Crazy about Japanese dramas!

March 6, 2008

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      Lately, my life revolves around Jdramas and I can’t seem to hamper this almost insane addiction. So just for the sake of venting out my love for anything Japanese, (particularly the “gay” men!) allow me to waste this page/blog (and your time, which i’m sure should be spent working and not reading useless, biased -hehe- crappy blogs!) for some of my 10 favorite Jdramas!!

     I’m quite aware that most people would prefer Taiwan based or Korean based dramas, but ever since late last year when I discovered the wonderful world of Shuji and Akira (Yes, it IS as gay as it sounds!) and their “product” Nobuta, I have taken the bait and I haven’t let go ever since.

     Maybe I should start with an explanation, among all asian dramas, I particularly like Japanese series for many different, wonderful. reasons. The most important of all, they never bore me to death. Not at all, in fact, they get better with each episode! Another thing is that the actors/actress can actually change slash re-invent themselves that you don’t feel as if it’s the same type of acting! (Unlike that girl in princess hours/coffee prince who changed her looks but still retained the same acting style that it just gets annoying! Yes! I have mastered her signature move, “let out a deep breath, look away then stare at the eyes of the guy then start crying and airing out her dissappointments!”) In Jdramas, more often than not, you look at the characters, rather than the actors! (Besides, the most is 12 episodes = 12 hours so it’s not a bother to watch it and neither is it time consuming)

     However, I would be almost hypocrite (not that i’m not) if I don’t reveal that the very reason I actually started watching Jdramas is because of a certain “Sawada Shin”. If you’re not familiar, then you’re not a fan! He starred in the first “Gokusen” and the Japanese version of Meteor Garden “Hana Yori Dango”. Of course, i’ve move on to better men (specifically, gay/girl looking men) but i’ll never forget “Shin.” (Probably because he’s my wallpaper!) I just love how Japanese men look like women! It amazes me! Even their bodies are (as Oje would describe it) size 0! Most women would probably die for those types of bodies.

     Anyway enough with the fan girl moments, let me give you the 10 (not the top ten, just 10) Jdramas i’ve loved and watched and watched and watched… (actually, I can name the top 50, however, I don’t think anyone will be interested with THAT many!)

These are mostly recent series but i’ve watched most Jdrama from 1996-2007. (I seem to have a lot of time for watching rather than studying….By the way, i didn’t re-enroll for 2nd sem, 2nd year of law. Hehe…But my mother is in the process of kicking me out of the house…)

1. Nobuta wo Produce- Meet Shuji (guy in your left) and Akira! Ah! The wonders of friendship between men. I don’t particularly give a damn about Shuji but Akira i’ll die for!

What’s it about? - 3 different people, Shuji, the popular guy, Akira, the rich weirdo and Nobuta the new, creepy, freaky new student whom everyone bullies. Their lives would not have crossed had they (Shuji and Akira) not decided to “Produce” Nobuta and make her popular to stop people from bullying her. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly ugly faces of these people, believe me, after the first few episodes, you’d be wondering why you thought they were weird looking. Of course, I might as well warn you that you must first get over the shock of over plastic surgery, the rebonded hair and the well-maintained eyebrows worthy of hollywood’s finest in a guy, then you’ll start to appreciate the “wonder” of it all. (Mybe even turn Japanese!) The theme is friendship, don’t expect any romantic shit, but it has a good storyline, great characters and amazing lessons about life in general.

Nobuta power…Chuu nyuu!

Prepare yourselves for signature quotes like “Kon-kon!” “Akira shock!” (I still say this drama has the best soundtrack ever!) “Si! ore tachi wa itsude emo….” (don’t really know how to spell it…)

NwP- WAS, STILL and will ALWAYS be MY Favorite JDRAMA.

2.  Nodame Cantabile- Chiaki SAMAAAA!!!!! Gyabo!! Mukya!! This drama is based on an manga and has it’s own anime version. Can be slapstick comedy but hilarious nonetheless. Noda Megumi (Nodame) is a “loser” music student (but actually very gifted) who has a crush on her next door neighbor “Chiaki” who happens to be the “best” in their university. I can’t describe it any clearer as it’s too long and too weird but Nodame Cantabile is a must watch for music lovers (even non-music lovers) Why? Because she makes learning to play instruments fun! Not to mention their adventures are too hilarious for words. And….well…it’s just too damn funny! From the weird smelly piano student Nodame, the perfectionist Chiaki, the afro-wearing drum gay dude and the Japanese-pretending to me German music conductor.

3.

If the picture didn’t get to you. Nothing will. It’s a manga based drama about a girl who pretended to be a guy and entered an all boys highschool to encourage her idol to become a “high jump” athlete again. It’s funny, wacky and has enough “gay/lesbian” moments to make me go “JAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNN!!!” Besides, Nakatsu (Ore wa HOMO ja nai!- I’m not gay!) is LOVE!

 This is Nakatsu! (Ikuta Toma)

quick fact: The transexual (as I call her) is the same girl who play Nobuta in Nobuta wo Produce! (See first drama mentioned)

4. GTO. Great Teacher Onizuka? The GMA anime but the DRAMA version? I love it. As simple as that.

5. Anego. I would never have attempted to watch it had it not been for this guy. And what do you know? I actually enjoyed it! It’s an office drama revolving around women in their 30’s (specifically Anego “older sister”) anyway, to make the story short, this guy fell in love with Anego, who is 11 years his senior…etc, etc. I mostly just drooled (well, not really but the guy looks like a kicked puppy when crying) over Jin Akanishi (the actor)….

6.

My Boss My Hero- it’s about a 27 years old slacker son of a Yakuza who was sent back to school by his father to finish high school and in the process learned a few things about life…

Why I liked it: The main guy has funny expressions. a 27 years old pretending to be 17 is just….perverted.

Also, I love the manorexic gay hottie (when I say gay, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are gay. Just…gay.) and the Archie Alemania lookalike. And… The “Pudding!” “WATER!” and “Agnes dance!”

7. Sawada Shin! (Actually, Matsumoto Jun) Gokusen, Hana Yori Dango (which is by the way, 100 times better than meteor garden) and Kindaichi Shonen Jikenbo. I love his dramas. Not much of an actor but I really love his dramas. (Well, maybe except for Bambino…or Kimmi wa Petto?)

Why? Maybe because of the production…

8. Tantei Gakuen Q- Mystery. I seem to have developed a liking to mystery dramas. I particularly liked this because of the cast. Their all kids! Hey, child molestation is my thing! : )

9. Liar Game- Annoying, insulting, brain-damaging and I have no idea why I even bothered to watch it considering it gave me such a fucking huge headache and tempted me to sue the directors/scriptwriters and anybody on that show. Damn it. I wasted my time on this drama but I guess reason defied logic because despite everything I went through because of the anxiety this show gave me. I CANNOT STOP WATCHING IT. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I stayed up untill 5AM to finish this damn stupid drama. Seriously, I ran out of braincells after 13 hours of continous watching and I still can’t stop. I hated how STUPID the girl was and how “blah” the guy is, I even hated the whole “saw” thing game. (it’s a suspense thriller) but I continued to watch…

     Until I realized after the 3 hour special that my GAD! I should just have watched the last episode then I wouldn’t have suffered too much. I hated the creator. Seriously. Seriously. Seriously. Seriously. It’s not the best drama, not even close but it hooked me. (Actually, the title itself is already interesting) because it’s just plain annoying. I know it does not make sense but if you love suspense as much as I do. I suggest you watch it.

     I cannot guarantee anything except that it will annoy you to the highest degree. I don’t know, maybe I just like inflicting pain on myself. Still. I recommend it. I’ve never seen anything like it.

10. Kurosagi!- Daite daite daite senorita! I just love the guy. Yamashita Tomohisa also played “Akira” in Nobuta wo Produce (1st drama) While Horikita Maki was Nobuta (it’s a Tom Hanks- Meg Ryan  thing. Everybody wishes them to be together but it’s never going to happen.)

Why I love it: The guy, the girl, the soundtrack, the costumes, the antagonist and just about everybody else in the series.

The story: Kurosaki is a young man whose family was swindled and his father killed everyone in his family (except him. duh.) As revenge, he himself also became a swindler only, he swindles other swindlers. (Modern day robin-hood.) It’s not really all that great but I love the love team (hehe. Guilty) and the storyline (because Yamapi’s costumes are so cute! Kyaaa!)

Quick fact: There’s also a movie coming out. (Sorry, can’t help myself)

     And so this is it, 10 Jdramas, not the top ten, because there are dozens of better dramas, but I specifically chose these 10 because these are only what I remember as of the moment. (and I really liked them. I’m not much into Drama-Jdramas so I remember Mystery and Comedy dramas mostly.)

     I say give it a chance. (Not that people in my friendster list are actually fan of dramas which are not DUBBED.) But if you are reading and you do like Asian dramas. Then watch these! I can’t guarantee satisfaction but I can at least guarantee that there would be at least 1 drama which you might like!

However, for me, NOBUTA WO PRODUCE still wins…there’s just something about it which i can’t explain. I keep watching it over and over and over.

     Oh, and If you love Dramas which are…well, drama. I suggest 1 litre of tears and Crying out love in the center of the world. You’ll need boxes of cleenix. I couldn’t take it, each episode is positively more morbid than the next that you’d wish that they all just die just to finish the suffering.

So…uhm…Enjoy? (I’ll probably do taiwanese and korean based dramas next…Sheesh.. I seriously need a life.)

By the way, as i’m writing this, My friend is watching an Arashi concert…Probably molesting them as I finish this blog….Damn it! Why couldn’t it have been me?!

And so, I leave you with this gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous guy. (suki!)

You’ll find him in Hana Kimi. : )