Otomen: First Impressions

Despair! TT^TT School is already making me so much busier than last year~ DX And working extra hard to keep up with the high expectations…D:

Yes, it’s a first impressions post because two episodes came out already. I’ll be combining both episodes together for the first impression~ But anyways, Otomen I think has been adapted pretty well from the manga. And I actually really like the drama so far. So definitely following this. ;]

Story & Plot

At first glance, Masamune Asuka is your popular, tough, cool, guy, who is also the top kendo fighter in the nation. However, beneath his manly exterior is a side of him he must keep a secret to himself. He is skilled in cooking and sewing, and loves cute things, sweets, and shoujo manga. He had to keep it a secret after his mother told him to never be like his father, who wanted to be woman; thus, he had to lock that life away. However one day, he comes across a girl being bullied, named Miyakozuka Ryo. After saving her, he finds out the next day that she is a new transfer student. Soon after, he begins to fall in love with her along with having his secret in danger of being exposed.

Well, I’m already a fan of the manga, so I have to say that the story is pretty entertaining. There are some hilarious moments brought out thanks to the story. Not much to say on the story and plot other than it’s not the most original thing in the world, yet still good. The drama also handles the story very well for an adaptation. Sure there are some changes (as most dramas usually do change the story), but not enough to totally alienate the drama so much that it could be considered it’s own story and not an adaptation, which makes me happy. It’s also just one of those nice, cute, light-hearted dramas you get to see, so that’s a plus. ^-^

The first episode was really good, although I’m a little tired of those fangirls. XP They must always be added into dramas, ne? I totally lol’ed at how they adapted the beginning flashback, because it’s so close and just hilarious. But was Asuka’s dad ever that old? I also like the actresss (?)  portraying Asuka for the flashback, since it looks exactly like him when he was young.

The second episode strayed a little more off from the story, but I totally understand and I don’t think they handled it in a way to make me RAWR. It still got the gist of the series at least…>_>

Characters

Asuka Masamune

Meet Asuka, our Otomen in the series played by none other than Masaki Okada (I’ll get more onto that later). Well, for characters, Asuka is one of my favorites. Well, he’s the lead anyways. But he’s just so epicly win with his double sided interests. Pshh…move over Hannah Montana. This guy can beat you with double life along with his cooking pots and all!~ XDD Anyways, I guess I just like Asuka with both his cool and his girly sides. I don’t find it that bad at all in real life actually, because then (we will be jumping wayyy ahead now) the husband and wife can share duties instead of pushing everything onto the women. *ahem* Getting off topic. Anyways, overall, a cool character either way. ^^

And…our actor for Asuka!~ And that is…Masaki Okada! Anyways, I think he fits Asuka pretty well. I’m not sure if he looks the toughest (but I think it’s okay, because I think he still has a resemblance to Asuka), haha, but he still plays well on his girly side. :] But his hair and everything looks like it fits well. When I first figured out it was him I was definitely shocked, because I know him from Hana Kimi as Sekime. And so he looked definitely…different.

Sorry for the bad quality pics!

Hair can do wonders.

But I think he looks way better with straight hair. Yes! So far, I think he portrays his character pretty well. I’ll have to keep watching though!

Ryo Miyakozuka

Ryo is the average…dense, heroine. Yup. But I still find her likable because she’s able to stand up for herself and is just plain cool with her fighting. Lol, I’m the same as her with not being able to do anything related to well…things considered meant for girls (tried cooking a couple days ago…I felt like a walking disaster in the kitchen, but thankfully cooked something good at the end anyways with some help)? I’ve already said that…so moving on. Not much to say about her besides, she innocently cute and tough. xD And that’s what I like about her. She’s too dense in my eyes though. But other than that, not that bad of a character.

Her actress is Kaho, an actress and model. Since I’m still an amateur in dramas, I haven’t seen her before. I think she portrays an innocent, kind, kind of unskilled, girl pretty well. But for some reason I’m not totally convinced on her fighting. I mean, it isn’t bad, but the effects are too visible for me. And her hair seems longer than her manga counterpart.

Juta Tachibana

Juta Tachibana is the playboy who is well…secretly a mangaka of Asuka’s favorite manga. At least, that’s how it is in the manga. In the drama, I’m not so sure how they make of him. He just seems like a guy who watches Asuka, although there was a shot with him and his drawing. I’m assuming their making him the mangaka, but there hasn’t been any shots of him working on the manga strip himself. So…I’m not sure. But we do know he follows Asuka around like a stalker and seems to know his secret, giving Asuka the nickname “Otomen”. I do feel he has a smaller role in the drama, however, and has less interactions with the main character than in the manga.

I can’t say much on his actor, Kazuma Sano. I think they made his hair look a lot like his manga counterpart, lol. I think he does a decent job so far, but I haven’t found anything that stood out about it either. I guess, pretty good, but not special? Anyways, I’ll wait to watch more before officially judging. Afterall, this is just a first impression.

Hajime Tonomine

And the descriptions get smaller. Hajime Tonomine, I don’t know him. xD I didn’t read too much of the manga, and it was quite some time ago, so I’ve forgotten if he did ever show up. Although I do think he’s a drama original. Someone correct me please~ Anyways, he seems like he has a grudge against Asuka, although I don’t know why.

And his actor is none other than Kimura Ryo, Nakao Senri from Hana Kimi, who is quite different from the role Kimura Ryo currently plays. Which is why I can’t take him seriously no matter how much I try. I think he does a pretty good job at his acting, but just doesn’t look tough or scary enough…>_> I mean seriously, how could you take him seriously when you compare his role from Hana Kimi…

Again, bad image quality, and I apologize!

…to now (lol @ his pink bow)? I’ll keep on watching though. Perhaps he’s good enough to convince me sooner or later. ^^

Others

Not much to say…but I don’t remember there being as many bullies that showed up that often. But gah! My memory is failing me! Now…may I ask (well of course I can xD) who is this shouta boy?!

Was he supposed to be that shouta boy who was confused for a girl and followed Asuka everywhere only to have his dreams shattered but still keep his weird imagination? Eh, I have no idea. Oh well…:(

Music

lover soul by Kou Shibasaki

The ED theme!! Oh the ending theme. I absolutely love the ending theme. ^^ I think it’s my favorite out of all drama ending themes so far. Absolute Boyfriend is pretty close though.The song is quite action-packed, and fits the sequence well. It’s just catchy and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet while listening to it. So I will definitely be looking out for the single. :]

But anyways, I love the era it’s shown in (I think it’s Edo…). And the colors are definitely different and just look great. It fits the show very well, and it is able to show both of the character’s awesome sides as well. ^^ Let’s see…well I’ve mentioned this before (not on the post but in comments) that you can totally imagine Etsuraku Camellia fitting the ending sequence.

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Overall, I love the drama so far, definitely the one drama I’m following, haha. So…even if you haven’t tried out dramas yet, I think this would be a good one to start out with since it’s adapted from a manga, and is just lighthearted. ^^

Anyways, that’s it for now. *phew* I’ve been working slowly on this post for a week. -____- I apologize for the lateness, because I only have so much time each day thanks to school. I’m going to have to work something out or else I won’t have any time to blog. :( Well…ignoring that, that’s it for now!~ Off to watch Atashinchi no Danshi now!~