Love Shuffle

Japanese title: ラブシャッフル

Aired on TBS
From 2009 January to March
10 episodes

Based on a manga

Main cast:

Tamaki Hiroshi: Usami Kei

Karina: Aizawa Airu

Matsuda Shota: Sera Ojiro

Tanihara Shosuke: Kikuta Masato

DAIGO: Oishi Yukichi

Yoshitaka Yuriko: Hayakawa Kairi

Kojima Hijiri: Kamijyo Reiko

Kanjiya Shihori: Kagawa Mei

Hello Karina! I'm watching your last drama Summer nude!
Hey Ceramic boy from Hana yori dango!
Hola Girl's best friend from Buzzer beat, you're quite different here!

 

Review: +

Title: So four strangers meet in an elevator, bond, realise they live on the same floor and decide to “shuffle” their partners every week. As you do.

Boys and girls: Therefore, there are eight main protagonists.
The four floormates:
- Shining loser
- Sassy interpreter
- Sweet dark photographer
- Mysterious psychiatrist
And their respective partners:
- Innocent fiancée
- Desperate billionaire
- Sexy older lady
- Strange painter

As you can see, a lot of these characters are weird and at least complicated with secret motivations for going into the love shuffle. Therefore it’s interesting and different. They are likeable but not really relatable.
 

Plots and relationships: The plot is relationships and learning about the characters, their past, their motivations for the shuffle or for life in general. Problem is: it is weird and therefore, it feels almost surreal at times, like it does not take place in our reality. So, just go with its atmosphere to enjoy. Actually, one of the most enjoyable parts is the friendship between the four floormates: it’s playful but they also really care for each other.

 

Funny factor: Yes. Also, lots of plays on words. YAY PANDA!

Music: Good. Enjoy these familiar songs.

Bottom line: I wasn’t forcing myself to finish this drama and I was not cringing so it’s a +. It’s original and different but also weird. Try the first episodes and see if you get into it!

Hotaru no Hikari (season 1)

Japanese title: ホタルノヒカリ

Aired on NTV
From 2007 July 11 to September 12
10 épisodes

Based on a manga by Satoru Hiura (2004-2009)

Main cast:

Ayase Haruka: Amemiya Hotaru

Fujiki Naohito: Takano Seiichi

Kuninaka Ryoko: Saegusa Yuuka

Kato Kazuki: Teshima Makoto

Takeda Shinji: Jinguuji Kaname

Itaya Yuka: Yamada Sachiko

Yasuda Ken: Futatsugi Shouji

Review: Fav!

Title : It means « glow of a firefly », a play on words since the main character is named Hotaru.

Girl : She’s a “himono onna”, meaning that she prefers lazing around at home rather than going out. As a result, she’s totally clueless in her relationships. But while she does absolutely nothing at home, she works hard at her job. Some will find her too much but that’s what is funny and  I can relate to her. (+)

Guy : Not « boy » because he’s older than Girl, he’s her boss and he’s mature. A serious, good-at-house chores man, he’s capable of silliness and can be sarcastic. (+)

Boy : Love interest of Girl. He’s really shy but really sincere. He’s a talented interior designer. For some reason he’s popular amongst girls. He’s cute but of the silent type, and not the charismatic one. So… wash.

Relationships : Interesting, progressive, with emotion. (+)

Other characters and plot : the plot is basically relationships but I want to underline the fact that the workplace is central in this drama. All the characters work together, in the interior design department of a building company, except Guy’s best friend who is in another department. Girl begins as an assistant but she earns responsibilities as a planner thanks to her good work. Though it’s unrealistic that everyone would be so friendly, I really enjoy the workplace dynamics . (+)
Update: Now that I have a job, I'm happy to say that, yes, relationships with co-workers can be really friendly. Without the drinking beer together. That should be cultural.

Funny factor: Yes. Funny characters, starting with Girl. Plus Guy’s sarcasticness. (++)

Music: Okay.

Bottom line: It’s really funny, we get to know the characters, their relations are interesting. Fav. No hesitation.
I was looking forward to the second season (2010) because you don’t want things you like to end. Unfortunately it wasn’t as good (a + maybe or gasp! even a +/-, I don’t remember enough of it), that’s why I distinguish the reviews. I have yet to see the movie (out in 2012) but I will if I can. Update: Ugh! The movie is a big minus.