GANTZ Perfect Answer

Rate 8.8/10

Cast

• Kazunari Ninomiya as Kei Kurono
• Kenichi Matsuyama as Masaru Kato
• Yuriko Yoshitaka as Tae Kojima
• Kanata Hongo as Joichiro Nishi
• Takayuki Yamada as Masamitsu Shigeta
• Natsuna Watanabe as Kei Kishimoto
• Tomorowo Taguchi as Yoshikazu Suzuki
• Gou Ayano as Kurofuku Ichi
• Ayumi Ito as Eriko Ayukawa

The continuation of GANTZ, this movie follows Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) as he keeps fighting and undergoes the missions from GANTZ. He tries to save as many people as possible by taking the lead in fighting aliens. As they continue to battle, their enemies are getting stronger. Then suddenly, Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) comes back.

If the first movie was amazing, then this sequel will give you twice of the amazement. The plot is so much better, it only gets better as the story progresses. Each scene will make your mind blows. There are  a lot of new characters and every one of them is superb. Every character is essential to the movie and each scene entangles into a jaw dropping ending. I love and hate the ending at the same time. The effects is as phenomenal -if not better- as the first movie. I don't want to give any spoiler, so that's the best that I can describe about the movie. This one is very very recommended, you really have to watch it.

Image source: http://www.anime-desu.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/01a.jpg

GANTZ

Rate 8.4/10

Cast

• Kazunari Ninomiya as Kei Kurono
• Kenichi Matsuyama as Masaru Kato
• Yuriko Yoshitaka as Tae Kojima
• Kanata Hongo as Joichiro Nishi
• Natsuna Watanabe as Kei Kishimoto
• Tomorowo Taguchi as Yoshikazu Suzuki

Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya), a college student, notices his old friend Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) in a subway platform. Masaru is helping a drunk man who fell from the platform. When the train's getting closer, Kei Kurono finally jumps down to help the drunk man. Then, the train hits them right after the drunk man gets on to the platform. They're frozen in disbelief when they suddenly find themselves inside an apartment room. There, a giant black sphere called Gantz is waiting for them.

This is one of the best Japanese movies I've watched. It's based on a manga, but I only read it after I watch the movie. The movie's intense right from the start. The plot is amazing, I keep wondering what the hell is happening throughout the movie. The actors are also very good, each character stands out and play a big role in the story. The effects are also amazing, I don't think I can praise this movie enough. Each element combined and it's awesome! Great action and it'll make you don't want to leave your seat. 

Image source: http://images.darkhorse.com/darkhorse/index_images/news/gantzposter.jpg 

The Snow White Murder Case

Rate 8.2/10

Cast

• Mao Inoue as Miki Shirono
• Gou Ayano as Yuji Akahoshi
• Misako Renbutsu as Risako Kano
• Nanao as Noriko Miki
• Shihori Kanjiya as Yuko Tanimura
• Nobuaki Kaneko as Satoshi Shinoyama

A female employee in a cosmetic company, Noriko Miki (Nanao), was found dead after a company party. She was stabbed and burnt not long after the party. Her co-worker, Miki Shirono (Mao Inoue), also disappeared after the party. She was last seen running to a train station. Yuji Akahoshi (Gou Ayano), a TV producer, tries to investigate Noriko's death and the disappearance of Miki Shirono.

This movie's great! The case seems simple but it gets complicated when the story changes every time a witness was interviewed. Each person has his/her own point of view which is very interesting to watch. And this movie also emphasizes the use and effect of a social media which open my eyes how easy it is to lead the masses through social media. The actors did good, you can feel their needs and emotions naturally. Overall, a very good movie.

Image source: http://tiff.no/sites/tiff.no/files/snow_white.jpg 

Yukan Club (Leisure Club)

Rate 8/10

Cast

• Akanishi Jin as Shocikubai Miroku
• Yokoyuma Yu as Kikimasamune Seishiro
• Taguchi Junnosuke as Bido Granmarie
• Minami as Kenbishi Yuri
• Kashii Yu as Hakushika Noriko
• Suzuki Emi as Kizakura Karen

Episodes: 10

Yukan Club is a club consists of 6 bored and rich students. They always skip classes and hang out together in the club. Having nothing to do, they pass the time by solving cases and mysteries around them. The members of Yukan Club and their quirkiness:

• Shocikubai Miroku (Akanishi Jin), the son of a police commisioner. He has lots of connection and also a good fighter. But, he shows his soft side whenever faced with heartbreaking events.

• Kikumasamune Seishiro (Yokoyama Yu), the rich son of a large hospital owner. He's smart and a very skilled martial artist. He's calm and the brain of the club. 

• Bido Granmarie (Taguchi Junnosuke), the son of a Swedish Ambassador, a horse racer and a playboy. He's very popular among girls and a narcissist.  

• Kenbishi Yuri (Minami), the daughter of the president of Kenbishi Business, she's considered the richest one among her rich friends (why is everyone so rich in Japan?). She loves eating and also a skilled fighter.

• Hakushika Noriko (Kashii Yu), she's the daughter of a famous painter and her mother comes from a respectable tea ceremony family. She's very calm and popular among boys. But her hatred for men can turn her into a violent girl in an instant.

• Kizakura Karen (Suzuki Emi), the daughter of a jewel dealer. She has the looks of a model and a lot of boys are after her. Her dream is to marry a rich man. She's also a narcissist, just like Bido.

The start of the drama is just so-so, because there're so many Japanese dramas set in an elite school. I thought it's gonna be like Hana Yori Dango, but it's different. It gets better as the episodes progress. It's funny most of the time and unlike any other teenage dramas, it doesn't have a lot of romance between the main characters which is refreshing. The characters are funny and their cases are quite interesting. The only thing I hate is the male characters' hairstyles. I know they try to stick with the manga, but sometimes the hairstyles don't suit the actors and they look like they're out of place. But overall, it's entertaining to watch.

Image source: 

http://asianwiki.com/images/0/0a/Yukan_Club.JPG

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Nobunaga Concerto

Rate 7.8/10

Cast

• Shun Oguri as Nobunaga Oda / Saburo / Mitsuhide Akechi
• Kou Shibasaki as Kichou
• Osamu Mukai as Tsuneoki Ikeda
• Takayuki Yamada as Denjiro Tahara
• Kaho as Yuki

Episodes: 11

Saburo (Shun Oguri) is a fainthearted high school boy who always runs away when he faces a trouble. One day, he accidentally time travels to the Sengoku Era, where wars between nations are everyday occurence. There, he meets Nobunaga Oda, the son of a warlord and magistrate of the lower Owari Province, who looks just like him. Nobunaga then asks Saburo to take his place. Saburo, not realizing that he's already traveled back in time, accepts his request. Problems arises when he finds out that a lot of people are after Nobunaga;s head.

Shun Oguri and Takayuki Yamada reunites after Crows Zero, great casts for a drama alongside other great actors. The plot is quite simple but the amazing casts really make this drama stands out. Most of the episodes are hilarious with a hint of action. This story shows us the reality of life in Sengoku Era where deaths and wars are considered normal, but in a hilarious way. Although some parts are a little bit heartbreaking, this drama still hold its comedy base. The only weakness of this is the cliffhanger at the end, it desperately needs season two.

Image source: http://aramajapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/aramajapan_ogurishun.jpg

Zenkai Girl (Full Throttle Girl)

Rate 7.7/10

Cast

• Yui Aragaki as Wakaba Aikawa
• Ryo Nishikido as Sota Yamada
• Hiroyuki Hirayama as Kyoichi Shindo
• Misako Renbutsu as Soyoko Shiota
• Serai Takagi as Emitaro Yamada
• Kanon Tani as Hinata Sakurakawa

Episodes: 11

Wakaba Aikawa (Yui Aragaki) wants to become an international lawyer. Chasing her dreams, she gets a job at Samezima Sakuragawa law firm, a reputable law firm in Japan. She's surprised when her boss orders her to babysit her daughter, Hinata (Kanon Tani). Because she doesn't want to lose her new job, she decides to take care of Hinata. One day, she accidentally meets Sota Yamada (Ryo Nishikido) whom she mistaken as a pervert. Sota turns out to be reliable when it comes to taking care of children, she ends up getting help from him to look after Hinata.

I really love this drama's plot. Just like any other dramas, this drama's main plot is romance, but it's good to see it doesn't only focus on that topic. I love how they show the reality of a hard job-seeking in the real world, how everyone has to work hard to chase his/her dreams, how cruel a boss can do to you. Every character seems real and it's nice to see their determination to be a better person. The chemistry is great and Ryo Nishikado becomes one of my favorite actors after this drama. But the ones who steal the spotlight are the child actors. I don't know where they find them, but these 5-year olds are impressive, they can act well at such a young age. And the interactions between the characters are simple yet heart-warming. A good drama indeed. 

      

Image source: http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/thyfloatinglily/24331637/38753/38753_original.jpg 

Puzzle

Rate 6.6/10

Cast

• Kaho as Azusa Nakamura
• Shuhei Nomura as Shigeo Yuasa
• Kazuya Takahashi as Mitome
• Saori Yagi as Yuasa's mother
• Kokone Sasaki as Teacher Yasuda
• Baku Owada as President Takai

Azusa Nakamura (Kaho), a high school student, tries to commit suicide by jumping off the school building, but she survives. Shigeo Yuasa (Shuhei Nomura), a seemingly bullied boy at school visits her in the hospital frequently. A month later, a group of students wearing sunflower masks terror the school by torturing  a teacher, Yasuda (Kokone Sasaki). To save her, the other teachers must complete a puzzle prepared by the students. The terror continues when the headmaster Takai (Baku Owada) and three male students disappear from the school. The whole town is in a panic as all of them have to join to solve the puzzles to save the missing people.

This movie reminds me of Saw at first, but it actually quite different as the story progress. I love thriller, but this movie seems like it's only focused on torture without a strong background for the mastermind of all the terrors. I really hate all the tortures and blood, it's just too much for me. The plot is quite interesting and the actors did great, but I just can't handle too much gore. Recommended if you like slasher movies. 

Image source:http://asianwiki.com/images/2/2b/Puzzle_(Japanese_Movie)-p1.jpg 

Hana Kimi

Rate 8.3/10
Cast

• Horikita Maki as Mizuki Ashiya
• Shun Oguri as Izumi Sano
• Ikuta Toma as Shuichi Nakatsu
• Hiro Mizushima as Minami Nanba
• Yusuke Yamamoto as Taiki Kayashima
• Masaki Okada as Kyogo Sekime

Episodes : 12

Mizuki Ashiya (Horikita Maki) transfers school from California to Osaka High School. But it's not an ordinary school, it's an all male high school. Cutting her hair short, she disguises herself as a boy. She does that to get closer to Izumi Sano (Shun Oguri), a high jump athlete who stops to do high jumps after his legs injured. Problems ensues, when Sano finds out that she's a girl but she didn't know it. Things got more confusing as Shuichi nakatsu (Ikuta Toma) falls in love with her without knowing that she's actually a girl.

I freaking love this drama! the main characters are amazing and the side characters couldn't be better. Everyone has a unique traits that makes it easier to recognize even the minor characters. Every single episode is hilarious with a tiny little bit of romance. I love how the boys seem so cool in front of girls but they turn out to be weird, funny, and not that cool after all. Nakatsu's crazy antics can make you fall in love with him right away. I really like the school's crazy competitions and festivals (they seem to never study at all).  And when the drama ends, I couldn't help but to want more. I hope there'll be season 2, but sadly it didn't happen. The only thing I hate from this drama is Sano's hairstyle. God, I want to cut it right away. If you want a comedy drama, this is it, full hilarity right from the start.
     
Image source : http://asianwiki.com/images/8/81/Hana-Kimi.jpg

Beyond The Memories

Rate 8.2/10

Cast

• Masami Nagasawa as Kanna Seto
• Masaki Okada as Roku Akazawa
• Kengo Kora as Kazue Haruta
• Haru as Tomomi Kawaguchi
• Aoi Nakamura as Toshikuni Mayama
• Yuki Furukawa as Kiyomasa Komine

Kanna Seto (Masami Nagasawa), a cheerful girl who works in a movie advertising company hides something from her past. When she was in high school, her crush and best friend died in a car accident. She seems all right and unbothered by it, but she actually still feels guilty about that incident.

Roku Akazawa (Masaki Okada), a friendly editor in a publishing company has an almost similar story with Kanna. When he was in primary school, he accidentally pushed his friend and she was hit by a car. He still carries his guilt all the way to his adulthood. When these two meet can they heal each other's wounds?

My two favorite actors as the main lead! They bring out the characters really well. I can feel their love, heartache,guilt, pain, sadness and all their emotions throughout the movie. This movie is very touching and it's done beautifully. The relationship between each character feels so deep and I can't help but falling in love with the main characters. It's the kind of movie that can make you feel sad and hurt without showing too much tears. It's perfect (for me).   

Image source : http://torrentdn.net/bbs/v-torrent_movie-74052-1462#axzz3e8I4OBzI

Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers)

Rate 8.3/10

Cast

• Mao Inoue as Makino Tsukushi
• Jun Matsumoto as Domyoji Tsukasa
• Shun Oguri as Hanazawa Rui
• Shota Matsuda as Nishikado Sojiro
• Tsuyoshi Abe as Mimasaka Akira

Episodes : 9

Makino Tsukushi (Mao) is a young hard-working girl who attend an elite school for the rich by a scholarship (sounds familiar? this drama actually came out earlier than The Heirs). The school is ruled by F4, Domyoji Tsukasa (Jun), Hanazawa Rui (Shun), Nishikado Sojiro (Shota), and Mimasaka Akira (Tsuyoshi). They are the richest students at school. They bully everyone who stands in their way. Everyone at school is afraid of them for they're the sons of the most powerful people in Japan. But one day, when Domyoji bullies Sanjo Sakurako, Makino stands up to defend her friend. From then on she receives a red tag (an order from F4 for other students to start bully her) and her days at school will never be peaceful anymore.

Hana Yori Dango, the drama where the original F4 boys come from. If you haven't heard of F4, you must've never seen Boys Before Flower (Korean remake) or Meteor Garden (Taiwan remake). Which I suggest, don't watch those remakes, the Korean one is a total failure in my opinion and the Taiwan is not that bad but not that good either. Hana Yori Dango is the best one compared to those remakes. The plot is good, the actors can bring out the characters really well, and there's no unnecessary side plots. And it doesn't drift away too far from the manga. The story didn't get draggy like the remakes, everything fits in perfectly.

  

Image source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hana_Yori_Dango_(TV_series)