Lazada Philippines

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Amachan Drama Review

(Photo credits goes to its rightful owners)


"Summer holidays... Amano Aki follows her mother, Haruko, to her hometown in Kitasanriku. There, she meets her maternal grandmother, Natsu, for the first time. Natsu is a woman diver, and Aki thinks that is just so cool. Aki is a second year high-school student, and she struggles to keep up with the fast-paced life in Tokyo. Having been confined indoors most of the time, everything she sees in the rural town is exciting to her. But most of all, seeing her grandmother diving under the fierce surf along the coastline, leaves a huge impact on her. "I think I would like to be a diver too..." (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 didn't really know what was coming with the very plain synopsis. I thought it was just a teenager working hard for her dream to be a diver and that's it. I have probably heard/read about the idol thing on this before but I forgot about it already when I started watching this drama last June.

Story development: +1
Yes. Oh yes. It's amazing. I'm sorry I don't know how to explain how amusing and engaging the development of the story is, but I got really hooked that I finished Amachan's Week 11 to Week 26 in just 3 days! Imagine, that's 96 15-minute episodes, all in all, that's around 24 hours! I started really enjoying the story around Week 5 or 6 I guess. But really, I don't know what made me enjoy it so much. There were many things I can't relate with (I've never been to Japan, what more I don't have any idea about its north nor south countryside), or maybe that's one of the charms of the drama for me. I can't say this can inspire anyone if they want to be an idol, but I guess it makes people feel good that's why it garnered a lot of viewers and high ratings. 

Conclusion: +1
Yes, though I would have wanted Aki (Nounen Rena) to go back to Tokyo after helping Kitasanrinku, with Yui (Hashimoto Ai) this time, and they'll strive again and actually make it! But I'm already contented with the ending. But, I wanted Aki to end up with Hiroshi (Koike Teppei)! Hahaha. C'mon, I don't hate Fukushi Sota but Teppei is more adorable than him! If it was Hiroshi who was dull and undetermined, I wouldn't cheer for him to be with Aki, but he changed and moved forward so... Hahaha. But anyway, that's not a big issue in the story so it's fine, no minus point. XD :) But yes I'm happy Masamune (Omi Toshinori) and Haruko (Koizumi Kyoko), got back together! Masamune deserves a happy life, what a very admirable and warm character!

Members of the cast: +1
Not really interested in Nounen Rena, but Koike Teppei, Arimura Kasumi, Hashimoto Ai, Fukushi Sota and Higashide Masahiro (whom I first watched in Mondai no Aru Restaurant recently) are part of the cast, so it made me look forward to it.

Portrayal of roles: +1
This is the first drama of Nounen Rena I've watched, well not really, but this is the first I've watched wherein she's the lead. I've seen Nounen Rena in varieties and know she is weird. When I watched Amachan, sometimes it doesn't even feel that she's acting, because it's just like the usual airhead that she is when she's on variety shows! I hope it's not just because this was her true nature that she did a good job, I'm going to watch her more and more from now on, and see how her acting is. Hashimoto Ai feels a little awkward sometimes, usually when she's trying to portray anger but it was okay, it was so like the character she's portraying anyway. I still can't shake off the ojiichan (old man) image I got of Fukushi Sota when I saw his gestures at the Seventeen Natsu Matsuri 2014. Hahaha! It was the usual him anyway, nothing much, he is your usual shoujo prince. I guess the other actors studied a lot for their characters which is very laudable. Another man who got me with his portrayal on this one is Omi Toshinori as Kurokawa Masamune. He's a supporting character alright, but he was very effective as Aki's father and Haruko's husband. I found myself really admiring him! Hahaha. Nevermind that he's old!

Character development: +1
Yes. This drama reminded me how time has passed for me as well. Maybe some were thinking "What does Aki really want to do? She's just someone who always doesn't finish what she started!", that came to my mind to. But somehow I realized, maybe the story is trying to say "It's alright to try different things, more so when you're young. Find your passion." It might only be me who thinks that way but it's the message I got from the drama. Like the popular quote we all know right now "You only live once." Meanwhile, siblings Yui and Hiroshi were both lost but have found themselves too. They went through a lot but they became really admirable. Haruko and Natsu-bappa were both irritating at times to be honest. But oh well, Haruko had finally freed herself from the burden and regret she was carrying all this time. Idk about Natsu-bappa (Aki's grandmother), but it's good she learned to listen and face her own daughter (Haruko).

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
Oh yes everything! The opening will stick to you even if it's instrumental. Currently, I have all Shiosai no Memory versions (Aki and Yui's, Haruko's, and Suzuka Hiromi's versions) on my phone. I have LSS with Shiosai no Memory right now! I also have the other songs from the drama which are Koyomi no Ue dewa December and Jimoto ni Kaerou. 

Every episode was a fun watch: +1
Yes, at first, it was just okay, but at around Week 5 or 6, I was like "Omg. I want to watch it all." I don't even know what's so great about it but I was laughing and crying so much with this drama.

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1
Yes! That's why I finished it in just a short span of time! I've finally overcome my messed up body clock a few weeks ago, but then I watched Amachan and my body clock is messed up yet again! Sorry not sorry though! Hahaha! I started this in June, and I think I was going slow with the first 4 week-episodes, it was just so-so and I'm not yet hooked, but from Week 5 I finished it in less than a week until its Week 26!

It became a favorite: +1
YES!

(plus .5)
Though the synopsis didn't interest me much, I was really interested in knowing what the hype about Amachan was about 2 years ago. Why did many people watched and enjoyed it, I got really curious. Actually, the real synopsis/plot was very interesting! I guess it's never judge a drama with its plot. Lol!

Final Rating: 9.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
I probably won't be able to put into words everything which made this drama so admirable. It's calm and refreshing in its own unique way which I can't actually explain. Maybe, this is even a 10/10 because the real synopsis/plot was a thumbs up! It's surprising that it really got me hooked and I found myself literally applauding after the last episode!

Friday, July 10, 2015

Update Post #6

Hello! 

Most of what I'm sharing today are updates on what I'm currently watching or have watched in the past few days. :)

1. Amachan

I'm getting hooked! I'm on Week 10 of Amachan now and i'm getting really hooked! I can somehow understand what the hype is about now! I can't really explain it but I'm lookign forward more and more to the next episodes!

2. Webbline

I didn't review any product or service last June after posting reviews last April and May. I started reviewing products and services at Webbline again this July.

3. Kuroko no Basket

I've finished watching Kuroko no Basket until the 3rd season with my mom and sister! I've watched Kuroko no Basket seasons 1 and 2 before but I rewatched it so my mom and sister can both watch as well, and then we followed season 3 during its airing.

4. Ore Monogatari!!

I'm watching Ore Monogatari!! with my mom and sister too. It's still ongoing, and we find it entertaining because of the humor!

5. Shingeki no Kyojin

I watched Shingeki no Kyojin anime last week in one day! I'm not really into this genre, but this one is really great! I watched it with my sister. Our current bonding is having anime marathons whenever she's home. :)

6. Ao Haru Ride live-action film

I'm not sure if I'll post a separate post about this. The film felt like it was quite rushed. It's good but I guess they weren't able to convey all the feels in the manga because they were limited in time. I mean, they had to fit everything that happened in a 2-hour film. I just hope they were able to fund it more and made it into a 2-part film like Bokura ga Ita. 

7. Yowamushi Pedal

This was an anime that was finished in 2014. I and my sister are currently on our 2nd day marathon with this anime. I hope we'll finish it soon!


Until my next update post! :)

Monday, June 29, 2015

HEY! SAY! JUMP JUMPING C4R ALBUM

Hi! Today, I'm posting about the newest album by the idol group Hey! Say! JUMP. Their latest album is entitled JUMPing C4R. Well yes, again, it's a pun on the group's name. :)

This is just a commentary post about my first impression upon listening to each track, I won't dissect or talk about the meaning of the lyrics because I haven't seen translations yet, and my Japanese is still on a very low level. Also, no download links whatsoever here.^^ If you want the album's tracklist, you can find it here.

I'm only going to comment on the songs from the regular edition, and I'm not including the bonus tracks.


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Track No. 1: Fantasist

They always have this instrumental for intro on their albums. This one is is pretty amusing. It's sounds quite thrilling, it seems you're up for something really wonderful.

Track No. 2: JUMPing Car

I really love the intro and Yama-chan's first "whew-whew" if that's how to spell it! XD I think it has a really summery feeling, like you may want to hear this while on your way to the beach or something! XD :) Pretty catchy and I really like "whew-whew!" Hahaha!

Track No. 3: Walk

I don't favor it that much. I don't think it will stick will me soon. I mean, I don't think I'll remember the lyrics anytime soon. Hehe.

Track No. 4: SHen SHera Shen

SHen SHera Shen~ SHen SHera Shen~ I wonder if they'll have a dance for this! I think the chorus is so danceable! (Okay, I know there's no such word as danceable lol but that's how I want to describe it!) The chorus is cute, while the bridge part is cool! SHen SHera Shen~ SHen SHera Shen~ ♥ Hahahaha!

Track No. 5: Weekender

Well, this is a pretty old release since it's a single that was released last year. I really like this song, this was the ending song for Yamada Ryosuke and Arioka Daiki's drama Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo. This is pretty addictive, or maybe I think so because I've heard it lots of times already. XD :)

Track No. 6: Kira Kira Hikare

I don't find the other parts that good, but I like the chorus a lot. I might just go on singing the chorus one of these days. Lol.

Track No. 7: Ai yo boku wo Michibiite Yuke

This has a different feel, but it is very nice. While I don't see myself having this as my favorite, I wouldn't mind hearing it from time to time, just to feel another side of JUMP's singing. ♥

Track No. 8: Fever

I'm really not into this kind of songs, even Arashi songs like this, I don't find myself listening to them that much. The intro just lost my interest. XD :)

Track No. 9: Boys don't stop

This feels like a song that KAT-TUN or maybe Sexy Zone will sing, it's so not JUMP! Hahaha. But, it's quite pleasant but not a favorite.^^ 

Track No. 10: Dangerous

This one has a different feel as well, but it's like a Boku wa Vampire sequel in a way. XD :) I can sense a vampire feel somehow!

Track No. 11: Chau#

While this was released as a single before the album, I honestly haven't listened to it. Idk why, I feel so outdated. :( Anyway, it's a very lively song! XD Feels a little like an NYC song.

Track No. 12: Yowamushi☆Shooter

I love the title! Lol. I love stars so I'm really attracted to its title! XD I like this a little, but not too much, but I guess if I listen to this more I'm going to like it a lot.

Track No. 13: Ashita e no YELL

This one is pretty hooking in its own way, and it was very fitting for Nakajima Yuto and Takaki Yuya's drama Suikyu Yankees.

Track No. 14: Farewell

I thought this will be a pretty dramatic and slow song because of the title Farewell, but it's so upbeat! I'm not into upbeat tunes so much, tbh. I don't think I'm going to get hooked with this song.

Track No. 15: Very very happy

Omg. I thought this one will be a very upbeat song. Are they sure they didn't get Farewell and Very very happy mixed up? Lol. Or maybe they did that on purpose. This is a love ballad, I love it. It seems it's full of feels! I can't wait to see translations! I love this one! But it's awkward to say "My favorite song is Very very happy" XD :)

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My favorites from this JUMPing C4R album are JUMPing C4R, SHen SHera SHen, Weekender, Ashita e no YELL, and Very very happy.

Omg, it was so nice to be reminded how much I love Yamada Ryosuke's voice! I haven't listened to their songs lately but since Yamada's voice is the most prominent in their songs, I was reminded that I miss him! I'm so glad Inoo Kei is getting more and more lines in the songs too. Those two are my ichiban and niban in this group, btw.^^ Also, it hit me I need my dose of Hey! Say! JUMP, well I love them all, of course! ♥