#kitamura yukiya | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dramanomikata · 5 years ago

Text

“Last Hope”

132.

Title: “Last Hope” Genre: Medical Season: Winter 2013 TV Station: Fuji TV Theme Song: “Calling” by Arashi Starring: Masaki Aiba, Mikako Tabe, Seiichi Tanabe, Eiko Koike, Yukiya Kitamura, Fumiyo Kohinata, Masahiro Takashima Date Finished: June 11, 2020 My Personal Reason for Watching: Aiba, of course! Also, I started watching it during my last months living in Japan and never got around to finishing it.

(^^ Dr. Aiba, let’s go!)

“Last Hope” is a medical drama, set at Teito University Hospital. The drama focuses on department of translational medicine at the hospital and the team that has been gathered to cure the “incurable,” using cutting-edge technology. Coming from various backgrounds and all walks of life, these six team members come up with ways to save their patients together.

(^^ We’re trying to save someone here! No time for 3 p.m. snacks, Hatano!)

When I first heard Aiba was going to star in a medical drama, I thought: 1. “Aiba as a doctor? How would that work?” and 2. “Medical dramas are kind of boring. Not sure if I would be interested in this.” After watching the drama, I can say that it definitely wasn’t boring (although the medical jargon used in each episode is spoken very fast and sometimes, it just goes way over the viewer’s head). Each week, there would be a new patient and you would end up rooting for the success of the team to save that patient.

The back-stories of each doctor provided a great twist to the same old medical dramas. The backstory of Dr. Komaki (Kohinata) losing his son was the most heartbreaking but they were all pretty tragic. Each of these doctors had a painful past, which is brought up throughout the series. It definitely keeps you interested, wanting to see how their past concerns and troubles are resolved in the present. As for Aiba being a convincing doctor...*awkward silence* Just kidding. He played the part of Dr. Takumi Hatano (or “Machisha” a.k.a. “Private Doctor) well and they definitely tried to bring in some comedy with his character, always having a 3 p.m. snack at the worst possible timing. I must say, those snacks looked delicious!

(^^ Why isn’t anyone taking Hatano’s snacks?? I want one!!)

Some scenes were definitely made to pull at the heartstrings, especially the story about the last patient where his estranged son agreed to the lung transplant (which definitely made me cry). Other times, they would go over the top and play for the dramatics. I know Asian dramas are, at most times, very overacted and over-dramatized, but when your boss just collapses all of a sudden mid-sentence, do you just stand there and watch?? That was one scene that actually made me go “WTF?” out loud.

(^^ He’s falling in slow motion…should we do something? Um…you guys are doctors, right?)

In summary, “Last Hope” defies the “boring medical drama” trope with intriguing storylines and sympathetic characters. However, my one gripe: do they really have to say the drama’s title in every episode? It’s like when a movie character says the name of the movie in the movie and you go, ‘Hey! That’s the titleofthemovie OMG!’ *insert Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme here*

Favorites: Favorite Character: I guess, Hatano? Although Komaki comes as a close second. Favorite Episode: Personally, I liked episode 6 where they had to decide whether to save a patient or obey the patient’s request for him to see again even if that meant sacrificing his life. My grandma also suffers from macular degeneration like the patient so it really hit close to home for me. It just goes to show that eyesight is such a precious thing we take for granted and having it taken away is a cruel fate to live with. Favorite Scene: Obviously, the 3 p.m. snack times XD

(^^ A photo of the doctor who learned that the patient’s wish is most important)

“Last Hope” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭½ (a solid storyline with a clear ending) Acting: ✭✭✭ (Aiba convincing as a doctor, who knew? But I got to give it up to the supporting cast!) Theme Song: ✭✭✭½ (Not my favorite Arashi song, but a catchy one nonetheless!)

Total: 10/15

Next Up: Maybe “99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi”

(^^ “We’re your last hope.” WE GET IT!)

#last hope #jdrama #j-drama #Japanese Drama #japanese dramas #jdrama review #Drama Review #Aiba Masaki #Arashi #drama

2 notes · View notes

iohourtime · 6 years ago

Text

Semi Otoko (Cicada Man) - Story, Cast, and Comments

From the Official Website of the show https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/semio/#/?category=drama

Start Date: 2019.07.26 (Friday) 11:15 pm JST on TV Asahi

“What a Wonderful World!” - Semi

STORY

This is a miraculous love story between a beautiful cicada prince and a 30-ish woman

The story was set in an apartment building called “Utsusemi* Sou (Manor)” located just outside the city center. The old, but tasteful and elegant English-style building was home to a number of unique residents.

Semi was a cicada born in the garden behind the apartment complex. After spending a long time underground, he was finally ready to emerge in the summer. "Finally I can go to the world I so longed for!” --- with high expectations and exuberant spirits, he popped out of the ground, but in that moment, he felt a woman about to land on his head…! “I went into the world as determined but I am going to die before I even take flight…” Just as he was ready to accept his unavoidable death, the woman managed to swerve and fell just a little off to his side. Semi cheated death this time.

The woman was Yuka, who lived in “Utsusemi Manor”. She was a 30-ish (arasa) woman who worked in a food company and spent most of her days not doing much. Semi, seeing Yuka’s lonely and dispirited face, decided to become human to thank her for saving his life, promising to fulfill Yuka’s wish!

Without knowing why, Semi and Yuka spent 7 days living together. Although she was often shocked and bewildered by Semi’s weird and otherworldly behaviour, she started falling in love with this semi prince who was doing everything he can to try to make her happy.

The emerged Semi can only live for 7 days above ground - don’t you all want to see how the miraculous love story between the beautiful, personified Semi and the sullen, 30-ish Yuka?

* I looked up Utsusemi in the dictionary. Utsusemi apparently means “man of the world”, “”the real world”, or “temporal things”. It also could refer to a “cicada shell” or “cast-off”. So I guess it is a double entendre.

CAST

Semi (Yamada Ryosuke - Hey! Say! JUMP)*

This summer, Semi emerged from the ground (as a human).

In the moment he emerged from the ground, Yuka was about to fall on him, ending this chapter of the story… as he thought about that, Yuka brilliant "avoidance" saved his life.

He became concerned about Yuka, who is kind, but also a bit sad. “Can I do anything for this person?”, “I want to make her smile.”, he started thinking…

With that, he transformed into human form (very beautiful), and started living with Yuka at “Utsusemi Manor” in his limited, 7-days lifespan. To Semi, everything in the world is glorious, a place he yearned for. That’s why his catchphrase is “What a wonderful world!” His favourite food is maple syrup.

Since he is a cicada, he is not familiar with normal human behaviour, so he frequently act in weird, other-worldly ways.

* Weird. I thought Yamada stopped being credited with the group’s name since a few years ago. I guess we’ll have to see the credits on the episode itself.

Okawa Yuka (Kinami Haruka)

A 30-ish woman who lived in "Utsusemi Manor". She worked in a food factory and was really bad at communicating with people (not a smooth-talker). Anyway, she did not have much of a life.

Both her parents were hardcore gansters (Yankee). Her brother was The Legendary Yankee. One day, she unknowingly reported her brother’s crimes to the police, and everyone around her blamed her for this. As a result, she found it hard to live in her hometown and moved to Tokyo.

Since Semi was furiously expressing his thanks for saving his life, and before she knew it, she started living with him for the next 7 days...

Kumada Minako (Imada Mio)

A resident of “Utsusemi “Manor”. She dreamed of becoming a designer, so she went from Fukuoka to Tokyo. She attended a school of fashion and asked Yuka for help on many of her sewing projects. She made clothes for Kugiko, Nejiko, and Haru, and the residents wore those clothes a lot.

She was the type who would say whatever is on her mind and she’s also very fashionable.

Okawa Kenta (Miyake Ken)

Yuka's older brother. He is famous in his hometown as the "legendary Yankee". He’s a legend is not only because he’s strong, but he may also be a legendary idiot... He was too stupid, so he unknowingly participated in breaking and entering; his younger sister, Yuka, reported him to [the police], leading to his arrest.

Iwamoto Haru (Yamazaki Shizuyo)

A picture book writer who lived in "Utsusemi Manor". She went around wearing a beret and unusual clothes. She was a very strong and kind-hearted woman who was loved by all the residents. She used to be part of a comedy duo with her husband, Masa.

Iwamoto Masa (Yatsui Ichiro)

A resident of “Utsusemi Manor”. He was Haru’s husband and used to be part of a comedy duo with her. Because he loved Haru so much, he became too sweet as the straight-man in the duo, so he had to give up being a comic. He currently worked in a company [as a regular employee].

Ogawa Kunio (Kitamura Yukiya)

A resident of “Utsusemi Manor”. He worked in an unspecified job and often stayed in his apartment. He kept saying “his body is weak" and "his will die soon", but it had been many years since [he started saying that]. Anyway, he was a man of mysteries.

Shouno Nejiko (Agawa Sawako)

One of the landlords of “Utsusemi Manor”. She was the younger sister of the so-called "Kokubunji Sisters". In contrast to her impatient sister, she was very easygoing and a little slow.

Shono Kugiko (Dan Fumi)

One of the landlords of “Utsusemi Manor”. She was the older sister of the so-called "Kokubunji Sisters". She was very impatient, who always complained about her dumb sister. Although they argue all the time, the sisters actually got along very well.

Comments from the Cast, Writer, and Producer

Semi - Yamada Ryosuke

This is my first appearance in a TV Asahi drama! And I am playing “Semi”! A semi that goes “min, min” (laughs).

When I first heard about it, I thought it was a type of drama that I have never seen before. Since Okada Yoshikazu-san worked on the script, and it is very interesting! It depicted the importance of human connections, and my character has a lot of lines that will move people’s hearts, so it’ll be nice if it resonates with the audience. The story also unfolds in a very interesting way and I hope all of us will have fun making this drama.

Today, we went to take photos and videos for the press release and promotional segment, but it was very surreal! (Laughs) I was filming at a certain park in Tokyo, but the way people looked at me… (Laughs). While I was doing various things like clinging to trees and pretending to fly, a child who was watching said "What is that Onii-chan doing?" I so was embarrassed (laughs). However, I think I want to act well in the drama from the surreal parts to the touching parts.

Actually, this is the second time I played the role of "Semi." Last time, I was a contract killer called “Semi” in the movie "Glasshopper", which is completely different from the “Semi” this time. I think I might be the only one in this industry that had played "Semi" twice (laughs)?

I have never thought I needed to "understand the feeling of a cicada" in my life, but I guess I have to study hard on its ecology this summer! Since nobody had tried to personify a cicada before, so I'll try to prepare for this challenge!

It’s my first appearance in a TV Asahi drama and I am really excited. Since I have only gone on “Music Station” before, I think it is nice and a bit stressful to see myself in other timeslots.

"Semi Otoko" is definitely going to be the drama that will make you laugh and cry this summer! Please look forward to it.

Ozawa Yuka - Kinami Haruka*

* The official site have not updated the other cast’s comments yet. I got this from the article announcing the additional cast.

When I heard that it is a love story with a cicada, I already thought it sounded interesting. I am very excited and look forward to how this story develops. I want to throw myself into the role and show the changes in the relationships, not just with Semi-Otoko, but also with the various characters as written by Okada-san.

(Yamada, who plays Semi, looks forward to meeting Kinami. "Kinami-san really likes bread ... and so do I! I think I can get a lot of detailed information [about bread] from her while we are filming!”)

Ozawa Kenta - Miyake Ken

This time I'm playing the older brother of Yuka, played by Kinami Haruka-san; the character is said to be “the legendary Yankee,” but he's just an idiot (laughs). However, I want to be a lovable idiot, so I want everyone who watch the drama to feel that way about my older brother character.

I worked with Yamada Ryosuke-kun when V6 and Hey! Say! JUMP were the main personalities in the “24 Hour TV” special, and at that time, we worked on “Stomp” together. My impression is that he was serious and stoic about practicing and he is very responsible. This time, I will do my best to spice up this drama starring Yamada-kun.

This story is a wonderful fantasy in which Semi gradually gains a place in Yuka’s heart. Yuka is a woman whose family is very unhelpful, meets Semi, who wants to properly thank her and fulfil her wish; the little blessings in life gradually become important things - I think that I want to see this Yuka appear.

When you see a beautiful, cute, and pale young man like Yamada-kun in a drama on Friday night, I hope you will feel healed from the tiredness of work and study. Immerse yourself in the elixir that is Yamada-kun’s “Semi Otoko", and I think you can have a pleasant weekend and be ready to face Monday again.

Screenplay - Okada Yoshikazu

It’s been 20 years since I last wrote a drama for TV Asahi, and it is for the “Friday Night Drama” slot, which had been the home of many interesting works before, so I am having a great time [working on this project].

This time, I have indulgently used Yamada Ryosuke-san as my muse for this original project. I was very happy when he accepted the offer to act as the titular character. This is an ambitious project, but at the same time, I am very confident about it. It is at once funny and sad, it will move your heart, and while you may cry, it is not tears of sadness. That’s the type of drama. Yamada-san’s Semi Otoko will surely wash away your tiredness every Friday night. It is “very cute”.

It is not only Yamada-san. The heroine of the story is also someone I really love. There are also a lot of other interesting actors in the show. It is quite fun to write.

You will cry your heart out in the last episode; I probably cried the most as I wrote it.

I hope you can look forward to it.

TV Asahi - Producer Hattori Nobuyuki

These days, you cannot go a day without someone being shamed on SNS.

Someone tried to bring someone else down a peg and take a little pleasure, and [somehow] it spread like wildfire .... It is a difficult world to live in. That’s why I want to make a warm drama that can give people a [virtual] hug and gentle encouragement them in these times.

The gentle yet sad story woven by Okada Yoshikaz-san… This is a "fully affirmative drama" that reinforces everyone's way of life.

Who would you want to give you that gentle hug and encouragement?

For the role of the Semi Prince, I cannot think of anyone other than Yamada Ryosuke-san. He is Japan’s number one “affectionate” and “gentle” actor. How will Yamada-san be like in the slightly surreal world created by Okada-san…, I am happily looking forward to it.

I hope “Yamada-san is Semi!” will not get dragged on SNS...

Photos and First Teaser

There is no photos or teasers from the show yet since they haven’t started shooting as far as we know. The first teaser is actually a homage to the long running docuseries “Jonetsu Dairoku” featuring actor Yamada Ryosuke and has nothing to do with the actual show.

The video is also geo-blocked to Japan only.

youtube

#semi otoko #yamada ryosuke #translations #story and cast info #kinami haruka #セミオトコ #imada mio

24 notes · View notes