Last Friends: SP Episode

Been so busy that I didnt watch the final "Last Friends SP" shown till now.

Actually there isnt much to write about this SP episode. It is not a new episode but rather a condensation of all the series highlights for each character.

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The episode started off with all the housemates taking a picture with the baby. Then Eri and her husband Ogurin returned from Italy to Japan after a year. The interior of the house has changed alittle with more colourful cushions and new sofa cover. Takeru told Eri Michiru has gone to cemetry as it was Sousuke's first year anniversary. At the cemetry unknown to Michiru, the little boy that Sousuke had once saved also came to visit him (although I am not sure how come the kid is so resourceful to know since Michiru would not have known him and his case was closed before Sousuke died).

Ogurin went to Michiru old salon for haircut as he didnt dare to cut his hair in Italy due to language barrier. The colleague who used to bully Michiru was his hairstylist. Ogurin enquire about her eye bruise and she openly confirmed her boyfriend hit her over a trival incident of overtaping his show. Ogurin asked if she would considered leaving her boyfriend but she said she wont over such a small matter. To which Ogurin yelled "It's not a small matter!" The hair stylist mentioned about michiru (as a third person). "There was a girl who used to work her. Her boyfriend would wait for her to get off work everyday. Her boyfriend isn’t like mine, he cherishes her. I didn’t treat her too well then as I was jealous of her.” Ogura said nothing to that. The salon owner overheard and told her not to mention such things to the customer and she stopped.

Back at home, Eri was with Michiru’s little girl while Takeru was at the sink. The phone rang which Takeru answered. “Takeru, how are you?” Hearing his sister's voice, Takeru hesitated and paused before answering, “I have a family now. I thought I would never forgive you. But right now, I’m living with people I love which is a world foreign to you. So, I can forgive you now. Remember to be happy yourself.” Surprised at his words, Takeru’s shocked sister nodded firmly and both hung up.

Ruka returned home, Takeru handed and reunite Eri and Ogura with their old cups.

Ruka:

Family, Friends, Spouses, Lovers, having all four of the relationships but belonging to none in particular. We live on, treasuring and cherishing this fragile happiness...

Takeru:

We will always be friends. If it’s possible, we’ll never be apart. Even if we part, we’ll greet each other with a smile when we meet again somewhere in this world.

Everyone:

My dear friends, you are my last friends.

Overview: My Boss My Hero (J)

While waiting for the last few episodes for Zettai and last friends, i had also completed watching "My Boss , My Hero" . It really is darn funny!!!!! I havent heard of anyone who didnt think it was hilarious after watching it. (Watch here)

The whole drama had me laughing in stitches every time. Every spare moment I had, i couldnt wait to finish the next available episode because the guy is such an fumbling idiot but loveable dude.

The story basically revolves around this guy Sakaki Makio, also known as "Tornado" is a tough 27-year-old high school drop-out. He had lived his whole live with intention to take over the clan and everyone feared him as he never lose a fight. He is the 3rd heir to the Japanese Yakuza clan but because he is so academically inadept and screwing up billion dollars of deal for his dad, his father the current ruling Yakuza head decided to force Makio to high school. Only upon graduation will Makio be allowed to take over as the next head, otherwise the post will go to his younger brother Mikio.

So this dude had to pose as a 17yr kid and if his cover is blown, it would be the end of his high school career as well as his hopes to become boss. Things start out rough and tough as Makio's short and violent temper is tested. Initially he was thinking he was going to "kill" everyone that "screwed" him ard after he leave school especially the "Iron mask" teacher, the school bully who extorts his money etc. It was hilarious! As the lessons and days go by, he learnt there is much more to school than just tests and studying.

Also, he slowly learnt that his father had other intentions apart from wanting his sons to learn his ABC and 1,2,3.

I love Nagase Tomoya role in this and his expression when he is stumped is totally funny and laughed my socks off! He is so believeable as a dumb but inspiring guy who really tried his best. At the very first episode when he said "No! No! No!" to an offer of 35billion was so funny, because he was counting with his fingers, thinking 35 is less than 27 billion! haaa haa. Then when he started school, his obsession with the school's limited pudding was also pretty funny.

While it is a no brainer show, no cute pop idol, no special effects, no IQ gimmicks, yet I would still recommend this to anyone who is looking for a light hearted, family entertainment. The lead actor really excel in this role and the supporting cast especially his Yakuza "brother" Kazuya was equally endearing.

Just for tickling my funny bones alone, I would rate it a 7.5/10.

Overview: Bambino (J)

Just finished watching a not so recent Japanese Drama - Bambino. (watch series). yeah I am slow....

I didnt have high expectation of the drama initally but it was relatively entertaining about this cocky guy who thought he was very skilled in his Italian cooking, only to have his inflated ego unmercifully brought down by the chefs in the famous Italian restaurant in Roppongi.There is no romance really in this series, with focus only on cooking and running a restauarnt and what it meant to be a chef. the philosophical aspects I supposed.

i like the over chemistry of the cast. People who are watching Zettai kareshi will find the actor "Gaku" in here as well, and of course the japanese lead actor Jun - who acted as "Domiochi" in the F4 series. in episode 7, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki also appear as Hayama... he has matured alot since the last time i saw him in Great Teacher Onizuka. He was cute then, and still looks as manly delicious here... ;p

Uchida Yuki is also in this series, acting as the restaurant chef daughter Miyuki. Not sure how many people recognised her as the leading actress in the old drama "Under one Roof" series which was very hot back in '93. That was a super good series back then and i still think of it fondly....I thought she was pretty then, and I still think she is now as well...

All in all, Bambino is a nice simple show about the world in cooking, not very in depth but entertaining 11 episodes. My description probably doesnt do it justice but I think it do ok. Probably give it a 6.5 rating out of 10. I am presuming the director left the ending as a possible season 2 where Jun goes to Italy.

J-Music: Last Friends Theme Song

Yeah! Utada Hikaru has released a new song "Prisoner of Love" few days ago (May 20) ! Yep, it has already secured the #1 spot under iTune Japan Top Song.

The track has a few versions, and this original will serve as the theme song for the Japanese TV drama "Last Friends".

Came across her song while watching Hana Yori Dango 2 (F4 series). It was the insert track "Flavor of Life" (dwnld) that caught my attention to this singer even though by then, the song was already her 18th single releases.

Thought about it and decided that I would only share the "Prisoner of Love" original version (dwnld) here and not the whole album because the idea is for people to like songs heard and START buying artists ORIGINAL albums like I did.

J-Music: Beautiful World || Fly me to the Moon

The theme song for the "Rebuild of Evangelion 1.0 " movie is (by Utada Hikaru) 「Beautiful World 」(dwnld) and of course, we wont be doing without the unforgettable anime signature track of 「Fly me to the moon」 (dwnld).

My initial impression of the newly "revised" Fly me to the moon" was quite undecided. It is completely different from the first animation sound track release. I couldnt tell if I love the way the change the starting or hate it. Eventually, I guess it grows on you because it isnt sickly draggy, plus the fact Utada has a powerful vocal which helps prevent you being drowned in this track.

Beautiful world track is exactly the way I would expect it to be for an Evangelion movie. Quick tempo, upbeat and slightly haunting (not the best word but that's what popped into my mind)

Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX- - Utada Hikaru

Beautiful World - Utada Hikaru

J-Music: Tane wo Maku Hibi

One of the few rare insert song that caught my ears from Bleach Anime.... this is a keeper.

Track: Tane_wo_Maku_Hibi (Download)
Singer: Atari_Kousuke

Overview: Zettai Kareshi

Zettai Kareshi is up to episode 5 (review) now but I still have not fallen in love with the drama series. Reason being is that I still cannot reconcile it being different from the manga series in terms of some character development.

For one, I didnt like that Tenjo Night looks/acted so robotic in this series. He looks too fake and it hinder my viewing pleasure. I know the idea is that the audience should know he is a robot. However in the manga series, that is NOT how it should be. In the manga, Night looked and appeared so humanised that no one can tell he is robot and I thought it would have been better if the TV series had portrayed him to be so.

Mikka is suppose to be an utter bitch but the TV series again gave her the chance to be "oh I am falling in love." I wish they stuck to the fact that Mikka is just pure jealous and hated Rikko and will do anything to sabotage her "love life" at any price. In the manga, Night never wavered from Rikko no matter how much Mikka tried to steal him. In fact when Night was accidentally rebooted, what made him special was that he still remembered Rikko as his exgirlfriend which made him unique as his memory of Rikko wasnt erased.

In the TV Episode 4, it wasnt clearly specified as Night had asked Rikko who she was after Mikka's kiss, meaning he didnt rem her, but yet the programmed hobbies (what rikko likes) was retained. Duh? The impact was lost even though the Tv series tried to reinstate the fact that "memory of rikko wasnt erased" after the fire incident but I think it would have been better if Night had remembered Rikko as his ex-gf when he was first rebooted. That would have made the impact that Night was "Humanised" by Rikko and his love for her is so strong that a prgram couldnt delete his memories of her.

The only thing that kept me watching is the development between Rikko and Soshi, the chief. That is something different and non existent in the manga so it's worth watching. Plus I like the actor Hiro who plays Asamoto Soshi, if only they will do something about that awlful poodle perm hair. That hair is in a mess even for a stylish Jap guy!!

As for the theme song "Okaeri" おかえり (dwnload) , it is definitely more impactful than the one I had mentioned earlier for Accuracy of Death movie. For one, the singer's voice is more powerful and wider range. According yo Wikipedia, the singer Ayaka was approached by the manga artist of Zettai Kareshi to create a theme song. So she read the whole series, then wrote the song with her music producer.