Shark 2nd Season [Still, Dorama marathon with more beatiful rock band]

Sudah nonton Shark season 1? Berarti wajib nonton Shark season 2. Meskipun cerita di season 2 ini fokus cerita berganti menjadi kisah grup band lain, tapi ini tetap terkait dengan cerita season sebelumnya. Tapi, yang mau langsung loncat ke season 2 juga nggak masalah.

---

Title: SHARK 2nd Season

Genre: Drama, Music

Episodes: 11

Broadcast period: April -2014

Theme song: Sono saki e... by Johnny's WEST

CAST

Shigeoka Daiki as Irie Saku

Abe Aran as Sato Yuto

Yasui Kentaro as Shindo Kota

Hagiya Keigo as Ogawa Haruya

Hamada Takahiro as Hagiwara Kai

etc.

---

Sinopsis

Malam konser terakhir  band indie Shark telah beberapa waktu berlalu, dan impian untuk debut di bawah major label harus ditunda beberapa lama, menunggu suara Mizuki sang vokalis kembali.  Band-band baru bermunculan dan meraih sukses di pasaran, salah satunya adalah Cloud 5. Cloud 5, band beranggotakan 4 orang yang dipimpin oleh Irie Saku (bass) telah sukses di debut perdananya. Lagu Cloud 5 sering diputar dimana-mana, fans mereka semakin banyak, dan di bawah label Wonder Records, Cloud5 menjadi band yang sangat populer. Namun, ada harga yang harus dibayar untuk suatu ke-profesionalan. Menjadi band dengan major label adalah babak baru dalam perjuangan sebuah band yang bahkan lebih berbelit dan kadang lebih menyakitkan.  Bagaimana menjaga idealisme musik, bagaimana menghadapi perbedaan antar anggota, dan persaingan yang sengit. Namun, tentu saja banyak hal yang akan terus diraih dibalik semua perjuangan ini.

Menguliti Dorama, Review

Setelah menonton dorama Shark season 1, rasanya penasaran sekali untuk menyaksikan kelanjutanan perjuangan Mizuk dkk. Awalnya agak kaget juga, ternyata fokus cerita dari Shark season 2 bukan lagi band Shark, melainkan band lain Cloud5. Banyak beberapa  komentar dan review yang menyebutkan bahwa Shark season 2 ini lebih membosankan, tapi menurut aku pribadi, justru Shark season 2 lebih bagus. Konflik dan ceritanya lebih dalam dan rumit. Mungkin juga aku terlalu terpesona dengan Abe Aran dan Shigeoka Daiki. So, mari dibahas sekilas.

Ide Cerita (Spoiler Alert)

Bagus. Nah, aku mau lanjutkan lagi dari sinopsis sebelumnya.

Jika di Shark 1 menonjolkan cerita perjuangan band Indie untuk bisa debut dengan major label, maka di season 2 ini lebih fokus pada hal-hal yang terjadi setelah suatu band mendapatkan label.  Tokoh utama adalah Irie Saku, basis sekaligus leader dari band Cloud 5 yang beranggotakan Shindo Kota (gitar), Sato Yuto (Vokal), dan Ogawa Haruya (drum). Saku dan Kota berteman dekat sejak SMA, bahkan bersama dengan Yonezawa Makoto yang juga teman sekolahnya dulu, mereka bertiga tinggal bersama di satu rumah. Setelah kesuksesan debut Cloud5, permasalahan mulai muncul ketika Kota mulai merasa bahwa Cloud5 telah kehilangan idealismenya dalam bermusik. Berbeda pendapat dengan anggota lain, Kota sering mengancam akan keluar. Saku, yang ingin memperjuangkan musik Cloud5 dan juga persahabatannya dengan Kota dan anggota lain menjadi di simpang jalan.

(Di sini terasa banget susahnya jadi pemimpin kalau harus mengambil keputusan. Tidak mungkin mengambil keputusan tanpa ada resiko. Aku suka banget kebingungan-kebingungan yang dialami Saku. Terutama saat dia harus berkompromi dengan idelisme dan keprofesionalanya.)

Saku dan Makoto di apartemen mereka (img: here)

Suatu hari Kota terlibat perkelahian sehingga dia harus diskors beberapa waktu dari aktivitasnya di Cloud5. Di saat itulah Ichika, sang manager yang juga manager Shark, meminta gitaris Shark-Hagiwara Kai untuk menggantikan sementara posisi Kota.  Tidak mudah pada awalnya, namun Hagiwara Kai berhasil menjalin interaksi yang baik dengan Cloud5. Hingga kemudian Kota kembali lagi aktif di Cloud5 dan Kai kembali ke Shark.

Konflik antara Kota dan anggota lain terus berlanjut hingga pada akhirnya Saku memutuskan agar Kota meninggalkan Cloud5. Kai diminta untuk menggantikan posisi Kota secara permanen. Kai menghadapi konflik batin, dia harus memilih antara Shark atau Cloud5? Di saat yang bersamaan, muncul pesaing baru yaitu band Behind The Scene (BTS) yang menjadi sangat terkenal saat Cloud5 mulai terpecah. Bagaimana mereka mengatasi semua ini?  Itu menarik sekali.

Seru banget kan ceritanya! Menurutku, ini terasa lebih realistis dan emosional. Liku-liku perjalanan sebuah band profesional terasa banget di sini. Hanya saja ada satu yang agak mengganggu di tengah-tengah serunya cerita Cloud5, yaitu cerita cinta segitiga Saku-Makoto-Kota. Aku merasa, itu nggak penting banget, malah mengganggu dan terasa ada jarak dengan cerita utamanya.  

Meskipun nasib band Shark seakan semakin suram di season ini, tapi ya sudahlah, aku tidak terlalu kecewa. Kenapa? Karena banyak lagu-lagu bagus dan juga ada Abe dan Daiki. Hehehe… Para fans Shark gak perlu kecewa juga karena mereka bakal nongol kok meski sebentar. 

Plot

Tidak terlalu beda dengan season 1, Shark season 2 memiliki alur maju yang enak diikuti. Mungkin bedanya adalah di season ke 2 ini lebih nyantai, tidak seperti sebelumnya yang lebih cepat. Itu tidak menjadi masalah sih, sama-sama bagus kok. Dan yang paling menyenangkan adalah klimaksnya di episode terakhir nonjok banget. Pas dan puas! Ups, bocoran dikit, ada ending clifhanger yang mungkin menjadi pertanda akan ada season 3. Yah, meskipun itu sudah 2 tahun lalu sih ya. Hehehe.

Cast

Siapa sih cewek yang tidak suka para JE boys?  Dorama ini tentu juga bertabur para JE Boys yang memanjakan mata. Selain enak dipandang, beberapa dari mereka juga juga bisa berakting. Beberapa akan aku sorot.

Daiki Shigeoka. Aku suka sekali dia sebagai Irie Saku. Menurutku, pas sekali dia dengan karakter Saku yang tegas meskipun berhati lembut. Awalnya aku berpikir, wajah dia terlalu imut untuk jadi leader band. Tapi, lama-lama dilihat dia makin kelihatan kharismanya. Yoii…

Daiki Shigeoka as Irie Saku (img: here)

Abe Aran.  Hemm, adeknya Yamapi ini mah nggak perlu banyak alasan kenapa harus disukai. Imut banget. Senyumnya itu lho! Meleleh hatiku. Tapi, dibalik wajahnya yang modal banget itu, dia juga jago akting. Vokalis yang playboy, ceria, dan sungguh menarik perhatian. Abe--- I love you! Hahaha..

Abe Aran as Sato Yuto

Hamada Takahiro. Di season 2 ini dia jadi ganteng. Sebelumnya, di  Shark 1, Kai nggak seganteng saat jadi gabung di Cloud5. Pilihan yang bagus Kai. Bahkan, Samantha pun suka sama Kai. Kai-kun! Ops, ngomongin akting sih, ehem ya bagus sih, meski rada biasa. Hehehe.

Hamada Takahiro as Hagiwara  Kai 

Yasui Kentaro. Nah, ini nih yang bikin sebel sepanjang episode. Sekilas memang dia mirip Akanishi Jin, sedikit aja, tapi Yasui Kentaro mendapat peran sebagai Kota yang selalu membuat masalah. Yah, rasa sebalku ke dia adalah bukti bahwa dia punya kualitas akting yang cukup baik pula.

Yasui Kentaro as Shindo Kota 

Dan lain-lain, tidak kubahas karena nanti kepanjangan pastinya. Sorry Haruya, you didnt get my attention. Eh, satu lagi karakter pendukung yang lucu, namanya Ivan yang meranin Samantha, cewek or cowok yang bekerja sebagai asisten Matsuyuki, produser Cloud5. Dia lucu banget, sumpah. Itu lho, yang suka sama Kai-kun.

Setting

Ya, suka sih. But, nothing special. Intip review-ku untuk Shark season 1 untuk melihat penilaianku, soalnya nggak beda jauh. Hehehe.

Kostum

Ini lebih baik dari season 1. Kenapa? Karena mereka lebih sering ganti baju. Tidak seperti sebelumnya yang sampai episode terakhir para pemainnya nggak pernah ganti baju. Suka banget stylenya Daiki dan Abe. Paling rambutnya Abe yang rada-rada alay gimana gituh. Tapi, gak apa-apalah. 

Musik

Bagus. Aku suka semua lagu-lagu mereka. Paling suka lagu No Way Out, lalu Break Out. Sono Saki e yang juga lagunya si Johny West juga lumayan bagus. Yah, untuk ukuran lagu-lagu band yang anggotanya ganteng-ganteng gini sih, pasti lagunya jadi bagus. Suara Abe Aran juga so cute.

--

Mungkin, sudah dulu. Nanti kepanjangan malah malas baca. Intinya sih, Shark 2 bagus. Masih cocok buat nonton maraton karena per episode cuman 23 menitan, kecuali untuk episode terakhir. So, for you all the Johnny Boys’ fans, you should watch this dorama! It’s so yummy!

More info: d-addicts 

Skor  8.5/10

Read More

Omotensando Koukou Gasshoubu! - Let's sing Together

Bagi yang doyan dorama musikal, Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu! sepertinya menjadi wajib hukumnya. Kenapa? Nah, ada sejumlah poin menarik kenapa dorama ini menjadi laik ditonton dan dinikmati. Bahkan, aransemen vokal di dorama ini dapat penghargaan spesial lho dari Television Academy Award. 

---
Title: Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu! /High School Chorus

Genre: Youth, Music, School

Episode: 10

Broadcast period: 2015 July - September

Theme song: Sukida by Little Glee Monster

CAST:

• Yoshine Kyoko as Kagawa Makoto
• Shison Jun as Natsume Kaito
• Yoshimoto Miyu as Tani Yuria
• Morikawa Aoi as Hikita Rina
• Horii Arata as Sakuraba Daisuke
• Takasugi Mahiro as Miyazaki Tasuku
• Hagiwara Minori as Sasaki Miko
• Izumisawa Yuuki as Aiba Rentaro
• Matsumoto Ramu as Kagawa Mayumi
• Shirota Yu as Suzuki Ariake

---

Sebelum baca reveiwnya, simak dulu sinopsis singkat dari d-addicts (Inggris ya :P) 

Sinopsis 

Set in a high school chorus club that faces dissolution, this school drama tells the story of an unconventional high-school girl and how her determination to save the club changes the chorus members and the teacher.

Makoto who has moved from Kagawa prefecture to Omotesando high school in Tokyo is looking forward to joining the once-famous chorus club she had always admired. As she arrives, however, things are not as she had expected. The club hardly has any members, and its instructor - Ariake - who first taught Makoto the joy of singing is a mere shadow of his former self living in misery. Despite the unexpected reality, Makoto is determined to achieve her "goal" in the chorus club where her parents enjoyed their students life. However, her classmates react to her efforts to recruit new members with only hostility, with some even telling her to stop being engaged in the club. -- TBS

REVIEW - Menguliti Dorama

Awalnya, aku tidak terlalu tertarik menonton dorama ini, tapi setelah aku melihat daftar pemenang di TV academy award musim kemarin, ada beberapa kali dorama ini nongol sebagai pemenang, misalnya aktris muda belia Yoshine Kyoko yang berhasil menyabet gelar sebagai pemeran terbaik wanita dan juga penghargaan khusus untuk musiknya. Dan ternyata, aku tidak kecewa. Dorama ini memang cukup bagus. 

Ide Cerita

Sebenarnya sih ceritanya sederhana banget kan, seorang gadis SMA yang hobi menyanyi, datang ke sekolah baru dan menjadi inspirasi aktifnya chorus atau gasshou atau padusa  (paduan suara) di sekolah barunya. Dengan latar cerita, dia ingin menyelamatkan orang tuanya yang hampir bercerai dengan mencoba menemukan lagu cinta yang mungkin bisa mengingatkan orang tuanya tentang masa muda mereka. Yeah, gitu deh. Cerita ini juga diselingi dengan kisah cinta ala remaja dan juga romansa keluarga. Cerita yang sederhana tapi sangat mudah dinikmati dan juga sangat manis. 

Ada beberapa hal yang mau disampaikan oleh dorama ini sepertinya, dan berikut ada sejumlah hal yang menjadi catatanku: 

1. Follow your passion! Ikuti panggilan hatimu. Kagawa Makoto yang mencintai bernyanyi di sebuah chorus terus  tanpa menyerah mengejar panggilan hatinya. Hingga akhirnya dia bisa menjadi inspirasi orang-orang di sekitarnya. Enjoy yourself by follow your passion!, gitu kali ya. 
2. Family is everything. Yup, keluarga itu bagaimanapun juga adalah keluarga, sebaiknya tidak berpisah. Apapun yang terjadi mereka adalah yang selalu ada buat kita. Ikatan dalam sebuah keluarga tak tergantikan. 
3. Friendship is never die! Apa sih yang bisa ngalahin serunya, indahnya dan berwarnanya persahabatan saat remaja?! Ya, jika orang bilang masa SMA adalah masa paling bahagia, aku setuju saja. Persahabatan anak-anak di Ometesando Gasshou cukup bisa menggambarkan indahnya masa itu. Eaa...

Lagi pada latihan nyanyi. 

1. Sing with your soul! Khusus bagi yang doyan nyanyi, maka ketulusan menjadi modal penting agar lagu kita dapat kita nyanyikan sepenuh hati dan sampai pada mereka yang mendengarkan. Lagu-lagu yang dinyanyikan oleh anak-anak gasshou ini bagus banget. Di beberapa lagu aku bahkan sampai menangis terharu. Lagu di episode 6 dan lagu terakhir 'Ai no Uta' adalah lagu yang kena banget. 
2. Enjoy love while you're young. Nikmati cinta monyet. Yohai, mumpung muda nikmati cinta. Cinta saat kita muda adalah cinta tanpa syarat. Karena semakin dewasa, cinta kadang berubah jadi itung-itungan untung rugi untuk investasi masa depan. Kalau pas SMA kurasa perasaan itu lebih bebas, maka ungkapkan dan nikmati masa-masa itu. Ada cerita cinta segitiga Makoto - Natsume - Yuria; cinta segitiga luar biasa Rina - Daisuke - Tasuku, Cinta tak berbalas aka friend zone Rentaro - Miko, dan lain-lainnya. Aih, jadi ingat ceritaku sendiri. :)

Makoto dan Natsume, cute banget kan. (img: here)

1. Ada yang mau nambahin?

CAST

Para pemerannya seger-seger. Orang-orang muda yang penuh dengan gairah muda dan juga ganteng-ganteng dan cantik-cantik. Hehehe... Yang pasti Shison Jun berhasil mencuri perhatian sebagai seorang flower boy di sini. Aktingnya lumayan baik dan tatapan matanyan itu lho, dalem. Yoshine Kyoko sudah dapat penghargaan jadi ya, pasti lah bagus. Semangatnya itu seakan ikut memberiku semangat juga. Yoshimoto Miyu yang merani Tani Yuria cantik banget, sumpah. Akting antagonisnya di separuh episode awal keren. (Btw Shison Jun dan Yoshimoto Miyu nanti reunian di 5 to 9, ada adegan kissing juga, yuhuu...super spoiler.) Anak-anak gasshou lain juga oke. 

Lalu bagaimana dengan sang guru Ariake Sensei? Shirota Yu jelas lebih ganteng sekarang dibanding dulu. Biking melting deh lihat bodinya yang tinggi besar itu, hahaha... "30, guru, single:, Kalau gurunya kayak gini, bakal rajin sekolah pastinya. Ibu Kepala sekolah aku juga suka, rasanya ngayomi gitu. 

Cast lain gak perlu dibahas ya karena nanti kepanjangan. :P

Euy, Nakashima Mika juga akan main lho jadi bintang tamu di salah satu episodenya. Keren banget deh pokoknya. Dia juga cantik banget. 

Setting

No Komen! Bagus kok, Tapi tak banyak yang bisa diomongin. Ya, kalau paling memorable ya pastinya halaman sekolah yang jadi tempat memorinya orang tua Makoto yang juga jadi tempat latihan anak-anak gasshou. 

OST dan Lagu Tema

Nah, ini adalah bagian paling menarik soalnya ini dorama musikal. Karena di tiap episode ada minimal 1 lagu. Karena sudah ada yang bikin daftar lagunya langsung saja ya kunjungi halamannya di sini, siapa tahu kamu mau kepo. :) 

Secara keseluruhan aku menikmati nonton dorama ini. Coba deh kamu juga nonton dan nikmati lagu-lagu indah yang dinyanyikan oleh Omotesando Koukou Gasshou! 

My personal score: 8/10 

Yang mau ngintip website resminya : TBS 

Lebih lanjut bisa lihat juga di: d-addicts ; asianwiki
Yang mau nonton: cari link-nya sendiri ya. hehe

Read More

TAMIOU - Komedi politik, why Not?

Title (romaji): Tamiou

Genre: Comedy, drama, political

Episodes: 8

Broadcast period: 2015-Jul-24 to 2015-Sep-11

Theme song: Stress Free by miwa

CAST

Endo Kenichi as Muto Taizan

Suda Masaki as Muto Sho

Motokariya Yuika as Minami Mai

Jiyoung as Murano Erika

Takahashi Issei as Kaibara Mohei

Kenapa nonton Tamiou? Tentu, karena Tamiou adalah dorama terbaik di musim panas 2015 ini! Masaki Suda dan juga Kenichi Endo akan membuat penontonnya tertawa geli melihat kisah konyol Perdana Menteri Jepang yang sangar dan anak lelakinya yang rada-rada bodoh. 

Sinopsis 

(dari d-addicts.com /Bahasa Inggris ya..)

One day, the current prime minister of Japan, Muto Taizan, and his useless son, Sho, suddenly discover that they have switched bodies. With no known cause or solution at hand, Sho reluctantly ends up appearing in the Diet on his father’s behalf. But he completely cannot follow the deliberations as well as the questions and answers because it has been his routine to skip his studies. He is also repeatedly caught making childish responses or misreading kanji in documents. However, untainted by the adult world, Sho's straightforward opinions and genuine feelings start to mobilise the Diet and the public. On the other hand, Taizan has to lead the life of a university student and search for a job on behalf of his son, but with the brains of a prime minister. He refutes arrogant interviewers with his overwhelming knowledge and debating skills. Although Taizan wins the war of words, he is an absolute failure in the interviews itself. Furthermore, several peculiar girls whom Sho has had relationships with appear and makes Taizan more bewildered. 

Para pemeran utama di sini semua..
(img: here)

Menguliti Dorama

Beberapa alasan kenapa harus nonton TAMIOU.

1.  Ceritanya! Sumpah konyol tapi lucu

Cerita tukar badan sebenarnya bukan hal yang baru-baru banget sih, tapi TAMIOU tetap segar ditonton karena kekonyolan ceritanya. Bayangkan, seorang PM yang tidak bisa membaca kanji dan salah baca teks pas pidato kenegaraan! Atau, seorang mahasiswa yang bodoh tiba-tiba menjadi sangat cerdas? Hahaha, dibumbui intrik-intrik politik yang ringan-ringan saja dan sangat mudah dicerna, TAMIOU sangat asik diikuti jalan ceritanya. Mengalir dengan tempo yang cepat dan hemat. Ya ya ya, cuma 8 episode saja! Bisa banget untuk maratonan di akhir pekan.

2.  Cast yang keren!

Ada yang kenal Om Kenichi Endo, pasti kenal dong. Si Om yang sering jadi detektif polisi ini (Ingat di Monster 2012, Border 2013, dan AndoLoyd 2013), kali ini jadi seorang PM, dan lebih sering jadi mahasiswa yang pura-pura jadi PM. Kesan angker dan bermuka seperti buaya akan musnah di sini karena si Om ternyata sangat unyuuuu meranin jadi mahasiwa. Sedangkan peran utama lain yaitu Masaki Suda  juga sangat baik memerankan Mutou Sho, si mahasiswa bodoh dan kemudian menjadi PM. Waduh beribet ya, intinya antara Kenichi Endo dan Masaki Suda, mereka berbagi peran yang sama.

Pemeran lainnya, mayan juga lah.  Jiyong yang meranin Erika sangat cantik dan seksi. Yup, bintang Korea ini kok fasih banget ya Nihongo-nya?

Masaki Suda lucu juga dengan rambut kritingnya.
Img: here

3. Settingnya bagus dan kostumnya rapih

Pengen tahu gimana ruangannya Perdana Menteri Jepang? Atau ruangan sidang angota dewan? Nah, boleh banget nih. Penonton akan diajak-ajak melihat-melihat ruangan-ruangan penting tersebut. Ah, tapi gak yakin juga sih itu ruangan aslinya. Hehehe.. Latar-latar lainnya gak terlalu berkesan sih, kecuali lantai atas rumah  yang awalnya mau dibikin museum itu, wow rada-rada angker gitu deh.

Nah, kalau kostum. Aku suka lihat cowok pake suit lengkap. Wah, puas deh lihat para tokoh-tokohnya pakai baju formal terus. Tapi, seru juga lihat Kenichi Endo pake celana jersey warna terang, kaos bergambar kartun dan cardigan pink? Hahaha.. Dan tentunya yang rambut kritingnya itu lho..kakkoii!

Mau lihat Om Kenichi Endo dan Masaki Suda main sumo? :P
(img: here)

4. Lagu Tema dan OST

Yup, lagu temanya di akhir drama, dinyanyikan oleh Miwaa berjudul Stress Free. Lagunya ceria dan menambahkan kesan bahwa dorama ini adalah dorama komedi yang ceria. Yuhuuu… Kalau OST, aku tidak terlalu memperhatikannya sih. Hehe..

Oke deh, kayaknya cukup lah segitu. Akhir –akhir ini aku sibuk banget dengan kegiatan lain jadi rada susah nyari waktu buat nulis. Tapi, aku akan sempatin sehingga makin banyak dorama yang bisa kureview. Pokoknya nonton TAMIOU deh, lumayan buat ngisi waktu. Sumpah lucu! Gak percuma ini dorama yang jadi best dorama di Television Drama Academy Award untuk Summer 2015, ngalahin Death Note yang waktu itu lagi anget-angetnya. :P

Menikmati lagu, ini asalah salah satu adegan paling sweet juga.
(img: here)

So, mari menyanyi dan nonton dorama! :D

Read More

Tenno No Ryoriban : A Must Watch Dorama!

The poster of TNR

Title : Tenno No Ryoriban / The Emperor's Cook

Genre : human drama, romance, biography

Episode : 12

Broadcast time : Spring 2015

Theme song : Yume Miru Hito by Masashi Sada

Cast:

Sato Takeru as Akiyama Tokuzo

Kuroki Haru as Takahama Toshiko

Suzuki Ryohei as Akiyama Shutaro

Kiritani Kenta as Shintaro Matsui

Tasuku Emoto as Tatsukichi Yamagami

Kobayashi Kaoru as Asami

I thought that Kimura Takuya's I'm Home was the best dorama for spring 2015. I was wrong. The best dorama for the season is undoubtedly Tenno no Ryoriban (TNR) aka Emperor's Cook. It portrays the life of Akiyama Tokuzo - the  legendary head chef of Emperor Hirohito. The lead role, Sato Takeru once again proved that he is one of the best young actors in Japan. Together with Kuroki Haru, Suzuki Ryuhei and other perfect casts, Sato Takeru makes Tenno no Ryoriban becomes not only the best but also most heartwarming and inspirative dorama ever. "Never give up on your dream and believe in yourself and love of all the people around you.", I got this line in my mind after watching TNR. If you are really a Jdorama fan, you should not miss this wonderful dorama.

Review, Peeling the Dorama

Story

Based on non-fictional biography novel by Hisahide Sugimori, Tenno no Ryoriban depicts the life of Akiyama Tokuzo. I haven't read the novel but after watching TNR dorama, I begin to search about this great chef in real life. I really wanted to know about him as the result of watching the dorama. Akiyama Tokuzo died in 1976. This dorama successfully portrays Akiyama's life in beautiful way, from his teenage days in early 20th century to his old days when he retires being the emperor's cook in 1972. I found it is funny, sad, warm, encouraging, and emotional while watching this dorama.

Plot

The story is started with 15 years old Akiyama Tokuzo who is sent home in drunk condition by 2 monks of a Buddhist temple where Tokuzo has stayed for several months trying to be a monk. It is not the first time Tokuzo failed to become something. He is such an easy bored person who can't stay in one job more than 3 months. He used to tried various jobs, from Kendo instructor, soldier, and even a rice market spectator. He is easyly absorbed in his job but also bored in a short time, 3 months. His older brother - Akiyama Shutaro  who is a diligent law student in Tokyo said that Tokuzo has just yet found something he's interested in, yet found his calling. That is so true, isn't it? When we haven't found our life calling, we'll always be bored and get tired of everything. But, not a lot people struggle for their calling. How about you? Me? I think I haven't found all of it tho. :(

Worrying about their son's condition, Tokuzo's parents makes Tokuzo gets married into Takahama family in Sabae,. He get married with Takahama Toshiko - a soft hearted girl in the same age as him. Not long after his marriage, Tokuzo met  Tanabe Yukichi , a cook of Sabae Army Infantry Regiment who also introduces Tokuzo to culinary world. The western style beef cutlet is a first key for Tokuzo to know his life's calling. With that, his adventure has just begun. The road to the world-class chef, the best chef in Japan, the emperor's cook has started.

Tanabe Yukichi (Hideaki Ito) who introduced Tokuzo to french cuisine

First cutlet that changed Tokuzo's life (Oishii!)

Tokuzo then moves to Tokyo, leaves behind his wife and new family, to get training about western food.  (Frankly, I really do not understand the way he thinks. How could he leave his family without saying nothing?!)  Through his brother's connection, Tokuzo is accepted as an apprentice or kitchen helper in Kazoku Kaikan, a western restaurant for aristochrat in Tokyo. The chef leader who will also next become Tokuzo's teacher is Usami san. Here, Tokuzo also will meet his best friends - Shintaro Matsui who  and Tatsukichi Yamagami - another kitchen helper at Kazoku Kaikan. Here, Tokuzo starts to realize that path toward his dream is a tough and difficult. And, the most important thing  to be a good cook is a sincere heart.   

Tokuzo's first time visiting a western restaurant in Tokyo, (Just after this, he will cut his lips! lol)

Toshiko divorced Tokuzo so he can pursue his dream. (so sad here)

Due to some accident, Tokuzo is fired from Kazoku Kaikan. This makes his family angry and his in law family in Sabae wants him to divorce Toshiko.  Next, he starts to stay and work at Banzai-ken,  a small traditional japanese restaurant. While Tokuzo is busy with his problems, he doesn't realize that his older brother is sick from a serious illness and Toshiko has miscarriage of his baby. Toshiko then divorced Tokuzo, to free him achieving his dream. Never give up of his calling, Tokuzo leaves Tokyo and goes to Paris, France to get more serious training, with support from people around him especially his sick older brother.

 The path toward his dream is not that easy. He must face hardship for being an only Asian in his new workplace. Even, he is called with the nickname 'monkey'. But, with patience and hard work he proves that he has the best talent to be the best cook. Then, he is acknowledged as the first Asian cook who has legal certificate as a professional  cook and work for Ritz Hotel- one of the best restaurant in France. There, Tokuzo works under supervision of the best cook at the time.  Tokuzo's success story makes the Japanese Empire wants to hire him as the Imperial cook. Then, Tokuzo goes back to Japan.

Shshhhh... He's cooking with a very serious expression!

Tokuzo in France (img source: here)

I almost forgot to mention that while in Paris, Tokuzo falls in love with a woman named Francoise. He also meets his best friend Shintaro who is hoping to be a great painting artist there, but fails.

Tokuzo's life as the Imperial cook then begins. His first job is a big success and the story about him becomes the family's pride. His older brother, Shuntaro  dies with a peaceful smile knowing Tokuzo now is a great person. Tokuzo also meets his ex-wife - Toshiko and they starts a new family again. His life as the emperor's cook and head of his family continues. He has 2 sons and 1 daughter. So many things he goes through. The saddest thing is when Toshiko died and leaves him. Soon, he realizes that Toshiko would never leave him. She is always around him wherever she is.

Time passes by and then difficult time has come. It is the war time and post-war. As the country that lost at the war, Japan is in very hard situation. Even, Emperor's situation is in danger. The destiny of the country is on the America's hand. Tokuzo, with all his might, wants to protect the emperor. He does so many things even he must swallow his pride and temper. And, together with colleagues he serves the  emperor and the Japan empire splendidly. Until then, 1972, when he is retired as the emperor's cook.

Actor

OMG! I love Sato Takeru so bad. He improves his skill in acting. He portrays the life of a legend cook heartfully. How do I know? I feel it. I feel the warm feeling by watching this dorama. You deserve an award Sato! And Haru is also very good. I don't know why, but I think that she is very good in portraying a good japanese housewife in that era with the low voice, the smile, the attitude, etc. She's a lovely woman. How she devotes her life for her family is really awesome. One more stunning character is Akiyama Shutaro - Tokuzo's nii yan. You will never ask for more for a kind brother like that. I was always cries when the I put my self in Shutaro's side. So sad but beautiful. Suzuki Ryuhei deserves an award too! :D

Suzuki Ryohei as Akiyama Shutaro, a very special character that deserves more attention

I want to mention one by one all of the best casts of this dorama but that seems too much. All I wanna say is that all the casts are awesome. Good job for all of you! Oops,... I need to say that only one cast that I think is not good enough. The cast for Francoise, the French girl who Tokuzo falls in France. How can I say but she's not the type that I can call beautiful or cute or whatever. I'm so sorry, but for me, she's not a good match to SatoTakeru . Or, is it me that got jealous? Lol

How can I not jealous with her!!!

 Setting and Costumes

Nothing to complain. I love both the scenes in Japan or France. Thanks for taking me a walk around Tokyo almost 100 years ago. The main street that shows Tokyo that time and the now condition that shown in ending song is very memorable. Is that the main road near the government building centers? I think I have visited that place in my trip last year. They look similar.

And the costume, ehm... Do you have complaint? Me, not! Maybe because other aspects are good so the detail becomes not a matter anymore. Does it? Or may be, it is really good? I think the last one is the answer. I like the most the women's costumes. I like the kimono or yukata or whatever it like. They are just so cute and girlish. Ahhh... I want to wear it too! Yeah, next time for sure. Hee...

OST and theme song

Awesome! I like the OST and theme song. The music did a really good job in dramatizing the story. Whenever the sad music was played, I was always almost to cry. In the last episode, I cried for along time tho. And the song, Yume Miru Hito sung by Masashi Sada, its lyrics is so meaningful. I love it! It really defines what is the meaning of pursuing a dream and follow the our passion in life. It suits well with Akiyama Tokuzo's life. Well written lyrics, it is!

Last but not least ( I think I will add some points to this review in my next free time), I just want to say that this dorama is awesome! Look at my high score for TNR! :D

9.5/10

Read More

Bloody Monday (I) : Genius Hacker Vs Genius Terrorist, who will be the winner?

Title : Bloody Monday

Genre: Action, Suspense

Episode: 11

Broadcast period: Oct - Dec 2008

Theme Song: Over the rain - Hikari no Hashi by Flumpool

CAST:

Miura Haruma as Takagi Fujimaru (Falcon)

Kawashima Umika as Takagi Haruka 

Sato Takeru as Kujo Otoya

Narimiya Hiroki as Kanzaki Jun (J)

Tokunaga Eri as Anzai Mako

Fujii Mina as Asada Aoi

Kichise Machiko as Orihaya Maya 

etc.

Just recently, I had a chance to watch Bloody Monday where Haruma Miura played  a genius hacker against the terrorist group. How can I say about this dorama? Ehm, I think the story is very good yet the dorama is not that wow. Why? First of all, I really understand that Haruma Miura was still very young that time, so about his acting,.. Hemm... So so..  But, watching Bloody Monday was enjoyable enough for me. Narimiya Hiroki caught my attention and he played brillianty his role as the genius mathematician terrorist. We know that sometimes villains are more attractive than the heros, just like in this dorama. Here is my review on Bloody Monday. Check this out!

Synopsis (from d-addicts)

After a biological terrorist attack kills off the population of a Russian town; Japan's Public Safety Special Third unit, code name THIRD-i, believes that the terrorist organization responsible plans to unleash the same virus known as Bloody X into Tokyo. Subsequently, THIRD-i recruits the help of genius hacker Takagi Fujimaru to find out what happened in the Russia. However, as Fujimaru becomes involved, he soon finds out that he is in over his head and that the terrorist groups influence reaches not only his school but even the police. Fujimaru must now rely on his skill as a hacker to unravel the organizations sinister plot and find out the truth behind "Bloody Monday."

Review, Peeling the Dorama

Story and storyline

Based on an action manga with the same title by Ryumon Ryo and Megumi Koji, it is guaranteed for its story quality. At least in my opinion, a story about a young genius hacker, terrorist group, and national defense  is cool.

The story is started with a scene in Russia, a japanese woman kissing a Russian. Wait, it is not kissing actually, but killing. Yeah, killing by kissing. She is Orihaya Maya, the spy. Skip her for a bit. Takagi Fujimaru is just an ordinary high school boy except the fact that he is also the popular hacker  'Falcon' that used to hack the data system of Third-i Division, a special division regarding national defense of Japan. Sugoi ne! Cool, isn't it! Eventhough hacking is a serious crime, I will not deny that a hacker is cool. Hacking is an art too! Ha.. Anyone agree with me?

The terrorist group, a group of people who believe that Japan is a rotten country and need to be destroyed. They believe that to punish people at fault, they need to be the God who can control the life of other people. They come with an idea to use a very dangerous virus that able to kill human in minutes, called Bloody X. Their project is called Bloody Monday which means last Monday for Tokyo's people except the group. Tokyo is under terror and it can be vanished everytime. The Third-i Division that is responsible for public safety found that it's hard to handle this terrorist group. Then, Falcon is a big help for Third-i. Can you imagine a hacker who save a country? No need it, just watch this dorama. :)

Falcon logo. Cool, isn't it? (img source: here)

Something that I found interesting was about the young people that too much powerful here.  The leaders of the terrorist - J and K. J or Kanzaki Jun played by Narimiya Hiroki is a young genius mathematician who has unusual way of thinking. He enjoys making mathematical equations about his actions with the group. K is believed as the true leader of the terrorist behind J's shadow. What? K is a high school girl? J's little sister and Falcon's classmate? Yup! K is Anzai Mako who always stayed around Fujimaru before she was known as K. It was a big shock for me too. How can such a young people can be a leader of a terrorist group? Furthermore, J and K against Falcon - another high school boy? Too good to be true, I think. Seems like Third-i that consist of very capable officers are not an equal match to that young people. Hahaha.. Very unrealistic! But then, I remember that BM is shonen manga story. Lol. Got it!

I almost forgot about Orihaya Maya. She has a big portion in Bloody Monday. She works for money and she was hired by K. Before her identity got caught by Fujimaru, she was a new transfer teacher at the high school. She is always around in this story. Not only the first scene, the last scene is also with her. What an important side character she is.

Orihara Maya (img source: here)

It is easy to watch the dorama. The storyline is easy to understand. Even the theme is a little difficult for me - a non-tech person. I don't understand how Fujimaru did his jobs with hacking but you must agree that it is not important. The most important thing is how the story goes and what the result of this war. 

Setting and Costume

The Third-i headquarter is awesome. It looks like a real office of an elite division. Or is it just my imagination? Ha.. The school, the terrorist place, the city, etc - I think I have no complain about the location settings. They're perfect! Costumes? Hemm...  No complain again! I like Third-i uniforms, Takagi's style, J's style and also Otoya's messy hairstyle. Haha.. Sato Takeru looks funny in his hairstyle like that. I love you SatoTakeru! Haruka - Fujimaru's little sister - is always cute even though her acting was just so so. :P

Sato Takeru and his weird hair style

Actor and Actress

Like I wrote above, I really understand that Haruma Miura was still very young when he played his role here. Yeah, his acting somehow is not the best of him, just mediocre. It is really different with his perfect act in Last Cinderella. As a young boy who involves in a serious tragedy, lost his family, friend and saw many people die - I couldn't feel any desperate feelings of him. His eyes doesn't say anything, just plain and it seems so fake to me. Sorry to say tho. The same thing goes to Kawashima Umika who played Takagi Haruka and Fujii Mina who played Asada Aoi. Both of them sure are cute girls but talking about their actings here, I will say a big No. While, this is the first time I saw Fujii Mina , I've seen Kawashima chan for several times (Code Blue, Papa Doru). I will say that she just can't act. Yeah, don't worry, it's all just my opinion.

Narimiya Hiroki as J (img source: here)

Thumbs up for Narimiya Hiroki (J), Sato Takeru (Kujo Otoya),  Kichise Michiko (Orihara Maya), Matsushige Yutaka and Yoshizawa Hisashi. They played their roles very good. Narimiya's smile is unforgettable remark of J. One of my friends said that his smile is like Joker's smile, an evil and ambigous smile. You deserve it J! Orihaya Maya played by Kichise Michiko is always beautiful yet dangerous, she has a charisma of adult woman. While, 2 outstanding character of Third-i officers are Kano Ikuma (played by Matsushige Yutaka) and Kirishima Goro (by Yoshizawa Hisashi). They looked cool and their expressions are so real. Last, Sato Takeru. He has unique look and expression. I can't really describe what it is, but he is very good in BM.

OST and Theme Song

I like the OST. It helps in the developing of the story and make some scenes more intense and dramatic. And the theme song is over the rain - hikari no hashi  performed by Flumpool is good enough. It was not really caught my attention but the song is good. I just feel like the song is not that memorable for me. What kind of song do you think would suit a dorama about a hacker and terrorist? What a fool question, isn't it? Lol.

Well then, that's all my review on Bloody Monday. You may not agree with me, so share your opinion with me and let's talk about dorama.

I give  7.75 /10 for Bloody Monday (season I) 

Read More