[Discussion] Kami no Shizuku (Winter 09) Kamenashi Kazuya

[MisS Lonliah]

It's a bit early I know but I wanna start it from now!!

Next season, NTV is airing a live-action drama based on
Tadashi Agi's popular wine-themed manga "Kami no Shizuku."
The drama series will star KAT-TUN's Kazuya Kamenashi in his first salaryman role.

The original manga is currently running in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine. The story revolves around
a young man whose father, a world-famous wine critic, suddenly dies. In order to take over his father's vast wine collection,
he must face off against his adopted brother in a contest to find specific wines, even though he originally has no knowledge of wines.

"Kami no Shizuku" will run in NTV's Tuesday 10:00pm time slot, starting in January.

some pictures of the manga
(1)
(2)
(3)

[MisS Lonliah]

on the Cast list, there is only Kamenashi Kazuya until this moment:



Profile

* Name: 亀梨和也 (かめなし かずや)
* Name (romaji): Kamenashi Kazuya
* Nicknames: Kame, Kame-chan, Ka-kun
* Profession: Actor, singer and host
* Birthdate: 1986-Feb-23
* Birthplace: Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan
* Height: 171cm
* Weight: 54kg
* Star sign: Pisces
* Blood type: B
* Family: Two older brothers, one younger brother, and one niece
* Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment

TV Shows

* Kami no Shizuku as Kanzaki Shizuku (NTV, 2009)
* 1 Pound no Fukuin as Hatanaka Kosaku (NTV, 2008)
* Tokkyu Tanaka San Go as Shibahara Toru (TBS, 2007, ep9)
* Tatta Hitotsu no Koi as Kanzaki Hiroto (NTV, 2006)
* Kuitan (NTV, 2006, SP, cameo)
* Yuuki as Yuuki (NTV, 2006)
* Suppli as Ishida Yuya (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Nobuta wo Produce as Kiritani Shuji (NTV, 2005)
* Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo 2005 as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2005)
* Gokusen 2 as Odagiri Ryu (NTV, 2005)
* 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi Sensei 5 as Fukagawa Akihiko (TBS, 1999)

more about Kamenashi Kazuya
more about the manga storywriter,Tadashi Agi

Edit: the cast has been finally announced !! here on wiki.d-addicts
# Broadcast period: 2009-Jan-13 to 2009-Mar
# Air time: Tuesday 22:00
# Theme song: by KAT-TUN

[nofsummer]

Wine and a spark of mystery... should be interesting... for once it will not be a love story? Or so I hope. I am bad at keeping my interest in romance drama... but obviously... this one will be in my watch list.
Can't wait for the rest of the casts to be announced. ~

[Yessy89]

Oh WOW Kame! Cool! Though it's not my type of drama I want to watch to see Kame! I hope we get to see more ppl we know!

[bikyo4ever_xxii]

i'm waiting for this one.
i wonder who'll be his leading lady here.
hope i like her. haha.
go Kame!:)

[bhumichan]

Can't wait, love kame-chan

[Kuso_Baba]

YAY
Cant Wait for another Kame drama!!..

It seems that it was a long time since he did 1 Pound Gospel ne?
January!! Thats when me holiday starts!! Woohoo
If there is a female role hope they choose her WISELY!

[bhumichan]

NTV

Kami no Shizuka (神の雫)
Time: Tuesday 10pm
Starting Date:
Announcement: http://www.ntv.co.jp/zoomin/enta_news/news_162809.html
Official Site:
Cast: Kamenashi Kazuya, Tanaka Kei, Naka Riisa, Ashina Sei, Kato Masaya

[nofsummer]

Ok this is more exciting. I love Tanaka Kei...*happy*

[MisS Lonliah]

wow great News @bhumichan -- thank you very much!!
Kato Masaya
Tanaka Kei is not bad
the two female cast is emmm I really was hoping for heavier names
anyway, let's wait and see... But overall Kame alone is enough!! ne guys?

[bhumichan]

credit: www.asianbite.com

[WroW]

Isn`t this the same drama Korea is also adapting next year with Bae Yong Jun in the lead role or at least as the producer?

[yobebi]

Has any subbing group expressed their intention in working on this series. I know that JOR, the group subbing Cartoon KAT-TUN is planning to take on this project.

[bhumichan]

WroW - yes. the very same manga. well, can't imagine the same role for KameChan and Bae Yong Jun

yobebi - So far, I've not heard about English sub, but heard of ...

(Spanish Hard) AsianProjects (announced November 12, 2008)
(FrenchSub) Drama Jinso Fansub (announced November 16, 2008)

[Karate-ka]

Wow im looking forward

[Lickety_Split]

I hope it will be subbed.

It sounds like a really interesting premise. I love Kame, and I love Kato Masaya, so here's hoping for good things. Am really looking forward to this drama and the drama Triangle as well, because the mystery genre is my favourite.

[yobebi]

JOR has formally announced that they'll be subbing this.

[Lickety_Split]

JOR has formally announced that they'll be subbing this.

Excellent. Thanks for informing!

[charia-chan]

wah, just saw the commercial on TV.... nice...

[lucky_c]

I was just wondering where information for the three other cast members was initially found? It should be completely obvious by now that Kame is the main character. However, where did we find out about the other three? Personally, I love Naka Riisa, so I'm just trying to get a complete and absolute confirmation that she will be in this drama, because if so, then that'll be completely awesome!

I've seen it in many blogs and forums and such, but none of them have credited a main source. ._.

[bhumichan]

lucky_c - so sorry, it' me posting the other casts without crediting the source. Have been trying for hours to trace back but couldn't find it. Also tried to browse webs, blocks regarding those casts and found nothing relating to the drama. sorry
What a mystery!

Anyway I found a thread, pls try browsing. You may find some info. I'm not really good at searching info thru net.

http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showthread.php?p=859104

[Lickety_Split]

I was just wondering where information for the three other cast members was initially found? It should be completely obvious by now that Kame is the main character. However, where did we find out about the other three? Personally, I love Naka Riisa, so I'm just trying to get a complete and absolute confirmation that she will be in this drama, because if so, then that'll be completely awesome!

I've seen it in many blogs and forums and such, but none of them have credited a main source. ._.

You know, that's a good question. I originally say it on Wiki Drama, then saw it posted on various blogs/forums etc., but that information has now been removed from Wiki Drama, and the official website for the drama isn't up yet, so I've no idea. Wow. Sort of a bit mysterious that no official cast list is out, as is the lack of a website. How bizarre.

[lucky_c]

lucky_c - so sorry, it' me posting the other casts without crediting the source. Have been trying for hours to trace back but couldn't find it. Also tried to browse webs, blocks regarding those casts and found nothing relating to the drama. sorry
What a mystery!

Anyway I found a thread, pls try browsing. You may find some info. I'm not really good at searching info thru net.

http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showthread.php?p=859104

Oh no, it's totally cool. I was just wondering, since I've seen it everywhere, but I just wanted to know where the (hopefully true) rumor started. ^^

You know, that's a good question. I originally say it on Wiki Drama, then saw it posted on various blogs/forums etc., but that information has now been removed from Wiki Drama, and the official website for the drama isn't up yet, so I've no idea. Wow. Sort of a bit mysterious that no official cast list is out, as is the lack of a website. How bizarre.

Just thinking, but maybe they want it to be a surprise for the huge Kame fans, so they don't go bat crazy or anything over the girl who will be his lead? ._.

Also, if you've noticed, RESCUE and Uta no Oniisan don't have official drama wiki pages yet, and they're both Johnny's dramas, too. o_o![/quote]

[bhumichan]

TV Guide 2008-12-19


credit: fanofsam, asianfanatics.net


starting on air --> Tuesday 20 Jan 09
really can't wait. Kame looks so cool!

[Lickety_Split]

Thanks for those scans bhumichan. Kame looks lovely. I hope we get to see him in lots of different suits in this drama, hehe.

[hazelkenro]

I can't Wait FOr this until its shown

I missed KAme....my last time i watched him is Onepound gospel

[bhumichan]

starting on air 13 Jan 2009

[bhumichan]

casting




Kamenashi Kazuya as Kanzaki Shizuku


Tanabe Seiichi as Tomine Issei


Naka Riisa as Shinohara Miyabi


Toda Naho as Kiryu Ryoko


Masu Takeshi as Kawarage


Taguchi Hiromasa as Honma Chosuke


Sasaki Nozumi (佐々木希) as Sara
Hirakata Genki (平方元基) as Kido Ryusuke
Hagi Mika (荻美香) as Minamoto Saori
Uchida Yuki as Saionji Maki
Tatsumi Takuro as Fujieda Shiro
Takenaka Naoto as Doi Robert
Furuya Ikko as Kanzaki Yutaka

credit: drama wiki

[nofsummer]

^eh? no Tanaka Kei??
But quite a strong cast. Thank goodness. hope it turns out well
thanks for the info

[MisS Lonliah]

thanks a lot @bhumichan for the update
so NO Kato Masaya after all
anyway, the countdown has started! Ganbatte for Kame and the rest !

[nix_renji]

I saw in drama wiki that the theme song for kami no shizuku will be by KAT-TUN. Possible new single then?

Edit: And also, they've updated the official site....

[nofsummer]

^ Yap KT latest single.. "ONE DROP"
now on sale (pre order) in CD JAPAN, HMV, Yesasia...
wow I sound like a JE spokeperson...

[jive talkin]

tanabe seiichi

something about kame and wine really works together.
i'm going to watch this for shits and giggles. actually it might be quite entertaining.

[hazelkenro]

[lucky_kiss]

I'm gonna watch a drama from this season & as usual I end up with only one, I thought this one is good since Kame never disappoint me with his drama, so for those who watched Ep1, what do u think?

[lee`s little alien]

I'm gonna watch a drama from this season & as usual I end up with only one, I thought this one is good since Kame never disappoint me with his drama, so for those who watched Ep1, what do u think?

I loved the first episode<3
Kame character is so fragile and sad but tries to look so tough!:))
But the episode also had it`s funny moments
I can`t wait for the subs to be out to watch the first ep again^_^

I tried to tell u about it without giving u any spoilers )


xxxx

[kellis]

I've seen on wiki d-addicts website that the first episode didn't really had good reitings only 9.smth, is the drama good?

[aleco]

I'm gonna watch a drama from this season & as usual I end up with only one, I thought this one is good since Kame never disappoint me with his drama, so for those who watched Ep1, what do u think?

I loved the first episode<3
Kame character is so fragile and sad but tries to look so tough!:))
But the episode also had it`s funny moments
I can`t wait for the subs to be out to watch the first ep again^_^

I tried to tell u about it without giving u any spoilers )


xxxx

it's useless too see the episode without sub...
I will never understand those people..

[charia-chan]

kellis, do you care about ratings so much?
Because ratings are not everything... and if you only decide upon ratings you will miss some really nice dorama.^^

The ratings for the first episode were kind of disappointing but it might be because of the topic (wine...) and because it has a strong rival with Triangle (same time slot, started one week earlier and features Goro from SMAP and others.)

I would say, just give it a try and build your own opinion!

[lucky_kiss]

wanna know if there is a sub released for Ep1 or still not yet?

[jica]

I hope people are starting to watch this drama. I really like it, but maybe because I think it is interesting to know more about wine. It's cool to watch them talking about different wines, of course it is a bit exaggerated. When you drink wine, you usually don't get pictures like that, and it's hard to differ different wines only by the fragrance. But that is what makes the drama entertaining to watch.

Kame's character is a bit 'without content' at first glance, just a common boy, just like anyone. But maybe just because he is that common it is interesting to see how his character develops during the drama, from zero to getting better and better, with more depts. Shizuku is a very proud young man that didn't have had a good relationship with his father. Through the drama he will get to know more and more about his father via the different wines, I guess. Sadly though, his father is already dead, so they can't interact more.

I thought Tanabe's character would be annoying later on, but as it is now, I will add crazy too. He is a bit creepy.... ^^;

But Shinohara and Shizuku are cute together. They look so lost without each other. I wouldn't mind some rabu rabu in this drama.


About the subs; the Chinese subs get out real fast, episode 1 softsubs is out, and I know JOR is going to sub (hardsub?) it as well. So please have patient. ^^

[chokubi]

This drama reminded me of some animes I watched some time ago: Yakitate!! Japan and Mister Ajikko in particular. But despite it's cheesiness, it was entertaining to say the least. Motokariya Yuika was a huge ep1 bonus too.

[lucky_c]

But Shinohara and Shizuku are cute together. They look so lost without each other. I wouldn't mind some rabu rabu in this drama.

You totally just won me over with that. Now I DEFINITELY have to watch it. They were the reason at the beginning anyway (I love Naka Riisa and I LOVE Kame, so them together = awesome).

[jica]

It's the first drama I've watched with Naka Riisa, but I like her. She isn't that pretty as most Japanese actresses, but she is still adorable and I think she and Kame has chemistry. ^^

EDIT: JOR's version is out now, and I think it is really worth the wait. =)

[bhumichan]

I wonder about the rating, very disappointing but can't stop me from loving KameChan.
Keep on trying KameChan!

^
^

pink 70.....you can watch the drama on line at this link, if you can't download from the bit torrent.

mod edit: link removed. no ddl links or similar pl0x. kthxbai

Not sure if posting the link is against the rules here. If yes, I'm sorry and ready to delete it right away. This is justan info for Kame's fan.

[nyagcnopinkuneko]

There is unfortunately a rumor (only a rumor) that because of the very very very poor ratings, and come on 5.0% is horrendous, NTV is considering speeding up or truncating the series because the ratings don't cover the cost of the production fees.

Honestly, I just wish Kame would have the opportunity to either take some time off or not be playing lead in a drama, and that he would stop being given obscure manga based dramas to act in as well. And this cast may be "strong" in that it has a lot of actors we've seen before, but I wouldn't say that any of those actors has ever done a role that has brought them a lot of acclaim, they're mostly character actors, and not incredibly good ones at that.

I'm watching KnS to support Kame, but I would venture to say it's the worst drama he's ever been in.

[Lotlorien]

I've seen Kame in "Sapuri" and "Nobuta wo Produce"... In "KnS" I feel like I've seen this Kame. But the error is not in him. The scenario is quite boring.

Am I the only one, who think that Naaka Risa is very irritating? I can't stand her overacting

[lucky_c]

I've seen Kame in "Sapuri" and "Nobuta wo Produce"... In "KnS" I feel like I've seen this Kame. But the error is not in him. The scenario is quite boring.

Am I the only one, who think that Naaka Risa is very irritating? I can't stand her overacting

Personally, I love Naka Riisa, and her overacting. That's one of the types of character's that she's good at playing, imo.

Oh, you should see Kame in Tatta Hitotsu no Koi. Definitely my favorite role for him. :3

[nofsummer]

I actually like her, well.. KnS humor is dry dry dry... and it tends to make me sleep then not, to me personally, she is quite enjoyable to watch. I adores Kame and most of his dramas but I think I might fail this one successfully. A shame really,... he is probably one of few JE actors whom I am willing to watch. I couldn't wait for it to be over, I heard NTV will round up KnS sooner than it was planned..., and if it's true, I shall rejoice since I couldn't bear seeing him crashing his career like that. JE should consider his future before selling him to NTV, and sticking him to Tuesday infamous time-slot. A recipe for disaster I say, with that kind of cast and plot, and time-slot. Such a waste of talent.

[jica]

I agree it's a waste for Kame to play this role. Even though I'm interested in wines, sometimes the story is really slow in this drama. I don't think Kame has much to do with his character, Shizuku hasn't much of personality.... T_T

I'm currently rewatching One Pound Gospel and that drama is really funny, it happens a lot more there even though every episode deals with similiar events, new opponents in boxing etc. I know it's different kinds of genre, you can't really compare the two dramas, but KnS hasn't much "fun" which makes you laugh hard. I think Kame is trying to make Shizuku more funny than the character is...? (don't know really, haven't read the manga).

I truely hope they won't shorten the drama, because I'm waiting for the climax in the ending, it should be more than just wine. The last episodes should be more interesting and dramatic, hopefully.... T_T;;

[auroragb]

I don't know. While I don't think that anyone would consider this drama a masterpiece. But it doesn't seem that bad...

[charia-chan]

I talked about that topic with a Japanese friend and she told me that it is rather common for dorama to be shortened one episode or such. It seems to be one of the reason because some channels don't announce how many episodes a certain dorama will have from the start.

[isbes83]

i wanted to watch this and started looking at drama wiki and the rating is falling from 10% to 6 %. so anyone is this series worth watching?

[Rainie-Hana]

that Tomine Issei creeps me out!
ever time he drinks wine..he groans..kinda sound gross
i dunno why..but his character looks so perverted..the way he acts is so freaky
reminds me of a pedophile or something..

[Arsenal1508]

that Tomine Issei creeps me out!
ever time he drinks wine..he groans..kinda sound gross
i dunno why..but his character looks so perverted..the way he acts is so freaky
reminds me of a pedophile or something..

LOL...I thought I was the only one that thought this.

He is a big time weirdo. Are we to believe he's and artist and sculpture too now....the writers fvcked up his character big time.

[any_anka]

I don't know if you've been checking recently but the last episode had 4,9% ratings...I've never seen such poor ratings for a drama...I feel really bad for Kame but this drama is really hard to watch, I tried to watch it and gave up in the middle of the second episode - it was so unbelievably boring... His last drama, "One pound of gospel" was no masterpiece either but it was at least funny (even though not very gripping, I forgot to watch the final episode:P) and this one is a total failure... However, I think that the plot of the drama is only partially the reason for its porr ratings, I actually think that Kame's populariy is somehow decreasing...

[WildSamurai]

Well, good news/bad news time...

The show will be ending with episode 9. As for whether or not the poor ratings were the cause... Who knows?

NTV (the broadcasting station) has had a relatively weak Tuesday 10pm slot for dramas. Just look at the numbers...
- Sexy Voice and Robo (Spring 2007, 11 episodes, 7.4 average)
- Tantei Gakuen Q (Summer 2007, 11 episodes, 11.2 average)
- Yukan Club (Fall 2007, 10 episodes, 12.63 average)
- Binbo Danshi (Winter 2008, 9 episodes, 11.6 average)
- Osen (Spring 2008, 10 episodes, 9.1 average)
- Gakko ja Oshierarenai! (Summer 2008, 10 episodes, 6.4 average)
- Oh! My Girl!! (Fall 2008, 9 episodes, 7.5 average)

Nothing really stellar... Then again, none of the above dramas dropped in ratings like Kami no Shizuku.

Bottom line, I think this drama failed for two reasons (okay, I'm venting here as I love wine, I work with wine, I study wine, I love the manga, etc, etc)...
1.) The manga series isn't even finished yet. In the manga, they're competing to look for the "12 disciples (bottles) of wine" and it took approximately 16 books/mangas just to get to the 4th wine... They've cut out a whole lot just to fit into 9 episodes. I've seen hash jobs done before in manga to drama conversions like Fireboys (Megumi no Daigo) or Bambino!, but none as bad as this one. There's no Sara/Shizuku dynamic or Shizuku/Honma dynamic that there is in the manga and they took out the old rich lady as well and they left Kido (who's is Shizuku's subordinate in the manga) and Miyabi's boss from the restaurant....
2.) This drama was mis-cast. Sorry Kamenashi fans, but this wasn't a drama for him to act in. Likewise for Miyabi (Naka), Tomine (Tanabe), and Saionji (Uchida)... Good job on Doi Robert, Kiryu and Honma though. IMHO, Shizuku should have been done by Hayami Mokomichi, Miyabi by Hirayama Aya or Aragaki Yui, Tomine by Nakamura Toru or Kitamura Kazuki, and Saionji by Natsuki Mari or Suzuki Kyoka.

BTW, if Johnny's wanted to put Kamenashi out in a drama for this quarter, they should have put him in RESCUE as "cool and perfectionist" Fudo (played by Yamamoto Yusuke) and a counter point to Nakamaru's Kitajima. Heck, they should have put all of KAT-TUN into RESCUE as the SR cadets for that matter... When's the last time, if ever, that Johnny's had a whole group in one TV drama series? They've done it for movies and one-shot TV movies...

[aaendaus]

I actually really like this drama. It's more about the wine than anything else. I'm a wine drinker and love to enjoy a good bottle while watching this drama. Issei is a bit creepy. Kame does a good job, and the girl who follows him is really cute. I like the way that she is so obsessed with wine. I find that it's kind of weird how they describe the wines, but it isn't unfathomable. If someone want's to learn of good wines at affordable prices, this drama is not the greatest. Though there are a lot of common tips that a person can get for wine drinking. I'd be pretty sad if they stopped airing it, I'd hope that'd they'd still release it on the internet if they decide to cut it out of tv broadcasting. It's a shame that it did so poorly, a bit surprising too! I heard that the manga's direct influence just about doubled the consumption of wine in Korea and also rippled effects through many other Asian countries. I guess all I can say is Kami no Shizuku Ganbatte!

[Skobb]

I really liek this drama too..
It is a bit wierd, but I guess that's what I like about it.. It;s somethign different..
It reminds me of Yakitate Japan in a sort of wierd, reverse manner

Ohh, does anybody know who Director Takasugi Shinichi is in the 4th ep??
He looks so familiar for some reason.. Like.. From a J-rock band I listen to lol

[tkah]

I like this drama but I have to agree with the earlier comment that the casting wasn't too good. I am a big Kame fan but I also didn't think this roll suits him.

[blackconan]

does anyone know what the intrumental song when the title come up called? I fell in love with it

[marriedtomisaki]

So Kame Got best Actor for this and it won Best Drama. I wasn't going to watch it but now I'm interested.

[ruri_rAIn]

kame chan waring suit is very cute...

i'm so crazy

[JenDaArc]

I've just finished watching this show though its not one of the best jdramas that I've watched up till now but I enjoyed it nonetheless..Its more of a drama that you watch without trying rush to do something else. I think that's how I got to enjoy it.^^ It gives lotsa feeling about something that we might never considered as a factor that could change our life.

But Kamenashi Kazuya's acting was excellent as usual.I have never been dissapointed with any drama that he's been in until now. I think he's a good actor and singer. He works real hard. Maybe he should have chosen a better drama to star in instead of KnS but honestly I wouldn't have watched it if it wasn't for him and now I got soo many information about wines thanx to the drama ^^

And..yes, I think Miyabi-chan is really annoying! I wished they didn't cast her with Kame. She makes Kame's acting looked unprofessional though some people might think she's a savior for the drama, this is just purely my opinion, no offense. They could have given the role to maybe Erika Toda? She'd do very well or even Horikita Maki..plus I think they have better chemistry with Kame compared to that girl who played Miyabi (gosh, I don't even bother to find out her name..that's how annoying she is to me )

Anyway, that's just my 2cents..I think the cast should be revised abit and the storyline might need some perking up to cheer it up abit.

[marriedtomisaki]

I'm at episode 6 and so far I think its great. Kame is awesome in it. The girl Naka Risa is adorable and Issei's girl Friend is sooo hot.

As for the story I think its very very good. I think this is better than the boxing one from last year and its one of Kame's best Dramas ever. II think anyone who looks at the ratings and dismisses this drama will be making a huge mistake. Just make sure to have an open mind and pay attention to every word they say.

[Phillykat]

I finished watching this drama a few weeks ago. It had the potential to be a good drama, but it's clear that they rushed it and cut things out when the decision was made to shorten it. Kame's acting was good. I'd like to say he''s growing as an actor, but I still think his best acting was done in Tatta followed by Nobuta. My hope is he becomes able to play different type of roles. The guest role in Mr. Brain was a baby step in the right direction.

I didn't dislike Kami no Shizuku, but I didn't love it. For me what put this drama squarely in the like column aside from the acting (I liked the female lead which is unusual for me) was the information on wine. I found it really interesting and I learned a lot. I can't say that about most shows I watch from any country.

[marriedtomisaki]

They did rush it because of the low ratings I heard that they cut it down to 9 eps. Which is a shame because I would have liked to be longer.

Anyway as for Kame's acting while I agree that he was good in Nobuta I don't really see that as a very challenging role. Tatta Hitotsu was good but not his best. His best was in Yuuki. Which was a special I'm not sure if you've seen it. The Boxing one I thought was a step back and I actually thought he was overacting in that one quite a bit. That's why I was glad to see that he's back on track with KNS. Good for him.

[Phillykat]

They did rush it because of the low ratings I heard that they cut it down to 9 eps. Which is a shame because I would have liked to be longer.

Anyway as for Kame's acting while I agree that he was good in Nobuta I don't really see that as a very challenging role. Tatta Hitotsu was good but not his best. His best was in Yuuki. Which was a special I'm not sure if you've seen it. The Boxing one I thought was a step back and I actually thought he was overacting in that one quite a bit. That's why I was glad to see that he's back on track with KNS. Good for him.

Yeah I know. I, too, would have liked it to have been longer. I think it would have been better. I don't think this role challenged him. If there was any challenge, it was left off the screen. It was nice seeing him play a different type of character though. From what I've read his behavior has the Japanese public not too thrilled with him and it hurt the ratings. They can be an unforgiving lot. Out of curiosity I checked the ratings for Mr. Brain since it recently ended. The ratings were over 20% until Kame's episode and they dropped to 16.something. The next week, they went back up over 20. The nationals weren't in yet, but it seems he's not been forgiven.

I totally disagree. Nobuta was challenging in that all 3 lead characters walked a thin line between making it the a nicely blended comedy drama that it was or an over the top god awful mess. Few actors can do that especially at the experience they had at the time. Of course there were a few misteps, but I think they're more a cultural what they think is funny vs what I find funny type of thing. They also had a good director. Hmm same director as Tatta come to think of it. Since Yuuki was a special/movie, I wasn't including it, but you're absolutely correct that was his best acting by far.

Ichi Pound wasn't my favorite either, but I tend not to like Japanese straight comedy dramas. Love the movies not the series. Their movie comedies can be bitingly sarcastic, witty, and black, but their series turn into the 3 Stooges. I like to pretend that Kame's acting as the boxer is what he was told to do and not what he wanted to do. I blame the director for the poor acting. I'm not a big fan of his work. Or maybe he works with poor screenwriter's I dunno. His 60 minutes shows always have a glimmer of hope, but IP was only a half hour show.

[zsuness]

From what I've read his behavior has the Japanese public not too thrilled with him and it hurt the ratings.

Not to bring up the whole Mr.Brain ep3 issue cause that's better to be left alone after all the wank that happened, but what kind of "behavior" are you referring to? I can only think of the alcohol related rumors from last year.. I always thought it was an interesting (or maybe not so fortunate) career choice to appear in a drama about wine after the rumors from 2008.. Although I don't think Kame was in a position to say no to any drama offer though, that is, if he was given the choice, at all. Either way, I ended up more or less enjoying KnS (not so much ep3 of Mr.Brain, though).

I agree, though, that Nobuta was a challenge and all 3 of them worked together well and I really liked the outcome of that work.

On the other hand, I absolutely loved One Pound Gospel and was quite amused by Kame's acting in it. (In fact, I wish he'd appear more in comedies from now on) That kind of slightly retarded manga humor totally suits me but I understand how it cannot really appeal to a wider range of audience.

[marriedtomisaki]

Back when Tatta Hitotsu came out a lot of KAT TUN fans boycotted it because they felt it was Kame's fault that Jin left KAT TUN. This made sense since both Nobuta wo Produce and Suppli had great ratings while Tatta Hitotsu did not. After that I don't ever remember him doing anything that bad. There was an incident with him drinking and telling off a cab driver but really that's nothing.

The sad thing is this may be the last time we ever see Kame in a lead role.

[Niji-Rach]

I think its to soon to say that this might be Kame's last lead role. He's a great actor, and still has a lot of fans. Besides, he's having quite a big role in the Gokusen Movie, that is already doing really well in the theaters. It might be just that push in the back to get his popularity back.
I don't think the drinking scandal has much to do with it either, Jin is known for drinking, partying, and everything that comes with it, and he still has lots of fans.

I can't really say what made his last few drama's have such 'low' ratings, but it sure isn't Kame's acting, and I don't think its his fanbase either. And I hope that he will get a lead role someday, and that its gonna be one hit of a drama.

[marriedtomisaki]

Ya I agree his fans are loyal. I mean what gives me hope that this won't be his last lead role is the fact that he won best actor for this drama in the Winter season beating out some very popular actors.

I guess we also have to remember that the ratings posted on the wiki are only for the Kanto region. He may have more fans in the Kansai and other regions.

[tkah]

I don't think this will be his last leading roll. Didn't he also win awards for KnS? He is still young and like previously said, has alot of fans. I actually think the opposite. I think he has been doing more this last year than the rest of his career (whether the ratings are good or bad). When they put him in the Mr. Brain Episode with KT, I was thinking they are trying to boost his career even more because of KT's popularity over the last decade. I look forward to his next projects. I think Jin's career will also get better. Guess only time will tell.

[Phillykat]

From what I've read his behavior has the Japanese public not too thrilled with him and it hurt the ratings.

Not to bring up the whole Mr.Brain ep3 issue cause that's better to be left alone after all the wank that happened, but what kind of "behavior" are you referring to? I can only think of the alcohol related rumors from last year.. I always thought it was an interesting (or maybe not so fortunate) career choice to appear in a drama about wine after the rumors from 2008.. Although I don't think Kame was in a position to say no to any drama offer though, that is, if he was given the choice, at all. Either way, I ended up more or less enjoying KnS (not so much ep3 of Mr.Brain, though).

I agree, though, that Nobuta was a challenge and all 3 of them worked together well and I really liked the outcome of that work.

On the other hand, I absolutely loved One Pound Gospel and was quite amused by Kame's acting in it. (In fact, I wish he'd appear more in comedies from now on) That kind of slightly retarded manga humor totally suits me but I understand how it cannot really appeal to a wider range of audience.

When I heard about KnS, I thought the alleged public drunkeness, fights, and kissing were either a poor PR choice or a really bad choice on the part of his management. I don't think many of the Johnnys have very much control. I don't know if I said it in here earlier but it reminds me of the old Hollywood system.

Ep 3 of Mr. Brain wasn't my fav of the series. I think they copped out on his character. Without doing a spoiler.. The character could have been a little colder and less emotional.

[zsuness]

When I heard about KnS, I thought the alleged public drunkeness, fights, and kissing were either a poor PR choice or a really bad choice on the part of his management.

I doubt it was downright PR but yeah, that's what I thought of when I first heard the rumors of KnS. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if it wouldn't just be a coincidence that he ended up in that role.. Might not even be the first time.. I mean pre 2007, Kame was often called anorexic and the role of a gluttonous character was something not many would have imagined he'd end up playing.
I hope they'll take his career more seriously from now on, though. I agree, Wakui could have been colder and less emotional. Would be nice to see Kame in a darker role.. that, or the complete opposite. ;)