ラブシャッフル
Love Shuffle
Episode Two
First Aired: Winter 2009
Carlie’s Rating:
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First week of love shuffling. Ojiro discovers a bit about AiAi’s past and why she has trouble in relationships. Older woman tries to seduce Kei and ends up in a bar fight (Hmm… Bad English there… I mean Kei ends up in a bar fight!). And there is a couple of pyjama parties…

Wow! This is a pretty crap show. The whole thing just seems pretentious. Let’s say it one more time, come on… “Love Shuffle”. :|

The music is soooo bad as well. The music sounds like it belongs in “Priscilla , Queen of the Desert.”

I really don’t have much to say about this episode. It just didn’t excite me at all. The characters are just so bland.

The good thing about this episode was the bad English. I love listening to bad English. One thing I don’t get is why the native English speakers always seem to slur their words/don’t talk clearly at all. It is almost impossible for me, a native speaker, to understand them. It’s not just in this, I’ve seen it before in other shows.

The rest…

Liar Game, also staring Matsuda Shota, I thought was bad but actually got pretty good. Will this also improve? We’ll see if I can continue to watch through this boring program. Who would have thought that swinging could actually be boring?

ラブシャッフル
Love Shuffle
Episode One
First Aired: Winter 2009
Carlie’s Rating:

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

This is about four peeps who get stuck in an elevator – it turns out they all live on the same floor. They are all a bit disgruntled with their love life and decide to get a new moral outlook – and to shuffle their romances. That is, each week they will swap partners. No keys in a bowl here, it seems like fate is decided by cards. Awwww.

The characters here are unusual which usually works for me, but some how… some how I don’t know what to think. They aren’t bland, that’s for sure, but I’m not really loving them either. The therapist’s hair makes me laugh though…

And this was strange too. I usually love strange. Peeing into cups… Really bad and old back ground music… Lame kisses that make me giggle. This should have me excited but I’m not. It some how just feels bland.

At the same time, this was more like an “intro” episode. No shuffling has taken place yet. I’m hoping the next episode will be better and will grow on me. For now, meh, I’m not so impressed but I’m not hating it either.

Daigo’s character. Some how, out of all the characters, I think he’s my favourite.

It wasn’t bad, it was just a bit bland.

These guys also live in an awesome apartment complex. I would shuffle with them just to live there!!!

note: tbs drama alert!

The story of Tsukushi Makino, a poor girl who goes to a school filled with rich people. Then there is this group of boys called the “F4″, a group of rich bullies. Well, really, only one is the bully, a Tsukasa Domioji. The group decides to pick on Makino, which is the biggest mistake they could have made as she plans to fight back…

This was one of the first dramas that I watched, and is thus will always have a special place in my heart. I also read (in English) the manga years ago, and was one of the things that contributed to my Japanese learning journey.

This drama was also the start of a love affair with Matsumoto Jun. At first I didn’t get his appeal, but then he had me on his hook – another one Jun baited. We flirted for a while, but eventually I dumped him and moved on to different pastures.

Episode One has Makino get the reg tag, and thus becomes bullied by the school. Makino is a great heroine because she stands up for herself. Tsukasa, on the other hand, is a real piece of work. I’d forgotten how mean he was, how horrible he could be. I was definitely rooting for Rui at the start. I can’t remember if it was the same with the manga, it’s been so many years since I read it.

We do get a bit of insight into Tsukasa’s home life, so we gain a bit of perspective on why he is a huge a hole. The poor (figuratively) boy has issues, that’s for sure.

I love the punch near the end. *Pow*, right in the kisser. And then it ends on a cliff hanger, getting kidnapped by Tsukasa… oooh, what will happen next??

Overall, this is a pretty strong first episode for a drama compared to most. And hey, I already said I’ll probably be a bit biased to this, as it’s like a “precious” childhood memory.

Get Hana Yori Dango on DVD! Hana Yori Dango Japan Version Hana Yori Dango English Version (Hong Kong)

Liar Game
ライアーゲーム
Episode 10
Rate This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Smart Akiyama-san figures out how Mini “Velma” Mushroom has been managing to win all the time – however, then scary Wig Man reveals he’s the bad guy who got his mother killed, and Akiyama breaks down. Akiyama’s smirk we all love has changed into anger and he seems to be acting irrationally. What is Nao and team going to do? What, sit back and do nothing? Surely not!

This episode explains why Akiyama was chosen to participate in the Liar Game – we always knew something way up, and probably even guessed 99% of the reason why, but here it all comes out in the open. And then Cool, calm, reserved Akiyama breaks down. Or does he? Ah, we should have known Akiyama better than to think that he would lose it!

OK, was it just me, or did Akiyama really sound like Grover the muppet when he says “Urasai!”. Maybe it was just me…

It would have been more satisfying (perhaps) if Nao had instead grown a brain and saved the day instead of Akiyama-man to the rescue again. Only one more episode to impress me Nao, you better work hard!

One pleasing thing with this episode was the ending wasn’t annoying! Wow! I almost died of shock.

It didn’t end crappy!

Wasn’t much wrong with this episode I guess.

Only one more episode to go.

We’re onto the smuggling game, where two teams, the “Fire Country” and “Water Country”, must attempt to smuggle out money from the other’s “country”. Nao, Akiyama, Velma, Mini “Velma” Mushroom and Chick-person are all on the water team. The others plus some weird drug sniffing dude are on the fire team. Drug dude has a white wig on which scares the water team a lot. How will the water team conquer this freak?

OK, OK, I have to admit that I am enjoying this show more and more now that Nao is getting a bit more, shall we say “worldly”. The game is getting more advanced, complex, and so more exciting as well.

Nao is using her brain a bit more which is good. She’s still not going deep enough, complex enough, but then neither is the rest of the team.

I love the “Mini Mushroom” comment, and the fact that Velma admits he is “fashion conscious”. I love that this show isn’t taking itself seriously and is taking the piss out of itself.

Drug dude is weird and unpleasant.

And Akiyama! The thing that has kept me going this series. What has happened to you? Have you actually got no ideas? He spent most of the time sitting and thinking, and not taking much action. I like it when Akiyama gives me action. Does he actually not have a solution for things this time? *shock*

And then Mini “Velma” Mushroom. I should have seen it coming after the “mini mushroom” comment. Just when Velma was becoming bareable, perhaps – dare I suggest it – likeable, Mini “Velma” Mushroom turns evil and irritating. Why do things always turn to shit at the end of an episode just as I start to like it??

Everyone working together as a team, and the fact that this show really doesn’t take itself seriously.

Mini “Velma” Mushroom. Drug Dude.

I’m going to give this episode three stars, this show really is getting better which is good.

Liar Game
ライアーゲーム
Episode 8

After finally lying, and now winning the Restructuring Game, Nao must somehow make some money so that she can pay off everyone. What has Akiyama got in mind? Oh, and will Nao actually start using her brain effectively? Surely not!

Akiyama is smart but ruthless. We can understand that this is because of his mother, but I hope it makes Nao so angry that she backstabs him.

So, in this episode Nao actually uses her brain, uses it independently of Akiyama, and it’s actually clever! Not only does she take the initiative, she is still using it for good. Now this is what I want to see!

And then they go ruin it at the very end. It was good, but then tooth guy comes along and says “They are going straight to Hell.” *eyeroll* Could you get any more LAME? OK, OK, Spiderman 3 was lamer, I do admit.

Nao not only uses her brain, she uses her brain effectively and for the good of everyone.

The lame script.

Next up, the Smuggling Game.

Liar Game
ライアーゲーム
Episode 7

The Restructuring Game part two. Nao takes part in a little card gambling game with Velma, and surprise surprise loses. But wait! It’s – da da da! – Akiyama man to the rescue! How will Akiyama get Nao out of this one?

A good thing about this episode is it is starting to flesh out (slightly) the game lady. No longer is she there just to read out names and “Yes”, but has added a bit more dimension to this flat show. She has her own thoughts, perhaps even betrayal, and is in fact not a fembot with machine gun boobs. Who woulda thought.

And Nao… Oh my Nao! I had a bit of a heart attack in this episode… Nao did some deceiving. Who would have thought that this would actually happen?? Sure, sure, Akiyama is still the brains, but Nao has become a little sly and cunning. I like!

Nao deceiving! Akiyama being apart of Nao’s belongings.

Velma is still irritating.

I’m quite surprised. I think Liar Game is finally getting better. Not great, but It’s alright.

Liar Game
ライアーゲーム
Episode 6

The Restructuring Game. Although it sounds like they are saying “Restore Game” in Japanese. Which is guess is also what they are doing – restoring people back to the main game so that they can play in round three. Cause yes, that is what this episode is about, getting people back into the game. I feel like I’m repeating myself and I probably am, but all well.

So how will poor Nao fair without Akiyama-sama? I’m not sure she has a brain, so perhaps this could get interesting. Or perhaps not…

When Nao gets nasty, that’s when I’ll start to like this show.

There is a difference between Nao and Akiyama even though they are both uncharacteristically nice. Who would help some strange girl in a game as dodgy as the Liar Game? Akiyama. He’s a good guy. But he’s not annoying because he has a brain. Sure, he seems very two dimensional like the rest of this show, but he’s been shown topless so that makes it all ok.

Where as Nao has no back bone, no intelligence, no personality. She was described as a deer in headlights on the Drama Addicts forum, and I think that describes her perfectly.

*sigh* And don’t get me started on Velma. He’s so unscary and pathetic. He’s just plain annoying. Give me a villain I love to hate. Please!!!

And don’t get me started on Elvis. How much more pitiful can someone be? But, to be fair, this game seems to round up the weak and pitiful and make money off their stupidity. Hell, if I had a couple of million to throw around, it’d be a good investment to make a lot more.

There was nothing new in this episode. In fact, over all it was a downer because Akiyama was featured for five seconds. At least he’ll be back next episode so he can save Nao again.

Liar Game
ライアーゲーム
Episode 5

Finally Round Two concludes. Will Akiyama somehow win over Velma The Mushroom Man, No. 15 Glasses Lady and Elvis? Oh the suspense! And what will Nao do now that she is out of the game?

I love the opening sequence of this show! I will have to cut it out of an episode and post it because, I don’t know, it’s just so bouncy and…. I just like it.

They called Velma the Mushroom Man “Mushroom”! So exciting. They haven’t called him that before have they? Anyway, now we just need someone to call him Velma and my life will be complete. I wonder if he wears a wig or if his hair is really like that (but of course poofed for the show).

Oh, and it was so obvious that Glasses Gal was in Akiyama’s team. How can she not be after the obvious hot sex the two had?

Look at all the money that Akiyama wins. I guess there’s the proof that Japan really is a cash-based society. If this was America or Australia, everything would be entirely electronic. I’m sure many (most, all?) millionaires have never even seen a million in cash.

Ah, finding out who is behind the Liar Game sounds exciting. I love a good conspiracy. But for some reason they really want Nao in the game. They seem to be going out of their way to get her in. I think it is so that Akiyama doesn’t just have to think and worry about himself, but will also have to “save” Nao.

As you already know, I find this show way too verbose and the characters (besides Akiyama-san) annoying and unlikable (I want a loveable heroine and a villain we love to hate – but oh they are just irritating!) I’ll keep soldiering on, mainly for Akiyama and the hope that Nao suddenly turns bad arse and steals everyone’s money…. So, I wonder how Nao will fair in a round without Akiyama?…

Liar Game
ライアーゲーム
Episode 4

Continuing the story of round 2. At the last moment Nao and Akiyama swap the way they are going to vote, and so Nao is eliminated from the game. Left are Akiyama, Scooby Doo’s Velma, No.15 Glasses Lady, and some other dude. Nao comes back to the mansion to view the final round and discovers who X really is.

LOL at the S&M joke. Good too see some humour in the otherwise bland show.

I do like Akiyama. He’s mysterious yet smart, a good combination. And not bad looking either, but he needs a hair cut. Just a little bit off. But what’s with the shirtless scene?? Not that I’m complaining. It was cut to make it look like he had sex, especially since you see his hair all ruffled. But even if it was just messy from waking up, what was he doing with his shoes on??

I admit my heart was racing a little bit in the third round, which is good, but all the anticipation and excitement was soon dissolved. Velma the Mushroom Man was just waaaay over the top and ruined any suspense or…. well, credibility of the show. As soon as he starts his little (or, long, drawn out) performance, my eyes roll back into my head. It’s the old “let me explain my plan before it’s completed – and now because I’ve explained it will inevitably go wrong” trick. Of course we knew he was the bad guy, it was all too obvious. And of course we knew that Akiyama had changed his vote so that this dick didn’t win. All the exposition in this episode could have been condensed to two minutes, instead it went on and on. The show talks down to it’s audience and that is not good.

I like Akiyama’s strategy at the end. It’s really interesting and creative. I do like Akiyama, yay for Akiyama.

I’m wondering… what happens if the last episode/game is Akiyama vs Nao and only one can win? Of course Akiyama is smarter and would win, but it would be really interesting if perhaps Nao is acting all sweet, innocent and trusting and in the end turns out to be a huge con. That would be cool.

As it is, Nao is really irritating nice. I wish we had a bit more character development. Atleast Akiyama with his flash backs has a little bit of history, but I’m hoping that’s not just there so we “understand” why he’s helping Nao. Cause that would suck. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it was so, as this has felt really one dimensional so far.

I’m thinking that perhaps this show isn’t to my taste at all. i really love psychological thrillers, but this isn’t deap enough for me. I’ve never been a fan of light thrillers (unless they are really funny) but I’m thinking perhaps this is what this is. Some people seem to be enjoying it for what it is, but I can’t seem to.