Hanazakari no Kimitachi e [花ざかりの君たちへ]

As I've mentioned I'm just so addicted to J-drama that I've turned into.......Doramon! haha.... not doraemon mind u, its d.o.r.a.m.o.n - Dorama monster. I'm just devouring any J-drama that comes my way.

Okay okay, not that bad yet, but i can't stop. If only I don't need sleep, I think i can just keep watching. Hmmm maybe I should write reviews of those I've watched. But that will take waaay too much time cuz I've wathced too many and so far, the recent one that I've watched is Hana Yori Dango 2. The rest are quite old. Think the oldest is GTO. But that's classic man. GREAT TEACHER ONIZUKA! Who can forget him?

Neways, I've gotta write review on this one that I'm currently watching (I may review HYD later). It's called Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (Lit. "For You in Full Blossom") with the tagline "Ikemen Paradise" (Hotties Paradise). Also known as Hana Kimi.

It's based on a popular manga of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya, which has already been dramatized in Taiwan (titled Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu) with Wu Zun and Ella as the main characters. While for the Japan ver, it's Oguri Shun and Horikita Maki. I haven't watched the Taiwan version but heard the Japan version is waaay better. I don't have to watch to agree. I mean Wu Zun compared to Oguri Shun?! Do i hear a resounding "Duuuuhhh!"? And tho I'm no fan of Horikita, she's fits the image better than Ella. Ella looks too much like a boy. haha...

It's the most highly anticipated drama of the year with the first episode achieving a rating of 15.9% viewership and second ep 16.8%. And that's only in Japan. It started airing on July 3 and there will be 12 eps.

Anyways, the story goes like this:
Horikita plays the protagonist Ashiya Mizuki (Horikita), a Japanese girl in the U.S. who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi (Oguri) compete in the high jump on television. She begins to idolize him, and decides to move to Japan to attend the same school as him. However, Izumi goes to an all-boys school, so Mizuki disguises herself as a boy to achieve her dream of being with her idol.

Ashiya Mizuki, Sano Izumi (Don't lyk his hairstyle here :S)

He looks much better here (and in Hana Yori Dango)

The school, Ohsaka Gakuen, is a school where they accept students based on their looks instead of grades. Thus, the tagline "Ikemen Paradise". It really fits, I must say. From the first ep, there's an overload of the hot, the cool and the cute. There are even the weirdos, but still hot/cute.

The Ikemen Paradise!

The plot is usually filled with humor and situations that put all characters involved into uncomfortable places. Additional characters include Nakatsu Shuichi (Ikuta Toma), Sano's good friend and a soccer player,who is confused over his attraction to Mizuki. His confusion makes a hilarious character. The gender-bending nature of this series gives for many amusing hi-jinx and a lot of laughter.

To be honest, the initial reason for watching this show is cuz Oguri is in it. First saw him in Gokusen. Didn't think much of him. But then I started watching his dramas, and boy i must say he's a real talented n versatile actor. From a weak, bully-target middle schooler in GTO, to a half-deaf, thus speech-impaired boy in Summer Snow, to a desperate virgin in Stand Up!! and a rebellious high-schooler in Gokusen and many many other characters in other shows, he's definitely my current fav actor.

(Warning: May have a bit of spoiler from here onwards)

But.... I love love love Hana Kimi cuz its definitely not ur ordinary drama. Love the manga-styled framing, the exaggerated characters and the ever-brightly colored scenes. Okay, mayb the first ep wasn't that nice yet, and they shud've focused a bit on the main characters instead of juz throwing at us all the ikemen (me no complaints tho'). But with each episode, they let us on more on each character.

Of all the ikemen,I totally fall in love with Nakatsu (sorry Oguri). Ikuta plays him really well. The show becomes more.... alive whenever he comes into the scene. He's soo funny. I re-play the scene when he said "ore wa homo ja nai" (I'm not a homo) and others for lyk a gazillion times.

Then, there's the super hot, playboy dorm head Nanba Minami and his ever-so faithful fan (aka gayboy) Senri Nakao. Nakao is so cute, esp whenever he tries to attract Nanba's attention. He initially hates Mizuki for being 'cuter' than him. There's also the adorable weirdo (aka ghostboy) Kayashima Taiki. He totally surprised me in ep 5 with his ..... erm, just watch it. Then of course, I A.D.O.R.E Yuujiroh, the golden retriever.

Nanba-senpai and gayboy

Kawaii ghostboy :)

Even the OST of this show are soo addictive. Opening is by one of my fav Orange Range, and ending is by Otsuka Ai. Wasn't my usual cup of tea, but the more i listen the more i love them. Went straight to my repeat playlist.

I wanna say more, but erm dun wanna be a spoiler lah. Just watch it. I dun recommend this show just cuz its filled with the ikemen but cuz its really entertaining. If ur looking for a funny, happy, exaggerated (tho a bit brainless) show, ur in for a smashin' good time. I re-play each ep for at least twice, up to 5 times. haha.... And it gets better with each ep. I can't wait for ep 6!!