Meteor Garden and Fushigi Yuugi. Oh My.
Feb. 10th, 2006 11:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieI am continuing my watching of Meteor Garden and it's interesting how the same storyline I've seen so recently in anime form comes across a little differently when it's live action. And hey, I still love it. The biggest intended differences so far that I can tell is that in MG it's a mini-mystery as to who took those photos of Shan Cai entering a hotel with a foreigner (who in this version doesn't seem to be in on the scheme) while in HYD we knew at once (and of course, in MG they combined the characters of Sakurako and Makiko to make one character, who is both the girl Shan Cai saves AND evil scheming hussy which makes it rather more melodramatic).
The interesting thing to me is how knowing the story changes my opinion on certain things. I am thinking of the scene with the forced kiss/ripped blouse (btw,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
koalathebear, you'll be glad to know my subtitles also read 'his eyesight is not normal' ROFL). When I got to that scene in HYD, I almost gave up, because all I knew from later eps was that Tsukushi and Doumyouji (Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai equivalents) ended up together and I was horrified. I almost gave up on the show (and boy, am I glad I didn't). But here, I watched it, and it was deliciously angsty what-not but I didn't have the same reaction, in part because I knew exactly how the story was going to go and I already loved both their characters as a result of HYD. Of course, there was also the fact that he pushed her against the wall, and while you can obviously have sex with someone standing up, for some reason the fact that on HYD they were on the floor felt more threatening. And there is the fact that in MG he sticks around afterwards, and tries, even though very badly, calm her down. It's kinda sweet. (I would love an icon of that image of them slumped in the hall). I do think it's because it's live action that they toned down a lot of extremes that wouldn't work in live action stuff and it includes the levels of violence and sharpness on both the main characters' parts.
I was mightily amused by her reaction to his present of a dress (I guess as an apology of sorts). She almost throws it away and then stops herself and goes 'if I send it back to him, he can't wear it' heeee and gives it to a friend.
And I still like the scene of him waiting for her for four hours (here it's in the rain) and then them getting locked out (this time it's on a staircase) and then she ends up taking care of him when he is sick and stroking his hair (where I am torn between 'awwwww' and 'ugh, don't touch that horrible hair of his' :P)
I was also amused at her 'impressed girl' act when he said he can speak 5 languages because she wants to get the foreigner away from him and distract him (and how hilarious is it that he buys it and you can almost see him puff up with pride. In many ways, Dao Ming Si is just a big kid. Just look at him when she snarls at him that they aren't dating later on. He looks like a kid who's had his bycicle stolen). And then when the guy is away she drops the act and is all 'I can't believe you can speak foreign languages but your Chinese still sucks" :P
And of course, I loved the scene where he rescues her from the bad guys on the school oval (once again, here she isn't tied behind the car, she is just being beaten up by the gang of guys) and he is so shockingly gentle and tells her he believes her (despite photographic evidence to the contrary) and then he takes her back home and then he admits he is jealous and there is kissing. Sooooo melty.
And then he is off early in the morning to get revenge on all those who abused her. Heee. It's like having a mastiff? Or a gangster. At your beck and call. It's hilariously adorable and not that I condone violent guys, but he so clearly doesn't think it anything out of the ordinary and is trying to please her so hard and so clumsily (and he bought her a new scoooter) and hey, they were physically assaulting her. Seriously, he is like 5 year old kid anxious for approval with her.
I also LOLed when he gives her a cell-phpne with 1 as his speed dial number and 'you'll come to me when I call' and that is his way of showing concern perhaps, but he has no idea how to court and she is all 'am I a call girl?'
You can tell their lack of budget at the party on a boat where there aren't any other people than the core cast ones, but I don't mind. I have also realized I've seen 3 members of F4 in other things before I saw MG, since I watched MARS, Magic Kitchen and Star Runner ages ago. Hm.
I am also continuing in my Fushigi Yuugi watching and it's clear clear love on my part. Come on, with so much angst and so many pretty men, how could it not be?
I am also coming to the conclusion that it's a good thing Miaka fell for Tamahome, because half the men appear to have dedicated themselves to a 'love that dare not speak its name' except that they speak it loudly and repeatedly. Not only is there Nuriko, who yes, I realize later turns out to be bi, there is this delightful bit where Miaka first meets the bandit leader Tasuki and he half-heartedly attempts to have sex with her and when she hits him he accepts it really readily and with "I don't even like girls that much" and then his friend Koji shows up and they are all dancing together and Miaka is "what IS it with these guys?" Heeee. Not to mention the fact that when Hotohori and Nuriko pretend to be girls (not that Nuriko has to try hard) one of the bandits starts making up to Hotohori going "you are kinda flat-chested, but I don't care, you are so pretty" and when it becomes clear later on that Hotohori and Nuriko are men, the bandit's reaction? I don't care if you are a guy. Heeee. Seriously, this is the gayest show that isn't actually gay.
One of the reasons I like FY so much is that it doesn't take itself dreadfully seriously, but pokes fun at its own plot-holes or conventions: at one point, the brother reading the book exclaims "is the Priestess of Suzaku really Miaka? I don't get why she is so popular!" and it's both a very brotherly comment (who ever thinks their little pest of a sister is the bestest thing ever?) and I think a little shout-out to those who think Miaka is overrated as a heroine. Or there is the bit where the bandits muse that they didn't act like bandits at all. Or when the bandits (and later Tamahome's kid sister) mistake not only Nuriko but Hotohori for girls because 'they are so pretty' and certainly 'prettier than that Miaka' which is sort of like poking fun at the anime's unparalleled fascination and ability at creating bishounen (with amazing hair, too). Or when Hotohori breaks down at Miaka's bedside and it's all very melodramatic except for Nuriko and Tasuki listening outside and Nuriko going "what is with the great love scene all of a sudden." I choose to treat it all as post-modernist fun. It's just great.
I am definitely falling more and more for both Tamahome and Hotohori. Tamahome is ultimately such a decent guy. My favorite scene with him is actually when he is with Yui (because the ultimatum was that if he surrenders himself, the enemies will withdraw from certain villages. I guess Yui wants him real bad). And he lets slip that he knows what happened to her and she breaks down and he just tries to comfort her to the best of his ability and he is so at a loss and doesn't know what to do and just wants to make her stop hurting. I also like his family, they are soooooo cute (well, the little kids are. His father isn't in the cute category, heee). They are also dirt poor and I like how they kinda have that in the background for Tamahome's character, in addition to his obsession with money (like when Yui gets him a new suit of clothes and he is awed that it's silk).
I am continuing to ship Miaka/Tamahome because so much pretty angst. I loved the scene in her room where he tells her he loves her and about the symbol on his forehead and how he's hated it since he was a kid but he doesn't now because it means he can protect her and it's all very Bollywoodish and then Hotohori comes in with a sword at his throat and it's very dramatic and tense and Tamahome is being all heroic and then as soon as Hotohori leaves he slumps and goes "boy, I was so scared" Heee. Not to mention he tries to sneak out with her earth stuff to sell it. He makes me both swoon and giggle.
Oh, and how much do I like Hotohori? You have no idea. The fact that he knows M/T is OTP and still protects and loves Miaka? Whoa. I really really want for him to get someone who loves him back and whom he loves because I like him and I don't want his love to be hopeless, even if I don't want him with Miaka. I love the scene where she asks the Senshi to kill her and he orders everyone out of the room and is about to do it with his sword but he simply can't and ends up falling on his knees by her bedside, sobbing (oh, and later he kneels to a doctor to save her. So hot). Plus, men with swords are....grrrrrrrr.
But the thing is, he still has his vanity and I love that because it's that that makes him fun and not a Gary Stu. I love it that when Chichiri changes into him so he, Hotohori, can go adventuring, Hotohori's reaction? An indignant 'I am prettier than that.' And my favorite exchange so far is between Hotohori and Tamahome's very kid sister.
Child: Are you Big Brother's wife, Miss?
Hotohori (smiling): I am a man
Child: But you are so pretty!
Hotohori (hugging the child): Even though you are poor, you are a good and truthful child.
ROFL.
I also like Mitsukake. Poor man, not only is he the only short-haired one, but he had this horrible angst with his fiancee and that OTP is soooo sad.
Also, the Tamahome/Miaka perviness continues with them both waking up naked in the same bed with one sheet. Heeee. But no sex. Why must you tease me so?
The interesting thing to me is how knowing the story changes my opinion on certain things. I am thinking of the scene with the forced kiss/ripped blouse (btw,
koalathebear, you'll be glad to know my subtitles also read 'his eyesight is not normal' ROFL). When I got to that scene in HYD, I almost gave up, because all I knew from later eps was that Tsukushi and Doumyouji (Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai equivalents) ended up together and I was horrified. I almost gave up on the show (and boy, am I glad I didn't). But here, I watched it, and it was deliciously angsty what-not but I didn't have the same reaction, in part because I knew exactly how the story was going to go and I already loved both their characters as a result of HYD. Of course, there was also the fact that he pushed her against the wall, and while you can obviously have sex with someone standing up, for some reason the fact that on HYD they were on the floor felt more threatening. And there is the fact that in MG he sticks around afterwards, and tries, even though very badly, calm her down. It's kinda sweet. (I would love an icon of that image of them slumped in the hall). I do think it's because it's live action that they toned down a lot of extremes that wouldn't work in live action stuff and it includes the levels of violence and sharpness on both the main characters' parts. I was mightily amused by her reaction to his present of a dress (I guess as an apology of sorts). She almost throws it away and then stops herself and goes 'if I send it back to him, he can't wear it' heeee and gives it to a friend.
And I still like the scene of him waiting for her for four hours (here it's in the rain) and then them getting locked out (this time it's on a staircase) and then she ends up taking care of him when he is sick and stroking his hair (where I am torn between 'awwwww' and 'ugh, don't touch that horrible hair of his' :P)
I was also amused at her 'impressed girl' act when he said he can speak 5 languages because she wants to get the foreigner away from him and distract him (and how hilarious is it that he buys it and you can almost see him puff up with pride. In many ways, Dao Ming Si is just a big kid. Just look at him when she snarls at him that they aren't dating later on. He looks like a kid who's had his bycicle stolen). And then when the guy is away she drops the act and is all 'I can't believe you can speak foreign languages but your Chinese still sucks" :P
And of course, I loved the scene where he rescues her from the bad guys on the school oval (once again, here she isn't tied behind the car, she is just being beaten up by the gang of guys) and he is so shockingly gentle and tells her he believes her (despite photographic evidence to the contrary) and then he takes her back home and then he admits he is jealous and there is kissing. Sooooo melty.
And then he is off early in the morning to get revenge on all those who abused her. Heee. It's like having a mastiff? Or a gangster. At your beck and call. It's hilariously adorable and not that I condone violent guys, but he so clearly doesn't think it anything out of the ordinary and is trying to please her so hard and so clumsily (and he bought her a new scoooter) and hey, they were physically assaulting her. Seriously, he is like 5 year old kid anxious for approval with her.
I also LOLed when he gives her a cell-phpne with 1 as his speed dial number and 'you'll come to me when I call' and that is his way of showing concern perhaps, but he has no idea how to court and she is all 'am I a call girl?'
You can tell their lack of budget at the party on a boat where there aren't any other people than the core cast ones, but I don't mind. I have also realized I've seen 3 members of F4 in other things before I saw MG, since I watched MARS, Magic Kitchen and Star Runner ages ago. Hm.
I am also continuing in my Fushigi Yuugi watching and it's clear clear love on my part. Come on, with so much angst and so many pretty men, how could it not be?
I am also coming to the conclusion that it's a good thing Miaka fell for Tamahome, because half the men appear to have dedicated themselves to a 'love that dare not speak its name' except that they speak it loudly and repeatedly. Not only is there Nuriko, who yes, I realize later turns out to be bi, there is this delightful bit where Miaka first meets the bandit leader Tasuki and he half-heartedly attempts to have sex with her and when she hits him he accepts it really readily and with "I don't even like girls that much" and then his friend Koji shows up and they are all dancing together and Miaka is "what IS it with these guys?" Heeee. Not to mention the fact that when Hotohori and Nuriko pretend to be girls (not that Nuriko has to try hard) one of the bandits starts making up to Hotohori going "you are kinda flat-chested, but I don't care, you are so pretty" and when it becomes clear later on that Hotohori and Nuriko are men, the bandit's reaction? I don't care if you are a guy. Heeee. Seriously, this is the gayest show that isn't actually gay.
One of the reasons I like FY so much is that it doesn't take itself dreadfully seriously, but pokes fun at its own plot-holes or conventions: at one point, the brother reading the book exclaims "is the Priestess of Suzaku really Miaka? I don't get why she is so popular!" and it's both a very brotherly comment (who ever thinks their little pest of a sister is the bestest thing ever?) and I think a little shout-out to those who think Miaka is overrated as a heroine. Or there is the bit where the bandits muse that they didn't act like bandits at all. Or when the bandits (and later Tamahome's kid sister) mistake not only Nuriko but Hotohori for girls because 'they are so pretty' and certainly 'prettier than that Miaka' which is sort of like poking fun at the anime's unparalleled fascination and ability at creating bishounen (with amazing hair, too). Or when Hotohori breaks down at Miaka's bedside and it's all very melodramatic except for Nuriko and Tasuki listening outside and Nuriko going "what is with the great love scene all of a sudden." I choose to treat it all as post-modernist fun. It's just great.
I am definitely falling more and more for both Tamahome and Hotohori. Tamahome is ultimately such a decent guy. My favorite scene with him is actually when he is with Yui (because the ultimatum was that if he surrenders himself, the enemies will withdraw from certain villages. I guess Yui wants him real bad). And he lets slip that he knows what happened to her and she breaks down and he just tries to comfort her to the best of his ability and he is so at a loss and doesn't know what to do and just wants to make her stop hurting. I also like his family, they are soooooo cute (well, the little kids are. His father isn't in the cute category, heee). They are also dirt poor and I like how they kinda have that in the background for Tamahome's character, in addition to his obsession with money (like when Yui gets him a new suit of clothes and he is awed that it's silk).
I am continuing to ship Miaka/Tamahome because so much pretty angst. I loved the scene in her room where he tells her he loves her and about the symbol on his forehead and how he's hated it since he was a kid but he doesn't now because it means he can protect her and it's all very Bollywoodish and then Hotohori comes in with a sword at his throat and it's very dramatic and tense and Tamahome is being all heroic and then as soon as Hotohori leaves he slumps and goes "boy, I was so scared" Heee. Not to mention he tries to sneak out with her earth stuff to sell it. He makes me both swoon and giggle.
Oh, and how much do I like Hotohori? You have no idea. The fact that he knows M/T is OTP and still protects and loves Miaka? Whoa. I really really want for him to get someone who loves him back and whom he loves because I like him and I don't want his love to be hopeless, even if I don't want him with Miaka. I love the scene where she asks the Senshi to kill her and he orders everyone out of the room and is about to do it with his sword but he simply can't and ends up falling on his knees by her bedside, sobbing (oh, and later he kneels to a doctor to save her. So hot). Plus, men with swords are....grrrrrrrr.
But the thing is, he still has his vanity and I love that because it's that that makes him fun and not a Gary Stu. I love it that when Chichiri changes into him so he, Hotohori, can go adventuring, Hotohori's reaction? An indignant 'I am prettier than that.' And my favorite exchange so far is between Hotohori and Tamahome's very kid sister.
Child: Are you Big Brother's wife, Miss?
Hotohori (smiling): I am a man
Child: But you are so pretty!
Hotohori (hugging the child): Even though you are poor, you are a good and truthful child.
ROFL.
I also like Mitsukake. Poor man, not only is he the only short-haired one, but he had this horrible angst with his fiancee and that OTP is soooo sad.
Also, the Tamahome/Miaka perviness continues with them both waking up naked in the same bed with one sheet. Heeee. But no sex. Why must you tease me so?
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no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 05:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 05:21 pm (UTC)heeee. Oh yes, don't spoil me :P
Watase is excellent at making her men FABULOUS in look and personality, apparently she's so enamored with them though that she has to insert herself as a Mary Sue each time.
Hmmmm. I don't think Miaka is a Mary Sue (I do think she is a comic relief heroine, but that's OK with me), but I must admit that even if she was, I wouldn't care because...distracted by the pretty. So if that is indeed YW's evil plan, she's succeeded :P
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Date: 2006-02-10 05:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 05:27 pm (UTC)I know a whole busload of the characters die, but I don't want them to, dammit. I mean, Nakago and the Emperor of Kutou can buy it. And maybe Chichiri and Chiriko if we have to sacrifice a good guy. But nobody else, dammit.
*tears hair*
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 05:37 pm (UTC)Though not as much as the ending of Wolf's Rain, which really traumatized me and it wasn't even that sad. If you want an interesting cereberal anime, try that one, because the ending blew my mind.
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Date: 2006-02-10 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 06:03 pm (UTC)And you've only seen the tip of the gayness!
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Date: 2006-02-10 06:13 pm (UTC)Any idea where I can find FY icons, btw?
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Date: 2006-02-10 07:06 pm (UTC)Good question: I have no idea! Wow, now that I think about it, FY icons are really scarce. Mind if I raid your picspam and come up with a few?
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Date: 2006-02-10 07:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 11:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-11 12:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-11 04:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 06:40 pm (UTC)and MG love! haha! thats the thing with MG, the lines are funny, and DMS is like an addiction in the end. i like HZL but i felt DMS really needed to be with SC.
btw, are you almost done with MG?
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 07:11 pm (UTC)Glad I am not the only one, it's so addictive.
btw, are you almost done with MG?
Nope. I only finished part 5 (or 6?). The one where DMS rescues SC ep and gets her a cell-phone. I still have at least 13 parts to go.
DMS is like an addiction in the end
Heeee. I must admit I keep yearning for someone to spill a bucket of water on his head so his hair can go back to prettiness :P
i like HZL but i felt DMS really needed to be with SC.
Indeed. Me too. After all, he does love her very much, but also more importantly, their personalities match.
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Date: 2006-02-10 07:28 pm (UTC)i like your icon! howl's!!! i want to see that. i didnt get to see it in the theaters. and the dvd release is next month i think. and expect me to use japanese audios / english subtitles. hehe.
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Date: 2006-02-10 07:43 pm (UTC)well once the NY thing happens, then his "pineapple hair" will be gone.
Oh yes. I am so happy. Seriously, I can't wait for the day. Because so much nicer when it's straight and down. He looks very much hotter then. And hey, I am shallow.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 07:48 pm (UTC)strangely i like Ken amongst f4. but when i was watching MG i liked the group in general. :)
i liked the other Miyazaki movies, and all the more i want to see Howls because of Kimura's voice. :P
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Date: 2006-02-10 07:53 pm (UTC)Well, on a purely shallow level, I think the one who plays HZL is the prettiest. But then, I haven't seen DMS with normal hair yet :P
Howls because of Kimura's voice
I saw the dubbed version in theaters with Christian Bale doing Howl's voice and he was yummy likewise.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 08:11 pm (UTC)and of course i was happy when vic and barbie did MARS and are now together in real life. *sigh*
Christian Bale is yummy too but right now Kimura is my man. :P
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 08:16 pm (UTC)are now together in real life.
You are kidding! Well, I guess they did get stuck working together for days and days. That's actually kinda cool.
Christian Bale is yummy too but right now Kimura is my man. :P
I really must check out all those things of his that
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 08:19 pm (UTC)yeah Vic & Barbie got together. it was the MG shippers' Hua Ze Lei and San Cai come true! :)
omg, i am sure if you start watching Takuya Kimura...well you'd "convert" haha. if you can watch Pride, watch that first. i love that series.
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Date: 2006-02-10 08:23 pm (UTC)its very sad, but in the end it was a beginning for both of them
Oh yes. I liked that both of those characters were so messed-up, in unpretty ways (and went off about it at length in my lj during my MARS phase :P)
if you can watch Pride, watch that first.
What is Pride about?
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Date: 2006-02-10 08:35 pm (UTC)Pride Drama Info :D
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Date: 2006-02-10 08:57 pm (UTC)I didn't read HYD. But I did watch (and love) the anime.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-10 09:28 pm (UTC)enjoy reading! :)
Meteor Garden
Date: 2006-02-10 09:57 pm (UTC)Oh that's hilarious! Looks like you've got a copy of the Taiwanese subbed version. I haven't read the anime but when I watched Meteor Garden I got to that scene, I was a bit gobsmacked. There had already been a few moments where I was thinking - why do people like Dao Ming Si so much? He seems quite awful! As the series unfolds though, you realise that as you say he's a spoilt brat with no social skills who has never really had anyone to set him straight. It's only after Shan Cai comes along that he grows a clue and learns how to at least try to get along with others - there's a hilarious episode later where she brings a kid along with him on a date. :)
The thing I wonder is how Shan Cai turned out so well given the nuttiness of her parents :) Perhaps she's adopted.
I was mightily amused by her reaction to his present of a dress (I guess as an apology of sorts). She almost throws it away and then stops herself and goes 'if I send it back to him, he can't wear it' heeee and gives it to a friend.
Oh but the scene with the friend was just awful ....... Dao Ming Si was just so horrible to that poor girl and even though that poor girl is a bit of a devious cow, that sort of public humiliation is just the stuff of nightmares.
And of course, I loved the scene where he rescues her from the bad guys on the school oval
I think that was the scene that won me over - she sort of topples forward and he's there to rescue her :'( *sob*
It's hilariously adorable and not that I condone violent guys, but he so clearly doesn't think it anything out of the ordinary and is trying to please her so hard and so clumsily
I don't condone violence either I suppose it's just because the violence looks so fake and exaggerated. The first fight scene we saw F4 involved in - in the bar looked sooooooo fake I started laughing even though they were supposed to be all bad ass.
You can tell their lack of budget at the party on a boat where there aren't any other people than the core cast ones, but I don't mind.
Yes it was very low budget. I remember cringing at the clothes all the way through. I am also happy when Dao Ming Si loses his pineapple head - I'm not sure who thought that was a good look. Hua Zi Lei is better-looking but the problem is, his version of looking distant and other worldly is to look slightly comatose :D Even when the 'love of his life' girlfriend returns later (she is absolutely beautiful although kind of freakily thin) he looks a little underwhelmed. Nonetheless, by the time he goes through his final character development, I started thinking he wasn't bad at all :D
I have also realized I've seen 3 members of F4 in other things before I saw MG, since I watched MARS, Magic Kitchen and Star Runner ages ago. Hm.
Jerry was in Magic Kitchen with Sammi. The guy who plays Simon was in some series called Marmalade Boy. All of them have singing careers separately as well as as F4 - Jerry is the worst singer of them all. Shudder.
13 episodes to go! *laugh* It reallly is a hugely long series. I watched it all in just a few days and I was seriously dead with the worst case of panda eyes ever but there's never a respite - as soon as Shan Cai gets through one crisis, another one comes along! I think I started getting very, very invested when she bakes him cookies :) It is sooooooooooooooooooooo cute.
Re: Meteor Garden
Date: 2006-02-10 10:14 pm (UTC)I know.
he's a spoilt brat with no social skills who has never really had anyone to set him straight.
It just made so much sense in the anime to me when we finally meet his mother. I was shocked he turned out as well as he had and was capable of having friends or loving someone! And of course, he is basically left by himself as well which doesn't do for sterling people-interaction skills. And I love that by the end he isn't redeemed into some kind of saint, though he does become better at dealing at people. It's mainly that he learns how much he can love someone and matures as well.
The thing I wonder is how Shan Cai turned out so well given the nuttiness of her parents
Well, her parents are nutty but nice. Maybe she is a changeling :P
Oh but the scene with the friend was just awful ....... Dao Ming Si was just so horrible to that poor girl
The reason they had this scene in MG (it wasn't in the anime) was because they smooshed two characters to make the friend. In the anime, there is Makiko, Shan Cai's school friend who she saves and who is nice. And there is Sakurako, who is a gorgeous student at the school who Shan Cai (who is really bad at reading people) befriends. Sakurako has had a thing for Dao Ming Si since she was a little kid. Basically the equivalent scene was when she was really small, 7 or so, she told other girls she liked him so the next time the gaggle of girls bumped into the kid F4 they told him and he told her she is ugly and he hates her (part embarassment, part his personality, but very 7 year old of him).
she sort of topples forward and he's there to rescue her
In the anime, this scene requires him to remove his shirt so she'd have something to wear. Which made me LOL. In a sappy, sighing kinda way.
the bar looked sooooooo fake I started laughing even though they were supposed to be all bad ass.
Oh yes. LOL.
I am also happy when Dao Ming Si loses his pineapple head - I'm not sure who thought that was a good look.
They didn't have much of a choice. It's a thing DMS has in the anime: he has distinctive curly hair that only straightens when wet (there is a hilarious scene when Shan Cai tells him she hates his stupid hairdo really early on so he spends a long time trying to get it straightened. Then he runs into her and she kinda comments on his hair and it starts curling right back up in front of their eyes. :P) He has it the whole way through there. But I am glad they are getting rid of it in MG.
Hua Zi Lei is better-looking but the problem is, his version of looking distant and other worldly is to look slightly comatose
If you watch MARS (why yes, I am a pusher :P), he is much much better in that one. Tons. I totally fell madly for his character in that one.
Nonetheless, by the time he goes through his final character development, I started thinking he wasn't bad at all
Please tell me that he ends up with his older model girlfriend. Please? It's one of my favorite scenes in the anime.
The guy who plays Simon was in some series called Marmalade Boy. All of them have singing careers separately as well as as F4 - Jerry is the worst singer of them all. Shudder
Marmalade Boy is another anime (I haven't seen it yet). It seems they really like to do live action adaptations of Manga in Taiwan.
The F4 guy who plays...ummm, what's his name (The one who has straight long hair) has a really nice voice though.
13 episodes to go! *laugh* It reallly is a hugely long series
MARS is 21 eps. Though I think they are 45 minutes each so it's shorter than MG, actually.
I started getting very, very invested when she bakes him cookies
Awwww. It's one of my favorite scenes in the anime.
Initial D
Date: 2006-02-10 10:23 pm (UTC)It seems they really like to do live action adaptations of Manga in Taiwan.
Yes - they seem more brave about doing it than the Japanese are. Hong Kong does it, too. Initial D is a hugely popular anime and last year they made it into a movie that almost no one except me liked :) Here. It starred one of my favourite Taiwanese pop stars, Anne Suzuki from Returner/Snow falling on cedars plus at least four of the guys from Infernal Affairs. I found it fun but I enjoy things on different levels. :D
Re: Initial D
Date: 2006-02-10 10:39 pm (UTC)MG
Date: 2006-02-11 08:03 am (UTC)really, one of my fave scenes in MG is when DMS does the "new york turnaround" (where he basically goes from taiwan to NY then goes back to taiwan) and comes back with, ta-da! nice hair. and that impish grin. *swoon*. and i'm not even a jerry fan hehe...:P
Xi Men/ Simon is Ken. haha. he was in Marmalade Boy and i liked that manga a lot. :)
Mei Zhou is vanness. omg,self pimpage as it is, i met him. here, read about IT - self-pimpage at its finest. LOL.
Re: MG
Date: 2006-02-11 04:29 pm (UTC)I am soooo glad the hair will be gone. Gone, gone, gone GONE. Because the one time he had his hair wet and down in MG (after he rescued her and took a shower) he was yummy!
I have the Marmalade Boy anime waiting to be watched. Is the live series worth looking for?
Off to read your post :)
Re: MG
Date: 2006-02-12 05:20 am (UTC)