Detroit Metal City

Negishi Soichi (Matsuyama Ken'ichi, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac , Death Note) has been accepted to Tokyo University. Negishi leaves his small hometown to pursue Tokyo University and hopes to start a career as a pop musician.

However, after pursuing his dream throughout college, the band he ended up in wasn't a pop music band. Far from it, actually.

First Kiss

Fukunaga Mio (Inoue Mao - Hana Yori Dango) has been in living in the United States for 10 years due to a heart condition that is constantly needing treatment. In those years, she has been living apart from her older brother Kano Kazuki (Ito Hideaki - Buzzer Beat).

Halfway

Halfway starring Kitano Kie, Okada Masaki, Mizobata Junpei, Narimiya Hiroki, Shiraishi Miho, Naka Riisa, Osawa Takao.



During a basketball game, Hiro suddenly feels faint after coming in contact with her crush, Shu. Hiro's friend, Meme, helps her to the infirmary to seek assistants from the school nurse. While recovering from her dizzy spell, Hiro confesses to her friend that she has feelings for Shu.

Yellow Gold Tour - Akanashi Jin

Akanashi Jin, member of JPop group KAT-TUN, set out as a solo artist this year, leaving his KAT-TUN members to carry on without him. This does not in anyway mean that Akanashi will permanently quit KAT-TUN. He just wishes to fulfill his dream of becoming a solo artist.

Koukou Debut Live-action Update

I discussed Koukou Debut being made into a live-action in a post here.

I have recently found out that as of October 2010 they have started filming the movie based on the popular manga. It will be released Spring of 2011, which means those of us who are waiting for it to be released on DVD/Blu-ray so we can have subs will have a longer wait.

Buzzer Beat

Buzzer Beat starring Yamashita Tomohisa, Mizobata Junpei, Kitagawa Keiko, Kanjiya Shihori, Ito Hideaki, Aibu Saki, Kaneko Nobuaki, Nagai Masaru, Aoki Munetaka.

Buzzer Beat is a term in basketball when there are seconds left on the clock in the game or during a quarter and a player shoots the ball and it makes it into the hoop before the buzzer sounds to end the game or quarter.

BANDAGE

BANDAGE starring Akanishi Jin, Kitano Kii, Kora Kengo, Shibamoto Yuki, Kasahara Hideyuki, Kaneko Nobuaki, Watanabe Anne, Ito Ayumi.

Indie rock bands were a rising thing in Japan during the 1990s. This is the story of such a band. Their ups, downs and in-betweens.

D no Arashi

D no Arashi. The D stands for document. Arashi are a JPop group consisting of 5 members.

The members are:

Ohno Satoshi

Sakurai Sho

Ninomiya Kazunari

Aiba Masaki

Matsumoto Jun

D no Arashi is a variety show that presents to the public a selection of things people don't normally get a chance to see. They list a number of topics on their homepage and viewers vote on the topic that interestes them most. The members of Arashi will then take the topic with the highest votes and conduct full reports on those topics. The people who assist and allow the members to do a report on their story will recieve a "prize" of up to 2 million yen (which is roughly 22,087.10 in USD according to Chacha.com).

Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu

Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu starring Inoue Mao, Okada Masaki, Sugimoto Tetta, Moriguchi Yoko, Harada Natsuki, Nakamura Toru, Hosoda Yoshihiko.

Most people don't meet their first loves until they are much older. Then again, most people don't find out they are dying and how much longer they have left to live at such a young age.

Tumbling

Tumbling starring Yamamoto Yusuke, Seto Koji, Miura Shohei, Daito Shunsuke, Nishijima Takahiro, Tomiura Satoshi, Yanagishita Tomo, Kaku Kento, Tamoto Soran, AKIRA, Kuninaka Ryoko, Otsuka Nene.

Azuma Wataru is a 3rd year high schooler. A delinquent, who is undefeated and is considered to be the leader of the school. He'll take on any fight with his gang, even if they're out numbered, and come out victorious. The other delinquents in his school praise him for being so powerful but deep down Wataru feels like something is missing.

Tokyo Boy

Tokyo Boy starring Horikita Maki, Ishida Takuya, Kusamura Reiko, Hirata Mitsuru.

Minato's parents died when she was young leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. To fight the loneliness, Minato used to send letters to her parents attached to a balloon. One day a boy named Night replied to her letter with encouraging words.

Ghost Friends

Ghost Friends starring Fukuda Saki, Nishijima Takahiro, Okada Yoshinori, Iriyama Noriko, Misaki Ayame, Kawakubo Takuji, Shibuya Asuka, Irie Jingi.

It's been six months since that accident. Six months since Kamiya Asuka lived and her two best friends died. Ever since the day of the bus wrecked, Asuka has been able to see ghosts.

Linda Linda Linda - Movie

Linda Linda Linda starring Kashii Yu, Maeda Aki, Sekine Shiori, Bae Doona, Kobayashi Katsuya, Takayo Mimura, Matsuyama Kenichi.

The school festivial as fastly approaching but with their bandmembers bickering over an incident and another member with a hand injury, will their band be able to go on?

Horikita Maki - Actress Profile

Horikita Maki



* Name: 堀北真希 (ほりきた まき)
* Name (romaji): Horikita Maki
* Nicknames: Maki-maki, Homaki, Makinpo, Horikitty, Pori chan
* Profession: Actress
* Birthdate: 1988-Oct-06
* Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
* Height: 160cm
* Star sign: Libra
* Blood type: B
* Talent agency: Sweet Power

MM! - Anime

MM! starring the voice talents of Taketatsu Ayana, Fukuyama Jun, Asumi Kana, Tanaka Rie, Satou Rina, Hayami Saori, Ohara Sayaka, Yahagi Sayuri. Directed by Nagasawa Tsuyoshi.

Sado Taro is a first year high school student with a problem. He's a major masochist. He likes it when girls are abusive towards him, both physically and verbally. Taro wants to keep his masochist nature a secret from his crush, in hopes of being able to find a way to cure himself of this personality and be able to properly confess to her. Taro is encouraged by his classmate to seek help from the school's "Second Volunteer Club". 

Seito Shokun!

Seito Shokun! starring Uchiyama Rina, Shiina Kippei, Horikita Maki, Hongo Kanata, Okada Masaki, Shirota Yu.

Kitashiro Naoko is a newly graduate who becomes a teacher. Her first teacher assignment is to be the homeroom teacher for a class of students that would give Gokusen's 3-D a run for their money.

The students don't trust the teachers. The teachers don't have faith in the education system. Parents who blaim the school for their childrens' behavioral problems.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Based on the novel by Gabrielle Zevin.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac starring Horikita Maki, Matsuyama Kenichi, Tegoshi Yuya, Anton Yelchin, Emma Roberts, Kylee.



Sukuse Naomi decided to pick heads in a coin toss which caused her to lose. It was her job to go back to the classroom to get the camera from the yearbook club. On her way back, Naomi slips and loses her grip on the camera. Instead of letting it fall she dives to try to save it causing her to hit her head at the bottom of the steps and suddenly waking up in an ambulance with no memory of the accident. She doesn't remember the boy who is holding her hand in the ambulance or the boy that comes to visit her while she's in the hospital. What other parts of her life has she forgotten?
Will she be able to get her memories back? Does she even want to remember the things that she has forgotten?

Japanese Variety Shows

The Japanese sure do know how to entertain you in random ways.

This is a clip from a game show or variety show. The host is dressed up as Yankumi from Gokusen. The idea is for the "class" to not laugh at the videos they are being shown on the television. If they laugh, they are punished. Their punishment is a kendo stick swat to the behind.

It doesn't look like the kendo stick wielders are being gentle or holding back at all. I would imagine that wouldn't feel too good but sometimes you just can't help but laugh regardless of what punishment happens.

Death Note Movie (2006)

Death Note starring Fujiwara Tatsuya, Matsuyama Kenichi, Seto Asaka, Hosokawa Shigeki, Toda Erika, Fujimura Shunji, Kaga Takeshi, Kashii Yu, Nakamura Shido.

Kira is considered an Angel of Justice. Kira passes his own judgment on criminals of all kinds that the justice system has not done anything about. These criminals suddenly die from a heart attack and it is unknown how it happens.

Some think of Kira as a savior. Stepping in where the police fail at keeping the peace. Others consider Kira a criminal because he "murders" other criminals.

Who is the mastermind behind Kira? How is he able to kill off these serial criminals without being caught? Should he be praised as a savior or be condemned as a criminal. Does Kira really have the right to pass judgment on these criminals when he, himself, is murdering people.

Razor Ramon Sumitani - Hard Gay

Hard Gay is the alter-ego of Japanese comedian Sumitani Masaki. Sumitani Masaki is a retired professional wrestler, best known as Razor Ramon, Razor Ramon Hard Gay or Razor Ramon Sumitani. He named himself after the former WWE (formally known as the WWF) wrestler Razor Ramon.

Sumitani Masaki's Hard Gay persona became popular after being featured on the Bakusho Mondai no Bakuten! variety show.

Hard Gay does skits for the Bakusho Mondai variety show in which he ventures into public and puts his little twist on every day living, from how youths feel about their fathers on Father's Day to helping a Ramen shop bring in more customers.

Japanese Commercials

Sometimes I like to just browse through and look at foreign commercials on video sites like youtube. Some of them don't make much sense but still very entertaining. It also just shows the difference in culture when it comes to marketing products.

Kami no Shizuku

Kami no Shizuku starring Kamenashi Kazuya, Tanabe Seiichi, Naka Riisa, Toda Naho, Masu Takeshi, Taguchi Hiromasa, Sasaki Nozomi.

Kanzaki Shizuku, son of world-famous wine critic Kanzaki Yutaka, has been estrange from his father for quite some time. When his father suddenly passes away from a long term illness, Shizuku is thrown into matters of his father's last will and inheritance. Kanzaki Yutaka has left behind a wine collection worth about 2 million yen (over 18 million US Dollars).

Skip Beat - Anime

Skip Beat with the voice talents of Konishi Katsuyuki, Miyano Mamoru, Inoue Marina.

Mogami Kyoko follows her childhood friend and first love Fuwa Shou to Tokyo so he can become an idol. Instead of attending high school like most 16 year old girls do, Kyoko spends her days working to pay for an expensive apartment for her and Shou to live in.

Koukou Debut - High School Debut

Koukou Debut

I heard about Koukou Debut by chance. I don't remember which site I was on but I caught a glimpse about this manga being turned into a live-action. I was curious so I searched around to learn more.

I learned about the storyline and got excited. I was never really a big manga reader but for some reason this story just caught my attention. Koukou Debut is a shojo romantic comedy manga created by Kawahara Kazune. It's a 13 volume manga which was just recently published in English.

I was hoping it was already adapted into an anime so I tried searching for it but with no luck. So, I broke down and looked around for the manga and finally found it. I was instantly addicted.

It's a very cute story about a tomboy girl who finally decides to stop being a tomboy when she gets to high school in order to fall in love.

Claymore Anime

Claymore with voice talents of Kuwashima Houko, Hisakawa Aya, Takeda Hana, Hirata Hiroaki, Inoue Kikuko, Takagi Motoki, Nagasawa Miki, Park Romi, Mitsuishi Kotono. Directed by Tanaka Hiroyuki.

Claymore is the name given to the female warriors of an unknown organization created to kill off yoma. They are the product of human females that are spliced together with the flesh of a yoma, creating a human/yoma hybrid. Claymores are able to tap into the yoma part of their being and use abilities normal humans wouldn't be able to. The ability differs from warrior to warrior as it does with each yoma. When a Claymore exceeds her limits the yoma half will start to take over and the human half will disappear turning a yoma killing warrior into the very thing they are created to kill.

Update

I've been slacking for the past week. I took a 10 day vacation from work. I was hoping to spend time with a friend, whom I haven't seen in almost 5 years and possibly take a trip to the beach. But all my plans fell through so I've been having an off week. I have several JDramas I want to watch and a few that I've started and haven't finished yet due to bad quality streaming sites or fan subbers not uploading on a regular basis due to their busy scheduling.

I hope to be back on track in the next day or two. Sorry to those that enjoy visiting my blog and reading my opinions. Thank you for being patient with me.

~ Vikki

Rescue

"Pride of Orange"

Rescue starring Nakamaru Yuichi, Masuda Takahisa, Yamamoto Yusuke, Shoei, Kaname Jun, Tanaka Yoji, Takahashi You, Ishiguro Ken, Fueki Yuko, Ichikawa Yui, Ebata Hiroki, Yamada Shintaro, Kaji Masaki, Ishiguro Hideo, Daito Shunsuke, Asari Yosuke.

Kitajima Daichi has become a member of the firefighter rescue team in Yokohama. Despite the tragedy that's plagued him for 15 years, Daichi strives to become a member of the elite rescue team known as the Super Rangers.

Arch Angels/Warau Mikaeru

Warau Mikaeru (Arch Angels) starring Ueno Juri, Seki Megumi, Taira Airi, Iseya Yusuke.

Shijo Fumio has just moved in with her long lost wealthy brother, Shijo Kazuomi, after her mother's death.

Kazuomi enrolls Fumio into an elite Catholic School where she quickly becomes a school idol amongst some of the other schoolmates. The other students believe that Fumio was born into wealth and didn't just recently become wealthy.

Yankee-kun to Megane-chan

Currently I am watching Yankee-kun to Megane-chan. This drama started airing in April 2010 and ended in June 2010. Since it is fairly new, it's still difficult to get episodes that are subbed. So far, I've only be able to get a hold of three episodes.



The story so far is that Narimiya Hiroki plays as Shinagawa Daichi who is a yankee (delinquent)and Naka Riisa plays as Adachi Hana who appears to be a typical Class Representative. Things get interesting when Daichi and Hana's true identities are reviled.

I've only watched one episode so far, but I can already sense good things from this drama. It has a way of showing human emotions while mixing in outrageous comedy to teach a lesson. Check back for a proper post on Yankee-kun to Megane-chan. Hopefully I can get a hold of the rest of the subbed episodes soon.

Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata

A princess' order is absolute.

Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata starring Kurokawa Tomoka, Mizushima Hiro and Hamada Gaku.

Himura Yuna and Fujiki Kyouji are primary schoolmates. While sitting in the rain unwilling to go home, Yuna suggest to Takeshi that they play a game. To play the game Yuna is the princess and Takeshi is the servant. When they are at school or out in public that act normal and rarely acknowledge each other but when it's just the two of them, Takeshi must treat her as a princess. Takeshi asks how long the game will last and Yuna replies that it will last forever or until someone finds out about it.

Cartoon KAT-TUN

I previously did a post on Cartoon KAT-TUN. I have been trying to watch every episode I can get my hands on. Some of the episodes are RAW so I'm a bit upset about having to skip those. But I have managed to watch the majority of 102 episodes and 2 of the special episodes.

There are a total of 152 episodes and 3 special episodes. The show started airing in April of 2007 and they filmed their final episode March 2010. I am sad to see this show go. It brought me many laughs and several "wtf?!" moments.

I think with watching this show it has opened me up to watching to listen to other types of Japanese main stream music and wanting to further my knowledge of Japanese culture. I've noticed that several popular music groups have different variety shows. I hope I have the chance to get to watch them also and be further entertained.

I found this fan made video with funny moments from Cartoon KAT-TUN. I hope it has you entertained and laughing.

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

"You should worry more about having and ugly heart then having a ugly face."

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (Perfect Girl Evolution) starring Kamenashi Kazuya, Tegoshi Yuya, Oomasa Aya, Uchi Hiroki, Miyao Shuntaro.

Tatta Hitotsu no Koi (2006)

Tatta Hitotsu no Koi starring Kamenashi Kazuya, Ayase Haruka, Tanaka Koki, Toda Erika, Hiraoka Yuta.

Some people fall in love many times. And some people are lucky enough to find their one true love. Their love of a lifetime.

Kanzaki Hiroto's from a lower-class area. Tsukioka Nao's the rich princess of a Jewelry chain owner.

Could be this the classic story of opposites attract?

Liar Game

Liar Game Season One

Liar Game Season One starring

Toda Erika - Kanzaki Nao

Matsuda Shota - Akiyama Shinichi

Otomen

Otomen starring Okada Masaki, Kaho, Kimura Ryo, Seto Koji and Sano Kazuma. 

Otomen is a Japanese boy who excels in both military and literary art while hiding his girlie hobbies such as cooking and sewing, his girlie way of thinking and his love of shojo manga. 

Code Blue

Code Blue starring Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Higa Manami and Asari Yosuke.



The "Doctor Helicopter" system was legalized in Japan in June 2007. A medical team is dispatched to the patients on a helicopter to provide medical care in the field as soon as possible. One day, four young physicians are assigned to this latest medical system. The doctors experience traumatic medical situations, deal with personal ambitions, witness the fragility of life, and they grow personally and professionally. --Fuji TV

Bleach 271

Ichigo vs Ulquiorra I must say this has been an epic battle. The music, setting, artwork and animation all done very well. Very one sided battle for the most part. However, don't count Ichigo out yet, after all the show is named after him Bleachigo! Okay well maybe it's not but he's the main character right? He can't die right? I won't spoil it for those that haven't watched it yet but I will say that this episode has quite a few surprises in store for you.

Majisuka Gokuen

Majisuka Gokuen starring Maeda Atsuko, Nachu, Oshima Yuko, Shinoda Mariko, Miyazawa Sae. Actually, there are many more characters in this show. Most of which are part of the performance group AKB48. AKB48 is made up of young adult girls (usually around the ages of 18-24... maybe even younger or a bit older). The do theater, drama and singing.



Majisuka Gokuen is about a school of the same name. The high school is an all female delinquent school. There are several gangs within the school with the Rappapa girls sitting at the top. The Rappapa girls are the strongest of all the gangs in the school. If you're brave enough to challenge a member you go in risking your life.

Gokusen Season 1, 2 & 3

Gokusen Season 1 starring Nakama Yukie, Matusmoto Jun, Ogui Shun, Waki Tomohiro, Narimiya Hiroki, Ishigaki Yuma



Gokusen Season 2 starring Nakama Yukie, Kamenashi Kazuya, Akanishi Jin, Koike Teppei, Hayami Mokomichi, Koide Keisuke, Waki Tomohiro

Update

Just an update.

It's been awhile. Things have been kind of hectic what with working and that minor set back of having my windshield get smashed to pieces by some unknown object on my way home from work.

My upcoming projects are Gokusen 1, 2 & 3 (most likely in one posting), Code Blue season 1, and Majisuka Gakuen.

Samurai High School

Samurai High School starring Miura Haruma, Shirota Yu, and Anne.



Mochizuki Kotaro is the class clown in his high school. He never takes anything seriously and when faced with problems he hides from them and doesn't speak up for what he believes is right.

Cartoon KAT-TUN

I started out just watching mini clips on the variety show Cartoon KAT-TUN. Then I discovers full episodes that are fansubbed. Thank you to the fansubbers who took the time out of their life to bring us the joyous wonders of KAT-TUN.

KAT-TUN consists of 6 members. They are a JPop group with Johnny's Entertainment. You might recognize some of their faces from JDramas that I've posted about. The letters in KAT-TUN represent the first initial in each members name. In KAT-TUN order the members are:

Kamenashi Kazuya
Akanishi Jin
Taguchi Junnosuke
Tanaka Koki
Ueda Tatsuya
Nakamaru Yuichi

Kame-chan played Shuji-kun in Nobuta wo Produce.
Akanishi Jin and Taguchi Junnosuke played in Yukan Club. Akanishi played as Miroku and Taguchi played as Bido.

Here's part one of episode 2 (I tried searching for episode 1 but couldn't find it on youtube).
Enjoy.

Samurai

I've been watching this samurai drama called Samurai High School. It's a new drama and hasn't finished airing. I'm excited to see how it ends. I watched episode 6 the other day and I think it's up to episode 8 right now. I think there are only 9 episodes total for the drama. I'm excited to finish this one up and do a full post on it.

Koishite Akuma

Koishite Akuma starring Nakayama Yuma and Kato Rosa. Co-starring Kondo Masahiko, Ito Shiro, Horiuchi Keiko, Morimoto Shintaro, Sakuraba Nanami, Nakajima Kento, Irie Jingi and Takahashi.

Kuromiya Ruka was bitten and turned into a vampire at the age of 15. With the vampire blood taken over, his memories have been lost. He doesn't remember the life he had when he was a human, all he knows is what he knows as a vampire.

Taiyou no Uta

Taiyou no Uta starring Sawajiri Erika and Yamada Takayuki. Co-starring Matsushita Nao, Tanaka Kei, Sato Megumi, Hamada Gaku, Kawamura Yosuke, Kaname Jun.

Amane Kaoru is a street musician. Her greatest dream is to become a famous singer/song writer and to meet the person that inspired her to pick up the guitar in the first place.

Fujishiro Kouji is a seaside inn employee who's lost all hope for any kind of future. He doesn't believe in himself anymore and doesn't really care what happens to him in his life.

1 Litre of Tears/Ichi Rittou no Namida

1 Litre of Tears starring Sawajiri Erika, Nishikido Ryo and co-starring Yakushimaru Hiroko, Jinnai Takanori, Fujiki Naohito and Narumi Riko.


Based on the diary of Kito Aya (b. July 19, 1962 - d. May 23, 1988).

Yamada Taro Monogatari

Yamada Taro Monogatari starring Ninomiya Kazunari, Sakurai Sho and Tabe Mikako.




Yamada Taro is a poor student on scholarship to an Elite high school. Since Taro carries himself well, everyone assumes that he isn't poor but some rich "prince". Taro doesn't hide the fact that his family is poor but his fellow classmates don't seem to notice that he is and just keeps assuming he's extremely wealthy. The eldest of 7 children, Taro works park-time jobs after or before school to earn money for living expenses for himself and his whole family. Having a mother with a weak body and cannot work herself and a father that is traveling the world painting but not making much money from his art, Taro must do what he can to make sure his family is taken care of even if that means he has to give up things he needs or would like.

Atashinchi no Danshi Pt 2

I understand that I've already blogged about this but I look back on it and see that it was a somewhat poorly written blog. Besides, at that time there were only 4 episodes out and the fansub weren't producing more hardsubs for the drama. They finally released the remaining episodes which is why I'm blogging about this show again.



Atashinchi no Danshi starring Horikita Maki, Kaname Jun, Okada Yoshinori, Mukai Osamu, Yamamoto Yusuke, Seto Koji, Okayama Tomoki. Co-starring Kusakari Masao, Yamamoto Koji, Takashima Reiko.