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Jmovie review: Sweet Poolside

January 10, 2015, 4:16 am
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Sweet Poolside is a high school movie about body hair. Toshihiko Ota is a high school boy who doesn't have any body hair and is called Tsuruhiko (tsuru meaning smooth) by members of the swimming club.


Goto on the other hand has problems shaving herself and needs help. The premise of the show is Goto asking Ota to help shave her.


Based on the short story manga, there are things in the movie that I feel were unnecessarily added such as Ota getting creepy with hair and there were things that should have been expanded such as Goto infatuation with her sempai or in the case of the movie, the swimming club adviser.



There are things in the manga that were not shown in the movie such as bush hair sticking out and instead the director used symbolic scenes in the forest which I found unnecessary and not funny. The actor playing Ota selling it with his face would have been sufficient.


If the director did a straight adaptation of the manga, the movie would have been an hour at most but the things that were added were artsy and dark when I feel that it should have been a funnier rom-comish show. I like the small role that Matsuda Shota and Tanimura Mitsuki played though.


Overall, Sweet Poolside its an ok movie with a funny premise that is not as fun as the 6 chapter manga. Of course, if you like hairy girls and shaving, this is the movie for you. :)
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Psycho-Pass

January 11, 2015, 8:52 am
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Looks like there are still anime out there that don't have a harem or only feature characters of one gender and actually have a story. Psycho-Pass is a sci-fi show that reminds me very much of Ghost in the Shell. Well, its done by the same studio, Production I.G.


The concept of Psycho-Pass is that in the future, this super computer system called Sibyl will be able to detect people's personality and mental state. What this means is that Sibyl can tell people's propensity to commit crime and their potential or abilities. It is an utopian Japan where almost everything is automated and everyone who exceeds the crime index is mostly locked up for the good of society.


Psycho-Pass is a rare anime that takes a high concept and runs with it all the way. No surprise that the writer is Urobuchi Gen who wrote Madoka. Expect violence, unexpected twists and of course lots of people dying. What was most enjoyable for me was the story exploring all sorts of themes flowing from its sci-fi premise such as happiness and free will. I'm not going to address the philosophical issues because there are too many things to cover and I would not be able to do them justice.


I really hated the main character Akane in the beginning because it seemed to me Urobuchi made her so incompetent as if she never had any training so as to be able to explain everything to the audience. Not to mention the incident with her friend but as I came to understand the world of Psycho-Pass more, I could understand why Akane started out the way she was; namely a person living in a society governed by Sybil.


It is so fun watching a mature anime that actually has a story to tell and not made to sell figures. It takes awhile, about 5 episodes for the story to get going for me but once it did, it was a thrilling ride to the end. I've only got two complaints; firstly there were some action scenes where characters are suppose to be quiet and they keep discussing philosophy without worrying about giving their position to the enemy and secondly, the music wasn't that good. There was an episode in the middle where I suddenly noticed some nice action music but generally its nothing memorable.


Thanks to Shane for recommending Psycho-Pass. I mostly get my anime news from Sankaku so its always famous anime that usually turn out to be crap. Must watch once you get past the early episodes and realise what the story is about. 
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Psycho Pass 2

January 13, 2015, 7:16 am
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If you enjoyed the first season of Psycho Pass I suggest you avoid season 2. The following are reasons I didn't like season 2 of Psycho Pass:

1) Starts off pretty much a rehash of the first seasons with a villain with slight variation in power from Makishima from season 1 once again setting up an elaborate plan against Sybil.

2) The first season felt like an interesting exploration of ideas from the premise of Sybil while the second season felt like the writer who was not Urobuchi Gen trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with the omnipotence paradox.

3) It seems way too easy to raise someone crime coefficient all the way up in season 2. I thought it had more to do with people propensity to commit crime than just being stressed out and running away.

4) I can buy the premise of the series but not the source of the villain's powers or rather his multiple personalities. The writer should have done a lot more to sell me that stuff.

5) No real character arcs in season 2 except for Mika who no one cares about.

5) A huh? open ended finish that made me indifferent.

The best thing to do is pretend that season 2 never happened and hopefully the movie which just opened in Japan is written by Urobuchi Gen gets the series back on track.
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HAMSAPSUKEBE 2014 JDORAMA AWARDS

January 16, 2015, 6:55 am
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I CAN'T BELIEVE 2014 AWARDS

- I can't believe Oguri Shun's Border had to balls to go all grey area morality on us. 99% of high concept jdoramas just go all cookie cutter. Speaking of Oguri Shun, I will never get over his character not being a molester in Woman. It could have been one of the best jdoramas in the last 10 years along with Lady Joker if Sakamoto Yuji had gone down that path. Of course, if they screw up the second season it might be even more painful than Woman.

- I can't believe Takei Emi and Gouriki are still getting gorioshied (shoved down the throats of the Japanese public) This is Ueto Aya all over again. I just cannot understand why Japan as a collective society can't rise up and let the tv stations know that they don't want bad acting on their screens. The jdorama world needs more doramas with Matsu Takako, Kaho and Kanjiya Shihori in leading roles instead of those two. But then, this is a country where bad acting by johnnys has been a staple of Japanese television for years.

- I can't believe Mosaic Japan still hasn't been subbed.

- I can't believe Yonekura Ryoko's legs have the highest rated dorama in 2014 with 22.9%. I've never seen Doctor X and it could as smart as the first season of Doctors. (lol)

- I can't believe Ozaki Masaya's Yoshiwara Ura Doshin, Last Doctor and Tokumei Tantei were below my expectations.  Still he had two good shows with Black President and Mama ga Ikita Akashi.

- I can't believe they made a sequel to First Class.

- I can't believe how bad the second season of Yamikin Ushijima-kun was.

- I can't believe there are so many great performances in Oyaji no Senaka but I can't really give anyone an award cause everyone only appears in one episode so I decided to do a special award.

- I can't believe Wakamonotachi 2014 turned out to be such an overly sentimental and manipulative show with no tact at all.

- I can't believe they made an Iryu 4. I'll pretend it never happened just like TDKR.

- I can't believe Mozu turned out to be a piece of crap writing wise and apparently it's pretty popular in Japan. It's so popular that they're going to turn it into a movie. Its like the stupider a script and the more overacting it has, the more popular a jdorama becomes. If I ran a Japanese dorama producer, non of my shows would ever surpass 3% rating.

- I can't believe d-addicts is gone. :(


BEST FATHER DAUGHTER IN OYAJI NO SENAKA

YAKUSHO KOJI AND MITSUSHIMA HIKARI (EP 2)

Despite Mitsushima Hikari being the most unconvincing boxer ever, every scene with these two great actors is gold. It doesn't hurt that Sakamoto Yuji wrote the lines.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

TAKAHASHI ISSEI - MOSAIC JAPAN

Yup. The guy who always looked like he wanted to cry from Gonzo playing the dodgy President of the porn company. Pictured above is the epic dildo fight scene from Mosaic Japan. :) Not to mention I enjoyed his character from Petero no Soretsu as well.

Honourable mention:

Saiki Shigeru - Kanpai Senshi after V. A performance so bad, its good. :)


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

KUNINAKA RYOKO - PETERO NO SORETSU

Kuninaka Ryoko's been in 3 good shows this season, Petero no Soretsu, Black President and Umomeru. If only she was the lecturer in Black President. I love the climax of Petero no Soretsu.


BEST ACTOR

OGURI SHUN - BORDER


Oguri Shun's one performance that made me think he can really act. Ok, he was pretty good in Kisaragi but this was one show where he had to carry the story with a complex character burderned by his powers. Unfortunately, he had to go make boring fluff like Nobunaga Concerto.

Honourable mention

Nagayama Kento - Mosaic Japan. Eita's brother is a pretty good actor.

Takenouchi Yutaka - Suteki na Sen Taxi. After so many crappy doramas playing bland characters, this is the first show where Takenouchi Yutaka really showed he could act.

Koizumi Kotaro - Petero no Soretsu


BEST ACTRESS

HAMAKAWA FUMIE - MOSAIC JAPAN

A huge part of her role of Momoko being one of the most well rounded and real female characters I've ever seen is thanks to Sakamoto Yuji's writing but goddamn she pulled it off magnificently.

Honourable mention:

Matsuyuki Yasuko - Kazoku Gari

Nagasaku Hiromi - Watashi to Iu Unmei ni Tsuite


TOP 5 BEST JDORAMAS OF 2015

KAZOKUGARI

Surprisingly excellent dark jdorama despite Densha's acting that didn't get the ratings it deserved.

PETERO NO SOURETSU

Smartly written, slow burn mystery dorama.

BORDER

Bring on season 2. That was one hell of a cliffhanger.

BLACK PRESIDENT

The spiritual sequal to KDO and Ozaki Masaya's best work of 2014.

MOSAIC JAPAN

My favourite jdorama of 2014. Such a brilliant comedy/satire on the Japanese porn industry. Sakamoto Yuji is a genius. If you've got basic Japanese, you can watch with my recap of the first three episodes.

Honourable mentions:

Coffee-ya no Hitobito

The Long Goodbye

River's Edge

Watashi to Iu Unemi ni Tsuite

Umoreru

Suteki no Sen Taxi

55-sai Kara no Hello Life

Oyaji no Senaka

Kanpai Senshi after V

Neko Zamurai

SUMMARY

2014 was a pretty good year for jdoramas. Looking at this list, there were a lot of very watchable jdoramas. Hopefully the jdorama gods will provide us with lots of good shows in 2015.
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Mondai no Aru Restaurant Ep 1

January 19, 2015, 3:59 am
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The premise of Mondai no Aru Restaurant is that a bunch of women and one okama were treated like dirt by a bunch of chauvinistic guys. Episode 1 is a set up episode where all the ladies gather and we learn their connection to the main character Tanaka played by Maki Yoko. At the end, Maki Yoko invites them all to open a new restaurant right opposite her former employers'.


As a revenge story, Mondai no Aru Restaurant doesn't work for me because there are too many characters. The ones who really deserve revenge are Maki Yoko and her former classmate Satsuki. The show is Maki Yoko assembling a team to avenge Satsuki who has gone back to her hometown but only Maki Yoko and Usuda Asami have a direct connection with Satsuki/ Everyone else is just baggage who are along for the ride. Of course, its pretty obvious all the characters will have some special skill that they can bring to the restaurant like the boss's daughter who can replicate the taste of any dish.


In terms of humour, there is nothing really funny except Usada Asami's character laughing at the dirty inferences every time the okama says something. And yes, Maki Yoko does display a lot more facial expressions as the positive, forward looking Tanaka.


If Mondai no Aru Restaurant were written by anyone else, I would say its a 'do not watch' but I'm willing to give it one or two more episodes to see where Sakamoto Yuji is going. Judging from the episode 2 preview, it looks like its going to be such a conventional show.


I think Sakamoto Yuji should have started of with a few central characters and slowly brought everyone else in one by one instead of throwing a crowd of characters at us and expecting us to care about everyone just because a two of them went through workplace abuse. Hold of watching this but the prospects of this being good very low.
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Ouroboros Ep 1

January 22, 2015, 4:33 am
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Ouroboros is our second revenge jdorama of the season. Oguri Shun and Ikuta Toma who grew up in an orphanage team up to avenge Hirosue Ryoko's death. Oguri Shun's desire for revenge may have something to do with Hirosue Ryoko assaulting him with her lips when he was a kid.


Oguri Shun joins the yakuza and Toma becomes a cop in order to find the policeman with the golden rolex who covered up the incident. I can't wait for the show to start throwing all the gold rolex wearing red herring cops and for cliffhanger dialogue like, "Does your father wear a golden rolex?". Beware the golden rolex organization!


WHAT I LIKED

+ The main characters actually kill and people actually die. Yeah!

+ The emphasis of the story is revenge and it doesn't get bogged down with peripheral stuff like Mondai no Aru.

+ The episode one story is a reflection of the two main characters' desire for revenge.

+ Ueno Juri! She's not that convincing as a cop but she's still miles better than Ueto Aya.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

- They have to stop meeting up in public so often. I get the whole talk with backs to each other bit is suppose to be cool but Oguri Shun is a yakuza boss and is pretty recognisable. Neither of them must have watched Infernal Affairs.


- There was no one in near the alleyway at the end of the episode who heard the multiple gunshots? Why risk your secret alliance so you can stand together and try to look cool for the camera?

- The goddamn boy band theme song that does not fit a revenge dorama. No one has the balls to say maybe a haunting theme song like Odani Misako's Who from Gonzo would work better? The ending at the two characters reaffirming their desire for revenge and there's this teeny bopper happy song playing. WTF?!


SUMMARY

Watchable first episode with better promise than Alice no Toge but I am afraid of the usual jdorama weakness of trying to look cool to the detriment of story may bring this series down. Oguri Shun should be doing Border 2.
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Ghost in the Shell : Arise

January 25, 2015, 6:41 am
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Ghost in the Shell: Arise is a four part OVA reboot/prequel to the acclaimed series. Unfortunately, it can't even hold a candle to Stand Alone Complex. When you do a prequel, its to explore how characters become what they are or to uncover something hidden in their past.


I am excited about Ryu ga Gotoku 0 because I want to see how Majima goes from serious hitman to the crazy knife wielding, karaoke dancing maniac that fans love. In GITS Arise, we get to see how Kusanagi forms her squad but all the character beats are way too familiar and were done a lot better in SAC. Kusanagi is more humanised but it doesn't lead anywhere interesting.


In addition, a lot of the sci-fi philosophy GITS Arise goes through have been done a lot better in the SAC. It doesn't help that pacing is uneven and they crammed too much into the final episode. Arise made me go back and start rewatching SAC and SAC is so much better. Coincidentally, the writer for Arise is Ubukata Tow, the writer of the horrible second season of Psycho Pass. Its not easy trying to follow greatness but in both Psycho Pass and GITS Arise, both feel like he doesn't have a strong story to tell.


I don't really see the point of this reboot. Its just a much poorer version of a classic anime series. Avoid and rewatch Stand Alone Complex.
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Date Ep 1

January 26, 2015, 12:56 pm
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Date is about a 35 year old neet who has never worked a day in his life played by Hasegawa Hiroki and this very rigid civil servant played by Anne who both register at a dating agency and chose each other their own reasons. Both are socially inept and putting both together is comedy gold.


The first episode is about their very awkward first date and then it flashbacks to show their respective backgrounds, how they got together in the first place and why Anne kept doing the duck face. lol


The first thing that jumped at me was how weird and interesting the two characters were. The second and selling point of the movie is the dialogue by Kosawa Ryota (Suzuki Sensei/Gaiji Keisatsu). The rapid fire dialogue is very funny, especially coming from Anne.


I rather enjoyed the first episode. Lots of laugh out loud moments and dialogue. Kuninaka Ryoko is once again relegated supporting character but at least the actress this time does a decent job at the main role. I can't even think of a dorama where Kuninaka Ryoko plays a leading role besides Churasan. At least she's not playing her usual ojousan role.


Pretty funny. Let's see whether Kosawa Ryota can keep this up.

SONO SION'S LOVE & PEACE AND SHINJUKU SWAN


Speaking of Hasegawa Hiroki, Sono Sion has got two movies coming out this year. The synopsis for Love & Peace sounds pretty crazy:


In the summer of 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. Ryoichi dreamed of becoming a punk rocker when he was younger, but became a timid salaryman at a musical instrument parts company. He has feelings for Yuko, but he can't tell her how he feels..

One day, he has a fateful meeting with a turtle on the rooftop of a department store. He names the turtle Pikadon and he adores it, but his co-workers laugh at him. Ryoichi throws Pikadon into the toilet. He regrets what he did. The turtle though goes through sewerage and meets an old man who lives in the underground. Something then happens.


This could be Sono Sion's Zebraman or could it could be just another B grade movie with structural issues like his last movie Tokyo Tribe. I just hope Mano Erina has a substantial role in this. I feel like his work has become crazier like Miike Takashi's and less emphasis on story. Let's hope he gets back on track cause he is one talented directed.


His other movie is Shinjuku Swan with Erika-sama, Ayano Gou, Ushijima-kun and Iseya Yusuke. There is a 2007 midnight dorama which I very much want to watch right now. Anything with Kabukicho, hostesses and red light district stuff is right up my alley. This making of video is interesting cause you can see how perverted he is. lol.
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Dakara Koya Eps 1+2

January 29, 2015, 8:02 am
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Dakara Koya starts of with Suzuki Kyoka playing the perfect housewife who is ignored and abused by her husband and two sons. She gets fed up, drives off in her car and starts encountering some interesting people and situations on the way to Nagasaki.


Dakara Koya is a pretty funny solo housewife road trip movie. There are your typical housewifey stuff like the best friend who chose her career being jealous of each other but the thing I enjoyed the most is Suzuki Kyoka meeting all sorts of people and her reactions to them.


This show has potential to be must watch as long as they can keep things interesting and not fall into the same pattern as all housewife run away from home doramas. Good two episodes so far and Suzuki Kyoka can carry a show. Thanks to antspace for recommending Dakara Koya!



WHERE TO DOWNLOAD JDORAMAS

jdramacity.blogspot.com

The best place to get your mainstream doramas with a good number of seeds as long as they are subbed. No WOWOW shows.

nyaa.se

Has some doramas. Change your category to live action to search.

doramax264.com

Direct download links reencoded to 480p. This is where I get Daraka Koya. I like the smaller encodes cause I'm too lazy to download huge files split into multiple parts. You can even find the not famous jdoramas like Hamon.

japandownload.com

Direct download links. Gonna take a while to download unless you pay for premium.

asiatorrents.me

Private tracker.  Good for getting older stuff with seeds.

jpddl.com

Its got everything!
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Ghost Writer Eps 1-3

February 1, 2015, 5:48 am
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Ghost Writer as the name suggests is about an innocent aspiring writer Kawahara played by Mizukawa Asami (Nurse Miki from Iryu) who becomes the ghost writer of famous novelist Tono Risa (Nakatani Miki). Tono Risa is having problems with writer's block while Kawahara just wants to give her dream of being a novelist one more try.


Episode 1 was pretty dry. Just a character set up showing Tono Risa's mommy issues and her relationship with her publisher and how Mizukawa came to be her assistant. Episode two got more interesting when we can see Tono Risa trying to manipulate Kawahara in regards to her engagement.


Ghost Writer is most interesting when its got people manipulation. Every character in this series has their own agendas and will will use people to get what they want, hopefully including the trusting Mizukawa.


Episode 3 really got things going with the publisher playing both sides and the story seeming to move pretty fast. While I like the actors, one thing I don't like is the directing and look of the show. I feel Ghost Writer needs a more realistic movie look rather than a generic jdorama sitcom look. Less dolly in studio and more handheld camera in real location with natural lighting.


An example would be Woman. Realistic, raw, gritty and fly on the wall type directing. Ghost Writer is a pure acting dorama and the director needs to be able to convey the tension when characters face each other and lie through their teeth. The talent is there but the presentation is just flat. I can't help feeling that in the hands of a better (movie) director, Ghost Writer could have been even better.


I find Ghost Writer so far to be interesting and good be good but the directing means that it won't be must watch. Watchable show and I can't wait to see what Kawahara does in episode 4. :)

SHINJUKU SWAN TRAILER IS OUT


Looks meh. Ayano Gou has more facial expressions than I've ever seen. Mano Erina has a supporting role in this so I have no choice but to watch when it comes out on the interwebs.
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6 things I learned from Ouroboros Episodes 2 & 3

February 4, 2015, 7:38 am
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1. Japanese cops get to go kyabakura for free! I want to be Japanese policeman when I grow up.

2. Oguri Shun and cop not concerned about people finding out their connection by going to sento.

3. Do not wear your regular perfume when committing a crime. Hopefully there will be an episode where a serial killer puts on different perfumes for each kill thereby confusing our cop with too much hair product.

4. Two people are able to sit this far apart and talk audibly while not getting eavesdropped. They took care of the eavesdropping part by making all other patrons non-Japanese cause all non-Japanese don't speak English. The regulars at this bar are probably wondering why these two Japanese dudes always talk to each other facing away.

5. The real reason why Oguri Shun and cop don't really care about hiding their alliance is that everyone who finds out about them is guaranteed to end up dead. Someone should tell them it might be in their interest to wear masks to cover their face.


 6. When trying to avenge the death Hirosue Ryoko by mysterious assailants, concentrate on the watches instead of looking into why she was killed in the first place.

Summary: My brain cannot take more of this show. I cannot stand what little intelligence I have being insulted so much. Ouroboros is a house painted with bright colours to appeal to a certain demographic while the shaky foundation it is built on is ignored. Maybe I should rewatch Gaiji Keisatsu......
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Doctors Saikyou no Meii Special 2015 and Season 3 Episodes 1+2

February 7, 2015, 5:29 am
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The dorama special and season 3 have something in common. In the special, Sagara tricks Moriyama to go to the university hospital where he finds that people there care about their patients even less as he runs into an old friend. While its fun to watch Moriyama try to do good, we've seen this before.


In season 3, Moriyama's aunt and hospital director goes on a around the world one week holiday (as many Japanese can only take one week off at most) and Moriyama becomes the acting director. Sagara aggravates Moriyama even more and Moriyama goes on a power trip before realising that director's chair is not an easy one to sit in. (Despite the fact we never see her do anything in this show)

Someone looks very malnourished.

Sagara's plan is to break Moriyama down, perhaps to build him up again? The thing is, a lot of this is old hat. Sagara's trick of reverse psychology was original in season 1, got old in season 2, and boring in season 3. It stops being clever when the antagonists are too stupid, or rather continue to be stupid.


What I want to see is what Fukuda Yasushi should have done in season 2. Sagara to win but for his victory to backfire and Moriyama being able to solve problems in the end by doing very Moriyama things. Sagara is the boring constant in this show and its the supporting characters who are suppose to keep things interesting but unfortunately they have regressed since season 1.


Will season 3 be the same as season 2 and dilute the greatness of the first season or does Fukuda Yasushi have something up his sleeve? Should you watch season 3? If you liked season 2 a lot more than I did. It might turn out to be smart and I enjoyed the 50 year old grudge story in Episode 2 but the high ratings in season might mean everything turns out according to Sagara's plans again.
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Ryu ga Gotoku 0 demo and signing Softmap Nagoya Station

February 8, 2015, 1:17 am
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bframe5 with producer of the Ryu ga Gotoku series Nagoshi Toshihiro. No, I'm not in Japan but bframe5 lives there and yesterday he went to Nagoya to get his Ryu ga Gotoku 1&2 HD signed and to make me insanely jealous. Luckily there were no JAV actresses there or my jealousy would have been over 9000.

This is how Nagoshi used to look like when he was still a human being.

Ryu ga Gotoku is Akiramike's most anticipated game of 2015.

I can't wait for the 52 page Hot Dog magazine and the mouse pad. Got the game preordered from AmiAmi.


People who went to the meet got a Ryu ga Gotoku bandanna as can be seen at the top of the picture.

I'm guessing bframe is in line waiting for the demo stations. No idea when the demo will drop on PS4 but I think the free app on PSV drops on the 26th of this month so its probably gonna be the same time.

HMV JAPAN LOOT


THE LEGEND OF LEGACY

After playing a few hours, I regretting getting this game. Too much grinding, not enough story and the lack of budget is so obvious.


There is no voice acting except for the narrator. I like the battle system. You heal after every battle but some enemies do huge damage and your maximum HP is reduced after after every death. Should have been priced lower.


GAGAGA SP - GAGAGA WO KIITARA SAYONARA

The sucky thing about being a fan of unpopular bands is that its hard to find their newer stuff on the interwebs so I have to actually buy their CDs. Not a good album IMO. I like their latest single Konchikishoume but for the album as a whole, there's nothing memorable here.

SAMBOMASTER - AISHITERU AISHITE HOSHI

It took me too long to decide whether to buy The Legend of Legacy that the limited edition with a lot live recordings sold out at HMV Japan. The normal edition only has a live version of Rock and Roll is not dead where the singer is super out of tune.
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Ryuusei Wagon Eps 1-3

February 11, 2015, 6:42 am
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Once upon a time, someone saw Nishijima Hidetoshi and Kagawa Teruyuki together in Double Face or Mozu and decided they would make a good father-son time travel duo. If I were to describe Ryuusei Wagon in one sentence, it would be an inferior version of Tonbi mashed with an weaker version of Suteki na Sen Taxi.


Hidetoshi's father is dying, he has been jobless for a year, his wife has left him for another man and he lets himself get beat up by his son. One day, another father son duo who passed away 5 years ago appear in a time travelling wagon appear and take Hidetoshi back in time to important stages of his life leading to his current predicament along with his dad from the past.


Ryuusei Wagon is not working for me. Hidetoshi's acting is just off, the script explains everything too much all the resentment that Hidetoshi feels for his dad turns out to be sappy misunderstand. Plus, the only person who's having fun with the time travel bits it the dad. I just don't have empathy for the Hidetoshi character.


The time travelling also has very limit effect, ie Hidestoshi's actions have very little effect so it looks like its more about Hidetoshi learning about his mistakes than seeing where different decisions in life leads Hidetoshi. The only fun thing for me is watching Teruyuki play the dad out of time who is the same age as his son. Besides that, I basically skimmed half the show. I find Ryuusei Wagon to be a meh show.
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The Light Shines Only There

February 13, 2015, 4:36 am
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The Light Shines Only There was Japan's entry for the Academy Awards. No idea why they chose this over Snow White Murder Case. Anyway, its a dark movie about three people who live in a small town in Hokkaido; Ayano Gou playing a unemployed bum and chanelling his inner Eita, Ikewaki Chizuru playing a prostitue and her former felon brother who Ayano Gou runs into at a pachinko parlour.


I like depressing movies and the story here is great. However there are a few problems. Firstly, its 20 minutes too long. I spent most of the first hour thinking about whether I should stop watching. Ayano Gou does his usual walk around in daze acting which fits his character but he cannot hold my attention the way someone like Ikewaki Chizuru can. The second problem is that there is barely any chemistry between Ayano Gou and Ikewaki Chizuru. This is not a romantic movie but there is no sexual tension between the two leads besides the numerous sex scenes.


So are there any reasons to watch this besides those who enjoy depressing shows? Ikewaki Chizuru is awesome. No, I'm not saying that because there is a lot of nudity in this movie. She is an awesome actress ever since I saw her in Summer Snow and Josee, the Tiger and the Fish so many years ago and she knows how to portray the desperation and despair of a person who is stuck in a no hope life. Why the hell isn't she in more doramas. The last thing I remember seeing her in was Shokuzai. Her character is the most complicated and interesting one in this movie and without her, it would completely fall apart.


I think The Light Shines Only There is an ok movie with a great performance from Ikewaki Chizuru but if you want something similar ie dark and raw, The Ravine of Goodbye is a much better movie.
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Maru Maru Tsuma Eps 1-5

February 15, 2015, 8:24 am
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From the writer that brought us the super lame dialogue filled Kaseifu no Mita comes another jdorama about the perfect housekeeper. Kubota Masazumi is a newscaster which means he is someone who does more than read out the news and he has a contracted housekeeper played by Shibasaki Kou who does everything perfectly for him.


WHAT I LIKED

- The concept of the story is interesting with two people with problems in an unusual and symbiotic relationship.


- I loath to say it but Shibasaki Kou does a pretty good job. She pulls off the fake smile well. Hhmm. Maybe its more she's right for this role. I like her monologue at the end of episode 5. I guess her roles should be limited to disturbed characters like her role in One Million Stars.


- Kuroki Hitomi is hilarious as Shibasaki Kou's mom.


- Renbutsu Misako!!! (Once again playing a thankless supporting role but supporting role Renbutsu Misako is better than no Renbutsu Misako.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

- The writer Yukawa Kazuhiko (GTO, Oyaji etc) chose the wrong job for the husband Masazumi and/or the portrayal of it. The husband character serves two purpose. He is one half of the flawed couple making each other's lives work and he is the shining light for Shibasaki Kou's character.


However, as a newscaster, all he see him do is anything but read the news. The writer tries to sell that Masazumi is greatly respected by his colleagues and an inspiration for Renbutso Misako but Masazumi's only concern is spouting empty words and the dorama treats it like its a great thing. Its not like he is the one doing the investigative reporting. Take for example the abused children speech. Am I supposed to feel moved with that phony speech? When Masazumi is at his best, he is supposed to be this shining light but he comes across as self serving spouting his kireigoto nonsense.


- All the episodes run for 51 minutes which is 5 minutes more than usual and that's way too long in terms of pacing.


SUMMARY

The only reason to watch is Shibasaki Kou's character. Besides that, I basically forwarded half the four episodes. If you enjoyed Kaseifu no Mita, Maru Maru Tsuma is the show for you. For me, its got an interesting story but execution is all over the place. Give the script to Sakamoto Yuji and it would be a much better show.  Frustratingly interesting in places.
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Gakkou no Kaidan Eps 1-3

February 19, 2015, 1:48 pm
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Super normal everyday girl goes to prestigious school because her former school closed down and is forced to become the president of the student council. This is all a plan to make her a scapegoat and together with mysterious speechwriter Kamiki Ryunosuke, she will start a revolution against the school and the Platinum 8.


I should have not watched this crap when I saw the cast cause the plot had potential. Alas, the speech part is super cheesy and not smart at all. Gakkou no Kaidan has got all the shoujo manga cliches but does none of them well. I can't believe I gave it 3 episodes hoping to see something clever. The stupid basketball game was the last draw for me.


Kamiki Ryunosuke is so wasted here and they should have cast someone a lot better for the main girl but I don't think any talent can save the boring script. Avoid, unless you are a 9 year old girl and/or like guys with trimmed eyebrows and lots of makeup.

I don't think I can ever rewatch 101 Proposals without the image of her plastic face in my head.

If you want to watch a good high school bullying/power struggle show, watch Fukuda Saki's Life.
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Doctors Saikyou no Meii Season 3 Eps 3-5

February 22, 2015, 8:32 am
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Antspace is pretty much right about season 3. As much as I hate Doctors for rehashing the same story again, I must admit that watching Moriyama is still pretty entertaining. There are still a lot of laugh out loud moments in season 3 from Moriyama's origami to to trying to use public transport.


The writer took what I wanted to see happen in season 2 and turned it around. Ie, instead of Sagara getting his way and realising he took it too far, its Moriyama who finally gets what he wants and realising that with great power comes great responsibility.


Its just a shame that the for a series that had a must watch first season has become a merely enjoyable series that has refused to evolve. Frustratingly stale but surprisingly still enjoyable.
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Sambomaster is now Obasan Daite Kudasai!

February 24, 2015, 11:13 pm
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EDIT: Ooops false alarm. Someone pointed out to me that its a limited time name change. Its just a gimmick thing for the 15th anniversary. They are now 'Sensei! Sokontoko yoroshiku!'

This always happens when I don't read things in Japanese properly. Nothing to see here. Sambomaster is still Sambomaster.


Had a big shock when I went to the sambomaster website and saw that they had changed their name! First of all, happy 15 year anniversary to my absolute favourite band. I've been listening to their music ever since Densha, been to two of their live events and I still don't know their names.


One think I dislike is about the band formerly known as Sambomaster is that their t-shirts suck. I like the new logo. Not sure about the name but all I need is a black shirt with the logo and the list of venues at the back in regular fonts.


Their website says they are going to have two more announcements. One will be a tour. Maybe the third one is that Minmi will join the band. :) I love the two Minmi songs Sekai wo Kaesasete wo Kure yo and Kono yo ga yami dato iwanaidekure. Sambomaster is dead! Long live Obasan Daite Kudasai!
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Utsukushiki Wana Eps 1-5

February 25, 2015, 5:28 am
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Tanaka Rena plays the mistress of her boss in Utsukushiki Wana who is old enough to be her dad. I can't remember the last time I saw a good Tanaka Rena show. Maybe Ganbatte Ikkimashoi? Anyway, wifey knows about Tanaka Rena and so she sets Tanaka Rena up with her lover who has a thing for older women in a 'I know what's going on and I want you to stop' act without actually saying she knows.


Husband of course gets the hint and pulls out and Tanaka Rena responds to wifey's challenge by going along with the set up instead of choosing to back away. Lover boy who can't get the wife to leave the boss decides to play along and we have a good girl mistress vs scheming wife story.


Bframe recommended Utsukushiki Wana to me with saying that the show is so bad it might be good and it is pretty bad in the afternoon soap opera kind of way. While Hirugao was a tacky drama that tried to be something serious, Utsukushiki Wana revels in its tackiness. The acting is unbashfully bad that its kind of fun, at least for the first two episodes.


The problem is that the main character Tanaka Rena is playing is too nice. I want more backstabbing and manipulation but that character never really dips her toes into that area. First two episodes were interesting but I ended up skimming 3 to 5 waiting for her to do something. Watchable if you like Tanaka Rena and/or you want something soapie. For me the heroine is too nice which is standard for these type of shows and none of the characters are that interesting.
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