Hana Yori Dango 2, [TBS J-Dorama]

[*Clover*]

Hana Yori Dango 2 -花より男子2- [TBS]

(Posted Image)

Alternate Title: "Hana Yori Dango 2 ~Returns~"
Aired: January 15th, 2007
Ended: March 16th, 2007
Total: 11 Episodes

Starring: Inoue Mao, Matsumoto Jun, Oguri Shun, Matsuda Shota, Abe Tsuyoshi, Kato Natsuki, Nishihara Aki, Kaga Mariko, Matsushima Nanako

Note: Contains spoilers.

"Hana Yori Dango 2", the second season of the highly popular "Hana Yori Dango" continues the ongoing relationship between Makino Tsukushi (Inoue Mao) and Domyouji Tsukasa (Matsumoto Jun). One year has passed between the two having any contact with one another, with Domyouji still in New York. However, the remaining F4 get together in order to help the two meet up with one another during the holiday season. However, upon leaving from Japan and arriving in New York, Makino discovers that Domyouji's personality has been completely changed, as he's quite cold and distant. Returning back to Japan, Domyouji's engagement is announced during his very lavish birthday party. To make things even more complicated, Rui (Oguri Shun) has taken an interest in Makino...

The second season of popular live-action dorama "Hana Yori Dango 2" was perhaps one of the most anticipated doramas of the 2007 winter season (or at least to the fans of the particular franchise), as the first season proved to be a substantial hit. With exaggerated sets, impressive cinematography, and even shooting overseas, there's no doubt this series would raise a stir. However, does it live to such hype? Especially after a rather interesting and somewhat original take on the manga itself found in the first installment?

Well, the answer is yes...and no. At the beginning of "Hana Yori Dango 2", it still contained a little too much exaggerated manga-isms but immediately it began to settle down and the story began to unfold (after the first episode or two) as a bit more mature and even quite darker than it's predecessor. Not only that, all of the original cast was back into place-- from the adorable Inoue Mao and flawed but charming Matsumoto Jun, all the way from the always gorgeous Matsushima Nanako. Yet, despite these obvious strong points, what ultimately went wrong with this second installment? To be honest, there are a number of reasons which made this second season much more tedious and nerve-wracking than it's overly bubbly and infectious first season which never seemed to grate on one's nerves.

First and foremost, is the storyline itself and how it unravels. What starts off as a solemn breakup, soon turns into new beginnings for new relationships-- Tsukushi and Domyouji-san split, Tsukushi finds solace with Rui, and Domyouji becomes newly engaged to a spunky girl by the name of Shigeru. However as this dorama progresses, what you end up with is a overload of much unneeded teen angst and often petty drama shenanigans. See, the main reason I believe the storyline fell short on many levels is due to the fans interference-- like most fans that stay true to the whole 'OTP(s)' (one true pairing) aspect of this series are likely to promote arcs of the manga that deal with the typical love triangles and complications that hinder our main couple. After all, shoujo banks on this factor alone, and whether fans want to admit it or not, they opted for these silly aspects of the "Hana Yori Dango" franchise to be included in the live action series rather than overall story as a whole.

While this may be in various degrees the typical Cinderella love story, I don't believe all of the indecisiveness of the characters with their ridiculous actions (too much repetitiveness going backwards and forwards between love interests, time and time again) was needed. Sure, it may work in manga, but the medium of a dorama is again, highly different. Where manga and comics in general can span complicated love relationships and the like given it's large time span, a dorama (and much less a film) cannot do so. The overall focus should be there-- not all of these deviations one so often saw in "Hana Yori Dango 2" with Makino Tsukushi and Domyouji Tsukasa breaking up a number of times, all packed with the high levels of angst that just become unbearable after a while.

This is where I believe "Meteor Garden" succeeds over this installment as there aren't as much drawn out breaking up scenes (although it also has it's fair share of them), not to mention it doesn't seem nearly as melodramatic and sappy. They bicker, yet it's never taken all that seriously compared to "Hana Yori Dango 2". In short, what starts out quite mature, takes a wrong turn during the second half to become drawn-out teen drama that ends up leaving a very bitter taste in one's mouth after a while. However, it does have some cute moments (especially the ending) which does redeem some of the silly teen angst. Another redeeming factor is of course the lively cast whom once again bring these manga characters to life, although Kato Natsuki as Okawahara Shigeru does have her moments at times-- nevertheless, the cast is quite solid.

Inoue Mao again plays up the highly naive Makino, whereas Oguri Shun, Matsuda Shota, Matsushima Nanako, and most especially Kaga Mariko are wonderful as always (as well as the rest of the supporting cast), yet I believe by far the most charismatic performance belongs to Matsumoto Jun as Domyouji. While he did step up to the plate during the first installment, I could never help but feel he was still in the shadow of Oguri Shun whom instantly became Hanazawa Rui from the time he first appeared on the screen. But in this season, Matsumoto not only appeared more comfortable in his role, he also just instantly became that other force that weighed right alongside Inoue Mao. In this installment, Makino Tsukushi is not the central focus, but rather her as well as Domyouji Tsukasa are on equal footing; that much needed duality that was very much lacking in the first installment. So while I don't value this season nearly in much regard as compared to it's predecessor, I still believe it's a cute, albeit heavily flawed incarnation of the "Hana Yori Dango" manga. However, given the fact that it has such a warm young cast, cute (albeit somewhat muddled) storyline with a very adorable ending, and as always a highly ear-catching soundtrack, I recommend "Hana Yori Dango 2" for it's enjoyable, yet bumpy ride.

Arienaittsuno?! You better believe it.

Acting: A-
Storyline [Originality / Plot Credibility]: B
Overall Grade: B+

Credits: *Clover* @ Fly With Me // TBS

[iloveftts]

i love this moive.
i already bought pt 1 and 2.