SEAMO

Japan Drama Preview:

OL NipponＯＬにっぽん– Release Oct 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Kanzaki Shimako (Mizuki Alisa) 観月ありさ works as an office lady in a big company in Japan. In a competitive business world, outsourcing is one of the method company used to stay running. One day her company decided to outsource to China where labors can be bought in a cheaper price. As a result, 2 Chinese girls are sent to her department for training. Kanzaki Shimako (Mizuki Alisa) 観月ありさ is responsible in teaching them and guide them to work on service manual projects. While worrying when her job will be replace by them, a cultural collaboration between Japan and China takes place in the department.

Feelings and comments:
This is not the first time Mizuki Alisa (観月ありさ) acts as office lady. In fact her acting has improved when compare to her previous OL drama. The Chinese actors also add some flavors into this drama. Even though their Japanese language sounds strange but it’s interesting to listen as it creates a lot of jokes. Another thing that this drama talks about is outsourcing and the value of employees. China and India no doubt are 2 main countries that companies outsourcing target. It does save a lot of labor cost but getting people from different culture to work together is not an easy task. From the employee point of view, both workers from Japan and China are struggling hard to keep their job. In order to survive is to work hard, keep on learning and adept to the changes around.

Things that caught my eyes:
The cultural difference between Japan and China is the most interesting part. It seems working together is the best way to really understand each other. Even though conflict happens but that’s just the process of learning.

Japan Drama Rating:
Fan of Mizuki Alisa (観月ありさ) should not miss this. It’s more like an education drama that talks about outsourcing and cultural shock.

Purchase:
2008 Japanese Drama : OL Nippon w/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Ashita no Sora by SPEED

Japan Drama Preview: