Review: Ano Hareta Aozora

A few days ago, Kai and I managed to pool our resources together and got a copy of the latest Takumi-kun Series. Sometime last Saturday, I managed to receive the English softsubs for the movie so we could better appreciate it. So here's the review more than a year later since I first mentioned it in my blog here.

1) Gii and Takumi relationship: Happily enough, their relationship remains pretty compact, unlike previous movies where Takumi's phobia regresses or Gii had to leave for an extended period. They're learning to cope, and more importantly, adapt to the prospect of what a relationship is. So kudos to them~

2) Arata and Shingyouji: After PURE, where you already get a great idea on their weird relationship (which I probably more S&M than romantic thanks to Arata's choice of words), they still happily remain as characters intrinsic to the series and still manage to contribute if not push Gii and Takumi in the right direction - towards each other.

3) Gii and Arata: These two "geniuses", or the overly brilliant smart-ass and Student Council President (who I must point out are both Tezukas from Tenimyu!), actually deserve to clash, collide and confide in each other where it matters. After all, Gii's shortcomings are surprisingly already anticipated if not covered up by Arata, so their friendship, if it could even be called that, is one that's well worth the movie's time in stressing. It does make me wonder why it's just Gii owing Arata all the favors. xD

4) Takumi and Shingyouji: Ukes confiding each other is cute. Always was, always will. It's during these scenes where you're more likely to have a better overall idea of what they're thinking about their partners or how much they're so in love or have matured altogether (well, Takumi anyway).

5) Gii apologizing: I counted. He apologized five times throughout the movie, which was already a rarity if you consider how proud he normally was and the upbringing he normally portrays. Here he's just more vulnerable, and frankly, sorta reminds me of myself when Kai and I end up having an argument. Their argument in this movie reminded me of us actually.

6) Gii running (again): Well, this never gets old. Gii's always the one at fault, but ends up taking the most effort to run after Takumi. It's endearing, really. And I'm glad they kept this for the movie. Making Watanabe Daisuke run is uberly fun. xD

Takumi-kun Series: Ano, Hareta Aozora

The 5th installment of the popular boy's love movie series Takumi-kun entitled Ano, Hareta Aozora, is set to be out this August (in Japan)! The story sparks a conclusion to the love story between the titular protagonists Takumi Hayama portrayed by Hamao Kyousuke and Saki Giichi portrayed by Watanabe Daisuke. It continues from the 3rd movie (Bibou no Detail) where it focuses on the theme of eternal love. Can't wait to see this one! 8DD

There will also be returning characters and actors for this movie, including:
Misu Arata played by Baba Ryouma
Shingyouji Kanemitsu played by Naito Taiki
Shouzou Akaike played by Takiguchi Yukihiro, including a new character to the scene,
Minoiwa Reiji played by Takazaki Shouta

Details of Beauty

美貌のディテイル。（びぼうのぢている）Bibou no Diteiru. trans. Details of Beauty.

Today I was browsing some J-actor blogs. Stumbling upon Baba Ryouma's, a link to the new Takumi-kun Series movie intrigued me.

Takumi-kun 4: Pure will center on Baba Ryouma's character Misu Arata and his relationship with Shingyoji Kanemitsu. While Kawasumi Bishin introduced the role in Bibou no Detail he will not be reprising his role and will be taken over by Naitou Taiki, another Tenimyu actor who portrayed Akutagawa Jirou from Hyoutei Cast B.

I went searching for the one with English subs and found it on Veoh. The drama and mushiness in the end brought me to tears of joy. ｡ﾟ(T^T)ﾟ｡

Let me share a few exchanges shared by Saki "Gii" Giichi (played by Watanabe Daisuke) and Hayama Takumi (played by Hamao Kyousuke).

Takumi: When we were apart... was it hard on you, too?

Gii: Y-Yeah... Because my feelings for you haven't changed at all.

Takumi: Then let me help you! Share the weight you're carrying with me.

Gii: Takumi...

Takumi: Don't belittle me, Gii. I want to always share your happiness, your sadness, and your hardships with you. No matter how much we love each other, we're different people. So I can't tell what you're thinking. But that's exactly why I want to share so much with you.

Gii: Takumi...

Takumi: I love you. Gii.

ﾟ･:,｡ﾟ･:,｡★ﾟ･:,｡ﾟ･:,｡☆

Gii: Takumi, I have a favor to ask.

Takumi: What is it?

Gii: From now on, people are probably going to ask about how we got together. But even so... wil you stay by my side, no matter what? Will you be my partner in crime?

Takumi: That... sounds kind of like a proposal.

Gii: Just answer me.

Takumi: Okay... Gii. I'll be your accomplice. I'll be by your side forever.

Last Minute Plans

土壇場には、計画。（どたんばには、けいかく）Dotanba ni wa, Keikaku. trans. Last Minute Plans.

So today was weird. Went to SMX with Kai and a few of her friends to try going to UP AME but lost the hype seeing the long line just to get in/buy tickets. So instead, Kai and I decided to head to the mall to spend the afternoon. This was her first time there so it was a real adventure.

(*￣Oﾉ￣*)

Had a very late lunch at old reliable Teriyaki Boy before taking a little stroll down to see the bay. On the way we spotted a Timezone and the Prize Cube game. What was new was a swaying owl that Kai managed to get for me! 8D (I only got to take the picture when I got home >< ) I named him Allen.

After that, we went to see the bay and saw some concession stands and entertainment stuff. But I just got some cotton candy while we spent some time taking pictures by the bay. o(TωT ) A dream date come true!

FINALLY, FINALLY, today marks a few J-actors' birthdays (at least those I bother remembering)! Tenimyu Seigaku 4th Cast's Tezuka Kunimitsu, Watanabe Daisuke and Team Batista no Eiko's Kiryuu Kyoichi, Ihara Tsuyoshi!! A happy birthday to the two of you!! ヽ(*・ω・)人(・ω・*)ノ

Atarashii Sanpatsu

新しい散髪。（あたらしいさんぱつ）Atarashii Sanpatsu. trans. New Haircut.

I'm back with a new haircut~ *cheer cheer*

Though you don't see much of a change from my previous haircut I'll try get more decent shots of it when it settles. xD Maybe tomorrow? xD

.....Seeing this picture of myself reminds me of Watanabe Daisuke in his blog. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.

Tenimyu, Futatabi

ミュジカル「テニスの王子様」、再び。（みゅじかる「てにすのおうじさま」、ふたたぶ）Myujikaru [Tenisu no Oujisama], Futatabi. trans. Musical The Prince of Tennis, Again.

So I return with another post about TeniMyu, the one thing that make perhaps the biggest impact on my life. Why the sudden entry, you ask? That will easily be answered by the fact that the run of this musical that started back in 2003 has finally come to end last Sunday with the Senshuuraku show of Dream Live 7th.

I guess this entry would be meant for my own personal thoughts as a fan. So here goes everything.

So as I may have mentioned in one of my previous Tenimyu-related posts, I only started becoming a rabid fan of this some two years ago. This in effect started a chain reaction that opened my world to not only this musical, but to the anime and the manga counterparts, as well as other projects the actors involved in this have. TeniMyu was literally what started everything. And I'm humbly grateful to have been exposed to this masterpiece.

I realized that in the span of those seven long years of TeniMyu's run, it brought so many people together, and some others probably closer than intended (can't blame me for fantasizing some nice TakiKime or ShiroAi or WaFuru here and there xP). You never really know. But this is one thing I do know; I've said it already before but it can't hurt to repeat it: It starts and ends with TeniMyu. I'm confident that even if things have officially ended it's not really over.

The memories will remain.... The unforgettable effort spent on perfecting a dance routine or sing a note on key for the actors, and even the opportunity of having met each other is a prized treasure for them, I'm sure. ^____^ Without them, TeniMyu wouldn't be held in much esteem, nor would be as epic as it has become.

すべてのキャストメンバーの、本当にありがとうございました！

(Translation: All of the cast members, I deeply thank you for everything!)

I salute Ueshima-sensei and his shining brilliance with this musical the past seven years. As TeniMyu's 'father', Ueshima-sensei guided this musical to become as successful as it is and will always be; engraving it deeply into the hearts and minds of not only the cast and crew involved in it, but the fans who support them as well. Myself included.

上島ーせんせい、本当にありがとうございました！！

(Translation: Ueshima-sensei, I deeply thank you for everything!!)

Without all of you, I definitely wouldn't be half the person I could be today.

Thank you for all the laughs, the cries and the life lessons.

Thank you for the bonds.

Thank you for making me believe in hitsuzen.

Thank you for the memories until now.

だから、ありがとう。すべてしてください。

(Translation: So, thank you. For everything.)

Kangae wo Haikai

考えを俳諧。（かんがえをはいかい）Kangae wo Haikai. trans. Wandering Thoughts.

For the lack of anything else to do (and procrastinating while doing so), I decided to type a random entry today about my little inquiries concerning the group of people I've been a fan of for almost two years: the group that is TeniMyu. With the 21 musicals they's done so far (not counting Dream Live 7th that just finished its first run in Kobe), it's a wonder how close all those actors get in the time they spend with one another.

I was talking with Toru yesterday and he says he's quite a big fan of the franchise and was lucky enough to have watched a few musicals when they came out; particularly when Seigaku 4th cast took the stage (that's from Progressive Match Higa - Dream Live 6th).

He and I were talking about this little collage I made of TeniMyu that Yukio asked me to do for him composed of different pictures of the actors. Doing that little project helped me realize one thing: IT STARTS AND ENDS WITH TENIMYU. I've noticed in the line of musicals, dramas and what-have-you that goes on in the entertainment buzz of Japan, it all leads back to this musical where a grand cast of about 133 people (I counted xD) have starred in.

Putting into consideration the other projects these actors engage in before or after their time as part of the TeniMyu cast, it wouldn't be a surprise if they become the center of interconnections in the J-drama world. Each individual actor pulls in others not part of the TeniMyu franchise, and in contrast end up expanding their connections in the long run. A nice system, I'd imagine. ^___^b

Here are a few examples:

Shirota Yuu (but of course he gets first dibs!), 2nd cast Tezuka Kunimitsu, starred in quite a number of J-dramas and still continues to do so even today! Some of the dramas to mention would be: Team Batista no Eiko, the Koshonin franchise (series and movie), Rookies (and its movie Rookies: Sotsugyou) and Samurai High School (aka Samurai Seventeen).

Aiba Hiroki, 2nd, 3rd and for a short time 5th cast Fuji Syuusuke, has a few of his own movies and series to brag about: Sukitomo, Tadashii Ouji no Tsukurikata and as Ikenami Ryuunosuke in the popular sentai series Samurai Sentai Shinkenger.

Watanabe Daisuke, 4th cast Tezuka Kunimitsu, is best known outside the TeniMyu universe to replace Kato Keisuke as Saki Giichi in the Takumi-kun Series movies 2 and 3. He stars opposite Hamao Kyousuke, 4th cast Kikumaru Eiji, who plays Hayama Takumi, as well as Agri in the newest sentai series Tensou Sentai Goseiger.

Furukawa Yuuta, 4th cast Fuji Syuusuke, starred in Fuuma no Kojirou and its musical counterpart, and will become a Kamen Rider in an upcoming Kamen Rider Trilogy movie.

Sakamoto Shougo, 4th cast Echizen Ryouma, won the role of Ciel Phantomhive in the first Kuroshitsuji musical, starring alongside Aoyagi Ruito, Original Hyoutei Cast's Mukahi Gakuto and Uehara Takuya, Shitenhouji A Cast's Oshitari Kenya.

Saito Takumi, Original Hyoutei Cast's Oshitari Yuushi, is most famous for his sash of yaoi movies, co-starring with Aiba Hiroki in Sukitomo, with Kotani Yoshikazu, 2nd cast Kawamura Takashi, in Boys Love.

It's sometimes interesting as well that there are some J-dramas or J-movies where the main cast is composed entirely of TeniMyu actors!!

Here's a few I know:

Tokyo Ghost Trip

Yagami Ren (Original Rikkai Cast's Yukimura Seiichi), JURI (Yamabuki's Original Akutsu Jin), Takiguchi Yukihiro (3rd Cast's Oishi Shuuichiro), Kiriyama Renn (Original Rikkai Cast's Marui Bunta) and Baba Ryouma (5th Cast's Tezuka Kunimitsu), plus Shindou Gaku (Rokkaku's Kurobane Harukaze)

Takumi-Kun III: Bibou no Detail

Watanabe Daisuke, Hamao Kyousuke, Takiguchi Yukihiro, Baba Ryouma, Acaba Mio (Rikkai 2 Cast's Marui Bunta), Saito Yasuka (Higa Cast's Hirokoba Rin) and Bishin Kawasumi (Shitenhouji B Cast's Zaizen Hikaru)

Cafe Daikanyama

Aiba Hiroki, Baba Toru (Original Rikkai Cast's Yagyuu Hiroshi), Kiriyama Renn and Ookawa Genki (Original Rikkai Cast's Kirihara Akaya)

Life must be a hoot for them. xD

TeniMyu Post #1: Tezuka & Fuji

This will be the first of a few posts, the succeeding ones dependent on how I can quickly assess the rest of the cast members. So please bear with me for the time being.

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So now that I think about it, I think it's time I sat down and gave my own take on how I appreciate the TeniMyu series. ^_^ So here goes~

To start, I applaud Ueshima Yukio-sensei's awesome work time and again with the past 18 musicals I've thoroughly watched and followed (at this certain point), and I owe him and the entire cast a lot for bringing this awesome anime to the musical stage. It really deserves all the praise, after all. ^_^

I'm sure that for every TeniMyu fan out there, they secretly have their own favorites (whether it be a sole actor, or a cast altogether). So I shall focus on the changing Seigaku cast, and give my take on my favorite/s among them. Sad to say, but I will not be commenting on the 5th cast members (though I shall mention them anyway) for the simple reason that I have yet to seen them on stage enough to share any insight on their performance.

EDIT: Good news. After watching three musicals with the 5th cast, I'm here to provide my insights on them now~ Weee.

(~ ^______^)~

TEZUKA KUNIMITSU

1st CastA: Takigawa Eiji

1st CastB: Ohkuchi Kengo

2nd Cast: Shirota Yuu

3rd Cast: Minami Keisuke

4th Cast: Watanabe Daisuke

5th Cast: Baba Ryouma

~~Personally, each Tezuka actor I've seen so far brings their own take on the stoic captain. ~

1Ca- Takigawa: I will admit that Tezuka was my favorite character in the series, so I had high expectations for whoever would be portraying the role in the musical. I first saw Takigawa in the first cast's performance of Dream Live 1st. And I will tell you that I simply fell in love. I had this deep sense of respect for Takigawa that he could pull off the role so well, regardless of the flaws he had when it came to singing (I will applaud his singing regardless! *pumps fist in the air*). I'm glad that he was cast into that role instead of Inui (who he originally auditioned for).

1Cb-Ohkuchi: His brief appearance in More Than Limit St. Rudolph Gakuen was enough for me to respect him simply as an actor. While I may never accept him as a 'Tezuka' per say, the only reason he earned my respect was when he sang the song 'Dream Maker' with Kimeru. Their blending was quite good, and I give him credit for achieving that much.

2C-Shirotan: I will admit that the moment I had seen Shirota Yuu take on Tezuka's role, I was simply blown away. I had watched the Live Action of Prince of Tennis movie long before I discovered the musicals, so when I did start watching the musicals faithfully, I seriously had to pause and shift from the musical to the movie to realize that the 2nd cast (save for Echizen's role) reprised their roles for the movie. Of course, the whole idea got me excited, since I got attracted to Shirota's portrayal. But the added factor that won my heart was his voice. *squeals in excited fangirl-mode* It was after I watched him take on this role did I start hunting down his other works (SeraMyu, Koshonin, Rookies, Heat Island, Team Batista no Eiko, etc.).

3C-Minami: About the time I was watching Advancement Match Rokkaku feat. Hyoutei (debut of the 3rd cast), I was a bit skeptical with Minami taking on the role. Perhaps I was too caught up in my wild fantasies of Takigawa and Shirota to accept anybody else to get the role. But Minami proved me wrong at some point when I was listening repeatedly to songs off TeniMyu. It had taken a while, but his voice (and his look) was enough for me to accept him in the long run. ^_^ Actually, it's funny how he resembles Tezuka when he was in 1st year. Haha. Yeah.

4C-Daisuke: This man taking on the role of Tezuka took me by surprise. When I first saw him in a clip of Dream Live 5th (singing Yomigaerishi Mono), my initial reaction was: "WHY IS TEZUKA FLYING AND WAVING?!?!?! D<" But sitting down and watching through Progressive Match Higa feat. Rikkai and Dream Live 5th in full gave me another impression on him: "OMG he looks EXACTLY like him!" When all those impressions of him died down, I took a while to contemplate how I was going to take this new Tezuka actor. Coming into Imperial Presence Hyoutei feat. Higa, Daisuke gave me a reason to forget about his flying act in DL5 and appreciate his 'Jimonjitou' solo, which I did thoroughly. Another Tezuka actor has shown his worth to take on the role just by singing an awesome song. ^_^

5C-Ryouma: To be honest, I think Baba Ryouma is the first one I know among the others who needed a wig to look the part. ^___^;; Ah, backstage footage. *snicker snicker* But anyway, when I got myself a copy of Imperial Presence Hyoutei feat. Higa (5B), I pretty much had high expectations from both the 5th cast members and Hyoutei B cast since my only basis of comparison would usually be the singing voice. I'll be honest to say that at some points I even begin to wonder how or why Ryouma got the part. ^_^;; But hey, I must say he improved with each musical. I had this slight tendency to compare him with Daisuke during the 'Jimonjitou' solo from the same musical, but then I realized that despite that, Ryouma just wants to create his own kind of Tezuka Kunimitsu that you should learn to appreciate. I'm looking forward to this guy's performance during the Rikkai musicals to come.

FUJI SYUUSUKE

1st Cast: Kimeru

2nd-3rd Cast: Aiba Hiroki

4th Cast: Furukawa Yuuta

5th Cast: Hashimoto Taito

1C-Kimeru: A J-Pop singer who's contributed so much to TeniPuri already now takes on the role of Fuji Syusuke. Height aside, Kimeru makes up for that with his impeccable singing. Kimeru truly captures the nature of Fuji on stage, which makes him perfect for the role. The admirable thing about Kimeru is that he listed himself as an understudy to Echizen's role, which he did for Remarkable 1st Match Fudomine after Yanagi's accident before returning to his role as Fuji when Endo was casted. Whether he played Echizen or Fuji, there is only one thing you have to consider: HE BELTED IT OUT!

2-3C-Aibacchi: The longest running actor to have taken the role. Aibacchi makes an appearance with the 5th cast in Imperial Presence Hyoutei feat. Higa before Taito finally took over the role. Aibacchi should be given credit for the way he's so flexible, and I think we have to thank his background as a street dancer (along with TAKUYA aka Jirou) for that. His singing isn't all that bad either! Having worked with 3 different casts over the course of his involvement with TeniMyu, it tells you that Aibacchi truly loves the whole production to offer his services.

4C-Furukawa: Another height issue to take into consideration (he's the TALLEST among the 4th cast!), Furukawa didn't sit too well with me the first time I saw him in Progressive Match Higa feat. Rikkai. Basically I left my judgement at that. But that quickly subsided when he sang 'Tennis to wa' with Ogasawara (4th Cast Kawamura for two musicals). His performance of 'Heavy Rain' during Imperial Presence Hyoutei feat. Higa completely turned it around for me. Furukawa continued to amaze with his wonderful take of the song 'Boku wa Kawaru' from Treasure Match Shitenhouji feat. Hyoutei. Fuji APPROVED!

5C-Taito: By far the youngest Fuji actor in all of Tenimyu history. The first time I really got to see him in action was during Treasure Match Shitenhouji feat. Hyoutei since Aiba had reprised his role in the previous musical. You've got to give the kid credit, though. After all, in that particular musical, Fuji had a major role, especially with the epic match between Fuji and Shiraishi. I would have to comment though that unlike the other Fuji actors before him ,Taito's still moving a little robotic at some points (referring to 'Boku wa Kawaru). Whether it was from anxiety or otherwise, I guess Taito really just needs time to adjust and evolve as an actor. He'd do quite well, I'm sure, so I really look forward to the Rikkai musicals to see how he improves.

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This will be it for the time being. My next post will focus on the Echizen and Momoshiro actors, so stay tuned for that!

^_______________^b