Shinigami-kun Review

Title: Shinigami-kun

AKA: The Reaper

Genre: Human drama

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2014-Apr to 2014-Jun

Theme song: Dare mo Shiranai by Arashi

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Suda Masaki, Kiritani Mirei and Matsushige Yukata.

When people die they are guided by a Shinigami to guide along to the afterlife, carrying a book with a list of names and informing them when they are going to die. One of those is Shinigami no. 413 (Ohno Satoshi) a rather new shinigami and a pretty clumsy one at that, has a bit of a soft spot for his travelers. He had been taught that humans become happy when they are told that they are to die, but finds out the contrary. He informs the humans he is to collect, about them dying, and to have them finish unfinished business, so they won’t worry when they leave for the afterlife, which is against the law and pretty unusual.

Due to his clumsiness he loses his book with the written names, and while retrieving it a demon manages to get loose at steal the souls of the people supposed to die. Will Shinigami no. 413 manage to stop him?

I was positively surprised when I saw Ohno doing another drama, but I did not expect him to a fiction character. Not that it is bad, but I’d like him to do more like Maou and Kagi no Kakatta Heya. I guess he likes diversity, compared to his fellow Arashi members.

The drama has a b-class feel to it, and seeing it airs midnight I guess it’s for those who cannot sleep. But it is a fun drama, and has touchy stories to it. Like some made me very teary.

That said, I don’t think it’s one of the must watch, but defiantly not time wasted.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Kagi no Kakatta Heya 2014 SP Review

Title: Kagi no Kakatta Heya Special

AKA: The Locked Room Murders

Genre: Mystery, Detective

Broadcast date: 2014-Jan-03

Theme song: Face Down by Arashi

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Toda Erika, Sato Koichi and Fujiki Naohito.

The story continues after Enomoto (Ohno Satoshi) leaves Japan, after the case of the missing diamonds. Serizawa (Sato Koichi) has been successful in many of his cases due to the extra time he has got with not following around Enomoto, and Aoto (Toda Erika) has become more familiar with her work after having become a real lawyer on her own. Even though they have not heard of Enomoto for a long time, the two secretly miss the “Team Enomoto” and the mystery cases.

When Serizawa arrives early at a client’s home, he sleeps in his car after spotting a man looking at him, and is woken by the client’s niece. The two enter the locked room only to find him murders. At the same time Aoto is looking for a man who has saved a man’s life, but had no way of entering the room except with a key. There she meets Enomoto again, who solves the case in matter of minutes, and decides to help Serizawa in finding the locked door murderer…

This drama has a certain ‘feel’ to it, which I had forgotten about. But when watching the special all the emotions and the ‘feel’ I had watching the serial, I remembered when watching the special. The comedy was great and awesome as always, and the crime was amazing due to the point it being actually reasonable and not theatrical. I was actually very interested in seeing how the killer did it, which I couldn’t do in any way even if it was possible to guess. I love these actors, Ohno of course, Erika as always, but I really enjoyed Koichis comedic role. I love that Erikas character has become smarter in guessing the murders, and also I love Ohnos character becoming more interesting, with that I mean his past and most definatly his way of dealing with his knowledge..

So recommendable? Yes, but you should watch the drama, just for the sake of the amazing cast.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kaibutsu-kun The Movie Review

Title: Kaibutsu-kun The Movie

Genre:  Comedy

Origin: Japan

Relese date: November 26, 2011

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Yashima Norito, Ueshima Ryuhei, Choi Hong Man a.m.o

Right at his coronation, the prince Kaibutsu (Ohno Satoshi) is met by objection from his kingdom due to his selfishness. When his father demands from Kaibutsu’s three guardians/advisers, Dracula (Yashima Norito), Wolfman (Ueshima Ryuhei) and Franken (Choi Hong Man), to bring him back and apologize or they are stripped from their positions, they run after him, but missing the human world and his friends, and refusing to do things he dislikes, Kaibutsu decides to leave the monster world, and the three ends up going with him. While flying on a magic dragon, they miss a tornado, and end up in India, where the people confuse him with a legendary warrior. Liking the royal treatment, Kaibutsu decides to stay, but still refuses to do things for the people. That is until they tell him that they’ll make the world’s best curry, if he saves the kidnapped princess…

I love Kaibutsu-kun: I loved the anime, the manga and I love the live action! I enjoyed the drama, special and now the movie is as good! I can’t really hate it though, and that has probably to with my childhood, and my love for the original Kaibutsu-kun, so yes I am very biased. It is such a family movie, and it is very entertaining. 

That said, it really is a kids movie, and it doesn’t make you all into it. The character is very much the same, as he always was never really changing and Demokin and Demorina (the bad guys) are still trying to use humans for each other resurrection, so things don’t really change. LOL.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Kyo no Hi wa Sayonara SP Review

Title: Kyo no Hi wa Sayonara

AKA: Farwell for today

Genre: Human

Broadcast date: 23 Aug 2013

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Miura Tomokazu, Kishimoto Kayako, Mimura, Fudaka Kyoko, Kimura Fumino and Yamada Ryosuke.

Fujioka Kouta (Ohno Satoshi) is a bit of a lazy guy, who somehow managed to get a job at a restaurant. With no future aspirations and being cowardly about proposing to his long timed girlfriend, Kouta lives day by day like a normal person. One night, after taking his girlfriend home, Kouta passes out on the sidewalk and brought to the hospital where he is informed that he has a kind of blood cancer called “Myeloma”, which luckily has an 80% chance of survival. Kouta starts his treatment with chemotherapy, and befriends a kid called Harada (Yamada Ryosuke), who suffers from the same thing and had suffered form it ever since he was 8, which also left him without a leg.

This story is about Kouta fighting his disease and learning that there are things in life you can’t get around no matter how hard you fight…

Okay, bias aside, this is one heck of a special, with the entire package! Like I cried the entire time, almost 1½ hours straight! Though I was crept out by Yamada Ryosuke’s character I have to admit, he did a good job. Ohno delivered spot on, and I really believe he has an amazing ability. The story is not high thriller or completely exciting, but it does captivate you, and you do feel every moment of the screen story, from the lead actor to the supporting cast.

The only thing about this is that it is a special so I can’t really give it 5 stars, but you do get a great story, amazing acting, and it really is recommendable. I personally believe that it is a must watch story.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Uta no Onii-san Review

Title: Uta no Onii San

AKA: Singing brother 
Genre:  Comedy

Episodes: 8

Broadcast period: 2009-Jan to 2009-Mar

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Chisa, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Katase Nana and Maruyama Ryuhei

After the sudden disbandment of his band and his girlfriend leaves him, Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi) also loses his job, and to make matters worse, his father wants him to pay back money he used on him. As he is job hunting, he by accident enters the wrong door and is hired as an “Uta no Onii-san” (Singing Brother), a children’s singing program. With no other job offers, and a debt he has to pay, he decides to go, only to meet an annoying superstar everyone is afraid to make angry. The superstar has the concept of ‘children’s’ program completely reverse by trying to grab the attention of the mothers, and it made him famous. The staff doesn’t dare to do anything about it since if he leaves the show might lose the viewer ratings, and when Kenta speaks against him and even manages to change the focus away from him, the entire program gets renewed and Kenta starts to understand why his members decided to leave him…

To tell the truth I only watched this one because of Ohno, and I enjoyed that part a lot, but to be honest it is kind a cute. The entire lazy-ass rock star delinquent turning into a hardworking singing brother, and to top that a bit of Japanese “save the show” spice to add on. It’s just not for everyone, because it can seem a bit dull, but I found it pretty funny, even entertaining. I wouldn’t say that I completely recommend it, but it’s a okay time of spend a day or maybe to, like only 8 episodes :)

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Yellow Tears Movie Review

Title: Yellow Tears

AKA: Kiiroi namida

Genre: Human

Release Date: April 14, 2007

Origin: Japan

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari, Ohno Satoshi, Kashii Yu and Matsumoto Jun

This story revolves around 4 friends who stay together in a one bed room apartment in the summer of 1962. All five are artists who just can’t seem to make themselves progress in their work; Muraoka Eisuke (Ninomiya Kazunari) a manga artist, actually talented and the only one who actually earns something with his work, Mukai Ryuzo (Sakurai Sho) a novelist, who isn’t able to write anything, Inoue Shoichi (Aiba Masaki) a musician who failes every audition, and has something going on with Tokie (Kashii Yu) the daughter of the ramen shop owner, and Shimokawa Kei (Ohno Satoshi) a painter, with talent but isn’t able to sell anything.

The four try hard to earn money and live together, but dreams are hard to make come true, and sometimes reality can hit you to the curve…

Okay, I started this at least 5 times before actually got a grip and continued it. This is sooooo Japanese and has all the factors of adulthood in it. Again the subjects about dream, love and future are in this, except it’s not just the focus. I can’t really explain it; you seriously follow four guys (Matsumoto is a special appearance sometimes) who just live through every day, imagining HOW to start to make their dreams come true, and what’s worst, none of them have the money to buy food. So the only one buying the food is also the only one with a job! LOL.. It’s interesting… hahah.. Actually very enjoyable! :)

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts 

Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy Movie Review

Title: Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy

Genre:  Friendship, Life

Release Date: March 1, 2004

Origin: Japan

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari and Matsumoto Jun

It has been three years since the group had split, and the leader finally returned to Yashio, but things have changed; not only is the housing complex where Takuma (Ninomiya Kazunari) used to live about to get demolished, but the rest have changed drastically. Haru (Ohno Satoshi) and Bon (Matsumoto Jun) got into a disagreement about the demolishing of the complex which they had been fighting hard to keep, so that Takuma could have a place to return, which leads to Bon leaving Yashio, and Haru joining the demonstrants. Shun (Aiba Masaki) almost fell into depression after failing the Aoegaku University entrance for the third time, but found peace at a crochet school. Chu (Sakurai Sho) on the other hand settled down: got married and has a kid, so he started as a sales man in order to feed his family.

All have problems of their own, and they soon realize that life is tougher than they imagined…

Different from the first one, this one is about the gang being ‘grown ups’, and that itself is pretty funny. But the movie is not that great compared to the first one, mainly because the storyline only has one focus, whereas the first one had several. Or that’s how I remember it. Still it’s enjoyable, and the boys are as cute as ever, hehe..

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Pikanchi - Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy Movie Review

Title: Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy

Genre: Friendship, Life

Release Date: October 18, 2002

Origin: Japan

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari and Matsumoto Jun

This movie revolves around 5 high school students, who live in the Yashio Housing complex in Shinagawa. What’s special about it is that even though it’s big and has all the necessities, it’s not really part of Shinagawa city, and is linked by only two bridges. The 5 students are friends from different homes, and statuses; Futaba Rentarou ”Bon” (Matsumoto Jun) living in the wealthy part of Yashio and his father is the owner of a restaurant, but does not act superior because of that. He is simple- and open-minded to everyone and everything, and always has a smile on his face. Takada Haruhiko ”Haru” (Ohno Satoshi) is known to be the most unlucky guy in Yashio, also works hard to earn money since he lives in the part of the average houses. But due to his unfortunate and rather spaced out nature, he’s most likely to wind up without any of his earnings. Okano Shun (Aiba Masaki) our narrator lives at the same complex as Haru, and is as average as he could be, except his father is the radio DJ of the surrounding place.  Kamogawa Tadashi “Chu” (Sakurai Sho) is a Yankee living in the bad part of Yashio, where he is the leader of a smaller bike gang. Lastly there is Onda Takuma (Ninomiya Kazunari) living in poor part of Yashio. When he first started school the rest thought of him as a stuck up kid, since he always has the newest of the newest stuff, they soon realize that he was shoplifting, and he ends up becoming their leader.

After the group try to go to Harajuku - the ‘big city’ - they all encounter different situation, which leads them all to start to think about their future…

Hmm, I think you could call this a Japanese answer for American pie? Haha, okay maybe not completely, but it sure is funny. At first I was thinking that it’s pretty ridiculous, but somehow it grows on you and the characters somehow have an effect on you. All four boys are completely mad, and instead of being disgusted, I laughed and went “That’s such a guy thing!”. So I just let go, and became open-minded, and joyed every part of it. It’s not really the most interesting movie, but entertainment wise, good.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kagi no Kakatta Heya Review

Title (romaji): Kagi no Kakatta Heya
AKA: The Locked Room Murders
Genre: Mystery, Detective
Episodes: 11
Broadcast period: 2012-Apr to 2012-Jun
Theme song: Face Down by Arashi
Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Toda Erika and Sato Koichi.

When Aoto Junko (Toda Erika) officially starts working at a law firm, she somehow manages to mess up on the first day. Her boss Serizawa Gou (Sato Koichi) is sort of a dominant man, but is easily persuaded. The two go to a bank in order to deal with a financial case; the bank director and Serizawa go inside a high tech vault, only to be locked inside by Aoto. When she finds out that the only way to open the vault is the bank director, all hope seems lost. That is until a funny character arrives: Enomoto Kei (Ohno Satoshi) a weird and expressionless person with an incredible mind. He works at a security firm and manages to open the ‘impossible’ vault in matter of minutes. This leads Aoto to ask Enomoto for help, solving a ‘Locked-room-case’ they had been entrusted in earlier that day, which Enomoto doesn’t refuse; because he believes that “There is no room that can’t be unlocked”.

Defiantly one of the best Japanese dramas of the year; not that I have watched that many this year, but so far the best. Ohno Satoshi doesn’t fail to empress me, and Toda Erika is surprisingly good at being bubbly. I really like the theme of the drama, and to be honest, I would never had thought that I would need so much time to figure out who the killer is to the point where I had no clue, and I’m usually decently good at it.

Anyways, the drama is recommendable, so if you missed interesting Japanese dramas you should watch this : )

☆☆☆☆/ 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kaibutsu-kun Review

Title: Kaibutsu-kun
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy
Episodes: 9 + SP
Broadcast period: 2010-Apr to 2010-Jun
Theme song: Monster by Arashi
Cast: Ohno Satoshi,  Kaga Takeshi,Yashima Norito, Ueshima Ryuhe, Matsuoka Masahiro, Hamada Tatsuomi  and Kawashima Umika.

Prince Kaibutsutaro (Ohno Satoshi) is to be crowned as the next monster king, but his father Daiou (Kaga Takeshi) is of another impression: he decides to send his spoiled and selfish son to the human realm to learn things he couldn’t teach his son. Kaibutsutaro is sent to the human realm with three of his servants; there he meets Hiroshi (Hamada Tatsuomi) a human child, who doesn’t have any friends, but soon befriends the monsters. While Kaibutsutaro, now Kaibutsu-kun, learns the values he never knew of, the demons start to make havoc in the human realm, also the demon prince Demokin (Matsuoka Masahiro) is to be awaken from his 100 years of sleep..

I have no idea why, but this drama is so likeable! Even though it’s meant for a much much younger audience, I found it fun, and very cute to be honest. I remember watching the anime when I was a kid, but I wasn’t much of a fan. Somehow it turned me around, and even made me like the tacky part. I do believe that the bias I have towards Ohno has a lot to do with the heart rating, but honestly even if you don’t like him, you gotta admit, he’s adorable here! Also, this is a fun drama you know, I think there were at least 5 crying scenes, and one was so tough, like Kaibutsu-kun was crying, omg, Ohno he’s wow…

Last but not least: HUNGA!

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai SP Review

Title: Mou Yuukai Nante Shinai
Aka: I Don't Want To Kindap Anyone Anymore
Genre: Comedy, mystery
Broadcast date: 2012-Jan-03
Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Aragaki Yui, Sato Ryuta, Kanjiya Shihori and Narimiya Hiroki.

After being fired from his latest job and thrown out by his landlord, Tarui Shoutaro (Ohno Satoshi) still can’t let go of his dream of becoming a superhero. At the age of 29 he still can’t let go of his cartoon-figures and goes crazy when he sees rare items, not to mention the level of seriousness he has when his favorite characters are discussed.

When he meets his senpai Koumoto (Sato Ryuta) he gets a job, so that he can pay rent, as a ‘mobile’ sweet potato seller, driving a van while selling them. On his rute he happens to see a rare poster, and runs to the store to get it, where he stumbles upon a girl (Aragaki Yui) who runs away from ‘bad people’. Shoutaro helps her, only to find out that she is Hanazono Erika, the second daughter of the yakuza clan Hanazono. After a disagreement, Shoutaro involuntary drives her to her desired place, where he almost is arrested. Wanting to give her a piece of his mind, he waits for her only yo hear her reason for being persistent, and being nice as he is, offers to help. Something she decides to take; she asks him to kidnap her.

I liked it, surprisingly. Even though I watched it because of Ohno I have to admit that the storyline most defiantly isn’t my style at all, but watching it, damn it’s pretty good. I guessed the criminal almost immediately, but I had no clue what so ever how. And the comedy part was actually funny, like exactly for this drama, I enjoyed it.  The special appearances of Sakurai Sho and Matsumoto Jun were fun, but only if you watched “Nazetoki wa Dinner no Ato de” and “Lucky Seven”, which I did, hihi..

Anyhow, its actually recommendable, this cast is perfect, and it’s hard not to like it when you know all actors and actresses. I mean they do the acting pretty neatly, sort a wish it was a drama instead of a special…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts