H2: Kimi To Itahibi

I love Crows Zero, the movie. I love Lovely Complex, the movie. I love Shinobi, the movie. Should say.. I love most of movies and doramas that are adapted from Japanese Mangas. The reason by, everything from 2D are now moving and breathing. Not to forget that every single detail things (from the same uniform, the same hair style, even the polka-dot from a girl hand bag) from the manga are brought to the live action. That is enough to show how much effort is being put by the makers.

I have to admit though, I watched H2 partly because Takayuki Yamada (CROWS ZERO, Sekai no Chusin de, Ai wo Sakebu) and Ishihara Satomi (Water boys 2, Nurse Aoi). And then.. I realized it was from a manga by Mitsuru Adachi called H2. So adding these two things up. I just adored it. Oh another reason is... Nakao Akiyoshi (Water boys 2, Brother beat).

For synopsis, as usual: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/H2. Drama Wiki will give you some interesting idea of what the dorama is about.

The drama moves in a quiet slow paced with majority of the climax surrounding baseball tournaments or high-school problems. And like most Japanese mangas or doramas, friendship plays a pivotal roles in them.

SPOILER WARNING: I love how they build up Yamada and Ishihara's relationship but not trying hard to make the relationship looks forced or too sugary sweet. Both are passive (with "Haruka" acting more active in the first place but become passiver as their relationship progress) in the relationship but everything just falls in nicely with the drama's pace. Their relationship mirrors the 4-changing-seasons in Japan. Slow to bloom in Spring, Warm breeze in the Summer, Romantic in the Fall, Keeping strong in the Winter.

But I think more emphasis should be given on how "Hiro" realizes how much he likes "Haruka"

Love the rivalry between the characters and how they show the difficulty on keeping love and friendship in balance. Acting wise, I think Ishihara Satomi is doing a good job in potraying "Haruka Koga". Nakao Akiyoshi is always and always given a role that shows how a nice boy he is when i think he can actually be given a deeper and bigger role. The director and script writer are good in bringing the awkward silences and hidden feelings in the characters and manage to close all of them well. Meanwhile, Mitsuru Sensei and his editor are wonderful as cameos in every single episodes. So, those who love sport-related dramas, slow-paced romances with strong endings, should find this doramas entertaining and engaging. Those who prefer fiesty, strong-headed ladies, cool guys with bad attitudes up-front but soft inside, i-fell-in-love-when-i-bicker-with-you type of dramas, please avoid.

I enjoyed watching the episodes and yes, Yamada Takayuki is handsome.