It's easier to update a drama review as episodes come out. I'm really liking Uta no Onii-san starring, Arashi's own Riida - Ohno Satoshi and some guy from Kanjani 8 who I constantly can't remember the name off.
Characters
Yano Kenta (Ohno Satoshi): He's so... Ohno. xD Anyways, I like this character. I feel bad for him, at the end of the ep. 1 when Kenta was sitting on the empty stage I felt myself tearing up. I mean. He's not really motivated but he's not afraid to stand up to people and speak his mind either. It's admirable... but really. From rockstar to... some idiot on a TV show? You know, I think towards episode 6, Kenta really grows up. Or, he matures.. well, at least he becomes more serious. He's such a sweet guy ^^ (I think I might be biased =P)
Director Manabe (Kimura Yoshino): I like her. She's funny, interesting, you know. I just like her and her personality the way she is portrayed as a character. How sadistic she is and how much she bullies Kenta. She's an admirable woman. Working hard and what-not and you can tell she really liked the show. She really helped Kenta along and then towards the end, Kenta helped pull her along. ^^
Ayane (???): In the beginning I liked Kenta's girlfriend, I really wanted them to be together. After a while, I hated her. She was annoying. At first it was because she dumped Ohno but then was like.. semi-stalking him and crying over him and then it was because she was "weak" if you will. As the episodes went by I wanted to tell her to "grow-up" be like Kenta and just face your problems. By the end, well.. yeah, my opinion of her turned into nothing. She was just another character.
Saito Mamoru (Maruyama Ryuhei): ...He's in Kanjani? ..uh.. Never noticed him. But I like him. He's sort of cute in the "I want to squish your cheeks" sort of way ^^ As a character, he's not bad. His acting wasn't all that bad, he sure did the whiny voice down to the tee. (I hope that's not his natural voice o_o) and his all smiles and whatever. You know, yeah, I like him.
Singing Sister (Katase Nana): I think I have a song of her's, from Hikaru no Go or something. I don't know. Interesting enough character. I sort of like her, I mean.. she exagerates a lot but not enough to piss me off. I actually like her. She's amusing. ^^ Like. She exaggerates, but, you know.. she's friendly and overall quite nice. =D
Prince guy (???): I swear I've seen this guy somewhere. Was he that guy in Hana Kimi? That "Oscar" dude? Cause he seems like it. You know at the beginnig when girls sqealed at him as he got out of the car.. are they blind? You have Ohno Satoshi standing right there and you go for the retard? Ohno looks sooo much better than him >_> Girls are squealing for the wrong man. His random occurances are sort of "eh" and I don't know. My opinion of him is sort of "whatever".
Anzai (???): The main antagonist to this simple drama. At first, I sort of liked him, but then eventually, as he falls into the role of main antagonist, I obviously ended up disliking him. Manipulative bastard he is >_> But towards the end it's like "blah" you know, whatever, you were a bastard during episode 7 and in episode 8 you are now, yet again, just another character.
MIchiru (???): At first I was wondering who she was, and then I thought she was a nice girl but in Episode 4 she pissed me off a hell lot. But she redeemed herself in the end ^^ Although. I wonder why does she wear so much Makeup ... like.. really. (-_-;;)
Director Manabe (Kimura Yoshino): I like her. She's funny, interesting, you know. I just like her and her personality the way she is portrayed as a character. How sadistic she is and how much she bullies Kenta. She's an admirable woman. Working hard and what-not and you can tell she really liked the show. She really helped Kenta along and then towards the end, Kenta helped pull her along. ^^
Ayane (???): In the beginning I liked Kenta's girlfriend, I really wanted them to be together. After a while, I hated her. She was annoying. At first it was because she dumped Ohno but then was like.. semi-stalking him and crying over him and then it was because she was "weak" if you will. As the episodes went by I wanted to tell her to "grow-up" be like Kenta and just face your problems. By the end, well.. yeah, my opinion of her turned into nothing. She was just another character.
Saito Mamoru (Maruyama Ryuhei): ...He's in Kanjani? ..uh.. Never noticed him. But I like him. He's sort of cute in the "I want to squish your cheeks" sort of way ^^ As a character, he's not bad. His acting wasn't all that bad, he sure did the whiny voice down to the tee. (I hope that's not his natural voice o_o) and his all smiles and whatever. You know, yeah, I like him.
Singing Sister (Katase Nana): I think I have a song of her's, from Hikaru no Go or something. I don't know. Interesting enough character. I sort of like her, I mean.. she exagerates a lot but not enough to piss me off. I actually like her. She's amusing. ^^ Like. She exaggerates, but, you know.. she's friendly and overall quite nice. =D
Prince guy (???): I swear I've seen this guy somewhere. Was he that guy in Hana Kimi? That "Oscar" dude? Cause he seems like it. You know at the beginnig when girls sqealed at him as he got out of the car.. are they blind? You have Ohno Satoshi standing right there and you go for the retard? Ohno looks sooo much better than him >_> Girls are squealing for the wrong man. His random occurances are sort of "eh" and I don't know. My opinion of him is sort of "whatever".
Anzai (???): The main antagonist to this simple drama. At first, I sort of liked him, but then eventually, as he falls into the role of main antagonist, I obviously ended up disliking him. Manipulative bastard he is >_> But towards the end it's like "blah" you know, whatever, you were a bastard during episode 7 and in episode 8 you are now, yet again, just another character.
MIchiru (???): At first I was wondering who she was, and then I thought she was a nice girl but in Episode 4 she pissed me off a hell lot. But she redeemed herself in the end ^^ Although. I wonder why does she wear so much Makeup ... like.. really. (-_-;;)
Plot/Story
things in brackets are not the title of the episode :)
things in brackets are not the title of the episode :)
Episode 1 (Kenta's Problem)
I laughed in this episode. The beginning was funny. "Yabai yo~! Yabai yo~!" Ohno is love. You see him looking totally awesome as a rocker and then the "EHHH?!". It was amusing., a good into to all the characters and it gives you the right amount of "something is going on" feeling to get you interesting and waiting for the next episode. I seriously think the exaggerated facial expressions are <3, and I want to see Ohno in a monkey suit again! He looked so HUGGABLE!! *Squee!!* But seriously, first episode was a good intro to the characters, to the story and... it makes you want to watch episode 2 just to find out who that weird little girl is, why Ohno was hired etc. etc. It's a good grabbing episode in my opinion (^_^)
Episode 2 (Kenta's Problem gets better)
Another good episode =D I like it just as much as the first and find myself praying it's going to be Friday so I can watch episode three. (^_^). Basically this episode is centered around "Uta no Onii-san" - Live Broadcast, and what happens leading up to it. Shows Kenta being a bit more obedient even if he doesn't agree with what he is doing and at the end Ohno gets to sing. Watching Ohno with kids makes me smile and go "aww...." it's so sweet. I really hope Kenta and Ayane get together in the end... and at the end when Ohno is singing... I think he's more suited to ballads than kids songs (^^;;)
Episode 3 (Kenta's Relationship Problem)
Prince Himuro gets kicked of the program, the princess takes over and Kenta is being mopey and just down-right depressing as always. He gets scolded. He sees "Giselle" and get's even more depressed. He thinks about quitting. He does. His girlfriend talks to him, breaks his heart even more and then Kenta returns to his job while his GF breaks down and cries. You can tell I'm sort of getting bored of this repetitivness. Sort of. The episode was interesting enough, but if this continues on for another episode.. um.. it's a bit stretching the faith of the watchers. The girlfriend, Ayane, is really starting to piss me off now. Like. She says Kenta doesn't have a dream and then is like "Thanks for making your dream mine" and I'm just like WTF! You keep saying Kenta doesn't have a dream and he DOES! It's EXACTLY THE SAME AS YOURS! (-_-;;) Maybe I'm not understanding something... *sigh*
Episode 4 (Michiru's Problem)
Valentine's Day episode! The little girl (Michiru) pissed me off a lot in this episode, I don't care if it was for the plot, she still pissed me off being all spoiled and blah. I guess, the entire episode has this "sweet" sort of feeling to it. I mean, it's about Valentine's day so what should I expect right? I totally died when I Kenta was with Michiru at Daigo's house cause Ohno looked like her dad and I was just like "OMG DADDY OHNO!" It was so awesome. Haha. Oh my god though, Manabe-san loves someone? If it's Kenta, I'll shoot myself (-_-'') I have to admit though, this episode was funny ^^
Episode 5 (Urara's Problem)
I liked this episode. A lot. At first I thought it would be annoying and just centered around "Urara" and her life-story and blah, but it wasn't. It actually turned out to be a pretty good episode. Starting out with Kenta's sister going to an Omiai(?) - arranged wedding and then a short tangent on people mistaking Kenta and Urara as a couple. Zoom forward to Kenta realizing his father is under debt.... I could feel the tears coming when Kenta and his dad were fighting, but ... the tension sort of died when his sister started crying. (-_-;;) Her crying was so fake and terrible that it just killed the tension of the scene. Anyways. Won't say how this episode ends, but I will say this, Ohno's singing was much better this episode as well. (^^) I liked it. It was sweet. And LOL at the questions being asked to them 'How many eyes does a storm have?" - ONE! ONE! GO TO SCHOOL PEOPLE! Next episode looks pretty interesting. I'm still sort of lost at what's going to happen between KentaxAyane, but we'll just see how that turns out in the next three episodes ne? ^^
Episode 6 (Mamoru's Problems)
The episode in which Mamoru faces problems. He gets all depressed cause Kenta's so popular. Suck it up kid. Nah, it's not as bad as I thought it would be, I thought I would more pissed off at Mamoru but I wasn't. I guess I can sort of understand where he's coming from but his angst/depression whatever wasn't so.. exaggerated, strong. blah. You know. Get more insight in Giselle and whatever is going on with them (that i still don't get) and you finally hit an actual problem in the story. Guess what it is? Uta no Oniisan will stop airing in March =O *gasp* You get intro'd to this problem at the end though. Yes, that is basically the episode. Oh. I love it when Manabe-san keeps appearing and Kenta's like "WTF WHY ARE YOU HERE?" and she's all like "himitsu" and you know what? I love any scene with Manabe-san and Kenta. And omg, Kenta and Mamoru in teddy-bear suits at the end. OMG HUG HUG HUG! I totally just wanted to squish the both of them. and then Kenta comforts Mamoru and it's so cute. *squeals* Right-O can't wait for next episode with SAKURAI SHO
Episode 7 (The 'Big' Problem)
So, everyone in the staff realizes that Minna de Utao will be ending and Manabae goes through a lot of shit and everyone's feeling pissed cause you know they all love that show and don't want to part from it. Ayane goes missing cause she can't deal with Anzai (evil directors) manipulative-ness and the other two guys ask Kenta for help. Ending of the episode is a bit sad with all the dramatics and Manabe trying her best for the show's end and everyone being sad that the show is going to ened. Sho's appearance at the beginning = <3. I like the flow of this show and this episode in general. I mean, it started out happy but then ended up so.. sad but it didn't feel rush or anything. ^^ Next episode doesn't look too bad though...
Episode 8 (The Finale)
The beginning was sort of "eh.." in the sense that... even though the show was ending and indeed did end, it felt all very anti-climatic but towards the middle/half-way mark things picked up a bit, especially after Kenta dragged everyone back to the studio and asked for a concert. I thought it was great seeing how much he has changed as a person and when he rejected Ayane's offer of returning back to Giselle and what not, it really just sort of ... moves you? (not exactly but... you feel something). And then during the live, Kenta's speech was just, that was moving. I hope it's true as well, that the times will change as my generation grows older. ^^ Can I just say? Everytime KentaOhno cries I feel like Nino should be there to make him feel better xD The ending, when he sang Kumori Nochi Kaisei I wanted the actual choreography... but it didn't happen. And I couldn't stop laughing at the stupid pun when he dragged Michiru away from her filming xD
I laughed in this episode. The beginning was funny. "Yabai yo~! Yabai yo~!" Ohno is love. You see him looking totally awesome as a rocker and then the "EHHH?!". It was amusing., a good into to all the characters and it gives you the right amount of "something is going on" feeling to get you interesting and waiting for the next episode. I seriously think the exaggerated facial expressions are <3, and I want to see Ohno in a monkey suit again! He looked so HUGGABLE!! *Squee!!* But seriously, first episode was a good intro to the characters, to the story and... it makes you want to watch episode 2 just to find out who that weird little girl is, why Ohno was hired etc. etc. It's a good grabbing episode in my opinion (^_^)
Episode 2 (Kenta's Problem gets better)
Another good episode =D I like it just as much as the first and find myself praying it's going to be Friday so I can watch episode three. (^_^). Basically this episode is centered around "Uta no Onii-san" - Live Broadcast, and what happens leading up to it. Shows Kenta being a bit more obedient even if he doesn't agree with what he is doing and at the end Ohno gets to sing. Watching Ohno with kids makes me smile and go "aww...." it's so sweet. I really hope Kenta and Ayane get together in the end... and at the end when Ohno is singing... I think he's more suited to ballads than kids songs (^^;;)
Episode 3 (Kenta's Relationship Problem)
Prince Himuro gets kicked of the program, the princess takes over and Kenta is being mopey and just down-right depressing as always. He gets scolded. He sees "Giselle" and get's even more depressed. He thinks about quitting. He does. His girlfriend talks to him, breaks his heart even more and then Kenta returns to his job while his GF breaks down and cries. You can tell I'm sort of getting bored of this repetitivness. Sort of. The episode was interesting enough, but if this continues on for another episode.. um.. it's a bit stretching the faith of the watchers. The girlfriend, Ayane, is really starting to piss me off now. Like. She says Kenta doesn't have a dream and then is like "Thanks for making your dream mine" and I'm just like WTF! You keep saying Kenta doesn't have a dream and he DOES! It's EXACTLY THE SAME AS YOURS! (-_-;;) Maybe I'm not understanding something... *sigh*
Episode 4 (Michiru's Problem)
Valentine's Day episode! The little girl (Michiru) pissed me off a lot in this episode, I don't care if it was for the plot, she still pissed me off being all spoiled and blah. I guess, the entire episode has this "sweet" sort of feeling to it. I mean, it's about Valentine's day so what should I expect right? I totally died when I Kenta was with Michiru at Daigo's house cause Ohno looked like her dad and I was just like "OMG DADDY OHNO!" It was so awesome. Haha. Oh my god though, Manabe-san loves someone? If it's Kenta, I'll shoot myself (-_-'') I have to admit though, this episode was funny ^^
Episode 5 (Urara's Problem)
I liked this episode. A lot. At first I thought it would be annoying and just centered around "Urara" and her life-story and blah, but it wasn't. It actually turned out to be a pretty good episode. Starting out with Kenta's sister going to an Omiai(?) - arranged wedding and then a short tangent on people mistaking Kenta and Urara as a couple. Zoom forward to Kenta realizing his father is under debt.... I could feel the tears coming when Kenta and his dad were fighting, but ... the tension sort of died when his sister started crying. (-_-;;) Her crying was so fake and terrible that it just killed the tension of the scene. Anyways. Won't say how this episode ends, but I will say this, Ohno's singing was much better this episode as well. (^^) I liked it. It was sweet. And LOL at the questions being asked to them 'How many eyes does a storm have?" - ONE! ONE! GO TO SCHOOL PEOPLE! Next episode looks pretty interesting. I'm still sort of lost at what's going to happen between KentaxAyane, but we'll just see how that turns out in the next three episodes ne? ^^
Episode 6 (Mamoru's Problems)
The episode in which Mamoru faces problems. He gets all depressed cause Kenta's so popular. Suck it up kid. Nah, it's not as bad as I thought it would be, I thought I would more pissed off at Mamoru but I wasn't. I guess I can sort of understand where he's coming from but his angst/depression whatever wasn't so.. exaggerated, strong. blah. You know. Get more insight in Giselle and whatever is going on with them (that i still don't get) and you finally hit an actual problem in the story. Guess what it is? Uta no Oniisan will stop airing in March =O *gasp* You get intro'd to this problem at the end though. Yes, that is basically the episode. Oh. I love it when Manabe-san keeps appearing and Kenta's like "WTF WHY ARE YOU HERE?" and she's all like "himitsu" and you know what? I love any scene with Manabe-san and Kenta. And omg, Kenta and Mamoru in teddy-bear suits at the end. OMG HUG HUG HUG! I totally just wanted to squish the both of them. and then Kenta comforts Mamoru and it's so cute. *squeals* Right-O can't wait for next episode with SAKURAI SHO
Episode 7 (The 'Big' Problem)
So, everyone in the staff realizes that Minna de Utao will be ending and Manabae goes through a lot of shit and everyone's feeling pissed cause you know they all love that show and don't want to part from it. Ayane goes missing cause she can't deal with Anzai (evil directors) manipulative-ness and the other two guys ask Kenta for help. Ending of the episode is a bit sad with all the dramatics and Manabe trying her best for the show's end and everyone being sad that the show is going to ened. Sho's appearance at the beginning = <3. I like the flow of this show and this episode in general. I mean, it started out happy but then ended up so.. sad but it didn't feel rush or anything. ^^ Next episode doesn't look too bad though...
Episode 8 (The Finale)
The beginning was sort of "eh.." in the sense that... even though the show was ending and indeed did end, it felt all very anti-climatic but towards the middle/half-way mark things picked up a bit, especially after Kenta dragged everyone back to the studio and asked for a concert. I thought it was great seeing how much he has changed as a person and when he rejected Ayane's offer of returning back to Giselle and what not, it really just sort of ... moves you? (not exactly but... you feel something). And then during the live, Kenta's speech was just, that was moving. I hope it's true as well, that the times will change as my generation grows older. ^^ Can I just say? Everytime Kenta
Music
Kumori nochi Kaisei - Yano Kenta/Ohno Satoshi: I have to admit when I first heard this song I didn't like it all that much. I didn't dislike it persay, but I needed to get used to it. I'm used to Ohno.. singing with a smooth, sort of melodic voice, like in Take me Faraway or Song for Me but in this song, his voice isn't as melodic and more up-beat and pop-ish. It's not a bad song, but.. I don't know. I guess I'm just not used to hearing Ohno sing in this sort of way. After hearing the PV I suddenly loved this song though. XD I don't really get it but yes, this song is love. *dies*
Overall Mark/Comments
I like this drama. It's simple, it seems pointless and childish and stupid in the beginning but I think overall it's very good. It was entertaining, amusing and sweet. Kenta is someone who I think people can identify with and can like and it's nice watching him slowly change over the span of the 8 episode show. At the ending I thought it was really moving seeing just how much Kenta did change and it was something that really made you feel good. The beginning and overall for about 6 or so episodes the series might seem a bit.. episodic but the ending, although barely intro'd during episode 7 and 8 wasn't too rushed and it was actually pretty good. I mean, it was predictable but good.
The drama basically focuses on never giving up, making excuses and growing up. Become more mature and face your problems, don't run away like Kenta did at the beginning and be half-assed about whatever you're doing. Stuff like that and it works. It addresses more modern changes, such as the financial crisis and what-not as Kenta always says "this generation" and it's something I like because it's true. Even if my generation was born into such a shitty time I don't want to grow up and watch everything crash and burn. In fact, I'm worried that's going to happen, we do have to grow up and.. you know. Grow up. Change.
It's a sweet, simple-ish drama that will make people smile (in my opinion). It might not fit every drama-watchers palet, especially those people that like "serious" dramas (I am not one of those people) but I think in the end, if you're looking for a brainless, simple just damn right happy drama watch this. Even the ending is very "aww..." and that is the main reason I liked it. It was simple, it wasn't too dramatic. It wasn't over-done, it just... was and I like dramas like that. It also didn't try too hard to be funny which was good. ^^
overall mark: 5/5 =D (yeah, I really liked Uta no Onii-san xD)
The drama basically focuses on never giving up, making excuses and growing up. Become more mature and face your problems, don't run away like Kenta did at the beginning and be half-assed about whatever you're doing. Stuff like that and it works. It addresses more modern changes, such as the financial crisis and what-not as Kenta always says "this generation" and it's something I like because it's true. Even if my generation was born into such a shitty time I don't want to grow up and watch everything crash and burn. In fact, I'm worried that's going to happen, we do have to grow up and.. you know. Grow up. Change.
It's a sweet, simple-ish drama that will make people smile (in my opinion). It might not fit every drama-watchers palet, especially those people that like "serious" dramas (I am not one of those people) but I think in the end, if you're looking for a brainless, simple just damn right happy drama watch this. Even the ending is very "aww..." and that is the main reason I liked it. It was simple, it wasn't too dramatic. It wasn't over-done, it just... was and I like dramas like that. It also didn't try too hard to be funny which was good. ^^
overall mark: 5/5 =D (yeah, I really liked Uta no Onii-san xD)
