Mou Yuukai nante Shinai [Review]

Real-time (Jan/3)

Keyhole wasn't really nice that day :P. But I managed to watch until the end. I was sick... & I think I almost go to sleep in the middle :D. I didn't think it was that boring if you care to accept this from a biased Ohno fan :P. Honestly, I was expecting it to be a dorama SP that makes your New Year merrier... but I was wrong. It didn't help that this started straight away after VS Arashi ended (without ads between) :P. In my case, I was still a bit nervous/excited watching the final round of Rolling Coin Tower. Anyway... I think this is a dorama you're supposed to watch after all those New Year celebrations.. to like cool down. It has this calming effect on you so if you are one that thought it would be the merry kind, you'll be bored easily in the first 15 minutes. When the dorama reached its climax, I was wide awake...  because the dorama started taking on a quicker pace. I wasn't able to understand much (which means I have to self-study japanese language harder :P) except simple conversations, of course lol.. didn't get what Shotaro's senpai was speaking at all :P. I also like to see Shotaro & Erika's interactions (& sometimes with Komo-senpai).

LQ video (Jan/4-5)

Suffered watching LQ... because I couldn't see Ohno's expressions (which I really like to observe always) clearly. When I watched real-time, I couldn't follow the story properly because of video streaming issues.. anyway.. I just realised Shotaro loves superhero (tokusatsu?) merchandises. Is he counted as an otaku? Though maybe Ohno doesn't see the character that way because I'm not getting that vibe from him... anyway.. Like someone (or maybe most people) said, this dorama is star-studded.. I think I saw Takada Nobuhiko (wasn't listed in the cast list or correlation chart) in one of the scenes. I'm sure I saw more but can't recall anyone now. Kaname Jun didn't look like him at all...is it because of the hair? :P Erika's erm... family looks fun. I like how her father is portrayed as a fierce on the outside yet a fatherly mob leader. He looked sincerely worried when he got the call from Erika's "kidnappers".


Chinese-subbed (Jan/6)
SUBS! lol... Seeing this with subs (with limited chinese vocab :P) enlightened me a bit about the plot. Actually like 75-85% enlightenment :P.. anyway.. About Kaname, I think it was the moustache :P... And I may not be fond of Kanjiya's acting, but she seems comfortable with her role.. And I don't think this is comedy really.. sure there were some funny scenes here and there.. but I still think it's more to the mystery side.

Watching for the 3rd time, I started thinking how interesting it would be to see this as a renzoku dorama. I wish I knew the characters better (for a 2-hr dorama, not much characters development can be done) ... the atmosphere sure feels like I should have known them. But if it will be done as a full-length dorama, I wish it starts from the ending of the SP. Of course the title & plot had to change too lol, I don't think I can watch Shotaro saying "I shouldn't have done this kidnapping stuff" in every episode... I'm thinking of a plot similar to Mukodono..like Shotaro having to work for Hanazono family to get father's approval *oh lol.. Sorry, imagination running wild.. XD* (actually hoping for a more serious role in dorama for him this year *my wish every season*)..

I wish I can say I like Shotaro... but I can't... because I don't know this character well. I think he's likable though.. but I need more than 2hrs to really like him. In my opinion, Ohno's performance here falls in the same category with his character in Uta no Onii-san (characters that are similar to his personality). He played his character well... & that was it. There weren't really scenes that made me go "WOW. This person's acting skill is superb" like the feelings I get watching Maou's eps 7 where Naruse met her sister... or Kaibutsu-kun's eps 4's crying scene at the end.


HQ video + japanese subtitles (Jan/7)
Watching again for the fourth time :D.. Actually not till the end, I just want to check the video's quality. But the more I watch it the more I grow to love it. I also realised that the special appearances by some casts were for "Strawberry Night" (a subtle promo, perhaps?)...



HQ video + english subtitles (Jan/10)
English subs makes a big difference :D...

NazoDi, Kaseifu, HUNTER #7

Ratings (Kanto) :

FTV Tues 9pm || NazoDi #7 [15.1%]

NTV Wed 10pm || Kaseifu #7 [23.5%]

FTV Tues 10pm || HUNTER #7 [8.8%]

My Ratings : NazoDi 4/5 || Kaseifu 5/5 || Hunter 4.3/5

HUNTER's 7th episode was Gondo's episode. There weren't much Rei x Gondo scenes though... only in the beginning (which just further my interest seeing them as a pair) :D... Somewhat an interesting episode... OH! Fukikoshi Mitsuru guested in this episode. Superb performance *amazed*. 

Gondo wasn't like his usual self. I find it a bit unconvincing how he came to associate himself Emi/Risa. I think this is because I don't know the character that well to know that he's capable of doing this... It can't be helped, right... he didn't have many scenes in the previous episodes... 

Also, the bounty huntresses started talking about quitting... & in the next episode, Machiko's husband appears???

The [accidental] stabbing in the end took place at the same filming location for Maou <3! XD

It's the place Hideo died/final showdown between Naruse & Serizawa~

Kaseifu... iya... this was a great episode! 

I think too much.. Girlfriend was only sad/disappointed about his new [ex-]boyfriend..she wasn't going to kill herself or anything.. she told father though that she wants to get back together. 

Asuda family finally reunited... Cried more watching the second half ... 

Father wants to try again...his family forgives him... He told girlfriend that he wants to marry her & want her to be the mother for his children. Of course, she didn't accept... 

The children got more curious about Mita's background especially after she told them she killed her husband & son in the previous episode. Oh, yeah.. I'm glad Yui is back to her old self.. (& the actress seems to be relieved too 'cos I noticed her acting is back to natural again :D)

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother watching NazoDi... both its lead actors aren't that good in acting... the cases were interesting but they were nothing special that would make you really go "OH!" *sigh* Iya...it's because I'm writing this review, I guess.. I don't really want to give my opinions (even if I hated the dorama) without finishing them. I would want to remain positive and give the dorama a chance until the final episode..

Kazamatsuri was fun to watch (again) XD.. His reactions to people who gave him erm.. not-so-nice feedbacks regarding his family business's produced cars were hilarious. Of course, the fact that Kageyama arranged for the whole case to be recorded on cameras (with the power of Hosho group) so that Miss Reiko (who is recovering from a back sprain) would not miss anything was also funny... *I think it's Kageyama himself who wanted to XD* Is that even allowed in the real world...? lol 

But that Kazamatsuri loves camera so much.. so I get to watch him do more funny things from the front (he interacts with the cameramen too much XD) .. I suspected it's the hatmaker all along :P but I didn't have any logical explanations (only I thought it's weird that a hat didn't have its own box, so maybe he's the culprit this time??--like that.. oh lol) to put things together like Kageyama did. 

From previous episodes, I said I don't think Kitagawa is lady-like for this character but she sure could pull of the spoilt bitchy side of a lady with money & power. 

Again, it made me think... (-.-") What's the point of her working as a police detective?

p/s: Just watched Gantz (both parts)... I didn't think that I would cry at the ending, but at the Ferris wheel scene, I did... it was so sad. & I totally predicted correctly what Kurono chose to do XD... now I'm interested to read the manga. 

       Random thought: Has Kanata Hongo always been overacting like this, or just for this particular super annoying character? 

       Random thought 2: Now I'm convinced that Yoshitaka can only act these kind of characters... It's really annoying the way she whines, because it was really some effortless acting (if you can call that acting) on her side, like it's already part of her personality. But I might still consider watching her other works... because somewhat I think her range isn't just this much.. I just have to find one that where her character isn't [hopefully] whining all the time.

NazoDi, Kaseifu, HUNTER #4

Ratings (Kanto) :
FTV Tues 9pm || NazoDi #4 [16.7%]
NTV Wed 10pm || Kaseifu #4 [19.5%]
FTV Tues 10pm || HUNTER #4 [12.0%]

My Ratings : NazoDi 4.5/5 || Kaseifu 4.5/5 || Hunter 4/5

What's with these fourth episodes??? ALL were really good! lol

I don't know why, suddenly I feel excited to watch HUNTER ...maybe because I got used to the characters already?

Anyway, they didn't catch anyone this time.. but the fourth one deals with a marriage swindler. It was kind of sad how the old man wanted to help her change without telling her he knew who she was.


And Kaseifu... GOSH. This family is truly a dysfunctional family! I know Kii-chan went that far to get her family together again (the kid is so sweet! but maybe she's too young to understand how bad it is that their father wanted a divorce and thought of leaving them behind)... but a young child like that, threatening to end her life (why I'm not surprised? children copy what their parents do) if her family doesn't get back together - WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS FAMILY?

So it wasn't really a shock that the Kaito-kun could talk about killing someone like that in eps two... to think that Mita was a danger to the family and people around the family... they need Mita! For some weird reasons, they need Mita to keep them sane (I guess?). As I understand the reason why the father doesn't act much like a father should be from the previous episode, I like seeing him frank about his feelings ("I don't know.") when Kii asked him if he loves her. I got a bit teary-eyed at the scene the father slap little Kii... (it was appropriate IMO, I mean this child just threatened to jump off from the 1st floor for pete's sake!). Those stones Kii keeps... I didn't expect it would be quite symbolic here... (& I totally predicted Mita had the father's stone all along!).. In the end the father leaves the house because Yui wanted him to..


I got a bit teary-eyed for NazoDi too... The episode..or rather the case didn't follow the usual formula this time so it was refreshing to watch. Is it that hard to recognise the lady Kazamatsuri erm.. have a crush on is his own subordinate??? Hmm. And. From the beginning, I already feel that Kitagawa isn't ladyish enough to play this role... Her role, Reiko, is full of contradicting traits! I'm kind of curious why she pursues a career in the police department...  Is this a problem of the way she play the role OR the character itself is this flawed???  Bad acting or flawed character? I'm inclined to think the former is the problem.

Anyway... that aside, the scene Kazamatsuri arrived (as if he's Reiko's prince on a white horse or the white horse itself XD) was really funny! & Reiko tried to cover her face from being recognised by him. They were at the same place to attend Reiko's friend's wedding.

I love the fact that this episode has Morimoto Leo and Kobayashi Ryoko (MAOU'S SHIORI!)'s cameo appearances. Weirdly, I kyaa-ed during the scene Kageyama saved Ryoko's character from falling down the stairs... I was thinking that if this is Ohno's dorama THEN that scene was supposed to be... Naruse & Shiori reunion!!! LOL

Trust Kageyama to take on the role as Reiko's fiance that easily ..sasuga.. XD

This episode makes one think (or maybe only me XD) whether Reiko and Kageyama will end up like the old mistress & her butler (50 years!)... I thought the ending scene was kind of sweet. Kageyama asked her how long will he be calling her "my lady"... (I'm still on the Kageyama-likes-her theory) in which she reassured him that the time he call her "madame" will come XD...

It is wrong to think that they'll end up together, right? I mean... this isn't like "Mei-chan no Shitsuji" XD Why do butlers in doramas have to be this good-looking??? XD

Maou X Trick

Oh... That "Trick" series.

Three seasons + 2 SPs + 3 Movies + 1 Spinoff <333


I love the quirkiness of the main/regular characters. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this is really brilliant work. It wouldn't suit the general audience's taste [of doramas] but when it does, it's a marvelous feeling. It makes me happy to notice those inside jokes and items from past cases showing up everywhere... and the YAMADAxUEDA pairing(!!!!!!) <3

It is SO OBVIOUS that they have feelings toward each other. Even if the scenes happen because of other selfish reasons, THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. Trick 3 ended with that marriage proposal unreadable character. It could end that beautifully... but with sequels in the form of dorama SPs, movies and a spinoff, they can't pair these two [yet]...so..we are served with the usual quibbling couple again.

Oh, well. They'll always grow old and happily married in my ideal fanfics.

Sorry..this review is an odd one.

Actually I want to blog about Maou. There were several cases in Trick that reminded me of things that made me love Maou. Love to watch Maou. (I think it's weird to say you love a revenge story). First, the second story in Trick 2. The accurate fortuneteller story. The whole thing, about how she made her fortunetellings "accurate", is like Naruse's way. The Sweet Potato guy spoke of her as committing crimes without "dirtying her hands". I remember watching this story the first time in the past and thought it was a really clever trick. I wished to see more of things like this...and when I [finally] watch Maou last year, I was awed by Naruse-sensei's plans and how they turned out successfully. (Man... That was brilliant!!)

Then there's another story : the fourth story in Trick 3. The Kameyama family. I could only see this one with Maou in mind after I already watch Maou. The Kameyama's lawyer. He didn't plan out things like Naruse but by not telling the present family about their financial problems, one family member killed the others...and in the end everyone gained nothing. The lawyer purposely became the family's lawyer so that he can ruin the family. When I saw this scene, I went "MAOU!!!!!!" LOL Oh.. And he was avenging his younger sister (Maou, brother!!!), who committed suicide because the Kameyama family decided she wasn't fit to be a Kameyama's wife.


End of Maou X Trick rant.


Someday, hopefully, I will write a crossover fanfic on this.

Why People Can't Enjoy Watching Maou

Hello.

Gosh. Sometimes I regret not being a part of the Maou era (2008)... Actually the thing I regret most regarding Maou era is I didn't get to purchase the limited edition of "Truth/Kaze no Mukou" single. *BIG SIGH*

Anyway. So.. yeah..sometimes I regret not being a part of the Maou era (2008).. but there ARE some times I'm glad that I'm not. For example, that scandal (which I did happened to read anyway when I was still not Ohno-baited & was moved when I read the news Ohno bowing to the drama crew to apologise). And also this (see link).

Unfortunately for local fans, I believe that Ohno Satoshi, in terms of looks and popularity, is not only no match for Toma, he also falls way behind the Korean leading man. ::::: from : http://aibakaland.forumup.org/about3009-105.html :::::

I know everyone will have their own reviews/opinions on doramas but duh... IF POSSIBLE, do that after you finish watching the dorama!!!

LOL. I always go to defensive mode when I read negative reviews on Maou. I just don't get it. It's a complete package! It's almost perfect. I mean, how can you not see how great this dorama is??? Are you eyeless or stupid or something???

Which brought me to these hypotheses:
"Why People Don't Like Maou"/"Why People Can't Enjoy Watching Maou"
1. They've watched Mawang before and kept comparing those two dramas so couldn't enjoy when watching the japanese version. Too short? "It's not like that in the original one!"

2. They have something against (or have prejudice towards) the cast (or Arashi?). Especially Ohno Satoshi. I did have reservations on Ohno's acting skills at first but that didn't stop me from watching though. I started watching as a fan of Ikuta's acting (I love Nakatsu!) and finished the drama completely Ohno-baited and converted into an Arashi fan. I already know who Arashi are since I watched Hanadan in 2005 but as far as I could remember, I wasn't Jun-baited (Or Nino-baited). At one point, I don't really get why people get crazy over Arashi too (LOL, gomen!). Anyway... I'm swaying off my point here... JUST GIVE THE DRAMA A CHANCE, WILL YOU?

3. They didn't finish watching. Well. There are people who said it's not good even though they haven't finish the whole thing... so that's why you can't enjoy this dorama.

4. Japanese dorama isn't your thing/This dark, revenge a la Monte Cristo theme is not your cup of tea.


[Written in a defensive Maou mode]

The Maou Episode That Got Me Reeled In…

Episode 7.

Or rather… the scene where I was caught awed by Ohno Satoshi superb acting skills.

A weird pause between Naruse and his sister.
Serizawa walks in.
… and the rest of the scene (this post is spoiler-friendly).

p/s: To people who’ve said they re-watched Maou many times – What’s wrong with you!?? – Such heavy & dark theme, how can you stand it?

Transformed!

Man… this supposedly review blog is about to become something else. A messy blog mixed with reviews and fangirling posts.

But it will remain undiscovered so… Oh, well…

I’ve been watching “D no Arashi” since last week and now it came to a point where I need to watch the current Ohno Satoshi. Huaa… I don’t really like seeing Riida being so bulliable and bullied~~~ Those are hard days for Ohno fans, I think… If I’m his fan at that time, I would feel bad for him even though he’s smiling & laughing.. Anyway. A few more episodes left before I move on to “G no Arashi” but I couldn’t stand it anymore. I need to watch Ohno at his best. MAOU. I really need to be reminded of how great his acting skills are… so maybe I’ll rewatch that Shukudai-kun episode tonight too where Arashi auditioned for comedy roles (?). And maybe also rewatch the episode of Shiyagare with Shimura Ken… even though it’s raw/without subs (I’m quite a talent at picking up language this way… ;P).

Oh! Watching those fishing missions on “D no Arashi” made me want to get back to that one Himitsu episode – The goblin shark thing with Oh-chan and MatsuJun. I’ll rewatch that too!