Hanazakari no Kimitachi e 2011 Episode 1
My opinions from the first episode! Subject to change of course as the season continues XD
Characters:
Mizuki: I think she made Mizuki a bit more resistant to the dorms' craziness. I hope she can make her own Mizuki, just like the other leads! After finishing the episode, I think I can root for this Mizuki. She seems genuine and really wants to improve her school...it's more believable I think :)
Sano and Nakatsu: Still not completely convinced by them yet. It's hard to shake their predecessors' shadows, but I think they can do it. I hope to see more development in the future!
Dorm heads: Most impressed by Oscar M. Himejima. He's just what I expected and more XD Tennoji is in character and Nanba is his womanizing self. He's more, um, grounded? Which I appreciate. He has a good scene where he's encouraging Mizuki and he seems more like a real dorm head as opposed to past Nanbas :)
Umeda: LOL Saito Takumi. Was NOT expecting that! But I think he'll be great as Umeda :D
Sekime: Totally down for this adaptation's Sekime. Wearing glasses like the original character and being goofy and slightly nerdy instead of just a tool to share exposition about the school's history. I'm down with that!
Noe: Haven't noticed him yet.
Kagurazaka: He's acting in character so far like the total ass that he should be. I want to see more of the Sano/Kagurazaka tension (and no Im not talking about sexually). But he seems to have a more direct connection with Mizuki now which is good.
Nakao: He's awesome! Totally small and girly and in love with Nanba. My second favorite! But my top favorite so far is...
Kayashima: He does the hand thing but with one hand now and he seems to have power over the weather now LOL And he's more snarky I think. He kindly shares his lunch with Mizuki when she couldn't get one and just as we all thought "oh how nice"...he wordlessly steals the lunch from the guy next to him. Slick. Adoring it XD
The plot: First it fools you into thinking that it's going to open exactly the same as the first season, but then there's a few twists and turns that steer you into other directions. I'm appreciating the differences they're throwing in here, and that there's a real purpose to the students and Mizuki now. It's not exactly like the first season and the character adaptations are not exactly the same either but keeps the same set and the same bgm. If this episode is any indication, the characters, episodes, and plot will be less cartoony than the first season but still maintain the same kind of energy, with what I think is more character development. I look forward to the rest of the season!! <3<3<3
In short? I think I'll enjoy this season :)
And as for the other dramas I've checked out so far:
Piece Vote: I only saw the last few minutes of the first episode so I can't really judge it yet, but it looks interesting!
Soredemo, Ikite Yuku: Definitely better than I expected. There's the slight mystery element regarding Aki's death and what exactly happened there that day. I'm really interested in hearing Kenji's (Kazama's) perspective on what really went on. I also like the awkward chemistry between Hiroki (Eita) and Futaba (Mitsushima Hikari).
Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro: This is a late night drama and airs the same time slot as Ouran so I can't guarantee I'll watch further episodes but it's hilarious, campy, and cheap. Oh and it has Yamada Takayuki. Just saying.
Don Quixote:Matsuda Shota plays a child welfare officer who's kind, wimpy, and dorky. One strange night he swaps bodies with a scary yakuza boss. Both actors are likable and it's pretty hilarious to watch them act as each other. I'll definitely keep watching this to keep myself entertained.
Has anyone else been catching the shows this season? What do you think?
Characters:
Mizuki: I think she made Mizuki a bit more resistant to the dorms' craziness. I hope she can make her own Mizuki, just like the other leads! After finishing the episode, I think I can root for this Mizuki. She seems genuine and really wants to improve her school...it's more believable I think :)
Sano and Nakatsu: Still not completely convinced by them yet. It's hard to shake their predecessors' shadows, but I think they can do it. I hope to see more development in the future!
Dorm heads: Most impressed by Oscar M. Himejima. He's just what I expected and more XD Tennoji is in character and Nanba is his womanizing self. He's more, um, grounded? Which I appreciate. He has a good scene where he's encouraging Mizuki and he seems more like a real dorm head as opposed to past Nanbas :)
Umeda: LOL Saito Takumi. Was NOT expecting that! But I think he'll be great as Umeda :D
Sekime: Totally down for this adaptation's Sekime. Wearing glasses like the original character and being goofy and slightly nerdy instead of just a tool to share exposition about the school's history. I'm down with that!
Noe: Haven't noticed him yet.
Kagurazaka: He's acting in character so far like the total ass that he should be. I want to see more of the Sano/Kagurazaka tension (and no Im not talking about sexually). But he seems to have a more direct connection with Mizuki now which is good.
Nakao: He's awesome! Totally small and girly and in love with Nanba. My second favorite! But my top favorite so far is...
Kayashima: He does the hand thing but with one hand now and he seems to have power over the weather now LOL And he's more snarky I think. He kindly shares his lunch with Mizuki when she couldn't get one and just as we all thought "oh how nice"...he wordlessly steals the lunch from the guy next to him. Slick. Adoring it XD
The plot: First it fools you into thinking that it's going to open exactly the same as the first season, but then there's a few twists and turns that steer you into other directions. I'm appreciating the differences they're throwing in here, and that there's a real purpose to the students and Mizuki now. It's not exactly like the first season and the character adaptations are not exactly the same either but keeps the same set and the same bgm. If this episode is any indication, the characters, episodes, and plot will be less cartoony than the first season but still maintain the same kind of energy, with what I think is more character development. I look forward to the rest of the season!! <3<3<3
In short? I think I'll enjoy this season :)
And as for the other dramas I've checked out so far:
Piece Vote: I only saw the last few minutes of the first episode so I can't really judge it yet, but it looks interesting!
Soredemo, Ikite Yuku: Definitely better than I expected. There's the slight mystery element regarding Aki's death and what exactly happened there that day. I'm really interested in hearing Kenji's (Kazama's) perspective on what really went on. I also like the awkward chemistry between Hiroki (Eita) and Futaba (Mitsushima Hikari).
Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro: This is a late night drama and airs the same time slot as Ouran so I can't guarantee I'll watch further episodes but it's hilarious, campy, and cheap. Oh and it has Yamada Takayuki. Just saying.
Don Quixote:Matsuda Shota plays a child welfare officer who's kind, wimpy, and dorky. One strange night he swaps bodies with a scary yakuza boss. Both actors are likable and it's pretty hilarious to watch them act as each other. I'll definitely keep watching this to keep myself entertained.
Has anyone else been catching the shows this season? What do you think?