Blabbing on and on about J-dramas, K-dramas, and one or two anime
Heee, it's been so long! *wheels around happily*
Neways, I have an awful lot of blab stored up and will likely come out nonsensical and incoherent, but well, here we go!
LOVE CONCERTO (Japanese drama version of "Nodame Cantible"): Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!!!! Seriously, even for someone who doesn't like live action, this should be watched if you at all like Nodame Cantible. I have to admit, while K-dramas were sparked for me by ppl in LJ, J-dramas were never my thing. That was until I found my drama supplier! Now I have several stocked up on his recommendation and so far, very very happy with the few I've managed to finish!
So, Nodame's one of those mangas that was a little weird for me. I adore Chiaki and Nodame, but Nodame's living habits make my skin crawl (eugh, living side by side with rotting garbage bags! *shudders*). But the mangaka did a fabulous job with the characters, drawing you in bit by bit. It helped that I like music manga as well.
The live action follows quite closely to the manga and actually ends further than I would have expected. Apparently there's a four-hour sequel (*squeals*). Actually, I found I fell lot more in love with everyone in the live action than in the manga. In the manga, only the main characters really stood out. In the live action, the actors do a fantastic job drawing you into their world.
Interesting bits: Very weird way they have Chiaki's eyes roll behind his eyelids when he's freaking out (it's both hilarious and creepy and sometimes breaks the tension, which can be distracting); how they actually manage to make Masumi come alive (hair, mustache, bell bottoms, platforms, and all); and Etoh-sensei dancing to the poop songs.
HANAKIMI: Yes, another manga drama. Apparently, it's a Japanese thing. I haven't been able to finish this one yet, but so far it looks promising. And unfortunately, I'm likely one of the few who's not a huge Hanakimi fan (read the first book and that's about it). Yes, very funny as well, but sometimes a little painful to watch (especially Dorm 2's antics). I really have to get back into it and maybe add more to this pretty short commentary.
YAMADA TAROU NO MONOGATARI: I actually got the manga for this (buried somewhere). I remember picking it up because the guy in front looks cute and from then on, started reading the story (or as much as my Japanese was able to decipher anyway). It's been so long I barely remember the details! ^_^ Picked this up upon the strong recommendation from my drama supplier since he knows I like comedies. Watching part of the episode was almost enough to put me off as I frankly think the guy they have playing as Tarou is ugly and the girl lead is not so much attractive either. So yes, I'm shallow and I bought it to watch the second male lead. *_* Haven't started but am actually looking forward to it now, after some contemplation.
PRINCESS HOURS (GOONG): Ah, Eun-Hye is so totally my favourite K-actress! She's so adorable here and she has such a strong charisma that makes watching her fun! This is when I encountered an apparently odd quirk of K-dramas: I fell in love with the male lead, and then several episodes later, was now rooting for the rival male to hook up with Chaegyung! I mean, you know what's coming, but you couldn't help but hope for other things. Yes, all romantic and tragic and sad. -_-; But then, hey, it all worked out in the end.
You know, I really wish she was doing the lead in QUEEN OF THE GAME. She would be so much more interesting to watch and it'd be interesting seeing her against one of my favourite K-actors (yes, I found him and loved him from 200-POUND BEAUTY)!
COFFEE PRINCE: The K-drama that started everything! This is fun, quirky, and yes, a gender-bender. But they all did it fantastically, mixing the serious romantic subplot with the more comedic main plot very well. One lady I met said she watched the series over ten times! therefore, I. MUST. FINISH. THIS.
JEWEL IN THE PALACE: Is a K-drama I haven't even began to watch. From Goong, I discovered I have a definite liking towards the more historical dramas and am already planning on buying Jumong once I finish Jewel. This apparently is a classic K-drama and from what I found surfing, the one drama you have to watch if you're going to watch any. My drama suppliers says that, although it's over 70 hours, they've made a tremendous effort in ensuring that you won't want it to finish ever. I've already felt that with "Love Concerto" and "Goong", so I'm definitely very curious. Still, 70 hours....anime has definitely shortened my attention span!
FINAL FANTASY 7, ADVENT CHILDREN: Cloud! Reno! Rufus! Cloud! Vincent! Tifa! Cloud! Aaaaahhhhhh! Love, love, love! Especially love Cloud, Cloud's motorcycle, and Cloud's fantastic array of swords! Oddly enough, this movie made me dislike Sephiroth intensely. I think it's cause he creeps me out. Really. Huh, who da thunk? Er, Seph fans, please don't kill me. And yes, Cloud and Tifa looked very cute together, especially with those ribbons. Problems: there wasn't enough Vincent and barely enough Reno. Need another movie. Soon. Really.
GOKUSEN: Ha, another love! The anime makes me want to watch the live action so much, but well, the live action is a little weird for me. Still, very very cool anime on a unassuming-seeming teacher taking on the class that would make regular people's hair fall out. And Shin is luv! And yes, I ship Shin/Kumiko, although I try not to think about it until Shin's in college! ^_^
SAIUNKOKU MONOGATARI: Finally watched it! And loved it! Shuurei is definitely my favourite character, but among the guys, I adore all of them (with the possible exception of Eigetsu who's hair just makes me cringe)! Really. My main peeves about this anime are the uber!bishie artwork (it reduces the period impact and makes them seem too much like mannequins that move), how all the interesting characters are superbishies (I mean, how can Sakujun even be related to his sibs---they look absolutely nothing alike!), and the way every guy manages to fall in love with Shuurei. Hey, Shuurei is definitely a fantastic female character, but when every guy she meets becomes her best friend or adores her, it smacks a little too much of Mary-Sue. So who would I pair up with her? Ryuuki's a little too much like a child (but has wonderful moments), Seiran's perfect except I don't think there's anything more than fraternal between them (and plus, they'd be a boring pair), and Sakujun (well, just no, though definitely an interesting set). Actually, when Li Kouryo was mentioned as possible husband, I thought 'no no no' as the guy did say he didn't like women. But then again, after much contemplation, I think the two of them would actually suit perfectly. It makes me kinda want to write a Kouryo/Shuurei fic and I'm very, very interested in how Viridian's fic will turn out. Reishin, Ran, and Ryuuren would be killer to write. Reishin would probably give me as much nightmares as trying to write Roy Mustang! ^_^
Er okay, that's it for now! Ta ta!
So, um, is anybody willing to share their copies of episodes 27 up for Saiunkoku? I've tried finding the torrents but the sites seem down! Please help! *begs*