Virgin Road (バージンロード -1997)

Starring:
Wakui Emi as Sakurai Kazumi
Sorimachi Takashi as Yoshimi Kaoru
Hosho Mai as Onda Kiri
Terawaki Yasufumi as Arikawa Jun
Kitahara Masaki as Sakurai Taku
Furuoya Masato as the bar owner
Sera Masanori
Yo Kimiko as Michi
Takeda Tetsuya as Sakurai Hikari

To pursue her dreams, Sakurai Kazumi quits her job and goes to New York to study jewelry design, against the objections of her naggy and stubborn but well-meaning father. As part of remaking herself, she changes from spectacles to contact lenses, even though she has problems adapting to them. When she accidentally drops her contact lenses, a mysterious man helps prevent them from being stepped on, but he walks away before she can talk to him.

Some years pass, and Kazumi is on a plane home after receiving a letter from her brother Taku saying their father is critically ill. She has morning sickness and has some run-ins on the plane with a sloppily-dressed man, and it is only when she drops her contacts and the man helps her in a similar way that she recognises him. She chases after him and asks, "would you like to do some work?" It turns out that Kazumi in her last letter from New York had written that she was in a relationship with someone and that they might soon marry, but since then she has broken up with him, and she didn't want to make her father upset by coming home alone. The man, a freelance journalist named Yoshimi Kaoru, agrees to pretend to be her fiancé.

On reaching home, Kazumi discovers that her father is not actually on his deathbed (he just had minor surgery), and everyone discovers that Taku had written that letter back to Kazumi where their father says he's happy about the relationship. But the biggest shock comes when Kazumi admits that she's pregnant, and that she wants to have the baby... ~All information taken from DramaWiki~

I started watching this a long time ago and I don't really remember why I stopped watching it. That was my bad.

This is probably now one of my most favorite Japanese dramas of all time.

No doubt about it, this had all the elements in it that drew my heart into it. Enough comedy, emotion, drama, and romance....definite romance, indeed. There were so many times that I had to hold my bladder because I didn't want to leave my computer screen. I had to keep going. I couldn't turn away. I had to know what was going to happen. Each episode was a pure delight to watch. ESPECIALLY the last!!!

Geez, I had enough tears to fill the Gobi desert. It was such a beautiful love story. The very end was a bit weak because you knew it was going to happen but yet I still had tears because I was so freakin' happy!

Sorimachi Takashi is the most gorgeous Japanese man I have EVER seen. This drama, well, you would just have to watch it to see him. His latest dramas, he is much older. This drama was created over 10 years ago...so imagine. But he is still a good looking man today. *sigh*

Wonderful Life (ワンダフルライフ -2004)

Starring:
Sorimachi Takashi as Kirishima Akira
Hasegawa Kyoko as Isayama Mizuki
Yashima Norito as Tsumasaka Masayoshi
Horiuchi Ken as Okegawa Osamu
Taguchi Hiromasa as Hayashi Jiro
Inuyama Inuko as Hayashi Nobuko
Muramatsu Toshifumi as Onoda Isao
Oshima Satoko as Onoda Sanae
Yoshimoto Miyoko as Shinoda Mika
Ichikawa Yui as Katsuragi Touko
Hamada Mari as Isayama Yukie
Kaneko Noboru
Oishi Megumi
Masu Takeshi
Ito Shiro
Nishimura Masahiko as Isayama Yasushi
Sato Kazuya
Sawamura Ikki (ep5, 8)
Moriguchi Yoko (guest)
Takahashi Kento

Momonoki Jaguars
Kawaguchi Shouhei as Isayama Sho
Matsukawa Naruki as Konsuke
Kumatani Tomohiro
Kawakita Junya



Kirishima is the most famous baseball player in Japan. However, an unfortunate injury forces him to retire. His family abandons him, and all that's left is a vacant coaching position at a local baseball team for young boys. This club is on the verge of being disbanded—so far, they have never won a single game. Will Kirishima be able to help the club?

Through the television screen, popular baseball player Kirishima tells the kids, "dreams come true." His baseball techniques are so fantastic that he is called the "miracle man." But in reality, Kirishima is an arrogant and selfish flirt who spends money like there's no tomorrow.

Mizuki is a girl who wants to become a lawyer. Her brother plays on Kirishima's team, but can't stand the sight of Kirishima. She hates men who fool around, and especially those who deceive children. Will Mizuki and Kirishima be able to come to a mutual understanding? --Fuji TV

I loved this drama. Sorimachi Takashi hit a home-run with this series. Geez, I cry everytime in one of his dramas. Doesn't matter if it's a comedy or not. This man is great! I hope to God that he is like his characters that he plays. I love the morality of the story. It was heart felt, endearing, sad at moments, funny when needed, and inspiring all in one.

When life seems to be over, it's not over until your final swing at bat. It might be bases loaded, one point behind, 9th-inning, 2-outs......until you do your best....you can always come from behind to win!!

After watching this show, memories of my youth swirled in my head. I'm a girl in a local softball association. We were pretty good. I was the catcher. Our pitcher was awesome. We played fast pitch. She was so good that everytime the ball she threw hit my glove, my palm would burn. And not to boast, I was really a great batter. I loved that time in my life. All seemed to be perfect..................

Ganbatte!!!

Sorimachi Takashi

Thirteen Steps (13 kaidan/13 階段-2003)

Starring:
Takashi Sorimachi - Junichi Migami
Tsutomu Yamazaki - Shoji Nango
Kankuro Kudo - Toru Kihara
Shofukutei Tsurubei ... Sugiura
Rena Tanaka - Ako Nango
Tetsuya Bessho - Nakamori
Susumu Terajima - Okazaki
Hiroyuki Miyasako - Minoru Terada
Ren Osugi - Norio Ando
Naomi Nishida - Kazuko Migami
Sabu Kawahara
Sanshô Shinsui

Toru Kihara has been sentenced to death for the murder of two senior citizens. The problem in this particular case is that Kihara does not remember a thing of what happened due to an amnesia inducing bike accident the same night of the murder. On the request of a nameless figure, Toru’s lawyer’s hire Shoji Nango, an old prison guard, to go back to the small town and investigate the case.

Nango eventually secures the help of Junichi Mikami, a young ex-con who was sentenced to three years in prison for the accidental killing of a man in a bar room brawl. Together, they will discover that some elements of the murder are connected in a strange way to Junichi’s own criminal record. What exactly does Junichi have to do with the Toru Kihara case? That is what Nango will try to solve within the short period allowed, as Kihara’s time of execution is quickly approaching.

Hmm? This movie was totally thrilling. It's a slow paced movie and not recommended for some who are thrill seekers. This mystery/drama/thriller does reach it's maximum until the very end.

If you watch this, I'd advise to pay special close attention to all the characters and what they do and say...because it all comes to light at the end. Surprisingly though, the end was a little Hollywoodish to the point of sickeningly sweet that shouldn't have happened. It was almost soap opera-ish.

That one part of the movie, the very, very, very end was the only point where I was like "Nooooooo!" So that 1% of the movie could have been canned...but the other 99% was totally awesome. I really think this movie, if shown here in Texas. was seen....would probably get banned. LOL! We are the only state in the US and pretty much the whole world that has the highest death penalty rate. Our motto is "Don't mess with Texas." It should be "Don't F*ck Up in Texas." LOL!

This movie asked many questions that would be hard to respond by any viewer of any class. Are lives worth it? An eye for an eye? Is the death penalty really an atonement for the wrongs that were made by the inmate?

I really think this will have some of us think in a different light. I will say that I liked the catch phrase...."To live life is an atonement for the dead."

14 Sai No Haha (１４才の母-2006)

Starring:
Shida Mirai as Ichinose Miki (14)
Tanaka Misako as Ichinose Kanako (43)
Namase Katsuhisa as Ichinose Tadahiko (45)
Miura Haruma as Kirino Satoshi (15)
Muroi Shigeru as Kirino Shizuka (48)
Yamaguchi Sayaka as Endo Kyoko (Homeroom teacher, 25)
Koumoto Junichi as Mitsui Makoto (Miki's uncle, 33)
Kitamura Kazuki as Hatano Taku (Chief of editor, 38)
Sorimachi Takashi as Doctor Tsuchida (ep10-11)

14-year-old Miki Ichinose becomes pregnant with her boyfriend's child. After struggling with the fact that she is pregnant, she decides that she will keep the baby and raise it by herself. The drama follows what this means for her, her family, her school life, the life of her boyfriend and his family, and the society in which she resides.


I don't know what to say about this show. It disturbed me beyond no end. Shida Mirai looks younger than her 14 years in this show, almost 11-12 years in fact. Teaming her up with Miura Haruma who is actually in reality 3 years older than her in real life made it seem unreal. Should have had another actress for the role. Nothing against Shida Mirai, she did really well it was just hard to watch with her childlike face. I guess they chose her for that reason. Reality is....girls that young are getting pregnant. Ugh.

It had a happy ending though. That made it seem better when my heart cried out in pain to see such a young girl grow up in 9 months immediately. To my happy surprise, Sorimachi Takashi, played her doctor after giving birth. I about peed my panties out of sheer happiness. So I had two hotties to make my morning.

I must admit I watched all the episodes in 4 hours time. "How?" I'm sure you are asking. Well, there was too much melodramatic music, reminiscing, and boring adult talk. All I cared about was the relationship of Satoshi and Miki...so I fast forwarded through most of it. And to my complete surprise, they didn't dwell alot on their relationship. It was all about Miki and her family which royally pissed me off. Satoshi's relationship and responsibilities were tossed on her throughout the series. I think they should have thrown in more on his side...so that sped up the process a bit for me as well. So 11 episodes cut down to 4 hours.....that says alot.

The series could have been better like I said especially on this tough subject and not have left it on the girl. It takes "two to tango" as they say.

Sorimachi Takashi

*faints*


Miura Haruma

Double Score

Starring:
Sorimachi Takashi-Tachibana Shinnosuke
Oshio Manabu-Kawamura Etsuro

This is the story of two cops. One doesn't care about getting promoted and wants to be like an American cop. His arrest record is 95% but he has to file a report for just about the same amount of cases because of the way he makes arrests. The other is a clean and cool cop that does everything by the book. The next chapter in this rookie's book is all but written.

These two very different personalities are assigned to work as partners on everyday, run-of-the-mill cases. At first, everyone thinks that they will never be able to work together. But they prove everyone completely wrong, as they go on to solve one case after the other on the streets of Tokyo. --Fuji TV

Okay, I came across this by accident. Really. You'd think all I watch are Takashi-san's movies and dramas. LOL! And he has a LOT! So don't be surprised that I find more. I'm on a hunt for Kimi wo Wasurenai - Fly Boys, Fly! I found the RAW on Veoh but no subs. Damn! It has Takashi-san AND Takuya-san. *If anyone reads this and knows where I can watch it...give me an email, comment, whatever!!!!*

Back to my personal review......this show, again, proved that my Takashi-san is one of the best male leads ever! He played the part of Shinnosuke perfectly. His seriousness and comedic timing are perfect. Then you add Oshio Manabu into the mix....GOD! These two together reminded me of Starsky and Hutch...the Tokyo version. LOL! You couldn't help but feel for Kawamura as he struggled with the seriousness of his job. I was saddened at the end. I didn't want their partnership to end. Damn, I wished they made a TV special or movie! I need them together again. But that won't happen because.........

.......Oshio Manabu quit acting to focus on his singing and band career. Ugh! I'm 3 years too late to pout! He now lives here in the states. I hope he in all seriousness makes it.

Oshio Manabu

Fulltime Killer

Starring:
Andy Lau ... Lok Tok-Wah
Sorimachi Takashi ... O
Simon Yam ... Albert Lee
Kelly Lin ... Chin

For many years professional assassin O has resided in an isolated world of killing and loneliness, which only becomes worse after the death of his love, Nancy. But his life begins to change once he meets the innocent Chin. Chin, hired to clean O's apartment. However, soon the flamboyent and reckless Tok enters Chin's life with a mission--to unveil O's identity and usurp his place as the number one sharp-shooting assassin in the game.

Andy Lau stars as Tok, a low-rent hitman who kills with theatrical flamboyance and acts like a rock star. His goal is to be the "Gold Medallist of Assassins," a self-proclaimed title which he, and everyone else in Asia, believes belongs to the silent assassin O (Takashi Sorimachi). In contrast to Tok, O is quiet and efficient. He exists only to kill and then fade away, as if he doesn't exist. However, Tok won't let O kill quietly. Through a series of escalating encounters, the two find themselves both allies and enemies. The goal of all of this is one fateful showdown where Tok can claim the title - or O can retain it.

I totally loved this movie! It KICKS ASS! This kept me on my toes. Takashi-san never fails me in his acting abilities. Never! He was freakin' amazing! He's an assassin in the movie but damn he couldn't have been hotter. Whew! This was not a lovey-dovey, moralistic story what-so-ever. Not for kids who play with guns. It's a bit bloody with adult situations. Totally different norm of movies but had to watch it because of that certain Japanese man who makes my heart go "thump!"

More pics of Takashi-san!!

*wiping the drool falling from my chin*

Dream Again

This original series stars Takashi Sorimachi as the pro baseball player Shunsuke Ogi, who is forced to retire after a shoulder injury. He continues to train in hope of returning to the game, but a sudden accident leads to his death. God decides to give him a second chance, placing his soul into the body of another man - a wealthy fund company manager - but adjusting to his new life isn't easy... --Tokyograph*

**Spoiler (sort of)**
I just finished this series not just 10 minutes ago. I love, love, LOVE this drama. Geez, I just spent an hour in tears. It's a sad but happy ending. It's hard for me to explain but if you saw Heaven's Tree, you'll know what I'm talking about. It ends roughly, slightly, but differently, the same way. LOL! Did I confuse you?

How do I go about saying this? Being a mother of 3 kids, this drama will tug those parental heartstrings like no other. Those of us (parents) say we'll give our life for our children, but how truthful are we? Would you willingly give your life away for your dying child just to extend their life? Would you go that far?

This drama you'll need a family size box of tissue....'nuff said.

Great Teacher Onizuka

I loved, loved, loved, loved this show. This came out before Gokusen but this show reminded of the male teacher version.

It's about an unorthodox teacher, Onizuka Eikichi (played by Sorimachi Takashi), who was a former gang member who decided that he wanted to be a teacher more than anything else. He smokes, he drinks, he gambles, and he watches pornography (hentai). After the director of the school witnesses his true heart other than his rough exterior (never judge a book by it's cover) is hired to be a homeroom teacher to the "wild kids" in class 2-4. He loves the kids he teaches and will do anything to save them and keep them on the road to learning and on their road to life. If he has to hold them over a ledge (literally) to teach them what it's like to be bullied, he'll do it. He likes to fight and usually ends up with a cut up face and black eyes. He knows karate and is asked constantly if he is a member of a yakuza (mob ring). Every episode, no lie, will teach any kid a new value that really needs to be learned. I highly recommend this to any school age kid, (there are a few naked scenes shown on his TV screen (porno) but it's only for a few seconds). Gokusen should be seen too since it's relative to. Okay, and Sorimachi Takashi isn't bad to look at either. LOL!

Sorimachi Takashi

Oh. My. God! He is in my top three. Oh hell yeah, he is! I am now one of his biggest fans. I am now on a search of all of his shows. Oh yeah, I am.

Oguri Shun

Oh sheesh! This kid is PHOTOGENIC! Okay, I can't choose. I'm making a list of all the things I want to see from him too! I've seen him in Gokusen, Hana Kimi, Hana Yori Dango, and Yuuki (with my Kame). He has a drama and movie list a freakin' mile long and he's only...what...25? Oh geez.............................