Yukan Club - Episode 5
Nov. 17th, 2007 03:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mecNo mystery this week but plenty of trouble! There were some lovely moments, but also a fair few things I didn't like.
Yukan Club - Episode 05
Plot: Bad times ahead for the Kenbishi household as Yuri's scary mother decides she wants cute, girly little granddaughters and Yuri is just going to have to get married to provide her with some! But the only man strong enough to control Yuri is Seishiro, and he doesn't want the job...not until some rather thoughtless comments from his friends and his older sister provoke him into wanting to prove his own abilities as soon as possible. Seishiro's unexpected desire to marry Yuri thrills her family but sets everyone else - especially Noriko - against him, and his new underlings are not that keen on the idea either. After beating Yuri in a fight, Seishiro sets his sights on global domination, complete with some evil-but-very-hot glasses, and it takes a knock-down drag-out fight with Miroku, a heartfelt challenge from Noriko, and the intervention of a truly obnoxious monk to straighten him out. In other news: Miroku let me down by not bursting into tears this week - evidently, he has no problem getting emotionally distraught over the problems of strangers but when it's his own friends involved, forget it. He did, however, have quite a few moments where he seemed about to cry, and one where he appeared to have been crying before Seishiro walked in but I couldn't confirm because of the camera angle.
This week's episode can be divided up quite nicely into two categories, so that's what I'm going to do. The bad first.
The Bad
The episodes so far have been an effective mix of serious stuff and comedy, but this one tried too hard to do both and failed miserably as a consequence. The effects, like the monk's moves, just seemed out of place, and it didn't seem like the sort of plot where everything should just have gone back to normal afterwards.
I like CLAMP, so I automatically associate guys named 'Seishiro' with being dark, hot and evil. (And having incredibly complex relationships with other guys named Subaru, but let's not go there.) And Yoko plays evil well. What I had trouble buying was that Seishiro could go so completely over the top - I'd have found it easier to swallow if he'd been possessed or something, because then at least he'd have had a better excuse than his own ambition. It was slightly mitigated by the fact that he never attacked Noriko, only evaded her attacks, but for him to throw away the rest of his soul like that...
Yuri and her mother are starting to irritate me even more. (The Vatican? Westminster? What is her mother on, anyway?) I feel so sorry for Yuri's dad. I think he should just move in with Miroku's family, and he and Tokimune can be stupid, funny old men together. (With the two cops snapping pictures and bemoaning their fates, of course. Love those guys.)
That damned monk. I hate guys like that. I get flashbacks to Kenshin and Ranma.
The Good
Nice version of 'In the Hall of the Mountain King'. Still loving the music in this series, and having 'Keep the Faith' during the fight with Miroku worked a treat.
Speaking of the fight...Jin can't film a drama without getting in a scrap of some kind, can he? He must have an awful lot of practice at stage-fighting by now. But it was good, they really went for each other, and for some reason, watching Seishiro half-strangle Miroku from behind was enough to send little shivers down my spine.
Seishiro. In. Glasses. That, I think, says it all.
NORIKO!!! Finally, she got something to do, and she went to town with it. Loved it all, from the subtle jealousy, heartbreaking acceptance and quiet shock to the direct, straightforward battle challenge. I was so proud of her. She looked really beautiful this episode (such a contrast to Yuri, who is cute but when she's annoying she only looks scruffy) - beautiful, elegant and determined.
The flashback was great as well, and chibi!Noriko was perfect. The slap, the tone of voice, everything. So cute! (And I say this as a person who hates kids.)
Bido entertained me in odd moments - preening in Karen's mirror, his expressions during the fight with Miroku, and the random orange juice thing that I really don't get. (But then, Miroku's little dream song baffled me as well. What on Earth does that boy dream about?)
The Seishiro/Yuri Tripitaka/Son Goku comparison. Can we have Yukan Club infiltrate a theatre group or something so they have an excuse to cosplay like this?
In conclusion: there's not an awful lot I can say about this episode, probably because there was no crime, no mystery (unless it's why Miroku did not burst into tears this week), no Otokoyama, and I didn't care for the plot. But Noriko came into her own, Seishiro and Miroku had a fabulous fight scene, and Bido's beautiful face was missing in the end. Sure, the jigsaw was very, very obvious, but I love that they then had to look for Bido's face.
And Yoko is mean, going after poor Jin's collarbone like that when they were giving away the manga! (But it did make me giggle.)
Next week: Oh joy. I'm not that fond of Koyama. He's not my least favourite member of NewS - I reserve that position for Nishikido Ryo - but I can't say I'm thrilled to see him guesting. I'll be expecting him to be a marriage swindler. (Thank you so much, Kurosagi.)
Yukan Club - Episode 05
Plot: Bad times ahead for the Kenbishi household as Yuri's scary mother decides she wants cute, girly little granddaughters and Yuri is just going to have to get married to provide her with some! But the only man strong enough to control Yuri is Seishiro, and he doesn't want the job...not until some rather thoughtless comments from his friends and his older sister provoke him into wanting to prove his own abilities as soon as possible. Seishiro's unexpected desire to marry Yuri thrills her family but sets everyone else - especially Noriko - against him, and his new underlings are not that keen on the idea either. After beating Yuri in a fight, Seishiro sets his sights on global domination, complete with some evil-but-very-hot glasses, and it takes a knock-down drag-out fight with Miroku, a heartfelt challenge from Noriko, and the intervention of a truly obnoxious monk to straighten him out. In other news: Miroku let me down by not bursting into tears this week - evidently, he has no problem getting emotionally distraught over the problems of strangers but when it's his own friends involved, forget it. He did, however, have quite a few moments where he seemed about to cry, and one where he appeared to have been crying before Seishiro walked in but I couldn't confirm because of the camera angle.
This week's episode can be divided up quite nicely into two categories, so that's what I'm going to do. The bad first.
The Bad
The episodes so far have been an effective mix of serious stuff and comedy, but this one tried too hard to do both and failed miserably as a consequence. The effects, like the monk's moves, just seemed out of place, and it didn't seem like the sort of plot where everything should just have gone back to normal afterwards.
I like CLAMP, so I automatically associate guys named 'Seishiro' with being dark, hot and evil. (And having incredibly complex relationships with other guys named Subaru, but let's not go there.) And Yoko plays evil well. What I had trouble buying was that Seishiro could go so completely over the top - I'd have found it easier to swallow if he'd been possessed or something, because then at least he'd have had a better excuse than his own ambition. It was slightly mitigated by the fact that he never attacked Noriko, only evaded her attacks, but for him to throw away the rest of his soul like that...
Yuri and her mother are starting to irritate me even more. (The Vatican? Westminster? What is her mother on, anyway?) I feel so sorry for Yuri's dad. I think he should just move in with Miroku's family, and he and Tokimune can be stupid, funny old men together. (With the two cops snapping pictures and bemoaning their fates, of course. Love those guys.)
That damned monk. I hate guys like that. I get flashbacks to Kenshin and Ranma.
The Good
Nice version of 'In the Hall of the Mountain King'. Still loving the music in this series, and having 'Keep the Faith' during the fight with Miroku worked a treat.
Speaking of the fight...Jin can't film a drama without getting in a scrap of some kind, can he? He must have an awful lot of practice at stage-fighting by now. But it was good, they really went for each other, and for some reason, watching Seishiro half-strangle Miroku from behind was enough to send little shivers down my spine.
Seishiro. In. Glasses. That, I think, says it all.
NORIKO!!! Finally, she got something to do, and she went to town with it. Loved it all, from the subtle jealousy, heartbreaking acceptance and quiet shock to the direct, straightforward battle challenge. I was so proud of her. She looked really beautiful this episode (such a contrast to Yuri, who is cute but when she's annoying she only looks scruffy) - beautiful, elegant and determined.
The flashback was great as well, and chibi!Noriko was perfect. The slap, the tone of voice, everything. So cute! (And I say this as a person who hates kids.)
Bido entertained me in odd moments - preening in Karen's mirror, his expressions during the fight with Miroku, and the random orange juice thing that I really don't get. (But then, Miroku's little dream song baffled me as well. What on Earth does that boy dream about?)
The Seishiro/Yuri Tripitaka/Son Goku comparison. Can we have Yukan Club infiltrate a theatre group or something so they have an excuse to cosplay like this?
In conclusion: there's not an awful lot I can say about this episode, probably because there was no crime, no mystery (unless it's why Miroku did not burst into tears this week), no Otokoyama, and I didn't care for the plot. But Noriko came into her own, Seishiro and Miroku had a fabulous fight scene, and Bido's beautiful face was missing in the end. Sure, the jigsaw was very, very obvious, but I love that they then had to look for Bido's face.
And Yoko is mean, going after poor Jin's collarbone like that when they were giving away the manga! (But it did make me giggle.)
Next week: Oh joy. I'm not that fond of Koyama. He's not my least favourite member of NewS - I reserve that position for Nishikido Ryo - but I can't say I'm thrilled to see him guesting. I'll be expecting him to be a marriage swindler. (Thank you so much, Kurosagi.)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-17 03:51 pm (UTC)And having incredibly complex relationships with other guys named Subaru
Hahaha, I have a friend who loves Tokyo Babylon, and everytime she mentions Subaru I'm like "Huh? ...Oh, you mean the *other* little angstbunny who likes wearing hats!" You don;t see a lot of Yoko/Subaru around. Maybe a gap in the market...
I loved the ending with the jigsaw too - "What are you looking for?" "Face." XD And I loved how the rest of them were quite in-character when doing the giveaway bit - but Yoko was completely himself, lol.
I admit I'm kind of looking forward to seeing Kei - though I'd've been much happier if they'd chosen any one of half a dozen other Johnny's. :/
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-17 06:32 pm (UTC)It was like somebody slipped a magic potion in his coffee or something. I can't explain how he went completely off in the deep end like that!
After ghosts and possessed dolls I'm OK with the not-quite-natural way things work in the Yuukan Club world, lol.
It's not so much that I couldn't see those things as happening in the weird and wacky Yuukan Club world, but that they seemed inappropriate to the tone of the episode, if that makes any sense. If they were going to go dark and serious, they should've gone all the way and not had hyperfast monks and sizzling lightning glares.
"Huh? ...Oh, you mean the *other* little angstbunny who likes wearing hats!"
You know, I completely missed the K8 implications when I was typing that! *slaps wrist* Wonder how Sumeragi Subaru feels about skull tattoos...
And I loved how the rest of them were quite in-character when doing the giveaway bit - but Yoko was completely himself, lol.
Yeah, it was immediately noticeable that Seishirou had left the building! I'm kind of hoping for more random collarbone attacks and things 'cause I like intergroup interaction.
I admit I'm kind of looking forward to seeing Kei - though I'd've been much happier if they'd chosen any one of half a dozen other Johnny's. :/
They've certainly got enough to choose from! It would be nice if we got a guest appearance from another member of KAT-TUN or Kanjani8 (or both!), but I guess I shouldn't hold out too much hope for that.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-17 09:38 pm (UTC)You don't like Ryo? And Koyama? Actually I'm looking forward to next episode, I think it will be more Noriko... and I want to see if Koyama can act differently from his role in Kurosagi.
I loved that fight scene, and with the Keep the Faith in the background, almost like a PV itself... XD~ Jin looked great. And the fight was nice (if you can say that about a fight). It looked like they were really fighting (don't watch too close).
Ironic that when I finally found Yoko attractive I also started to dislike his character. Nevermind that Seishiro went back to his "own self" in the end, I've already changed my view of this character. T_T
And what's with Yuri's mom? She's really a wacko. O.o
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-17 10:36 pm (UTC)You don't like Ryo? And Koyama?
It's not so much that I don't like Koyama as that I can't actually find any reason to like him. Ryo, I actively dislike. I respect the guy for being able to keep up with two groups simultaneously, and he gets points from me for being a guitarist, but there's just something about him that I find sort of...sleazy. When he smiles, I keep waiting for him to use a really cheap pick-up line or try to sell me a used car. He's just not my type, I'm afraid.
I loved that fight scene, and with the Keep the Faith in the background, almost like a PV itself...
True! Maybe KAT-TUN should have fake fights in their PVs or something. Ueda can certainly hold his own, and Kame and Koki have had plenty of practice by now! I enjoyed watching the fight, anyway, and I agree - Jin did look great. But those boots don't look like they have any traction whatsoever, so I'm not surprised he kept slipping over.
Ironic that when I finally found Yoko attractive I also started to dislike his character.
I find him more attractive as a blond, actually - especially with stubble - but he was my #2 reason for watching the series. (Jin was #1, as if you couldn't guess.) But Seishiro's character was never one that was really going to draw me in, so I will probably not like him any less - just assume that there will be absolutely no continuity between episodes and everything will be fine!
And what's with Yuri's mom? She's really a wacko. O.o
The first couple of times she appeared I liked her. Now I wish she'd just go away. I feel so sorry for her husband!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-17 11:17 pm (UTC)Maybe we should be like Yuri, being a goldfish when it comes to our friends, then it would be easier to forgive...
In the beginning I really disliked Ryo too, I thought he was kind of harsh, especially towards Ueda, though I didn't really mind since I wasn't that fond of Ueda, but still... Then my fangirl friend started to brainwash me with Ryo pic and dramas, and I thought that since she's all that nice, her idol can't be too bad either. (LOL, I know, what kind of judgement is that... ^^;)
KAT-TUN could cosplay as Yuukan Club in their PV. Jin and Junno already have their characters, but I think Kame could be Noriko, Ueda might suit like Seishiro, Koki is good as Yuri and then Maru is left with Karen. Wouldn't that be nice? XD~
I didn't notice the boots, I was too distracted by Jin's tongue, I was afraid he would hurt himself. T_T
Some characters that are meant to be comical just turn annoying when you have to watch them for long, for example small dozes of Miroku's dad is okay, but I don't think I could stand him if he gets too much screen time. And I don't like that monk. At all. Maybe because I don't like the actor himself. After I've watched him in another drama, I think he's really slimy, swarmy... T_T;
Haha, Yuri's dad reminds me of my dad sometimes. He's wacko too, but I still like him. Still.