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

clip 1

Clip 2

ROMES空港防御システム – Release Oct 09

 

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Narushima Yuya (Okura Tadayoshi) 大倉忠義 is the creator of ROMES or top security system for Tokyo Bay International Airport. One day he was summon back to stand by and monitor his creation due to a criminal threat. An international thief organization call Silverfox send out a letter of challenge to the airport for a forecast of stealing the “Goddess of Temptation”. The golden statue “Goddess of Temptation” is a special exhibition organize to celebrate the first anniversary of the launched of new international airport. As soon as Narushima Yuya (Okura Tadayoshi) 大倉忠義 arrive at the airport, the atmosphere around the airport begans to tense up with incidents and excitement.

Feelings and comments:
Basically this drama is about the high tech security system with a group of criminal organization trying to challenge and take down the security.  That means we have a group of people trying to defend and protect using the security system and we have another group trying to attack and bring down the system. Through this drama we also learn and understand how security system should work and implement. There is a comparison between security carry out by sophisticated high tech facilities and security carry out by human sense of alert and intelligent. At the end, it’s the combination of both works best.
Other than the main character Narushima Yuya (Okura Tadayoshi) 大倉忠義, the main focus in this drama will be ROMES and the criminal cases happens in the airport. Although the drama has a talented sidekick female security Aasaka Aoi (Kuninaka Ryoko) 国仲涼子, it still doesn’t bring much excitement.

Things that caught my eyes:
It’s all about the cats and dogs between high tech security system and the alert driven by human security. There is also some interesting occupation and security hired personal within this drama. Sometimes I just question the responsibility of the hired position whether it is necessary or not.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. Although this drama is fictional, it gives us an idea of how airport security should work.

Purchase:
2009 Japanese Drama : Romes w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Mata Asa ga Kuru by TOKIO

Japan Drama Preview:

Shokojo Seira小公女セイラ – Release Oct 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Kuroda Seira (Shida Mirai) 志田未来 is the daughter of a rich family who owns a diamond production company in India. She lives in a beautiful mansion with her father before decided to attend a boarding school in Japan. It’s the same school which her mother used to study. Although Kuroda Seira (Shida Mirai) 志田未来 came from a rich family, she treats everybody around her equally with respect. Her mother used to tell her that every girl is a princess and should be treated as one. Right after Kuroda Seira (Shida Mirai) 志田未来 attended the school in Japan, her father died in an accident during work. It was her 16th birthday when she received the news. From that day onwards, she became a servant as she lost her only parent and fortune.


Feelings and comments:
There has been a lot of dramas and movies on “A Little Princess” and I’ve seem lots of version in different languages. But still the story never fails to amaze me. I guess this is what we call famous children novel. Imagination is a very powerful mind tool which can be very helpful if we use it correctly.
    Every girl is a princess. That’s the main quote in this drama, in this story. It’s the one common thing that you’ll hear in every “A Little Princess” drama or movie. We might not be able to control everything that happens around us, but we can surely control the things that going on in our mind. Everything can be taken away from you but not your mind and your imagination. One thing that we can see in this drama is that Kuroda Seira (Shida Mirai) 志田未来 always has a positive mind, a strong believe that she and every girl is a princess.

Things that caught my eyes:
Kuroda Seira (Shida Mirai) 志田未来 just does not seem to have the sense of a princess. She looks more like a girl next door.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to Watch. This is a Japanese version of “A Little Princess”. Although most of the main story remains the same but still you’ll still find unexpected events. You may consider this as a different version of “A little Princess” with different set of storyline.

Purchase:
Little Princess / Shokojo Seira Japanese Tv Drama Dvd Digipak Boxset English Sub

Drama Theme Song: Kanashimi wa Kitto by UVERworld

Japan Drama Preview:

Shukumei 1969-2010宿命 1969-2010 – Release Jan 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Arikawa Takashi (Kitamura Kazuki) 北村一輝 is the elder son of a wealthy family which runs 50 hospital across Japan. Instead of preparing himself to inherit family business, Arikawa Takashi (Kitamura Kazuki) 北村一輝 choose to become a financial analyzer under government financial department determine to participate in politics. One day Arikawa Takashi (Kitamura Kazuki) 北村一輝 is offered a marriage proposal which can open up the door way in his political career. His marriage opponent is Shirai Naoko (Uehara Misa) 上原美佐 who is the eldest daughter of the chairman of a political party. In the other hand, Arikawa Takashi (Kitamura Kazuki) 北村一輝 has a relationship with Sasayama Nobuko (Koike Eiko) 小池栄子 that has been going on for 10 years. Although it seems that Sasayama Nobuko (Koike Eiko) 小池栄子 is the only problem that Arikawa Takashi (Kitamura Kazuki) 北村一輝 has to deal with in order to carry out the marriage successfully, there is another hidden pitfall yet to be reveal.

Feelings and comments:
In this drama we can see that marriage is just a tool for political and wealth purposes. When it comes to pursuing personal goal and wealth fair, love seems to put a side. Love is not a priority consideration for people whose background is from rich family and political family. They have the responsibility to inherit their family mission and status by all means. But still we can see the characters in this drama are struggling to choose between pursuing personal intention without having to sacrifice happiness.
Sometimes faith has a way to get on us even if we are well prepared. I suppose we call it destiny, either we are destine to fail or destine to success. But for sure we will not give up that easily without a fight.

Things that caught my eyes:
It is interesting to watch how they make decisions based on political benefits, financial benefits and personal goal. Marriage, love, relationship are expendable for the sake of fulfilling one desire and destiny.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. Destiny and fate brought two generation from a political family and a wealthy family together as they are pursuing the same goal. The political marriage between two families looks good but carries lots of pitfalls and uncertainties.

Purchase:
2010 Japanese Drama : Shukumei 1969-2010 w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Hitomi no oku wo nozokasete by Porno Graffitti

Japan Drama Preview:
Sorry, not available.

Hidarime Tantei EYE左目探偵ＥＹＥ – Release Jan 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Tanaka Ainosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) 山田涼介 received cornea transplant for his left eye from his brother Tanaka Yumehito (Yokoyama Yu) 横山裕 when his brother pass away. Ever since the transplant Tanaka Ainosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) 山田涼介 begins to receive mysterious images which related to his brother. It turns out his brother Tanaka Yumehito (Yokoyama Yu) 横山裕 fake his death. Tanaka Ainosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) 山田涼介 also discovered that his brother is actually the master mind of a criminal organization. With the help of his teacher Sayama Hitomi (Ishihara Satomi) 石原さとみ and the images received from his left eye, Tanaka Ainosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) 山田涼介 begins to track down his brother and determine to stop his criminal plot and activities.

Feelings and comments:
Before you watch this drama, it will be better to go over the single initial episode that aired last year October. Although the drama did flashback the previous story at the beginning of the first episode but you’ll still have a feeling that you’ve miss out a big chunk of the story.
I suppose the most interesting part in this drama is how Tanaka Yumehito (Yokoyama Yu) 横山裕 plans his perfect crime. The main focus in this drama is the show of perfect crimes. There is not much investigation or detective work. It’s mostly the wait for the images from the left eye. The big suspense in this drama is the game that the two brothers are playing. Sometimes we just might not know or understand how a person thinks, including the one that closes to us.
The funny part in this drama is around the teacher Sayama Hitomi (Ishihara Satomi) 石原さとみ. Her role is actually to ease out the serious part of this drama with lots of jokes. Other than that, you’ll see the hand on the left eye pose just like the picture above. Plus you’ll see lots of punching on the left eye because that’s how the images are produced. Honestly the most interesting part of the story already been told in the previous initial single episode. This drama is basically the illustration of all the plots of so call perfect crime.

Things that caught my eyes:
Tanaka Ainosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) 山田涼介 is able to maintain his handsome face without any scar or injuries after receiving so many punches from Sayama Hitomi (Ishihara Satomi) 石原さとみ.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This drama is not really a detective or crime investigation drama. It’s basically a story about a younger brother who keeps on pursuing the old brother who plans and organizes multiple perfect crimes.

Purchase:
2010 Japanese Drama : Hidarime Tantei EYE w/ Eng Sub, Original Soundtrack

Drama Theme Song: Hitomi no Screen by Hey! Say! JUMP

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.

怨み屋本舗REBOOT Uramiya Honpo REBOOT – Release July 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Uramiya (Kinoshita Ayumi) 木下あゆ美 is a mysterious woman who charges high fees to help people get their revenge. Most of her clients are victims of criminals that the authorities can’t help much. It’s very obvious that her methods are illegal but that’s the only way for revenge. Uramiya (Kinoshita Ayumi) 木下あゆ美 is a professional as she left no evidence behind her work.

Feelings and comments:
There are lots of unfortunate cases in this word. Those that we saw and listened from daily news are just part of it. We are living in an imperfect world. That is why we have to continue making it a better world always. Even a small action or a small donation might make a difference to others. No matter what it’s better to practice a mind set to help others then revenge. No doubts sometimes we feel relieve when those criminals received punishment they deserved, but still an eye for an eye is not a solution.
    I have to say although the revenge method is cruel but it still not as cruel as the crimes. If you’re not comfortable watching horror movie or psycho killer movie, I would suggest you skip this drama. The first episode will make you decide if you’re comfortable to keep on watching or not.

Things that caught my eyes:
Uramiya (Kinoshita Ayumi) 木下あゆ美 seems to have a way to get in touch with people who needed her services. She definitely looks mysterious to me. I suppose it’s her makeup that makes her looks like a doll with no expression.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This is a drama about revenge on those who get away with their crime. It’s a series which expose dark cruel humanity. It’s not suitable for underage as there are unpleasant scenes which involve violent and sex.

Purchase:
2009 Japanese Drama : Uramiya Honpo REBOOT w/ Eng Sub

Drama Theme Song: Yume by Karasu

Japan Drama Preview:

エンゼルバンクAngel Bank – Release Jan 10

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Ino Mamako (Hasegawa Kyoko) 長谷川京子 resigned from being a school teacher after confronted the headmaster for better benefits. While searching for a better job, Ino Mamako (Hasegawa Kyoko) 長谷川京子 decided to go for a career change seminar. At the seminar Ino Mamako (Hasegawa Kyoko) 長谷川京子 met Ebisawa Yasuo (Namase Katsuhisa) 生瀬勝久 the Speaker which is also the boss of career change advisor company name Life Partners. Instead of figuring out which career she needs to take on, Ino Mamako (Hasegawa Kyoko) 長谷川京子 ends up working as an agent under Ebisawa Yasuo (Namase Katsuhisa) 生瀬勝久. Being an agent is not her intention in the first place but she began to feel this change might help her discover what she actually wants to do.

Feelings and comments:
The main focus of this drama is the information regarding career change or job hunting. I’m more interested about the tips and guide on finding the right suitable job rather than the story, acting and stages. I suppose that’s the main stuff that makes this drama interesting.
    There are a lot of quotes and thoughts about being an employee and finding the right job. Personally I love the quote “The price or value or a person is judge by the market.” That means your salary are very much depends on how much a company needs you. The value of a fresh graduate is judge by the education level obtain. Once fresh graduate get pass the first entry of working society, the value of a person starts decreases if one does not continue to learn or improve. After working for several years and when it comes to changing job or career, it’s not about what you have done. It’s basically what you can do for the company right now.
    Changing job or getting a different career is not about trying to change the work load, pressure and responsibility. The only thing that will change is our life style. All the above will still remain the same because that’s what working is about. Changing job will lead to an adjustment of work load, pressure and responsibility. All these will eventually affect your life because half of your life is spend on working. Those changes will definitely affect the other half of your personal life.
    There are lots of questions we think about when we start working. The one thing that most of us worried about is how long can we continue to work here and do we need to change job for a better life. There won’t be any job for us if we don’t have a value to the company. If that is the case we just have to increase our values to companies. Each of us is unique in a sense and with different ability. We just have to understand ourselves and pin point our ability and sell it to companies that required our service. That eventually places us in a higher price. If this company no longer needs you, then just find another company that needs you.

Things that caught my eyes:
Each episode presented a scenario which all of us that are holding a job will faces eventually. All the information shown in this drama can help a person reevaluate themselves before decided to change job or career.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This drama is good for employees and those that are just starting to work in society. There are lots of interesting points that salary man faces and needs attention which can be found in this drama.

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

Drama Theme Song: Hana Tori Kaze Tsuki by Remioromen

Japan Drama Preview:

魔女裁判Majo Saiban – Release April 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Yoshioka Toru (Ikuta Toma) 生田斗真 is a part timer who don’t have an actual job. He design and sell T shirt but business is not good. One day Yoshioka Toru (Ikuta Toma) 生田斗真 is chosen as one of the juror in a trial. Yoshioka Toru (Ikuta Toma) 生田斗真 and 7 other jurors are being selected in a trail of a murder case which involved a single mother who inherited a large amount of money. As the trial begins, strange things began to happen around the jurors. It seems a mysterious party trying to control the outcome of the trial by threatening the jury. In order to fight against the treats, Yoshioka Toru (Ikuta Toma) 生田斗真 teams up with one of the jurors - Watabe Izumi (Kato Ai) 加藤あい. In the other hand, Yoshioka Toru (Ikuta Toma) 生田斗真’s action are being watch closely as the mysterious party uses every tricks they can to control the results of the trial. That includes Yoshioka Toru (Ikuta Toma) 生田斗真’s girl friend Motomiya Kaori (Higa Manami) 比嘉愛未who is a newspaper reporter.

Feelings and comments:
There is a movie call Runaway Jury which is almost similar to this drama. Compare to the movie I think this drama still lack of the excitement. I suppose this type of topic still consider new to Japan.
    Trial by Jury, I think not every country can carry out such a process. The first qualification of being a juror is able to make decision or takes an opinion without having to influence by others. It takes a certain level of mental maturity to take on such a task. That’s because the faith or the life of a person may just depends on a simple “guilty or not” conclusion. I haven’t been to a trial nor become a juror before but I understand the responsibility within.
    Everybody has at least a secret. Some of us might do anything just to keep the secret safe. Especially if the secret might affect the benefits or welfare of a person, one can becomes selfish. If one discovers the dark secret of a person, it can be use against that person. It’s a mind game that we can easily encounter in politics, society and working area.

Things that caught my eyes:
The T shirt is a bit annoying but I’m surprise that they give it away as a gift.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This drama air right before the actual jury system starts in Japan. It gives us a lot of room to think and compare the differences of jury system between Japan and US. This drama is a good way to inform and educate the jury system to the public in Japan.

Purchase:
Original Soundtrack, 2009 Japanese Drama : - Majo Saiban - W/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Keshin by Fukuyama Masaharu

Japan Drama Preview:

モンスターペアレント Monster Parent – Release July 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Takamura Itsuki (Yonekura Ryoko) 米倉涼子 is an elite lawyer who never lost a case before. One day she is assigned to a local education board to help solve a case between parent and teacher. That is how Takamura Itsuki (Yonekura Ryoko) 米倉涼子 first learn about “Monster Parent”. For the first time in her life she discovered that not everything can bring to court for solution. Takamura Itsuki (Yonekura Ryoko) 米倉涼子 is totally beaten up by parents that do not reason and only look at the welfare of their children. That’s the first time she experience lost but that does not stop her from taking up the challenge. As she continues to help solving “Monster Parent” cases, she began to realize there are things far more important than money, fame and success.

Feelings and comments:
I think the so call “Monster Parent” existed everywhere around the world. Where there are parents that love their children very much, there should be one or two “Monster Parent”. Well, parents are just doing what they know best of their precious children. We can’t really blame them for acting aggressively. Everything is just for the benefits of the children. The question that we all should be thinking is that are all our action good for our children? Or does it set a bad example for them?
    Educating and raising children is not an easy task. It’s the responsibility of parent, school, government and society. Nobody really has the absolute correct method but they all give their best to do it. When there’s problem regarding children, working together to help solve the problem is the right way. Anger, hate, revenge and taking matters into own hands will not help but only creates more problems.
    Children learned most from two people that are closes to them when they are young. First is their parent and second is teacher. Children learned not just their knowledge but everything else including behavior, hobby, thinking and characteristic. Thus what we do today are being copy by our children and eventually it will be reflected one day in future. So if we want our children to be a good person, set a good example.
    The drama shows a lot of example on “Monster Parent”. I think most parents do not intend to be one but sometimes when parents love their children too much, they just fall into the trap unconsciously. Well, we are just human. The best that we can do is to remind and alert each other before things get worst. At the end of the day, it’s teacher and parent working together for the benefits of children. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about educating.

Things that caught my eyes:
This drama really is a fashion show for Yonekura Ryoko (米倉涼子). She wears different cloths in every episode.  Her apartment looks expensive too. I suppose that’s what an elite cooperate lawyer earns.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. This drama is more like a documentary series that tries to reflect the parents nowadays. I suppose parents will do anything for their precious children.

Purchase:
TV series, Original Soundtrack, 2008 Japanese Drama: Monster Parent w/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Ai ga Kanashii Kara by Tokunaga Hideaki

Japan Drama Preview:
Sorry, not available.

Koishite Akuma恋して悪魔 – Release July 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 is a vampire that yet to have his first taste of human blood. In order to become a fully mature vampire and earn eternal life, Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 has to pick a young female human being and draws her blood. In order to complete his task, Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 was place to a family that runs a restaurant and went to school close by. As this is the first time that Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 ever comes close to human being, living and staying with human being troubles him. This is supposed to be a simple task for a vampire as Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 just has to find a young female human being and taste the first bite for blood. Unfortunately things become complicated when he met Natsukawa Makoto (Kato Rosa) 加藤ローサ, the young female English teacher who teaches him in high school.

Feelings and comments:
I have to say the paced of this drama is slow. The first couple of episodes are just watching Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 walking around and sitting around. The story only gets interesting when part of the secrets are reveals.
    No doubt this is a love story. There are some similarities with the popular love story Romeo and Juliet but the romance is not deep enough. There is love and romance but the feelings are just not strong enough to move viewers. Perhaps a love story that risk everything and that normal people won’t do might creates greater impact.
    Perhaps the chemistry between Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 and Natsukawa Makoto (Kato Rosa) 加藤ローサ is not strong enough to convince viewers that they love each other very much. This drama really gives these two actors the opportunity to show their talent but I suppose it did not work well as predicted. The idea of this love story is good. I think the effects will be better if it’s a love story with lots of obstacles and intense desire to be together for the lovers. 

Things that caught my eyes:
He seems to walk around a lot and sitting on high grounds to enjoy the beautiful scene. One thing I’m curious about. All Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬 needs is the blood of a young female human being. There are lots of ways to get the blood without even having to take a bit. I suppose he has no idea about blood donation activities and the existence of blood bank.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. It’s a love story with some similarities of Romeo and Juliet. I think this drama can be better if it focus more on the love story instead of the character Kuromiya Luka (Nakayama Yuma) 中山優馬.

Purchase:
2009 Japanese Drama : Koishite Akuma w/ Eng Sub ,Original Soundtrack

Drama Theme Song: Akuma na Koi by Nakayama Yuma with B.I.Shadow

Japan Drama Preview:

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.

Arifureta Kisekiありふれた奇跡 – Release Jan 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Nakashiro Kana (Nakama Yukie) 仲間由紀恵 met Tasaki Shota (Kase Ryo) 加瀬亮 when both of them sense a middle age man - Fujimoto Makoto (Jinnai Takanori) 陣内孝則 trying to commit suicide. Both of them successfully prevent Fujimoto Makoto (Jinnai Takanori) 陣内孝則 from jumping over the running train. The fact that both of them are able to sense the suicidal intention is because they too used to think of suicide. It’s a strange way for both of them to meet and they instantly generate good feelings with each other. They started to email each other and sometimes dated. They were able to help each other on curing their deep wounded heart. When they started to see each other, their relationship began to trigger conflicts between both their families. That’s because both families wanted the best for them and hopes that they can be happy.

Feelings and comments:
I have to say this drama is a bit depressing at the beginning. Most of the time it’s just about the expression of dark depression feelings and that covers almost half of the drama. The drama only starts to show a bit of sun light when the couple started to make their relationship work out. It just feels that everybody in the drama is trouble by something and most of the time they are depress with it. Still they are able to find happiness within they busy ordinary life.
It doesn’t matter if you’re happy or not, life has to go on. Sometimes we just can’t hope too much. Learning to accept what is available for you and satisfied with it might just be the way towards happiness. We cannot have everything goes as what we plan, but the effort might just enough to have most of them done. We just have to cherish what we have.
Miracles exist within life because we do not know what lies in front of us. We might just meet the one that we love any place, any time or any situation. As long as we keep on living our life, there is still hope that we’ll find happiness.
The story of this drama is simple but the acting is a bit difficult. It’s not easy to bring out the depression and fear towards life on screen. I think both main casts Nakama Yukie (仲間由紀恵) and Kase Ryo (加瀬亮) did a very good job in bring out the feelings within. Perhaps their experience and long acting career helps present this ordinary drama a miracle one.

Things that caught my eyes:
The title of this story is ordinary miracles. Not a surprise that everything in this drama is ordinary, including their occupation, life style and the people around. Finding each other in this ordinary world might just be the miracle. Thus I caught nothing with my eyes but I do feel the miracle.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch, but it’s a bit depressing. It’s about how people deal with life after their painful tragic. The best cure is love and meeting the right people. This drama is able to present it nicely. By the way it’s a happy ending.

Purchase:
Arifureta Kiseki - Original 6 DVDs - 11 Episodes Japanese Drama (Eng)Arifureta kiseki (Japanese Edition)

Drama Theme Song: Dreams Are More Precious by Enya

Japan Drama Preview:

Honjitsu mo Hare Ijo Nashi本日も晴れ。異状なし– Release Jan 09

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Shirase Ryo (Sakaguchi Kenji) 坂口憲二 voluntarily transferred to Narumi as a stationary policeman. Narumi is a small populated island without any doctor, police and some other public facilities. As there isn’t much development in this island, there are more people moving out from the island then staying. Shirase Ryo (Sakaguchi Kenji) 坂口憲二 used to be an elite detective in Shinjuku. Due to a mistake that he did in an investigation, he get to know about the island call Narumi from a song. That is how he gets to know the island and decided to transfer there. He believes that no matter how small a place it is, problems exist and there is a need of a policeman. The people in Narumi have been staying there long without any policeman. The sudden appearance of Shirase Ryo (Sakaguchi Kenji) 坂口憲二 stir up a lot of problem but also helps improve the quality of life in the island.

Feelings and comments:
The main attraction of this drama is definitely is the beautiful island scenery. This drama is similar with another drama call Dr. Koto Shinryojo. Instead of a doctor but a policeman travel the whole island on a bicycle.
We all make mistakes, and that includes policeman. It is also true that we cannot fix everything and save everybody. All we can do it try our best to fix and save as much as we can. The important thing is that we take the effort to make things right and try to make a change. As all these action and feelings will eventually influence others to step in and join in. That’s the power that change things and it can be done even if just started out by a person. If you ever read any famous historical legends like George Washington, Martin Luther King or Gandhi, then you’ll know that they all started small but end up big.

Things that caught my eyes:
The beautiful scenery of the small island is the attraction. Not to mention the sugar cane and sheep that occupied most area of the island.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to Watch. It’s a simple story with warm hearted scenes, suitable for family and kids.

Purchase:
2009 Japanese Drama : - Honjitsu Mo Hare. Ijo Nashi - W/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Negai by Akikawa Masafumi

Japan Drama Preview:

Gakko ja Oshierarenai! 学校じゃ教えられない！– Release July 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
A girl school started to accept male students as a change to keep up with the competition. The initial group of male students consists of 5 people only. In order to help these 5 male students get use to the special environment, Aida Mai (Fukada Kyoko) 深田恭子 invited them into social dance club together with 5 other female students. Being in a school that surrounding by thousands of female students really is exciting for these boys, but apparently things are not what they expected.

Feelings and comments:
The title of this drama says it all. It’s all about the things that school doesn’t teach. Things like love, opposite sex and friendship are part of growing up in school. You won’t learn it from the text books but you’ll eventually know them for sure from friends, teacher and parents.
Imagine if you really admit into a girl school, what kind of school life will it be? I’m sure lots of things will happen.

Things that caught my eyes:
A girl school with only 5 male students really is interesting, absolutely an unbalance situation where these 5 boys might get eaten alive.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. Mostly about stuff that teenagers faces when growing up, especially about love and sex.

Purchase:
TV series, Original Soundtrack, 2008 Japanese Drama: Gakko Ja Oshierarenai w/ Eng Sub

Japan Drama Preview:

Around 40アラウンド40 – Release April 08

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:
Ogata Satoko (Amami Yuki) 天海祐希, Morimura Nao (Otsuka Nene) 大塚寧々 and Takeuchi Mizue (Matsushita Yuki) 松下由樹 are good friends. They always hang out together having lunch or dinner at Ohashi Sadao (Tsutsui Michitaka) 筒井道隆’s restaurant. Ogata Satoko, Morimura Nao and Takeuchi Mizue are all around age of 40. 2 of them are still single and 1 already married for years. 3 of them are perusing different kind of lifestyle but with same goal in mind. That is to be able to live happily ever after. Is marriage necessary for living happily?

Feelings and comments:
“Getting married or not” that is the question that most woman always talk about. Especially when age are catching up and still remain singles, this sort of question often pops up during conversation. No matter which way we choose, it doesn’t matter as long as we’re happy. “Happily ever after “or not, that’s for us to decide. There are also couples that did not sign the marriage paper but still able to have a happy life together. Marriage doesn’t guarantee a happy life but it does give you certain security.

The drama shows us 3 different stages from single, getting married and married for years. All of them have only 1 goal in mind. That is to be happy in their life. One thing for sure, no matter which path we choose there will be problems and difficulties. All we need to do is try to deal with it and keep on moving.

Things that caught my eyes:
There is a quote shown on TV whenever Ogata Satoko (Amami Yuki) 天海祐希 walk pass the corridor in the hospital. A different quote every time but it makes us think about a lot of things.

It sure is nice to have a restaurant like that where friends can hang out. Especially the owner of the restaurant is one of our buddies.

Japan Drama Rating:
Interesting to watch. It’s a story about 3 women in different lifestyle around the age of 40.

Purchase:
TV series, Original Soundtrack, 2008 Japanese Drama: Around 40 w/ English Subtitle

Drama Theme Song: Shiawase no Monosashi by Takeuchi Mariya
Japan Drama Preview:

Hatachi no Koibito ハタチの恋人 – Release Oct 07

Kumo Japan Drama sneak!!

Japan Drama Story:

Inoue Keisuke (Akashiya Sanma) 明石家さんま is a 50 year old salaryman that lives in Osaka with a wife and 2 kids. Sawada Yuri (Nagasawa Masami) 長澤まさみ is a 20 year old student that study graphic designs in Tokyo. Faith brought them together as Sawada Yuri looks just the same as Inoue Keisuke old time girl friend. Due to some misunderstanding Inoue Keisuke ends up to be a mentor to Sawada Yuri that tries to look for job in Tokyo. That is the beginning of a special relationship between the two of them.

Feelings and Comments:

It is true that love does not have age boundaries. What matters is as long as both of you are happy together. There are still some considerations when 2 people are having a 30 age different of relationship. The young 20 year old girl might not be sure what love is at that age, especially when this is the first time falls in love. The 50 year old man needs to control himself not to fall for his own sex desire. A lot of responsibilities are there when reached the age of 50. Never the less, 50 years of experience can provide a very safe and comfort feeling to the young ones.

I found a very good saying in the drama. Good things happened in life and so are bad things. But right after that good thing will come again. Life is simply repeating good and bad days. No matter what happens, life goes on. Having to share your good and bad days with your loves one will makes you feel happy. That is what we call happiness.

Things that caught my eyes:

A lot of self conversation that sometimes makes me wants to shut him up.

Japan Drama Rating:

Interesting love story. You’ll love it if you like love story and Masami.

Purchase:
TV series

Japan Drama Preview: