Proposal Daisakusen (Operation Love)

Just started this a few days ago (I'm only finished with 4 episodes, though, due to my classes starting this past Wednesday), and it's pretty good. Although one could argue that the "Hallelujah chance!" pose looks suspiciously like the "bang" move from Kurosagi (and I swear I heard Yamapi say something about shirosagi in the last episode).. in most aspects it's a pretty original show.

The premise is somewhat odd, but it works. Yamashita Tomohisa plays Iwase Ken, who is attending the wedding of a friend he's known since primary school, Yoshida Rei. Unfortunately, Ken happens to be in love with Rei, and she's marrying someone else. He's deeply regretting that he was basically an idiot and always messed up his chances to tell her or show her how he cared. He thinks maybe if he had done things differently and been a little more considerate, Rei might be marrying him right now instead. Sensing this deep emo mood and finding it a bit odd, a, er... fairy... who lives in the church and apparently has nothing better to be doing appears during a slideshow at the reception after Ken is wishing to himself to be able to change what happened. He tells Ken that he can give him a rare opportunity, and actually LET him go back and change things until the point that the picture is taken. So he does, equipped with all of his future knowledge, determined to change Rei's sad face in the latest picture to a smile.

Every episode, Ken goes back to a little before a specific picture in the slideshow, changes things and fixes past mistakes, switching many of the forlorn looks Rei had in pictures to happy ones, albiet in unconventional and usually unplanned ways. As soon as the picture is taken, he's back at the wedding, and nothing seems to have changed except everyone's memory and the picture itself-- the bride is still sitting next to the wrong groom. The fairy tells him that the human heart isn't as simple as all or nothing, but each time Rei seems to look at Ken a little differently than before.

Yamapi's acting in this one is hilarious, and the supporting actors seem to be perfect for their roles. It gets a little cuter each episode, despite the fact that I'm unused to seeing Yamapi in anything without Maki. XD But I'm looking forward to watching more of this one. ^_^ And then starting another. >_>

Meet My Newest Obsession

He's called Yamashita Tomohisa, more commonly known as Yamapi. 

I have one word for you: kawaaaaiiiii.

Yamapi is not only ADORABLE as Kusano Akira in Nobuta wo Produce, he's a total (somehow still adorable-- no, make that SMOKIN') badass in Kurosagi. He's also starred in dramas like Proposal Daisakusen and Dragon Zakura, which I have yet to see. But his acting is damn versatile. Unlike some people here in the States who are famous for reasons that are unfathomable to me, as they play.. themselves in every role they do. But let's not name any names. Unless we're naming Tom Cruise. Which is who I was talking about. But I digress. Back to Yamapi-land. A member of the J-Pop group NewS and a talented actor, he's extremely popular in Japan, and judging from the way he was reported as "nearly raped" by Korean fangirls, I'm guessing well across Asia. I'm still trying to figure out why the majority of America will drool over like, Gerard Butler (O_o) but completely ignore the East. I mean, good lord, just look at him. I am not judging those Koreans one bit.

Aside from being one of those ridiculously good looking people you would love to hate but just can't, the boy can act. Damn well. And sing. And dance. Hell, he could just stand there chewing gum and it would somehow look so much cooler than anyone else doing it. Johnny's Entertainment picks their talent carefully, alright. I don't think that's a bad thing at ALL. And as much as I love MatsuJun (another very multi-talented JE boy, who incidentally stars in one of my favorite J-Dramas, Hana Yori Dango), I have to say Yamapi takes the gold in the looks department. >_>

The kid (I say kid, even though he's 5 years older than me, because I'm pretentious) is damn talented, like I said. The fact that he can go from flapping his arms while hopping down the stairs on a soy milk high to the hot emo tears and frown of Kurosaki is amazing. A lot of actors can only play one type of role (*cough* Jack Black *cough*), but he's clearly not one of them.

He's without a doubt one of the main reasons I loved Nobuta wo Produce (aside from it being a brilliant and hilarious show in general that I absolutely recommend you watch immediately... IMMEDIATELY), with his kon-kons and dance moves and just general existence.. Akira is most definitely one of my favorite J-Drama characters ever. And even though the romance was minimal (some might say nonexistant, but I'm an optimist), I'm a hardcore Nobuta/Akira shipper (I'm also having Nakatsu Hana Kimi flashbacks). And a YaMaki shipper in general, as they look retardedly gorgeous together. Just imagine the retardedly gorgeous and ridiculously talented children they would have. They'd probably be pop stars who cure cancer on the side, or something.

Well, more later. Bye-cycle. Bye bye-cycle.