I’m pretty spaced out about the Fall 2012 J-dorama season, which is once again chock full of odds and ends that I’m not interested in. So far I’ve only checked out Akumu-chan, and that was partially due to the curiosity over the first episode’s solid ratings and because I still have some good will towards Kitagawa Keiko despite her turning in one of the worst performances committed to celluloid in the Paradise Kiss movie. This Sunday night will bring me back to following my first of two J-doramas this season with the premiere of MONSTERS with Katori Shingo and Yamashita Tomohisa. This is a cop procedural dorama that doesn’t even pretend to shoehorn in awkward love stories, instead coming off like a buddy cop version of the quirky and rather adorable lady of the house-butler detective mystery Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de with Keiko and Sakurai Sho. Shingo plays a veteran detective that has a reputation for being a crazy MoFo case-cracker, while Yamapi is his rookie cop partner. I’ve loving the trailer that shows Yamapi reverting back to his comedic roots as his character is earnest, not-terribly-bright, and desperately wanting to succeed. I foresee Shingo tormenting him immensely and enjoying it tremendously. I’m still baffled by why Japan hasn’t done a dorama pairing up KimuTaku and Yamapi. I swear the chemistry and dynamic will write itself, plus the fangirl bases for both guys will surely bring in decent enough ratings. It was cute watching the P-chan versus Yamapi-chan battle in SMAPxSMAP earlier this year, but that was like getting a treat and I want a full meal.
I’m thrilled that Yamapi is back looking handsome and healthy, rocking a decent hairstyle, and losing some of his recent gauntness which has dogged him since he lost tons of weight two years ago to film Ashita no Joe. For the dorama, Shingo and Yamapi collaborated to sing the theme song also called “MONSTERS” and its a catchy enough ditty. During last week’s SMAP Live Tour 2012 concert in Tokyo, Yamapi made a surprise guest appearance towards the end of the concert and performed the single onstage with Shingo. Another random element of this dorama is that Yamapi’s character has a beloved girlfriend of four years now turned fiancee played by Yanagihara Kanako, who I am not dissing by describing as a plus-sized actress. Turns out Yamapi and Kanako’s characters love each other quite a lot in the dorama and he doesn’t have a problem with her weight because he has a love of round things. I’m thrilled a dorama is allowing a male lead to have a non-stick thin girlfriend and present it like its totally a non-issue, which is should be. If MONSTERS turn out to be entertaining then I’ll finally have a Yamapi dorama to follow again.
Yamapi and Shingo on King’s Brunch (includes trailer for MONSTERS and snippets from them performing the single on SMAP Live Tour 2012):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQGOvKjP014
Been looking forward to this! Shingo and Tomo-chan are the dream, much more so than K-San in my book. And I absolutely love Yanagihara Kanako!! She’s hilarious and adorable. Can’t wait!
I’m actually watching Kekkon Shinai as well. The first ep was a little marriage speak heavy handed but it was the intro, so I suppose that’s the point. Gonna watch it though, out of complete loyalty to the actors and I’d honestly watch Tamaki pick his nose for ten eps. Plus he and Miho have wonderful chemistry.
Hope MONSTERS rounds out my jodorama goodies. Love crime and I greatly enjoy Japanese procedurals. I plan to peek at K-san’s Priceless but there are absolutely no promises there.
I checked it out for hiroshi tamaki 😀 still don’t know how it’ll turn out though…
Akumu-chan also seems interesting.. Dunno about everything else though
Started watching Kekkon Shinai too and like it.
Monsters looks like a crazy ride. Will check it out for sure.
Not watching, sorry Pi. (if they just would do a Kurosagi 2……)
I’m planning on watching Ooku when the subs are finished because I really love the manga.
Kekkon Shinai based on the fist ep was interesting, as was Going my home with Abe Hiroshi and Miazaki Aoi.
But I’m definitely watching Yuusha Yoshihiko to Akuryo no Kagi with Yamada Takayuki, it’s just such a hilarious low budget rpg dorama as they refer it as.
aww, LOVing Yamapi’s character already! That screenshot of him & his fiancee is too adorbs. He’s grown into such a fine man! <3
Yamapi is back with a drama! YAAAAY!
Aw, the video is private! 🙁
hi koala, do you watch non romance and non detective japanese dramas like renzoku family or comedy dramas?
just curious if you know abe hiroshi. he has a new show titled Going My Home which is interesting. its one of those subdued family shows and ever since i watched him in the show kekkon dekinai otoko ive been hooked on his acting and been following him ever since.