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J-dorama ~ M

Title: Majo no joken

Cast: Matsushima Nanako, Takizawa Hideaki

Theme: "First Love" by Utada Hikaru

On Air: TBS 1999

Title: Marusa!! 

Cast: Esumi Makiko, Miyake Ken, Azuma Mikihisa

Scriptwriter: Todayama Masashi

Theme: "Get Happy" by Hoshimura Mai

On Air: Kansai TV 2003 Apr 8 - Jun 24

This drama is about a team in the third coordination division within the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, aka Marusa, and how they go about investigating tax evasion. Their work normally revolves around complex form of tax evasion which the other so called better departments cannot uncover. To uncover such cases, the team will have to go undercover in order to discover the methods of tax evasion used by the suspect.

Quite an interesting drama which shows the various ways the team goes undercover through different disguises. However, I must say that I have a hard time trying to follow the explanation on the different forms of tax evasion >_<.  Nevertheless, every episode is quite intense and the mastermind of the last story came as quite a surprise to me. Not bad, me quite like ^o^

Title: Meguri Ai

Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Tokiwa Takako

Scriptwriter: Yoshida Noriko

Theme: "Heart" by Fukuyama Masaharu

On Air: 1998

Title: Motokare 

Cast: Doumoto Tsuyoshi, Hirosue Ryouko, Uchiyama Rina, Sonim, Amano Hiroyuki, Saitou Shouta

Scriptwriter: Komatsu Eriko

Theme: "Hakka Candy" by KinKi Kids

On Air: TBS 2003 Jul 6 - Sep 14

Kashiwaba Touji (Tsuyoshi) having just graduated from university, is now working as a salaryman in the food department in a department store. Working under a strict boss, he has to work hard and ensure that the food stalls that he's in charge of in the supermarket is making profit. Currently dating an elevator girl, Hayakawa Nao (Uchiyama), in the same department store, his love life is considered smooth sailing until one day, his ex girlfriend Saeki Makoto (Hirosue) appears as the new staff from the advertising agent who will be working with the food department in various promotional activities....

Am trying to be not biased just because my number one man is in this drama, but I must say that Tsuyoshi's expression is quite good in showing his feelings towards the current and ex girlfriends. For non Hirosue's fan, you may dislike her in the drama since her character appears a bit scheming in trying to hint to Nao about Touji and her past relationship. However towards the end, I find that Makoto becomes more gentle and learn to be less assertive in the way she treats people. Ok, am not going to say much about this drama or spoilers will be out. Sandwiched between a career minded and pretty ex girlfriend and a cute current girlfriend, who will Touji choose in the end? For me, I'm quite pleased with the ending ^o^ Oh, and I must say that I'm quite impressed with Sonim's portrayal of her character. Quite a change from her normal image.

Title: Mukodono

Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Takeuchi Yuko, Aiba Masaki, Shinohara Ryouko, Tsunku, Koyuki

Theme: "7 TRUTHS 7 LIES ~ Virgin road no karekata de" by Matsutouya Yumi

            "Hitoribocchi no ha burashi" by Sakuraba Yuuichiro

On Air: FujiTV 2001 Apr - Jun 29

Sakuraba Yuichiro (Nagase) is a popular singer song writer who always act cool in front of his fans. But in private, he's actually a 'dasai' fellow who constantly wears a hair band and his spectacle. When he decides to marry into Arai Sakura's (Takeuchi) family, this matter has to be kept hushed from his fans....

Frankly, I didn't really like Nagase before this drama. But after watching this, my opinion of him changed. He's great acting as Sakuraba. I know he can act cool, but to act clumsy, passionate and funny? I'm surprised that he did a good job! He's hilarious as the after screen Sakuraba. Takeuchi is extremely sweet and cute here. Each episode in the drama is touching as one sees how Sakuraba goes all the way to help each family members and touched their lives. Strongly recommended!  

Title: Mukodono 2003

Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Sakai Noriko, Matsushita Yuki, Shinohara Ryouko, Tsunku, Hoshino Mari

Theme: "Omae ya naito akan ne" by Sakuraba Yuuichiro.

On Air: FujiTV 2003 Apr 17 - Jun 26

A rehash of the original drama, Sakuraba (Nagase) is still the same cool singer-songwriter in front of his fans but soon reverts to his 'dasai' character in private. That's the only similarity. Other casts, except for Tsunku as the boss of his agency, changes completely. His 'hidden' wife is now a 31-year-old librarian, Ishihara Minami (Sakai) who is 6 years older than him and is divorced once with a son who is now in her ex-husband's custody. Minami's family is also very much different from the original Sakura's family. The manager of Sakuraba has also been changed to a female acted by Matsushita. Like the previous drama, when Sakuraba marries into Minami's house, this matter is kept a secret from his fans.

Can't help comparing the two dramas and I must admit I still prefer Sakura than Minami as Sakuraba's wife. The formal one is more cute while the latter is the sweet and gentle type. I find that the chemistry between Takeuchi and Nagase is much better. However, stories wise, this series is actually quite good. Every episodes just left me feeling touched and weeping at the scenes. How the fact of Sakuraba's marriage is leak to the news is also more interesting than the original version. Another interesting point is that in each episode, there will be a special guest appearing. Examples are Momusu, KinKi Kids, Akanshima Sanma etc.

I quite enjoy this drama. Recommended!

Title: Mukai Arata no doubutsu nikki ~ Aiken Roshinante no sainan

Cast: Doumoto Tsuyoshi, Akiyama Jun, Abe Natsumi

Theme: "Boku no senaka ni wa hane ga aru" by KinKi Kids

On Air: 2001 Jan 13 - Mar 17