Lucky Seven

I love Lucky Seven. Every episode brought smile to my face and never failed to make me laugh.

What to say? I really enjoyed every episode of this drama. I enjoyed the interaction between characters, either one to another or as a group. I especially enjoyed the Nitta-Shuntaro “relationship” because it was so much fun, regardless of their insults.

There was a scene when Nitta Teru (Eita) had to run but before he could, Tokita Shuntaro (Matsumoto Jun) faced him. “Confronted” would not suit their position. They were literally at each other’s face and I thought, “Man, that’s so close!” I even thought that they looked like about to kiss each other.

Well, it’s so Nitta.

Can’t really remember what prompted me to watch Lucky Seven, though I’ve reckoned this before. I think it’s because I was looking for something mentally-stimulating. A detective drama like Lucky Seven seemed a sensible option. Besides, I sort of “trust” Matsumoto acting decently. I don’t mean to insult him.

I also enjoyed the character of Mizuno Asuka (Naka Riisa). I liked it that she’s not one Mary Sue. And albeit being a detective, she was actually unusually slow in assessment and conclusion. But I still enjoyed watching Asuka. I believe her weaknesses only made the character genuine, convincing, and more interesting.

The Lucky Seven Detective Agency seemed to be stripped off of senior-junior formalities. I actually liked it. There was still a professional respect for each other, but their personal interaction prevailed most of the time.

If it was a typical or traditional Japanese company, everyone except for Tsukushi Masayoshi (Kadono Takuzo) and the agency’s president Fujisaki Touko (Matsushima Nanako), should be paying ‘respect’ to Asahi Junpei (Oizumi Yo). But everyone, without exception, enjoyed the liberty of making fun of the office’s chief. And his poor dating skills or knowledge when it came to women, just made him an easy target. It’s also fun whenever he would try to get back at the junior staff, or perhaps just Shuntaro and Asuka. It also seemed like he couldn’t directly get to Nitta. Interesting.

When Touko looked at the application form of Shuntaro, I laughed at the choice of photo. It reminded me of Naruto. I wish though that I could do the same, though it’s definitely unlikely.

I was actually surprised with the intense physical involvement of Matsumoto in Lucky Seven. Sure I’ve seen him punched some guys in another dramas, but this was different. He was so cool! But there was one thing I didn’t like in Shuntaro, especially as the series progressed. Whenever he smiled, smirked, and moved as if saying “I told you,” he just reminded me of Domyouji Tsukasa. I find it bothersome.

It would’ve been nice if Matsumoto tried smiling differently, smirking differently. But when I thought about it, I wondered if such resemblance was not hard to miss, on my part, because I’ve watched Lucky Seven and Hana Yori Dango in the same year.

That’s why I missed Nitta more. His interaction with Shuntaro seemed to keep Matsumoto from appearing like Domyouji. Besides his effect on everyone, I missed his eccentric side. Nitta was just so much fun to watch. I’ve always looked forward to seeing him in each episode.

Lucky Seven wa hontou ni omoshiroi deshita. I was watching it on a fast pace then I realized that I was already on the last episodes. I almost went on panicking because Nitta was not a prominent presence compared to the office’s water dispenser.

The fighting scenes were nice though there were some that were too show-off. They were well choreographed, but I’d prefer to have something more spontaneous. And probably crazy.

I’m definitely looking forward to Lucky Seven SP. And truth be told, I already miss this drama, everyone at the Lucky Seven Detective Agency. It’s like it was filled with a lot of good vibes. 大好き! And I hope that Matsumoto Jun showed no trace of Domyouji Tsukasa in the SP.

The scenes I loved the most usually involved Nitta, or Asuka picking on Shuntaro. But there was one epic scene that I really loved. If I were to describe it in my mother tongue, sobrang benta!

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Originally posted on: 14 July 2013

Reposted on: 07 August 2013

Kimi wa Petto

Kimi wa Petto was one of those fast-paced dramas I’ve ever watched. There’s just no stopping with its interesting plot and refreshing craziness from Momo.

I love Momo (Matsumoto Jun) as much as I love Enrique (Shin Yoo Shin) of Flower Boy Next Door. They’re so refreshing and a source of good vibes, but only next to Nakatsu Shuichi (Ikuta Toma) of Hana Kimi. Still, I’d like to have a pet like Momo. If only that’s sensible and possible.

The plot was definitely unusual and sort of unbelievable. However, as I watched each episode I’ve realized that there might be people in such “feeling,” not necessarily situation or circumstance. Real life situations just have another face to it. Perhaps there really is a relationship like that. People just don’t have the “pet” label.

Iwaya Sumire (Koyuki) was a character I could relate to, minus the very high achievements and position. Not saying I am like her but I understood her. Besides, there were things she did that I wouldn’t do, e.g. consultation with a Psychologist and sharing secrets with Shirotae Yuri (Suzuki Sarina). I’m not the type who would do such things. Anyway, Iwaya’s icy countenance and character were just a tip of the iceberg.

See? I told you I could relate to her.

Sumire-chan was exactly the kind of person whom she is when with Momo/Goda Takeshi. I loved that truthfulness, so I hated it when she was all nervous and prone to lying when around her senpai Hasumi Shigehito (Tanabe Seiichi). I’d understand it if she’d hide Momo from him but she just lost her real self as their relationship went on. Am I already spoiling? Well, I haven’t given the details.

Before I talk about Momo and Goda Takeshi, I’d like to make a special mention on Ishida Yuta (Sato Ryuta) or simply just his hair. It was, I don’t know how to put it. It looked like a lion’s mane! My goodness. That was just too much.

It made me wonder if they really let people with such hairdo. Yes, it’s Japan, the land of Manga and Anime, but it’s still a corporate environment. There should be obvious bounderies.

I don’t know how to begin talking about Momo. I just adore him. I guess I have to thank Matsumoto for portraying the character very well. Like Ikuta Toma as Nakastu, I can’t imagine anyone playing Momo except Matsumoto Jun.

There were a lot of Momo scenes that I loved. I think it was so cute and adorable how Momo told Sumire-chan that he’s hungry for breakfast on episode 2. His reactions during bath time were also cute.

And whenever he’d go all-out as a pet dog, I’d die of cuteness inside that I wanted to hug our dogs.
They just haven’t had their baths yet so I restrained. I kind of envied Sumire when Momo becomes Momo.

At the same time, I admire how Momo tried to keep his composure for the sake of Sumire, his master. It made me wonder how I might’ve hurt our dogs.

Like some, or most, pets that tend to catch a master’s attention, Momo had also done crazy stuff. I’m glad I wasn’t his master because I’d really punish him for what he did. I just can’t imagine Momo soaking my favourite books. But because I wasn’t his master, I just laughed it off.

As Matsumoto Jun as Momo was really kawaii, he was as Goda Takeshi, the dancer, sugoi. Hontou ni! I haven’t been impressed with Matsumoto as a dancer until I saw him danced in Kimi wa Petto. I think modern dance suits him. I was just impressed. I think I’d prefer to watch him perform as “Goda Takeshi” than watch an Arashi concert. Of course, I won’t refuse a free tix to the latter.

Albeit a romantic-comedy series, watching Kimi wa Petto was also like having a visit to the shrink. I was happy for Sumire for being brave enough to talk to people, although just to the resident psychologist and her friend Yuri, regarding her situation. Speaking of Yuri, I like how she gets along and not get along with Momo.

Things I have forgotten about my own psyche have been reminded to me. I’ve also learned new things. The Shrink even said, “There is a train of thought that modern women only need a lifelong friendship with a pet.” Still, I will never yield to looking “cute and dummy” in front of men. To quote Iwaya Sumire, “I’d rather die than…”

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Originally posted on: 3 May 2013
Reblogged on: 3 August 2013

Saigo no Yakusoku

I’ve read the plot of Saigo no Yakusoku before but I didn’t watch it right away because of two reasons: 1, All of the Arashi members were casted; 2, The poster was just making me, “What’s with this?” Like, seriously? I wasn’t buying it.

I usually try to figure some, if not all, stuff in a suspense drama/movie/book so I’ve been trying to see things through as soon as Mashiko Satoru (Ohno Satoshi) was getting closer to the building. He and Tomizawa Yukio (Sakurai Sho) were my main concern.

Yes, I was short of three more prospects. But I was definitely able to figure out the 90-minute limit. No Football fan will fail to relate 90 minutes to the beautiful game.

It was pretty interesting how the other three Arashi members’ characters -Tanada Akira (Aiba Masaki), Yamagiwa Shuji (Ninomiya Kazunari), and Gotou Nozomu (Matsumoto Jun) – became involved in the building-wide hostage.

As for the ending of this drama special, I thought it was unusual in a way that it’s missing something to convince me. I’m not even sure what it was but I think something’s not there.

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Originally posted on: 31 March 2013

Reposted on: 3 August 2013

Bambino!

As I couldn’t get over with Osamu Mukai in Osen, I decided to watch Hungry!, where he’s the lead actor. However, I was having some difficulty watching it so I decided to check others. I found Bambino! but I am not fond of Jun Matsumoto. I thought I’d ask around and my friend/GC-sister Aya recommended Bambino! I then gave it a try. I’m glad I did.

Osamu Mukai was also there. Yokatta ne.

According to WikiAddicts, Bambino! was “a drama adaptation of a popular comic written by Sekiya Tetsuji. After a year of working at a neighborhood Italian restaurant, Ban Shogo (Matsumoto Jun), an enthusiastic, cocky young college student from Fukuoka, comes to Tokyo to perfect his cooking skills as a chef in Italian cuisine. He discovers he has much to learn and has to continually prove himself to the very competitive, quick and efficient staff at the upscale Italian restaurant.”

At first, I didn’t like Ban. But like the other characters in the drama, I began to loosen up and like him. I’ve also realized that we have some similarities, and that I should learn from him.

Also, I couldn’t help but keep on thinking that Matsumoto looks like Angel Locsin. Look at the following pictures:

Look again.

See? Since I realized that, I couldn’t stop thinking how they look the same. Yeah, I already said that. Besides that, I’ve also realized that Matsumoto Jun is a good actor. He was natural.

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Also posted on: 02 August 2013