MOVIE REVIEW: Chihayafuru Second Verse Live Action

Title: Chihayafuru Second Verse

Alternate Title: Chihayafuru: Shimo no Ku

Original Work: Yuki Suetsugu

Genre: Sports, Shoujo, School Life

Summary:

Sixth grader Ayase Chihaya, a tomboy with no ambitions or goals of her own, gets to know Wataya Arata, a transfer student at Chihaya's elementary school and an outcast. Through Arata, Chihaya picks up karuta and they form a team with their other friend and classmate Mashima Taichi. After graduating elementary school, Chihaya continues to play karuta hoping for a chance to meet Arata again after he went back to Fukui to take care of his sick grandfather. As time passed and Chihaya enters high school, she starts a karuta club with Taichi so that they can finally meet Arata again.

Source: KissAsian (kissasian.com)

Review:

Since Heroine Shikkaku, this was one live action adaptation that I really enjoyed. Honestly, I had second thoughts about Chihayafuru having a live action movie. If you’ve seen the anime, you might get what I mean. The way how they take cards during plays was really epic. I was hesitant to give the live action movie a try but for the love of Arata, I watched it and thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed.

Chihayafuru Second Verse was a feel-good movie to watch. I thought they did great choosing the characters for this adaptation. Suzu Hirose was perfect as Chihaya. I rarely like Japanese actresses because I prefer the actors, lol, but as of now, the only Japanese actresses that I like are these three: Ayase Haruka, Kiritani Mirei and Nagano Mei. But Suzu effortlessly joined the bandwagon by making me instantly like her. The way how she acts was refreshing. I could really see Chihaya while watching her. And may I add that she is so freaking pretty! I couldn’t think of anything bad about her. Lol.

As for Shuhei Nomura, he’s great, too. Only, I liked Taichi 2D more. Not because Taichi 2D was way hotter (lol) but because I prefer the way how transparent Taichi was in the anime. I loved watching his unrequited love towards Chihaya. This was probably just me being too biased, don’t mind me. Shuhei did a pretty great job.

For Mackenyu… Oh, hell, I loved him. Haha! I’m a huge fangirl of Arata 2D. Gosh, I love his Fukui-ben on the anime adaptation (All hail Hosoyan!) that was why I was really excited to hear Mackenyu speak. I was so glad because Mackenyu didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t picture any other Arata than him. Okay, this blogpost might be just an outlet for me to fangirl over Mackenyu. Lol. I got addicted to his voice, too. I have this fascination towards Japanese accents because of Hatori Heiji from Detective Conan and Arata. It was really wonderful how Mackenyu pulled this off. I love him! Haha!

For other characters, Shinobu (Mayu Matsuoka) was perfect, too. I could’ve shipped him and Arata but I’m pinning for Arata to be with Chihaya. Besides, Shinobu 2D was not even interested in Arata that way so whatever. The one who played Ooe was cute, too.   

If there’s something that I’m not satisfied with, it was that they changed the characterization for Tsukue-kun and Nikuman-kun. They were better in anime. Period.

My Personal Thoughts:

You might be wondering why I reviewed this one instead of the first installation, Chihayafuru Kami no Ku. Well for one reason, I never really got the chance to properly watch Kami no Ku. What I did when I watched the first movie was scan it and skip on the parts where Arata (Mackenyu) appeared. Sorry not sorry for loving Arata this hard. Lol. Nevertheless, this was an example of a splendidly made live action.

Rating: 4/5

Watch Chihayafuru Second Verse HERE

MOVIE REVIEW: Heroine Shikkaku Live Action

Title: Heroine Shikkaku

Alternate Title: Heroine Disqualified, No Longer Heroine

Original Work: Momoko Kouda

Runtime: 112 minutes

Genre: Rom-Com

Plot

Hatori Matsuzaki is a female high school student. She has a crush on her childhood friend Rita Terasaka and believes he will eventually choose her as her heroine, but Rita Terasaka begins dating Miho Adachi. Meanwhile, the most popular male student, Kosuke Hiromitsu takes an interest in Hatori Matsuzaki.

Review

If someone asks me to pick one live action movie and live with it forever, I'll definitely choose Heroine Shikkaku. I loved and continously love everything about the live action movie. 

 Let's start with the characters:

Terasaka Rita

I liked Yamazaki Kento since his role in L-DK and watched him silently (lol. Hardly. I fangirl-ed so hard especially during L-DK era. :D) as he began to dominate the live action scene. Everything about Yamaken was perfect for Terasaka Rita's role, except for the fact that he didn't make me hate Rita as much as I hated him in the manga. The 2D Rita was a fickle-minded jerk and I hated him as much as I hated 2D Mabuchi Kou in Aoharaido. Rita and Kou are like my most hated heros ever. Haha! What Rita always did was to hurt Hatori because he was so indecisive. But the Rita 3D was not as bad as Rita 2D. It was established nicely that he had feelings for Hatori ever since their childhood days. He just didn't realized that he was in love with her until Hiromitsu, my bae, entered the scene. I loved the part where he kept Hatori's photos with or without him. That was really sweet and I'm completely sold to him because of that. 

Matsuzaki Hatori

Hatori's character was far from your beta-shoujo manga heroine type. She had a rotten personality and liked to look down on people. She strongly believed that Rita was only destined to be with her in the end until Adachi happened. Kiritani Mirei's portrayal of Hatori was superb. She was hilarious and I couldn't ask more from her. She nailed Hatori's facial expressions. It was as if Hatori was created specifically for Mirei. 

Hiromitsu Kousuke

Oh, my oh-so favorite Hiromitsu! You have no idea how much I loved Hiromisu 2D. He is my favorite second lead ever. He was really charming and perfect and Hatori was such an idiot for choosing Rita over him! Sakaguchi Kentarou was the perfect Hiromitsu. And I don't think that I could ever move on from Hiromitsu for life. You don't have any idea how crazy I am for Sakaguchi because of this. My fangirl heart fainted whenever he did squeal-worthy gestures. I was crying with so much feels because my heart broke for him. I fell in love with Hiromitsu completely the moment Hatori bumped into her in the cafeteria. Hiromitsu is my ichiban in my second lead harem. :D 

Overall, I my heart yearns for Hiromitsu but I don't have any objections. Because for me, the purpose of Heroine Shikkaku is to let us know that no one is perfect. No matter how lacking you are, there will always be someone who will accept you just the way you are and wouldn't want you any other way. Just like Hatori and Rita with each other.

My Personal Thoughts

Heroine Shikkaku is something really special to me. I've read the manga during the times that I was going through the shittiest phase of my life. Heroine Shikkaku made me realize that it is okay to not be heroine-like. That it is okay to be yourself, no matter how twisted you are. Because someday, someone will come along who would accept you--all of you--imperfections and all. I just hoped that Hiromitsu ended up with someone else. How I wish I meet my very own Hiromitsu. :P

Rating: 5/5

Watch Heroine Shikkaku Live Action HERE

MOVIE REVIEW: Kimi no Na wa (Your Name)

Title: Kimi no Na wa

Written and Directed: Makoto Shinkai

Animation: CoMix Wave Films

Distributed: Toho

Running Time: 107 minutes

Plot

The story is set one month after a comet has fallen for the first time in a thousand years in Japan. Mitsuha, a high school girl living in the countryside, wants to live in the city because she is tired of life in the country. Then, there's Taki. He's a high school student living in Tokyo with his friends while working as a part-timer at an Italian restaurant. He also has a strong interest in fine arts involving architecture. One day, Mitsuha dreams of herself as a young man. On the other hand, Taki also has a dream where he is a female student attending high school in the countryside. What's the secret behind their dreams?

Review

Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Supernatural, SciFi

        Is there any Japanese culture enthusiast that hasn't watched this movie? I bet none. The movie is a 14.56 billion yen ($140.3 million dollars) box office hit. The rave about this movie was extreme. Upon watching it, I immediately realized why. Makoto Shinkai's "Kimi no Na wa" or "Your Name" is a masterpiece. I can say that it is on par with Ghibli Films that I utterly loved since I was young. 

       Kimi no Na wa was skillyfully delivered. Everything about this movie was perfect. The characters, the phasing, the story, the animation, the soundtrack---everything. I emphatized with the characters throughout the movie. It was a roller-coaster ride feels. It was my first time watching a Makoto Shinkai film and it didn't disappoint. 

       Watching the movie makes me want to read the novel, too. But it's a shame that it's only available in Japan and I can't read Japanese.

Rating: 5/5 

Watch Kimi no Na wa HERE

REACTION: Hirunaka no Ryuusei Live Action Cast Revealed!!!

Mei Nagano as Suzume Yosano

Shohei Miura as Satsuki Shishio

Alan Shirahama as Daiki Mamura 

This is the worst day of my entire fangirl life! If you only knew how much I yearned for Sakaguchi Kentaro to be Mamura Daiki. I never, even for a second, thought of anyone else to be Mamura Daiki other than SakaKen. Imagine my disappointment when I saw this poster at work. Luckily, I just logged off so I am free to be devastated as much as I could. I just couldn't cry because my officemates were there but I was actually shaking and in the verge of crying. I felt like I just finished taking the Ice Bucket Challenge. My whole body felt numb and all I wanna do was burst into tears. I could feel my heart slowly being torn into pieces and my mind just couldn't accept the fact that this was reality. I'm not dreaming. Sakaguchi Kentaro will never be officially Mamura Daiki. 

What the hell happened? Why did they even made Sakaken to pose as Mamura Daiki for the magazine if they weren't planning on giving him the role? You made us hope! Pinaasa niyo kami ng sobra. What the freaking hell happened? I couldn't grasp the idea of 3D Mamura Daiki being someone else. I couldn't accept it. I can never accept it. I will never accept it. Casting Crews-tachi, how could you do this to us? What did we ever do wrong for us to deserve this? *rolling on the floor crying*

Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against Alan Shirahama. I mean, he's handsome and all but... he's still not Sakaguchi Kentaro. For years, my whole being was set that if ever there'd be a HnR live action, Sakaken will definitely be Mamura Daiki. 

Thanks for ruining my life, Casting Crews-tachi. 

Well, at least, Miura Shohei pulled off Shishio-sensei's hairstyle perfectly. 

How can I even move on from this?

#JusticeForSakaguchiKentaro

ANIME RECOMMENDATIONS: FALL 2016

Haikyuu!! Season 3

The 3rd season featuring the game between Karasuno and Shiratorizawa is finally here! I've read this but to see them moving is a whole new world. As usual, Haikyuu! never disappoints. 

Watch Haikyuu!! Season 3 HERE

Watashi ga Motete Dousunda (Kiss Him, Not Me)

I've also read this manga a year ago and I loved it. It was actually the reason why I became a closet Fujoshi. I love Junko-sensei's works. And all fujoshi's out there will also like this anime. I mean, Serinuma Kae is like the embodiment of how we live. Haha! You'll find yourself rolling while laughing out loud because this manga is sooo hilarious! And you'll definitely enjoy the fan service. ;)

Watch Watashi ga Motete Dousunda HERE

Natsume Yuujinchou Go

I've been waiting for this to come out for a long time. This is one of my most favorite animes of all time. No matter how much I watch this anime, I keep on watching it again and again and still wanting to watch it more in the future. This show is a feel good, calm, smooth pacing and will make you want to smile again and again type of anime. If you haven't watched the last 4 seasons, I highly encourage you to start now! AS IN, RIGHT NOW! You'll definitely won't regret it and thank me afterwards. ♥

Watch Natsume Yuujinchou Season 1 | Zoku | San | Shi | Go

Yuri!!! on Ice

I wasn't supposed to watched this as early as now because I wanted to wait until it's finished. But I've seen videos of Victor ice skating so I decided to check it out. Oh, gosh. Bless my fangirl and fujoshi feels. Haha! Victor is so freaking hot and Junichi Suwabe as his seiyuu is the bomb. I couldn't ask for more. Other characters are funny, too. Don't forget to check this out! :)

Watch Yuri!!! on Ice HERE

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Disclaimer:

This is just my personal preferences. I'm currently watching these animes and if by chance, I watch and like the other fall animes, I'll add it in this list. But right now, these guys are my personal pick and the only ones I'm following. :)

K-DRAMA REVIEW: Cinderella and Four Knights

Cinderella and Four Knights

# of Episodes: 16

Network: TvN

Synopsis:

A spirited, smart and nice teenage girl, good at sports, hates her home life due to her new stepmother and stepsister. She dreams of escaping her home where she’s treated as an outsider, and one day she helps out an old man and he extends an unusual offer to her. She’s invited to come live in a giant mansion and attend a prestigious high school, where she gets to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. There are four other inhabitants in this house — three beautiful brothers and one bodyguard — who are stubborn and free to do as they please. She opens their frigid hearts and they become their own little family, and find love along the way.

My Review:

At first glance, Cinderella and Four Knights looked like just any KDrama with cliché plot. True. But what made this special were its casts. Come on! Any Kdrama addict would definitely be tempted to check this one out. Who wouldn’t want to watch the four oh-so gorgeous boys?

Despite the cliché plot, the casts did a pretty great job portraying their respective characters. I loved the four guys, hated Son Na Eun for her role and squealed whenever the guys did sweet things to Eun Ha Won.

        This is a great watch if you ask me but there were some things that kept on bugging me whenever I remember that it ended.

What happened with Eun Ha Won going to college? Lol. It seemed her life revolved around her mission for the Chairman that everyone forgot about her going to college. I mean, the reason why she wanted to work was because she wanted to raise funds for her tuition, correct? It would have been great if they at least showed her going to the entrance ceremony or first day of college, just to fulfill one of her character’s purpose/goal.

Other than that, I think it’s a really good show. Kang Ji Woon and Eun Ha Won’s chemistry is superb and they look absolutely cute! Kang Hyun Min’s character is also adorable but it’s such a shame that he ended up with Park Hye Ji because I hate her. Hahaha! I wanted Hyun Min to mess more between Ha Won and Ji Woon but unfortunately, that was a short fight. And of course, the scarred, snobbish guy won her heart.

I feel so bad for Kang Seo Woo but what can I say? He and Ja Young were a good pair. Plus if they ended up going out, it would be like a string of hope to us fans that someday, our biases will notice us. (Someday, Oppa. Someday. Lol)

But I felt worst for Secretary! Why didn’t he end up with anyone? That’s such a shame! But oh, well. Guess he’s too busy and cool for love. Lol.

          Overall, this is a great show.

Rate: 3.5/5

Watch Cinderella and Four Knights HERE

Watashi ga Motete Dousunda OP Lyrics and English Translation

Title: Prince x Prince

Artist: From 4 to 7

Anime: Watashi ga Motete Dousunda OP 1 (Kiss Him, Not Me)

"Aishiteru" ijou no kotoba oshiete
Kimi no kokoro goto te ni iretai kara
Sono me ni utsuru no wa Prince x Prince
Kono te ni kidzuite

Itsuka Prince x Princess


Ore dake miteite hoshii 
Kimi dake hoka ni wa mienai yo 
"Kocchi ni ite" 
Hitorijime shitai 
"Dokonimo ikunatta" 
Kimi no subete wo dakishimetai yo
 Kokoro ga atsukute kurushii yo
"Tsukamaeta" 
Kono kimochi tomerarenai 
"Mou hanasenai"

Shireba shiru hodo kimi ni muchuu ni naru
Kanjiteru mune no tokimeki wa REAL sa

"Aishiteru" ijou no kotoba oshiete
Kimi no kokoro goto te ni iretai kara
Watasenai yuzurenai
Hayaku Prince x Prince ubaitai

Sono te wo tsukameta you na ki ga shite mo
Migi te iru no wa itsumo betsu no te de
Kimi wa yorokondeiru Prince x Prince
Sono egao wo suki

Itsuka Prince x Princess

English Translation

Teach me words that that say more than “I love you” 

because I want to have your heart

Prince x Prince is reflected on those eyes

Notice this hand

Someday Prince x Princess

I want you to look only at me

Only me, don’t look at others

“Come here”

I want us to be alone

“Don’t go anywhere”

I want to hug everything about you

My heart burns and it hurts

“I caught you”

I can’t stop this feeling

“I won’t let you go”

The more I know you, the more I go crazy

I can feel it, the beating of my heart is real

Teach me words that say more than “I love you” 

because I want to have your heart

Won’t hand you over, Won’t yield

Hurry Prince x Prince I want to steal you

Even though I finally caught your hand

There was another one holding your right hand

You’ll be happy Prince x Prince

I like that smile

Someday Prince x Princess

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Sorry! I'm no way good at translating but I want to at least try it. I super love this song and this is how I interpret it. You can always correct me if I'm wrong. :)