A long, long time ago. A memory from many summers ago. I held a tiny firefly in my childish hands. Looking as if it’s almost about to disappear, such a tiny fragile glow.
Hotaru no Hikari is a drama that’s airing this season (which is half way through already but I just found hardsubs for it) and I don’t find much hype for it as other series are overshadowing it but just from the first two episodes I REALLY REALLY like it better than some of the more hyped dramas of this season, even the fangirl-tastic Hana Kimi. Unlike my other first impression posts this one has no detailed summary, just my thoughts. Screen caps mostly from ep 1, some from ep 2.
FOR A FULL REVIEW GO HERE :D
Amemiya ON
Amemiya OFF
Amemiya Hotaru (Ayase Haruka) is an efficient wroker at a design firm but her private life is nothing but glamorous, Hotaru is a himono onna who lives alone in a rented home and changes into a tracksuit as soon as she gets back from work. Hotaru would rather lounge around all day and shows no interest anything (even men).
One day her world gets turned upside-down when her boss (Takano Seiichi- Fujiki Naohito) ends up living with her due to unexpected circumstances. To shake up her life even more Hotaru begins to find romance with younger worker Teshima Makoto (Kato Kazuki).
At first I was like THIS IS SOO TAKEN FROM A SHOUJO MANGA and it was (not that it’s a bad thing, I’m a sucker for shoujo, srsly). I also thought, “This sounds like one of those mushy romance dramas mum watches and I don’t” but now I tell you that it isn’t because mum wouldn’t watch this since I don’t think it’s going to turn angsty any time soon.
I gather from the sub that Himono Onna is something along the lines of ‘dried fish woman’, they lounge around at home in comfortable clothes with a high ponytail, snacks in one hand, beer in the other, doing nothing but eating and sleeping on weekends. That’s EXACTLY what Hotaru is.
Makoto
The first two episodes were a mix of comedy, romance and more comedy (because I found it REALLY funny). In the first episode we basically get introduced to everyone and the whole set up of the boss living with Hotaru. The reason as to why he lives with Hotaru is quite understandable and plausible to me. In this episode Hotaru also realizes that she has fallen in love for the first time with the young/ handsome co-worker and he seems to reciprocate the feelings but then all this other relationship crap comes in. In episode 2, Makoto does a design job, Hotaru is working up courage to give Makoto something, more relationship stuff and more Takano/ Hotaru stuff at home. Well, it’s better than this but I’m lazy.
I thought this was TOTALLY random
Yuka and Makoto
Now I don’t really care about the complex relationships, the real gold of the series lies in Takano and Hotaru’s interactions. This is where most of the good comedy comes from and I LOVE THEM TOGETHER, I want Hotaru to forget about Makoto and go for Takano, like SERIOUSLY! He’s Tada-sensei too! Yuka (or was it Yuko?) can have Makoto, Takano and Makoto have so much chemistry. Takano is the straight forward guy who speaks his mind saying things like “I can’t live with other women but you’re an exception” and “I can change into a caring husband but you’ll always be a himono onna even if you die and reborn” and Hotaru is the quirky slob who likes to sleep under newspapers and make up phrases like “ITADEKI-MAMBO!”. Even if all fails in this series I’ll watch for them. Now I don’t know if Makoto gets together with Hotaru or if something happens between Takano and Hotaru but I’m cheering for the latter.
Seee, newspapers
AND Itadeki-MAMBO
To be honest I didn’t like Ayase Haruka much before this (especially in Tatta Hitotsu no Koi and I didn’t finish the series because I found her annoying) and I used to think she was weird-looking but you know what, SHE’S SO FREAKING ADORABLE IN THIS! Her facial expressions, her behavior and the way she acts like a 9th grader in love. Honestly, at first I though she wouldn’t be able to pull off Amemiya but you know what I think now reading this paragraph. Makoto is okay but Takano (or rather Tada) is AWESOME! Biased points over. Oh, may I add that Yuko’s actress looks so much older than in Kekkon Dekinai Otoko.
Never thought I’d hear Fujiki say this
First and second episodes alone were enough to warrant a 9 or even 10 out of 10 from me. A good mix of fun characters, romance and comedy that works is a hit with me. Now excuse me while I download episode 3, watch it, then pine for the rest of the series. DoReMii are GREAT for subbing this!
Strangely, I thought, Hotaru’s life style, it may be me in my university days (replace beer with orange juice -YUMMMM- and lounging around with watching Japanese crap).
^^ LOL
LOL!
i can just imagine you in uni already.
i’d know exactly what to expect.
hi.. i was just looking for some summaries of Hotaru, and i bumped in to ur blog ^^ thanks for the caps, i haven’t watched it but i love it already *lol* it’s funny. and ur writing too =D thx!
btw, hotaru is a lot like me (or i’m a lot like hotaru =P) but without the beer ^^
LOL i can soo relate to Hotaru! cept i only drink cappichinos and coke to an extent i dont sleep at all..and working..school is hard enough
whose bothered to tie their hair up on the weekends..i keep it down with a headband.
LOL! OMG! My stomach hurted from the Kappa scene. And when she spat beer at his face.
C’monnnn! I want some Hotaru and manager dude romance! D:<
That other dude’s ugly and boring and I don’t like him.
an interesting review :D
i love this series, for all its comedy and romance worth.
imm in love with takano
I just finished watching the final episode. This is the first J series I watch and I think it’s set high standards for me, I’m afraid if I watch others I won’t like them as much, just because Hotaru no Hikari is so great :) I really didn’t want it to end.
oh my god this is the best drama i e ever seen before..but why theres no romance act between takano and hotaru.i wish for the secuel..
budizi harika yawwwww süper