#Dragon Zakura 2

[dilebe06]

My Favorite Female Characters

[wolame-o-ccx]

Finished watching Dragon Zakura s2 it has everything I love

Polycule queers

Kento Hayashi

JOKE the show is actually really good I'm definitely gonna rewatch it in the future especially because there are studying tips that can help me with my academics because I suck ass.

I loved all the character stories and arcs I just wish netflix had season 1 so I could watch it before but whatever I'll watch it some other day!!!

9/10 overall because they didn't even get to gather at the tree WHICH IS LITERALLY THE NAME OF THE SERIES BTW when they graduated ACTUALLY WE DIDNT EVEN REALLY SEE THEM GRADUATE but it's okay whatever 👍 I loved it

Also Kento is so pretty I've said this like a thousand times now

+ his boyfriend

[jdramablr]

[moononmyfloor]

In the 1st Quarter of 2024 Cdramaland...

2nd Quarter, 3rd Quarter, 4th Quarter

1. The First Drama I Watched

The Hope

Nothing can be better than a Zhang Ruoyun drama to start the year with. One of the best High School shows I've seen in the recent years, it had an amazing balance of explosive emotions of youth and jaded realism. It would appeal to viewers of all age ranges and I felt so so much nostalgia and relatability from beginning to the end. It was funny, it was smart, it was beautifully acted down to every minor role. (I pretend that last 30 minutes didn't happen, though)

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2. Actors I Newly Discovered

Wang Qiang (as Li Ran from The Hope), Zheng Hehuizi as Yang Caiwei from In Blossom)

LOOK at that babie😭🥺. Don't you want to pinch his cheeks? One of the most darling characters I had pleasure of watching recently, I wish a bright, bright future career for Wang Qiang. He portrayed the classic outwardly-prickly, marshmallow-inside teenager archetype with amazing nuance.

And Yang Caiwei oh Yang Caiwei.... as one of the shows and characters that created quite the buzz recently, I don't have anything more to add to the discussion. I can only say: lady, thank you for taking up a role that is FINALLY convincingly scarred, unkempt, dirty and not strikingly goddess-y from the first glance, and playing her with such gusto the true, genuine beauty of the character was drawn out with no external effort at all.

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3. BGM I Fell in Love With

The Hope

This drama utilized music so beautifully than 99% idol romance dramas ever would. Atmospheric music that elevated the scenes with lyrics that fit, not to mention writing three whole songs to be FULLY performed in-drama for character purposes. It felt like a musical at times. Talk about dedication.

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4. Best Wardrobe

Pan Yue's, from In Blossom, Legend of Shen Li (Only few)

I mean

How many costume drama wardrobes can top these embroidery and visibly high quality fabric? Not to mention they actually look wearable in daily life, and not just ornate for "main character's costumes" reasons. They are actually quite simple, if you think a bit- but immensely tasteful. AND

My FAVORITE thing about not just his, but all costumes in this show that I've rarely seen other dramas do is: They repeated the costumes! Many times! Almost all of them! And that added so much to the groundedness of the character. Rich young master having a runway-worthy wardrobe? Nothing new. Him wearing them again and again because that's what a normal, reasonable person does? I'm sold.

I loved the plain but in an elegant and carefree way styling of the two leads of Shen Li whenever they were having recluse times. *This* is exactly how I imagine immortals too- just vibing and not decked in gold from head-to-toe because they are simply beyond it. Whenever the show changed to the typical bejewelled guzhuang garb in heaven scenes, it immeadietely visually reduced the show to just another xianxia. First Till the End of the Moon and now this😭. Guys, pick a consistent style and rock it proudly! A signature look is very important especially if you are aiming to create an impactful all-powerful character! I see no reason the gods couldn't do all the grand court and fight scenes in these robes either, honestly that would've served drive home the nail that the gods function on a different wavelength than humans.

(Also Wtf was even that Shen Li in a Greek goddess like getup? [last image] Not that it's not pretty BUT *waves hands around helplessly..)

.

5. Best Posters

In Blossom, Legend of Shen Li, The Hope, Baking Challenge

In Blossom posters had a perfect balance of traditional Chinese ethereal elegance mixed with gothic horror mystery vibes.

I LOVED the "how I imagine the peaceful cottagecore fairytale like life of my great-grandparents" vibe of Shen Li posters. It's giving lore.

Really liked the "hooligan teens on retro album cover" aesthetic of The Hope posters too.

The whimsical food posters of Baking Challenge were also fun.

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6. The Drama that was Most Disappointing

Detective Chinatown 2

I didn't even know a Detective Chinatown S2 was even coming like...until it did and it was like a second new year because I LOVED that show and it was the most unexpected pleasant surprise of the year- especially when almost all the main cast members were returning. And the first few eps were amazing too and didn't do a disservice at all to the previous season and I got my hopes up thinking we'll get to see a continuation of the Roy Chiu-Janine Chang arc too... only for the show to pull the rug and did the exact same thing as the previous season- the main character withdrew from the story by midpoint. Oh my gods. I want to find this show's creators and give them a good shake. Have some Janine jiejie pics from first season though just for the nostalgia's sake.

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7. An Underappreciated Drama that Deserves a Rec

Baking Challenge

If you aren't deterred by barely-legible machine subs, give this one a try. It's a fun little food drama that doesn't take itself seriously yet has a lot of heart. And for The Untamed fans, there's our Lan Sizhui (Zheng Fanxing) in it, and he's still the same cutie pie!

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8. A Drama that I Found was Good but just Wasn't my Cup of Tea

Pegasus

I watched five episodes, it's a solid show, fun too, it's just that I'm not very into racing AND Hu Xianxu is still a baby in my head😭😂 To convince me that he's a rich CEO with his own romance and adult problems will take at least 20 more years!

I see him parading like this and couldn't help but want to laugh hysterically lol. IT'S NOT HIS FAULT. He's an amazing actor! But still..

I hope he doesn't try to force-rush his shift to adult characters, either.

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More posts by me

[diversamenteintelligente]

(via DRAGON SAKURA S2)

Una storia motivante, che parla di amicizia, di spirito di coesione, di perseveranza e di speranza.

[demifiendrsa]

Street Fighter 6 - Mai Gameplay Trailer

Japanese version

Street Fighter 6 DLC guest character Mai Shiranui from Fatal Fury will launch on February 5, 2025

Screenshots

Latest details

As the second guest character in Street Fighter history, players have plenty of reasons to get excited for Mai’s unique moveset inspired by a variety of SNK classics with the modern touches of Street Fighter 6 mechanics. Players will be able to bring the heat with Mai across all three game modes, including Fighting Ground and Battle Hub, as well as checking her out as the newest Master in World Tour.

The dazzling Mai also drops with two Outfits. Outfit 1 is reminiscent of her classic style across SNK’s historic Fatal Fury series while Outfit 2 will be themed around her newest look in the upcoming Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Outfit 2 can be acquired via Fighter Coins or maxing out your bond with her in World Tour.

As seen in the trailer, Mai’s moveset uses a variety of familiar and newer techniques during matches to control her opponents with flaming projectiles, divekicks and more, including:

Kachousen – Mai throws her fan like a fireball. When used normally, the fan loses to other projectiles and your opponent’s strikes can knock them down. But when you hold down the input, they can no longer be neutralized by strikes. In addition, if the fan hits an opponent, it will pop up and fall down on them for another hit.

Ryuuenbu – Spin forward in a fiery blaze for combos or to control space.

Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi – Perform a cartwheel and fly towards opponents to elbow them. The OD version sends Mai into the air to follow up on the attack or to surprise opponents below.

Hishou Ryuuenjin – Mai’s dragon punch, which works as an effective anti-air as she delivers a flying upwards kick bathed in flame.

Kagerou no Mai – Mai’s Level 1 Super Art, she sets the immediate vicinity on fire, which can be useful as an anti-air move or combo ender. The move also gives Mai five Flame Stocks which give all of Mai’s special moves and Level 1 and 2 Super Arts special properties.

Chou Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi – Mai’s Level 2 Super Art where she rushes forward in a blaze of glory that can get around projectiles.

Shiranui Ryuu – Enbu Ada Zakura: Mai’s Level 3 Super Art, she flies like a butterfly and stings like a bee in a series of elegant fan strikes.

Mai will be ready to spice things up next month for players who own or purchase the Year 2 Character Pass or Year 2 Ultimate Pass, and can also be purchased with Fighter Coins. The wicked M. Bison and easygoing Terry (both available now) will be joined by Mai (February 2025) and Elena (spring 2025) to round out Year 2 of Street Fighter 6.

[satoshi-mochida]

Street Fighter 6 DLC character Mai launches February 5 - Gematsu

Street Fighter 6 downloadable content guest character Mai from Fatal Fury will launch on February 5, Capcom announced.

Get the latest details below.

As the second guest character in Street Fighter history, players have plenty of reasons to get excited for Mai’s unique moveset inspired by a variety of SNK classics with the modern touches of Street Fighter 6 mechanics. Players will be able to bring the heat with Mai across all three game modes, including Fighting Ground and Battle Hub, as well as checking her out as the newest Master in World Tour. The dazzling Mai also drops with two Outfits. Outfit 1 is reminiscent of her classic style across SNK’s historic Fatal Fury series while Outfit 2 will be themed around her newest look in the upcoming Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Outfit 2 can be acquired via Fighter Coins or maxing out your bond with her in World Tour. As seen in the trailer, Mai’s moveset uses a variety of familiar and newer techniques during matches to control her opponents with flaming projectiles, divekicks and more, including:

Kachousen – Mai throws her fan like a fireball. When used normally, the fan loses to other projectiles and your opponent’s strikes can knock them down. But when you hold down the input, they can no longer be neutralized by strikes. In addition, if the fan hits an opponent, it will pop up and fall down on them for another hit.

Ryuuenbu – Spin forward in a fiery blaze for combos or to control space.

Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi – Perform a cartwheel and fly towards opponents to elbow them. The OD version sends Mai into the air to follow up on the attack or to surprise opponents below.

Hishou Ryuuenjin – Mai’s dragon punch, which works as an effective anti-air as she delivers a flying upwards kick bathed in flame.

Kagerou no Mai – Mai’s Level 1 Super Art, she sets the immediate vicinity on fire, which can be useful as an anti-air move or combo ender. The move also gives Mai five Flame Stocks which give all of Mai’s special moves and Level 1 and 2 Super Arts special properties.

Chou Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi – Mai’s Level 2 Super Art where she rushes forward in a blaze of glory that can get around projectiles.

Shiranui Ryuu – Enbu Ada Zakura: Mai’s Level 3 Super Art, she flies like a butterfly and stings like a bee in a series of elegant fan strikes.

Street Fighter 6 is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and PC vis Steam.

Watch the gameplay trailer below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.

DLC Character Mai Gameplay Trailer

English

Japanese

[redsamuraiii]

3 School Jdramas I wish I watched when I was a student

A story of how an unorthodox teacher reaches out to a group of unmotivated students who have given up hope and lives in despair thinking they won't make it in the world, thanks to their dysfunctional families and society's expectations that are impossible to meet.

They make me see things differently and realize why parents, children and teachers behave in ways I never understood before. They are healing and inspiring. They teach you that life is not over if others given up on you but it is over when you give up on yourself.

1) Gokusen (2002)

A teacher (Yukie Nakama) struggles in handling problematic students in school and tries her best to reach out to them to understand their troubles and solve their problems, and if need be use her upbringing as a Yakuza's granddaughter to discipline them to be stronger.

2) Dragon Zakura (2005)

Sakuragi Kenji (Abe Hiroshi) is a destitute lawyer who makes a deal with a school to send the failing and unmotivated students to Tokyo University with his unique unorthodox way of teaching, and using his past as a biker gang as example that anything is possible.

3) Great Teacher Onizuka (1998)

Onizuka Eikichi (Sorimachi Takashi) is a graduate of a third-rate University and a former gang leader, who once dream of becoming a teacher. He got his wish granted by a desperate principal who need his unconventional ways to guide a hopeless group of troublemakers.

[ayamisc]

SUMMER 2010 J-dorama watchlist!

(c) Hiura Satoru, NTV

After that uneventful Spring 2010 j-dorama season (where only ONE series "passed" my criteria….)

I'm so HAPPY to know there are a lot of shows worth watching this season! :)

I've only been following 3 so far, and am about to watch the 4th one to see if it is "worth it" HAHAHA :P

Those 3 (and the reasons why I've decided to watch them) are:

Hotaru no Hikari 2

I've seen the first season of this romantic comedy. And comparing the korean to the japanese romcoms… I think this is the one that can be classified as closest to being Korean. This series is HILARIOUS. Starring Fujiki Naohito and Ayase Haruka… well. I just LOVE their chemistry on screen. Also, both are talented actors.. specially Fujiki Naohito (who I've seen play MANY roles..yet.. this one is DEFINITELY the MOST hilarious one!)

Aside from the continuation of the 1st series, the reason I've decided to watch this is because the "other" guy will be played by none other than Mukai Osamu… and he's portraying the role that REALLY suits him (kinda same role as the one in Atashinchi no Danshi and Bambino! ..though of course I don't mind him playing the bad/serious guy.. but still, this kind of role suits him BETTER).

I think I like season 2 better than season 1.. at least based on the first few episodes anyway. :) I'm not a fan of romcoms (that are not the shoujo manga type) much but.. I suppose this is an exception.

Moyashimon

THOSE MICROBES ARE SO CUTE! Hahaha.. I just fell in love with them that I even decided to watch the anime version (after YEARS of anime fandom hiatus). I'm also planning to read the manga chapters when I find time..

Anyhow, aside from the microbes… the series is just ridiculous. I hate to say it, but that's how I see it. It is.. OUTRAGEOUS… kinda in the same "feel" to it as Yukan Club, Mei-chan no Shitsuji, and Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge.

I'm not a fan of random storylines so maybe that's why I don't like this one as much. But the microbes are really oh so cute. >.>

HAMMER SESSION! You know how sometimes you get exposed to artists and you don't end up liking them right away? ..But in the end.. you DO (after months and years) ..kinda like saying "That artist grew up on me"

WELL. This happened. AGAIN. (The first occurence was.. my ichiban.. who I kinda ignored in Gokusen 3.. but anyway. back to the topic)

For the second time, it has happened. With Hayami Mokomichi. DUE TO THIS SERIES! LOL.

-Hammer Session is like……. Gokusen, Dragon Zakura, and Kurosagi COMBINED.

DO YOU KNOW HOW AWESOME THAT IS!!!!!! LOL.

-aside from Mokomichi Hayami (who I also kinda ignored in Gokusen 2 [I swear, Gokusen.. the starting point of all ikemen leading men]). Shida Mirai also stars in this series.

She's definitely grown. In a positive way. I'd like to see her become kinda like Toda Erika. XD

Higa Manami is also a part of this, and having seen her in Code Blue, Code Blue 2, and Majo Saiban.. I'm confident she'll bring a different flavor into the mix that is HAMMER SESSION. :D :D :D

As for the others I have YET to check out, here are a few info on them (also I'll only include the artists I've encountered before):

Unubore Deka - detective story, comedy starring Nagase Tomoya of TOKIO, Ikuta Toma, Kaname Jun, and Nakashima Mika

Tetsu no Hone - moral dilemma story starring Koike Teppei (aaaw.. he's starting to go for mature roles..)

JOKER Yurusarezaru Sosakan - hero by day, fugitive by night kind of story (Anne and Nishikido Ryo are co-starring too)

Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku - romance.. Matsujun stars (well, Matsujun and romance.. not his fan but.. Matsujun and romance? All too good to pass up)

Gakeppuchi no Eri - self-determination story starring Yamada Yu (probably won't watch this, but we'll see)

Already 3 episodes a week, and 5 other tentative follows.

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO gonna enjoy this season!!!! YEAH!! :]

PS. This blog was originally posted on LiveJournal.

[maenimalist]

[marx48]

[dilebe06]

My Favorite Male Characters

[onceuponajdrama]

Dragon Zakura 2

TBS, 2021

[jdramablr]

[aramajapan]

"Dragon Zakura 2" final episode earns 20.4%; Aragaki Yui, Yamapi, Koike Teppei and other former cast appear

The final episode of “Dragon Zakura 2″ starring Abe Hiroshi and Nagasawa Masami aired on Sunday and earned a rating of 20.4% (13.1% individual rating)! The drama is based on the manga series of the same name by Mita Norifusa published in 2018 and is a sequel set 15 years after the highly popular drama […]

Read more on aramajapan.com

[dayseternal-blog]

Hi Days! I just watched the Kabuki documentary with Ikuta Toma the other day and it was really interesting! I was surprised (and happy) to see Shun Oguri there too! I'm curious though if you've watched/followed other shows of any other Japanese celebrity? I also just finished watching "First Love" with Takeru Sato and Hikari Mitsushima the other day, it was a lovely series ❤️

Hello born!!! The Kabuki documentary was really, really interesting, right???? Finding out about how he was just coasting through being a trainee and realizing one day that everyone (Arashi ahhhh) was debuting except for him, it's like 💔 But he really found his own path!!! And I was also surprised to see Oguri Shun there! Just, like a surprise treat for all the fans??? I had no idea that they were such close friends.

*big sighs* I don't have the time to invest in regularly watching dramas. I do really, really want to watch First Love! Mostly because I want to support Netflix in carrying more Japanese dramas. Also who doesn't love Utada Hikaru.

I'm not sure if you're asking about current or in the past, but when I was a teenager, I watched

Hana Yori Dango starring MatsuJun, Inoue Mao, and Oguri Shun

Nobuto wo Produce starring Kamenashi Kazuya, Horikita Maki, and Yamapi

Kurosagi (2006) starring Yamapi - they've remade this recently starring Hirano Sho (King & Prince)

Gokusen 1, 2, and 3 starring Nakama Yukie

Kisarazu Cat's Eye starring Okada Junichi (ok did you watch him in The Fable on Netflix because if not, you absolutely must!!!)

Dragon Zakura starring Abe Hiroshi

Hana Kimi starring Horikita Maki, Ikuta Toma, and Oguri Shun

1 Litre no Namida starring Nishikido Ryo and Sawajiri Erika

Liar Game 1 and 2 starring Matsuda Shota and Toda Erika

Densha Otoko starring Ito Atsushi and Ito Misaki

Koizora (film) starring Miura Haruma and Aragaki Yui

Tantei Gakuen Q (film & drama) starring Kamiki Ryunosuke, Shida Mirai, and Yamada Ryosuke

Seigi no Mikata starring Shida Mirai and Yamada Yu

My Boss My Hero starring Nagase Tomoya

Ryuusei no Kizuna starring Ninomiya Kazunari, Toda Erika, and Nishikido Ryo

Chekaraccho!! (Check It Out Yo!!) (film) starring Ichihara Hayato, Inoue Mao, and Hiraoka Yuta

Hero SP starring Kimura Takuya

I am certain that there's others that I don't have listed here, but basically I mostly watched dramas that starred Johnny's idols in the mid-2000s. I was a big Toda Erika, Aragaki Yui, and Shida Mirai fan. By 2008, I was moving onto Taiwanese and Korean fandoms, so like Takeru Satoh? I didn't watch anything with him in it even though he's a big name actor now, he was only just starting to get name recognition in 2008.

I have watched a few current films!! So actually I recently watched Mitsushima Hikari in Tang and Me starring Ninomiya Kazunari. She was so good. The plot of Tang was awful, but everyone's acting was SO HIGH TIER that the film was worth watching. I have high expectations for her in First Love. Also I watched The Fable film series on Netflix starring Okada Junichi, and yes. Yes. One of the best movies I've watched this year.

In terms of current dramas... I saw the first episode of Koi Nante, Honki De Yatte Dousuru No? (Who Needs True Love?) which stars Matsumura Hokuto and Hirose Alice. I really want to watch the rest of this because I think it will help me finish writing my fic "Genghis Khan." But. The Japanese is slightly too difficult for me to understand :( I heard from my friend that Hokuto's sex appeal is to-die-for in this drama. If I can't watch him in Koi Nante, I know that I'll at least get to hear him voice act in Shinkai's Suzume no Tojimari once it hits American theaters.

I also watched the first episode of Silent, which stars Meguro Ren and Kawaguchi Haruna. It comes highly recommended by my friends. It took a ton of brainpower for me to understand the first episode, though. My friends have way better Japanese comprehension than me. It really seems like Matsumura Hokuto and Meguro Ren are names to keep an eye on in Japanese entertainment these days.

My friends also really want me to watch Cherry Magic starring Akaso Eiji and Machida Keita. I feel like I've watched it already because I've seen so many clips of it here on Tumblr haha.

I'm sorry this was a huge response 😓 for a simple check-in. I guess I just summarized and relived several years of Japanese pop culture obsession in the past two hours of writing this out. Thoughts on anything I've written here? :D