Lost Days

So I started to watch Lost Days yersterday and I've seen only two episodes but I'm kind of getting into it. The plot is pretty good, surprisingly. I wanted to see how Seto Koji evolved as an actor and what kind of characters he takes on these days and I liked it. He's the lovesick, grown up, responsible but mysterious guy. That's very cliche but everyone likes it, including me.

Another thing that surprised me was that I really enjoyed watching the girls. Their characters aren't as annoying as they usually make them. Maybe it's because I study japanese now but I think they act more normal than I've seen before, in other dramas. 

A group of university students who belong to the same tennis club, Shino Yuta, Sakurada Miki, Sasaki Rinka, Takano Natsu, Fueki Mana, Tachibana Satsuki and Sakurada Wataru, go on a graduation trip to a cottage in the mountains in winter. Although the seven members seem to be good friends, each of them actually has secrets which they cannot tell anyone about; hidden feelings of love and jealousy. Yuta, the cool and brilliant president of the club, is attracted to the sociable and trusting Miki, and intends to tell her about his feelings on this trip, but things do not work out the way he wants. Miki is dating Yuta’s good friend, the free-spirited Natsu and is so into him that she is blind to her surroundings. The seven friends have conflicting positions and when love starts to go down the tubes, a murder occurs like a bolt from the blue. Amid the fear and doubt, hidden emotions begin to come into the open through exchanges which probe each other’s intentions.


So overall is more about their own secrets than anything else. There's suspense and romance and it may not be the best but it's good. I started it because of personal reasons but I like it so far and I'm sure other people would like it too.So, I won't really do a review because I didn't finish it yet but I will put it out there for people to see it if they want to check it out.

So, I actually finished this drama after a few days and there are some things that pissed me off. There is some fucked up shit going on as you get towards the end. I don't want to spoil it for you so the review will be a little vague. 

The story is indeed about these six friends who go on a graduation trip. They go somewhere in the mountain to Miki's super luxurious house. They meet Miki's brother who was there for his own reason. Wataru is quite an interesting character. He looks ready to blow up most of the time. He can piss you off really badly. One character that I find nice is Rinka. She has her own secrets and thibgs get really messed up for her. However, I find her as the most interesting character. The boys are pretty much boys. The plot is full of suspense and it always leaves you to wonder what will happen next. I recommend it. There is one thing I wasn't expecting was the end. You will see why.

'What I Like About...' Seto Koji

I should have done this a long time ago since I admire him so much but laziness got the best of me. Seto Koji, born 18 May 1988...such difference between years...Unfortunately I was born in 1994. Anyway, this young man is absolutely amazing when it comes to acting. He's not that gorgeous (I've seen hotter guys) but he has something that gets you to like him. He has the talent to attract people and get them immersed in whatever role he has. I think he's in every drama I watched intently. Most of the time, I don't even know he plays in the dramas I chose. It's an 18 May thing lol. Now, seriously, he's a brilliant actor. The peak of his acting career, until now, for me is definitely Koizora. It's such a heartbreaking character and he ends up with so many feelings that he has to manipulate and master. His other roles, for example in Atashinchi no Danshi or Tumbling aren't that big and troublesome. So yes, that's my opinion. However, he does great in any role and I appreciate that. He knows what characters he can play and what not; he's smart. Also, he seems to have great chemistry with Yusuke Yamamoto, since they played in more than one drama. I love them:D In Runway Beat I loved everything. His acting was good, though I would have liked if he would have ended up with Mei. As a side note, he looks so good as Biito and as a designer. :D

Regarding his musical skills, I did hear him singing and I can't say he's extraordinary. He's acceptable, even more than acceptable but he doesn't express the same amount of emotions like he does while acting. He's awesome on the scene and I find him funny but I guess he attracts me more when he's acting. Anyway, he does worth the nickname Setomaru. He is incredibly talented in more than one thing. He's very versatile as a person. But I do believe he's a little bit too good. It's weird because he does act a lot like me, from what I've seen, but at the same time, he doesn't. It's quite something. 

Atashinchi no Danshi

I actually talked about this drama in other posts but never thought to make one for it, until now. Atashinchi no Danshi (My Boys) is about family. Now, in this series, the term of homeless is used differently. As in, the people who have no house are referenced to as 'net cafe refuges'. It got me thinking when I first read this on WikiDrama but they actually use it throughout the plot. Anyway, Chisato is a 20 years old girl who got into the current situation because of her father who had to pay back a debt. One day she meets this weird looking guy, who practically does fall from the sky, Shinzo, and he offers to pay the money for her. I was perplexed, again, when he told her to marry him in return and even more surprised when, after he died, left her be the 'mother' of his six adopted children. Now, you'll find out what happens next if you watch it and you should. It's a great drama. Maki Horikita plays really well even though, sometimes, her character annoys me. She always needs some nudges to make the right decision. Osamu Mukai plays Sho Okura and I already expressed my feelings towards his character, who impresses me throughout the plot. Besides that, Osamu is a hottie and Sho matches his style, in my point of view, as an actor. Next, the older Okura is Fuu, played by Kaname Jun. He turns the tables around when he, finally, gets his head back on earth and  (even thought it was about his 'macho life') he chooses to help Chisato with her 'motherly' duties. Yusuke Yamamoto is also in Atashinchi no Danshi and he plays the model guy, who is afraid of being close to females, Masaru. I got a little freaked out when I saw how he acted but got accustomed after a few episodes. However, there are some very weird scenes that got me thinking. Anyway, he does a good job at portraying his character.

Now, I know everyone knows how much of a Seto Koji fan I am, even if I want it or not. It seems that any movie/drama I watch, he's there. I don't do it voluntarily, it's just that he acts in good movies/dramas. He portrays Satoru Okura and his character is supposed to be a magician who, because of his parents, got into a scandal and people started to question his skills. In the end, he develops a trust issue and doesn't want to get out of his room. Now, there's also the badass looking guy, the second Okura, Takeru (Okada Yoshinori), who's the goofy one (in a way). He really made the drama so much better. His character shows that not everything is what it seems, mostly when we talk about humans. The youngest Okura member is the 12 years old Akira (played by Okayama Tomoki) who is extremely intelligent but doesn't want to get involved in the so called family whatsoever.

They all have their own life stories since they have been adopted by Shinzo. However, there are some other reasons the old man got these six boys and girl into his house and forced them, in a more subtle way, to become a family. Chisato's presence proves to be needed and the boys all gravitate around her. She helps them overcome their fears and issues and she is the one to unites them. There are also some romantic things going on at some point but I'm not giving spoilers.

Go, go and watch it. You'll find it very interesting ;)

   

Koizora (Sky of Love)

Even though it's an old drama, I found it recently and watched it. I have to stay I thought the whole plot sounds a little cliché and I could see myself not liking it, however, I did. It touched me to the point of crying my eyes out in front of the screen. I didn't know Seto Koji was in it until I looked closer at Hiro and found him very familiar. Anyway, the story is common but they way they make it happen is just beautiful. The actors made it all greater and the director had a strict idea in his or her head and transcended good the feelings.

The story, which I heard and read that it is true and real, is about this high school girl, Mika, who out of the blue is kissed by one of her classmates, Hiro. He stands out in the crowd because of his hair colour and piercing (which in real world is something quite common these days, where I live) and apparently, he's already dating someone. However, he breaks up with her and starts to date Mika. The two go through some awful times but their love comes through everything and they stick together, like a pure and decent couple. Unfortunately, the end is heartbreaking. I won't say how it ends because it would be a huge spoiler but I could feel my heart break and I cried lakes because of it. It's so sad but somehow, the drama (which has just 6 episodes) is so amazing. It makes you think and realise how meaningful someone's presence can become and how much of a difference it can make. The scenes and the comparison of life and nature is also real well done and it completes everything.

You should definitely give it a shot. 

Tumbling

Tumbling is one of the dramas who actually had a big impact on me. As a director/screenwriter wannabe I found the subject very catchy. What led me to this drama is...Yusuke Yamamoto. I first saw him in Ouran High School Host Club series and I thought he portrays a really authentic Tamaki. Next, I believe was Hana Kimi, and that role suited him well enough too and of course Atashinchi no Danshi, where I got a little freaked out in the beginning but after a few episodes, you kind of get the point of the subject.Anyway, in Tumbling he plays the role of a supposedly badass and evil guy who reeks havoc wherever he goes. He does play the role well, I was impressed by his acting, but I already had a different image in my head and they confronted and made a big mess. But the plot is really interesting.

One very big positive point at this drama is that it's not about love or anything cliché. There's just this bully type of guy who has to do some extra activity so he can pass. Nothing extraordinary here but he decides to get into the boys rhythmic gymnastic club (the reason being at first a girl) and he meets people who, eventually, have a huge impact on his life (which are just three). He changes, slowly but surely, and he becomes this trustworthy and beautiful person. There are a lot of situations they have to go through like a member of the group being homosexual or the personal life each wants to keep hidden. What I'm trying to say is that the subject is friendship. Where's friendship, there's trust, there's help, there's happiness and it will always exist, no matter what, because that's what true friends are for. A friend in need is a friend indeed, after all.

Anyway, Koji's role is the leader of the boys rhythmic gymnastic club and he lives his dream because of Azuma. They go through rough times and they are made fun of but each character has his own story, his own issues and it captivates you from the start. The tumbling world is quite difficult and each time I watch these actors do those moves I am amazed.

I don't think this drama has bad points, at least  from my perception over the subject. I do believe it moves fast but if they would have made it longer I guess viewers would've gotten bored. That's actually a bad point at Hana Kimi and OHSHC, where there was enough material to prolong the series at least three more episodes.