Kasuka na Kanojo Drama Review

(Photo credits goes to its rightful owners)

"Junior high school teacher Kamiyama Akira has the ability to sense ghosts, and his new school has a ghost named Akane who used to be a teacher." (from dramawiki) Note: Akane is not really at school though, she's a ghost in Akira's new apartment.

Rating: 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest. Please view my criteria here.
(This may contain spoilers, I tried to limit them, but please read at your own discretion.)

Interesting synopsis: 0
Doesn't really interest me because i'm not really interested with ghosts and I did question that aspect. (I didn't know they'll prove me wrong!) 

Story development: +1
Oh yes, this just really proved me wrong. The synopsis is not enough to explain how good is the development in this story. The ghost stuff actually made it more engaging both in the mystery and comedy side.

Conclusion: +1
I'm not really sure about how will the relationship of the two leads go from here, but I would like to cheer them on. Lol. 

Members of the cast: +1
Yes, I'm thinking Katori Shingo might already be my most favorite SMAP member. Hahaha. Interesting casting of students - Morimoto Shinatro, Iwahashi Genki, Jinguji Yuta, Honoka Miki, Yamamoto Maika and my dearest Hirose Suzu (I just adore her so much after watching Gakkou no Kaidan. Hahaha!) Matsui Kenta is a discovery! (As I've said on one of my previous posts.)

Portrayal of roles: +1
This made me want to have Katori Shingo as my teacher! He seems like a very reliable adult, even with his tone when talking! I really like his portrayal! However, a certain drawback is Anne who until now never fails to make me feel awkward whenever I'm watching her. Lol, sorry but she really feels awkward for me. I think it might be because of her expressions. The students are really good too, a little more push for Iwahashi Genki and Jinguji Yuta who I think are both still quite shy, but nevertheless, they're young and I can forgive that. Yamamoto Maika is the bomb! Hahaha. I really liked her in the drama 49, she was so innocent and lovable in there. This time, she was this irritating rebellious kid, at first I thought I don't liker anymore, but then it hit me, it just proves how flexible her acting is. She can turn from this innocent/lovable girl into a rebellious spoiled brat who wants attention. Just have to commend her acting ability.

Character development: +1
Yes, adults tend to forget their wills as well. So I guess, Akira-sensei was growing with his students in this drama. And oh, they just fit well all together.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
It was an SMAP song but it didn't really catch my attention or whatsoever, but it's SMAP. Hahaha. I would probably look for the song in the future, anyway.

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

Yes, it's a delight to see so many familiar faces in this drama, and see them in different scenes. And as I've stated earlier, the story development is good.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

Yes. Though I was not really anticipating what will happen with Akira and Akane's love story, I was looking forward on how Akira will reach his students.

It became a favorite: +1
Yes, I really enjoyed it. Not just because it has too much eye candy, but also because it actually has sense even if they use ghost stuff, and it's not just random repeat scenarios of a willful teacher dealing with students on their rebellious years. The story actually has a good core.

(minus .5)
Because Anne is just so awkward to watch for me. Lol. Sorry not sorry.

Final Rating: 8.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
It turns out to be very entertaining for me!

Gakkou no Kaidan Drama Review

(Photo credits goes to its rightful owner)

Haruna Tsubame, an inconspicuous high school girl, is always sensitive to people’s moods and keeps the peace in school. One day, she gets pushed to become the president of the student council by the people around her. Tsubame's encounter with a man who is a genius speechwriter, leads to a revolution in school. She struggles to change a school full of irrationality and dissatisfaction with the power of words. (from dramawiki)


Rating: 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest. Please view my criteria here.
(This may contain spoilers, I tried to limit them, but please read at your own discretion.)

Interesting synopsis: +1
I've heard this is something crazy like Kazoku Game, where Kamiki Ryunosuke was also in. The promotional poster intrigued me so much that I just had to prioritize this one. 

Story development: +1
While I couldn't care less about Platina 8, the story development happening in the lives of the 2 lead characters Tsubame Haruna and Shizukui Kei were really engaging.

Conclusion: +1
I love it that they added a hint of romance in the end! I love the conclusion that no one's actually that bad, it's a misunderstanding, makes you realize people should talk about their feeling more to avoid these troublesome misunderstandings.

Members of the cast: +1
Like! I admire Kamiki Ryunosuke and have watched a lot of his dramas/filmsHirose Suzu and Suga Kenta were discoveries in this drama. I'm familiar with almost half of the Platina 8 as well.

Portrayal of roles: +1
Kamiki Ryunosuke just upped his acting in a very excellent level on this one. This is not even a mystery drama but his lines were so long, it's very admirable that he was able to pull this off! As what we can expect from a child actor, right? So great. Hirose Suzu is very laudable as well with her performance, and how can she be so pretty? Hahaha. Platina 8 is a bunch of rich spoiled kids, but I guess they are quite effective because they are annoying. Lol. But I have to say, Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hirose Suzu really carried this drama.

Character development: +1
I really appreciate the character development between the two leads. About Platina 8, well it's good that they have their own shortcomings and problems as well, glad to know they have deepness within them too.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
I love the insert song "Just One Girl" by Fujiwara Sakura. The message of the song really suits the drama or the story of our heroine Tsubame Haruna. And, the song is in full English!

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

Yes, undeniably. A few boring scenes here and there, but that's forgivable.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

Yes, I was looking forward to knowing how Haruna and Kei's relationship would go. XD :)

It became a favorite: +1
Yes, Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hirose Suzu just did very well to make this probably one of the best dramas of Winter 2015. I think the two just carried this so well, you can forgive its shortcomings.

(minus .5)
I couldn't quite gauge why the Platina 8 have to be Platina 8. Can't it be 5 or 6? Lol. Because they are 8, one can think they are really just a bunch of rich spoiled kids. I don't think having eight of them is necessary. 

Final Rating: 9.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
Unexpected chemistry between Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hirose Suzu who have 4 years age gap with each other! I ship this pairing now! I hope they can work together again someday.

Suikyu Yankees Drama Review

(Credit for the photo goes to its rightful owner)

"Naoya Inaba (Nakajima Yuto) grew up abroad and from his childhood experience, he thought “yankees” were the strongest heroes (in Japan "yankee" refers to delinquent youths). He was influenced by Japanese yankee mangas while he was abroad and grew up to be always full of 'chivalrous' spirit, like how he sees his yankee heroes.

Naoya arrives to spend a year in a high school in Japan. He attends in a technical high school in which the location is famously known as the center for "water polo supremacy". His school, however, is the ridicule of the area and on the verge of closing down. Naoya loves the school because a yankee, whom he admired as a child, was once a student there. However, he soon realized that there are no real yankees like hero figures, only students who spend their days meaninglessly. Naoya is disappointed and decided to do something about it." (from dramawiki)

Rating: 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest. Please view my criteria here.
(This may contain spoilers, I tried to limit them, but please read at your own discretion.)

Interesting synopsis: 0
I'm not into yankee dramas since I have an image most of the actors/actresses have a tendency to overact when they are playing yankee, and I can't quite relate to it as well. The synopsis doesn't really interest me because I think it's just like the usual yankee dramas.

Story development: +1
I actually found myself hooked into the story, it gets interesting. It's because it didn't dwell only on the yankee side, but on the sports side as well. It's not about angst and nonsense fighting of a yankee, I got to thank the writer he stirred the story in a good direction.

Conclusion: +1
Well, if you want it and you work hard on it, the hard work shall pay off.

Members of the cast: +1
The members of the cast is the main reason I gave this drama a chance even if I'm not too attracted by the synopsis. Nakajima Yuto, Yamazaki Kento, Takaki Yuya, Chiba Yudai, Yoshizawa Ryo, Mamiya Shotaro, and Ohara Sakurako, all of them in one drama. This is precious. Shinkawa Yua is a discovery.

Portrayal of roles: +1
Good. I didn't find Nakajima Yuto too overacting, though he might be in some scenes, but I liked his overall portrayal after all. Nakajima Yuto has this image of a good, humble, and upright guy. I think he fits the role very well. I sensed more chemistry with Yamazaki Kento and Ohara Sakurako though, I wanted their characters to end up together. 

Character development: +1
Yes, I like it that no one's actually selfish and everyone's actually thinking of each other. They are teenagers but they have great affection for each other, good friendship.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
It's nice to hear Hey! Say! JUMP's Ashita e no YELL in every episode. It suits the will of the drama perfectly. 

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

Yes, I really enjoyed them. Who wouldn't? There's too much eye-candy in the cast! Hahaha.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

Yes. It's mostly because I was hoping Ryuuji and Nagisa's relationship would go further. Lol. But, it's thrilling to see them play water polo. Even though there may be some camera tricks used while playing the sports, I think the actors are still commendable because they still had to learn the basics and had training.

It became a favorite: +1
Yes. It's mostly because of the cast. I think they made me love the story. And it's because it's them, that this dramas turned out great. I think the actors have good working chemistry and I don't find them awkward.

(minus .5)
I didn't sense chemistry between Nakajima Yuto and Ohara Sakurako, not working chemistry, but chemistry as a pairing. I think Yuto's not too good in romance, or he's not yet prepared for such roles yet, but it's forgivable since romance is not really the main point of this drama.

Final Rating: 8.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
You might question why is it a favorite when it's only 8.5, right? Well, I think dramas cannot be perfect in all aspects but if I found it heartfelt, or I appreciate it after watching it, it can be a favorite no matter how it lacks in other aspects.