Pick Up Review
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Itazura na Kiss 2 - Love in Tokyo (English Subtitles) Director's Cut Edition Blu-ray Box 2Japanese TV SeriesA funny and touching love story
So glad I splashed out and bought the whole set of Itazura na Kiss Season 2 Blue Ray discs ( Box 1 and 2) , which included all the Directors' cuts ( extra 10-15 minutes per episode)! Re watching the extended episodes again is like rediscovering new perspectives on this wonderfully-told love story. For me, Miki Honoka is THE definitive Kotoko Aihara...
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Itazura Na Kiss 2 - Love In Tokyo Special MakingJapanese TV Series (Making et.al.)A funny and touching love story
So glad I splashed out and bought the whole set of Itazura na Kiss Season 2 Blue Ray discs ( Box 1 and 2) , which included all the Directors' cuts ( extra 10-15 minutes per episode)! Re watching the extended episodes again is like rediscovering new perspectives on this wonderfully-told love story. For me, Miki Honoka is THE definitive Kotoko Aihara...
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Itazura na Kiss 2 - Love in Tokyo (English Subtitles) Director's Cut Edition DVD Box 1Japanese TV SeriesA funny and touching love story
So glad I splashed out and bought the whole set of Itazura na Kiss Season 2 Blue Ray discs ( Box 1 and 2) , which included all the Directors' cuts ( extra 10-15 minutes per episode)! Re watching the extended episodes again is like rediscovering new perspectives on this wonderfully-told love story. For me, Miki Honoka is THE definitive Kotoko Aihara...
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"Unmei no Hito (TV Drama)" Original SoundtrackJapanese TV SeriesMasterpiece !
Greatest drama soundtrack ever ! I was actually a great fan of that wonderful drama and, when I watched it, I was amazed by its music. Now that I listened the CD, I'm even more amazed (if it's possible). The soundtrack is really beautiful, really rythmic sometimes (you can feel the emotions of the characters just by listening), sometimes it's really sad, almost heartbreaking, especially when you remember the tragical story. Just too bad there were no picture in the Cd, to remind you the drama. It would have been great.
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Ouran Koko Host Bu (Ouran High School Host Club)Japanese TV SeriesA Must Have for any Drama Fan!
The Ouran Host Club series is a must have for any drama fan. The series comes packaged in a beautiful box with plastic slip cover, along with a photo book and several post cards. Open the cover and you will be presented with cardboard doors (yes, cardboard doors) that open into the wonder of this amazing series (the DVDs) Not to mention the special features included in the discs, cast interviews, behind the scenes, press conferences and even more! Buy Ouran Highschool Host Club on DVD now, starring Kawaguchi Haruna(Yankee-kun to Megane-chan(TBS, 2010) and Yamamoto Yusuke (Tumbling(TBS, 2010), get it now and it will have you screaming "HARUHI!!" Series: 7/10 Cast: 7.5/10 Story: 7/10 Freshness: 5/10 DVD: 8/10 Overall: 7.1/10 [2.0 = 1 (Poor Release] [3.5 = 2 (Below Average] [5.0 = 3 (Very good] [7.0 = 4 (Excellent] [9.0 = 5 (Masterpiece] Let's sit tight for the Ouran Movie :)
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Densha Otoko DVD BoxTV DramaThe Best of All Asian Dramas
A great collection of the most wonderful romantic comedy ever...anywhere. I can speak Japanese, so I can understand it in the original...but, I only wish that there were English subs for this, so that those who don't know Japanese can also enjoy it, without resorting to a bad fansub.
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Flunk Punk Rumble (Yankee-kun to Megane-chan) DVD BoxJapanese TV SeriesNarimiya Hiroki at his best!
I have just finished watching this series and I have to say its one of the best J-Dramas I have seen!!! It follows Daichi, a delinquent or a ?Yankee? who is a social outcast in his school due to his seemingly violent behaviour. Invisible, alone and unmotivated, he coasts through school reading manga?s on the school?s roof?. That is until Hana transfers to Windy High. Geeky and over eager, Hana tries to get Daichi involved in the joy of school life, but she hides her own violent secret. Hana is not just the class nerd but is Hurricane Ada, the most powerful and feared of all Yankees!!! The series then follows the two as they try to find normality, but ultimately understand who they truly are as people. This series is incredibly well written, its funny yet has a series message about labelling people and making assumptions about others. So although there are moments of side-splitting humour (the ghost house scene in ep 9 especially) there is always a serious theme of identity and trying to find out who you really are. The acting is FANTASTIC, Narimiya Hiroki and Naka Riisa are superbly cast as the two leads and their on-screen chemistry makes the series as joy to watch. As for the ending? you will be screaming for more!!!! Witty, thought provoking and just plain crazy, Yankee Kun to Megane Chan is the best J drama of the year!
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Koizora Standard EditionJapanese TV SeriesGrab a tissue!!!
Okay so I watched the film verison of Koizora and loved it ..... I watched the drama series and I was crying for a whole evening afterwards!!!! This 6 episode adaption is truely sensational.... not only is the storyline more indepth due to the longer running time than the film but the actors wonderfully portray the characters and bring them to life in a way that far transgresses the film. Seto Koji is heartbreaking as Hiro and is easily one of the best actors in Japan today. What is so beautiful about this film is the moments of silence, when the emotion and relationship between Mika and Hiro is expressed not through words but through their looks and gestures. Indeed many things are incredibly similliar to the film such as types of shots and lines of dialogue but for me the drama series went that extra mile in emotion department.... I watched the film and sniffed back a few tears..... I watched this series and ended up with black mascara streaks down my face and neck..... in the last episode I think I wasn't crying for only about 3 minutes of it!!! The one thing to mention is that this drama is a slightly cleaner version..... i.e there is less violence, less sex (not that there is bearly any in the film.... but they do did 'it' a extra time in the film) and the attack on Mika by a gang of boys is far less serious than it is in the film. This did detract somewhat for the intensity of the story but on the plus side it has made it more suitable for a younger audience. If you loved the film this series will break your heart, if you haven't seen either it's a fantastic place to enter into the Koizora world!!!! P.S I know there has been a lot of negativity towards this series and indeed the film due to its weak portrayal of women but frankly if you don't take either too seriously and just enjoy theme as a melodramas I think you will be pleasently contented by them!
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Tumbling Special EditionJapanese TV SeriesMen in Leotards ..... nice!!!
Well I have just finished watching this first and it is absolutely fantastic!!!! 2010 certainly seems to be the comeback year for J-Drama what with the equally brilliant yankee-kun to megame chan also being shown. Tumbling is certainly another drama that deserves recognition. In the vein of Waterboys and Swing Girls it follows a somewhat unsuccessful group of Male Rhythmic Gymnastic competitors. Although they never have enougth members to enter any competitions and they are always battling against the girl's team for practice space their luck suddenly changes when Yankee Wataru joins the team. A combination of trying to impress the new girl and trying not to displease his mom Wataru half-heartly attempts the srict regime of the tumbling profession.... or tamborine as he likes to call it!!!!! But after witnessing the determination of the team's leader Yuta (played by heartthrob Seto Koji from the Koizora TV Drama) he soon puts his heart into the perfomance not for the sake of the girl or his mother but for himself. Of course in the first episode good intentions don't always mean high points!!!! Even after one episode I was immediately gripped by the storyline and the characters. There are so many dramas about Yankee's trying to chnage their ways but this one has a edge for me. Fantatsically acted and already showing some amazing tumbling routines I can't wait to watch the rest!!!So if you are a Waterboys fan/ Stick It, gymnast enthusist or just enjoy the thrill of Japanese boys stretching and sweating Tumbling is for you!!!!
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Tumbling Complete BoxJapanese TV SeriesYou'll laught, you'll cry!!!
Well I have now watched the entire series of Tumbling and I have only one word to describe it?. Stunning!!! Each episode focuses on a different character, and the personal struggles they face be it poverty, death, homosexuality, friendships, family? to name but a few. As such the series, despite having fantastic comedy moments, manages to tackle to serious issues that affect young adults? not only in modern Japan but on a global scale. In fact I don?t think there was a single episode that didn?t have me in fits of laughter at one moment and the floods of tears the next!!!! The acting (particularly from Yusuke Yamamoto and Seto Koji) is outstanding and is far above the standard you may expect from TV. And you can really feel that this group of actors had a strong bond that is so evident on screen. Considering that none of the leads are professional gymnasts the ?tumbling? itself was breathtaking. Okay so possibly there may have been a few stunt doubles? I?m not sure? but it looks as though it is the actors actually doing the routine and if this is true I take my hat off to them!!!! The one thing to note is that I watched this series online, so as to the specifics of this box set I can?t say anything?.. it?s just a pity that eng subs aren?t included as I definitely would have brought a copy!!! To date Tumbling is my all time favourite Japanese drama, the storyline and acting puts it miles ahead other dramas I have watched recently. My only complaint?.. I wish it was longer!!!!
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Hidarime Tantei EYE DVD BoxJapanese TV SeriesTanaka Ainosuke !
I not getting bored from this drama my favorite is Ainosuke <3 everything is great in this drama also I can see Yuma and Shintaro <3
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Dramada-J "Itsuka no Yujo Bu, Natsu."Japanese TV Seriesthe 7 WEST <3
I'm glad . these series released on DVDs I like the episode Itsuka no Yujo, Natsu for some reasons . The 7WEST as main-cast and the rare idea of the story . Kotaki did his best , he was super cool for his first appearance .also I like Tomohiro's acting! I don't get bored from this DVD !
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Nobuta. Wo Produce DVD BoxJapanese TV SeriesThe best drama ever
Love this drama ... its the best of the dramas that Yamapi act in it .. love you YAMAPI .. ^,^ ,,, ^,^ ...
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24 Hour Television Special Drama 2006Japanese TV SeriesKanashii Desu Yo! T_T
I think I saw this movie in 2008....but it was so sad!!! Kamenashi really puts on an excellent performance; if this movie doesn't make you cry, then something must be wrong with your eyes! A really heartfelt story about a very rare disease, the gift of friendship and being optimistic even in the worst situations, this is a movie I really believe anyone would love.
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TV Drama "Samurai High School" Original SoundtrackTV Original Soundtrack (Music by Yugo Kanno)A Must Have CD for Kanno-san's Fans
Another great composition from Kanno Yugo-san. The opening track is a wonderful piece which mixes traditional music and rock. The following tracks are also interesting to listen to. Almost all of them are earcatchy. Some tracks remind me of Koishite Akuma OST though which is also composed by Kanno-san.
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Saka no Ue no Kumo Original SoundtrackJapanese TV Series (Hisaishi Joe)Only for Sarah Brightman
As a Sarah Brightman faithful fan, I had to buy that CD, because I doubt this music will appear in any of her albuns (since it is not HER music). Except from her tracks (voice and vocalise), the whole CD is instrumental. Not that bad, just thematic: with a theme I am not used to. The brochure inside is LAME, in Black&White, with few pictures. And everything is in Japanese, although some musics have English titles. I really did not understand that. Almost all Japanese CDs I've got have translation to English. CD Japan is a really nice store! Shipping was real quick (but Brazilian customs is DULL).
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TBS Kei Kinyo Drama "MAOU" Original SoundtrackTV Original SoundtrackMaou OST
An amazing soundtrack for an amazing drama. 'Maou' was my fave drama of 2009 and its soundtrack was my fave as well. Each track fits the drama's theme and they underline each and every scene perfectly. There couldn't be a better soundtrack for 'Maou'.
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Hotaru no Hikari Original SoundtrackTV Original Soundtrack (Music byYugo Kanno)Hotaru no Hikari Original OST
I like this OST as there is several nice soothing pieces. It can make one pause and think for a moment,
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Wicked Gekidan Shiki VersionOriginal SoundtrackWonderful Japanese version of Wicked
This is a wonderful show to listen to in any language. Some of the performances here might not have the same grand full-bodied gusto as in the Broadway original, but it's still a total delight. The woman playing Elpheba here cannot quite pull off those huge numbers with the same intensity as say, Idina Menzel, but that might be just because I'm so used to hearing Idina singing these songs. In other songs, such as "As Long As You're Mine", or "One Short Day" she is perfectly lovely. I love listening to the Japanese language and hearing a show that I'm so familiar with in English interpreted this way is not only hugely enjoyable but fascinating.
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Xenos DVD BoxJapanese TV SeriesIt's weird, but it pulls it off!
Firstly, it should be said, there are a few things you should know before watching this series. Firstly, it's obviously quite adult, as is hinted to by the cover, and secondly it's in Japanese. If you don't understand Japanese you don't stand much chance of following the rather convoluted story in any detail. The lack of direction is one of the few problems with this series. It does have perhaps too much going on. The attempt to make it gritty and fast has seemed to have the writers introducing lots of plot twists that sometimes don't feel like they really fit. The premis of the story is a little far-fetched and the characters tend to be stereotypical. That said, the over-all affect does work though. It's very pacy and keeps the intregue up even when it's not got much direction. I don't want to give away any more of the plot then is already on display in the blurb, but the lead character has to jump over many hurdles to find his other-half and a good back-story starts to build up as he finds out more and more. Obviously, along the way there's a lot of nudity and some rather explicit scenes, but unlike if this has been made in Britain, it's kept to a sensible level. It doesn't feel like it's just a vehicle for low grade porn. That said, at some point in the 12 episodes, virtually every member of the cast seems to get naked. Nami Ichinohe has slightly more sex scenes then are necessary but once again, seriously, this is a drama, not an excuse for porn. Hotta Yuika does have a very provocative underwear scene but nothing beyond that and she's about the only cast member who doesn't get naked! Being a late night TV show, the directing is sometimes quite tacky, but as I say it does keep the pace up very well. Considering that Japanese acting ranges from some of the best to some of the worst in the world, this really isn't too bad. Ken Kaito is a believable lead character as is his girlfriend played by Nami Ichinohe. Hotta Yuika has one of the most in-depth roles in this series, and after some of her previous rather poor acting efforts, she shines through here as one of the best actors on the screen! Her looks and gravure model history might have landed her the role, but you won't have to cringe each time she has an emotional scene. The rest of the cast support the main three very well. All in all, an interesting story put together in an engaging way. Worth watching.