Kimura's new drama

[scottishlass]

Next season, Fuji TV's Monday night drama will star the ever-popular Kimura Takuya. He plays an elementary school teacher who, due to some circumstances, gets involved in the world of politics and eventually becomes the Prime Minister of Japan.

The show, which is currently untitled, is being produced by Goto Hiroyuki. The script is being handled by Fukuda Yasushi, who has written for popular dramas such as "HERO" and "Galileo." Sawada Kensaku ("Saiyuki," "Hero Special") is directing.

Fukatsu Eri co-stars as Kimura's secretary, an ambitious woman aiming to reform the country. She and Kimura last appeared together in the 2002 drama series Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi.

The drama starts shooting next month and will begin airing in April.

source: http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2583

As much as I love Kimura's newly found seriousness about acting ever since Bushi no Ichibun, I long to see him in a romance drama again.
And it means ... Kimura is back to dark, short hair *sigh* I miss the long locks.

Comments

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

"eventually becomes the Prime Minister of Japan"...? *raises eyebrows* As it happens, eh? ;)

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

WHo knows ... though it is true that both last PMs were guests on SMAPxSMAP before they became PMs. Talk about popularity boost.

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

Mind you, I loved Hugh Grant playing the Prime Minister of the UK, so who knows indeed... from the three Kimura doramas I've seen so far I have no doubt that he'll pull it off. His acting is just so good, and I dare say I haven't even seen his best yet.

I find it's dangerous wanting to know more about a newly found passion. Yesterday on Japan Today online I read some nasty comments on SMAP by people, which I found quite disturbing. I had to remind myself that there'll always be people who don't like you... and people who do.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Yeah ppl tend to get jealous because you cannot stay for one day in Japan and not see either SMAP together or one of the members either on a billboard on the streets, on TV or in some other function.
I watched a documentary about Japan a couple of days ago on Phoenix which was clearly from the late 1990's and what did I see when they showed a typical street in Tokyo? A huge billboard with Kimura on it - for Levi Jeans. You can't escape them even if you tried.

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

I was just kind of shocked, because one comment read "Normal people don't watch cooking shows, normal people don't watch SMAP, normal people don't like SMAP..." It sounded as if they're only liked by a minority of freaks, and - and don't laugh - I found that kinda hurtful. Not personally because I like them now, but it sounded so insulting to all those fans I've seen on their concert and TV show videos. In addition, it reminded me a little of the childish, jealous insults German boys hurl at Tokio Hotel, or any other boyband that takes the girls' fancy.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

LOL yeah, I know.
But most of the time ppl who bash SMAP are young fans of the kouhei (younger) groups of JE. Like KAT-TUN, NewS etc. which happen to have cooking shows etc as well but of course everything is much cooler and better and so so sexy. Yeah right.

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

I just thought the other night that all those other bands' names came up while I was with you, and that I haven't got the slightest clue about them - and that I'm not even sure I want to. ;) Mind you, remember that scene in yanie's '18 Years Tribute' when Nakai tells on that one TV show how he cannot pee beside Goro? The guy in the frilly dark shirt who laughs and applauds - he is kinda cute, whoever he is. ;p

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Oh-uh .. Kame from KAT-TUN ... I always call him the styled eyebrows of Doom. He is okayish ... I like him in his current dorama, though normally when he has styled his eyebrows they distract me from whatever he is doing on screen. SERIOUSLY!!
Kame & Yamapi fan vid. I like Yamapi better :)

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's the EYEBROWS guy! I remember you referring to those! LOL

Mhm. I think I prefer Eyebrows. Though he gives off the impression of a terrible pain in the neck. Yamapi is so... young? I dunno. Too much of a baby for my taste. Oh well. More for you then. ;)

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Young? Okay 24 is young ... but he is not a baby anymore as he proved in this month' An-An.

I beg to differ:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/DarkScape/kimura%20peek-a-boo/yamapi004kx6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/DarkScape/kimura%20peek-a-boo/27mi6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/DarkScape/kimura%20peek-a-boo/yamapiwinkup062006047zg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/DarkScape/kimura%20peek-a-boo/Image5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/DarkScape/kimura%20peek-a-boo/an-an2008_4.jpg

I always want to give Kame a sandwich or something bigger .. he is sooooo skinny.

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

Yummy pictures, but too young. ;) I think I know what it is - he looks too perfect. Keine Ecken und Kanten. I like some freakiness in a bloke. That's why I like looking at Kimura, though I'd probably go crazy if I had to live with him. Or with any Scorpio man, for that matter. *lol* Even with my first love, who's also a Scorpio - as much as I loved him, I think not having to live with him was what made it so good and so special.

I dunno why, but Kame reminds me of my younger brothers. I want to give him a spank. ;) Yet he intrigues me... oh God. I AM crazy! :o

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

LOL :) Yeah true ... he is too smooth .. though you would love him as Akira in Nobuta wo Produce. He is the guy who gets high on soy milk :)
Kame is a strange guy ... though i have to admit I like him as boxer who falls in love with a nun (his character is funny in his silliness) but when he does serious stuff I don't like him very much, he is then too stiff ... AND he was one half of the worst JDorama kisses in the last 5 years.
And here is the only pic I have of Kame *lol*


As I said ... eyebrows of Doom.

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

though i have to admit I like him as boxer who falls in love with a nun

Oh, he's THAT guy???!!! LOLOLOL

Niiiiiiiiice picture! Definitely intrigues me. I think he looks dirty. ;p

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

Though where those eyebrows are trying to go with him... I do not know. And I do not dare guess. *lol*

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

These eyebrows are distracting, I tell you. When I watched SAPURI, a jdrama with him as the male lead, I couldn't concentrate on the plot but was always wondering what his eyebrows would do next. :D

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

ROTFLMAO

There's a whole world in those eyebrows! One should write stories about them! :D

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

I think it is already done ... JE fangirls have strange fetishes ,-)

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

Just as I feared. *snort* As for the strange fetishes: I did mention that I think I have the hots for Shingo Mama, did I? ;) That one bit where they watch Prince Goro's washing powder commercial and then the other girl gets up and you see Shingo Mama from the side looking her way, smiling... sooooooooo adorable! I really love him there. Her. It. Um. Yeah. :D

[honeyswallow.livejournal.com]

Sorry, but... how it reads!

an elementary school teacher who, due to some circumstances, gets involved in the world of politics and eventually becomes the Prime Minister of Japan.

LOL!
It's bewildering, but I'm looking forward to it.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

True, though I want something epic and romantic and Angsty a la PRIDE. At least we have Eri in it ... and not - as I suspected Ryo (who looks much more like a skeleton these days) or the actress who played Minami in LV.

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

This preview makes me feel highly disapointed, honestly. Prime-minister? What the f**k? I don't want to watch any stuff about politics, even with Kimura. =(

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Well I hope Fukuda Yasushi will turn the script into much more fun than it sounds atm. I hope it will be something along the lines of HERO - with a couple of cute/witty moments.

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

For me everything about this new dorama sadly sounds like "not my cup of tea".

I'm quite indifferent to "Hero" series, not a fan of them, and I didn't like "Galileo" at all, so the writer's name sounds more like (-) than like (+) for me. And I think that "Hero Special" was badly directed, in fact, the worst stuff I saw with Kimura... I don't like films about political stuff - serious or satirical, no difference. Also, the idea of school teacher suddenly becoming a prime-minister (especially in Japan!) sounds like ridiculous fairy-tale for me.

In fact, I'm not sure I'll watch this kind of dorama. I'm not interested in any of its components... well, except Kimura, and this only motivation, I'm afraid, is not enough for 11 long series.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Well, I will refrain from judging the series before I haven't watched the first ep. Perhaps it will surprise us, who knows.

May I ask for...

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

Off-top...
I began to watch Wakamono no Subete even without subs! Imagine? Wanted something new for me with Kimura-san too much. =) BTW, I'm finished ep 6 already and you know - I really like it! It's a pity I don't understand details of the plot, especially all that criminal story about Takeshi and Mamoru...

But anyway... What did I want to ask you? In your copy of Wakamono - is ep. 5 OK there? Mine ep. 5 is damaged a bit and it has no end. If your ep. 5 is OK, could you'll upload it for me? No need to be in a hurry about it - I've watched it already as it is, but I'd like to have a correct file, too. Thanks in advance.

Re: May I ask for...

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Strange you mention that ... I am about to download Wakamono as both my d/led as well as DVD version is wonky on ep5 :(
I will check if this version I d/l now is okay and then upload it. As soon as I have finished Beyond your time I will start with a series, not sure which as I have soooo much stuff here, esp. ALL SMAP stuff.

Re: May I ask for...

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see...
Is your Wakamono RAW or hardsubbed? I have two good RAW eps (2 and 4), but all others are with Chinese (?) subs. I'd prefer to find complete RAW version...

BTW, have you watch Wakamono alredy yourself?

Re: May I ask for...

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

I'm getting RAWs - once I have all 10 I will upload them to smapxmedia and then add the subs as I finish them.
I have about 65% of Beyond your time now and hopefully I can finish it by next week.

Re: May I ask for...

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

Good!
Wakamono is very interesting, while sometimes quite violent and bloody story - kind of eps. 10-11 of Gift. The Wakamono chracters live in poor industrial quarter - with all the "pleasures" of this environment, including criminal activity, violent fights at the streets ets.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Have you watched him in Karei-naru Ichizoku? I thought that the movie, despite being a family drama, had a lot of politics in it. There hasn't been any dramas that I've watched (and I've watched plenty) of Kimura's that I don't like :) I think he's such a legend that he can make even the most weak plots seem that tad bit more interesting ^^

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

I do have some doramas with Kimura that I definetely don't like - "Sora Kara", for example... I'm not a fan of "Hero", too... And Karei-naru also is in this "don't like" list, BTW. Yeah, I've seen it. Well, this is an example of a very good acting, but as a story I don't like it at all - too much of politics, economics, bad ending... This is not for me. I'll never re-watch Karei-naru again.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

YES. I think the pairing Fukatsu Eri/Takuya Kimura is okay. I prefer him with Matsu Takako, but I also think Fukatsu is fine. She looks a bit like Zhang Ziyi to me :) Thanks for the heads up. I am looking forward to his new dramas.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Matsu, Yuko or Eri are fine ... as long as it is not Ryo or that chick who played Minami in LV - I find them really annoying.

:D

[bakabanri.livejournal.com]

A politic drama! I really enjoy Karei-naru ichizoku so far, so perhaps I'll like this one xD even if it's unenjoyable the rating will be high anyway O_O

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

Well it is Kimura after all so I think it will have a good script and good ratings :) And you knwo, Kimura could end up being PM in real life if he had any political ambitions after his time with SMAP. ;-)

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

Kimura could end up being PM in real life

I hope this will never happen - politics is among the dirtiest businesses in this world. ^_^

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

And you knwo, Kimura could end up being PM in real life if he had any political ambitions after his time with SMAP.

That was exactly what I thought yesterday.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

On Monday Aso Haro was Bistro guest who is running to become next PM in Japan. Kimura was watching his gestures etc like a hawk ... I guess he is already into method acting mode. I wonder when he starts wearing suits again as he did for Karei, he looked so smart and elegant in those suits he wore in SxS :)
It is really funny with Kimura ...the way he dresses for SxS is always a sure sign which movie/drama he is doing. For Hero he is always wearing Football jerseys and lumberjack shirts. While filming Karei he was wearing 60#s styled suits, for Pride he wore a lot of Leather and Icehockey sweaters, for Good Luck he wore a lot of dress shirts with a pullover over it :D The hair is also a dead give away, but Nakai really has gone to extreme by shaving his head for his new movie.

[little-witch27.livejournal.com]

Oh God, yeah, I saw pictures. Scary. And I had just grown fond of him. :/

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

I think it is kind of cute ... and his hair can get a rest after all that sying he does from black to red to blonde at the tips and so on.