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Hotaru no Hikari - my review
Jan. 27th, 2015 02:51 pmI watched Season 1, 2 and the movie in a go. It was different from the manga, but at the same time, it was similar in many ways. No doubt Ayase Haruka is a splendid actress. I love her; she can cry, she can act silly, she can laugh... and she is beautiful. One of the few Japanese actresses with a good, not-skinny body. The dorama was silly in many parts but it was fun to watch it and there were many funny moments (all thanks to Haruka.. she is amazing).
Season 1.
Hotaru works for a famous interior design company. It's a glamorous job but Hotaru's private life is totally the opposite of glamorous. She lives alone, and when she isn't working she's mostly lazing about her rented house in training wear. She's not interested in men. In fact, she isn't interested in anything. "I'd rather lay around than fool around," is her motto.
Her landlord is a bar owner, and one day his son, who has just separated from his wife, comes to inspect the rental property, not knowing that someone is living there. He is shocked at the mess, but not as shocked as Hotaru. He turns out to be her boss, Takano.
Episodes: 10
*************************************************************************************************
The most similar to the manga. Hotaru (Ayase Haruka) is in love with Makoto-kun after one kiss. From 10 episodes, she has this crush on him. Of course, since the very first moment I've seen Buchou I liked him. His relationship with Hotaru is very much like Chiaki with Nodame. He scolds her; he is marvelled at her lazyness and he is so different from her (he is tidy, he is serious, he is older) but at the same time he admires her for tiny little things that other take for granted. And that actor Fujiki Naohito has the most amazing hair or what! I am sure many younger men are jealous of that amazing hair.
As for Makoto-kun... yikes. I think I have never watched a show with such a bad actor. WOW. No matter how great actress Haruka is; she could not succeed in having any chemistry with Robot-kun. Was this his only role or something? Poor guy; no facial expression AT all.
The others characters were great, especially Yamada-neesan and Futatsugi. Excellent friends to the main stars. And although their roles were tiny, I liked the actors that played Kaname and Yuuka. Too bad they did not make it to the 2nd season :(
Although I was impatient sometimes with Hotaru for suffering for the wrong guy and for not realizing her feelings earlier for the awesome Buchou, I loved their scenes together in the porch. Not because they were funny (they were!) but because I love these kind of love stories where the base of a romantic relationship is, first of all, friendship.
My rating: 7/10
Season 2.
Three years ago, the heart of Amemiya Hotaru, the 'dried up female', had settled on Takano 'Buchou', and the 'dried up female' was supposed to have grown up … However, right after that, Hotaru was posted as a project team member to far-away Hong Kong. She was cut off from 'Buchou' and devoted herself to work. Then, three years later, Hotaru returns to Japan after finishing the project. She is assigned to the First Planning Department, where 'Buchou' belongs, and immediately begins work as one of the team members. However, both the staff as well as the mood in the company have changed a great deal.
Episodes: 11
************************************************************************************************
After 3 years, Hotaru is back. She wrote to Buchou only once! No doubt Buchou loves her; he waited patiently for her, without complains (almost). The addition of 2 rivals was nice because they are not actually rivals. Yes, Osamu Mukai eventually falls for Hotaru, and Konatsu-san is a ex-girlfriend from Buchou, but they were nice people. At first they seem to be going to be a problem between our couple, but nothing of the sort. Despite being in love with Hotaru and Buchou, they never attempted to tear them apart.
Yamada-neesan and Futatsugi were a sweetheart. I liked them more in this Season because their role is bigger. They support Hotaru and Buchou, and at the same time, they have their own silly problems; that they overcome because they are the best :)
Season 2 in my opinion was less funny, but in terms of romantic relationship was better. Hello, they kissed for the first time! Oh my, the times I thought "Buchou, please kiss her already!". So yeah, I had to wait another 8 episodes I think, for this to happened, but IT HAPPENED. Buchou, release the beast!
My rating: 7.5/10
The movie.
Set two years after after "Hotaru no Hikari 2" drama series, Hotaru Amemiya learns that her boss and now husband Seichi Takano has dreamed of vacationing in Rome, Italy like in the movie "Roman Holiday". Hotaru then makes plans to go to Rome for their honeymoon. Rome, Italy prepare ... Hotaru Amemiya and Seichi Takano are coming!
************************************************************************************************
Definitely the least funny, but it is my favorite, above the dorama. First, we have The Hug, which to me was more romantic than any kiss. It was a Real Hug, and isn't Buchou such a sweetheart? Second, although it was very sad, the story of Rio-san and her lost family was really touching. Third, the story takes plot in beautiful Italy. And last, but not least, my dear Tegoshi has a small role! Tiny, tiny though.
My rating: 8/10
Season 1.
Hotaru works for a famous interior design company. It's a glamorous job but Hotaru's private life is totally the opposite of glamorous. She lives alone, and when she isn't working she's mostly lazing about her rented house in training wear. She's not interested in men. In fact, she isn't interested in anything. "I'd rather lay around than fool around," is her motto.
Her landlord is a bar owner, and one day his son, who has just separated from his wife, comes to inspect the rental property, not knowing that someone is living there. He is shocked at the mess, but not as shocked as Hotaru. He turns out to be her boss, Takano.
Episodes: 10
*************************************************************************************************
The most similar to the manga. Hotaru (Ayase Haruka) is in love with Makoto-kun after one kiss. From 10 episodes, she has this crush on him. Of course, since the very first moment I've seen Buchou I liked him. His relationship with Hotaru is very much like Chiaki with Nodame. He scolds her; he is marvelled at her lazyness and he is so different from her (he is tidy, he is serious, he is older) but at the same time he admires her for tiny little things that other take for granted. And that actor Fujiki Naohito has the most amazing hair or what! I am sure many younger men are jealous of that amazing hair.
As for Makoto-kun... yikes. I think I have never watched a show with such a bad actor. WOW. No matter how great actress Haruka is; she could not succeed in having any chemistry with Robot-kun. Was this his only role or something? Poor guy; no facial expression AT all.
The others characters were great, especially Yamada-neesan and Futatsugi. Excellent friends to the main stars. And although their roles were tiny, I liked the actors that played Kaname and Yuuka. Too bad they did not make it to the 2nd season :(
Although I was impatient sometimes with Hotaru for suffering for the wrong guy and for not realizing her feelings earlier for the awesome Buchou, I loved their scenes together in the porch. Not because they were funny (they were!) but because I love these kind of love stories where the base of a romantic relationship is, first of all, friendship.
My rating: 7/10
Season 2.
Three years ago, the heart of Amemiya Hotaru, the 'dried up female', had settled on Takano 'Buchou', and the 'dried up female' was supposed to have grown up … However, right after that, Hotaru was posted as a project team member to far-away Hong Kong. She was cut off from 'Buchou' and devoted herself to work. Then, three years later, Hotaru returns to Japan after finishing the project. She is assigned to the First Planning Department, where 'Buchou' belongs, and immediately begins work as one of the team members. However, both the staff as well as the mood in the company have changed a great deal.
Episodes: 11
************************************************************************************************
After 3 years, Hotaru is back. She wrote to Buchou only once! No doubt Buchou loves her; he waited patiently for her, without complains (almost). The addition of 2 rivals was nice because they are not actually rivals. Yes, Osamu Mukai eventually falls for Hotaru, and Konatsu-san is a ex-girlfriend from Buchou, but they were nice people. At first they seem to be going to be a problem between our couple, but nothing of the sort. Despite being in love with Hotaru and Buchou, they never attempted to tear them apart.
Yamada-neesan and Futatsugi were a sweetheart. I liked them more in this Season because their role is bigger. They support Hotaru and Buchou, and at the same time, they have their own silly problems; that they overcome because they are the best :)
Season 2 in my opinion was less funny, but in terms of romantic relationship was better. Hello, they kissed for the first time! Oh my, the times I thought "Buchou, please kiss her already!". So yeah, I had to wait another 8 episodes I think, for this to happened, but IT HAPPENED. Buchou, release the beast!
My rating: 7.5/10
The movie.
Set two years after after "Hotaru no Hikari 2" drama series, Hotaru Amemiya learns that her boss and now husband Seichi Takano has dreamed of vacationing in Rome, Italy like in the movie "Roman Holiday". Hotaru then makes plans to go to Rome for their honeymoon. Rome, Italy prepare ... Hotaru Amemiya and Seichi Takano are coming!
************************************************************************************************
Definitely the least funny, but it is my favorite, above the dorama. First, we have The Hug, which to me was more romantic than any kiss. It was a Real Hug, and isn't Buchou such a sweetheart? Second, although it was very sad, the story of Rio-san and her lost family was really touching. Third, the story takes plot in beautiful Italy. And last, but not least, my dear Tegoshi has a small role! Tiny, tiny though.
My rating: 8/10
