Maybe I have low standards from not having watched enough live action, but I thought the H&C drama was pretty good.

That's a really nice picture to fit with this post. =P

i think they should have the guy who plays takemoto play morita.. he would prob. do a better job.. or the guy from nobuta wo produce(the crazier dude)...

I agree with totali--maybe my standards are low as my experience with Japanese drama mostly begins and ends with Gokusen--but I really enjoyed episode 1 of the H&C drama. I felt like, despite the plot changes, that I was watching H&C again: laughed at the funny scenes, felt wistful during the monologues. The spirit of the original felt intact.

Of course, my feelings are probably clouded from just having seen the total travesty that was the live action movie. Compared to that this is gold.

Add original material that is really really really sad. Original comedy is too hard to do.

I agree - better scenery - this is a work of art about art, after all...

yeah - replace Hagu, Shinobu, Sensei dude - he looks like a pedo and drug addict - and, err, everyone else besides Takemoto.

Here's a comparison with the drama and anime versions of Nodame Cantabile and Honey and Clover.

As you can see from Nodame Cantabile, the drama, while having some minor differences, has the essence from the anime. e.g. Nodame and her "GYABO!" cry whenever she get hit, and facial expressions of the characters, especially Chiaki.. You can really tell that it's somewhat trying to remain faithful to its originality

As for Honey and Clover, I feel that the drama is rather rushed, probably due to the number of episodes (11, am I right?) I was rather surprised that Takemoto is a 3rd year student at the start. Well, I guess it's all down to the producers... In comparison with the movie version, I think the drama is more worth watching... 'cos I didn't enjoy the movie at all, or feel the characters.

Nevermind, let's get down straight to the main topic, shall we? In terms of character, I think the producers are spot on with Mayama and Takemoto. Mayama tops my list in the portrayal of H & C characters. He has a sense of humour and ...the Mayama-ism that makes viewers understand why Yamada is attracted to him (unlike the movie version). Next on the list will be Takemoto. Although he may sound rather mature in the monologues, one can really relate to his character well, just like the anime. and.. (what's his name again?) portrays his character much better than the movie.

I can't help but agree to the disappointments regarding Morita's character. From what I've seen after viewing the first episode, Morita drama version is rather mild and mischievous but nothing like the anime version. Morita's supposed to be rather mysterious, unpredictable and one who somehow view the circumstances of the friendships in a bird's eye view despite his wild and exaggerating behaviour.

I guess it's rather early to be commenting after just one episode. I sincerely hope that they'll somehow pick up the story and try to keep close with the anime.

I say if they can't get rid of Narimiya, then they should at least get rid of those hideous plaid shirt-coat things he's always wearing. Ugh. He's supposed to be stealing Mayama's dress-shirts, not wearing those ugly things.

I also can't help but feel like the Hagu in this adaptation has the Sakurai Sho-syndrome from the H&C movie. She seems to be smiling all the time, and it just feels kind of weird.

Ditto Garten. I'd scrap everyone minus Takemoto and Mayama, redesign the set, change the camera filter and lighting, and try to stick to the original story. As a matter of fact, if I had all the money in the world, I'd give a huge chunk to a production company and ask the network to extend the episodes as well to try and squeeze in as much Hachimitsu to Cloverness as possible.

It's funny Garten. I first came by your blogs so I can get more info on Nodame Cantabile and I gotta say I'm pretty hooked to your blogs. Love and appreciate em. As for Nodame Cantabile, I was really impressed w/ the drama. They depict the sillyness and the friendship factor of the manga really well. The anime was a doozer, however.

"...extend the episodes as well to try and squeeze in as much Hachimitsu to Cloverness as possible."

yeah, i agree with animejunkie regarding that.. I mean, they don't really need to restrict the drama to just 11 episodes... they can usually do a season 2 kinda thing...

lol a smiling hagu.. yeah actually hagu is rather shy and doesnt really smile until she manages to get along with her new friends..

Can't believe yet understand why the ratings are low...
I think the 'perfect' person for Morita would be Mizushima Hiro. In case you don't know, he played Nanba Minami in the HanaKimi drama last year. He definetely resembles Morita a whole LOT more than Narimiya ever will, and I guess it's because I saw him in HanaKimi, but he seems to play the 'senpai' type role very well.
Plus he's actually fluent in English, so if the hachikuro drama were to show Morita in the U.S., then we wouldn't have to hear botched-up English.
But there's probably no way in hell they'd replace anyone at this point. We're just stuck and see if it'll improve somehow =(