Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: 2004 NHK Taiga Drama: Shinsengumi! [Katori Shingo, Yamamoto Koji, et al.]

  1. #1
    Senior Member Lady Zhuge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    7,510

    Default 2004 NHK Taiga Drama: Shinsengumi! [Katori Shingo, Yamamoto Koji, et al.]

    $this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://i40.tinypic.com/2ntejkm.jpg')

    $this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://i40.tinypic.com/2agqgyf.jpg')

    $this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://i43.tinypic.com/2m76q2c.jpg')

    Links of Interest
    About the drama:
    JDorama
    DramaWiki

    About the historical Shinsengumi:
    http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/5770/shinhis.htm
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsengumi

    Main cast members talk about the production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2fIOgASWGM (the beginning is funny , but beware of spoiler scenes)

    Theme song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9nEkdJWzPk (actual performance begins about 1:10 in)
    Opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN1AsZ8WvtQ


    This is my second Taiga drama. I started watching it knowing close to nothing about the time period or its key figures, but hopefully this will be a good history lesson. So far I'm enjoying the show, although Katori Shingo underwhelms me for some reason. It's as if he's holding back and I'm not sure why. He gave me the same feeling in Bara no nai Hanaya, but I thought maybe that was just his character. Standouts for me are Yamamoto Koji as Hijikata and Sakai Masato as Yamanami.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Lady Zhuge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    7,510

    Default

    Just watched episode 33. It really saddened me. I know there's no way to change history, but
    click to show/hide spoilers
    I just don't understand why Yamanami essentially resigned himself to death. Before I got to this episode I predicted that Hijikata would be to blame given his M.O. and since I totally disagreed with his decision to not compensate anyone not physically participating in the Ikedaya Jiken, but it later became fairly obvious that he didn't really want Yamanami to die. All the main Shinsengumi gave Yamanami every opportunity to "escape", and yet he still chose to die. Why did he even go back to Kyoto? He seemed conflicted when he told Akesato that they should hurry along when she wanted to take more time to smell the flowers, but then boldly stepped out in front of Soji. I didn't feel that the drama built up enough conflict/tension to convince me of why he ultimately chose this horrid path. It's such a shame since he finally found a woman who complements him so well.


    Katori Shingo looks a lot better in the second half. I think it's the hair. He and Tabata Tomoko look more like siblings than husband and wife, though. I'm still not sure what I think about Shingo's portrayal of Kondo Isami. His angry face can also be mistaken for severe constipation. Coolest looking dudes in here are hands down Yamamoto Koji's Hijikata Toshizo and Odagiri Jo's Saito Hajime. Tanihara Shosuke looks really good too, but I dislike his character. This era's hairstyle doesn't flatter Fujiwara Tatsuya's facial shape. Soji and Yagi Hide (Fukiishi Kazue) are a huge mismatch. The couple with the most chemistry is Serizawa Kamo (Sato Koichi) and Oume (Suzuki Kyouka). Sato-san did a great job as Serizawa.

    In addition to the strong comradery and character development, one of the best things about this drama is the comedy. It's well done and just the fact that it's there is a bonus for this type of show. I'm aiming to finish this monster before the end of the month.

Similar Threads

  1. Yoshitsune - 2005 NHK Historic Samurai Drama
    By Ghaleon in forum Japanese/Korean Dramas
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-22-09, 06:12 PM
  2. Musashi 2003 TV series NHK (49 eps)
    By Ghaleon in forum Japanese/Korean Dramas
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-29-09, 04:14 AM
  3. Best and Worst of 2004!
    By Eliar Swiftfire in forum Movies
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 07-17-05, 11:58 AM
  4. Pg 53 of The New Paper (26/12/2004)
    By mediaworks in forum Singapore TV Series
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-30-04, 10:21 AM
  5. Jiang Hu 2004
    By TuToo in forum Movies
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-17-04, 05:20 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •