Japanese Summer TV Season: Part 4
Two more dramas watched: Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku and Hotaru no Hikari 2, both are considered romances; Hotaru no Hikari 2 is considered to be more of a romantic comedy while Natsu no Koi is described as more of a romantic comedy/human drama - though, honestly I think Natsu no Koi is more romantic comedy than anything else.
I've watched the first two episodes of Natsu no Koi and the first episode of Hotaru no Hikari 2, and have some thoughts on both.
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku: is the story of a second generation actor, whose not very successful and at 26 is still doing bit roles and variety programs. Despite having a passion for acting, Taiga, has a few issues. He feels insecure because of his father's success; he also has a habit of blaming everyone else for his own misfortune. It's not his fault he's not getting roles - its the fault of his father, family, other actors, etc. The truth is Taiga isn't a very likable guy; he's immature, bratty, and refuses to really work for his dream.
On the other side of things is Shiori, a thirty-year-old single mother whose a life long fan of Taiga's father. She's the opposite of Taiga: she's hardworking, cheerful, she laughs away her worries, because even though she's poor and has a tragic past, Shiori is determined to be happy and live a good life for her daughter.
Taiga and Shiori meet by accident, and for Taiga it's love at first sight. Shiori then gets a part-time job at the agency that Taiga is signed to. From the first moment they meet Taiga begins falling for Shiori, and things go from there.
I really loved the first episode. It was a bit quieter than the average rom-com, but it still had its humor. There were some lovely moments of romance that made me smile. The second episode was a bit boring, and the "twist" was clearly just there for drama's sake. Still, the little actress that plays Umi is adorable. I'm a little scared that this series will drag on, but I'm hoping it finds its grove next week with episode four - the preview promised some drama and real story.
Overall, I like this drama and am keeping it on my watch list.
Hotaru no Hikari 2: The squeal to the 2007 drama, HnH2 is based on a manga about an OL (office lady)who spends her off time lazying about the house, wearing her gym clothing and drinking beer. Though she's a hard working in the office, she's immature and lazy in her personal life. In the last series she began a romance with her co-worker, Seichi Takano, a serious divorced man thirteen years her senior.
This series starts three years later; Hotaru Amemiya returns from a project in Hong Kong. Things between Amemiya and Seichi are a bit strained, as she's spent the last three years just working - there has been no real contact. When Amemiya returns she finds that her department has changed greatly, and now she has a new co-worker: Seno Kazuma, a man her own age, whom she seems to have a lot in common with. Meanwhile, Seichi seems to have a relationship of some sort with a beautiful woman his own age - and there's a child involved?! Craziness!
A lot of the charm of the first series was watching Seichi and Amemiya living together, getting used to each other, and changing the habits of one another. A bit of that charm is gone now. It's a bit awkward at times, but that's not a bad thing; our romantic leads have been apart for three years after all.
I liked the first episode, but didn't love it. I'll continue with it. I just wish Seichi was more open with Amemiya about what he's been doing during their three years apart. I have a feeling there will be some angst later.
I've watched the first two episodes of Natsu no Koi and the first episode of Hotaru no Hikari 2, and have some thoughts on both.
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku: is the story of a second generation actor, whose not very successful and at 26 is still doing bit roles and variety programs. Despite having a passion for acting, Taiga, has a few issues. He feels insecure because of his father's success; he also has a habit of blaming everyone else for his own misfortune. It's not his fault he's not getting roles - its the fault of his father, family, other actors, etc. The truth is Taiga isn't a very likable guy; he's immature, bratty, and refuses to really work for his dream.
On the other side of things is Shiori, a thirty-year-old single mother whose a life long fan of Taiga's father. She's the opposite of Taiga: she's hardworking, cheerful, she laughs away her worries, because even though she's poor and has a tragic past, Shiori is determined to be happy and live a good life for her daughter.
Taiga and Shiori meet by accident, and for Taiga it's love at first sight. Shiori then gets a part-time job at the agency that Taiga is signed to. From the first moment they meet Taiga begins falling for Shiori, and things go from there.
I really loved the first episode. It was a bit quieter than the average rom-com, but it still had its humor. There were some lovely moments of romance that made me smile. The second episode was a bit boring, and the "twist" was clearly just there for drama's sake. Still, the little actress that plays Umi is adorable. I'm a little scared that this series will drag on, but I'm hoping it finds its grove next week with episode four - the preview promised some drama and real story.
Overall, I like this drama and am keeping it on my watch list.
Hotaru no Hikari 2: The squeal to the 2007 drama, HnH2 is based on a manga about an OL (office lady)who spends her off time lazying about the house, wearing her gym clothing and drinking beer. Though she's a hard working in the office, she's immature and lazy in her personal life. In the last series she began a romance with her co-worker, Seichi Takano, a serious divorced man thirteen years her senior.
This series starts three years later; Hotaru Amemiya returns from a project in Hong Kong. Things between Amemiya and Seichi are a bit strained, as she's spent the last three years just working - there has been no real contact. When Amemiya returns she finds that her department has changed greatly, and now she has a new co-worker: Seno Kazuma, a man her own age, whom she seems to have a lot in common with. Meanwhile, Seichi seems to have a relationship of some sort with a beautiful woman his own age - and there's a child involved?! Craziness!
A lot of the charm of the first series was watching Seichi and Amemiya living together, getting used to each other, and changing the habits of one another. A bit of that charm is gone now. It's a bit awkward at times, but that's not a bad thing; our romantic leads have been apart for three years after all.
I liked the first episode, but didn't love it. I'll continue with it. I just wish Seichi was more open with Amemiya about what he's been doing during their three years apart. I have a feeling there will be some angst later.