3 posts tagged “japanese”
I know this isn't a jdorama or a movie but it is live action. Last night, I watched the second of the musical stage plays based on the manga Bleach titled Rock Musical BLEACH Saien. While it tells the same story as the anime (I haven't read the manga so I'll only be able to compare it to the anime) up through the beginning of the Soul Society arc, it takes a winding road to get there. You start off with Ichigo getting Rukia's powers and working through killing Hollows but then you end up in a flashback. Urahara tells the backstory of how Ichigo ended up in Soul Society. I'm not sure if people who aren't already familiar with Bleach would understand what is going on.
I found it interesting that there is no set on the stage. The entire musical is performed in a 'black box.' There are some risers and stairs so you can have different levels on the stage but that's it. The only props used are the individual Zanpakuto swords that each Shinigami carries. Effects are carried out through smoke and lights.
It was also rather disappointing that Ishida is not in any of the musicals. Most likely because his power (a soul bow and arrow) would be difficult to perform on the stage. Though I'll note that Orihime's power is used (fairy-type beings that combine to make shields), though there is nothing to show the fairies. There's just a light when the shield pops into place. It would have been nice to have the entire group together but nothing was really lost from his absence.
Overall, it wasn't a terrible musical. Yes, it had it's cheesy moments but I'm pretty sure that all musicals based on manga/anime will be cheesy.
Title (english): Newswoman
Broadcast date: 1/7/98 - 3/18/98
Genre: drama
Cast: Suzuki Honami, Takizawa Hideaki, Nagatsuka Kyozo, Fukikoshi Mitsuru
Plot: Aso Tamaki (Suzuki Honami) is the anchor for the evening news on Channel 2. When her husband dies in a car accident, she must stonily report the news herself. After the show, her husband's lawyer, Kubata-san (Nagatsuka Kyozo), arrives at her apartment. He asks her to take care of her step-son, Ryu (Takizawa Hideaki), until he can find the boy's only living relative, his aunt. Can a hardened news professional care for a teenage boy?
What is good: The interaction between the characters in the later episodes is quite heart-warming.
What is bad: The early episodes of the show are just plain boring.
Letter rating: C
Overall: Suzuki Honami and Takizawa Hideaki (the Tackey half of the duo Tackey & Tsubasa) perform beautifully. However, they are given very dull material to work with. The 'behind-the-newroom' scenes don't accomplish much beyond setting up where everyone stands in the politics of the workplace. Aso-san talks big in these scenes but she doesn't seem to actually do very much. Poor Ryu is stuck in the 'emotionally tortured teenager' characterization so he barely speaks through the first half of the series. Once the characters break out of their normal routine, everything changes and the series gets pretty interesting. Unfortunately, by that point, there's only 3 or 4 episodes left. I would have a difficult time recommending this series. Mostly because it takes so long to get to the good episodes that is doesn't feel like it was worthwhile overall.
Title (romanji): Densha Otoko
Title (english): Train Man
Broadcast date: 7/7/05 - 9/22/05
Genre: romantic comedy
Cast: Itoh Masaki, Itoh Atsushi
Plot: A true love story, borne from the BBS 2chan, that became a best-selling novel and a blockbuster movie. Yamada Tsuyoshi (Itoh Atsushi) is the epitome of the word otaku. Socially inept, he knows nothing about interacting with the opposite sex. On the train ride home one night, he saves Aoyama Saori (Itoh Masaki) from an overly affectionate drunkard. In appreciation, she sends him a set of Hermes teacups. Having fallen in love with the woman, Yamada turns to the BBS for help on how to woo 'Hermes.'
What is good: Just about everything. The writing conveys Yamada's feelings well. The acting is superb. I think even those without any knowledge about Japanese otaku can relate to the story. Also, the way they handled the way the different otaku on the BBS converse helps the story along.
What is bad: Aoyama is a one-dimensional character. While she's not the focus of the story (Yamada is), you don't learn a whole lot about her. She almost seems to be there just because she's pretty.
Letter rating: A
Overall: This is one of my favorite series. I loved watching the various otaku help Yamada. They were possibly the best part of the whole series. (NOTE: Keep an eye out for Oguri Shun, who also stars in Hana Yori Dango and Gokusen!) While it would have been nice to know a bit more about Aoyama, the story is not about her. It's about Yamada overcoming his 'otakuness' to become something more. I would recommend this series to anyone, though it may require some knowledge about Japanese culture and relationships.
