Nostalgy about Junpei Mizobata
Hiiii, I am back with another article. This time I would like to try talk about one specific japanese actor - Junpei Mizobata (溝端淳平). The reason why is his birthday. On 14th of June he turned 30. You might be wondering why he is special that I am writing about him. Well, he was my 2nd japenese actor I came across and my first actor I had "crush" lol. My 12 years old stupid self was amazed by his portrayal of Shinichi from Detective Conan. But let me start firstly with some basic info about him. Junpei was born on 14th of June 1989 in Hashimoto, Wakayama prefecture. He has one older sister and niece. He works under Ever Green Entertainment agency for actors and actresses. He is most famous for his role of A-kun in Akai Ito but you could have seen him in Hana Kimi (2007) or in Shitsuren chocolatier. You could also see him in Fila commercials or hear his voice as an dubber.
Olivier from Shitsuren Chocolatier Kazuma with Nakatsu ♥ (legendary photo!)
Fila sports wear advertisement
Moving from the introduction, I would like to talk about (just briefly, without long reviews) his best dramas/movies according to my opinion. So lets start :D ... ( for reading my short summary of each drama please click on "read more" :) )
1. Detective Conan: A Challenge letter to Kudou Shinichi ( 2011)
movie poster Junpei with Shiori Kutsuna
This live action opened me world to japanese dramas and I would always considered it legendary. I was huuuge fan of Conan back then and random googling led me to this drama. Thanks it I´ve got interested in japanese doramas. This live action is based on famous Gosho Aoyama´s manga and anime. But the plot is not connected to real anime nor manga. Drama tells about Shinichi´s crime cases before he had shrunked into Conan... Story describes the event how Shinichi (Junpei) founded himself traped in white room together with his classmate (and crush) Ran (Shiori Kutsuna) together with her father (private detective) Mouri Kogoro. They are traped in this room and the only way to get out is to quess the correct passwords into computer. The password are connected to cases Shinichi had encountered and so the trio remind themselves those cases. If you are interested about whether they succeed, watch it yourself.J Oh and there are 2 movies/specials to this live action. ( If you are Conan fan like me, I advise to watch movies with Shun Oguri as Shinichi too.) As a fan of Conan, this was very cute and interesting drama to watch. I did not connect it to real manga/anime and watched it like it is in "parallel“ universe lol. Actually I enjoyed doing the "deductions" to guess the criminal. If you like mysteries and Conan, give it a try. However does not expect big shocking crimes... Think of it as interesting japanese style detective drama to relax. About cast...Shiori Kutsuna and Junpei had cute chemistry and also I enjoyed Hejiji in portrayal of Tori Matsuzaka in movies. Oh and Jinnai Takanori nailed Kogoro :D.
cast from the movie with Heiji and Kazuha Screencap from drama- the locked room
This is just a teaser. I am sorry, I could not find better quality
* I cant help but think about this song by Yuyu - Kimi to zutto - used as end song when I think about this drama
2. Akai Ito (2008)
This drama (and movie which is the shortened version of drama) tells heart touching story of love and fate between Mei and Atsushi (A-kun- Junpei). Both share the same date of birth and feel like they are connected by fate. However, they are also connected by painful and devastating past which they discovered through their love. Their cruel destiny is similar than in famous japanese legend about "red string of fate“. But Mei and A-kun are not the one who are facing the problems. Drama shows also dark side of teenage life like drugs, suicide, violence and family problems. It is deep story, in some parts depressing but you would still be able to see hope, empathise with characters and witness cute scenes as well. It really would make you re-think about your view of life and moral standards. In any case, this drama would definitelly make your heart touched with both, happiness and sadness. The young cast did great job with realistic acting and the backround soundtracks were beautiful.
trailer
*I also advice you to listen beautiful song 366 days (366 Nichi) by HY which is theme song for this drama.
366 nichi- song by HY**This might be weird, but I associate Pocky with this drama, because it was 1st time I saw its commercial in connection to this drama :D
3. Kokou debut (movie 2011)
manga oficial movie poster
This is probably the best movie adaptation of manga I have seen till now. After I watched the movie, I had to read the manga (because I was so interested how it would continue hehe) and I can say that they did a really great job with costumes, cast, script - EVERYTHING! This movie is even more hilarious and funny than the manga, written by Kawahara Kazune. Story is about hopeless highschool girl who loves baseball Haruna (Ito Ono). One day she decided she needs a boyfriend. So she asked the most popular ikemen in school to be her coach to train her how to get the boyfriend. After long persuading he agreed, but he had codition. Haruna cant never ever fall in love with him...
see 1000% anime boy :P
trailer
Weeel and here we gooo :P Oh god, Yoh Komiyama (portrayed by Junpei) was my huuuge crush back then XD (Junpei looked 10000% like perfect anime boy and it was killing me lol) So cool, so handsome, so deep and mysterious... And I saw myself in clumsy, hopeles Haruna which every action made me crack so much. Their story is so cute and very funny that I would advise to watch it even though you are not shoujo manga lover. (I am not and I really enjoyed it.)
*Random fact, I discovered band 7Oops thanks to this movie. They sang ost song Fallin Love. ♥
4. Hachi one diver (2008)
official poster Jupei with Riisa Naka
This is another jdrama based on quite famous manga with the same name. This drama follows story of young shogi player Sugata Kentarou (Junpei) who just plays without any aim. Well he just gamble to get money, after he failed the profi shogi training. His view on shogi changed completely when he lost match against "Ukeshi"- genius girl player of shogi. She then introduces him as Nakashizu Soyo (Riisa Naka). She brings him to profi shogi player who teaches him real philosophy of this old game.
Junpei acting in this drama is one of his best. He proved he can take complicated roles and that he can play with his facial expressions very well. This Drama has it all, suspense, friendship, love, cuteness and funny scenes. It brings shogi closer to young generations and explains its deep philosophy. I have to praise cast, especiall Riisa Naka (she nailed split personality of her character ) and Osugi Ren. The next I praise music and soundtracks which beatifully completed most suspense and emotional parts in drama. I highly recommend this older drama.
*Funny that thanks to this drama I found that Gakki can sing- she sang Make my day which was used as ending song for this drama :)
5. 35 sai no Koukousei-
Well this drama has misleading name. Nope it wont be any light comedy school drama. Prepare yourself for true, dark and problematic side of high schools in 21st century. And the problems which are shown in this drama are not common only for Japan but examples can be found anywhere in world. Whole story shows us how one troublesome school would start to slowly change when Baba Ayako (Ryoko Yonekura) a 35 y.o. student come again to highschool. She witness all problems of students and teachers. She tries to adapt and somehow help the school. You can see Junpei plays the annoying and coward like homeroon teacher Junichi Koizumi. If you like school dramas with deeper/psychological meaning, give this drama a try.
Junpei with Ryoko Yonekura Koizumi sensei
And lastly, I would like to mention also his not so "big" roles. These dramas below are mostly detective, mystery, suspense genre. In all of them Junpei portrayed detective/police officer who helps the main "investigator".
Shinzanmono (2010) - very funny, yet serious but also human detective drama with interesting cases. Big bonus is Abe Hiroshi who is the main detective and Junpei character Shuhei Matsumiya helps him. There are also movies/specials connected to this drama.
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Toshi densetsu no Onna 1 (2012), 2 (2013)- This is your typical light, funny japanese detective drama. Detective Otonashi Tsukiko (Nagasawa Masami ♥ who was really great in her role) connects every case what happened to "Toshi Densetsu" - urban legends. Junpei plays Katsuura Hiroto - forensic investigator- who has crush on Otonashi. I recommend it to japanese detective dramas lovers only tho...
2012 2013
*I discovered Perfume thansk to this drama, their song Sweet Refrain was used in it. I totally fell in luv ♥
BOSS 1(2008), 2 (2011)- Great cast who acts brilliantly (Amami Yuki, Takenouchi Yutaka, Toda Erika, Nukumizu Youichi, Tamayama Tetsuji... ), very interesting cases and lovable characters. Plus overmotivated young rookie detective Ippei Hanagata -Junpei character- is mainly the source of comedy :D
*Get to know about Superfly because of her songs to be used as theme song in this dramas
Weeell this is a wrap... Frankly, I stopped to watch Junpei's work from about 2015? because I did not like his new projects and I found them stupid and boring. I felt like he takes any role given to him and that he wastes his talent. Time flew, I found more interesting artist and little bit forgot about Junpei. But just recently I realised he is back with some interesting projects and I am ready to give them try in the future. I am glad I had time to little bit think about "roots" of my jdrama obsession haha and I enjoyed nostalgy which this article brought me. Hope you guys who read it enjoyed it. If so, let me know. Also if you know Junpei and like him/his work drop me a comment. I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you for reading and see you soon :) ♥
Olivier from Shitsuren Chocolatier Kazuma with Nakatsu ♥ (legendary photo!)
Fila sports wear advertisement
Moving from the introduction, I would like to talk about (just briefly, without long reviews) his best dramas/movies according to my opinion. So lets start :D ... ( for reading my short summary of each drama please click on "read more" :) )
1. Detective Conan: A Challenge letter to Kudou Shinichi ( 2011)
movie poster Junpei with Shiori Kutsuna
This live action opened me world to japanese dramas and I would always considered it legendary. I was huuuge fan of Conan back then and random googling led me to this drama. Thanks it I´ve got interested in japanese doramas. This live action is based on famous Gosho Aoyama´s manga and anime. But the plot is not connected to real anime nor manga. Drama tells about Shinichi´s crime cases before he had shrunked into Conan... Story describes the event how Shinichi (Junpei) founded himself traped in white room together with his classmate (and crush) Ran (Shiori Kutsuna) together with her father (private detective) Mouri Kogoro. They are traped in this room and the only way to get out is to quess the correct passwords into computer. The password are connected to cases Shinichi had encountered and so the trio remind themselves those cases. If you are interested about whether they succeed, watch it yourself.J Oh and there are 2 movies/specials to this live action. ( If you are Conan fan like me, I advise to watch movies with Shun Oguri as Shinichi too.) As a fan of Conan, this was very cute and interesting drama to watch. I did not connect it to real manga/anime and watched it like it is in "parallel“ universe lol. Actually I enjoyed doing the "deductions" to guess the criminal. If you like mysteries and Conan, give it a try. However does not expect big shocking crimes... Think of it as interesting japanese style detective drama to relax. About cast...Shiori Kutsuna and Junpei had cute chemistry and also I enjoyed Hejiji in portrayal of Tori Matsuzaka in movies. Oh and Jinnai Takanori nailed Kogoro :D.
cast from the movie with Heiji and Kazuha Screencap from drama- the locked room
Click to viewThis is just a teaser. I am sorry, I could not find better quality
* I cant help but think about this song by Yuyu - Kimi to zutto - used as end song when I think about this drama
2. Akai Ito (2008)
This drama (and movie which is the shortened version of drama) tells heart touching story of love and fate between Mei and Atsushi (A-kun- Junpei). Both share the same date of birth and feel like they are connected by fate. However, they are also connected by painful and devastating past which they discovered through their love. Their cruel destiny is similar than in famous japanese legend about "red string of fate“. But Mei and A-kun are not the one who are facing the problems. Drama shows also dark side of teenage life like drugs, suicide, violence and family problems. It is deep story, in some parts depressing but you would still be able to see hope, empathise with characters and witness cute scenes as well. It really would make you re-think about your view of life and moral standards. In any case, this drama would definitelly make your heart touched with both, happiness and sadness. The young cast did great job with realistic acting and the backround soundtracks were beautiful.
trailer
*I also advice you to listen beautiful song 366 days (366 Nichi) by HY which is theme song for this drama.
366 nichi- song by HY**This might be weird, but I associate Pocky with this drama, because it was 1st time I saw its commercial in connection to this drama :D
3. Kokou debut (movie 2011)
manga oficial movie poster
This is probably the best movie adaptation of manga I have seen till now. After I watched the movie, I had to read the manga (because I was so interested how it would continue hehe) and I can say that they did a really great job with costumes, cast, script - EVERYTHING! This movie is even more hilarious and funny than the manga, written by Kawahara Kazune. Story is about hopeless highschool girl who loves baseball Haruna (Ito Ono). One day she decided she needs a boyfriend. So she asked the most popular ikemen in school to be her coach to train her how to get the boyfriend. After long persuading he agreed, but he had codition. Haruna cant never ever fall in love with him...
see 1000% anime boy :P
trailer
Weeel and here we gooo :P Oh god, Yoh Komiyama (portrayed by Junpei) was my huuuge crush back then XD (Junpei looked 10000% like perfect anime boy and it was killing me lol) So cool, so handsome, so deep and mysterious... And I saw myself in clumsy, hopeles Haruna which every action made me crack so much. Their story is so cute and very funny that I would advise to watch it even though you are not shoujo manga lover. (I am not and I really enjoyed it.)
*Random fact, I discovered band 7Oops thanks to this movie. They sang ost song Fallin Love. ♥
4. Hachi one diver (2008)
official poster Jupei with Riisa Naka
This is another jdrama based on quite famous manga with the same name. This drama follows story of young shogi player Sugata Kentarou (Junpei) who just plays without any aim. Well he just gamble to get money, after he failed the profi shogi training. His view on shogi changed completely when he lost match against "Ukeshi"- genius girl player of shogi. She then introduces him as Nakashizu Soyo (Riisa Naka). She brings him to profi shogi player who teaches him real philosophy of this old game.
Junpei acting in this drama is one of his best. He proved he can take complicated roles and that he can play with his facial expressions very well. This Drama has it all, suspense, friendship, love, cuteness and funny scenes. It brings shogi closer to young generations and explains its deep philosophy. I have to praise cast, especiall Riisa Naka (she nailed split personality of her character ) and Osugi Ren. The next I praise music and soundtracks which beatifully completed most suspense and emotional parts in drama. I highly recommend this older drama.
*Funny that thanks to this drama I found that Gakki can sing- she sang Make my day which was used as ending song for this drama :)
5. 35 sai no Koukousei-
Well this drama has misleading name. Nope it wont be any light comedy school drama. Prepare yourself for true, dark and problematic side of high schools in 21st century. And the problems which are shown in this drama are not common only for Japan but examples can be found anywhere in world. Whole story shows us how one troublesome school would start to slowly change when Baba Ayako (Ryoko Yonekura) a 35 y.o. student come again to highschool. She witness all problems of students and teachers. She tries to adapt and somehow help the school. You can see Junpei plays the annoying and coward like homeroon teacher Junichi Koizumi. If you like school dramas with deeper/psychological meaning, give this drama a try.
Junpei with Ryoko Yonekura Koizumi sensei
And lastly, I would like to mention also his not so "big" roles. These dramas below are mostly detective, mystery, suspense genre. In all of them Junpei portrayed detective/police officer who helps the main "investigator".
Shinzanmono (2010) - very funny, yet serious but also human detective drama with interesting cases. Big bonus is Abe Hiroshi who is the main detective and Junpei character Shuhei Matsumiya helps him. There are also movies/specials connected to this drama.
Toshi densetsu no Onna 1 (2012), 2 (2013)- This is your typical light, funny japanese detective drama. Detective Otonashi Tsukiko (Nagasawa Masami ♥ who was really great in her role) connects every case what happened to "Toshi Densetsu" - urban legends. Junpei plays Katsuura Hiroto - forensic investigator- who has crush on Otonashi. I recommend it to japanese detective dramas lovers only tho...
2012 2013
*I discovered Perfume thansk to this drama, their song Sweet Refrain was used in it. I totally fell in luv ♥
BOSS 1(2008), 2 (2011)- Great cast who acts brilliantly (Amami Yuki, Takenouchi Yutaka, Toda Erika, Nukumizu Youichi, Tamayama Tetsuji... ), very interesting cases and lovable characters. Plus overmotivated young rookie detective Ippei Hanagata -Junpei character- is mainly the source of comedy :D
*Get to know about Superfly because of her songs to be used as theme song in this dramas
Weeell this is a wrap... Frankly, I stopped to watch Junpei's work from about 2015? because I did not like his new projects and I found them stupid and boring. I felt like he takes any role given to him and that he wastes his talent. Time flew, I found more interesting artist and little bit forgot about Junpei. But just recently I realised he is back with some interesting projects and I am ready to give them try in the future. I am glad I had time to little bit think about "roots" of my jdrama obsession haha and I enjoyed nostalgy which this article brought me. Hope you guys who read it enjoyed it. If so, let me know. Also if you know Junpei and like him/his work drop me a comment. I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you for reading and see you soon :) ♥