Blackboard Part 1 - Mirai SP Review

Title: Blackboard part 1 - Mirai

AKA: Blackboard: Future

Genre: History, School

Broadcast date: 05 Apr 2012

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Oshima Yuko, Miyazawa Rie and Nakamura Aoi.

This is the first out of 3 stories about the school system changing in Japan.

In 1944 Shirahama Shohei (Sakurai Sho) proudly announced to his class that he would be going to war fighting the Americans in the Second World War. Encouraging his students to do the same after they graduate, he leaves filled with honor and pride, fighting what he calls the ‘Holywar’.

Three years later and the war has ended, Shohei returns home from the frontline, he is shocked how people from his own town are acting, and mostly how drastic the school system had changed. Losing an arm in a bombing situation, Shohei returns to find out that his father, brother and brother-in-law both lost their lives in the war, leaving him as the sole man in the house. Returning to school, he is offered a job, in which he decides to call together his former students, to see how they are. But out of 40 students 6 students join, blaming him for the loss of their friends. Realizing what he has done, Shohei starts to doubt his capabilities as a teacher…

Hmm, as I said before, I like school dramas, and I like Arashi, but somehow this didn’t go that far for me. It is very interesting, from a history point of view, but I didn’t really feel the ‘school’ in this. I liked Sho’s performance, and I enjoyed the special, I did honestly. But it was not what I had expected, and it didn’t really “fill” me, meaning I didn’t feel I got enough.

I can’t really say much, except that it has heart, and it shows a teacher growing with his pain and changing his life. I would recommend if you like history and if you like Sakurai Sho.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out 5 hearts

Kazuko Game Review

Title: Kazoku Game

AKA: Family Game

Genre: Family, Education

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2013-Apr to 2013-Jun

Theme song: Endless Game by Arashi

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Kamiki Ryunosuke, Kutsuna Shiori, Uragami Seishuu and Kitahira Rie.

When their youngest son Shigeyuki (Uragami Sheishuu) becomes a hikkomori (hermit - meaning locking himself in his room), the Numata family simply can’t make him go to school. The father and the head of the family, Numata Kazushige (Itao Itsuji) is a workaholic who only focuses on results. The mother, Numata Kayoko (Suzuki Honami) is an at home mom, who doesn’t know how to deal with her sons, or family. And lastly there is the oldest son of the family, the perfect son and straight A’s student, Numata Shinichi (Kamiki Ryunosuke).

After having tried several different tutors, they stumble upon an ad saying his success rate is 100% to Todai University; they hire the tutor called Yoshimoto Kouya (Sakurai Sho). The family’s goal is to make Shigeyuki return to school, which Yoshimoto promises that he will make Shigeyuki return in matter of a week, as long as the family doesn’t interfere - no matter what.

I can’t even explain how great this drama is, I mean I was blown away, and it takes damn lot to blow me away. No episode was how I expected, and no ending was how I expected it. Like even the very ending of the drama made me tilt my head and go “Omg, no way”. I have to say, it’s a very thought through and very entertaining. Acting-wise, they could not have made better choices, and Sakurai Sho as a mental person is damn genius. I mean, it suits him PERFECTLY.

So why is this not a 5 stars? Well, if you ask me, there are a few things that are just either not possible or just too convenient, and when you make such an amazing storyline, small details do matter, especially for me who started analyzing the entire thing. But most defiantly worth a of watch.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Yatterman Movie Review

Title: Yatterman

Genre: Kid
Origin: Japan
Release date:  March 7, 2009

Theme song: Believe by Arashi

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Abe Sadao, Fukada Kyoko, Fukada Saki and Okamoto Anri.

The Skull Stone, a magical stone that was broken in 4 pieces and scattered around the world. An archeologist named Kaieda (Abe Sadao) dedicated his life, in order to find it, and actually managed to find two pieces. But the evil Dokurobe - god of thieves, found him and kidnapped him, and ordered his minions Doronjo (Fukada Kyoko) and gang, to find the other two pieces. The ones that stop them are the Yatterman who have headquarters under the Takada Toy store in Tokyo. Yatterman #1, Takada Gan (Sakurai Sho) is the only son of Takada Store, and specializes in tinkering Mecha (Machines). Yatterman #2, Kaminari Ai (Fukada Saki) is Gan’s girlfriend and only daughter of Kaminari Technologies.

When they save a girl, Kaieda Shoko (Okamoto Anri) they find out about the Skull Stones, and decide to help her find her father…

Growing up watching the cartoon Yatterman and of course being an Arashi fan, I had to watch this, but honestly I’m a little disappointed. I remember the cartoon being a bit more moral, and educational, but somehow it wasn’t. It felt like a bad mix of children movie and silly scenarios: I was very bored tbh.  Even Sakurai Sho couldn’t fix it, though he was cute.

I can’t recommend, even for kids honestly…

☆☆½ / 2½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Kisarazu Cat's Eye: World Series Movie Review

Title: Kisarazu Cat’s Eye: World Series

Genre:  Comedy
Origin: Japan
Release date:  28 October 2006
Cast: Okada Junichi, Sakurai Sho, Okada Yoshinori, Sato Ryuta and Tsukamoto Takashi

Three years has passed since Bussan’s (Okada Junichi) death, and the Cat’s Eye have split; Bambi (Sakurai Sho) has become a government official and broke up with Mohko, Ani (Tsukamoto Takashi) is in Tokyo “having an IT job”, Master (Sato Ryuta) lost his busniss and wife, and now lives in Osaka and opened a Yakyukyo Shop, and lastly Ucchie (Okada Yoshinori) is nowhere to be found.

One day Bambi goes to a site and hears a voice, and he immediately thinks its Bussans. After he hears it the second time he decides to go get Ani and Master, who have fought due to a failed attempt to steal like Cat’s Eye usually do, which leads to unbelievable events…

Okay the resume is a bit silly, but out of the Kisarazu Cat’s Eye stories this is defiantly a fave, even though its completely ridiculous. The characters have really grown, and their acting has improved a lot. But I like how it ended, I mean the way they finished the story (even though it’s extremely silly.) If you watched the drama and first movie, the last movie is the perfect ending.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Kisarazu Cat's Eye: Nihon Series Movie Review

Title: Kisarazu Cat’s Eye: Nihon Series

Genre:  Comedy
Origin: Japan
Release date:  01. November 2003
Cast:  Okada Junichi, Sakurai Sho, Okada Yoshinori, Sato Ryuta and Tsukamoto Takashi

One year has passed since Bussan (Okada Junichi) has been told he had 3 months to live, and is told once again that he has 6 more  to go. For some reason every time he goes to the hospital he is told differently, and it has now become a topic that Cat’s Eye find boring. After the surprising return of the dead Ozzy, oldie Rose’s pregnancy, Bambi’s 2^nd unwanted election win, a rock concert where the members have to sing at and a Korean bar that is opened, things become even more hectic in Kisarazu. Bussan falls in love with one of the bar girls Yukke is noticed by Bussan, and he falls head over heels in love with her. By that he decides to marry he and asks the help of his friends to help him…

Omg, really, like this is one crazy movie.. I love it, but still, omg.. It’s a lot like the drama, and the comedy has risen, like almost ridiculous, yet enjoyable. The thing that differentiates it is that the characters are a bit sillier than what they used to be, but still the movie has a bit of every episode in it, which I loved by the way.

These 5 guys are like crazily funny and annoyingly real troublemakers. The movie is not so good if you havn’t watched the drama, so that’s a must :)

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½  / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Kisarazu Cat's Eye Review

Title: Kisarazu Cat's Eye

Genre: Comedy

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2002-Jan to 2002-Mar

Theme song: "A Day in Our Life" by Arashi
Cast: Okada Junichi, Sakurai Sho, Okada Yoshinori, Sato Ryuta and Tsukamoto Takashi

This drama is about 5 baseball loving friends going all out after they find out that one of them is dying. Tabuchi Kohei (Okada Junichi) also known as Bussan is a catcher for the second team of Kisarazu Cats. He with his friends is known to be extremely good at it, except for the fact that due to a mistake 3 years ago they weren’t able to go to Koshien. The mistake was a misunderstood signal and led to the fight between Bussan and the pitcher Nakagomi Futoshi (Sakurai Sho) aka Bambi. The two were classmates, but ever since that incident, Bambi has been ignoring Bussan. Bambi is a university student, also the most intelligent one, which all of them agree on. After every game they go to the bar owned by another player Okabayashi Shingo (Sato Ryuta) aka Master, a housebound and father, with child number three on its way. Sasaki Kizashi (Tsukamoto Takashi) aka Ani, is the older brother of Kisarazu’s star Sasaki Jun (Narimiya Hiroki), also the reason for the nickname ‘Ani’ short for Aniki. He is bit of an idiot, and constantly judged, especially because of his lack of success - be it job ot baseball. Lastly we have Uchiyama (Okada Yoshinori) aka Ucchie; a senpai, with a mysterious family, especially since no one knows where he lives and what he thinks. He is weird, and never speaks much: somewhat of an airhead.

After Bussan drops the bomb of him dying, he gets crazy ideas and plans crazy things, like stealing cars and selling them or form a band. These experiences bring them closer together, and eventually bring up fear in the friends hearts. Their friend only has three months to live…

If it weren’t for Sakurai Sho, I wouldn’t have watched it, now that I have, I gotta admit, LOVED it! The thing about old dramas is if you can follow the flow, you will like the drama, and I did. It didn’t make sense most of the time, number one because it’s typical boy stuff they do and second, well I have no idea what these guys are doing… The thing I liked a lot, was about the illness and actually how seriously the illness affected the other people, but of course its comedy so they had to make it funny. Okay, to sum up, the drama is ok.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Yoiko no Mikata Review

Title: Yoiko no Mikata

AKA: Pre-School Guy / Ally of Good Children

Genre: Drama

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2003-Jan to 2003-Mar

Theme song: Tomadoi Nagara by Arashi

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Matsushita Yuki, Fukiishi Kazue and Endo Shozo

This drama follows the story of male nursery teacher, which is unusual in Japan. Suzuki Taiyo (Sakurai Sho) dreamt of becoming a nursery teacher ever since he was attending a nursery himself at the age of 5. His inspiration was his ‘Ojiichan sensei’, a male nursery teacher, who helped him overcome his loss of his parents when he was only 3 years old. So becoming a nursery teacher is somewhat a way to pay him back.

But all that is easier said than done; already on his first day he is met with dislike by his female co-workers, who believe that men can’t be nursery teachers, since they don’t have the motherly love that women have in them. So not only does he have to prove to them that he is capable of doing his job, but he has to do the same to the mothers of the children in the daycare…

This is a sweet and heartwarming drama, with a lot of smiling and crying Sakurai Sho, which in my eyes is pretty no matter what. Though, I think it’s because it’s one of his first dramas, he didn’t act that well, it was to the point of being a bit ridiculous, sometimes. But at times he would do it okay as well. Even though the drama is now 9 years old, it’s watchable, and if you don’t mind a 20 year old Sho, this is a good drama to watch.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 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 

In His Chart Movie Review

Title: In His Chart

AKA: Kamisama no Karute

Genre: Drama

Release Date: August 27, 2011

Origin: Japan

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Kaga Mariko and Miyazaki Aoi

Kurihara Ichito (Sakurai Sho) is a doctor who is known to take in every single patient that comes his way, he simply never turns down anyone in need. At the hospital everyone knows that if he is on duty, they’d expect a full emergency room. Even though he is talented and refuses to turn anyone down, he still feels he is lacking, or not doing his best at times. When an opportunity to visit a university medical hospital arises, he takes the offer and leaves the hospital for a week. There he is also offered a job, since the doctors seem to notice him, leaving Kurihara confused whether he should take the offer and become something more than just a doctor in a small town. At the medical hospital he meets a 67 year old woman, Azumi Kyoko (Kaga Mariko) diagnosed with cancer. He, as detailed as he is, writes a chart about her. That chart is sent to Azumi who is touched by it, and decides to go the hospital where he is employed.

The story follows Kurihara life at home and his confusing whether or not he should continue what he has been doing so far, or going further and becoming something more…

Wow, okay, this movie is heavy, not HEAVY heavy, but it aint light! It’s a serious movie, about being a grown up and the fact even though you are more educated than other, even though you earn more than others, and even though you finally got your dream job, it all does not ecual happiness, until you make it your own. I think Sakurai Sho is amazing when it comes to serious dramas/movies, and I’d rather watch his doing these serious characters than those who are just silly.

Anyhow, I think I would recommend this, but no action at all nor humor, so don’t go there if you want that

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½/  3½ 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

Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de Review

Title: Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de
AKA: After dinner
Genre: Mystery, comedy
Episodes: 10 + SP
Broadcast period: 2011-Oct to 2011-Dec
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Kitagawa Keiko, Nomaguchi Toru and Shiina Kippei.

Being the only daughter of the mega corp. Hosho group, Hosho Reika (Kitagawa Reika) grew up spoiled and naïve, but that didn’t keep her from becoming a detective. When her butler from 25 years retires, a new one is given her: Kageyama (Sakurai Sho), who is somewhat different than her last one. When her annoying boss, heir to a small company who thinks he’s all that, Kazamatsuri Kyoichiro (Shiina Kippei), tries to solve a case and ends up with ridiculous scenarios, Reiko feels at loss. At dinner time she grumbles about the case and tells Kageyama about it, which ends up with Kageyama calling her a daft. Pouting she tells him that he is fired, but when he explains the he has figured it out, she swallows her pride and lets him stay. They end up solving cases together…

I had high expectations for this drama, mainly because of Sakurai Sho and Kitagawa Keiko as the leads, and it did start out funny and interesting, but I felt like the seriousness of this drama was nowhere to be seen. The balance between seriousness and comedy is really badly made, so I became confused. Through the entire drama you watch the same scenes, just differently set up, and not to mention let down of a climax. It’s funny no doubt about that, but I was freaking bored, even though I’m a huge fan of detective dramas! Really! Sho and Keiko were amazing in it, even though I found it lame, they were brilliant. And I have to admit, I’ve never really liked the entire butler-heiress coupling, but somehow, I really wanted them to have ‘those’ scenes together. There were NONE! Seriously in this drama I only liked the 5min intro and the 5 min endings, because of these two. Like the entire rest, 35min to be exact useless…

But don’t let the rating ruin your view, give it a chance, it’s just I’m not that fond of blank and repeat humor.

☆☆½ / 2½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
A quite fun drama, it was easy to watch and a bit fun. Not that long either, so it's not a problem watching. I enjoyed watching it from time to time, not something I finished in one go. It was my "break-drama", watched it when I needed a break from serious dramas. And again it was so japanese with the rich boss but the even richer detective, like a wanna-be drama which will never happen, just something to dream of but at the same time making fun of the idea. The detective part I totally didnt get sometimes, either it was really complicated and I'm not that smart, or it was just really exaggerated and didnt make any sense. And everytime Sho said "..aho desu-ka?" I felt like it was directed to me lol. Its really not a must but if you like Sho or Keiko go ahead and watch it, not that bad.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Tokujo Kabachi!! Review

Title: Tokujo Kabachi!!
AKA: First Class Debater!
Genre: Comedy, Law, Romance
Episodes: 10
Broadcast period: 2010-Jan to 2010-Mar
Theme song: Troublemaker by Arashi
Cast: Sakurai Sho and Horikita Maki.

Tamura Katsuhiro (Sakurai Sho) is an assistant administrative scrivener, who hopes to become an administrative scrivener. With his strong sense of justice and 'idiot' personality, he tries to solve small cases of his neighbours. Completely opposite, Sumiyoshi Misuzu (Horikita Maki) a divorced, ex-deliquent, administrative scrivener, who hates men, will do anything in order to win. The only thing they have in common is that they fight for the 'less' fortunenet.
The story kick starts as Tamura and Sumiyoshi are fighting a case against each other, wereafter Sumiyoshi gets intersted in the firm (or in Tamura), where Tamura works. Sumiyoshi becomes an employee and Tamura's sensei...

To start of, I gotta say, I dont like law nor do I have an interess for it. The only
thing I like about lawyers is, Naruse Ryo (Maou) - Ohno Satoshi and Ren Guang Xi (Autumn's Concerto) - Van Ness Wu, as you see hot people wearing suits. And to be honest this drama didnt improve my likening, but made me - I think - respect decent lawyers. Okay, Sakurai Sho's amazing acting helped alot too, and he was pretty cool. Horikita Maki Im not a big fan of, but she is a good actress, as long as she doesn't act those 'kawai' ones. All in all, a fun watch, and great ending, gotta say, I love Sho.. (psst, I think you noticed my high rating, well thats because someone I REEEALY like guest starred, hihi... hint hint: he's the leader of Arashi)
Lols, okay, not just because of Ohno, but I really did enjoy the drama, and Sakurai's acting.. :D

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts