Happy Aloha~♥ Friday Derek~kun! I’m so happy that you’re totally getting into this drama series (*´∀｀*) ♪♪！And with you now commenting with me all the way from Japan it feels extra special~*~~* =)! And on tonight’s episode this one’s a cut above as we delve deeper into the dare I say misunderstood “meanie’s” character, also a bit of elevated danger and we take awkward awesomeness to all new heights!! =) A five star episode on the way!~!
~Reminiscing an all-time favorite drama series continued…
~Hana yori dango (episode 4)~
(English subtitled)
(note: there is a bit of “EnGrish” happening in the translation where a phrase like “I don’t know” may read something like “I’m don’t know”… however rest assured that the dialogue throughout is completely understandable in its context. Just a tiny hitch in the translation here. ^^*)
So once again I’ll be posting each episode singly, one episode per week every Friday …all 11 episodes here thereby emulating a “live” week to week drama watching experience ^^.
This time I’m going for a drama series which strikes all the highs, lows and in between(s) of one’s heartstrings, however this time anticipate a laugh out loud to cry like crazy “dramedy” where its inevitable spell will cause jaw dropping, your heart thumping and your funny bone tickled to an extreme of at times surreal measures. Now for the IDOL connection we’ve got both guy~candy and girl~candy all covered in the most YUM~♥ imaginable!! For the girls you’ve got ARASHI’s Matsujun and Oguri Shun leading the cast while for the guys it’s all about the main lead of our story played by the uber~adorable Inoue Mao… and yet it’s all about great storytelling, acting and the never to be forgotten experience of the “Hana yori dango” world. And when it comes to drama theme songs, “WISH” stands pretty high atop that special tier and it’s performed by the incomparable ARASHI!!! And trust me, if you’re not already familiar and head over heels with this song, you soon will be after just a couple of episodes or sooner =).
~Spoiler-free synopsis~
Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, a school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by “Flower 4” or “F4”… a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa- the leader and heir to the Domyoji World Finance Group/ Hanazawa Rui- the introverted son of a large company/ Nishikado Sojiro- a “player” who is the heir of a tea ceremony school/ and Mimasaka Akira-a playboy with ties to the underground. If a student gets on “F4’s” bad side, he gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school. Makino Tsukushi hopes to pass her days quietly without drawing any attention to herself however one day…
So I got the idea to watch and comment along with each episode before actually publishing each post publicly, as my thoughts/reactions came to me in “real time”, so hopefully this acts like a conversation starter if you reply to any of the comments below and add new ones of your own thoughts if you’d like, as this great drama series rolls along =).
モーニングBerryz48...the morning after..... "Always wear protection before reading…(^q^)." 
Lots of emotional twists and turns up till now with character development being at an all time high here!
A freezing to death Tsukasa….. in the pouring rain and that initial unexpected hug~♥, well for warmth it may seem? It’s one of those hilariously awkward moments here at the start but it all quickly does a 180~on you as Tsukasa’s second thought immediately goes to his worrying about Tsukushi’s safety!! Awwww…~♥!!
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And then the socially challenged Tsukasa is back in fine form questioning why she was so late xD! Really though I feel much more on his side as of this moment… I mean I know his asking for a date was like the most “angry” and awkward looking event ever in the history of earth and yet I totally can still warm up to his character here as when it counts I truly believe he’s going to be genuine and then some with Ummm good intentions? Yes!
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Again no actress does the “HUH??” exasperated look and gesture quite as awesome as Inoue Mao here! (As Tsukushi of course =P!) And that in reply to Tsukasa’s sudden belief that she’s fallen in love with him LOL! =O
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OH MY GOD….Arigato for the special introduction to me on this episode. It does feel special to me that I’m watching this in Japan (for the last time though, as I’ll be home by the next time you post again for this series). I think I agree completely that Tsukushi does the “HUH??” expression the best I’ve ever seen by a Japanese female. I actually am waiting for it now in each episode. Her face is adorable, and I think I’m slowly starting to crush on this girl really bad. She’s too perfect of an actress… most of it is her facial expressions… I love actresses who can say everything with a look. That’s a rare gift in the movie and terebi world.
However, this episode at first brought me to tears, then really upset me, then really upset me. But all in good ways, as in I’m now 100% emotionally invested in this show and am counting the hours until the next episode is posted!
This has been absolutely a fantastic watch so far. I’ll try to comment as much as I can as per usual, but probably will be able to do most comments today because I’m staying in and not going out adventuring in Tokyo today. I need to catch up on my life, which has been put on hold since I got here. I watched this episode last night and went to bed wishing Tsukushi was lying next to me like she did to Tsukasa in the elevator. That might be one of my all time favorite scenes in a dorama, but I’ll get to that momentarily.
Thank you, as per usual, MB, for this. Janken tournament is today… can’t wait for it, and it got me thinking Tsukushi if she were playing it would probably be terrible, because her luck seems to go from really good to awful in the space of 45 minutes, ne?
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YUP! Tsukasa’ is earth’s most socially challenged human being! =O I laughed at his whole “pride” commentary as to the appearance of a building he won’t even consider entering! =P
Now this was sooooooooo funny!!!! That sleazy street dude and how Tsukasa knew without questioning his bad intentions just goes ahead and hits him one! LOVED IT!
And then Tsukasa’s lack of Japanese language skills is off the charts hilarious!! Doubly wonderful as Tsukushi calls him “dumb” out loud as the elevator door was shutting~! =D
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All of this helps me like him because I realize he’s like an untrained animal ha ha.
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Hmmmm… seems that in hindsight Tsukasa’s “bad” feeling about that building was “right” after all =P. Kind of feels like divine justice or maybe just God’s humor here as they’re now trapped in an elevator! Still Tsukasa’s showing me how I’d feel safe…. for lack of a better word if I were around him or romantically involved with him….. and he’s a man of action for sure! He didn’t wait long before deciding that they should exit through the elevators top.
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Well on second thought OMG this is not a safe idea! And sooooooo scary when Tsukushi fell off the edge there =O!!!! Now he was just holding his thingy* and now he’s going to grab a hold of Tsukushi’s hands LOL! And fact that Tsukushi was contemplating on whether to “allow” Tsukasa’s “dirty” hands to touch or not in a time of dire need was too funny there! Humor in the face of danger… love the dialogue here! Now don’t think me too odd but I would have grabbed his hands in a split second and I wouldn’t need to even be in danger… just sayin’ =P.
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A quick perhaps romantic glance and what a fallback into the elevator. Okay no matter how they baited the audience into believing that Tsukasa was having bad intentions* just then in the elevator I honestly wasn’t buying it for a second. He wasn’t going to attack her no matter how barbaric he’s appeared to be till now =). Clumsy in his ways but Tsukasa to me at this point feels like a guy who’d protect his love~♥ at all costs, albeit his methods and reasoning are far from normal or refined LOL. =)
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As “WISH” plays it always makes me happy, it’s just this totally happy spirited~* song.=).
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And would have ever thunk it? Tsukushi trying to nurse Tsukasa back to health =D. And did you catch that soo soooo odd thing that had good intentions but then came out all wrong form of an apology? OMG he’s truly feeling bad for their situation and while apologizing he manages to drop blame upon Tsukushi… too funny =P!
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Tsukasa’s mentioning of his revoking the red card presents a pretty cool revelation of sorts as Tsukushi quickly quips that it’s no means of her forgiving him so easily, I mean it’s obvious and yet when you see that both Tsukushi and Tsukasa are both like the meaning of her given name…. tough like weeds in both of their personalities, it just feels like somehow they’re… dare I say it? Soul mates. ^^*
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To see Tsukasa vulnerable like this makes him so much more human, you know what I mean?. =) And isn’t this the song you liked?…. playing just then.
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So all your comments about what happened in the elevator are spot on. The piano, when it starts playing, just made me cry so much. I dunno why, but it was such a beautiful overhead shot of those two next to each other, all night, Tsukasa sick and Tsukushi going from curled up next to him to getting closer to him and closer, until they are promptly yelled at in the morning by the people who came in and basically made it seem like it was their fault the elevator stopped like it did.
Makino being willing to die before letting Tsukasa touch her hands after peeing was really funny and SOOO Nihonjin!
But back to when that aching piano song breaks in… I just… I couldn’t even….like it suddenly occurred to me that these two just might be able to have a real relationship, and at the same time, it was so sad to see two lonely souls like that next to each other, but not really close to each other, you know what I mean? It’s a perfect image for this entire series so far. My favorite moment of the whole story so far too.
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It’s a sweet song, love it too!
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OMG how’s that guy’s unreal uni-brow??! =O And aww to see Tsukasa and Tsukushi fast asleep in such a “loving” position… well UNTIL she rolls him into the side of the elevator that is! =O
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And how dare they freeze the almost kiss just then Grrrrr!!! XD
Okay she ran away but still…..! And now Tsukushi’s eccentric and thrifty family has gone over the edge with worry and emotions here LOL… I know it’s a serious matter and yet I couldn’t help but smile as her little brother has some very extreme worries in his mind! =O
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Yes, it was kind of a much needed funny moment, even if it was supposed to not be funny, in light of the hugely impacting emotional moment in the elevator that had just happened. Amazing stuff.
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I still say that Sakurako has some sort of oddity about her as if she cannot be trusted. =/ And there’s that awesome look of “HUH????” on Tsukushi’s face again! I can’t get enough of it, it’s too awesome!~!
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So wacky that it took just a single misunderstood photo of a non-kiss to make Tsukushi into the school’s folk hero!!!! =D
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And Tsukasa’s officially in love with Tsukushi although his saying that they really kissed was a “bit” misguided LOL =P.
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I laughed at this too. I liked how it was progressing though, as though this relationship could maybe be something to not be that upset about being part of… like there are worse things that could happen. And Tsukushi even revoked the red card, so that says a lot about him, ne?
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Hmmm…. Sakurako’s lack of happiness in this scene initially as she hears that the red card has been revoked further solidifies that this girl’s not quite what she seems….. ?
Now what could possibly be in that book of hers???!
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I kept wondering that too… what’s in there that was worth freaking out over like that?
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And nowTsukasa speaking of being responsible and never wanting to hurt Tsukushi…. aww he’s growing into a socially “capable” human right before our eyes…. Nah! no way he matures that quickly! =P Still, what a 180 he’s becoming…. I hope!!
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OMG the lady boss who always suddenly appears with words of “wisdom” and wisdom is too funny here with the whole “John Lenon” relationship, and what odds of him also wearing such rounded spectacles?? =O The quick “Yoko Ono” questioning was doubly funny by Tsukushi too! =D
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Hysterical indeed. I laughed so hard at this too. This lady boss had another funny moment when she didn’t want the other F4 guys to take Makino’s co-worker and then when the F4 guy was like, I’ll buy everything in here, the lady boss was like, See you later! Ha ha ha. Too funny.
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And OMG I used to work with a guy who looked like that!! =O And he did like The Beatles too.. hmmm
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I wonder if Tsukasa can possibly be truly romantic with Tsukushi?? He’s so like sandpaper with good intentions!
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Now not in a zillion years did I imagine Tsukasa being at Tsukushi’s home =O!!!!!!! And his family is loving it!!!!!!!!!!!! And double OMG when her mother proposes the ultimate gesture here pretty much giving Tsukasa, a guy they’ve never met and don’t really know…. Tsukushil’s hand in marriage on the spot! =O
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Really wasn’t expecting this either, but at the same time, it allowed us to see Tsukasa react to Makino’s family, and it was spot on variety type gold with the humor. I really thought though that by this point, I didn’t have to work so hard to like Tsukasa… he’s becoming this adorable savage who doesn’t know better, or really doesn’t have any clue how to behave, and now I get him…This is just how he is. I get it now. Very fun scene here.
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In actuality that whole “puzzle” conversation with Tsukasa’s Mom aka: Cruella…. was their “warning” of a change in Tsukasa’s temperament/ interests, like now that he’s showing an interest in puzzles means that there must be “something wrong” with him. xD
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LOL! Did you catch Tsukasa’s inadvertent slandering of Tsukushi’s home at the vacated restaurant? Too funny as he’s soooooo trying and yet he trips all over the Japanese language! =P And Rui’s handkerchief is an absolute trigger here. =/ And there’s that awesome “HuuuH?” from Tsukushi/ Inoue Mao~♥! =D …as the apple conversation begins about Rui. =)
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Yes, I was kind of like… ehhhh? But then we got this whole Rui backstory and it was interesting… like Tsukasa was kind of letting Makino he has all this power or something… he can hurt just as much as he can care. It was kind of out of place, I felt, for him to be saying all of this right now to Makino, when he’s trying to win her affection. But again, I have to remind myself: Savage. Savage. Savage! lol.
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Who’d ever thought that the apple was such a central object here? I mean it’s total shock and then you see the symbolism behind it all as Tsukasa now appears remorseful for what he did to Rui by lying back then.
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You know it was such an oddity about the apple toss at the airport back then but for some reason I never really thought too much about it when I first watched this drama…. it’s still such a big reveal here albeit we’re talking about an apple, still the apple symbolism runs gigantic.
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My heart warms in hearing Tsukasa speak so openly about Tsukasa’s feelings towards Rui and how he feels almost defeated if she indeed still has a genuine interest in him. You realize Tsukasa’s truly never had a girl in his life, Awww…. =( and thus he’s so clumsy around girls. The things not spoken in this scene can only be like a confused hamster running wild in Tsukushi’s head! Tsukasa being so gentle and human… with actual social skills here is sooooo sweet~♥! Sounds odd to say right? But in this context it’s so meaningful I think. A poignant scene and one of this drama’s very best till this point.
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Poignant, but like… I dunno, maybe I have to watch this part again, but I already got the feeling that Tsukusa understands the situation well enough with Rui and yet at the same time, he’s dealing with Makino and if she has feelings for him as well. It’s a lot for anyone, rich or poor, to deal with, I’m sure. But things not spoken in this scene is very true what you said. I have to totally agree on your points.
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OMG her family is shameless spying on her in the bushes!!!! LOL =O At this point I think the bulk of Tsukushi’s disbelief is firmly rooted in their social class differences with Tsukasa being so rich, well that and of course the way Tsukasa has been so mean until recently. Aww what a loving and smart sister can teach her barbarian brother. =D
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I nearly peed as the boss traded in a split second her employee for a whole lotta cash!!! =O Zenbu kaimasu! So cool! To be able to say I’ll buy everything here!! =O And yet I’m very worrisome as to what these F4 guys want with her….. ?
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Nah! Rui’s hotter!!!!!!!!!!! That guy in the club no way hahah! =P
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So now we see their intentions, they’re trying to end Tsukasa’s change of heart and his ways as he’s totally committed to Tsukushii, and how it could possibly end badly for both of them as they “know” Tsukasa “best”…. huh or do they as this is the new and improved human Tsukasa! =)
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IT’S A TRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said that the first time this club scene began…! it’s all a setup and with the mysterious appearance of Sakurako at a place like this I can only believe she’s got a lot to do with it. =(
Now this pissed me off!!!!!!!!! A date rape drug? Really? I mean after a bit I wasn’t buying that that guy actually did anything sexual* to her and yet it gives me the shivers just seeing her world go all blurry as it was a tainted drink. And that is why I will never accept a drink anywhere unless I’ve seen its direct source. You hear about those cases and it’s horrible that some sick idiots do such things! Sorry I’m ranting and it’s gone outside of the drama xD.
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So this is probably my least favorite part of the series so far. I saw this trap a mile away like you did, and the rape drug left me feeling sick inside. Like, did he really have sex with her, or did he just pose with her in the bed and that was it? I was sooooo upset when I watched this part. Like this episode has both my favorite moment and least favorite moment so far. I even felt more disgusted than the almost attempted rape in the earlier episode. Like, why did this show have to go here with this? Makino DOES NOT deserve this! How can people be this horrible to each other? Sick idiots indeed, but… to find out it was seemingly Sakurabo who set it all up?
Girls are scary, ne?
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LOL the barbarian in Tsukasa isn’t going away without a fight!! =P “Just happened” to be in the area! YUP he’s too funny! Okay once again I have to believe that that stupid setup guy didn’t actually have sex with her because a girl will know if anything’s happened to her V*!~! =P And being a virgin. But what did he do then??
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And now did you see that look on the “sweet” Sakurako just then? Evil look, evil intentions…. she had to have set that whole club thing up. =/
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Some of the best dialogue from the clumsily worded Tsukasa here as they’re about to eat lunch!!!!!! He’s sooooo protecting Tsukushi as being not that type of girl,albeit his words begin to go in circles about being asleep and then awake and saying inappropriate and untrue things and then asleep and then I don’t think anyone at the table knows for sure LOL xD.
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And this is an awesomely revealing conversation as Tsukushi’s friend describes Tsukasa’s upbringing as told to her by his fellow F4 members. It’s heartbreaking to truly hear of his loneliness at the hands of his cold hearted mother =(. And it’s like something you’ve guessed a bit earlier, that Tsukasa’s not this big bad meanie at heart, he just doesn’t know any better. =(
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very interesting but kind of great to see the F4 members caring so much for Tsukasa. This was good character development.
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Okay something’s up.
The three witches are back.
And so this was the reason for the whole setup. =/
I cry every time Tsukasa sees that photo =(. I mean he’s like this guy trying to be better with all of his will and then wham! he’s hit with these albeit photographic lies. =( He’s so in love with her and to see her that way is just heart breaking beyond description. She’s innocent but how could he possibly believe her??
A devastating scene of unreal proportions and that Sakurako did this!!!!!!!! =/ Sometimes you never see the true evil coming your way. I’m in tears and yet SO SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW! =/ A character we’ll love to hate that wasn’t supposed to be this way and it’s only just begun. =( This may sound strange or maybe not so much, but I totally am much more worried about Tsukasa’s heart right at this moment, even more so than Tsukushi’s as she’s tough as nails and now with Tsukasa revealing his vulnerable side…. you just don’t know what something like this could trigger inside of him. =(
Best episode yet! And OMG what a cliffhanger to leave us with, so until next Friday… Otanoshimi ne~ as now I need to go an attend to my puffy eyes ^^*!
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I would have to say this is the most polarizing episode for me. I was so much in pain at the end of this episode when Makino was in a situation where she now had to undo a horrible misunderstanding like the one she’s now involved with. And Tsukasa is probably going to break into a million little angry pieces now, since he was having a hard time understanding what it means to date a girl in the first place… and then this happened. I agree with you.. what’s HE going to do? I’m not worried about Makino so much, but it’s like why did Sakurabo have to do that to both of them? Because Tsukasa got hurt her in a huge way too.
Though the real issue is if the guy had sex with Makino or not. That’s what I want to know. They implied that nothing happened, but I’m hoping nothing actually did, because if something did happen and like she gets pregnant or something as a result, this show is really going to hurt my soul by the time it’s over. It’s just so much to take in all at once.
I hope that I’m wrong.
Anyways, I’m back from Tokyo now. Happy to be home in a way, but really sad to be gone from Tokyo too. Thanks again for your post here! Can’t wait for the next one!
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RE: Subtitle: “I used to love this man name John, he sounds like a foreigner”
They were half-way to a David Bowie song!
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Really a funny scene where there’s talk of a “John Lenon”… one “n” though and he had a most interesting appearance =).
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