I have a new Spring J-dorama to look forward to and it totally blends together what Japan does so well. Yamashita Tomohisa is returning to the small screen to headline the J-dorama adaptation of popular manga In Hand. The visual conceit is that the male lead a super smart parasitologist has a black prosthetic arm for a replacement hand but … Continue reading →
I only watched a few J-doramas this year in 2018 but most of the ones I did made the top 10 list of most highly rated J-doramas on China’s massive Douban platform. With hundreds of thousands of votes, forensic medical dorama Unnatural took top ranking for this year and I totally agree because I was thoroughly addicted. Also on the … Continue reading →
The TW-drama In Time With You from 2011 feels like another lifetime ago, a time when Taiwan still made good idol dramas and in fact had genuinely improved on the quality from just cute to insightful. I haven’t watched a TW-drama through in a couple of years and don’t even recognize the current crop of drama actors and actresses but … Continue reading →
The summer 2018 J-doramas are done or nearly done with airing and there were three big name cast ones caught my eye. Ueno Juri was back with the J-remake of Good Doctor and Ishihara Satomi was being her most fabulous self with Takane no Hana (English title Born to be a Flower), but the ratings winner ended up being Ayase … Continue reading →
For those who want a throwback good time then check out recently completed J-dorama Hana Nochi Hare, the sequel to hit manga franchise Hana Yori Dango (Boys Before Flowers). I legit adore this story in both the manga (which I marathoned one weekend and need moar) and the dorama adaptation with fresh leads Hirano Sho, Sugisaka Hana, and Nakagawa Taisho. … Continue reading →
I’m triply stoked for the summer 2018 J-dorama season, and in general have enjoyed the last three dorama seasons with always one show I get hooked on to watch. Summer ’18 has three high profile top actresses with anticipated series coming – Ishihara Satomi gets to play the cultured straight woman in Takane no Hana as the refined ikebana (flower … Continue reading →
Oh man, the J-dorama version of Good Doctor may be the third to arrive at the party but it’s just smashed the casting squee by pulling back the curtains on the roles outside of the casting of Dorama It Boy Yamazaki Kento as the male lead. Kento will be joined by Ueno Juri as the female lead and Fujiki Naohito … Continue reading →
This may be the most profitable K-drama in terms of licensing, I’m going to have to do a deep dive into the annals to find whether there has been another K-drama licensed to two or more other countries for remaking. The medical drama Good Doctor is confirmed to be remade into a J-dorama starring J-ent dorama It Male Lead Yamazaki … Continue reading →
This news makes me so happy and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. J-actor Matsumoto Jun is confirmed to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming J-dorama adaptation of the sequel manga to Hana Yori Dango. The story about the new generation of students at the storied high school is called Hana Nochi Hare (Hana Yori Dango: The Next Season) … Continue reading →
The first batch of 2018 J-doramas have wrapped up as the winter 2018 lineup has all finished airing and the spring 2018 doramas have arrived. I’m still playing catch up on two doramas but for the first that I’ve finished it’s easily a solid win and entertaining from start to end. Forensic medical dorama Unnatural with Ishihara Satomi and Iura … Continue reading →
This is cute news that’s harmless yet potentially filled enough to get shippers excited. J-ent is reporting that Hoshino Gen has moved right down the street from his most famous leading lady costar Aragaki Yui. The two starred in the hit rom-com We Married as a Job (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu) and since then fans of the … Continue reading →
I tend to forget how well Japan adapts its own mangas due to playing up the visuals to match the source material. The first stills and teaser are out for the J-dorama adaptation Hana Nochi Hare otherwise known as Boys Before Flowers Season 2. Starring Sugisaki Hana, Hirano Sho, and Nakagawa Taishi, the drama picks up a years after the … Continue reading →
I had to do my math a few times to confirm that it’s been 22 years (22!!!) since the career making J-dorama Long Vacation that launched into J-dorama leading man super stardom Kimura Takuya. It’s not his highest rated J-dorama but it was definitely the one that put him on the map and made him a heartthrob throughout Asia for … Continue reading →
