Japanese "manga" or comic books have long inspired real-life renditions, such as Park Chan-wook's award-winning film "Old Boy" (2003) and recently released psychopath thriller "Black House" starring Hwang Jung-min. These "blockbuster" cartoons have come to life on Japanese TV screens in the form of dramas, and several of the most popular series hit local channels this summer.
Here is a guide to enjoying your favorite comic books personified by popular stars, with looks and grooves like that of cartoon characters.
`Nodame Cantabile'
Airs at midnight, Wednesdays and Thursdayson MBC MOVIES.
"Cantabile" is an Italian musical term that means "songlike". From such singing style unfolds a slapstick drama about the turbulent relationship between two music students. The talented and arrogant violinist and aspiring conductor Chiaki (played by popular actor Tamaki Hiroshi) and carefree, messy and unhygienic Nodame (rising actress Juri Ueno) are two unlikely friends, with Chiaki constantly rejecting Nodame's affections, because, well, she isn't really the most hygienic person around.
But Chiaki sees musical potential in the lax pianist Nodame, and while dealing with her crazy ways he himself begins to warm to her idiosyncratic ways, loosening up his uptight perfectionism. As the two learn things from each other in unexpected ways, they mature as individuals, both as musicians and as a couple.
Tomoko Ninomiya's original comic series won the 2004 Kodansha Manga Award for "shojo" or girl comics. Other than the live action drama, to air here on the MBC MOVIES channel, an animation series hit TVs in Japan earlier this year.
`Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom'
Airs 9 p.m., Tuesdays on Fuji TV.
Mizuki Ashiya is a Japanese-American teenage girl who, on a whim, decides to move to Japan to attend the same school as her idol, a track and field star named Izumi Sano. But alas, Sano attends an all-boys high school. Yet this is no big hurdle for the determined Mizuki, for she completes her disguise as a boy by cutting her long hair short and making a few other physical adjustments.
The drama traces the comic situation of a pretty girl posing as a boy in an all-male school. All the beautiful boy faces onscreen will delight female viewers.
The 23-volume comic series by Hisaya Nakajo is explosively popular in many countries, including Korea and the United States. "Hua Yang Shao Nian Sharo Nu", a Taiwanese drama adaptation, aired last year and is followed by a second season for 2007/2008.
`The Story of Yamada Taro'
Airs 10 p.m., Friday on TBS.
Handsome, intelligent, gallant and athletic, Taro seems to be the modern-day prince charming. He is at the top of his class at a prestigious high school, attended only by the children of the super rich. Naturally, everyone assumes he is a wealthy heir. But looks can be deceiving, for he is really a penniless boy trying to make ends meet for his six siblings and immature mother.
The drama comically traces Taro's daily struggles, such as engaging in a fierce battle to win a croquet. Although Taro never meant to deceive anyone, his charming looks trick everyone into interpreting his humble attitude as a product of good breeding.
The series stars two members of popular Japanese boy band Arashi: Kazunari Ninomiya as Taro and Sho Sakurai as Taro's wealthy best friend Takuya. Based on Morinaga Ai's much-loved comic series, the story has already been dramatized on Chinese television network CTS as a 15-episode drama in 2001, titled "Ping Qiong Gui Gong Zi: Poor Prince Taro".
For more information about "The Story of Yamada Taro" or "Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom", visit Open the link or it Open the link.
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