I've moved and started a new job and so I have less time than I would like to watch doramas. I knew that I missed out on 2 seasons and so had to quickly get back into the game.
It was not hard for me to choose Last Friends - a gay/lesbian themed drama. I had not seen any doramas that seriously addressed this issue (women dressing up like men to go to an all boys' school or the silly fan boys that are a staple in every comedy don't count).
--- A pleasant surprise. As with most doramas I switch back and forth between shows as I get bored of most doramas after episode 7 or so. Watching something else and then coming back to it is a way to pique my interest again. While watching LF - I watched the first Nodame Cantabile special. And as with Bambino! I was smiled to see that the LF cast had many of the same faces as the NC cast. Nodame = Ruka, Mine = Takeru, and Kiyora=Eri. And like in NC the last 2 are supporting characters (in fact I don't think I've seen a drama with Asami Mizukawa in a leading role)--
Last Friends did not disappoint. While the gay/lesbian theme was the supporting story, a look into domestic violence as it effects non-married 20-somethings was quite interesting too. I will admit I thought that some of the scenes between Michiru and Sousuke were a bit crazy. For example when he is kicking her in the ribcage as she's lying on the floor -- and she doesn't see this as abuse! :-0. But, overall I think the psychology behind why a person stays with a partner who is physically abusive was very believable.
It was also interesting to see them tackle gender identity 'disorder'. I don't believe there has been a mainstream American tv show that has portrayed a transgendered person at all. Just another moment when my stereotype about Japanese culture being much more conservative than American culture has been shattered. It was a bit disappointing that Ruka did not go through with the operation during the show, but I think that the point was made well.
What was also disappointing was how neatly they tied everything up at the end. *SPOILER ALERT*
The main villain commits suicide, the on again off again lovers get married, and the three friends (one mother, one gay, one transgendered) live happily ever after in a house built for 4. Too happy of an ending for me. But all in all definitely a good watch. Will add pictures and character summaries later.
