Water Boys ( ウォーターボーイズ -2003)

Starring:
Yamada Takayuki as Shindo Kankuro
Moriyama Mirai as Tatematsu Norio
Eita as Tanaka Masatoshi
Ishigaki Yuma as Takahara Go
Ishii Tomoya as Ishizuka Futoshi
Miyaji Mao as Onishi Asako
Kashii Yu as Hanamura Kyoko
Tani Kei as Mr. Ozaki
Fuse Akira as Mr. Yamaoka
Sugimoto Tetta as Mr. Sugita
Manabe Kaori as Miss. Sakuma
Kikuchi Maiko as Miss. Onogawa
Emoto Akira as Mama (of a bar)
Tokui Yuu as Chi-mama
Takenaka Naoto as Mr. Isomura
Yashima Norito as Isomura Kiyomasa
Tamaki Hiroshi as Sato Katsumasa
Takahashi Hitomi as Shindo Miwako
Asano Kazuyuki as Shindo Kanichi
Ikari Yukiko as Shindo Hitomi
Nishida Naomi
Katayama Reo as Kitajima Daichi
Aibu Saki as Hayakawa Atsumi
Hiraizumi Sei as Mr. Tatematsu

Synchro Boy Group
Hojo Takahiro
Fujisawa Yosuke
Arakawa Yu
Kato Koki
Nozaki Tenma
Tanaka Kei
Shiozawa Hidemasa
Isaka Tatsuya
Hamada Hiroyuki
Abe Atsushi
Ebata Hiroki
Ichitaro
Chikada Shintaro
Takeuchi Taiyo
Kawamoto Takanori
Sekita Atsushi
Hyuga Takashi
Namiki Nobuyuki
Washizu Isanori
Shin Shinichiro
Wakizaki Tomohito
Watanabe Dai

Two years ago, five high-school boys brought fame to a small town in Japan. What was so unique was that they formed a "men's synchronized swimming club." Their involvement and struggles while learning synchronized swimming - known to be a sport for girls - brought much attention to their school and town.

Two years have passed since that summer, and the boys of Tadano High School are still in the club. The Fuji Television drama "Water Boys" shows how these young boys fight to learn synchronized swimming, fall in love, and enjoy friendship with one another.

I cannot believe I put this show off for so long! I watched the movie (actually I think the movie was the first Asian movie I saw for the first time. I'm almost positive because I did a Tamaki Hiroshi search and that came up. I'm STILL looking for Rockers! Errrr)

Okay, I loved this. Oh yeah, Eita in a speedo! Hello!?!! Ishigaki Yuma in a speedo. Oh yeah baby! LOL! This is probably the only drama where I thought Yamada Takayuki looked decent. Yeah, he's a great actor. Really great! But his looks don't give me the.....*sigh*. Ya know?

This was a great family comedy/drama. I loved the end with all the choreography and stunts. The music was cool too! This wasn't the greatest of all dramas go but it was really fun to watch. Oh and Moriyama Mirai didn't disappoint in his comedic role. His facial expressions crack me up. He, also, isn't a "looker" but he too has that "somethin', somethin'", aura, appeal.......whatever that draws your attention to him. Love him! I'm never disappointed in his roles whatsoever.

Have fun. Sit down. Grab a soda. Watch the show.

Hojo Takahiro


Tanaka Kei


Tamaki Hiroshi


Eita

Smile (Sumairu seiya no kiseki/スマイル 聖夜の奇跡-2007)

Starring:
Natsuki Harada
Rosa Kato
Kumiko Mori
Mirai Moriyama
Anri Okamoto
Rikiya
Jiro Sato
Saya Takagi
Yoshiko Tanaka
Kei Tani
Sachie Hara
Kenji Sakaguchi
Naoko Iijima

After sustaining a career-ending injury, tap dancer, Shuhei Sano (Mirai Moriyama), arrives in Japan's snow-bound, northern island of Hokkaido with hopes of marrying his longtime girlfriend and figure skating instructor, Shizuka (Rosa Kato). But his plan quickly runs afoul on Shizuka's father, a local business magnate and ice rink owner, who is not ready to relinquish his daughter. Without good reason to deny the couple, however, the father reluctantly agrees to give his blessing if Shuhei can coach a local junior ice hockey team to their next victory. Despite having no prior knowledge of the game nor any skating experience, Shuhei accepts, unaware that the team has NEVER won a single game.

The"Smilers", as they seem unfittingly named, are a handful of self-proclaimed"losers","misfits" and"rejects" from other teams. More than talent, they lack any semblance of teamwork, motivation and confidence. But to everybody's surprise, Shuhei proves himself ready for them, employing an odd mix of child psychology, genuine concern and a few ingenious tricks to get the team to play to their potential and win!. Flabbergasted, Shizuka's father ups the ante by making his daughter's hand conditional upon winning the regional tournament − a goal that will require nothing short of a miracle given the near invincibility of the defending champions − a slick, well-financed hockey team run by a megalomaniac.

Just as Shuhei's magic and the team's hopes begin to wear thin, a beautiful young figure skater idolized by everyone at the rink becomes hospitalized with a terminal illness. With her chances of recovery as slim as the team's tournament victory, suddenly, the team has its battle cry. But will it be enough?




Wow! This was a really good movie! It's like Pride blended with the Mighty Duck movies.

I will tell ya now. This is a family movie for everyone! And that you will need a few tissues at the end. Okay, I'll admit I probably cried more than I should have but today I've seem to have hit emotional movies today. LOL! That's okay though. I need to cry now and then.

This was a heartwarming, touching, loving, friendly, heart-tugging, eventful rollercoaster ride. The story revolves around the hockey team but I don't think it was really about the hockey team, per se. It revolved around the relationships outside the hockey arena and the kids who made the plays. And we can't forget the coach, who didn't lose hope when his knee gave out and he was no longer allowed to dance on stage. But instead, he chose to his second choice in life that dealt with teaching children. Awe-inspiring, it is!!

Moriyama Mirai


Tamaki Hiroshi

I can't help myself with Tamaki-kun! This is THE man who changed my life forever! Yeah, him! I happened upon Nodame Cantabile, watched it, and had to have to watch more Japanese drama....then Korean....then Taiwan/Chinese. I fell in love with him and had to watch everything with him in it. The only thing I still haven't seen is ROCKERS! Anyone know where I can watch it/buy it English subbed.....EMAIL ME!!!!!

Sakaguchi Kenji