Snow in Kumamoto (Update)

Last year Kumamoto was hit by a big earthquake. I think Kumamoto castle is still closed. (forgot to ask) During my last trip I was supposed to go Kumamoto but a typhoon hit Kumamoto and I had to change plans. So finally I'm back to contribute to Kumamoto's economy.

Hoodie drawn by One Piece mangaka in support of Kumamoto. As I've mentioned many times, me love Kumamoto. Its my favourite small town in Japan because of its vibrant nightlife. Most drinking places close 1 or 2 am but Kumamoto bars go all the way until morning.

Normally would have kept going but my throat hurts from the stuffiness when using heaters in hotels. I ended up breathing a lot through my mouth which screwed up my throat.

Sad to say the arcade below Tsutaya has been closed and replaced by a book/coffee shop. Seeing arcades closed always makes me sad.

Caught up with Asami for yakiniku. This is my second yakiniku of this trip and I've got another one lined up for Monday. She knows the owner so we got free oysters. Hopefully I can rest my throat tomorrow and get it healed. Its supposed to be snowing in Fukuoka tomorrow so I might make it a day trip or I might just hikkikomori and play and 3DS and eat Kumamoto ramen.

Update: My throat is screwed and so is the rest of my trip.

Nakamura Yuri in Masuyama Chounouryoko Jimusho on tv, a midnight show about characters with super powers helping with investigations. So bad its great for watching when trying to fall asleep.

Once upon a time, Komurasaki used to be heaven to me but today its just so standard.

Kumamoto katsuretsurei, a not bad mid range 2000 yen tonkotsu.

AKB midnight show about wrestling. At least its better than the kyabakura one.

Taishoken in Ikebukuro

Taishoken is the shop where tsukemen aka dipping ramen originated. I think there was a documentary a year or two ago about the owner who passed away. While Taishoken is the original tsukemen, its less tsukemen and more cousin of the chuuka soba aka chinese noodles with slightly more flavour.

If you like chuuka soba, this might be for you but for me, I'm glad tsukemen has ivolved from to a more delicious flavour. I find chuuka soba just tastes cheap with an instant ramen quality. At least I can say I tried it.

Tokyo Underground Ramen Ganja

I'm back in Tokyo! I actually had Ganja years ago at the Shin Yokohama ramen museum and looking at my old post, it seems like I liked it. A friend recently came to Japan and told me that there is a Ganja in Ikebukuro so I definitely had to go.

It situated at the Toubu Hope Centre which is very close to Ikebukuro station. I had the thick 濃厚 soup one and the soup is pretty good. The problem is the flat noodles aren't any good. I would say they are less than ok and were pretty disappointing. I might give Ganja one more go down the line.

Quartet Ep 3

Wow. Mitsushima Hikari is so effing good at acting.

It just seems so effortless for her and yet so few can reach her level.

Marry her acting with Sakamoto Yuji's script and you've got an episode where I was transfixed at every world and glance.

Episode 3 is a simple story about Suzume's past and the sadness behind her smiles that won't feel out of place in Shinya Shokudo.

I love the continued jokes about Takahashi Issei's underwear. The comedy in Quartet is simple but effective whereas something like Salaryman Sanae-shi sometimes tries to hard to be funny that it is tiring.

The wifi punchline at the end had me laughing. This is the pinnacle of jdoramas; where talent meets great script to bring interesting characters to life! Absolutely, positively must watch!

Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku Eps 1+2

The surprise of the season so far. Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku was not on my radar because Higa Minami's big eyed, fake facial expressions gets on my nerves. Not as bad as Fukada Kyoko as I don't mind her as a supporting character but her as the main character does not get me excited.

Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku also has the Hammer Session teacher, another non WOWOW regular who no one would say is a decent actor. I remember seeing him do some morning cooking show on Japanese tv before.

However, Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku has taught me to never underestimate WOWOW shows because if you put not so good actors, except for Hasegawa Kyoko with a good story, you will get an entertaining show.

Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku feels like a breath of fresh air because its about something you don't often see in jdoramas; speech writing. Higa Minami plays the granddaughter of a famous writer and she has a chance encounter with Hasegawa Kyoko who plays a legendary speech writer. The first two episodes sets up the stage for an election battle as it pits Higa Minami and Hasegawa Kyoko vs Hammer Session.

This show is fun. Despite my reservations about the talent, the first two episodes were fun to watch and Watanabe Ken's son does a good job as Higa Minami's childhood friend who must make a decision on whether to follow in his father's footsteps. Very watchable first two episodes and good job WOWOW. Thanks to subie06 for doing this show!

Salaryman Sanae-shi episode 3

1. The first two episodes of Salaryman Sanae-shi were kind of ho-hum for me and I was thinking of dropping it until Hamabe Minami (AnoHana jdorama) appeared in episode 3.

2. Hamabe Minami's kawaii shy look aka the Fujitani Miwako special.

3. She's got a smile that could end all wars and bring about world peace.

4. Someone stop me! I can't stop taking screencaps!

5. The kawaiiness is over 9000!!!!!!

6. Hamabe Minami plays the center of this idol group that our hero, Sanae-san is assigned to as a representative of the sponsor company.

7. Sanae-san's attitude of I want to go through life without shouldering any responsibilities is an entertaining contrast with Hamabe Minami's character who is ruthlessly trying to succeed as an idol.

8. Hamabe Minami has got the X factor. The question is whether she becomes an Ishihara Satomi (popular but keeps doing horrible shows) or Kaho (always in non-mainstream shows but can act rings around anyone in her generation)

9. I mentioned the first two episodes were kind of bland for me. Salaryman Sanae-shi is basically the Yuusha Yoshihiko humour transplanted into a salaryman superhero show so how funny you find it depends on how much you like that style of humour. Personally, I find its got a bit too many people doing slapstick stuff and trying to be funny which is why I enjoyed episode 3 because it was just based on Sanae and Arisa's relationship and didn't have people popping in and out doing gags.

10. The second thing I don't like is that Sanae-san's suit has this power to make everyone who's seen him forget about him. So he just transforms into a super salaryman in front of everyone and every good deed he does is claimed by this useless cop played by Meburu from Yuusha Yoshihiko in the show's most boring running gag. I would love to see him solve problems in the end with his own ability but the show might still head in that direction.

11.  The third and number one thing I don't like about Salaryman Sanae-shi is that I bloody hate his useless wife and kids. Sure, the joke is that Sanae is so afraid of everything including responsibilities and his wife but they haven't shown any redeemable qualities. Yes, even Kyon Kyon's wife character. 

12. Episodes 4 and 5 will be pivotal to whether I will keep watching. I need to see the story move forward.

 13. And hopefully they'll bring Hamabe Minami back.

Many things I liked about Quartet episode 1

1. All start cast in a show made to entertain and not to make someone look cool.

2. I was marking out for the Dragon Quest theme song! Please, please please do One Winged Angel in future episodes. In the very unlikely chance they do the Grandia theme song, I will die of happiness.

3. Sakamoto Yuji is a master wordsmith. He can create fun dialogue for each character that caters to their eccentricities and yet speak of the situation at hand in interesting ways and reveals so much about the characters.

4. Case in point the karaage speech. I was laughing my head off at how funny it was and yet it told me so much about each character's personality. In the end Sakamoto Yuji, ties to Matsu Takako's confession.

5. Benjamin is such a good plot device because he is about their fears and dreams being struggling musicians and I love that Matsu Takako makes the hard decision the ungrateful idiots were hesitant to admonish her for it.

6. Mitsushima Hikari's talents are not being wasted on playing a talking t-shirt.

7. One complaint is that the colours are a bit muted. Maybe they're going for the WOWOW movie look but the camera is not very cinematic.

8. The name of the show is not unnecessarily long like Sakamoto Yuji's last show.

9. Forgot to mention I love the ending song Otona no Okite. Its got Shiina Ringo's fingerprints all over it!

SUMMARY

The characters are so well written I will watch it til the end. Whether or not it will be a must watch will be up to the twists and turns of the main story. For now, Quartet is off to a flying start!

Hamsapsukebe 2016 jdorama awards

Welcome to the annual Hamsapsukebe awards, the only jdorama award that will never be given to Aragaki Yui just because her show is popular because a Hamsapsukebe award is about excellence in jdorama and not making talent agencies happy. However, I am willing to sell my soul and give her an award if her agency will give me two tickets to Japan every year. :)

MOST BEAUTIFUL JDORAMA

KENJA NO AI

TV is a visual medium and unfortunately not much emphasis is given to the visuals, colours or the camera placement. A lot of it is due to the fact that there is not much time and money so its about shooting 10 episodes as efficiently as possible. That's why so many jdoramas feel like someone built three sets, lit everything up with the force of a thousand suns and used the same three camera placements all throughout the shoot.  Plus most of the people who watch jdoramas don't really care whether a show used too much fuzzy lighting or knows how to use shadows to accentuate the foreground. They just want to look at beautiful people instead of beautiful images.

So when a jdorama strives to achieve excellence in its visuals, it must be praised and Kenja no Ai has achieved something even most movies cannot match. The sumptuous visuals serve to dress up the great acting to provide and absolute feast for your eyes.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (TIED)

YAMAGUCHI SAYAKA - UNMEI NI, NITA KOI

TAKAOKA SAKI - KENJA NO AI

Very, very close race between Yamaguchi Sayaka and Takaoka Saki from Kenja no Ai. Both giving great performances as the jealous antagonist. I was bouncing back and forth between both, slept on it and then skimmed though both shows. Debated making it a tie and changed my mind a few times. You know what, these two gave the best performances of 2016 and both of them deserved to be recognised.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

SANTAMARIA YUSUKE - COLD CASE

A much version of his character from Hi no Ko. I know he's more guest star than supporting act but the two episodes he is in are so good and basically saved the show. Its incredible how he can excel in both comedies and serious stuff.

BEST ACTRESS

NAKAYAMA MIHO - KENJA NO AI

If you told me Aso Kumiko deserves this I won't argue with you.

BEST ACTOR

MINETA KAZUNOBU - KISEKI NO HITO

I was going to give it to Kamikawa Takaya for Shizumanu Taiyo but then there's something to be said about playing a simpleton and the balancing act of making him likeable and not letting the audience dislike his straightforwardness. I can't think of anyone else who could have done Mineta Kazunobu's job as well.


ALMOST MUST WATCH JDORAMA AWARD

I've never given this out but this year had a huge lot of shows that were very good, but just stopped short of being must watch in my book but I need to give these shows some love.

KISEKI NO HITO

I bloody love this show and its killing me not giving it a must watch.

JUKEN NO CINDERELLA

It never reached that level of greatness but it was so fun to watch.

KIBOUGAOKA NO HITOBITO

Need Sawamura Ikki to do more WOWOW shows instead of more crap like Rental Kyuuseishu. The pay is probably a lot less but he'll get to actually act and say great lines.

KUROI 10-NIN NO ONNA

Bakarythm almost made a classic jdorama which is more than what most jdoramas can say.

ARECHI NO KOI

Great acting from Toyokawa Etsushi and Suzuki Kyoka.


BEST 5 JDORAMAS OF 2016

UNMEI NI NITA KOI

I  didn't give it a must watch but that's because the degree of difficulty to pull off a really good older woman younger man jdorama that does not become a stereotypical housewife fantasy is very high. If the chemistry were better, it would have challenged Kenja no Ai for best show of 2016.

Actually, fuck it. I'm retroactively awarding it a must watch cause of Yamaguchi Sayaka. Its not like they had negative chemistry anyway.

JUHAN SHUTTAI!

I hated the first episode, kept watching and everything after that was perfect.

SHIZUMANU TAIYO

Not as good as the classic Fumo Chitai but still a good enough show about the good guy trying to do the right thing.

MIDNIGHT DINER TOKYO STORIES

Shinya Shokudo is back to form after a so so season 3 and movie.

KENJA NO AI

Why hasn't this WOWOW masterpiece been English subbed? The fact it hasn't been subbed is a crime against humanity! Looks like Kenja no Ai is being subbed at http://kataomoinoaji.livejournal.com. Thanks to anonymous for the info. Everyone needs to watch this! Its such an incredible show about friendship, revenge and jealousy.