Honey and Clover Drama ep.01

January 9, 2008 | 41 Comments

「ハチミツとクローバー」
Honey and Clover - AVI format (5.4MB) | PSP format (3.1MB)

This is a bit better than the movie even though it's still not a faithful adaptation. Why is it so hard for the writers to just follow the manga's storyline instead of inventing new situations? I think the reason that Nodame Cantabile drama was a big success was because it pretty much follows the manga except for some minor changes. The changes shown here are quite drastic. The writers seem keen to introduce all of the cast at once, which is fair enough, but the way the storyline is structured makes the whole thing feels rushed. How many episodes is this drama supposed to get anyway? If it's 12, surely it's enough to cover the first half of the series, including Takemoto's journey. Anyway, this is not a total lost especially if you like Takemoto's character because the producer actually hit a jackpot with the casting of Ikuta Toma.

It is said that spring is "the season of beginning" but Takemoto Yuuta (Ikuta Toma) doesn't feel that way. To him spring was when his best friend from elementary school moved away and when an old manga that he used to like ended its serialization. For Takemoto, 2 years have passed since he moved to Tokyo. He's suddenly aware that the 3rd Spring of his uni time is in front of him. Just like the falling petals of Cherry Blossom, he feels like he's holding something which he can no longer grasp. His days at the university will be gone in the blink of an eye. With this year's spring, Takemoto feels that nothing has started and nothing has changed. He was feeling that way up to this day. Takemoto then ends his narration when he sees a young girl kneeling near a pond that is surrounded by Cherry Blossom trees. Takemoto is completely fixated on the girl until he hears someone calling his name. That person turns out to be his friend, Mayama Takumi (Mukai Osamu), who's carrying another friend of his, Morita Shinobu (Narimiya Hiroki), in a carriage.

Morita forces Takemoto to come with them by grabbing onto Takemoto's shirt. As a result, one of the buttons pops out and falls to the ground. After Takemoto left with the guys, the girl picks up the button. Meanwhile, Takemoto asks his friends where they are taking him. It turns out they're going to get food, namely the legendary "Sangaku curry". It appears there is free curry offer at their school. Takemoto is even amazed that the chefs are real Indian people. The only problem is that only new students are allowed to get this delicious offer. Morita and Mayama, however, think that Takemoto is the perfect candidate to line up, despite the fact that he's actually a 3rd year student. As a result, poor Takemoto has no choice but to line up. Halfway through the queue, however, he chickens out because he sees another student getting caught for being in the line even though he's not a new student. Only after receiving further encouragement from Morita and Mayama that Takemoto decides to stay in the line. Much to his surprise, the guards think he's a new student.

Before Takemoto can eat the curry that he receives, he got caught by the two Indian guys, both of whom identified him as 3rd year student. Although their plan to get free curry using Takemoto has failed, Mayama and Morita has other plan when they spot the curry chefs carrying the curry pot back to one of the classes. The three decide to masquerade as the cooks so they can take over the cooking room. Once everyone else left the place, they take out their mask and Morita produces a large plate to place the curry. Meanwhile, Hanamoto Shuuji (Murakami Jun) arrives on campus riding his bicycle. When he sees the Cherry Blossom trees near the pond, he decides to stop and take a good look at it, effectively leaving his bike behind. Unknown to him, the carriage that Takemoto and the others parked nearby have gone off on its own. The carriage hits Shuuji's bike, destroying it into two pieces. Must be a cheap bike. Back to Takemoto and the others, they're just about to taste the curry when Yamada Ayumi (Harada Natsuki) opens the door to the room.

Mayama takes a quick look at the bottom of the ceramic plate that they use and much to his horror, Yamada's name is written there. It looks like Morita has stolen Yamada's handmade ceramic plate. Yamada suddenly goes into her fighting stance. Morita and Mayama, who know the danger, duck and manage to evade Yamada's kick. Takemoto, however, is not as fortunate and ends up getting kicked by her. Yamada then throws the curry back into the pot and angrily tells the boys that the plate is her project. All of a sudden, there's an announcement that Takemoto has to go to Hanamoto-sensei's room in 10 minutes or else he'll be reported to the police. Poor Takemoto begs Mayama and Morita to come with him since they're supposed to be his friends. Morita argues that since they must eat curry, they're kind of busy. Yamada, however, has another plan. She opens the window and yells at the curry-making people outside the building that there are people in the room eating their curry. Because of this, the three boys have no choice but to flee.

Inside Shuuji's office, Shuuji interrogates Takemoto, asking the boy if he has a grudge against him. Shuuji then reveals that the reason he thinks Takemoto is the owner of the carriage is because Takemoto's name is carved/written on the board used for the carriage. Despite Takemoto's explanation the other two guys put him up to it, Shuuji doesn't believe him. Thankfully for Takemoto, Shuuji's attention is quickly diverted from him when they hear a loud, crashing noise coming from the adjacent room. It looks like the girl that Takemoto saw earlier near the pond was doing oil painting when she slipped over and fell flat on her face. After helping the girl to stand up, Shuuji introduces the girl as Hanamoto Hagumi. Morita correctly guesses that she's Shuuji's second cousin. This spring, Hagumi will start as a new oil painting student. She's just arrived in Tokyo yesterday after spending most of her life in Nagano. Morita immediately introduces himself to Hagumi but the others warn her that this year will be Morita's 7th year at the university.

Everyone then introduce themselves as well. Before Takemoto can do the same, however, Shuuji cuts him off, saying that's all. Despite this, Hagu steps forward and gives Takemoto the button that he lost when he was at the lake. Shuuji, however, is not done torturing the boy so he tells Takemoto that he must now mope the floor in exchange for destroying his bike. While Takemoto performs the cleaning duty, Shuuji mentions the School Exhibition and asks the guys if they are going to participate. Mayama has no interest while Takemoto has nothing to show. They're also reluctant since Morita tends to win every year. Because of this Morita feels that he has no worthy opponent. Meanwhile, Ayu has just given Hagumi a new piece of clothing to wear. She's also given her a hand-drawn map to help Hagu get acquainted with the area and to show the girl where her house is located. Their conversation got cut off when Yamada's pottery teacher comes out screaming while carrying the plate that the boys used to put the curry. It's now has yellow mark inside.

Yamada thinks she's going to get scolded but much to her surprise, the teacher actually praises her for that coloring. Instead of thanking Takemoto and Morita, however, she decides to torture them by eating large portions of food while the boys have nothing to eat. During conversation, Morita reveals that the reason Mayama isn't interested in the exhibition is because he's more interested in working for architecture office. Moreover, he has a report to write and can't find a book that he needs. Later on, Hagumi can be seen on the rooftop, watching over Takemoto carrying Morita on the carriage. Shuuji then appears to advise her to not push herself too hard. He wants her to take things slowly with her university projects and with Tokyo. Meanwhile, Yamada has been going on a trip from one used bookshop to another to look for the book that Mayama wants. Now that's love, albeit a sad one. Back at his apartment, Takemoto is dying from hunger. He is especially disappointed when he finds out that there is no food included by his parents in the box of items that they sent to him.

When Takemoto regains his consciousness again, Morita and Mayama drag him to a room where there's a plate containing Kamaboko (fish paste/cake). Takemoto immediately gulp the Kamaboko only to realize that they are actually erasers with pink and white color. It looks like in their desperation to get something to eat, Mayama and Morita get a crazy idea of painting erasers to see if they would be edible. Of course they chose Takemoto as their experiment target. This is similar but crazier idea than the one that Mayama used in the Lohmeyer special chapter. In that one, Mayama use a meat-scented candle to see if it would stave off their hunger. Anyway, just as the three are about to conk out, they hear someone whistling in the hallway. They immediately recognizes the voice as that of Lohmeyer-sempai. True enough, Lohmeyer (Kimura Yuuichi) is at their doorstep (looking completely different from the manga version) with large amount of hams. While this happens, Yamada is still looking for the book that Mayama wants. Talk about devotion.

At the same time, Shuuji takes Hagu to take a look at other students' work. Why they do this during night time puzzles me. Hagu takes a shine to one project, which looks like something that comes out of Silent Hill. As it turns out, that project belongs to Morita. Upon seeing the project, Hagu runs back to her room and begins painting something on a canvas. Back to the guys, they are now in ham smorgasbord thanks Lohmeyer-sempai. The guys clearly inhale too much smoke from the smoked ham because they start playing this game where the word "Haamu" can spin-off other words like Mizu, Soba, etc. Okay, maybe it's just the alcohol that they drink. On that note, I like it better when the guys are getting proposal from Lohmeyer-sempai. Yamada, on the other hand, gets scolded by her father for coming home late. Back at the house, Mayama talks to restless Takemoto about how he knows that Takemoto is quite taken by Hagumi. Takemoto denies this but admit that he's curious as to how Hagumi will sound when she actually talks.

The next day, Yamada is all smiles when she manages to find the book that she's looking for. Meanwhile Morita manages to sell a sculpture titled "Haamu hakobu yuusha" (The brave hero who brings ham). This causes Takemoto (who's observing the whole thing with Mayama) to wonder why Morita won't just graduate from school since he's making so much money. While the boys try to persuade Morita to buy them food, Ayu comes by with the book that Mayama wants. In exchange for the books, Yamada wants Mayama to treat her to an Italian restaurant. Much to Yamada's delight, Mayama agrees to this. Well, until he receives a phone call ("Moon River" is still the ring tune, btw) from Harada Rika (Seto Asaka) who ask him if he can come to his part-time work. Mayama promptly drops his promise to take Yamada out to dinner and runs in the rain just to see Rika. Mayama also throws away a job interview that he's supposed to attend.

Yamada is clearly upset by this and is later seen crying on her own. Meanwhile, Takemoto and Morita go back to the school. Inside the main hall, they see students crowding the 1st prize winner of the school exhibition: a painting by Hagu. Morita's own artwork only gets the 4th place. Upon seeing the painting, which looks like a mass of Sakura petals, Takemoto tells himself that he recognizes this scenery. That day, in front of the pond, he was only absent-mindedly gazing at the beautiful falling Sakura. However, Hagu was different. Next to him, however, Hagu managed to capture the flowing time, and the moment that they could never return to again. She was struggling with that miracle-like scenery all on her own. All of a sudden, Morita bolts out of the building and into the rain. He runs to Shuuji's office and proceeds to hug Hagu. He tells her that she's awesome because it's been a while since someone's painting can move his heart.

Shuuji goes into the room and stops Morita from groping Hagu but Morita claims that it's just a hug. He also tells Shuuji that he's glad that he stays around at the uni for 7 years. Much to everyone's surprise, Hagu suddenly tells Morita that she too loves his project. Takemoto wonders why his heart feels a little bit sad even though he thought he's always wanted to hear her voice. He also wonders why he feels so distant from her even though they are close proximity-wise. Later on, Yamada is seen crying while she tries to create a pottery. Morita comes by to tell her that he just saw Hagu's project. Meanwhile, Shuuji tells Takemoto that when he looks at Hagu's painting, he wishes that just once, he can look at the world through her eyes. Takemoto agrees in that he too would like to see the world that Hagumi sees. Meanwhile, at the Fujiwara design, Teshigawara Miwako (Takizawa Saori) bids goodbye to Mayama and Rika.

As the two left in the rain, Miwako notices that Mayama has used the umbrella to shield Rika from the rain, causing his own clothes to be half-drenched by rain. Inside the office, Miwako praises Rika's design to her colleague, Nomiya Takumi (Kashiwabara Takashi). She also mentions how Mayama can't have relationship with Rika since in Rika's heart there's already someone who can never be replaced. Meanwhile, Yamada has given Morita a hypothetical question: there is a girl who can't make someone run or stop from running. In that case, what should this girl do from now on in order to be happy? If one can answer the question correctly, the award is a million Yen. At the same time, Rika has to remind a spaced-out Mayama that the rain has stopped so he can stop holding the umbrella. Much to Mayama's disappointment, Rika tells him that she intends on referring him to another company (instead of keeping him around). Back to Morita, he tells Yamada that the right answer is one can't win a war with empty stomach.

He claims that there's no heroine on film who can be happy on an empty stomach. He then asks Yamada on what temperature can one bake goods. Yamada points out that it's a maximum of 1300 degrees. All of a sudden, Morita gets an inspiration to bake something. The next scene shows Takemoto and Mayama getting a phone call from Morita, who's now in the middle of making Pizza with Yamada. As he walks, Takemoto wonders why people can't help but continue grasping for something that they can't reach. Even if the goal is not visible, why do people continue walking? Takemoto doesn't know the reason for this. However, one thing is clear to him: the one who decides if spring doesn't start or change is he himself. With that in mind, Takemoto asks Hagu if she captured the pond scenery in her painting. He also admits that he can't draw like her so he's a bit jealous. In response, Hagumi tells him that she has nothing but her painting.

The reason is because ever since she was a kid living in a village, painting is the only thing that she's ever done. She also explains that painting allows her to feel that people live happily. Although it may not be real, when she paints, it feels real to her. It's implied that Takemoto invite her to come with him to see the others. The two make their way to the pottery area, where Morita, Yamada, and Mayama are already waiting. Morita opens the oven and reveals 5 freshly baked pizza. Cut to a scene where the group are having a picnic outside. Hagu reveals that this is the first time she ate Pizza. She's also genuinely touched when the others tell her that they are now friends. As his friends laugh, Takemoto tells himself that time will not stop. The flowing petals, falling tears and laughters will one day disappear. The day where everything will become a mere memory will surely come. But he'll always remember it over and over again. It is here today that 5 people gathered together. He will surely remember. The feel that something started to move with certainty that day in spring.

Impression:

The good:
Ikuta Toma as Takemoto is a perfect live-action casting choice. I was a little worried because once again the producers cast a Johnny talent. I have never seen this guy in other roles before but he nails many of Takemoto's monologues and wistful expressions from the anime/manga. This is definitely a step above Sakurai Sho, who's not convincing at all as Takemoto. Thankfully Ikuta Toma decides to stick with the basic personality of Takemoto from the anime/manga, which is someone who has little confidence in his personal and professional ability. Gone is the stupid grin and overconfident look that Sakurai Sho created for his version of Takemoto in the movie. If there's one thing that's bothers me with Ikuta Toma is that he looks a bit like my friend. Come to think of it, he doesn't look like your typical Japanese, which is probably why he reminds me of my friend. It's a bit weird considering my friend is a bit more like Morita, personality-wise.

Takemoto's narration and monologues. There are minor modifications but in general it still hurts (in a good way) to hear some of the things that he said because I find his words to be easy to relate to. His narration about how all the happy and sad moments will one day turn into a mere memory is really true. It's really hard to part ways with a great set of friends. Even if those times were gone, the memory will always be replayed over and over again. A reminder of how good times were then. It could make a person sad but also happy that you were lucky to experience such moment.

Mukai Osamu as Mayama. This guy has a pretty good comedic timing without overdoing it. And unlike the live-action movie, it's actually understandable why Yamada is attracted to him. At least he hasn't shown his stalker tendencies. Yet.

Hirai Ken's Canvas. The ending theme for the live-action drama is awesome. It's definitely on par with Suneohair's Waltz and Split. It perfectly conveys the sense of lost and inevitable separation that the characters will soon experience.

The sceneries. They are much better than the movie but it still doesn't capture the beauty of the anime/the manga.

The mediocre:
Harada Natsuki as Yamada Ayumi. She's actually pretty good and at least she looks convincing while giving Morita and Takemoto the kick of their lives. I was just hoping to see a more drop dead gorgeous beauty that she's supposed to be (at least that's what the anime/manga implies).

Narumi Riko as Hanamoto Hagumi. I don't actually have much objection about her but I just think she's plain and a little bit older than what Hagumi should be. Then again, I never understand why Takemoto and Morita would fight for Hagumi since as far as female characters go, I find her to be plain and uninteresting. So maybe the producers did cast the right actress for her. I guess I imagined someone a lot cuter in the role.

The bad:
Narimiya Hiroki as Morita. Way to ruin the series in the first place, guys! This guy always has this annoying, overconfident smug look on his face. It makes me want to punch his face. I know that Morita is not exactly a humble character but he's more crazy and random instead of smug and overconfident. I actually wish that Iseya Yuusuke from the Hachikuro movie to come back to the role instead of having to see Narimiya in this role. At least Yuusuke has that rebellious streak in him.

The changes in the storyline. Is there a reason why Takemoto suddenly becomes a 3rd year student? I may have forgotten the storyline a little bit but as far as I can remember, he started out either as a freshman or a 2nd year student in the manga/anime. I also don't remember Takemoto, Morita, and Mayama sneaking around to eat curry. I'd rather see the prologue from the manga where Takemoto and the other students are eating cheap croquette that Morita bought for them. On that note, Takemoto delivers his "our memorable days will one day turn into a mere memory" speech 8 episodes too early. That's supposed to happen during the Christmas episode. This is why I wonder how short the series is going to be because if it's just a couple of episodes, then it's probably why the writers speed the storyline up.

I also don't like that they narrow down Hagumi's field of expertise to oil painting just like the film. In the manga/anime, she's a multi-talented girl who's capable of creating sculpture, painting, and many other art-related projects. One of the joy of watching the anime was seeing the weird sculpture that Hagu often produces. Similarly, Morita's artwork being sought after by an art dealer is also a bit too similar to the movie. It would have been better if they just make his job mysterious like in the manga. I also kind of wish they had make Morita a lot more playful towards Hagu than he is in this version. I like the fact that he likes to make fun of Hagu and despite that, Hagu was attracted to him. In here he's just happy that he finds someone who's on his level as far as art talent goes.

I hope the changes are just for the first episode and the story will be a lot closer to the manga later on. After seeing the preview, however, I get the feeling that the writers will try to copy the film's story a little bit, which was a big mistake. I hate the part where everyone goes to the beach and Takemoto becomes upset after he sees a Hagu/Morita interaction. Takemoto is certainly upset when he finds out that Hagu returns Morita's affection but his reason for going on a personal journey is because he feels uncertain about his future not because he's a loser in love. If there's one major mistake about the movie, this is it. Takemoto's story is interesting because although he's involved in a triangle, his concern is not limited to just his love life. He's also worried about his future, his ability to find job. That to me, makes him a lot easier to relate to than other characters in the series.

Ending Theme

「キャンバス」- 平井　堅
Canvas by Hirai Ken - AVI format (73.3MB) | PSP/Quicktime format (39MB)

The ending theme is perfect. I've been interested in Hirai Ken's music style but I have never had the chance to take a serious look at his discography.

© memento 2003