Switch wo Osu Toki Starring Koide Keisuke and Mizusawa Erena

Mizusawa Erena has her first starring role in the upcoming movie, Switch wo Osu Toki. Does she sound unfamiliar? Well, some might know of her from TBS‘s drama adaption of the popular movie, Koizora. Koide Keisuke is also starring alongside Mizusawa. Let’s not forget who else is in it: Sano Kazuma, Atae Shinjiro from AAA, Taiga, Sakamoto Shogo, Kanno Rio, Fukushi Seiji, Suzuki Sawa, Ogura Hisahiro, Tanaka Tetsushi, and Nishimura Masahiko. Quite the list. The movie is to be released on September 17.

The story revolves around a government-sponsored project aimed at determining the causes of suicide. 10 young boys and girls are held in captivity and pushed to their limits, with the option of pressing a “switch” that would result in their own death. After 7 years, only 6 of them, including a girl named Masami (Mizusawa), have retained their will to live. However, a mysterious man named Minami (Koide) is newly assigned as one of the observers on the project, and he becomes another obstacle in their battle to survive.

Switch wo Osu Toki is based on the novel of the same title by Yamada Yusuke. The novel had an drama adaption starring Narumiya Hiroki. It also had astage play that starring Nagayama Takashi.

{Source: TokyoGraph}

Usagi Drop Expects Release in August

Well, Yumi Unita’s manga Usagi Drop has received the live-action treatment starring  Kenichi Matsuyama and Ashida Mana. Remember what I mention last summer? It is scheduled to be released in theaters August 20, 2011. To refresh your memories, the plot is that Daikichi (Kenichi) is a thirty year old who becomes the guardian of Rin (Mana), the illegitimate six year old daughter of his grandfather. Karina is also starring in Usagi Drop, I am assuming she is playing Daikichi’s love interest.

Aside from the live action movie, Production I.G has started running their anime adaption of the manga on Fuji TV which started July 8. So fans have both the anime and the movie to look forward to! For those interested in watching the anime, Cruchyroll has licensed the anime. Now I need to go read the manga and watch this anime!

Before I forget, here is the trailer for the movie, which is not subbed:

Shiawase ni Narou yo: Episode 1

Shiawase ni Narou yo premiered on April 18, 2011 and was able to grab 16.3%. I was actually debating if I should watch this one or not, but I gave it a go and… I really liked it! The show has a captivating cast and a delightful plot.  I’m crossing my fingers that the show doesn’t lose its flame as the story progresses! Now onto that recap:

Artist Discovery: Tomofumi Tanizawa

Today, I present the singer Tomofumi Tanizawa (タニザワトモフミ). He is best known for his song Kimi ni Todoke which was used as the opening theme for the anime by the same title. He was born in 1981 in Hida City, Japan located in the Gifu Prefecture.  When he was 15, he learned to play the guitar and started writing his own songs leading him to begin in band activity.

Tanizawa attended a university in Tokyo and decided on going solo in 2003. He released his first mini-album, Kagero, in March of 2004 under Universal Music. He released several other mini-albums: Nanairo (2005), Soraji (2006), and Autobai Shonen (2009). He finally released his first album in 2010 titled Maboroshi Dokei. He recently released his second album, Nihon ni Ochitekita Otoko, this year back in February.

Here is a the PV of Kimi ni Todoke:

The Short Reviews

This post focuses on ten short reviews of Japanese dramas that I have watched including the popular Hana Yori Dango and 1 Litre of Tears. I had put this particular piece on its own page, but I feel that it has been in the back burner. I mean, I’ve even forgotten about it until I happened to find it. So, here it is! These set of reviews are not as profound as my reviews of other dramas, however, I have rated them. 1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest which means utterly awesomeness! Be aware that these were written when I first started my blog and I tried my best to remember the drama. I also did add a few more details to the ones that didn’t have so much detail! So… I guess you can say this is kind of my recycled one year gift for all my readers! Haha!

1 Litre of Tears / １リットルの涙: This is definitely a heartbreaking drama. Once I finished watching this I started seeing life in a whole different perspective. I loved the cast and the soundtrack. Just about everything was spot on for me, though I wish Aya’s romantic interest was a bit more focused on.  I highly recommend this drama, this is a tearjerker so bring out the tissues! 4.5/5

I’M BACK!

­THANK GOODNESS IT’S SUMMER! I’ve been waiting to lounge around my house every spring break. No more due dates, projects, reading novels, math homework, and trying to grasp French! Yes! I can now start on my Korean now… Once I stop being lazy. I am also sorry about the rather long, almost two months, hiatus. School was just asking for so much out of me.

Well, the game plan is I wish to watch JIN 2 and possible post a shorter version of recaps. I hope that I will be able to just do major highlights for my recaps, because whenever I do write a recap I tend to write it in full detail like I am writing a novel. I tried doing a recap for Tumbling, that went terrible. I’m also contemplating if I should watch Lie To Me with my favorite Kang Ji Hwan and Yoon Eun Hye. City Hunter has also caught my interest, but I am a bit hesitant on watching it because I don’t want to end up losing my interest! Korean dramas just make it too easy for themselves since they take a couple of episodes (2 – 4) to actually start the plot. I cannot wait that long, I am impatient and I want the plot to start moving NOW! Yes, I know, I am too demanding and impatient, but that’s how I tend to stray away from watching Korean dramas because of that single element.

I am very glad to be back, however I have shied away from my love for dramas due to school and because I am focused on other things such as the hilarious Psych and amazing Avatar: The Last Airbender. A girl gets bored when she has no work to do and doesn’t feel like watching her Asian dramas. I know, for a fact, I will be getting into JIN 2 because of season one’s disappointing ending. I’ve also been reading a lot of good reviews for this season so that always makes me happy! I also did a review for the show, so if you’re curious: Violà! I will try getting in a Artist Discovery as well, Rie Fu has been in the spotlight  since I left… I love her, but I just need to have the spotlight on another artist. I will probably throw in a music review if I get bored this week. I’ll try having a post up by this Thursday or Friday, maybe even sooner! We’ll see, until then, see yaaa!~

 

JIN: Drama Review

Description: The story follows a brain surgeon named, Minakata Jin (Osawa Takao), who has spent the last two years in anguish, as his fiancee lies in a vegetative state after an operation he performed. One day, he faints at the hospital and awakens to find himself transported back in time to the Edo period. He is soon attacked by a samurai, but he escapes with the help of a man named Kyotaro (Koide Keisuke). Kyotaro suffers a serious injury to the head while trying to protect him, but Jin manages to save his life despite a lack of proper medical equipment. Because of that, Kyotaro’s sister, Saki (Haruka Ayase), begins taking an interest in Jin and becomes his assistant. Meanwhile, Jin is determined to find a way back to the present. (Source: TokyoGraph)

Welcome Aboard, MyDramaList.com!

Now, I heard about this due to an announcement that DarkUmagon had made on DramaCrazy.

His friend has launched a site, MyDramaList.com, a while ago. Users are able to have a list of all dramas and movies ranging from Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Now as the title of the site hints, you can create lists for dramas and movies. There are 5 lists that you can put each drama or movie in: currently watching, completed, plan to watch, on-hold, and dropped. I admit, I actually do this on my Microsoft Word, but now, there’s no need for it now!

Wait, the site doesn’t end there. You can also write your reviews for these dramas and movies. The reviews can be in-depth, but must not include any spoilers, and even provides categories to rate the movie and/or drama: story (overall plot), acting/cast, music, rewatchable value, and overall. The scale ranges from 1 – 10, 1 being the lowest rating and 10 the highest. Before submitting your review, you must tell how many episodes you have watched for each drama. Finally, the users can choose if the review was helpful or not. Here is an example, I submitted for the fantastic Orange Days (click for better view):

Adding actors, actresses, movies, and dramas is created by users who are registered on the site. It goes through administration after it’s submitted. So far, I added a page for Kanno Miho and have just submitted one of my favorite Japanese movies, Swing Girls. There is also a feature that I love, a recommendation list for dramas or movies which is also added by users.

There is a forum section as well to discuss with other users, you can add users as friends, and visit their profiles to see their drama and movie stats. You can see the movies and dramas you both are watching or have watched. Let’s not forget, you can leave comments on each other pages.

MyDramaList is a fantastic way to interact with other Asian drama and movie lovers! I hope it grows as time goes by because this site has great potential! So check out the site and spread the word!

It’s the Good Life

Asssshhh! This promotion picture is tugging at my heartstrings! It’s simplistic and poignant. Sorimachi Takahashi, famous for his lead role in Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO, which I STILL haven’t watched! Gah!) and the boy add to the emotion of the picture as well. The picture is used for the upcoming drama called Good Life ~Arigato, Papa. Sayonara~ which will premiere on April 19.

The basis for the drama is the novel “Kashikogi” by author Cho Chang-in, which has sold 2 million copies in Korea since its publication in 2000. It has already been adapted as a television drama and a stage play in that country. On February 4, Shogakukan is publishing the book in Japan under the title “Good Life.” Sorimachi plays the part of Daichi Sawamoto, a newspaper reporter who has always prioritized his work over his family. When his wife suddenly leaves him, he finally notices the love he has been receiving from his son. Just as he decides to answer back, it is discovered that his son has leukemia. Igawa plays Sawamoto’s wife, Eikura plays a pediatrics specialist, and Ihara plays a doctor. - Tokyograph

Gee! This drama is calling for me and yes I will watch you, show! No fansub group(s) have offered to provide subtitles for the show yet, but I mean, it’s Sorimachi Takahashi for goodness’s sakes! And comin’, look at that picture!

{ SOURCE: Good Life Official Site }

Artist Discovery: Rie fu (リエ フゥ)

Well, I am featuring this gem of talent as my current header. Some may know her because her songs have been used for anime series such as Bleach, Gundam SEED DESTINY, and Darker Than Black -Kuro no Keiyaki-. I first heard of Rie fu when I heard “Life Is Like A Boat” from Bleach. I became an instant fan after hearing that song, though I haven’t been listening to her past albums. I’ve only taken a listen to Tobira Album and URBAN ROMANTIC.

In Tokyo, Japan Rie fu was born on January 11, 1985. Her stage name is actually abbreviated from her full name Rie Funakoshi From 1992 to 1995, Rie Fu lived in Maryland, United States with her family. In Maryland, she began playing the piano and gaining her music inspiration from artist such as Sheryl Crow and The Carpenters.

She learned how to play the guitar while in high school and began writing and recording songs. She later sent a demo tape to the record company Sony and they signed her to their Palm Beach label. Rie released her first single on March 21, 2004 titled Rie who!? while she was attending a university in London. Later that year, her song “Life Is Like A Boat” was chosen as the first ending theme for Bleach, garnering her widespread recognition. Rie fu graduated from the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design of the University of the Arts London in fine art. She often designs her own album and single booklets and even features her artwork.

Rie fu is known for her soft pop and bilingual songs, as she is fluent in English and Japanese, such as “Until I Say” and “Life Is Like A Boat”. Though, most of her songs are sung in Japanese with some verses in English. She also has some songs entirely in English and has made given some of her Japanese songs a few English versions.

Rie fu has launched a new era on February 16, 2011 with her newest single, For You. Rie hasn’t released any new material since her last album at Rie sessions back in March of 2010. Check out “For You” PV below: