Tenno no Ryoriban Review

Title: Tenno no Ryouriban

AKA: The Emperor’s Cook

Genre: Period, Romance, Comedy, Family, History

Episodes: 12

Broadcast period: 2015-Apr to 2015-Jun

Cast: Sato Takeru, Kuroki Haru, Kiritani Kenta, Emoto Tasuku, Sugimoto Tetta and Suzuki Ryohei.

In 1904, on the countryside Akiyama Tokuzo (Sato Takeru) was raised as a the third son of the Akiyama family. Completely different than his brothers, Tokuzo is a failure who is unable to keep his interest in anything for more than 3 months. After being kicked out of the monastery, after he had decided to become a monk, his father decides to marry him into a merchant family.

After falling in love with his wife, Tokuzo decides to stay in order to make her happy, but soon his heart begins to waver as he does not enjoy what he is doing, and becomes depressed. That is until he one day while delivering foods, he arrives at an Army Infantry where he meets a Sergeant that cooks for the army. While conversing the Sergant offers Tokuzo a cutlet, which makes Tokuzo completely astonished.

Soon Tokuzo ignores his chors and goes to the Infantry every day - which is eventually noticed by his father-in-law. So, in the middle of the night, Tokuz decides to leave for Tokyo, in order to become a fully fledged chef...

Okay so this is probably my first period Japanese drama, like real period, as in before the world wars, so I was a bit hesitant about watching it. Though I am very unused to this types of genre, I found myself quite enjoying the entire thing. I loved the 'realness' of it, the honesty, the cast, the screenplay and of course the storyline. The only thing I really didn't like as much was the storyline in Paris, which was sort of one of the main stories, but yeah everything else was quite good. I loved Sato Takeru's diversity in the drama: from a spoilt 16 year old kid, to a mature 57 year old father. But to be fair, they ALL were quite awesome, so that is just me being biased. So I actually would recommend this drama, but as an serious watch - not just something for laughs.

☆☆☆☆/ 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Rurouni Kenshi 3 Movie Review

Title: Rurouni Kenshin - The Legend Ends

AKA: Rurouni Kenshin  3

Genre: Samurai, Period, Action

Origin: Japan

Release date: September 13, 2014

Cast: Sato Takeru, Takao Emi, Fujiwara Tatsuya and Kamiki Ryunosuke.

After surviving the fall from the ship, Kenshin (Sato Takeru) wakes up at his old masters. Remembering what had happened he wants to set out and find Kaoru (Takao Emi) but is told that she couldn’t have survived 2 days in the water. Furious at that fact and at Shishio (Fujiwara Tatsuya) for being responsible, Kenshin begs his master to teach him the final technique so he can kill Shishio. Knowing Shishio can’t fight more than 15 minutes due to his wounds, Kenshin wants to bet everything on that final fight.

Shishio on the other hand wants to repeat history by bombarding Tokyo and thanks to his intel finds out that Kenshin is alive. So he gives the government a demand: if they label Kenshin as a fugitive for the murders he did during the war and to get him executed for them, he’ll stop the bombarding...

This movie is the same quality as the previous one: awesome and well-acted. The only difference is that this one has focus on the actual fighting. Yes the previous one had it too, but the second one has more of an action vibe, rather than storyline. This is probably the only negative part of the movie. But don't get me wrong this does not make the movie bad: it's really good for a second part of one story, and also it has one epic final battle. I just don't understand the final fight, even if they did explain it - but that is just me. The cast is really great; I really like how each character is portrayed - again quite honest to the manga, which I appreciate.

To sum up: a really great third movie of the trilogy.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Rurouni Kenshi 2 Kyoto Inferno Movie Review

Title: Rurouni Kenshin - Kyoto inferno

AKA: Rurouni Kenshin  2

Genre: Samurai, Period, Action

Origin: Japan

Release date: August 1, 2014

Cast: Sato Takeru, Takao Emi, Fujiwara Tatsuya and Kamiki Ryunosuke.

In the year Hyogo 1878 (Meiji Era 11), the Japanese law enforcement are trying to catch the ‘new battousai’. Due to Kenshi (Sato Takeru) leaving his samurai ways and lives his life in peace with his friends, the new battousai, Shishio Makoto (Fujiwara Tatsuya) has been creating havoc around Japan. Because of that the home minister, now currently one of the tops of the government, asks for a meeting with Kenshin. When he arrives Kenshin is asked to kill Shishio, as Shishios main goal is to get revenge and destroyed the new government.

At first Kenshin refuses since he enjoys life as it is, but when he is shown what Shishio is doing to the country, he partly feels responsible as Shishio took over his past position. So, by leaving his new life, Kenshin sets out to find Shishio, but finds out that he is much less powerful than Shishio, as he isn’t even able to beat Shishios underling… Will the old Battousai show his past colors?

The more I read my summary the less I like it. Oh well, I hope I don’t ruin it for the ones that want to watch it.

Anyways, an awesome movie, like so amazing: from the acting to the scenography. Like everything is so well-made! And it is amazingly well created! I don’t know if you’ve read the manga, but they are very honest to the story of the manga - I think I mentioned that before? Oh and Sato is sooo cool! And Fujiwara I almost didn’t recognize! Omg, and Kamiki!.... Sorry! Fangirl mode!

This movie has all my favorite things, though I am not a fan of fighting, I was kind of amazed by the fight scenes. SO much that I noticed EVERYTHING, and that is rare for me. You can actually watch the first movie without watching the second and the third, but you’ll miss out! I am telling you!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kanojo wa Uso Wo Aishisugiteru Movie Review

Title: Kanojo wa Uso Wo Aishisugiteru
AKA: The girl who Loved Lies (literal title)
Genre: Romance,
Origin: Japan
Release Date: December 14. 2013
Cast: Sato Takeru, Sakurako Ohara, Shohei Miura, Masataka Kubota, Kouki Mizuta, Koudai Asaka, Ryo Yoshizawa, yuki Morinaga

 Aki (Takeru Sato) decided to quit his band right before their debut, but he would still provide the band ‘Crude Play’ with his self-composed songs. He then decides to date Riko (Sakurako Ohara), who doesn’t know anything about Aki besides his humming. Their relationship was set on a test, when Riko decided to become a singer and all the lies were exposed.
A love story between a 25 year sound-engineer with a heavy depression, and a 16 year old high school student with a voice of an angel. These two meet and start a relationship based on lies, but how will this turn out when they are both entering the show business.

A beautiful, emotional and relaxing movie, exactly how I love it. There is no clichés, no drama, no dragging just 2 hours of emotions. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve waited for this movie for quite a while now, but it just took them so long to sub, so when I watched it, it totally lived up to my expectations. I watched it after the drama Bitter Blood, so I was really shocked to see Sato Takeru, I totally forgot he was the main actor. But a nice surprise I must say ;)
All in all a totally worth-watching movie!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Bitter Blood Review

Title: Bitter Blood
AKA: Saiaku de Saikyo no Oyako Keiji
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Family
Episodes: 11
Broadcast period: 2014-apr to 2014-jun
Cast: Sato Takeru, Watabe Atsuro, Katsuna Shiori, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Tanaka Tetsushi, Minagawa Sarutoki, Keiji

The father-son relationship between Sahara Natsuki (Sato Takeru) and Shimao Akimura (Watabe Atsuro) is not good, since Sahara Natsuki thinks his father abandoned him and his mother, when he was young.
As destiny wants it, Sahara Natsuki was finally hired at Ginza police station as a detective, and there he finds out his partner is his father. Now they have to work together to solve crimes and solve the mystery behind Shimao Akimura, previous partner who was killed brutally.

What can I say, when it comes to comedy Japan know the deal, I was laughing from the beginning to end. Sometimes they really overdid it, like police officers who don’t even know how to spell, they were just fooling around, but hey, that’s humor for some people so it’s not a minus. The relationship between the father and son, was just perfect! They didn’t hate each other nor did they show too much affection, they cared for each other in their own way, and that made the whole drama enjoyable, somehow it worked out to fit the whole concept. It was an interesting drama and definitely one you should give a chance.
I am now a big fan of Sato Takeru (Tihihi).

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Bunji's Verdict
It took me a while to finish this drama, not because it’s bad, just because it wasn’t as good as these dramas can be. It has a bit too much slapstick, and kind of is on the borderline of ridiculous, which I really need to be in the mood to like. And as a police/crime drama I felt that there should be more investigation, rather than comedy. I know that the main is the son-father relationship and that, but what I love about police dramas is the actual police work.
Putting that aside, the acting was great; I really love the way the acting is conveyed on the screen, and how natural it seems (excluding the slapstick). Sato Ryuta is a great actor and just gets better with time – I remembered him from Bloody Monday and was so thrilled to see him grow. And I love Shiori, as simple as that.
Okay summing up: a good and funny drama, but they exaggerate it a bit.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Rurouni Kenshin Movie Review

Title: Rurouni Kenshin

AKA: Rurouni Kenshin; Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story

Genre: Samurai, Period

Origin: Japan

Release date: August 25, 2012

Cast: Sato Takeru and Takei Emi

“About 140 years ago in the turbulent Bakumatsu era... There was an assassin called Hitokiri Battousai.

Following orders of the people of the anti-shogunate movement he was acting behind the scenes in Kyoto...” (Taken from intro of movie)

10 years after the new era had begun the famous assassin Hitokirir Battousai (Sato Takeru), now calling himself Himura Kenshi has retired and lives life as a ronin - a wandering master-less samurai. He walks around with a swapped blade: meaning that the blade can’t cut anyone but him. One day he meets Kamiya Kaoru (Takei Emi) who sees his sword and is sure he is Battousai, the one going around killing people and misusing her father’s name. The two soon find a common understanding when Kenshin saves her dojo and starts living with them.

When the country is led by law, the criminals have found ways to use that very law to make sure their dirty work isn’t noticed. This leads houses being bought by the rich - without or with force, which is used for making opium in the center of the city.

Both Kenshin and Kaoru reluctantly get involved when a woman called Megumi (Aoi Yu) seeks refuge in the dojo..

Having watched the anime as a kid, and read the manga as an adult, I have to admit I am pretty satisfied with the live action. Of course having in mind that there are two more movies coming, this one is a fairly good start and it is very well executed. The cast chosen for this movie are actors I have seen before, in either an idol dorama or a short drama, but yet they are acting really well here and somehow they make me relive my childhood, when I first started watching the anime.

Of course it being a Japanese movie and based on a manga it becomes very typical, but it does not ruin the overall movie.

I would recommend it actually even if you haven’t read the manga or watched the anime, because it is good.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Bloody Monday 2 Review

Title: Bloody Monday

Season: 2

Genre: Action, suspence

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2010-Jan-23 to 2010-Mar-20

Theme song: Zanzo by flumpool

Cast: Miura Haruma, Sato Takeru, Kawashima Umika, Narimiya Hiroki

While the first season was about terrorists wanting to spread a deadly virus this is 2 years later about terrorists trying to get this huge bomb which could destroy not only Japan but all the countries around as well. While tird-I and the terrorists try to get hold of the bomb Fujimaru goes through a lot himself. He got a new job at a job and has quit having anything to do with computers, or so he claims... Later on something happens at work and he is back to the hard life where he is resposible for so many peoples lives. He loses a lot of importent people in his life. But he has to continue no matter how hard it is for the sake of Japan. Along with his friend Otoya he tries to find a way to prevent the terrorists from carrying out their plan even though it is hard enough to know who they can trust. Many of people are suspected of betraying and people whom they thought they could trust are betraying them.

For me this was way over what I expected. I thought it wouldnt be able to be as good as I wanted it to but it was way better. Ofcourse im a fan of Miura's acting so. And the action is .. uff.. and there are so many things happening which you wouldnt even expect. I can not imagine it being any better than this. And having to wait a week for every single episode made it even worse! I was going crazy! And why did it have to end at ep 9?! Im definetely expecting a season 3! It just cannot end like this! LoL fangirl gone mad, haha. And with 3 veeery handsome boys in it,, gyaabooo. I was so impressed by Otoya (Sato Takeru) in the drama. He was soo cooooool. He was holding this lecture/presentation at his university and my jaw just dropped . Like he was talking a whole other language,, i mean he was (japanese) but ,, smart japanese. And J! Narimiya Hiroki, he dyeed his hair blond, or white. Ahh.. he was so cute,, and evil. But more cute than evil. hehehe.

You MUST watch this ! But first if you havent watched season 1 WATCH IT!! You gonna miss something amazing if you dont. + a few handsome boys :D

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 stars out of 5

♥♥♥♥/ 4 out of 5 ♥'s

And if Bunji gives below,, let me tell ya something,, she is VERY picky. You gotta watch this.

Bunji's verdict

Well, first off, gotta say, the first season was fenomenal, so picking up from there is hard enough. Eventhough I liked the involvement of Haruka, the little sister, and his best friend Ooyata, I gotta say, it didnt quite reach my expectations. I did find the thought behind the story awsome, and the seriousness was waaay better in the second season, in the end there were several bad things about it. Acting-wise, it was awsome, but I found the storyline a bit dull. I mean, there were no real enemies. I mean, yeah some strange talking terrorists, and some weird hacker, that seems to be better than Falcon, but it wasnt quite there. J was there too, blond, making him more nuts-looking than usual, but his role was too boring this time around. Missed the insane feeling of terror, when he was around.

On the other note, the actors couldnt be better, and who doesnt love a cute hacker, adorable Nuclear physics student and a hot terrorist? Lols, but yeah, if you liked season one, and wondered what has happend to our beloved Falcon, you should watch it. Yes you are going to be on egde all the time, so be careful in watching it in one go, but dont expect it to be like season one.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts