Starring:
Eguchi Yosuke as Hayama Shinsuke
Ando Masanobu as Nohara Takashi
Miyazaki Aoi as Michiki Mari
Kojima Hijiri as Detective Shibata
Torihada Minoru as Konno Soichiro
Matsuda Ryuhei as Picasso

This film centers around people who suffer from a disorder known as Synesthesia. People who have it will, when sensing one thing, will also sense something else. It’s kind of hard to explain theoretically but easier to understand in examples. Someone with Synesthesia might see a letter or number connected with a color. Or maybe they would associate sounds with colors. It’s a very interesting concept to use in conjunction with a murder mystery, which is what Gimmy Heaven (aka Synesthesia) essentially is.

Michiki Mari seems to just have death surrounding her. Her third foster parents were murdered, as were her previous foster families. However, something unique about this murder is a wine stain left in a shape known to be connected to a serial killer known as Picasso. The detective investigating believes that Picasso is a synesthete and that there may be another synesthete who can “translate” what this mark means. Hayama Shinsuke has synesthesia, which makes him feel distanced from his friend/partner, Takashi, and his girlfriend. By chance, the two end up taking in Mari. Soon, Picasso contacts Shinsuke, telling him to give Mari over to him. Of course, this leads them to believe that Mari is Picasso’s next target.

While Synesthesia is definitely a very interesting concept to explore, there is something to be desired. Even my love for mysteries couldn’t make me enjoy this movie more. Generally, it’s hard to follow and at the end, there seemed to be so many unexplained things and plot holes abound. One of the last scenes attempted to depict what a synesthete might see a particular scene. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was quite meant to be that way. For a movie that focuses on synesthetes, I still don’t quite understand how they view the world. I understand logically what it is but am still not exactly sure how it’s supposed to work.

The performance of the leads was very good but, unfortunately, can’t fix the faults in writing. I think this film bites off more than it can chew. Throughout the film, there are many side plots introduced but never really actualized. There must be a better way to highlight Synesthesia and its effect without losing it in all the other plotlines. Maybe in a more slice of life type film without the burden of a complicated plotline.

Buy this movie: HK DVD | J First Press Edition

Ashita no Kita Yoshio

Starring:
Kohinata Fumiyo as Kita Yoshio
Matsuda Ryuhei as Yashiro Heita
Konishi Manami as Washizu Mizuho
Kuriyama Chiaki as Hasegawa Rika
Yoshitaka Yuriko as Yoimachi Shinobu
Namase Katsuhisa as Sugimoto Masaru
Jinbo Satoshi as Washizu Hideto
Maruyama Tomomi as Yoda Ryoichi
Yoshiie Akihito as Yaida
Iwamatsu Ryo as Ebata Tatsuo
Imai Masayuki as Minami Takao
Kaname Jun as Moriwaki Daisuke

Ashita no Kita Yoshio is a Japanese drama that aired during the winter of 2008. It was 11 episodes long and got pretty un-amazing ratings of 7.1%. Despite that, I thought that it was one of the better dramas of the season (and my personal favorite!).

The story focuses on a man named Kita Yoshio. Ever since he was little, he has had this strange connection to the number 11. Generally, he is a very pathetic man and seems to have no friends. He did have one good friend, Minami Takao, but he died 11 years ago. He used to be married to a beautiful nurse, but she divorced him shortly about Minami’s death. After visiting Minami’s grave one day, he slips and scratches his palm, resembling ‘11.’ After seeing this, he decides that he himself will die 11 days later, on the anniversary of his only friend’s death. He sells off all his worldly possessions and plans to live out 11 more days. However on the first day, he meets Yashiro Heita. Through him, Kita Yoshio experiences the most eventful 11 days of his life, meeting all sorts of interesting characters.

Other characters include Washizu Mizuho, Kita Yoshio’s ex-wife. Though she was a nurse, she is now CEO of a clothing corporation. Her second husband, Washizu Hideto (the previous CEO), recently died in a motorboat accident and she stands to get 1 billion yen in insurance. Because of this, she is being investigated by Sugimoto Masaru to make sure that this is not a case of insurance fraud. Yoimachi Shinobu is a young idol who Kita Yoshio meets through Heita as one of his last requests. She takes a liking to him and often brings him trouble in his last days. Hasegawa Rika is Heita’s girlfriend. She’s left with a huge debt from her father.

Though the general idea of this drama is kind of morbid, you don’t really see any of it. It’s actually a little trippy and full of dry humor. The cast is really good and believable, even though the storyline is so out there. Serious props to Kohinata Fumiyo, the lead. He’s just amazing as the sad and pitiful Kita Yoshio. Matsuda Ryohei feels very real as the token bad guy who is actually pretty nice. Him plus Kuriyama Chiaki make a very nice couple; they look great together.

In the beginning, there seem to be many un-related storylines and plot devices, but eventually they all come together. That being said, it means that there are plenty of plot twists that you’ll be surprised how much depth there is. It starts from a comedy/tragedy into a sort of mystery story. When I first picked up this drama, I didn’t expect much from it, but I was surprised by how well the storyline was handled. And moreover, it was very intriguing.

So in the end, does he die? I can’t say, you’ll just have to watch it yourself. =) I totally recommend this one; it was definitely my favorite drama of the season.

Buy the boxset: Japan Version

New season, new dramas, and a renewed spirit! This’ll be my first drama preview post as just my first impressions on the dramas I’m planning on watching and reviewing.

First Impressions

Shikaotoko Aoiniyoshi

A very unlucky man is forced to move his post at a university lab to a girl’s high school in Nara, where the deer roam around freely. Ogawa Takanobu moves into an apartment/inn of some sorts with a bunch of his co-workers. Life in Nara is quite different from Tokyo and Ogawa has probalem adjusting, including a student who seems to hate him. And not to mention that there seems to be someone tailing him and writing telltale notes on his classroom blackboard. So far, I’ve found Shikaotoko Aoiniyoshi to be quite interesting. Even though, it takes place in Nara that’s depicted as mostly slow-paced and not very exciting, the drama is full of life. I also love that the humor is very dry; there doesn’t seem to be any slapstick to be seen. I also have to mention that Tamaki Hiroshi and Ayase Haruka have pretty unflattering hair compared to their previous hairstyles. Maybe it’s supposed to be reflect on their location.

Hachimitsu to Kuroba (Honey and Clover)

Probably one of the more anticipated drama for overseas watches would be Hachimistsu to Kuroba, more commonly known as Honey and Clover. It’s a story of five college students in art school and the drama and comedy that ensues from college life. The story starts when Hanamoto Hagumi, an amazingly talented painter among other things, starts school. It centers around Takemoto Yuta, though, who is mostly the narrator and falls in love with Hagu. There’s a lot of love triangles, random fun, and all sorts of art. I was really looking forward to this drama, but I was disappointed in the first episode. Some parts were funny, but other parts were just on the boring side and all in all I was not impressed. Fortunately, the second episode redeemed it a bit for me, but it’s still not as good as I had hoped. I have read a few chapters of the manga, and I’ve never watched the anime. I did watch the the movie and thought it was rather boring, though I found the manga to be pretty enjoyable. I just hope the drama will get better soon. But since the third episode’s rating is now below 10%, maybe all there is is hope.

Ashita no Kita Yoshio

I found this story synopsis to be quite intriguing. A man, Kita Yoshio, has always had a strange connection to the number 11. He has lead a life that he regrets and is sad about. He feel that the world hates him and there is nothing left for him to live. He had a wife, but she divorced him 11 years ago. He had one good friend, but he also died. Kita Yoshio decides to end his life 11 days from then, on the anniversary of his one friend’s death. However, fatefully, he meets Yashiro Heita who pulls him into a world he never knew about. This is the start Kita Yoshio’s most eventful 11 days. After being disappointed with Hachimitsu to Kuroba, I watched the first episode of Ashita no Kita Yoshio and was pleasantly surprised. The story is kind of trippy, but is really enjoyable. There’s a morbid side to it, yet it is very funny. Kohinata Fumiyo who plays the titular “hero,” Kita Yoshio is, so far, amazing. His character is really pathetic but at the time can relate to many people. I’m looking forward to watching the rest of this drama.

1 Pound no Fukuin

This is the story of a boxer who absolutely loves to eat. However this always gets into trouble since he needs to keep a close watch on his weight to stay in his weight class. One day, he meets a fledging nun, Sister Angela, and feels a strange pull towards her. I don’t know. The nun thing is really weird, but the juxtaposition of a nun and boxer is quite interesting. It’s weird, though, having Kame as the boxer cause he’s so skinny. Generally, it’s a little cheesy and dramatic (but what sports drama isn’t?). But Kame is nice to look at and Kuroki Meisa is really pretty.

Koshonin

I cannot resist a crime drama. Seriously. Koshonin is about the Special Investigation Team unit of the police. This team goes directly to the front line of a crime to negotiate with the criminals. The story focuses on Usagi Reiko, a new trainee in the SIT. She is the only woman on the team and the leader of the team lets her know straight up that she is not welcome. After watching the first episode, it seems that this drama is not about the crimes, but really mostly about police hierarchies and internal politics. Actually, I don’t find the actual case to be very interesting or engaging; what is interesting is the internal politics, perhaps the drama is a commentary on the rigidness of the system?

Still to start

Binbo Danshi

Two words: Oguri Shun! It’s the story of a poor college student who always lends a helping hand with other people’s debts, even though it always lands him into trouble (and he’s already dirt poor). This drama is either really good or really cheesy. I think I’ll watch it no matter what. That promo image is gold. Plus, it’ll also be an interesting ride to see him in a purely comedic role (a nice departure from Hanazawa Rui and Sano Izumi).

4 Shimai Tantei Dan

Yeah, just can’t resist mystery. It revolves around a team of 4 sisters who solves crimes. I’m interested to see what kind of mysteries the sisters will solve….Yukan Club-esque mysteries? (please, no more of those) or Galileo-esque mysteries? Hopefully this won’t disappoint. Also interesting to note that the abbreviation is 4STD.

Bara no nai Hanaya

I’m still not sure if I want to watch this drama. But it does have rather high ratings, I think the highest of the season so far. I dunno. Maybe. I do want to watch Matsuda Shota in a lighter role, though, since his recent leads have been rather dark characters (though he’s not the leading role in this one). What I gather about the story is that it’s about a single father running a flower shop and the people that he meets.