2008 Autumn Drama season

I just felt like writing a summary of this season dramas. ヾ(＠⌒ー⌒＠)ノ
From NEWS drama this time we have only Ryuusei no Kizuna with Ryo-chan, Nino and Toda Erika.
By the way, Ryo-chan Happy Birthday!!!
ｵﾒﾃﾞﾄ( ^_^)∠※PAN!。.*:・'゜☆。.:*:・'゜★゜'・:*＼(^O^)／

It's one of the best this season. About 3 siblings making a promise to kill a man who murdered they parents. And through everything is going in this direction and slowly we find more details about murder, most of the time it's about how they deal with they daily life and swindle people （￣ー￣) It's also pretty funny, even through theme of this drama is dark.
There's no hardsubs at the moment, but Kakijun is releasing softsubs super fast, sometimes 2 days after ep is out! ヽ(^▽^)ﾉ Here's link to his subs.

My number one this season is Bloody Monday with Miura Haruma as lead actor.

I LOVE this guy and I guess most of you remember him from Koizora movie~
In this drama he's showing some really amazing acting skills ☆ He's playing a high schooler who's hobby is hacking and he's damn good in it. But because of that, he gets himself and his sister involved in police war with terrorists who wants to spread in Japan deadly virus called Bloody-X. Shooting reminds more a movie than drama and plot is very well done. Till the end you don't know who's the good and who's bad guys. There's no softsubs, but today TimeLesSub released on D-Addicts first episode hardsubbed, so check it out!

Next one is Scrap Teacher with Hey!Say!JUMP.
Honestly, cast is the only good point in this drama. It took me few approaches to finish first episode, getting a bit better later. It have some funny scenes, but it's... shallow. Another drama with passionate teacher getting a job in a school full of people who lost they will to teach. On top of that, school is about to be closed so even students don't see a point in learning. Really nothing special. The only difference in topic is a group of transfer students who decided to take school in they own hands.
It wasn't subbed yet.

Next is Celeb to Binbo Taro, with Ueto Aya and Kamiji Yusuke (same actor as Scrap Teacher)
She's a super rich fashion designer, since childhood she was getting everything she wished for. He's poor widower with 3 little kids, working hard but after paying expenses there's really not much left. Paths of this 2 are crossing creating a lot of funny situations and slowly changing they lives.
I like this drama for good humour and awesome Aya's clothes :3 Nice thing to watch when you want to relax (´・ω・`)
No hardsubs, but softsubs are released by Rollins.

Another good-to-watch-in-free-time drama is Oh! My Girl!!

I watched it for Mokomichi who's soooo hot here (*´ｪ`*)ﾎﾟｯ
He's playing young journalist who's working on his own mobile novel in free time, but without effects. He's sister (with who he cut ties with) is well known actress and one day she suddenly disappears leaving behind a daughter (also actress). She decides Kotaro (Mokomichi) will be best person to babysit her. This turn his world of a single guy upside down.
Nice family-drama. Massuki fansubs are releasing hardsubs pretty fast v(*'-^*)-☆For download on D-Addicts.

Promo pic of Horikita Maki's drama Innocent Love is really beautiful, but drama itself is booooring. Or maybe it's male actor that's bothering me. He's from a group Yuzu and not a professional actor, so his acting is a bit fake, but what's even worst it's his smile. It gives me creeps!! And he's doing it a lot here. No matter how much I love Maki, I just can't go through it (._.)

But if you want something with Maki, I'd recommend a movie called Tokyo Shounen.

I don't know how to convince you to watch it without spoiling it...! (≧ω≦)ｂ Anyway, if you like Maki in HanaKimi, I mean her male side. Then you will fall in love with her after seeing this movie! Her acting is so convincing you can actually see every change of character in her eyes.

Last movie I'd like to HIGHLY recommend it's Boku no Kanojo wa Cyborg (Cyborg Girl), with Ayase Haruka. I was waiting half a year for this movie to appear on net and it's finally here!!
"Jiro (Koide Keisuke) is just an ordinary college student with the most mundane of existences until one day "She" (Ayase Haruka) shows up. With her large unblinking eyes and silver bodysuit, She walks into his lonely life and heart on his birthday, and turns his world upside down. A cyborg from the future, She was sent back in time by her creator, Jiro of the future, to protect present-day Jiro from a shooting that would have crippled him for life. For Jiro, having a beautiful, if slightly rough cyborg around is mighty handy, as She uses her super powers to save lives and get Jiro to class on time. Jiro gradually falls in love with this cyborg who develops human emotions, but She knows something about the future that he doesn't."

Awesome special effects, cast and also super funny! Just check a trailer




Both of this movies you can download from bt.avistaz.com, there are also english subs, but as separate torrents. I only think there's some trouble with subs for Cyborg Girl. I got the from different site. Anyway if you have any trouble, you can comment here and I'll upload these movies on my blog (*^▽^*)

That's all I've been wanting to review lately (*ﾟｰﾟ) I hope I didn't spam you too much (･o･)ゞ

re-open!! j-dramas reviews

I'm baaaack~!
I decided to re-open KenKen again and run it just the way I used to (^^)
Recently it became too much of a upload page than a blog...
I hope I can continue it the old way~
今からよろしくお願いします。

So the LJ feed for KenKen should be working again.

I fixed YesAsia links. I can't believe all LE of NEWS CDs are already sold out! I was buying Hoshi wo Mezashite in September 2007, half a year after release it was still avilable. But now CDs are disappearing even before release. But I guess it's a good sign because it means more people is buying original goods (^^)

I also added more recent links:

Otakara Photo & Episode NEWS Kiseki -2005-2008

Aiaigasa (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)

Aiaigasa (SINGLE+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)

Because there wasn't much going on around Pi, I could catch up on few dramas I wanted to see (^^)
First, Nya! released first episode on Osen with Uchi. They even did it in two different resolutions, icluding 1280x720! Thank you guys!!! (^O^)
Honestly, I'm still stuck after Isshun no Kaze ni Nare 2nd episode and don't know when I'll finish it because drama is boring. But I'll continue Osen, it's pretty funny! Check for yourself at the part I cut off (^^)

Handa Sen is the "okami" (proprietress) of a long-standing restaurant in one of the lower parts of Tokyo. Though she is normally airheaded and loves to drink, she has an impressive mastery of a wide range skills, from cooking to ceramics to calligraphy. While the drama follows various events surrounding the restaurant, one of the series' highlights is its illustration of Japanese food and culture.

Osen at DramaWiki
Get it from DAddicts

Second drama is Hokaben. Althrought Candypop released only 1st episode subbed till now, I saw it up to 3rd ep. RAW.

Domoto Akari is an idealistic lawyer who wants to "rescue the weak." She joins a large law office, though she is assigned to a lowly department whose only other member is her boss, who was transferred there after making a mistake during a case.

from DramaWiki

Of course drama is centered on Ueto Aya, but Shige's appearing quite often as well. He makes me laugh everytime. His style and the way he's walking is so obviously like an idol and not a lawyer at all *laughs*
It's not a drama I would highly recommend, but if you have time and love Shige, you can see it (^^);;

Hokaben at DramaWiki
Get it from DAddicts

I thought I won't watch Gokusen3 because I'm not into juniors, but since SARS subbed it then why not try it (^^);;
Theme didn't change and it's pretty predictable what will happen, but I still enjoy it (^^) And I was so shocked to see Miura Haruma as one of class leaders!! (*O*) I love this guy since I watched Koizora, he's amazing~!

But seeing he's only 18yo, I feel old myself (T_T)

Gokusen3 at DramaWiki
Get it from DAddicts

The other two don't have any connection with Johnny's, but they're super funny and I like them a lot (^^)
Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend) I first read as a manga and loved it a lot!! I hoped they would make it into anime, but I never dreamed they will turn it into drama!!
They changed storyline and it's no longer story of a high school girl, but a grown up office lady. But the rest is pretty similar (^^)
Riko, shy girl who's unlucky with her lovelife, is buying herself a robot lover who's looking exactly like a human being.

Zettai Kareshi at DramaWiki
Get it from DAddicts

Aibu Saki (who's playing Riko) have quite a history with JE. First she was rumored to be dating Ryo-chan, they starred n 2 dramas together: Ganbatte Ikimasshoi! and Attention Please. Later she was like a break in Abiru rumors, after someone supposedly saw her on a date with Yamapi. They were on a boat together. I've heard some fans even accepted they relationship! But they haven't been seen together since then. And now she's dating Nagase Tomoya from Tokio, they were even spotted toghether:

Well, she's cute so I can forgive (^^);;

And finally, the last one I wanted to recommend, Hotaru no Hikari.

Hotaru works for a famous interior design company. It's a glamorous job but Hotaru's private life is totally the opposite of glamorous. She lives alone, and when she isn't working she's mostly lazing about her rented house in training wear. She's not interested in men. In fact, she isn't interested in anything. "I'd rather lay around than fool around," is her motto.

Her landlord is a bar owner, and one day his son, who has just separated from his wife, comes to inspect the rental property, not knowing that someone is living there. He is shocked at the mess, but not as shocked as Hotaru. He turns out to be her boss, Takano.

from DramaWiki

I watched it streamed online from anzv.tv. I didn't know Ayase Haruka can be so good and funny in comedy drama. I was crying with laugher seeing her rolling on the floor, sleeping under newspaper or getting paralised when getting mail from her crush.
I have to admit I'm so much like her in this drama *laughs*
To connect her with Yamapi, some of you might remember her from drama Sore wa, Totsuzen, Arashi no you ni..., where she was playing Pi's childhood friend.

*sigh* that was a long post! Forgive me spamming (^^);;

[sub] Gekidan Engimono 9 - SP

Finally, here it is!! =D
I couldn't make update on blog because most of the time I spend on our Engimono project.
Lilprox and watchful made such a wonderful work with subs, I didn't want it to be wasted. So I had to learn how to do syling (^^);; Yesterday I got Aegisub program, it's making subbing so much easier~!! I love it!

We had some problems with RAW distribution (my links were dead), so lilprox started from Making. And this will be our first release (^^)

Hope you enjoy it!

Translation lilprox
Editing watchful
Timing/styling/encoding mousee

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Next project coming it's Pi in 2ji chao! from 31st March 2008. Well, it's actually finished. Only needs few fixes and upload so look forward for it as well! (^^)
Both videos will be x-posted on PiKorabo.

[sub] 2008.03.15 Chubaw desu yo!

Finally done!!
I was working last night and thought I'll sleep right after coming home, but all the sweet comments on my anniversary post motivated me to finish this project
But now I need sleep even more *laughs* So I'll reply for comments tomorrow.

Translation for this clip was made by lilprox
Timing / hardsubbing and few additional translations by me
RAW taken from windjp


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I'll upload this clip on news_jpop when all MF links will be done.

This was real challenge! It was first time I subbed such a big project, and when CMs took me few minutes each, this one took me 5 houres! I'm lacking experience
Now even more I appreciate drama fansubbers work!

By the way, this is not connected to Pi, well not very much at least, but I wanted to share

This year winter drama season wasn't so good, and even through Honey & Clover have such a good cast, I'm stuck around 4th episode and can't find motivation to move with it
There are only 2 dramas I could highly recommend. First is 1 Pound Gospel, that I think most of you saw. But second one isn't so popular, as I can see on number of downloads, and it's real shame.

I'm talking about Daisuki!!
Yuzu, a mentally disabled woman with the mind of an 8-year-old, who falls in love with a man with a similar disability. She becomes pregnant, but he dies in an accident, leaving her alone in raising the child.



I started to watch it after reading summary on DramaWiki and liking the idea. It's so sweet and touching!! I cried at every episode, mostly because I was moved
Karina's acting is so cute! The way she talks, move or express her feelings. I totally fall in love with Yuzu
No wonder both Karina and drama got Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix!
By the way, she previously starred in Kabachitare, Long Love Letter and Koizora
Another connection between Daisuki!! and Pi is Hiraoka Yuta (ProDai). I disliked him since I saw him first time in Nana movie, but here it's first time when I start to think he can be lovable as well

Drama is already finished and you can download it from D-Addicts. If you want HQ version but there's no seeders, you can give me know and I'll seed few episodes. I'm not able to seed whole series tho (no space)
It's also in progress of softsubbing by Sapporo Girl. The subs match both quality versions.

I hope you can watch it as well because it's worth of effort

Goodnight


EDIT:

One more thing, this time connected to NEWS.
I think recently there's too much going on around Tegoshi. Especially rumors about girls. I hope it won't hurt him in any way :(
Pics below were printed in latest FRIDAY (they're a gossip magazine that love to create scandals out of simple issues). They're talking about Tegoshi spending whole night on talking and drinking with unknown girl.

Thank you lilprox for telling me about this in the first place


Credits for pic to 芸能画像

Dramas locations - Kurosagi

I'm in progress of downloading yesterday's Chubaw desu yo! and thought I can do this in the mean time.

Recently I found a lot of japanese blogs posting pics of locations where dramas were shooted. I love to see these places and the "Ah! It was made there!" feeling, so I decided to make a series of posts about it.
Maybe if you will have a chance to go to Japan, you can see these places and for example eat inside a restaurant where Kurosagi was filmed.

Forgive me if it's too heavy from graphic.

Starting off with Kurosagi drama.
Credits for pics to waspring.
Please visit original blog for more information about places and locations marked on maps.

「クロサギ」ロケ地巡り
Vol. 1
Vol. 2

Snapshots from drama:




I think this is most famouse place that witnessed a lot, including Tsurara confessing her feelings to Kurosagi.


Snapshots from drama:



Kurosagi's (and later also Tsurara's) house.
The place have a poster sticked to the stairs saying: "Access forbidden, except for owner". Probably it was put after too many fans tried to get in.



Snapshots from drama:



Locations on these 2 photos are connected, used a lot in scenes where Kurosagi and Tsurara were going back home.
Actually, after you pass the tunel, you can see Kurosagi's apartment


Snapshots from drama:



Restaurant Katsura. It was a place where Kurosagi was getting informations from Katsuragi.
When in real life it's a French restaurant located close to Tokyo Station. It must've been difficult to film drama in such busy location.

Snapshot from drama:



Builing that is suppose to be Police Station is actually a private school.

Snapshots from drama:




In here was shooted intense scene where Kurosagi was beaten up by a policeman (Sakurai Sho) (episode 6)

Snapshots from drama:



Place where Kurosagi took tissues from part-time working Tsurara (episode 8).
It's usually very crowdy place.

Snapshots from drama:




Kurosagi swindled Shirosagi into thinking it will be a place where she's going to be vice-president (episode 9)
The real meaning of this place is Culture Center in North part of Central Park.

That's it for Kurosagi, but you can expect at leat 3 more posts like this one in future.

Gekidan Engimono ~Kuruizaki Virgin Road~

Here's promised drama Gekidan Engimono ~Kuruizaki Virgin Road~ (^^)
I'll be short because I'm going to see doctor today and I'm in hurry.
I wrote description about this drama in 2 posts ago, ne (^^)

Credits for video goes to ayashi_mikage on ru_johnnys

Ne, I was thinking...
Is there anyone reading this blog who could translate this drama?
Just translation, I can do timing and all the other stuff.
In my visits ranking Japan is on 4th place, so I hoped maybe someone can help.
mail: vampi_yo@yahoo.com
お願いします～

Episode 1



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Episode 2



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Episode 3



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Episode 4



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Making of Engimono
and Yamapi's shocked expression when he's getting a tight slap in the face *laughs*



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I'll do rest of links when I'll be back today.
Done! (^^)