JDorama review: Mei-chan no Shitsuji

Title: Mei-chan no Shitsuji Also known as: Mei-chan's Butler Broadcast dates: 1/13/09 - 3/17/09 Number of episodes: 10 Genre: Romantic Comedy Cast: Eikura Nana, Mizushima Hiro, Sato Takeru, Yamada Yu Plot: Shinonome Mei (Eikura) lived an ideal, if poor, life helping her parents run their udon shop in the countryside. After her parents sudden accidental death, it is revealed that Mei is the heir to a multibillionaire. Now she must attend a prestigious school in order to learn how to become a lady. However, at this school, every student has a handsome butler. Including Mei. What is good: Mizushima Hiro is wonderful as Mei's butler, Shibata Rihito What is bad: It plays out pretty much like any other "new girl in school" drama, except with butlers! Letter rating: B Overall: I made a decision to marathon this entire series in one day. Since it's only ten episodes, it wasn't a difficult task. As a whole, I found the series to be fairly decent. Nothing stood out as fabulous but nothing was particularly terrible either. The plot had an interesting take on the lady/butler relationship, even though it had a predictable ending. However, I was left feeling like there should have been a bit more meat on these bones.

JDorama review: Zettai Kareshi Special

Title: Zettai Kareshi Also Known As: Absolute Boyfriend Broadcast date: 3/24/09 Genre: Romantic comedy Cast: Hayami Mokomichi, Mizushima Hiro, Aibu Saki Plot: Shortly after Riiko (Aibu) and Soshi (Mizushima) get called back from Paris to open a new store, Riiko finds that Night has been resurrected by a new Kronos Heaven employee. Will Night destroy the couple's engagement? What is good: It's nice seeing these characters come to life again. What is bad: The story was completely unnecessary. Letter rating: B- Overall: When the series ended, I felt like I needed more closure to the story. This isn't what the audience needed. While it felt like Night's character had more to him, he was used throughout the entire special. It was wonderful seeing the characters on screen and interacting again. However, it's akin to taking that last extra bite of cake. Yeah, it was tasty but now you feel nauseous.

JDorama review: Zettai Kareshi

Title: Zettai Kareshi Also Known As: Absolute Boyfriend Broadcast date: 4/15/08 - 6/24/08 Genre: Romantic comedy Number of episodes: 11 Cast: Hayami Mokomichi, Mizushima Hiro, Aibu Saki Plot: Riika (Aibu Saki) is terrible at love. One day, she finds herself strapped with a free trial for a new love robot, Night (Hayami Mokomichi). Despite Night's absolute devotion to her, Riika finds herself falling in love with her boss, Soshi (Mizushima Hiro). Which will Riika choose? What is good: Much like Ghost in the Shell, it has a "what does it mean to be human" theme wrapped up in the romance storyline. What is bad: How come Night can't willingly destroy property but he can go around telling everyone he's a robot even though Riika was explicitly told not to tell anyone? Letter rating: A- Overall: As a drama, I found it to be excellent. I was even crying during the final episode. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't have problems. The robotic sound effects that Night makes when he blinks or turns his head get somewhat annoying after awhile. We know that he is a robot. We don't need to be reminded. We do need some continuity though. Why doesn't everyone else hear Night's blinking noise? Also, Riika is told very explicitly that Night is a secret and she is not to tell anyone that he is a robot. So what does Night do? Blab it to everyone. Even if no one believes him, why wouldn't he be programmed to not say he's a robot?

If you look past those few small problems, the show really is good. The actors do an excellent job, especially Hayami Mokomichi. This would be a great show for any romantic comedy fan.