I’m looking forward to Atashinchi no Danshi, and from the poll from my Spring Drama introduction post, everyone else is too. The official website has been updating daily with the cast of the six adopted sons in the family Horikita Maki‘s marries into. Let’s take a look at who they are!

New! Check out the bottom of this entry for the CM!

Kaname Jun plays the oldest son at 30 years old. It seems the character is jobless but gets everything handed to him. Kaname Jun has been in shows such as Himitsu no Hanazono and Ryusei no Kizuna.

Okada Yoshinori plays the second son, 27 years old. He is a biker and loves to gamble.
Yoshinori has been in lots of things, including Hana Kimi which I recognise him from… But this will be my first real encounter with him.



Mukai Osamu plays the third son, a 25 year old host. Osamu has most recently been in Mei-chan no Shitsuji, but as also been in Nodame Cantibile, Hachimitsu to Clover, and Bambino.

Yamamoto Yusuke plays the 22 year old fourth son, a fashion model. But he’s still a virgin!
Yusuke is well known to Hana Kimi fans. He was also in Himitsu no Hanazono playing a role which I think was rather pointless to the over all show…

Seto Koji plays high schooler fifth son, a 17 year old ex magician.
Koji is from the tv drama version of Koizora.

Okayama Toshiki plays the sixth son, 12 year old genius middle schooler who trades shares on the internet. I’m not sure, but I think this may be Toshiki’s first role, and it sounds like it’s going to be a good one.

Atashinchi no Danshi will be airing on Tuesdays at 9pm on Fuji TV. It will start on April 14th.

Check out translations of the characters from the main website here.

New! Here is the CM for Atashinchi no Danshi!

I’m Liking The Sound Of…

• Atashinchi no Danshi

Horikita Maki‘s character marries a man who offers to pay off her debts that her father made, and moves into an eccentric family. I think (hope) this will be quirky and fun, and there are lots of well know guys in it: Kaname Jun, Okada Yoshinori, Mukai Osamu, and Yamamoto Yusuke have been announced so far.

• Hyoryu Net Cafe

Toki Koichi leads a pretty dull life. Until he meets his first love again in an internet cafe. Suddenly something happens with the electricity and he and everyone else get stuck in the cafe which has become a strange universe… or something. Perhaps it’ll be something like Long Love Letter, the drifting classroom drama. Stars Ito Atsushi who I hope wont be doing another Densha Otoko take with his character.
Also staring Asami Reina, and KIKI

Hmmmm? Dunno…

• Ghost Friends

Fukuda Saki plays a girl who can see ghosts after a car accident. Then she falls inlove with one of the ghosts. Nishijima Takahiro plays the love interest. Sounds OK, I like ghosts, but also doesn’t really sound that exciting at the moment… I think this one is aimed at a young audience, but I could be wrong.

• Smile

Staring Matsumoto Jun as a half-Filipino with no family and Aragaki Yui who can’t speak…. something about always smiling. Yeah, the story line sounds a bit twee but I’ll watch the first couple of eps for the cast!

• Majo Saiban

Ikuta Toma is chosen as a Juror on the trial of a suspected woman’s murderer trial. Yeah, from that name alone you know I’ll be watching, but at the moment this one feels like it is just going to educate us on the juror (jurial? I’m not sure) system. Hope it proves me wrong.
Also staring Kato Ai and Higa Manami

• Boku no Imoto

Staring Odagiri Joe and Nagasawa Masami, this is another “maybe” because of cast. The two are siblings with a close bond because of the death of their parents. However, Masami’s character isn’t the brightest and makes bad choices, testing the strength of the sibling’s relationship. Could be OK maybe…

Noteables

• Konkatsu!

About a single salary man in his mid 30s. Everyone around him talks about marriage so he begins to think about it as well. Noteable because Nakai Masahiro is staring in this! From Smap, for the past couple of Star Bowling eps that I’ve been watching he’s been wishing to be in another drama. His wish has come true!
- also stars Ueto Aya, Sato Ryuta, and Matsukata Hiroki

SMAPxSMAP
Episode Air Date: 09-03-09
Rate This Episdoe: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

I really enjoyed this episode! It had a lot in it. Paris Hilton, Mei-chan no Shitsuji cast, Horikita Maki, Kamiji Yusuke, and someone who I assume is some baseball player. Lots of laughs, lots of fun

First we have Takuya Kimura dressed up as a girl. He’s very pretty. He and some friends meet Paris Hilton. She gives Kimura some glasses. In return they give her some presents. Except the presents Kimura gives aren’t very nice presents.

You can tell most of it was set up and that Paris is a really bad actor. She’s good at just smiling. That’s about all…

In the end she went off with Kimura because he promised her she would be introduced to the guy in the photo below at a party.

Next section was SMAP Bistro, with the Mei-chan no Shitsuji cast. I love these guys, they are so cute! Smap all picked on Takeru which was cute, and someone, I forget who, accidently called him “Wataru” or some such, and the other guys jumped in “Wataru?”

Yes, I think Takeru is adorable. What a little cutie.

Katori dressed up as a sheep. Highly amusing.

Of course Katori and Kimura won.

Next was a quiz with Horikita Maki and Kamiji Yusuke. Nakai wouldn’t let Yusuke promote his new special that’s airing, “Kamiji Yusuke Monogatari”, a documentary about himself. Instead he kept allowing Maki talk about her show, “Chance”.

Now, Maki-chan, this is your real smile! Wear it more often!

The guys then threw balls which who I assume is a baseball player. They tried to guess the speed they would throw the ball at, and in the end the base ball guy got it. For some reason, Katori was dressed as a cow.

Lastly they sang some song but I am not sure what it was because I feel asleep and conveniently woke up when it was over…

*yawn*. Lucky the rest was good.

Rate Horikita Maki: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Where did I first see her?
Without realising it, the first time I did see Maki was during Densha Otoko, the series. How ever, of course, the first time I noticed her was in Nobuta wo Produce as Kotani Nobuko.

My Opinion
From Nobuta wo Produce, I began to see her everywhere! I really enjoy the shows that she is in and like to look out for her shows. That being said, you can really tell the difference between her real smile and her acting smile. It is really bad!

TV Shows:
Atashinchi no Danshi (2009)
Chance! (2009)
Danso no Reijin (2008)
Innocent Love (2008)
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e SP (2008)
Tokyo Daikushu (2008)
Deru Toko Demasho! (2007)
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (2007)
Densha Otoko Deluxe (2006)
Kurosagi (2006)
Nobuta wo Produce (2005)
Densha Otoko (2005)

Websites
Official Webiste

The Hana Kimi website has updated with some videos of the new special that is coming soon. It looks like they are having a lot of fun filming (but I haven’t watched all of the videos yet). I can not wait for the special to air, I really enjoyed this show!

出るトコ出ましょ！
Deru Toko Demasho!

Horikita Maki takes on the role of Shizuka Kamei, a high schooler who gets a part-time job as an assistant to the lawyer Hiromu Nonaka (Tanihara Shosuke). – d-addicts wiki

Funny, quirky, with Maki looking very cute post Hana Kimi.
Minimal-to-no spoilers ahead…

The show opens with Mother, Big Sis and Young Bro running away from debt collectors. Seems Daddy has run off and left the family with a debt. They manage to evade the collectors, however they show up outside of Shizuka’s school. She then gets expelled from her school because she is suddenly not an innocent little lady anymore. How lovely.

Then there is a lawyer in her home – who seems to be a pervert but is actually only obsessed with high school girl’s uniforms. Yeah, ok, he’s a pervert. But he’ll become Shizuka’s surrogate father, so it’s ok. And it’s funny that he’s a pervert. I mean, it’s funny that he’s obsessed with uniforms. I don’t think he’s a pervert at all, he’s really a little high school boy trapped inside a man’s body. Actually, I quite enjoyed his character, I think he took the show up a notch.

Shizuka has to take up odd jobs to try and get money for her family. She has a stint at an idol competition, and blows everyone away with her singing. Literally. She is better than I am at singing. She also (tries to) walk dogs, and works at a video store, where she comes across The Lawyer again. Realising that lawyers make shit loads of money, she stalks him and talks him into hiring her as an office assistant. She is very very bad at being an office assistant.

Overall it was a very fun watch. Nice and sweet, but nothing exceptional. It was funny and I loved the quirky characters. The story line was engaging and it felt like it had a bit of depth to it. I’d watch it again.

Ah, watching the Hana Kimi special that aired before the final was good therapy. Which I needed soo badly after the depressing final episode. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the final episode was all that it could be plus more, I am so very happy with it, but it’s so depressing that the show is over and there is no more Nakatsu in my life. The special was very shiny, and brought a little bit of a smile back to my face. I’d apologise for the large amount of Nakatsu caps but I’m not sorry.

7 Things I Love About The Hana Kimi Special

(In no particular order)

1. Nakatsu

2. Jan Ken!

3. Lots of Man Kiss

4. Mizuki looking oh so かわいい and of Oscar looking not so…

5. Lots of boys dressed as girls.

6. Tennouji dressed as Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

7. Nakatsu

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
花ざかりの君たちへ
Ikemen Paradise
イケメン ♂ パラダイス
Episode 6
Review This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Back from the beach, Mizuki’s parents visit! Eek! What’s a girl to do? Especially when she is pretending to be a guy… Meanwhile, Sano is still trying/practising/training – there seems to be a lot of Mizuki/Sano tension. Yay! Of course, Nakatsu steals the most screen time – but also all the laughs so that’s ok.

So Mizuki asks Nakatsu to stay in their room a little bit longer, and of course Nakatsu says yes. What follows is a absolutely awesome scene where Nakatsu questions Mizuki about love – and his background keeps changing. And then, of course, he comes to the conclusion that Mizuki loves him.

“Nakatsu… Chikai…”

Next up, much to her horror, Mizuki’s parents arrive. Her mother seems to act like a child and her father doesn’t have any personality at all.

This week’s challenge is to find some treasures hidden around the school. Exciting. In an unexciting kind of way. Just a bit of filler really.

Ah, some meat: Nakatsu senses the tension between Mizuki and Sano, and so sets them up – he watches from a far. Sano says something harsh but then regrets it. Before he can apologize properly, they end up arguing. Great tension!!! I want more scenes like this please.

Mizuki decides to go back to America, but her father and Nakatsu convince her otherwise.

Sano jumps again and makes it! What do ya know, he actually can high jump. Who would have thought. Mizuki runs for him, and *squee* they have huggles! And Nakatsu sees. Aaaaa the tension!

The challenge was highly crap but the Sano x Mizuki made up for it.

OMG The tension! The huggles! The Nakatsu!

Dumb challenge.

Up next… Mizuki is once again leaving for America. Far out girl, make up your mind!

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
花ざかりの君たちへ
Ikemen Paradise
イケメン ♂ パラダイス
Episode 5
Rate This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Oh no! Mizuki is kidnapped!… To the beach, that is, where the boys yet again have a competition trying to prove that they are the best. Meanwhile Sano is trying to jump but he just can’t. Oh, and Mizuki’s identity as a girl is revealed…

So the gang are down at the beach, with Minami flirting with all the girls, until he discovers an ex girlfriend who is now engaged. Then, for those not in the know, there is a run down of who likes who, and Nakatsu asks why on earth it was said he likes Mizuki. I do love the fact that this show is aware of itself, and the fact that there is a topless Nakatsu. And short towels.

Next up, Minami’s mother discovers Mizuki is a she. Shared bathing is weird. Being naked in water with other people is weird. Sure, a bikini doesn’t hide much but it still does cover such a crucial area. Still, one day (soon) I will try this public bath thing, and hopefully I’ll make it out infection free.

So this week’s competition is just random beach activities including capture the flag, an eating contest and a see how many chicks you can get contest. While these contests are fun, I would like to see more development between Sano, Mizuki and Nakatsu. These competitions are also really really stupid, but I think I’m getting used to them.

And then Sano calls Mizuki.. *squee!!* But then he still can’t high jump and has to beg to be allowed on the team. Which I guess means he’ll have to spend more time high jumping and less time Mizuki romping. Dammit!

Nakatsu! Nakatsu! Nakatsu! He really does make the show.

Not enough Sano for my likeing.

Next week Mizuki’s parents visit! What will Mizuki do?

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
花ざかりの君たちへ
Ikemen Paradise
イケメン ♂ パラダイス
Episode 4

This week we have some kind of dating party which would totally never happen in a normal school because most principals I know are allergic to any humans having contact. Mizuki also investigates Sano’s brother and wonders what the hell Sano is doing staying out late each night. Meanwhile Nakatsu tries his hardest to sleep with Mizuki…

The episode begins with the announcement of the joint sex party. I mean… both genders attending a party. Yes. We also have both Sano and Nakatsu thinking about Mizuki in the shower. Exciting stuff. Stay tuned for my Hana Kimi drinking party, but for now be warned that you will have to skull your drink in this episode. Yay for topless guys! (Inverted boobie I tell you!!)

So Mizuki spies on Sano’s bro and is surprised to see that Sano himself is also there. Darling Otouto punches Sano in the guts. Sano does a bit of splaining to Mizuki about his family life. Yay for one on one action!

Next insert sex party… I mean speed dating segment… Ah, whatever. Don’t these kids have a chance to do this in the play ground? Anyway, Nakatsu cracks me up, I’m glad he’s in this show. He’s just solid gold. It’s a shame Mizuki is destined for Sano, I like the clown. But the deep broody guy is also fun.

Just when Mizuki had given up and decided that she should go back to America, they discover that Sano has been jogging every night, training to start High Jumping again. Cue fake laughing scene which is just awkward.

Nakatsu! Sano reading is sexy.

It’s still silly but nothing I can’t handle.

I am enjoying this show a lot. It’s just a whole heap of fun. How can anyone not enjoy it? It plays on High School fantasies which I think is great, plus there is all the topless scenes…. Also, I think Horikita Maki is doing a fab job as Mizuki. I was a bit worried that she would turn out something like Nobuta, however the character is totally different which is fantastic. Way to go girl!

Next week, some kind of beach party? And Mizuki looks like she is about to get abducted but it reminds me of some kind of initiation ritual. I guess we’ll have to wait to see