May/070
1 Litre of Tears (2005)
A.K.A.: Ichi Rittoru no Namida, One Litre of Tears, A Diary with Tears
Japanese Title: １リットルの涙 (1 Litre no Namida)
Genre: School, Romance, Health
Starring: Sawajiri Erika, Nishikido Ryo
Screenwriter: Egashira Michiru, Oshima Satomi, Yokota Rie
Director: Murakami Masanori
Episodes: 11
MPAA: PG
Synopsis
This beautifully moving drama is based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25. The script is based on the diary Aya kept writing until she could no longer hold a pen. The book that later followed entitled “One Litre of Tears” has sold over 1.1 million copies in Japan alone.
Aya’s only wish was “to live.” By carefully depicting Aya’s earnest desire to live, and the love of her family, friends, and lover, the drama, “One Litre of Tears” wishes to deliver her simple but strong message: “Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing.”
Source: DramaWiki
Rating: A (Excellent)
Rewatch Factor: Medium
Comment: If you’re looking for a drama that makes you cry until you can’t cry any more than this is your drama. This drama isn’t a superficial drama with a melodramatic storyline, this drama is based on a true story of a girl who suffered from spinocerebellar degeneration. One of the things I like about the drama is that everything in the drama seems authentic and nothing feels forced or contrived. The cast was well-picked. Everyone has something important to contribute to the drama, from the loving parents to the innocent little sister. Although the real Aya doesn’t have a memorable love story like the Aya in the drama, nevertheless it was a good decision on the writer and the director part to include a love story because it is the love story that further drives the emotional factor of the drama and tugs at the viewers’ heartstring.
I admitted that I know very little about spinocerebellar degeneration prior to this drama, and I have learned quite a great deal about the disease afterward because the drama not only serves as a source of information it also motivates me to do my own research about the disease. I know I haven’t cried a litre of tears after I watched this drama, but I came pretty close. So please give this drama a chance and don’t skip on this heartfelt drama that glorifies the beauty of the human spirits.
May/0711
Nodame Cantabile (2006)
Japanese Title: のだめカンタービレ (Nodame Cantabile)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Music
Starring: Ueno Juri, Tamaki Hiroshi, Eita
Screenwriter: Etou Rin
Directors: Takeuchi Hideki and Kawamura Yasuhiro
Episodes: 11
MPAA: PG
Synopsis
Based on the hit comic book by Tomoko Ninomiya, this is a fun-filled quirky romantic story of 2 very opposite people.
Megumi Noda, or “Nodame” is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend’s lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies.
Shinichi Chiaki, is Momogaoka’s top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy, he feels mired in Japan because of a childhood phobia.
They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame’s unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Because of Nodame, Chiaki transfers into the Conductor Division, leads a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people’s musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible.
Source: DramaWiki
Rating: A (Excellent)
Rewatch Factor: High
Comment: One wouldn’t expect great storyline develop around a music drama, but that is just what “Nodame Cantabile” is all about. It was a well written and well directed drama with a cast that shines on-screen. This drama is in the category of its own regarding the sense of quirkiness and humor. I can say that I have laughed whole heartily while I was watching it, and missed it terribly after I finished it. Ueno Juri is a delight to watch in the role as the lovable girl who marches to the beat of her own drum, Nodame. And Tamaki Hiroshi is magnetic as well as convincing in the role of a genius musician (Did you know that the man doesn’t know any music notes prior to filming this drama? Amazing!). Additionally, I love Tamaki Hiroshi’s little facial expressions throughout the drama; they are absolutely hilarious! Not enough good things can be said about this drama because it’s one of those dramas where one don’t have to analyze anything and just enjoys it for what it is. I definitely recommend this drama to any music lovers out there, and if you’re not a music lovers you will become one after watching this drama.
Mar/070
List of Japanese Dramas
This is the list of all the doramas I have seen.
J-Dramas
100 Tales of Horror
1 Litre of Tears
Absolute Boyfriend
Absolute Boyfriend Special
Atashinchi no Danshi
Boku dake no Madonna
CHANGE
Forbidden Love
Gokusen
Gokusen 2
Great Teacher Onizuka
Great Teacher Onizuka Special
Hana Yori Dango
Hana Yori Dango 2
Hanazakarino Kimitachihe
Hanaikusa Special
Hotaru no Hikari
Itazura na Kiss
Kimi wa Petto
Kurosagi
Long Vacation
Love Revolution
Mei-chan no Shitsuji
Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile Special
Nobuta wo Produce
Oshin
Otomen
Sh15uya
Tokyo Wankei
Trick
Trick 2
Trick 3
Water Boys