S. Yue Michaelis

The year is 626 C.E, and the realm and its political center Chang’an, are shaken to its core by the Xuanwu Gate Incident, a successful palace coup to take charge of the Tang Dynasty. A scheming prince leads the bloody coup and kills the family of Li Chang Ge during the raid, although she manages to escape. Now the prince has placed himself on the Imperial throne, and rules as Emperor Tai Zong.
Li Chang Ge has her mind firmly set on revenge – and musters a powerful army intent on overthrowing the new Emperor.
But her plans are thrown into disarray when she suffers an unexpected defeat against the armies of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. The victorious General, Ashile Sun, decides to keep her in his service, making her his military strategist as he looks to pursue his own military goals. The duo forms a formidable military partnership. And over time, she finds herself falling for her captor – as he also starts developing feelings for her. (MDL-2021)


Production-wise, it is a very well done drama. Story-telling and characterization... overrated.

I swear to God almost everyone in this show was dumb and the script was trying so hard to sell that they were all smart but it didn't work at all (and it didn't help that I watched this at the same time I watched NiF). In almost every episode someone was saying "you are so smart". Bish, where?? Every "good" character was or either making a wrong decision (Changge, Hao Du, Shuyu) or were acting with hysteria (Mimi, the Crown Prince). The script was horrible; Changge was supposed to be a smart strategist, and all she said was "let's put this group to the right and this to the left" and the other party was "wow Changge, you are so smart, be my right-hand commander".

First episode, Changge is this intelligent, tomboy girl who knows how to fight, physically and mentally. Second episode, Changge swears to take revenge. 40 episodes later and all Changge did was saying this and that and was the smartest; as for the battles, where was the girl so agile who could fight? She was constantly saved by others; the forever damsel in distress.

Yueyan had a better character development; seemed like she was going to be the damsel in distress but she had more adventures and dangerous situations than Changge and even knew how to overcome them ON HER OWN. She may have been timid but she was braver. Except she has another facepalm moment around episode 40-42 where she still thinks she has a chance with Shuyu.... she has a heartbreak in one episode and in the same episode she overcomes it and realizes she loves Hao Du. Character development made wrong.

The only smart character was Sun.... he was honest and knew how to say things straight and also could sense when something was wrong. The others **facepalm** Hao Du was all talks and no action and poor Wei Shuyu was just so dumb.... the sweetest boy but very dumb.

OST is excellent. Performed by the King an Queen of CDramas OST. So of course the songs are good. I did not fall in love with them but I can admit they are powerful songs. And I did like the use of illustrations to show battles and fires and flood.... I was expecting more use of it because it was unique.

This drama was 10 episodes too long; should have ended around 40 at least.

Nana is a servant of the Kazahaya family, She is from a samurai family. Her father was about to reveal wrongdoings within the domain, but had to commit ritual suicide for a crime he hadn't done. Ichinoshin tries to correct the wrongdoings, but end up being a target himself. After finding out her father's enemy is the man behind it all, Nana decides to protect Ichinoshin and his children, as she had promised Sachi, Ichinoshin's late wife. (wiki-addicts-2019)


I've wanted to watch this short drama ever since it was announced but then I forgot about it. If it wasn't for my newfound obsession for Machida Keita, I wouldn't have started yet. So thank you Keita!

This was my only historical drama of 2020; it is a quiet and easy to watch story; with compelling characters and a poetic storytelling. All of it was poetic, really: the setting, the script, the OST... beautiful. Kiyohara Kaya has been almost from the beginning of her career a Main Lead material; her acting is very natural, her smile and tears are so gentle-like. There is a strong feature in her, but also a vulnerable side, so it was understandable how she gains multiple allies along the story.

Nana is the daughter of a samurai, and after the death of her parents, she works as a maid in the house of a samurai, played by Machida Keita. Nana comes to love both her master and mistress dearly, and after the death of her mistress, is determined to always be by the side of the children + their father. But a complot makes her Master being falsely accused and put into jail, she decides to protect the children. Thankfully, even when being alone and without a penny, she works hard, and along the way, gains several comrades that help her one way or another.

I love this kind of story, where the heroine is strong and seems to be alone, but she actually isn't, because thanks to her will and kindness, she manages to keep going forward and gain the trust and loyalty of other people (even people who seem fishy at first, but end up being the most loyal). And I love her revenge against the man who made her father commit seppuku.

I only wanted a HEA for her; I honestly thought the romance wouldn't prosper but happily, it did. I am so happy that she won his heart by the end (not really by the end; he was fond of her before that, but he also was still mourning his wife's death). Keita was excellent as her Master; kind, strong and handsome. Not all is serious, there are moments of comedy, like Nana giving people's nicknames XD

In 1802, 8-year-old Mio lost her parents in a river flood in Osaka and feels all alone after she is also separated from her childhood friend Noe. She is saved by Yoshi, the proprietress of ‘Tenman Icchoan’, one of Osaka’s famous restaurants, whom she happened to meet. Mio begins training as a cook because of her gift for taste in a time when females were still banned from the kitchen. However, the restaurant was burnt down in a fire and she sets off for Edo with Yoshi and her husband Kahei. By some lucky coincidence, they are invited by Taneichi, the owner of ‘Tsurya’, to work at his soba shop. Mio is bewildered by the contrasting flavors of the Kansai region and Edo, and also has to deal with the obstructions of a rival shop and a status difference in her love with the samurai Komatsubara. She overcomes these difficulties and eventually becomes a top female cook. (mydramalist-2017)


A very heartwarming dorama. I wasn't expect that, since the summary tells that it is about the difficulties of a young girl to be a cook in a chauvinistic world. And it is but it is also about the kindness of people, how they help each other in small but significant ways; it is also about family and to care about someone else's well being. And of course, it is also about overcoming the difficulties in life with the help of people who loves you.

I am adding Kuroki Haru in my list of favorite actresses. Whenever role she plays, I just want her to be happy And when she is, her happiness is contagious. And she is so gentle, so Japanese-lady-like. My other favorite in this dorama was her mistress (Yasuda Narumi), who loved her as a mother. Her love for her adopted daughter, and for her son was beautiful. Her sad smile was so poignant...

There is a little reunion of members of "Juhan Shuttai", which made me really happy (4 of them!). Starting with the MC, who again works hard in what she loves XD And is spite of working again with Nagayama Kento (Nagata-sensei), I was rooting for Komatsubara-san since the very beginning. I loved when there is respect and a little bit of teasing from the love interest XD

I love the setting, since historical stories set in Edo period are most of the times my favorites. The food that are shown look mostly so tasteful (and there is a little culinary demonstration of the main recipe of the day at the end of each episode, performed by the amazing Kuroki Haru). The other time, when I was eating with other people and they were "ohhh my, so delicious" I laughed internally because that's what happens every time people eats Mio's food).

The OST is lovely, it helped to keep the tone light.

For rewatch value, yes, I would watch it again, specially when the SP is subbed (there HAS to be a SP... when I finished Ep 8 I was like, WHAT?). Besides, it is very short, with 8 episodes only, of 35 minutes aprox each ep.).

Botchan (Kazunari Ninomiya) has sense of strong justice and does not lie. He is offered a teaching job at a middle in a small village far away from his hometown of Tokyo. Botchan accepts the position and begins to work as a math teacher. The assistant principle there wields absolute power. Botchan has a hard time dealing with his fellow teachers and the students. (asianwiki)


This was a good adaptation from the book, and Nino certainly "looked" like Botchan. Of course they cut off some parts (what I remember, for example, is when Botchan and the Math Teacher spied on Red Shirt), and the character of Madonna was more elaborated. We get to hear Botchan's thoughts at some parts, specially at the beginning, but I missed his voice when it came to the English Teacher. Because I laughed many times with all his thoughts about him.

I like the setting, I did not know it was on Meiji era, I wanted to face-palm. Overall the actors were good (I wish the Assistant was more annoying but it could be that I like the actor so much I couldn't see him as an annoying guy). And just like in the book, it ended "eh?".

In ancient Rome, architect Lucius (Hiroshi Abe) is too rigid in his ways and unable to keep up with the fast changing times. Because of this, Lucius loses his job. A friend then takes Lucius to a bath house to cheer him up. There at the bath house, Lucius slips through a time portal and arrives at a bath house in present day Japan!


I always thought I would love everything Abe Hiroshi stars in, but I was wrong. I am so sorry Abe-san! I admire you, I adore you, you are the best, but this wasn't your best movie. I am not sure if it was a comedy or a drama or what. Yes, it has elements of comedy, but they weren't so funny. The first time he travels in time to modern Japan, it was fine. And wow, his body... he is mostly naked or semi-naked in the whole movie, so that is a big plus! He has an amazing body, and with his height... **swoon**.

But he comes and goes, comes and goes, and the repetitiveness of him being amazed at everything that relates to modern bath loses it touch, the fun. Since I am going to Japan, I found them very interesting, but that was it. The actors were good: for once Ueto Aya played a good, goofy mangaka with a nice sense of fashion. She did not try to be cute, like she always does (ok, not always since I've seen her in just a couple of movies/doramas yet. But what I saw she is always like that). Kitamura Kazuki (Keioniusu) is better suit for this kind of role: arrogant, evil, etc, instead of the goofy one (he overacts too much while trying to look nice). I don't have any complains about the actor who played Hadrian... he never overeacts, and all the roles that I've seen him played before suit him perfectly... He can be the bad guy, the good guy, the yakuza guy, and well, even an Italian emperor.

The locations, beautiful. All green and vast, just like I like them. But to be honest, the story... it was like sometimes it was more of a parody than a... comedrama? dramacomedy? The soundtrack was all Italian songs, operas more than anything. When Lucius, or the old men, were swallowed by the water, it was obvious they were dolls (Ken dolls, most likely). Instead of an onsen or a bath, it was obvious it was some kind of bowl.

Overall, some scenes + the soundtrack + the soprano seemed a parody. Cast and locations, beautiful. Abe Hiroshi: so manly and so talented. Story, MEH.

In late Edo period of Japan, a vassal of the Akashi Domain named Tosho Mamiya (Masaaki Uchino ) commits suicide in front of the gate of Roju, the family of Lord Doi (Mikijiro Hira). By his suicide, he accuses the lord of Akashi Domain, Naritsugu Matsudaira (Goro Inagaki), with committing atrocities like murder & rape. Naritsugu Matsudaira, who is the younger brother of the shogun Ieyoshi, is set to become the Roju next year. The Shogun clan becomes disturbed by the case and believes the country's stability & peace is threatened by Naritsugu Matsudaira. Lord Doi then decides to assassinate Naritsugu Matsudaira and orders samurai Shinzaemon Shimada (Koji Yakusho) to carry out the deed.

Shinzaemon Shimada gathers eleven men, including a butcher ronin named Kuzuro Hirayama (Tsuyoshi Ihara) & Shinzaemon Shimada's own nephew Shinrokuro Shimada (Takayuki Yamada), who is a gambler, alcoholic and womanizer. As their plan progresses, Naritsugu Matsudaira's head samurai Hanbei Onigashira (Masachika Ichimura) hears of the assassinaton plan. Years ago, Hanbei Onigashira & Shinzaemon Shimada were fellow pupils of the sword, but ideological differences led them to part ways. Now, a mental battle between Hanbei Onigashira & Shinzaemon Shimada begins.

Shinzaemon Shimada believes the only way to assassinate Naritsugu Matsudaira is to ambush him in the town of Ochlai, while he is returning home from Edo. The assassins are dispatched to Ochlai to fortify the town and lay traps. During this time the assasins pick up a 13th member, a mountain man named Koyata Saga (Yusuke Iseya).

When the 13 assassins' plan is set to begin, they encounter many surprises, none of which is bigger than facing an army of more than 200 samurais ...


The main reason this movie attracted my attention was, not the reviews saying it was a phenomenal movie, but the fact that there is a 45 minutes-battle! And that the director is not other than Takashi Miike, the same that directed CROWS ZERO and CROWS ZERO 2 (the latter which has also a long battle scene). I mean, we are talking about a battle, with swords, 12 ronin and 1, errr, warrior, that fight against 200 samurais! That alone is one big and obvious reason to watch it.

Besides that, I wanted to see "rockstar" (hehehe, when I read that his profession was "rockstar" in a review, I laughed) Inagaki Goro, who was perfect as a sadist dono, since he is always so passive and has a kind face, which makes him a perfect choice to play a villain. His acts were sometimes TOO gruesome, thought. Not a movie for everyone.

There are many familiar actors in the movie, actors that I liked and that are good. Like Uchino Masaki (JIN Sakamoto Ryoma), though his scene is super short -maybe 30 seconds long- and he doesn't talk, but he has a powerful scene where he commits harakiri); or Iseya Yusuke (Joker Game Yuki), though he was not such a comedy relief in spite of what almost all reviews say; or Takaoka Sousuke (CROWS ZERO Izaki) and Ishigaki Yuma (HanaKimi 1st Head Dorm). Unfortunately, there is no character development whatsoever, so the audience cannot connect with almost any of them; cannot tell one from the other (all of them, except 2, have the same hairstyle and dark clothes) and at the end, their bravery is not so poignant since we barely know them.

And Yamada Takayuki... ohh, I think his role could have been a little better. Another undercast character. There are only 2 characters that showed personality, besides the villain, and that were the 2 frenemies: one who is the Lord's personal bodyguard, and the other who is the leader of the 13 assassins.

I could not enjoyed it as much as I wanted to because (and the reasons are totally not related to the movie itself): 1) the quality of the video was super low, and since the movie is a bit dark-ish, it was even worse. And 2) the audio was not synchronized with the video. It was like, 1 second behind, and it annoyed the hell out of me.

Yes, the movie was good for what it was, a battle-field with swords, and explorations, and gore and beheaded people. But I would have loved more character development.

Ichi (Haruka Ayase) is a blind entertainer that travels the countryside with her traditional Japanese guitar and walking stick. She’s in search for the kind man that brought her up as a child, but because of her beauty she encounters problems every step of the way. Fortunately for Ichi, she is also a gifted swordswoman and carries a lethal blade within her walking stick.

One day, members of the notorious Ban-ki gang surround Ichi and prepare to rape her. A passerby then comes to defense of Ichi. The man’s name is Toma Fujihira (Takao Osawa) and although he seems terrified of the men, he still attempts to stand up for the seemingly defenseless blind woman. Once the Ban-ki members draw their swords on Toma Fujihira, Ichi now comes to the defense of the shaking man. After unleashing her blade, she methodically kills all of her attackers.

Ichi and Toma Fujihara then travel the countryside together developing a friendship that hints at romantic interests between the pair. When the couple arrive in the next town they are then confronted by other Ban-ki gang members who attempt to exact revenge on Ichi. (asianwiki)

I am sure that anyone who has seen the dorama JIN was compelled to watch this movie as well, since Saki-san (Haruka) and Jin-sensei (Osawa Takao) are the main characters in this movie. Why is their love doomed is my question.

Anyway, I was pretty disappointed with this movie. I guess I was expecting more battles with the sword, a more impressive Ayase Haruka. The story is very slow-paced, or maybe it was the script, which wasn't good. A big crime, because to have these two amazing actors that couldn't prove their talent! I don't know, I think I was expecting the unexpected, and was let down in the process.

What I really liked was the cinematography. It was gorgeous, the background, the snow, the green fields, the clean water of the lake. The villain was colorful, and there were two R-rated scenes that surprised me because so far I haven't seen this kind of scenes in a Japanese movie before.

Not my favorite Haruka movie. It needed a better scriptwriter in my opinion.

The story follows a brain surgeon named, Minakata Jin, who has spent the last two years in anguish, as his fiancee lies in a vegetative state after an operation he performed. One day, he faints at the hospital and awakens to find himself transported back in time to the Edo period. He is soon attacked by a samurai, but he escapes with the help of a man named Kyotaro. Kyotaro suffers a serious injury to the head while trying to protect him, but Jin manages to save his life despite a lack of proper medical equipment. Because of that, Kyotaro's sister Saki begins taking an interest in Jin and becomes his assistant. Meanwhile, Jin is determined to find a way back to the present. (dramawiki)


Amazing drama. AMAZING. I was hooked from the very beginning. And what it is best, the last 3 or 2 episodes are not boring or dragging at all (something that I've been dealing with with the last doramas I've watched). Everything was excellent in this dorama. Excellent. I am currently downloading the second season.

This is the first time I see a period drama (a Japanese period drama, that is). I learned so much. First, this character, Sakamoto Ryoma, who is one of Japan's hero (although you would not believe it in this show... he was more like a comedy relief, but I've read some text about him to be more informed). And then, their life styles. This is the 1862 year.

Top-notch things about this wonderful dorama:

- Cast: many familiar faces, but also some new ones. Ayase Haruka has never failed me. She is amazing in everything she does. I think I will like whatever she is in. She plays the daughter of an important family, and she wants to be a doctor (which was not possible in that time, for a woman). Needless to say, she looked gorgeous as Saki-sama, in her kimono and fancy hairdo. Her brother is Koide Keisuke, another actor that has never failed me. He may be a little to tamed here, but I liked him so much he could have said two words in the entire show and I would have still liked him. Other actor that I've recently started to like is Kiritani Kenta (as the doctor Saburi). He has such a funny face, and boy he can act! He was wonderful as the new doctor who practiced his studies with prostitutes. And then it is Nakatani Miki, as Miki and the courtesan Nokaze. WOW, what a pretty, elegant lady. I have seen her only in one movie ("Densha Otoko") and I wasn't impressed. She was too plain, in looks and in acting. Boy did I change my mind! She is beautiful, she moved me with her acting as both Nokaze and Miki. She was so elegant and lady-like as the courtesan. Everything, from her voice to her little movements, were majestic. OMG, even her little feet were elegant. I love her smile, I can't believe I once thought she was plain.

The new faces, for me, were first, Ozawa Takao as Jin. Excellent his role as the doctor. I don't think I will be able to see him in another role, he WAS Dr. Jin. He traveled in time, from present time to Edo time. It was not hard to put into his shoes. Everything he did -every life he saved, every person he met- could change history, and he was afraid of it. But more than anything, he was a doctor, so of course he changed perspectives; his and the people he met. I could understand why two strong females, like Saki and Nokaze, fall in love with him. He was just, he was kind, he was skillful. On the other hand, I could not take sides. I loved Saki, she was an independent woman who was interested in medicine. I loved Nokaze, who had a very sad past and wanted her freedom. I loved Miki, Nokaze's great-great-great-granddaughter and present girlfriend. I could understand why Jin was so aware of the little photograph he took with him (where he and Miki were posing. With every change he made into history, the photograph changed). I don't know how this will end... and although I hate love triangles -or love squares- I wish Jin all the happiness and wisdom to chose a woman among these wonderful women.

At first I thought the actor had a funny face... a bit weird, since his eyes are very apart. But with every laugh I liked him more. He had those tiny wrinkles that made him attractive, he has a nice body and nice teeth. On the other hand, he has a huge Adam's apple (is it weird to take notice of that??)

The actor who played Dr. Ogata was also wonderful. First time I see this man. He did a good job playing the most important doctor in this little town. I was moved by his tears. And I was convinced of his importance and intelligence.

The little boy... waaa, I had tears in my eyes when he was crying for his mother. At first I thought he was a bit annoying and not a good actor, but he proved me wrong with the scene with his mother.

Oh, and Kohinata Fumiyo has a small role as well! He was, of course, wonderful. WOW the number of roles he played so far! One of the most prolific Japanese actors.

The man who played Ryoma-san was good, first time I see him. I just did not like his role that much, mainly because of the way he talked, and also because I just couldn't make up my mind that a guy like him has been the most important guy in Japan history. He was just too... he took things like a joke, which is fine of course, but as Ryoma-san... not so much I guess.


- Setting: the backgrounds were beautiful. The houses -so Japanese-, the gardens! The little red district... the trees! Houses were wide and so clean.

- Costumes: Saki's kimonos and Nokaze's... O_O WOW, beyond gorgeous. Their hairstyles, Nokaze's high shoes, her make-up. I loved one of Saki's kimono which was pink. Or another that was blue with little flowers. Scratch that, I loved ALL her kimonos! From the top of their heads to their tiny feet... everything was pretty.

- The surgeries: I am one of those people that cannot see blood... and since Jin is a doctor who has to perform surgeries -brain surgery, skin surgery, breast surgery...- everything looked very real. I was like O_O OMG. And of course, praying that Jin could save his or her life. It did not always happen -obviously- but I was so happy when he did.

- Soundtrack: the ending song not so much. But the opening and the one that accompanied the most important scenes (by Takami Yu). It was sweet and a bit sad and just beautiful. I loved it and I am currently searching it to have it on my playlist. One of my favorite dorama songs.

Before I decided to watch it, I've read several reviews in order to decide. Most of the reviews said that the end was not good. I think it was good, a bit of a cliffhanger but not a life-or-death problem. It ended like it was supposed to end. Some get their happy ending, some get a HFN. A perfect way to continue a 2nd season, but for people who did not like it so much, it can also end here. Overall, it was satisfying.