Egao no Hosoku/Always Smiling/笑顔の法則

Genre: Comedy/Drama
Language: Japanese

While on her way to a job interview, in full kimono, Kurasawa Yumi bumps into Sakurai Reijiro. This chance meetings ends up with her becoming his assistant. He is a comic book writer, about to move into seclusion at an "onsen" a.k.a. hot spring. This drama is about the inn they stay at, and all that happens within.

Will love spark between Yumi and Reijiro? Or will the owner's son interfere? How will the inn staff react, when goonies start pressuring the owner to sell?

Review:

I watched this one through rose-colored glasses, as I am a fan of Abe Hiroshi (the main fellow). However, now that I think about it, it was a tad boring and slow. Abe Hiroshi's character wasn't actually all that interesting, almost....awkward? It's defined as comedy, but I can't think of any funny parts that stick out in my mind... The romance didn't play a big part, either.

Basically it's an average drama. However if you like Abe Hiroshi, it's bearable.

I know I enjoyed it, as I finished it...but like I said,

I have no special memories of this drama.

My Little Chef/マイリトルシェフ

Genre: Comedy, Food
Language: Japanese

Kamosawa Seri is a gourmet french chef (it runs in her blood, her father was a gourmet as well until he lost his sense of taste.) She decides to move to the city, and allow her talents to flourish. She ends up opening her own restaurant.

This shows the story of her and how her food helps the people that come to her cafe.

Review:
Hmm this is a cute series. I remember finding it a little slow however. As well the lead is...a little wooden? Maybe its just with her more introverted, character personality. Nevertheless each episode pretty much follows the same lay-out, we get introduced to the customers, and their problems. Then it ends with her cooking amazing food, the story behind it, and resolving the issue. The food always looked so neat!

Not bad, it also has Abe Hiroshi (although not Comedic...)

Not a fav, but it isn't the worst that's for sure.

At Home Dad/ アットホーム・ダッド

Genre: Comedy/Family
Language: Japanese

Kazuyuki Yamamura was a proud business man, who looked down on his neighbor Sugio Yusuke, a stay-at-home dad. However one day the tables are turned and his wife becomes the bread winner, while he is forced to take care of the house and his child.

How will his daily life go? Will he survive being an At Home Dad?

Review:
I watched this awhile ago, when I was all gung-ho Abe Hiroshi :). From what I can remember I quite enjoyed it. I normally...hate?...no too harsh....prefer not to watch shows with elementary aged children in it. They wreck everything T_T trying to be funny or insightful or what-have-you.....Anyways this one does okay, and thankfully focuses on him(Kazuyuki) and his journey to...home-maker status?

Cute comedy; although it's no kekkon dekinai otoko, but hey substitute the dog for a kid, and the wife for...his steak? There you go! (Probably the worse analogy every used)
Actually scratch that, just watch it as a family-friendly comedy and be done with it.

ドラゴン桜/Dragon Zakura

Genre: Highschool/Comedy/Drama
Language: Japanese

Sakuragi Kenji became a teacher as a last resort. He used to be a lawyer, but hadn't been making enough to get by. So he decides to boost his prestige, and that of the school's, by producing 5 successful Toudai, a top university, applicants. However the school he works with has some of the lowest scores in all of Japan! How will Kenji turn these kids around?

Review:

This one has a few stars in it when they were younger, like Yamashita Tomohisa, and Koike Teppei. This is an okay drama. Not too long either, 11 episodes. I basically love anything Abe Hiroshi does, and he did well in this, as he does in every show...although lately all he does is historical drama :-( I prefer his comedy..... Anyways, the actual story is okay, and has some good moments in it. The ending is a little disappointing, but I'm sure you've caught my negative feelings towards Japanese drama endings.

I think this would be interesting for someone to watch. Mainly because Abe Hiroshi is in it. If you like other Highschool Dramas, you probably will agree, that this is just "okay". See it for yourself. It's been a few years since I saw it :)