I don't have time to go into full detail about this show. But if you want to see a complete review. Come check Japanator's review on this show.
I don't even have to mention that this stars Matsumoto Jun. This Arashi star has made any JDrama that he's in pretty dayam good.
This drama follows the usual underdog formula. Kid from a small town wants to be a big time chef. So kid goes to a big time restaurant and discovers everything isn't as easy as it was in the small town. So this story is about Matsumoto Jun a.k.a. Bambino working his way from the bottem to the top.
I myself am a fan of cooking, especially italian food. This show just made me hungry and wanted to watch more.
As I'm sure you know if your a JDrama fan that the actors of these shows get recycled and get paired up with the many different actors out there. For example actors from Gokusen could be paired up with actors from Hana Yori Dango to act in a totally new show. For this case you have actors/actresses from Bambino!, Hana Yori Dango and Nodame Cantible in one show. What's the show you ask? Well that would be Love Shuffle.
First off let me thank Queerbeet for subbing this show, and mass props to all the fansubbers out there. Support the fansubbers and not the streaming sites.
Now the whole premise of this show would not even be considered for American TV due to the fact of all the promiscuity going on. The show is about these 4 characters (3 guys and 1 girl), who all live in the same apartment complex. One day they get stuck in a elevator so they all introduce themselves and talk about their problems with their lovelives. Each has a problem with their current partner but are not really sure how to solve it. So what idea do the 4 come up with to solve their problem... exchange partners. Thats right, a total of 4 couples trade a partner for a week and do whatever they want. Now don't think its just them exchanging partners just to have sex all the time. On the contrary, this "Love Shuffle" is to see if their true loves were the first loves they started will. Will their faithfullness be tested, will bonds be broken? Anything can happen in the love shuffle.
Now what got me interested in checking out this Drama was seeing the commercial with all it's star power. I mean you got Chiaki from Nodame Cantible, one of the Members of the F4, and you have one of the chefs from Bambino. I really felt I had to see one episode. And I don't regret checking out this Drama. Watching this drama makes you realize how good Tamaki Hiroshi actually is. Because in Nodame Cantible, Tamiki plays as a really strong minded person. In Love Shuffle, he's more of a weakling. But when he plays his roles, he plays it to the tee.
The whole cast of characters is a interesting bunch, you have a really strong and straight forward woman, and weak minded businessman, a womanizing photographer, and a gentle psychiatrist. Now when watching this show, it will definitely not be straight forward. It won't be a exchange partners then choose type of story. Because they do add twist and turns to the show to make you really think, who will end up with who.
Normally I would gripe about how dramas being 11 episodes or less are too short. But for this one, I really think 10 episodes fit this series really well. The use of old school english love songs adds a extra touch to the show.
If you have enough time to watch 10 episodes and is a fan of any of the J-Actors mentioned above. I would recommend checking Love Shuffle out.
Ok so I've been on this live action binge lately. But I'm still checking out the latest anime. But there are a ton of shows out there that are pretty entertaining. I'm going to highlight some of the shows from the past couple years to watch. Some honorable mentions include Gokusen, Hana Kimi, Hana Yori Dango and Densha Otoko
But today I'm going to cover Celeb to Binbo Taro
One thing that I like about JDramas is that they keep familiar stories fresh. This can be seen in the show Celeb To Binbo or literally Celebrity and Poor Person. The star of the shows Attention Please and the movie Azumi Ueto Aya stars as Alice alongside co-star Crows Zero star Kamiji Yusuke as Taro. Kind hearted but poor father of three Taro tries his best when it comes to life, he cares about his family and friends very much. And even though he doesn't have much to work with or a wide range of skills, Taro is a very hard worker. Alice on the other hand is at the top of the food chain, born into wealth, Alice is a famous fashion designer that has expensive taste. I wouldn't really compare her to a Paris Hilton because Alice in this show actually runs a company instead of just partying. Taro always gets the short end of the stick finding himself in dire situations such as finding out ways of feeding his children. Alice on the other hand is one of those "I want it right now" type of people.
As fate would have it, Alice is in need of a new limo driver and Taro decides to apply. Alice hires Taro sensing something different from him. The story continues as we meet the enemies of Alice which includes past lovers and a evil Step Mother (no pun intended). Both Alice and Taro begin to fall for each other, but will the worlds of the rich and poor prevent them from being together?
Being a fan of Ueto Aya, I decided to give this show a chance. And I don't regret giving it a chance. The mixture of comedy and romance for this show is a perfect combination. Now Ueto Aya doesn't have her outgoing attitude which you saw in the show Attention Please. But she does play the role of rich celebrity to the tee. There will be times where you watch this show and you wonder if Taro will prevail, because it looks like Taro just doesn't get a break in this show. But he continues to perservere. Without divulging much, the love triangles in this show does spice it up a bit. It comes to a point where you wonder who is going to stay with who. I would suggest checking out the previews at the end for the next episode because the previews is what got me to watch more. If your debating to watch this show, check it out. You'll definitely laugh and you'll definitely shed a tear or two trying to figure out if Alice will end up with Taro.
So this show gets a thumbs up in my book. Check it out if you have time to check out 13 episodes of a show.
Tripped on this video today. For those who are fans of 8 bit video games or Ikimono Gakari. This is a great music video from them. The song is called Kimagure Romantic.
If your a big Macross Frontier, then you guys know that episode 20 is crazy. Being a big fan of music with animation. The minute they played this song with the ending, I was close to tears. If your not sure what I'm talking about, check out the serious for yourself. It is pretty good. I might just have to put a review of it on here. But for the time being, this song is now going to be put on repeat on my playlist for awhile.
kami-sama ni koi wo shiteta koro wa konna wakare ga kuru towa omottenakatta yo mou nido to furerarenai nara semete saigo ni mou ichido dakishimete hoshikatta yo
It's long long good-bye...
sayonara sayonara nando datte jibun ni mujou ni iikikasete te wo furu nowa yasashisa dayo ne? ima tsuyosa ga hoshii
anata ni deai STAR kagayaite atashi ga umarete aisureba koso i areba koso kibou no nai kiseki wo matte dou naru no? namida ni nijimu hoshi no matataki wa gone...
wasurenai yo anata no nukumori mo sono yasashisa mo subete tsutsunde kureta ryoute mo It's long long good-bye...
sayonara sayonara itoshii hito anata ga ita kara aruite koreta hitori nanka jyanakatta yo ne? ima kotae ga hoshii
moeru you na ryuusei tsukamaete hi wo tomoshite aishiteitai aisaretetai hieta karada hitotsu de sekai wa dou naru no? haritsudzuketeta kyosei ga toketeku long for...
doushite nano? namida afurete tomerarenai
anata ni deai STAR kagayaite atashi ga umarete aisureba koso i areba koso kibou no nai kiseki wo matte dou naru no? namida ni nijimu hoshi no matataki wa gone...
moshi umarekawatte mata meguriaeru nara sono toki mo kitto atashi wo mitsukedashite mou nido to hanasanaide tsukamaetete hitori jyanai to sasayaite hoshii planet...
English Translation
When I was still in love with god, I never expected such a farewell would come. If I had known I could never feel your touch again, I would've hoped to be embraced just one last time.
It's long long good-bye...
Goodbye, goodbye, so many times, I repeated the word to myself, Waving my hands. It's only graceful, right? Now, I long to be stronger.
I met you, the stars sparkled, and I was born. I love you, therefore I am. What good is waiting for a hopeless miracle? Through my tear-filled vision, the planet's twinkle is gone...
I can't ever forget your warmth, Your kindness, and your all-encompassing hands. It's long long good-bye
Goodbye, goodbye, my beloved. I came this far because you were here. I wasn't alone, was I? Now, I long for answers.
Catch a falling star that looks ablazed and light a fire, I still want to love, and I still want to be loved. What good is a lone freezing body to this world? I long for you to finally drop your act...
What's wrong? Why can't I stop my tears from overflowing?
I met you, the stars sparkled, and I was born. I love you, therefore I am. What good is waiting for a hopeless miracle? Through my tear-filled vision, the planet's twinkle is gone...
If we are reincarnated and can meet again some day, Please find me and hold me tight, And make sure you don't let go again. I wish the planet would whisper to me that I'm not alone...
Got this tidbit from the Animenewsnetwork. Japan's Oriental Light and Magic company created a music video for Kanye West's song "Good Morning." With this video being made in Japan, it is officially a anime music video. Mass props to the people to the people who made the music video because it is the #1 music video on itunes. I liked the song Good Morning to begin with, and this video just makes the song better. This is defintely going to be my theme song when I felt like I made it in this world. Peep it out. What do you think of the video?
While browsing for a new series to watch, I happened to notice Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. Now at first glance it may not be the best looking anime, but its content definitely makes up for what it lacks visually. I'm not saying that the animation is crappy, it has a bunch of great images that raises a eyebrow. But if your looking for an anime with characters with large incredible eye detail, this is not the show for you.
A little information about the anime, the story follows sensei Nozomu Itoshiki. Now Nozomu Itoshiki has the worst of luck. With his name having a unlucky number of strokes in his name, he gets the worst of luck. He's bad with money, no hope for a future and everything he does during his twilight years will backfire. He writes his name vertically because if you write his name horizontally it spells out DESPAIR. Thus the title Sayonare Zetsubou Sensei (Goodbye Teacher Despair).
Now with Nozomu believing he has the worst of luck, he tries to commit suicide. But thanks to fate, a student with a total positive outlook on life saves him. Later, he becomes the positive student's teacher. Still with a negative point of view on life, Nozomu tries to take out his problems on his students. Nozomu soon discovers that he's not the only one with problems in this world. His students have problems of their own.
When it comes to anime, there are two types, one type being totally off the wall with totally crazy facial expressions and a bunch of screaming. While the other type is the more serious tone which is more close to life like. I find Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei to be somewhere in between. This show has the humor that you see in off the wall anime while the characters still carry a straight face.
Now I have to be honest, when I first previewed the show, I thought this one wasn't that good. Later I noticed that a second season was in the works. Now if a show is getting a second season, they have to be doing something right. And I don't regret giving it a second chance. After watching the first episode, I had to complete the rest of the series.
The main character is pretty funny, especially on how he tries to share his woes with his students. But some of the problems that these students have are pretty off the wall. For example, there is a student who has an addiction of pulling animal tales. There is also a student who is extremely shy so she only communicates through text messages, but when she texts, she talks smack. Another student is a refugee from Mexico but for some reason knows Japanese and has a Japanese name. The list of issues goes on and on and each student with a vice gets their time to shine in this show. Now mix these students problems with the issues Zetsubou Sensei has the combination to a entertaining show.
This show is hilarious, aside from having a bunch of original content it also has a bunch of references from various shows and games. I only caught a few but the lists include Dragonball Z, Death Note, Final Fantasy and many others. Now it's not like Lucky Star where they tell you the reference upfront, your just doing to have to catch them yourself.
So if your in the mood for a good laugh and you got time to spare to watch 13 episodes. I highly recommend Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. If your on the lookout for this show, this show is subbed by [a.f.k.] and their in the works to sub season 2. Hope you enjoy, peace out.
*If this show gets licensed, please purchase the DVD. All reviews and lists are for promotional purposes only.
If you scheduled a date with someone, don't flake out on that person. You will hurt that persons feelings and that's not cool at all. Be warned, if you do flake. You might end up getting a grip of messages from the person like the example shown here:
Don't let this happen to you. Remember, they'll understand if you have other priorities.
Its been awhile since I posted something anime related. And it seems all the anime I want to post are licensed now. But you guys are in for a treat today. This anime's license is not official yet. So you guys can check it out as soon as I'm done reviewing it.
Now I've always been a fan of Gundam Wing and G Gundam. I never really was a big fan of Gundam Seed but this new Gundam that is showing in Japan right now, I think is really upholding the Gundam name. Now I read some reviews saying that Gundam 00 is just Gundam Wing or the current times. And in-a-way I think thats good. But this story I believe is original.
Here's the premise of the story. With fossil fuels no longer available, the world has to depend on Solar power. Solar power is taken by these large towers extending all the way into space to grab the solar power from the sun. Since there are 3 major towers, 3 Governments were created based on those powers. Of course with different forms of governments, conflicts arise and war is based on the control of all the Earth's power. Now this is where the gundams come in. Suddanly a mysterious neutral party comes claiming to be a group called "Celestial being." Celestial being claims to be a organization to prevent wars. Celestial being use the gundams to prevent war from happening.
Now there are mixed responses with these gundams, some people support them, some oppose of them. Nobody is really sure what is Celestial being's true motive is. But the governments really consider the Gundams a threat.
So far there are 8 episodes and I'm hooked to this show. This show sometimes leaves you in a clifhanger, and sometimes the show ends with a question of what's going to happen next. The cast of characters do seem similar to Gundam Wing, but not too similar. This is a fight between govenments, not between earth and a space colony. But I do like how they created a story similar to whats going on right now. This can be seen with the use of terrorist attacks and government wars.
The design of the gundams are pretty tight, to put it simply there's a sword fighter, a sharpshooter, a jet transformer, and a bazooka and canon shooting gundam. And the pilots for each of these Gundams are some bad asses.
All in all I think this show is pretty good. Now I heard they are making over 2 seasons of this show. So you guys might as well start watching the show now so you can say you saw this show from the beginning.
So I was listening to this song a couple days ago. And the song itself w/o the translation I thought was pretty good. But as I investigated on what the words mean. I found out that his is a really moving song. It actually made me want to learn the Japanese language all over again. To make sure I don't miss a good song like this again. Talking about trying to get over 1000 nights to say I love you. I never knew this song had such strong words. I hope you enjoy.
I would like to thank Asep Koswara for the lyrics.
“Sen No Yoru wo Koete” by Aqua timez (english Translation)
I want to be loved, but you don’t seem to love me I wander within that repetition I found one answer; that even if I’m scared, even if I’m hurt I can say “I love you” to the person who I love
Do you love me? Or not love me? As for things like that, it’s already fine either way No matter how I wish There are many unchangeable things in this world, right? That’s right, and because only the fact of my loving you Is the truth unchangeable by anyone
I want to overcome the thousands of nights and tell it to you There’s something that I must tell you I want to be loved, but you don’t seem to love me I wander within that repetition I found one answer; that even if I’m scared Even if I’m hurt, I can say “I love you” to the person who I love It’s scary to turn my feelings into words But I can say “I love you” to the person who I love
In this broad world, I can’t express the joy of encountering you with words So we smile, sing about the vividly passing autumn in do-re-mi Turn our backs on winter, wait for the sunlight streaming through trees in spring And become reborn anew, so that we can protect someone
On the path we came from and our destination, when we looked back, I’d always have timid eyes I want to face you, but I can’t be honest I, who repeated days of not being able to straightforwardly love my partner And hated being alone on that day Seemed to love people while unwounded
I’ll overcome the thousands of nights and go meet you now There is something that I must tell you I want to be loved, but you don’t seem to love me I wander within that repetition I found one answer; that even if I’m scared Even if I’m hurt, I can say “I love you” to the person who I love Even if those thoughts aren’t fulfilled, I can say “I love you” to the person who I love It’s the most wonderful thing in this world
I believe my Saturday is going to be a little bland. So here's a review.
This anime just started coming out on DVD. So please support the anime by purchasing the DVD. It's really a anime worth watching.
So the anime today is called Beck. Like I said in lovely complex, if your looking for flying robots, high speed action, and ninjas. This is not the anime for you. But if your looking for a coming of age anime with music with lyrics that pierce your soul. Then Beck is the anime for you.
Beck is the story about a young boy named Koyuki. Now Koyuki is trying to figure out where is his place in life, what was he meant to do. Koyuki normally listens to pop music which in Japanese culture is very uncool. One day while going out with Koyuki's friends, Koyuki meets Ryusuke Minami. Ryusuke intrudoces Koyuki to rock music and Koyuki becomes engulfed with the culture. After discovering that Koyuki has a good singing voice, Ryusuke invites Koyuki to be part of his band called Beck. Since Beck is taken in the US, they are known as Mongolian Chop Squad in the states. This anime covers the life of Koyuki from dealing with bullies, girls and the band.
There are many interesting characters in this anime. And this is definitely one of those animes where you want to see if Beck is going to make it. The music compliments the anime really well and the lyrics are really powerful. Being a big fan of their album, I would recommend checking out "Slip out" and "Moon on the Water"
I highly recommend this anime if your into a coming of age story and if you have big dreams. Because Koyuki prooves anybody can achieve their dreams.
I told myself that I would post up some anime recommendations. And here's the first one I had time to do. If you guys think anime is nothing but magical characters, ninjas and robots. You are way off. There are plenty of anime out there that deal with everydaylife from sports to relationships. And I have to say some of these relationship animes are very interesting. Either they bring a twist or bring out some scenes that you can relate to.
The one I would like to talk about today is called Lovely Complex. Its the story about a 5' 7" girl named Koizumi Risa and a 5'1" named Atsushi Otani. Koizumi and Otani are often referred to as a comdedic duo because they look so funny together. Now in the beginning, they decided to help each other out finding love because its hard to find a girl taller than Koizumi and its hard to find a girl shorter than Otani. But as the show progresses, Koizumi begins to fall for Otani. But Otani being dense as he is, he has no clue that Koizumi is jocking him.
The love roller coaster that these two go through take a lot of twist and turns from secret admirers to rejections. Like most anime, they do have the funny faces and large expressions. But this anime is really comedic and I highly recommend checking this show out. Kiss-sub is the group that subs this anime so mass props to them. So check this out before it gets licensed.
*This is for promotional use only. Please purchase the dvd when it gets licensed.
Music is a powerful tool. I believe that music can change the world. Whether its a song or a instrument. Music can convey emotions. Anime is an art form, stories are being told from japan with the use of animation. Now combine music and anime together and you have anime music video or amv for short. You know how sometimes music videos don't go along with the song. It's just a bunch a scenes put together to go along with the song. I mean there are countless rap videos where they talk about fighting and all there is, is club scenes. Anime music video can be a powerful tool to tell a story, not only do you use the lyrics from the music, but you can also provide a visual aid that goes along with the story.
My Big Bro was reading my blog and he said he pictures this video when he reads my blog. Which I can understand where he's coming from. I can relate to this video, there are some pretty powerful quotes. Take a gander.
Here's some other examples of pretty good amv's.
Sum 41 came out with a song called Pieces, I heard that song and totally felt the words. It talks about being on my own. Now add that with some scenes about being by yourself. Thats a good video.
I've always been a fan of Linkin Park, and with their new album, it just gets better. Their first single is called "What I've done" which I really felt was a good song for this anime called code geass. The song talks about your actions. And this anime is about revenge and the effects of your actions. I give a thumbs up on this one too.
When I learn about the programs, I'm going to create some AMV's because I have some visions too. But that won't be until later, but stay tuned because there's more to come.
I'm always a sucker for sentimental scenes. Not like I'm going to cry, but after watching one of these scenes I'm just like "dayam, that meant a lot." So this scene I found in an anime is where a Dad explains to his daughter why did his mother married him. This is happening while the spirit of the mother is watching on. The scene gets to me because I hope to have a sentimental scene like that one day. Hope you enjoy.
G.S.C. = God Sent Child = E.J's MC name. Music is very powerful, music can create emotions and provide expression. When people want a good playlist, they usually ask me to create one. Born and raised in SD, graduated from SDSU. Hung out with various groups from a fraternity, social clubs, to just people around the town. What you can expect from this blog are playlists for certain moods, random rants on stuff, anime recommendations. There's no set schedule so you'll just have to see it when it comes.
*All music and images are for promotional use only
