Call Center no Koibitoコールセンターの恋人 – Release July 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Tokura Wataru (Koizumi Kotaro) 小泉孝太郎 works in a TV shopping company in Tokyo. He is just a simple normal stuff trying hard to live his life without offending others. One day he accidentally pisses off the host of the show who has a strong influence within the company. As a result, the show presenter title “Antarctic Ice” (Natori Yuko) 名取裕子 transferred Tokura Wataru (Koizumi Kotaro) 小泉孝太郎 to call center department which situated in country side. At the beginning it was hell to Tokura Wataru (Koizumi Kotaro) 小泉孝太郎 because he was unable to enjoy the modern life style as in Tokyo and later lost his girl friend because of being apart. At the call center department he met Aoyama Kyoko (Mimura) ミムラ aka “Queen of handling complains” and other stuff that teaches him to be a better person. Tokura Wataru (Koizumi Kotaro) 小泉孝太郎 plans to return back to main office in Tokyo but find himself began to love the current job as time goes by.

Feelings and comments:
The title of this drama does not really match the content of the drama. The story of this drama is not about lovers but about the story of customers that complain about the product. For each product sold there will definitely be complains and dissatisfactory. Some complains are unique and related to lots of coincident, thus creating some interesting stories. Perhaps these interesting stories keep those professional operators continue to work.
Some of the scene in this drama reminds me of some situation that employees have to deal with. The first situation is accidentally offended superior and force to transfer away. Second situation is to take the blame no matter what just to comfort customers. Third situation is customers are not always right but we still have to comfort them. Forth situation is some part of business really is dirty and tricky. Fifth situation is that it doesn’t matter if the product is good or bad as long as it sells.

Things that caught my eyes:
No doubt the products that they sell are not real but there is one real product that they promote indirectly. The real commercial that you will notice is the white Toyota car. They even have an angle of a scene that looks the same as commercial poster.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. It’s not just complained that call center received but the story of customers too.

Purchase:
2009 Japanese Drama : Call Center No Koibito w/ Eng Sub, Call Center no Koibito / Call Center's Lovers Japanese Drama Dvd with English Sub

Drama Theme Song: Arigato by Sonar Pocket

Japan Drama Preview:
Not available.

Haken no Oscar派遣のオスカル – Release Aug 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Misawa Katsuko (Tanaka Rena) 田中麗奈 is a big fan of girl’s manga “The Rose of Versailles”. She’s always dream herself in the world of manga in order to escape the reality. She did try to apply jobs that related to manga but was turn down. As a result she works as a temporally worker in a body cleansing product company. The company did not do well and is facing financial crisis at the moment. When the company started to implement unreasonable policy towards the employees, Misawa Katsuko (Tanaka Rena) 田中麗奈 decided to do something about it because she feels that she is in a situation the same as in the manga “The Rose of Versailles”. She seems to hear the voice of Oscar (Main character of “The Rose of Versailles”) telling her to fight for her rights and to save the company.

Feelings and comments:
I think most of us growing up reading one or two favorite manga. You can’t really forget the exciting feeling even if you have become an adult. That goes the same as playing video games. Some of us still continue to read manga and playing video games. It might seem a bit childish to still falling for these things but still it is acceptable. A childhood favorite can be the best hobby to escape from reality. It’s a good way to get away from work pressure and release tension temporally. So just give us all a break.
The question of produce quality product or produce product that sells kept me thinking for a while. I suppose keeping a balance between the two concepts is the best. Taking just only one side won’t be enough to survive. The best example that I can think of is George Clooney. The actor has created some movies that sell, for example “Ocean’s Eleven/Twelve/Thirteen” and quality movies like “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “Michael Clayton”.
Tanaka Rena (田中麗奈) appears mostly in movies rather than drama. No doubt her acting is good but still I just feel that she still missing something. Perhaps a fine tune towards her acting or maybe an opponent that can bring out the best of her is what she needs.

Things that caught my eyes:
I think I might understand better if I had gone through the manga “The Rose of Versailles”. Still it’s never too late to catch up with it. Just that this is a 36 year old girl’s manga. I’m just not so sure if I’ll like it.

Japan Drama Rating:
Fun to watch. A stuff that always imagine herself as a hero in the manga sure creates lots of laughter around.

Purchase:
Not Available yet.

Drama Theme Song: DREAM GOES ON by Every Little Thing

Japan Drama Preview:

RESCUE – Release Jan 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Kitajima Daichi (Nakamaru Yuichi) 中丸雄一 determine to become a member of Special Rescue Team due to an incidence when he was young. He was rescued by a member of Special Rescue Team who died saving his life. Ever since that day Kitajima Daichi (Nakamaru Yuichi) 中丸雄一 has been working hard to become a member of top elite Special Rescue Team. As usual it’s not easy to become the member of top elite rescue team. From the moment that Kitajima Daichi (Nakamaru Yuichi) 中丸雄一 sign up for the training program, he has to compete with other trainees to the spot. Only the best will be given the orange uniform.

Feelings and comments:
This is a drama about life and death. The question of whose life is more important always arises. Either it’s the life of the rescuer or the life of the victim. This drama also talks about team work and the people who risk their life saving people. The theme of this drama is not new as we have seen lots of drama about police force, fireman and emergency rescuer. Still when it comes to dealing with life and death, there’s always something debatable.
Normally in this type of drama, muscles, sweat, training, yelling and lots of running around can be seen almost any time around. The female character is normally stands in the corner with not much contribution. In other words, this is a macho type of drama.

Things that caught my eyes:
The drama explains how Japan rescue forces are built and train. Japan is a country that frequently hits by earthquake. Perhaps that is the reason why they are able to build up a top performance rescue team.

Japan Drama Rating:
Nice to watch. Another drama that dedicated to those that dedicated themselves for rescue services.

Purchase:
TV series

Drama Theme Song: Rescue by KAT-TUN

Japan Drama Preview:

Uta no Onii-san歌のおにいさん – Release Jan 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi) 大野智 lost his job before he even starts working. On top of that his girl friend dumped him, his band breaks up without his knowledge and he lost couple of friends because of the band. Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi) 大野智 is going through the worst time in his life. As he starts looking for a job, he was accidentally hired as a character in kid’s show name “Minna De Utao!” As much as he dislike the job and working with his face showing miserably, Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi) 大野智 began to accept the show as time goes by.

Feelings and comments:
At first I thought this drama is some sort of kids show. Perhaps that’s because of the title and the picture with Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi) 大野智 dress up like that. It turns out this drama is a comedy with lots of kids acting.
Sometimes life sucks. You might just get hit by lots of bad news and end up in a position that you never imagine it would be. Especially in recession time you might just find yourself in a job that you never expected. That’s better than jobless. Life is no easy and will never be easy. Just don’t hate it and try to enjoy it. You never know what you’ll get even if at worst time. Life is like a box of chocolate, you’ll never know what’s inside unless you taste it.

Things that caught my eyes:
It’s fun to see Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi) 大野智 get mob by kids. His “refuse to smile” face really looks funny. By the way you'll see some special guest star in this drama.

Japan Drama Rating:
Fun to watch. This drama is not a kid’s show but actually a funny motivation drama, but you’ll see lots of kids in it.

Purchase:
TV series, Original Soundtrack, 2009 Japanese Drama : - Uta No Onii-san - W/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Kumorinochi, Kaisei by Yano Kenta

Japan Drama Preview:
Not available.