Tumblingタンブリング – Release April 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Azuma Wataru (Yamamoto Yusuke) 山本裕典 is a student that don’t like to study nor involve in school activities. His is only good in gang fighting. One day his teacher told him there are not enough school attendance points and he might need to repeat the same year of study. The only two options available for Azuma Wataru (Yamamoto Yusuke) 山本裕典 is either take on additional tuitions or participate in school club activities to make up with the points. Azuma Wataru (Yamamoto Yusuke) 山本裕典 chooses to take on activities in school club but it seems like none of the club suits him. However he finally chooses to join rhythmic gymnastics club because he wants to impress a girl that he likes. At the end of the day rhythmic gymnastics turns out to be an activity that he is passion of.

Feelings and comments:
This drama is all about male rhythmic gymnastics. There aren’t any popular actors in the drama. The main focus of this drama is in the rhythmic gymnastics. You’ll get to learn and understand rhythmic gymnastics as you watch the drama. Honestly I think that’s the main purpose of this drama. That is to promote and introduce rhythmic gymnastics.
I think most of you that watched the animation “Slam Dunk” will instantly smell a sense of similarities in this drama. The story and script is about the same just that the drama changes the basket ball into rhythmic gymnastics. But still it’s a good way of getting lots of attention and interest. The first episode looks good and promising but it doesn’t seem so after that. I suppose those of you who are interested in rhythmic gymnastics will love to watch this drama.

Things that caught my eyes:
My first impression is the red head, student gangster, fighting champ but participating in rhythmic gymnastics. No doubt it’s a rhythmic gymnastics version of “Slam Dunk”. I’m just interested to see how much similarity the drama is produced.

Japan Drama Rating:
Nice to watch. This drama is just like any other passionate and energetic sports drama which focuses on rhythmic gymnastics. You’ll notice a lot of similarities between this drama and the popular basketball animation “Slam Dunk”.

Purchase:
2010 Japanese Drama : Tumbling w/ Eng Sub, Original Soundtrack

Drama Theme Song: Manazashi by Honey L Days

Japan Drama Preview:

Yako no Kaidan夜光の階段 – Release April 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人 is a hairstylist who dreams of running his own saloon shop. Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人 has the talent, potential and a handsome face that attracts female. In order to fulfill his dream, he makes use of his charm to gather money, connection and power from women. In the other hand, a detective has been working on a murder case for years that is related to Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人. It seems like Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人 is not his real name and his past is a mystery. As Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人 is getting closer to achieve his dream, the detective is getting closer to solve the case and finding out the truth.

Feelings and comments:
This drama looks more like a mystery murder case that focus on Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人. It is a good experience to watch Fujiki Naohito (藤木直人) acts as different character other than good old nice person. Although his facial expression is not so suitable for this character but he is still able to brings out a sense of bad sign.
    It is difficult to be success with just talent only. Most of the time luck plays a big role in making the path to success. If you have power and money, the path of success can be made easily. It’s basically just having more chances to reach for success. If you compare the success rates between people who are rich and powerful and people who started out with nothing, the results are obvious. Still that does not mean possibility is not there. You just have to work harder or sacrifice other important things to reach your goal. Some people even willing to sold their soul in order to be success. It’s just the choice we have to make to get what we wanted. 

Things that caught my eyes:
The first thing that impressed me is the work of the hairstylist. It actually can bring out the beauty within a person with the right hair cut. The second thing is that women seems be more powerful and influential in this drama, even though men seems to be in control.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This drama is special as we can see a dark evil side of Sayama Michio (Fujiki Naohito) 藤木直人 which will do anything to fulfill his dream. I think this is the first time that we see Fujiki Naohito (藤木直人) act on this type of character.

Purchase:
2009 Japanese Drama : Yako No Kaidan w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Crime of Love by Fujiki Naohito

Japan Drama Preview:
Sorry, not available.

Boku no Imotoぼくの妹 – Release April 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Egami Mei (Odagiri Joe) 小田切譲 and Egami Saya (Nagasawa Masami) 長澤まさみ are brother and sister with absolute opposite characteristic and personality. Egami Mei (Odagiri Joe) 小田切譲 is a talented doctor who is a quiet and generous but not good in socialize. He is neither good nor active in sports but loves cycling. Egami Saya (Nagasawa Masami) 長澤まさみ does not have a permanent job and not as smart as his brother. She is very good in socialize and is a street smart kind of person. Although both of the brother and sister have a different kind of life style, different point of views and different values, they take care of each other since their parents died. One day an incident which involves the death of a woman name Kirihara Satoko (Tomosaka Rie) ともさかりえ brings big impact to both their life.

Feelings and comments:
This is actually a normal ordinary story about brother and sister. The brother is a mature realistic person that always does the right thing. The sister does things according to her feelings and always gets into trouble. It’s a typical example of brother and sister. Even though they do things differently, they both have the same intention. They care for each other and they wanted to help as much as possible. The problem is sometimes the help they trying to do create more damages then good. That is why sometimes doing the right thing might not be helpful. This is where misunderstanding occurs if people don’t sit down and talk about it.
    This is a slow sentimental drama that focuses on the relationship between brother and sister. You have to be very patient in order to finish the drama. The death incident is the mystery that connects the drama together. There is lots of suspense too. I suppose that’s the only reason that makes me continue watching this drama. Once you get to know each of the characters in the drama, you’ll gain the curiosity to find out how things turn out at the end.

Things that caught my eyes:
Everything is simple and ordinary in this drama. Even the talented doctor Egami Mei (Odagiri Joe) 小田切譲 lives an ordinary life just like everybody else. The only special thing in this drama is the opposite characteristic of the brother and sister.

Japan Drama Rating:
Fan of Odagiri Joe (小田切譲) and Nagasawa Masami (長澤まさみ) should watch the drama. Most of the scenes in this drama are focus on both of them. You have to watch until the 3rd episode to find the interest to keep on watching. Honestly I think this drama is kind of boring.

Purchase:
Not available

Drama Theme Song: Futari by Ikimono-gakari

Japan Drama Preview:

Wagaya no Rekishiわが家の歴史 – Release April 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
This is a drama that tells the story of a family from 1945 to 1964. The family of seven members goes through life as society of Japan changes drastically after the war. The family experienced poor, rich, losses, gain and many other issues. They witness the change of Japan history and famous historical people that appear around them.

Feelings and comments:
The story of this drama is simple as it’s almost like telling the history of Japan and the famous people that appeared during that time. The thing that makes the drama connects with the audiences is they included a normal regular family and tells their simple life story. This gives an impression to everybody that says “My life is just the same during that period of time”. Most important of all the drama has a whole army of top actors for almost all the roles and guest stars. You won’t feel the rush to keep on watching the drama and tries to finish in one shot. Instead you’ll feel a comfortable and relaxing sense of calm when watching the drama. Although life is not easy and most of the time it doesn’t goes as what we plan, but still it’s full of surprises and excitement. I suppose the best theme to describe this drama is “Don’t worry and be happy, eventually things will be fine.”

Things that caught my eyes:
The famous historical people guest star by popular actors is the most interesting parts in this drama. The family seems to meet all the Japan historical people during that period of time who soon to be famous. My favorite part of the drama is when they try to make the rice ball using the bowl without touching the rice. 

Japan Drama Rating:
Worth watching. This is a warm and comfortable drama suitable for all family members. It’s like listening to grandparents’ story. You’ll find some similarities with the popular US movie “Forest Gump”.

Purchase:
Original Soundtrack

Drama Theme Song: Jidai by Nakashima Miyuki

Japan Drama Preview: