LAST FRIENDS ENDS T_T

While I’m on my usual “Last Friends roll,” I should use it to write some new posts.

It’s finally over! Although I’m not that happy with the ending and all, it was still a bit gratifying. The one thing I really hate about it is that I don’t have anything to look forward to anymore in the following weeks. There aren’t even any good dramas for this summer as well.

Ok. So what did I not like about the last episode? First off, everyone’s freakin’ happy! I know they SHOULD be, especially considering that all the characters had to go through so much crap, but for the ending to be so.. So, well, kind of PREDICTABLE kind of throws me off a bit. Second, they didn’t have to kill Sosuke. It would have been much better if he actually ended up with Eri, though. She looked like she could’ve handled him pretty well. That brings me to my third point. Why did the beautiful and charismatic Eri got hitched to Ogurin? The weakling, ugly, and OLD Ogurin? Fourth, I was really really really REALLY–DESPERATELY–hoping that Ruka and Takeru would somehow hook up, but we all know what really happened between them. And finally, Michiru just irritates the heck out of me. Don’t ask me why because I have no idea either. The way she smiles, the way she acts. Or maybe it was just Nagasawa Masami’s acting.. Who knows, really.

Here are some screen shots of the final scene (from the SP).

Great acting! She basically stole the show from everyone else, and to portray such a character must have not been that easy. I still can’t believe that she’s just the same age as my older sister. Hopefully, this role (which was basically made for her) will help her get even more recognition in her craft. She might even win a Best Supporting Actress award for this. *Fingers crossed*

Now, tell me, does anybody–ANY ONE OUT THERE AT ALL–feel that this smile is annoying? Even just a teensy weensy bit irritating? Come on! Maybe it’s the way she has her tongue almost sticking out that annoys me. Hmmmm. But on the contrary to what I said about Ueno Juri’s Ruka above, I DO NOT wish she wins the Best Actress award for her role in this. But I actually think she will, though. Michiru was a weak character that makes the audience feel sorry for her, but for me, I was just annoyed at how weak she was. I know it had something to do with her past and all, but still, I just didn’t like it. And for me to confuse the feelings I have towards the character and the actress herself must be a sign that the girl’s acting was pretty good. I don’t even understand myself now. Am I insulting or complimenting her? Haha.

The gay dude with the big ass ears. He was fantastic as well. I’m not sure if he can actually win an award for this, but he was pretty good in playing Takeru. Having a character who was empathic to all the other characters was severely needed in this kind of drama because you never quite know what’s happening unless someone serves it up for you head on. The chemistry between Eita and Ueno Juri was great too. They don’t really look good together, but I just feel good whenever they’re in the scene together. They’re the kind of couple who can’t lead a drama because they’ll do a much better job at portraying a more subtle but substantial couple. Maybe it’s because you can actually feel the real-life friendship they have whenever they act together that when you see them act as a couple (or act towards one), you can’t help but feel a bit mushy inside.

I’ve always thought she was beautiful, even when I first saw her with Ueno Juri and Eita on Nodame Cantabile. She should also be commended for her portrayal of Eiri even though there her character wasn’t given much depth (or screen time) in the drama. I don’t even get how she’s part of the main cast, but her character was still not given that much importance. She even had a theme: Solitude. So, why solitude? Why did the other cabin attendants ignore her in the first few episodes? Why did she not believe in unconditional love? What the hell happened to her that made her like a stone? There were too many questions involving her character and none of them of were properly answered the whole time the drama was aired. And, oh yeah, before I forget. Why, oh why, WHY OGURIN?

Oh yes, Eiri’s hubby. Maybe it was the stylist’s fault, or maybe it was his. Maybe the producers wanted to have a piss take at Matsumoto Jun’s Domyouji and copied his infamous perm. No matter what the reason is, this guy should’ve known that the hairstyle DID NOT IN ANY WAY suit him. He should have figured it out when he looked at himself in the mirror after the stylist was done making fun of with him. Sure, he was cute and all, and his role was made for comic relief, but for him to actually agree to have his hair like this for the FINAL FEW MINUTES OF THE DRAMA was entirely his fault. But I guess what he did was still effective. It got me ranting, didn’t it?

KANPAI!!!

Ahww.. I miss drinking with my friends now. And take a look at Rumi (the baby). She’s looking at her beloved Mama Michiru drinking. That’s the way to teach a baby how to drink properly.

I think the cups are actually on auction. Or are they on sale? I’m not sure myself. You guys can check YesAsia for that.

Finally, the ranting is done. Woah, that was pretty long. I think I’m allowed to do that once in a while. Hehe.

Last Friends OST

Here’s the original soundtrack for the hit drama (and my all-time-favorite-2008-drama) LAST FRIENDS.

And here’s the tracklist as well. Good thing it was all in Katakana. I could actually practice my Japanese proficiency and put the Japanese course I took last semester to good use. Hehe.

Rasuto Furenzu OST Tracklist

1. Each Living
2. Good Fellows
3. Eternal Course
4. Mind Bender
5. Spiral Heart
6. On Off
7. Dear Friends
8. Inner Circle
9. Lazy Days
10. Little Shine
11. Blind Reminder
12. Snap Shot
13. I Call Your Name
14. Memory Lake
15. Cold Brain
16. Friendship
17. Drop Motion
18. Secret Poets
19. Brand-new Season
20. Red Strings
21. Prisoner Of Love (Instrumental)

I’ve been waiting for the instrumental version of “Prisoner of Love,” and I completely lurved it! The music comes of as nostalgic and heart-wrenching all at the same time. Sometimes, I even play it while riding the bus and looking out the window. I feel like I’m in a music video or something. LOL.

So, yeah. Here it is. Up for download.

Hope y’all like it!

I used a screencap for the image above. I’m too lazy to look for a proper image for the soundtrack’s CD cover so I just grabbed it from the SP of the drama. Sorry about that.

[Last Friends] mAgAziNe sCaNs

I don’t know what magazine these scans are from, but I was just surfing the net and stumbled upon them. If anybody knows, please feel free to shed some light on me.

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Nishikido Ryo must have thought this was an idol shoot, and reverted back to his JE self. It’s nice for a male idol to not get all the attention in a drama once in a while. To be an idol with thousands of fan girls wooing him wherever he goes and portray a character that is entirely different from the image he (and his agency) has been living up to… I think that’s some skill he has there.

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I really do think that there is something between these two. Not in real life, I mean. In the final episodes of [Last Friends], there are some hints that suggest that there might be something between them.

And ooh! I lurve the cups!!! (lower right corner of the picture above)

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And here are the three involved in the drama’s love triangle. I actually like how the writers made the interconnection between these three characters have some real substance in it. It’s not just about friendship and love anymore. There’s something more to it that you won’t typically find in a series with this kind of love situation. It’s unique, the actor and actresses portray their roles well, and it’s not your usual boy-girl-boy love fight thing.

credits: j-idol-lands.blogspot.com

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Now, if only I can read Kanji then I would have an idea as to what the hell they’re talking about. Oh well.

Last Friends rOcK iT oUt!

Ueno Juri, Eita, and Nagasawa Masami from the current hit series “Last Friends” rock it out in the “Kaze to Rock” magazine. It contains 40 pages of full-colored pictures with them being goofy and stuff. Eita and Juri looks great, but somehow Nagasawa does not fit right in the whole rocker thing. Or is it just because of the fact that I do not like her? Yeah, probably the latter.

Anyway, here are some of the pictures. Hope you all like it!