Announcement 2009 Kamen Rider Revealed

Ladies and Gentleman. As we head to the last month of Kamen Rider Kiva I am pleased to announce next year's Kamen Rider: Decade. The show will premiere on January 25 (that's the 24th in the US) and the theme song is to be sung by Gackt.

I have to got to say KAT-TUN, NEWS or whoever Johnny's guys may sing a theme song, please release them before March because this guy is one of the most popular celebrity that I know of.

Anyway, our 2009 Kamen Rider will be Masahiro Inoue, as many have expected. Masahiro is not that much of a J-Drama actor and is more of a stage actor but he seems to show more experience than most have. I wish him luck and watch Kamen Rider Decade starting January 25 (24 in the US) at 8 AM (6 PM EST) on tv asahi.

Excerpt from First Entry (MSCM 2430: RNC Convention)

I originally posted this back on September 15, 2008

This was a part of my very first blog entry:

Let me say that even though the Republican National Convention was good, it felt as if people weren't really into it. Like looking atPaulin's speech, it felt as if there was really no focus on what important and focus was put on family and friends more than issues. In my opinion, I don't belive that Paulin should've been on that ticket with McCain because apparently she didn't put out any of the important issues and just talk about about family issues that should be mentioned only one time in one's life. That is my opinion and that's how I feel. Other than that, I say it was okay in some sort of way.

MSCM 2430: Media Panel Discussion

I know that almost a month ago go, we went to see a panel discussion and to be honest with you I felt quite bored. The discussion was pretty boring and unfortunately about half-way through I started to dose off but I was lucky not to fall asleep because I would not be able to learn or prepare myself to get that first job. It was a bad timing for me since this was the first panel discussion I've ever been to but I will try my best to be more prepared whenever there is a panel discussion in the upcoming future.

[PV] KAT-TUN - White Xmas (Full Ver)

Finally, it's here ! Here's KAT-TUN newest single in almost a half-year. White X'Mas. A little note by the way, this is a original version and not the one we are all used to. Happpy Holidays! !

織田信成 2008 NHK杯 SP インタビュー

Hey, Guys!

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. Anyway, here's the Short Program to Nobunari Oda and I will be back soon with either the latest Music Video by KAT-TUN or Johnny's SP. Stay Tuned !

2008 KSM Vienna - Nobunari Oda SP

Exclusively from Youtube and for your viewing pleasure, let's look at Oda's 2008 Short Program. It's a good one !

Role Model 2008

To be consider a role model in my opinion is to always show a positve attitude and use a lot of persuasions to set your example. These ten people are my top 10 role models for 2008. The ten are (in abc order):

CM Punk, Miranda Cosgrove, Toma Ikuta, Kazuya Kamenashi, Beth Phoenix, Daisuke Takahashi, Milo Ventimiglia, Johnny Weir, Ryosuke Yamada, and Tomohisa Yamashita.

And Honorable Mention will go to Michael Phelps and Evan Lysacek.

Those are my 2008 Role Models and I will be back next week to view my favorite TV Theme Song because right now it's tough to decide which was the best. Anyway, those are my role models and look at the video above to see whom I picked as my top role model for 2008.

Today's Winners

In just a few seconds, I will announce the winners for Best Actress, Best Television Theme Song, and Best Worldwide Model (in any category). Be right back ! !

MSCM 2430: Google Yourself

I have found a lot about myself but some in ways where I’m a different person. What I’ve found out is that there is more than one Sandy Rodriguez and more than one Sandy Neal. But there is only one Sandy Rodriguez-Neal and that’s me. Anyway, I found myself with a poem about Juken or Beast Style Fighting as it translate, forgot all about that poem. I also found my own profile from Dailymotion, didn’t know you can search that. Then, after finding those two things, all I found of myself was other people with my name across America as a actress, a law firm, a person from Kansas, and a facebook account. I can’t believe that I’m on facebook even though I’m not a member. This search about me, after finishing it was a crazy one but it was good to know more about yourself and who you might be.

Hey! Say! JUMP Dominates 2008

See Hey! Say! JUMP not once but twice as I pick two of their songs here in my favorite Japan Songs for 2008.

My Top Ten Songs for 2008 are:

#10: KAT-TUN -- "Don't U Ever Stop"
#9: TETRA-FANG -- "Destiny's Play"
#8: NEWS -- "Taiyou no Namida"
#7: ON / OFF -- "Futatsu no Kodō to Akai Tsumi"
#6: V6 -- "Light in Your Heart"
#5: Tourbillon -- "Break the Chain"
#4: Hikaru Utada -- "Prisoner of Love"
#3: Hey! Say! JUMP -- "Mayonaka no Shadow Boy"
#2: Arashi -- "truth"

The Number One song is Hey! Say! JUMP! with "Your Seed". "Mayonaka" was a good song but their summer hit "Your Seed" in my opinion dominated all other songs thus it's number one. See you tomorrow with more of my winners. Bye for now!

Best Actor is . . .

I chose five of the best actors from these show and here they are in reverse order.

#5 is Teppei Koike for "Shibatora"
#4 is D-Boys' Koji Seto for "Koizora"
#3 is KAT-TUN' Kazuya Kamenashi for "One Pound Gospel"
#2 is NEWS' Tomohisa Yamashita for "Operation Love"

And the Best Actor is. . . Look and Find Out.

Yes! It's Jin Akanishi for "Yukan Club"! ! Woo-Hoo! Be right back with my favorite Japan Song for 2008.

My End-of the Year Winners

Hey, guys! !

Starting today I will be posting videos for my winners for this End of the Year thing. Here's how it goes, Any show that I have watched between last October and this October and have either a silver marker or a golden marker are considered my favorite shows this past year and I will decide based upon average and viewer online ratings which show is the overall best. Well, anyway this is what my End-of-the-Year thing is based on. Only 3 winners will be announced per category and the winner will be viewed:

Best Actor (Overall), Best Actress (Overall), Best Supporting Actor (Overall), Best Supporting Actress (Overall), Best Casting (Overall), Best TV Theme Song (Overall) Favorite Singer (Overall), Favorite Group (Overall), Best Movie (Overall), and Best J-Drama.

So, for today, I will bring up my Favorte Television Theme Song and the Best Actor for 2008.

Stay tuned !

I Forgot Winter 2009

I can't believe I forgot about the Winter Dramas that'll start in less than two months. Right now things are sketchy but here are the dramas I plan to watch right now as we're heading towards the new year. Also note that the first two I've announced both air at the same time:

Triangle (Fuji TV): Tuesdays at 10 PM JST; a drama about a murder case dating back to 1984 and never being resolved until now. Starring are Yosuke Eguchi, Ryoko Hirose, SMAP Member Goro Inagaki, Kinya Kitaoji, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Saki Aibu, Masato Sakai, and Shosuke Tanihara

Kami no Shizuku (NTV): Tuesdays at 10 PM JST; based on the manga, it's a drama about a young man who inherits his father's business after he dies. So far, the only cast member is KAT-TUN Member Kazuya Kamenashi.

Q.E.D. (NHK): Thursdays at 8 PM JST; a drama about a young prodigy solving various mysteries. Starring are Aoi Nakamura, Ai Takahashi, and Ken Ishiguro

Love Shuffle (TBS): Fridays at 10 PM JST; a drama about whether or not there is only one destined partner in your life. Starring are Hiroshi Tamiki, Karina, Shota Matsuda, Shihori Kanjiya, and Shosuke Tanihara.

RESCUE: Tokubetsu Koudo Kyuujotai (TBS): Saturdays at 7:55 PM JST (or 6 PM JST depending on the length of the first episode); a drama about a firefighter aiming to become a member of its special rescue team; similar to Tomica Hero Rescue Force yet different because it's not a Toku. Starring in the show is KAT-TUN Member Yuichi Nakamaru, News Member Takahisa Masuda, D-Boys Member Masaki Kaji, Kamen Rider Alumnus Yusuke Yamamoto and Jun Kaname, Ryo Ishibashi, and Ken Ishiguro.

Right now, that's all the dramas I plan to see at the beginning of the year. I am still awaiting word for next year's Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, and any other dramas that will succeed the ones I watching now. But for right now, this is what I have. I'll be back later this week to show you my top ten music videos and some comments that I have to give out on my first panel discussion.

Gotta, Go! ! See y'all later! BYE

I'm Back + Winter 2009

Hi, everyone! Sorry, I've been gone for the past week but you know, busy with college and all. Well, anyway, let's get down to business here. First off, I would like to present my awards for the half-way point. This is only a half-way point through the dramas' run.

My Best Drama so far is Ryusei no Kizuna because of its funny elements and its way of using them to further their plot.

Best Actor in my opinion right now would be Atsushi Ito from Team Batista no Eiko because he brights a lot of light into his character and seemingly it makes the show more interesting.

Best Actress is definitely Aya Ueto from Celebrity and Poor because she puts a whole lot of aspect just playing Alice and has really matured herself in this role.

Best Supporting Actress in my opinion was very difficult but I would have to go out of the J-Drama category and pick Saki Kagami from Kamen Rider Kiva because her way of acting as the mother of Wataru is very mature and understanding compared to most TV mothers. Also, the way she acts is so like our J-Drama actresses all over.

Best Supporting Actor is a tie between Ryunosuke Kamiki from Kaze no Garden, Ryosuke Yamada from Scrap Teacher, and Ryo Nishikido from Ryusei no Kizuna. The reason why for these three are all for different reasons. The reason for Ryunosuke is because of his improvement and the fact that his narration thus far is very beautiful. For Ryo, it's because his character is different from all the other characters I've seen played by him and instead of playing his usual dark or unfunny characters, he plays a funny character with a great personality. As for Ryosuke, his character is more of the mixture toward Tomohisa Yamashita and the fact that his cold attitude and expressions can hypnotize you at all time.

Those were my main categories and here are my remaining winners. I have plans to come out before Christmas to announce my End-of-the-year winners so please stay tuned and see who I pick. Down below is my list of winner's through the half-way point.

Best Drama: Ryusei no Kizuna (TBS)
Best Actor: Atsushi Ito (Team Batista no Eiko: Fuji TV)
Best Actress: Aya Ueto (Celebrity and Poor: Fuji TV)
Best Supporting Actor #1: Ryunosuke Kamiki (Kaze no Garden: Fuji TV)
Best Supporting Actor #2: Ryo Nishikido (Ryusei no Kizuna: TBS)
Best Supporting Actor #3: Ryosuke Yamada (Scrap Teacher: NTV)
Best Supporting Actress: Saki Kagami (Kamen Rider Kiva: tv asahi)
Original Score: Scrap Teacher (NTV)
Original Song: Mayonaka no Shadow Boy (Scrap Teacher, NTV)
Cinematography: Nanase Futatabi (NHK) and Celebrity and Poor (Fuji TV)
Best Original Script: Celebrity and Poor (Fuji TV)
Best Adaptation: Ryusei no Kizuna (TBS)
Best Newcomer: Misaki Takahata (Scrap Teacher, NTV)

Until Thanksgiving, No Scrap Teacher Pictures

Because of the November 4th election, I will not be posting any pictures of Scrap Teacher and I won't be doing so until after Thanksgiving. But I urge you to all read my editorial on Obama (see below) being the next President of the United States because it will surely give you a good message.

Still, I can say that this Episode 4 of Scrap Teacher was about the will to win and to survive. That's all it was about, the will to finish what you started. As for next week's episode, I can't say much except run for your lives, the Grim Reaper has come.

Well, I see you all soon and Congratulations, Mr. Obama on making history ! WOOO! ! !

MSCM 2430: It's Our Era !

The following is a Editorial celebrating Obama's victory:

It’s best said by Yuri Chinen of Hey! Say! JUMP in the song Hey Say, “We are Heisei only! We can't do a Showa show! / Here and there are fine! Hey-Say is fine! / Sorry about our era! But don't worry! / Because we surely have dreams in the future / Well then, everyone follow us! Wow!” Simply put, he says that this is no longer your era, it’s our era and it’s time for you to join us for our future. Well, that has happened as just last night at 11 PM EST, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.

Imagine that just four years ago at this time votes were still being calculated and nobody knew whether Bush would be re-elected or would John Kerry win. None of that matters now! All that matters now is that a new era has begun. When word came out that Obama won, excitement filled the air. Everyone from the United States to his father’s homeland to his elementary school in Indonesia celebrate with no intention of stopping. The 2008 election was surely a milestone election because not only history was made, but a new era has begun.

You can say it best that it’s no longer your era, it’s our era and it’s time for you to join us for our dreams and our future. Let’s join Barack Obama for our dreams and our future. Once again, this is our era.

It's Finally Here! Arashi's "Beautiful days" Full PV

Finally, here it is! The full PV to the theme song for "Ryusei no Kizuna". "Beautiful Days" serves as a beautiful song for the show and its much brighter than their last single. Also, I heard that the song will be out the day before my birthday (11/5 is the release date). What a beautiful birthday gift for me. Anyway, here it is and I hope you people enjoy it. BYE ! ! !

ON/OFF 「輪廻 -ロンド-」 (Rondo) FULL PV

This is the new music video from ON/OFF, a duo group. This is also the theme song for the anime, "Vampire Knight Guilty". By the way, this is a group I do not discuss a lot but still listen to this song. It's as hypotising as Hey! Say! JUMP's Mayonaka no Shadow Boy.

Scrap Teacher Episode 3 Screencaps

Sorry, they took so long but they're finally here. Here are the screencaps for the third episode of Scrap Teacher and let me summarize the episode a little. Basically, the episode was about popularity and strange rumors. Yamada's character is kinda disappointed that school's not good for him because he's not popular among the girls but among the bookworms. Meanwhile, there is another teacher who may be on the downfall of leaving and it is Yuto's character who will save the day without help from the three transfer students. Funny ending is that Yamada's character is still not popular while Yuto's character still believes.


Episode 4 Preview: Next week's episode is focus on competition as the annual school athletic competition is underway. However, Takasugi (Yamada) refuses to participate and it looks like that the rivalry between Takasugi and Kusaka (Nakajima) gets heated up next week.


Again here are the pictures and I'll see you soon. BYE ! !

Scrap teacher ep 3 update

I will have episode 3 screencaps up either this weekend or next week. In the meantime, watch this funny clip from Episode 3, courtesy of Youtube.

Scrap Teacher Screencaps Update

I will have Episode 3 Screencaps of Scrap Teacher available Tomorrow but I will not be able to bring you screencaps for Episode 4 due to Homecoming Week and Halloween. However, I will review the episode whenever I can. Again thank you and continue to support Japan Dramas.

MSCM 24530: Editorial Reaction

Thanks to WXII 12 News and online research, I was able to do a editorial and to me this seems so easy yet at the same time very tricky. Reason is because even though that a editorial is like a opinion or columnist, it cannot be written in first person text and when questions are asked in them, a straight answer can't be provided to them. What can be done while doing a editorial is to base your opinions in third person as if this is about everyone and not you. Anyway, this was a good experience and can't wait to have some more experiences.

Congratulations, Weir & Hey! Say! JUMP

Personally, I would like to sent out my congratulations to both Johnny Weir and Hey! Say! JUMP.

First off, congratulations Johnny on getting the silver medal at Skate America. Personally, I was shocked to hear who won Skate America but in my opinion your free skate was great and flawless. I don't care about mistakes, all I care about is that you did it. Again, congratulations and good luck in Japan.

Speaking of Japan, Hey! Say! JUMP, you've done it again. 'Mayonaka no Shadow Boy' is no.1 on the Oricon Charts and for your first love song, I have to say it is very hypotizing and very mysterious at the same time. The way you potray the song in the music video and live understands what it is all about. Again, congratulations and continue on your success.

So, there you have it ! And once again congratulations to you both. For all of ya'll, here are the programs of Weir and here's Hey! Say! JUMP's latest single. Thank you and come tomorrow for my weekly Episode Review. BYE for Now! !

Johnny Weir SP: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ-tKTfgAKo
Mayonaka no Shadow Boy PV: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tpGRgq1gx98
Johnny Weir FS: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=anguAOXvcrU
Mayonaka no Shadow Boy MS: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_aIMNYlZVd4

MSCM 2430: Reaction to autobiography

Well, I heard all about my history from my family and I thought, why not talk about their reactions to my birth and continue to how I became a positive person.

Anyway, it was good doing this. I'm still sorry it took me forever to do this.

Scrap Teacher Episode Two Screencaps and Episode Three Preview

Here are the Screencaps for the second episode of Scrap Teacher and I'll be back tomorrow to comment on my own biography.

Oh and before I forget I can at least tell you a little bit about Episode 3: Despite now being friends with them, Yuto has one problem, he can't fight back or defend himself and these three are there to teach him how. But he may have ideas through a laptop. Also, Sugi-sensei has gone fishing and the three students are now popular and I believe it is getting to their heads.

Episode Review: High School Saturday

Here are the Saturday Drama Reviews for both Bloody Monday and Scrap Teacher.

Bloody Monday Episode 2: We get to find out more about the virus and what to do with it. Also, a startling development happens and next week there is more on this. Episode recieved a 7.5 out of 10.

Scrap Teacher Episode 2: Okay, this episode was good in its way but people are asking questions about Yuto's character. Let me say that we are very early in the series and I'm seeing the next three episodes as the key element to his fighting ability. Anyway, the one part that got me was Yuto's argument with Yamada because the angle is almost similar to Zukki's and Araki's agrument over a year ago back in Gekiranger. Still, episode was good and can't wait for Yuto to show off his physical ability. A 9 out of 10 this week.

Episode Review: Ryusei no Kizuna

Ryusei no Kizuna Episode 1: Out of every episode, this one beat them all. My favorite part was when Ryo's character went crazy telling his older brother that their sister was selling condoms and the older brother going into shock mode. I loved every bit of this episode and I guess the people did to because the rating it received was a very high rating. I have great expectations on this show. Thus, Ryusei no Kizuna is the show of the week and recieved also a perfect 10 out of 10 as well as a gold star.

Episode Review: Giragira

Giragira Episode 1: Good episode to the end. Favorite part was all Shohei's character basically because he's new at the host club. Also, Shunji makes a good antagonist for the first time ever. Good enough for a 7 out of 10.

Episode Review: Kaze no Garden

Kaze no Garden Episode 2: More of what is wrong with our main character and finding out what can we do about it. It was also saddening because we experience the first death in the episode and it is taken pretty hard. Favorite part was when Ogata's character (I wish he was here) really praised to Taku as he falls asleep. Perfect 10 out of 10.

Episode Review: Nanase Futatabi

Nanase Futatabi Episode 2: Feel the suspense happening. Nanase quits her job and now works at the place where others have similar powers. Also, the police are having it with their witness and might become suspcious after helping apprehend a criminal who after got arrested went mentally insane. Rating is a 8.7 out of 10.

Episode Review: Team Batista no Eiko

Team Batista no Eiko Episode 1: Very good episode if I may do say so myself. Can't tell you the ending even though that was my favorite part. Anyway good and a perfect 10 out of 10.

Episode Review: Celeb to Binbo Taro

Celeb to Binbo Taro Episode 1: Funny and fulfilling episode. Seeing how the two sides live and how they interact was amazing. Favorite part was when the children saw their father and were like "Daddy?". I gave the first episode a 8 out of 10.

Compare and Contrast

This past weekend I was watching the second episode of Scrap Teacher and I was shocked when Yuri did a look that made me think, is that Yuto? What I referred to on that was that Yuto did that hairstyle three years ago in Nobuta wo Produce which was originated from Kazuya Kamenashi. Anyway, here's what I mean and tell me, are they the same or not.

MSCM 2430: Reaction to Own Obituary

After dealing with Ken Ogata's death last week and listening to a song over the weekend, I have to say that it was good writing this but at the same time very emotional because I never imagine myself doing this at all and I have already been through so much in recent years that everytime someone I know or watch dies, it feels like I'm starting to write my own will. Again, this was too emotional to do and here's the song I listened to that made it feel that way. Click on the title to listen to the song. Thank You. . .

This is the name of the song I like:

平原綾香 - ノクターン

Ayaka Hirahara-Nocturne

Scrap Teacher Episode One Screencaps

Here are the screencaps for Scrap Teacher Episode One:

Please thank the following websites for uploading these pictures

http://niarisu.wordpress.com/ (Inkstains in Life)

http://i-collect-cars.livejournal.com/ ( Ooeulhalttaen ddongssah~)

Without these two websites, I wouldn't be able to show you all these pictures. Anyway, here are the screencaps and I'll see ya'll tonight !

Mistake in Scrap Teacher Episode One Review

I made a mistake in the Episode One Review of Scrap Teacher. It turns out that I was originally right and that there are only three transfer students and not four as originally intended. The one student who did not transfer was actually transferring out at the request of his parents. But he finds the courage to believe in himself by using his teacher's words of encouragement as a way to believe that the school will not close down. Anyway, I'm sorry about that, that was only one mistake and hopefully it will never happen again.

Scrap Teacher Review

Because of the big hype I've decided to tell you all about Scrap Teacher in two parts. Part One is behind the scenes introduction and its characters. Part Two is the first episode that aired this past weekend.

Behind the Scenes

This was basically a behind the scenes look at the first episode and to tell us what to expect in the series. There are a overall total of eleven characters for the show but there are only eight main characters. These eight are introduced in three parts. Part One introduction is on the main character played by Yuto Nakajima in which he is a transfer student in his 2nd year at Jr. High, transferring for family reasons and has problems making friends because he has a respect for the school. Because of this, he is constantly bullied by three of his classmates and feels that school is no longer for him until he finds the confidence through his homeroom teacher. Part Two introduction is on the other three transfer students who transferred to Yuto's school for a specific reason that is unknown to us for now. Each carry a similar personality yet one of them played by Ryosuke Yamada (One Pound Gospel, Detective School Q) carries more of a darker personality than the others played by Yuri Chinen and Daiki Arioka. Part three introduction is on the teaching staff in which they go very quickly on them and finally we get to see some clips from the show including the three bullies who tease Yuto's character from day one. There are more behind the scenes footage and we get to see how a certain scene is done. Before seeing the show, I would recommend this for your viewing pleasure.

Episode One Review

Originally, the concept was that four students would transfer to a new school on the verge of collasping and help out its teachers and try to change the school to make it better. However, when I first saw the episode, its concept changed as Yuto Nakajima (Nobuta wo Produce), plays a new student in his 2nd year at Junior High (8th grade for people who don't understand Japan Schools) who gets bullied on his first day because he likes school but practically loses confidence in himself until he finds it through his homeroom teacher, played by Yusuke Kamiji and starts to build a bond with him that also gives him the courage to stand up. Surpising part was in the end when he gave his teacher words of encouragement. As for the other three transfer students, they don't enter until about 15 minutes into the show and don't make a appearence until about half-way through the show when they get Yuto's character out of the restroom after he was set up by the same bullies who teased him in the beginning. Now there is a difference between each transfer in my opinion. Yuto's transfer to this school was because of family business and he had to start over. The other three, their transfers was for the original concept of this show in which they've come to help their teachers and save the school from collasping. I like the show so much that I've decided to make a DVD collection out of it that I hope to finish by the end of the year. Anyway, the first episode was great and it feels like that I'm really going to enjoy this series.

Episode 2 Preview:

From what I can see, Yuto's character (Shusaburo) wants to hang out more with the other transfer students but Yamada's character (Toichi) carrying that dark personality makes him think otherwise which put Yuto's character into a dark path where gangs are willing to beat him to his death. Also, a female student feels troubled and decides to skip school and it is up to the homeroom teacher to make her reconsider.

So, there's the reviews for Scrap Teacher and I hope you all understand how I felt about them. I will have pictures from the first episode up by tomorrow as well comments about writing my own obituary and my own biography. Until then, see ya'll later and please feel free to comment !

Episode 1 Reviews

Episode One Reviews

October 4--11, 2008

ROOM OF KING was quite a funny drama especially the amazing acting of Hiro Mizushima. He really got me, much better than he did in Kamen Rider Kabuto two years ago. Also, the way the show was designed was very funny especially that silly song that was sung to bring the criminal to justice and save Anne Suzuki's character. Overall I rate this episode 6 out of 10 because even though it was great, it lack some of the characteristics for other characters other than Hiro's and Anne's combined.

Nanase Futatabi introduced us to a woman who had these psychic powers and then finds out that two others also have pyschic powers. One is on the run from the police in which one actor is similar to Yuya Takaki of Hey! Say! JUMP. I have said this back in April that both Ryuji Sainei and Takaki look almost alike. Anyway, back to where I was before. This man already knows he has these powers and serves as a magician until the police decide to take him in for questioning after witnessing a unknown crime. The other person is a 10-year-old boy who lives with his mother and apparently didn't like her reaction in the end. Due to the suspense of the episode I overall rate this 10 out of 10.

Kaze no Garden is actually more of a introduction than a actual episode. The episode introduces us to all the main characters and what they are doing right now. Ken Ogata, who passed away last week, was great in the show. He, in my opinion, always came up with advice to his two grandchildren who have both grown up with him ever since their mother died several years ago. As for their father, he lives in Tokyo and is a doctor who finds out that something is wrong with him. The narration was good because it shows the maturity of Ryunnosuke Kamiki who plays the son who had in his eyes never met his father until now. I rate this episode 9 out of 10 because of it being only more of a introduction-like episode rather than the beginning.

Bloody Monday had the most suspense that I have ever seen. The show had some crossovers to the Matrix, the movie Hackers, and various thriller movies. Haruma Miura really pulled it out in his first televison lead. Him playing the protagionist was good. About what Bloody Monday is, it is a virus in which the person can suffer from internal bleeding. Anyway, this show was by far the best of all Dramas and I give it a overall rating of 10 out of 10 and the number one show of the week.

I'll have a very big detailed review on Scrap Teacher because it was one of the only few shows with more pubiclitiy. Anyway, I'm giving it a overall rating of 9.7 out of 10.

It's Here! Mayonaka Shadow Boy

Finally, it's here! The Music Video, that is, Single CD and mp3 still not not for another week, Anyway, Hey Say JUMP's newest single from the Drama, Scrap Teacher "Mayonaka no Shadow Boy". Click the title to view and comment on the music video.

The music video serves as a darker tone to previous songs by Hey Say JUMP and like I said before this really has show their maturity and is reason that they are ready for the next level.

By the way, Scrap Teacher premieres this morning in Japan if anybody plans to see it. Well, that's all I want to say for now. Be back tonight with new stuff, See Ya! !

"Kaze no Garden" Co-Star Passed Away

Hi everyone! Today I was going to comment about doing my own obtiuary, however, today it feels like that one has already been written. In case you Japan Media people and my Veoh Friends don't know yet, I received the news early this morning that Ken Ogata who is co-starring in the new drama I will be watching this week, Kaze no Garden has passed away at the age of 71.

This, comes as a shock to me, as this is the fourth person to leave this world before his final work is released. Everyone knows about the international media and I'm talking about Heath Ledger, Bernie Mac, and Isaac Hayes, all whom have passed away this year before their final work was released.

I feel suprised and at the same time devastated because Kaze no Garden was going to be the first time that I would see this guy and many other actors on Television with the exception of two stars. Now, this will perhaps be the only time I will see Ken Ogata. I've heard all the work that he has done and I am proud to say that he was one of the most memorable Actors of his generation. Ken will be sorely missed.

IN MEMORY OF KEN OGATA

News Link: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=nJnOT9D-QRw
Obituary Link: http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7155/53/

1937-2008

Apple Festival + October Singles

This past weekend, I went to the Apple Festival and despite the short time I had, it was okay. I just really wish I had a sport cap though. Oh well, there will always be next year when you go to the Brushy Mtn. Apple Festival.

This month, I have two favorite artists with new single and here are my comments for them:

NEWS: Happy Birthday: I'll say this from the start, despite the fact I like the song, I just don't think the title is appropiate enough for it to be a number one it. To me, Birthday songs are only sung on your birthday and for NEWS to do this, it's just crazy and believe me people, this song is not the song to hear.

LINK: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8nfREHD8V8 (Full Song)

NEWS Members are: Shigeaki Kato, Keiichiro Koyama, Takahisa Masuda, Ryo Nishikido, Yuya Tegoshi, and Tomohisa Yamashita

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hey! Say! JUMP: Mayonaka no Shadow Boy: Now this song I really love. I haven't listen to the whole song yet but by the sound it looks like that Hey! Say! JUMP is ready for the next level. After doing just anime and kid-like songs last year, they're doing a song that shows their maturity after being together for only one year. Mayonaka no Shadow Boy or Midnight Shadow Boy is the song that you all should listen to.
LINK: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sIlH6-mC0lU (Full Song)*
*wait until timer say 6:02 to listen to the full song.

Hey! Say! JUMP Members are: Daiki Arioka (BEST), Yuri Chinen (Seven), Kei Inoo (BEST), Ryutaro Morimoto (Seven), Yuto Nakajima (Seven), Keito Okamoto (Seven), Yuya Takaki (BEST), Kouta Yabu (BEST), Ryosuke Yamada (Seven), and Hikaru Yaotome (BEST)

The new single from NEWS is out this week while the new single from Hey! Say! JUMP will be out on October 22nd. Listen to these songs and tell me which one you think is better. Well, got to go. See you guys soon!

Official Japan Dramas for Fall 2008

Ladies and Gentleman, here are the official Japan Dramas that I will be watching this fall. Some of which I have already started. The Fall season started eariler this month and will end this Decemeber. Anyway, here are my dramas and I hope you all have time to see them because these are good based on what I've seen thus far.

Gokusen (2002, NTV, already airing):

Review: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=UBEEY0H-z14

Code Blue (2008, Fuji TV, already airing):

CM 1: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14200632aAb8jRzf
CM 2: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14373922KmgcPQhh
Preview (Subbed): http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14456510TtQ7p33F
Official Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/codeblue/index.html

ROOM OF KING (2008, Fuji TV, already airing)

Official Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/ROK/index.html

Nanase Futatabi (2008, NHK, starts already airing)

Official Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/drama8/nanase/index.html

Kaze no Garden (2008, Fuji TV, already airing):

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gAjEAy3tm-8
Official Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/gardenrden

Detective School Q (2007, NTV, starts This Friday):

CM: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5LrqkM9Vuy0

Episode 1 Preview: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=A21P1FuxAwg
Official Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/tantei-q/

Bloody Monday (2008, TBS, already airing):

CM 1: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=kx7Z6mp4lt0
CM 2: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_5mOSbu9b9M

Theme Song Preview:

Over the rain～ひかりの橋～ (Over the rain~Bridge of Light~) by flumpool *
Preview Episode 1: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gQAxYiNUuuQ
Official Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/bloody-monday/
*Link cannot be added due to copyright restrictions

Scrap Teacher (2008, NTV, already airing):

CM 1: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wgZYNw2SRfg
CM 2: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbmd33gZOQ4
Cast Statement: Same Link as CM 2

Hey! Say! JUMP: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=J8pbhVqvPTg *

Main Theme Song:

真夜中のシャドーボーイ (Midnight Shadow Boy) by Hey! Say! JUMP

MV Preview: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=6nzTwBdEaD0

Preview Episode 1: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbmd33gZOQ4
Official Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/scrap/

*To clear up any confusion members are from left to right:

Yuri Chinen, Ryosuke Yamada, Yuto Nakajima, and Daiki Arioka.

Celeb to Binbo Taro (2008, Fuji TV, starts Tomorrow):

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YKskSbgHA5w
Official Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/celeb/

Team Batista no Eiko (2008, Fuji TV, starts Tomorrow):

CM: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=iKXjaVM-zL8

Official Website: http://www.ktv.co.jp/batista/

Giragira (2008, tv asahi, starts This Friday)

Official Website: http://giragira.asahi.co.jp/

Ryusei no Kizuna (2008, TBS, starts This Friday):

CM 1: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v160142858rMMYaGS
CM 2: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=oBUYfpsqYLg
Offficial Theme Song (Radio Edit): Beautiful Days by Arashi
Link: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=LTS17tvbinM
Official Preview: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=nvByO6xLcmU
Official Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/ryuseinokizuna

Nodame Cantabile (2006, Fuji TV, starts 10/25/2008)

Review: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=riAI6zS9ORM
Official Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/nodame/index.html
Official Music Compostition Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/music/nodame/



For more information on these shows, go to either wik.d-addicts.com or to their official websites listed below the show.

Big Updates: RNC, Japanese Dramas, and more

I have so much to say and update that I'm putting all this in one blog. First off, let me say that this weekend was extordinary and great in a sense of a way and after what I've learned this moring, this are going to change for me big time.

First off is what I should've review about two weeks ago. Let me say that even though the Republican National Convention was good, it felt as if people weren't really into it. Like looking atPaulin's speech, it felt as if there was really no focus on what important and focus was put on family and friends more than issues. In my opinion, I don't belive that Paulin should've been on that ticket with McCain because apparently she didn't put out any of the important issues and just talk about about family issues that should be mentioned only one time in one's life. That is my opinion and that's how I feel. Other than that, I say it was okay in some sort of way.

Secondly is the status of watching J-Dramas live on tvunetworks.com. From what I've learned today, the streamers have decided that until they can figure out how to stream their networks perfectly, they have stopped all streaming for all networks. Even though I am suggested to KeyHole TV, I refused to ever upload or download KeyHole TV. The main reason behind that has to deal with audio problems and everytime I used it, the audio will mess up about 60 seconds after using it and it gets me fustrated when I have to stop and paly the player again and again. When I fixed my laptop last month, I made the decision to not uploasd KeyHole TV for any reason whatsover. Despite what happen with tvu, I will try my best to find streams through another source even if I can't find out in the present right now. In respect, I would like to thank TVU for trying their best at our Japan Shows.

Speaking of Japan Shows, Fall Dramas are coming and these are the dramas that I will watch this fall and my times will be in parenthis along with live times. The shows are the following:

Innocent Love (Online Tuesdays),

Celeb to Binbo Taro (Online Wednesdays or Thursdays),

Team Bastista no Eiko (Online possibly Wednesdays; unsure),

Oh! My Girl!! (unknown online),

Nanase Futatabi (NHK: Thursdays at 7 PM JST; unknown online)

Kaze no Garden (not to be seen online)

Giragira (not to be seen online)

Ryusei no Kizuna (Online Mondays-if necessary)

Bloody Monday (Online Mondays-if necessary)

Scrap Teacher (Online Fridays after J-Drama Schedule)

ROOM OF KING (not to be seen online)

SCANDAL (unknown online)

In case you all wondering, unknown or unsure means I have yet to decide whether if I will see them or not. As for the if necessay one, because of copyrights with the network, I am unsure if I will be able to see these J-Dramas but I will think of something if I can.

Another not is that my fall Japan Schedule is here and the shows that I will be watching online are: Gokusen (2002, 2005, 2008), Code Blue (Summer 2008), and Nodame Cantabile (Fall 2006). Scrap Teacher (Fall 2008) will also be in the schedule to continue me seeing 4 J-Dramas every Friday Night. Other shows that have been selected for the 2008-2009 season are: Bambino (Spring 2007), Long Vacation (1996), and Hanayome to Papa (Spring 2007). I will announce more dramas in the next couple of weeks.

Finally, it's onto other matters. My favorite skater Johnny Weir has answered my question and I must say I was very pleased with that answer. He sounded so mature in that and I'm glad that he has matured. Also, I have plans to make my own Year-End Awards Show. It will focused on any Japan Show that I have watched within the past two years. Tune in this October to find out who I have picked for nominees including Best live-action show, Best Drama, and Best Tokusatsu. Voting will begin the week after I post thsese nominations and will end on Thanksgiving so make your vote, I will show you sample clips to help ya'll choose your winners. I will annouce the winners sometime in December.

Before I go for this week, I would like to send a prayer out to those affected by Hurricane Ike and I hope that they can pull through this 'cause I know they can. Again thank you and please reply. Until next week! Se Ya! Ja-ne!

MSCM 2430: Ken Smith Visits

Yesterday, Ken Smith from WRAL came to visit class by request of Dr. Chambers to discuss his experiences in the media. I have to be honest that I was tired but for some reason, his enthusiasm and athelte-like voice kept me awake and mostly keyed in on his subject. Throughout class, he showed us a video on a certain CBS reporter who only had 48 hours to deliver a story to his station. While watching this, I was hypotized by this guy who really should have been a comedian but he really show a great understanding to his stories. The best one was the one where two widows moved on after losing their loved ones long ago. During each news segment and throughout class, he answered questions which in my opinion some where good but the best one is to getting to know your guest a little more. About half-way through class, a friend of Ken's came to visit but for some reason I do not know her name although I do know that she works with him in the Black Journalists unit. So in all, it was a pleasure for Ken Smith to come and visit during his off-time. I can only hope that this experience will help me prepare for my future career.