Japanese Drama - Glass Heart

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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Glass Heart is a 2025 Japanese drama based on the novel Glass Heart by Mio Wakagi.

The series was written by Mari Okada and Tomoko Akutsu, and directed by Kohtaro Goto and Kensaku Kakimoto.

The series was released on Netflix on July 31st, with 10 episodes.

Main Cast:

Takeru Satoh as Naoki Fujitani

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Yu Miyazaki as Akane Saijo

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Keita Machida as Sho Takaoka

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Jun Shison as Kazushi Sakamoto

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Supporting Cast:

Masaki Suda as Toya Shinzaki

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Reini as Mahiro Arisugawa

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Erika Karata as Miyako Kai

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Pistol Takehara as Genji Kamiyama

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Naohito Fujiki as Ichidai Isagi

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Akari Takaishi as Yukino Sakurai

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You as Momoko Saijo

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Miku Uehara as Eiko

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Hazuki Shimizu as Haruna Shinzaki

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Kokoro Morita as Toya Shinzaki's Fan

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As this is a drama based around a band, it's only fair that I share with you the amazing songs that feature in each episode.

Matrix - TENBLANK

Tokyo Shuffle

旋律と結晶 (Crystalline Echo) - TENBLANK

Tokyo Shuffle

約束のうた (Unbroken) - TENBLANK

Tokyo Shuffle

Lucky Me - TENBLANK

Tokyo Shuffle

シトラス (Citrus) - TENBLANK

치아

Play Out Loud - TENBLANK

하루가사집 [歌詞集]

Chasing Blurry Lines - TENBLANK

하루가사집 [歌詞集]

君とうたう歌 (A Song For Us To Sing) - TENBLANK (Feat. Yukino Sakurai)

하루가사집 [歌詞集]

永遠前夜 (Forever Eve) - TENBLANK

佐藤 健 / Satoh Takeru

Glass Heart - TENBLANK

佐藤 健 / Satoh Takeru

Akane Saijo is a university student  and plays the drums in a band. Suddenly she gets unfairly kicked out of the band.

Genius musician Naoki Fujitani becomes aware of Akane Saijo and asks her to join his new band TENBLANK.

The band members in his band includes guitarist Sho Takaoka and pianist Kazushi Sakamoto.

Meanwhile, there is a rival band that vocalist Toya Shinzaki belongs to.

Netflix Philippines

Seeing 2 of the names for this drama, and reading the info, and seeing the trailer. I knew that it was a drama I wanted to get my teeth into. I knew it would be a drama that interested me and I wasn't wrong. I absolutely love this drama, it's definitely one of my favourite Japanese dramas, as well as overall drama.

The casting is amazing, they all were amazing in their roles, the story and plot is really good and really well told.

I love that even though this drama is a romance drama it focuses more on the band and the music, which for me gives a more developed love story as we see the relationship grow.

For me TENBLANK is up there with my favourite fictional groups with Given, the music is amazing and knowing that they all played their instruments, made this drama so much more breathtaking and enjoyable.

I absolutely loved Takeru Satoh as Naoki Fujitani. I've only ever watched him play Kenshin in the Rurouni Kenshin live-action films, and I feel like this role put him on a whole other level for me. He was amazing in his role and I love the fact that he sung all the songs too. I wasn't aware that he was able to sing. His character is a perfectionist and wants things to go his way, and when it doesn't, he doesn't stop, until he's got that 100% perfection.

I really liked Yu Miyazaki as Akane Saijo. she brought a naivety to the drama and her character, she really made her believable. I love that when she first gets rejected she dye's her hair a different colour, which probably every woman does when they're moving on from a heartbreak etc. I love that even though her character seems naive, she's still strong and independant and keeps fighting for what she wants no matter what or who tries to bring her down.

I loved Keita Machida as Sho Takaoka. I've seen him in a few things including Alice in Borderland and the High & Low film series. I think this role is definitely my favourite so far. There were times that I made some BL jokes between Sho and Naoki, but you could see how close they were and how much they valued their friendship and their talents. I think Sho was someone in the band that anyone could turn to for help an guidance, even when it all seemed to be breaking down.

I really liked Jun Shison as Kazushi Sakamoto, this is my first drama of his and I have to say, what better drama to start with. He really give me 2nd male lead syndrome. He's a character that knows he's talented but wanted to be the best of the best, you could also tell that he wanted Naoki's approval.

Masaki Suda was amazing as Toya Shinzaki. He's the typical rival and is just as talented as Naoki, but has had to work harder to get to where he is. He comes across as someone who is cold and will get what they want, any way that they want, but we see that he has a warmer and softer side to him.

Reini was really good as Mahiro Arisugawa. While we don't really get much from him, we can see that he really respects Toya. It made me think at times that he had deeper feelings towards him, but I think it's more that he has respect from his as a musician, as well as a friend.

I really liked Erika Karata as Miyako Kai, for me her character was definitely unpredictable. There were definitely times that I felt for her, but it was nice to see her character development towards the end.

I liked Pistol Takehara as Genji Kamiyama, I really liked him as TENBLANK's new manager, as he was the total opposite to Kai. In that he kept them grounded and together, he helped each one of them.

Naohito Fujiki was really good as Ichidai Isagi. He's your typical bad guy. He's in power and will do anything and everything to keep himself at the top and in power. He uses his power to keep his artists with him, and to try and bring Naoki back on his side. Be prepared for no character development, his character is one that never changes and you can tell he has no desire to change who he is.

I loved Akari Takaishi as Yukino Sakurai. I went into this drama thinking she was the love rival and would do anything to make Naoki hers. We see some real character development with her and we see that her relationships change. Hers and Akane's relationship really screams woman protecting woman, rather than them bringing each other down.

I don't think I will ever stop recommending this drama, I've been constantly listening to the bands music, and I'm insanely jealous of Japan getting fanmeet's with them, as well as them performing with One Ok Rock, who I see in October. I think that shows how amazing this drama is.

I won't get over how amazing the cast is and how well they worked together to bring this story to life. It's definitely made me want to read the novel and get more in to the series.

Have you watched Glass Heart?

Were you a fan of the cast?

Did you enjoy the plot?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

Drama's Watched in 2024

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こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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As you can see from the above picture, I didn't watch many drama's. In fact I only completed 3 that I'd not already watched before. When it came to both drama's and reading books, I juust wasn't feeling it.

So here are the 3 drama's I watched in 2024.

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First we have Happiness.

Happiness is a 2021, South Korean apocalyptic thriller drama. The series was written Han Sang-woon, and directed by Ahn Gil-ho.

It aired via tvN between November 5h and November 11th 2021, it contains 12 episodes and is available to stream on Netflix.

The series stars Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik and Jo Woo-jin.

I absolutely loved this drama, it didn't take me long to complete. This had been on my to watch list since it was originally released but didn't get to watch it till it came onto Netflix. I'm a sucker for zombie shows and films, especially Korean.

I loved the casting and it definitely had me on the edge of my seat.

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Next we have Love Is A Cat.

Love Is Like A Cat is a 2024, South Korean and Thai collaboration BL drama. The series was written by Kim Ki-suk and directed by Kwon Nam-ki.

It aired between April 1, 2024 and 6th May 2024, it contains 12 episodes.

The series stars Mew Suppasit Jongcheveevat as Piuno, Chu Siwoo (previously known as Jimin/JM, Lee Geonu and Kim Kyoung-seok.

I enjoyed this drama, it's a typical short and sweet series. I didn't think it felt rushed and seemed to pace really well. I loved that to be able to keep both Korean and Thai in the drama the characters were using earpieces that translated meaning they could communicate without it being odd.

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Lastly we have The Untamed

The Untamed is a 2019, Chinese drama. The series was written by Yang Xia, Deng Yaoyu, Ma Jing and Guo Guangyun. It was directed by Zheng Weiwen and Chen Jialin.

The series is based on the Danmei novel Mo Dao Zu Shi aka Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang TongXiu.

The series aired via Tencent Video and aired between June 27th and August 20th 2019. It contains 50 episodes.

The series stars Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo.

While it may have taken me a while to actually watch this drama, I enjoyed it from start to finish. The casting was perfection, the sets, cinematography, clothing was absolutely stunning. Even the music was stunning. It's definitely a favourite of mine.

So there we have it, they were the 3 dramas I watched in 2024. I'm definitely making sure I get stuck into more dramas in 2025, I've already nearly finished my first drama for 2025.

What dramas did you watch in 2024?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

Japanese Drama - Alice in Borderland 2

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안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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Alice in Borderland is a Japanese science fiction suspense thriller drama series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso.

The series is written by Yasuko Kuramitsu and Shinsuke Sato, with Shinsuke Sato also directing.

Season 2 was released on Netflix on the 22nd of December 2022 and like season 1 has 8 episodes.

Main Cast:

Kento Yamazaki as Ryohei Arisu

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Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi

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Nijiro Murakami as Shuntaro Chishiya

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Aya Asahina as Hikari Kuina

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Ayaka Miyoshi as An Rizuna

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Dori Sakurada as Suguru Niragi

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Recurring Cast:

Yuki Morinaga as Chota Segawa

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Keita Machida as Daikichi Karube

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Sho Aoyagi as Morizono Aguni

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Nobuaki  Kaneko as Takeru Danma aka Hatter

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Riisa Naka as Mira Kano

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Yutaro Watanabe as Kodai Tatta

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Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryu

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Tomohisa Yamashita as Ginji Kyuma

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Ryohei Shima as Sogo Shitara

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Alisa Urahama as Uta Kisaragi

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Eishin as Takumi Maki

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Eita Okuno as Goken Kanzaki

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Yuri Tsunematsu as Akane Heiya

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Hayato Isomura as Sunato Banda

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Maiguma Katsuya as Oki Yaba

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Kai Inowaki as Enji Matsushita

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Yusaku Mori as Ippei Oki

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Honami Sato as Kotoko Shiga

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Ayumi Tonida as Isao Shirabi

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Chihiro Yamamoto as Risa

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Aina Yamada as Urumi Akamaki

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Jun Hashimoto as Benzo Yashige

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Aimi Satsukawa as Hinako Daimon

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Filming for season 2 wrapped up in March 2022.

Stage 2 of the games begin, this time for the face cards.

Will Arisu find the answers to his questions or will it be game over for the players.

Netflix

It's safe to say as soon as season 2 was released, both myself and Skye binge watched it and since completing it we've watched season 2 a few times as well as both seasons.

Like season 1 from the very first episode, we were both hooked. Never did I ever think I would be sad and feel for characters I should have disliked, something I think the series plays on, is the will of the players wanting to survive.

In season 2 we get to see how the characters grow even more as they come to terms with the next stage of the game, as well as meeting some new players and also getting to meet the face cards. We get to see how Arisu has an impact on others, and helps to change their mindsets, and even the way they play the games.

Yet again Kento Yamazaki does an amazing job as Arisu, I don't think anyone else could have played the role as good as him. He really takes you on Arisu's journey along with him. I love that his friends Karube and Chota still hold a place in his heart and he seems to think of them when he's struggling. They are his home, they really ground him when he struggles to fight.

Tao Tsuchiya again does an amazing job as Usagi, we get to see more into Usagi's past and how she really feels about playing in Borderland. We get to delve into her more emotionally and see a more defeated Usagi in that she doesn't see what there is for her if she wins and returns to their world. We also get to see Arisu and Usagi become closer, their feelings growing more for one another.

Nijiro Murakami knocked it out of the park this season as Chishiya, we finally get to see Chishiya's past and one of the turning points that made him the cold and calculating person we met in season 1. He sees that money beats out anything, that he gives up and seemingly closes his heart off. Which in turn we see because of that he doesn't like who has become and doesn't seemingly care whether his lives or dies.

Aya Asahina again was amazing as Kuina, we got her back story in season 1, so seeing her go out on her own to play games, shows how strong of a character she has become, as well as how she's confident in who she is. I definitely think she's badass this season.

Ayaka Miyoshi shows us more as Ann as she goes out on her own to find the truth to what and where Borderland is, which plays into her past even more, that we find out briefly in season 1.

I don't think I'll ever get over Dori Sakurada as Niragi, for me this role is the icing on the cake for his career, while he's creeped me out many times as Niragi, he still blows me away how he brings the role to life to effortlessly. We get to finally see a somewhat softer side as he teams up with Arisu, feeling accepted into a team, which quickly changes. We get to see him feeling defeated as it seems that he's ready to take everyone out with him that he feels thinks they're better than him, and how no matter what he does he won't be accepted.

We get to see Sho Aoyagi return as Aguni. In season 1 he's seen as a strong and scary character, but in season 2 we get to see the fallout of killing his best friend, with whom he created The Beach. He's still as strong as ever and forms a close bond with the characters old and new.

This season Riisa Naka as Mira was definitely a favourite, even though we don't see her till towards the end, she was amazing, she blew me away. Even I fell for her manipulations in the final episodes.

We get to see more of Yutaro Watanabe as Kodai Tatta, who we meet briefly in season 1, he was definitely one of my favourites, to which when we watched season 2, I had to ask why it was always episode 3. We get more of his background and see how he's never felt accepted or helpful. We see him grow and become more adamant to make sure the friends his gained in Borderland survive and beat the game.

Tomohisa Yamashita as Ginji Kyuma is definitely one of my favourite characters in season 2, I laughed way too much during his episodes, especially when the camera panned out to show that he's nude. Reading more into the character I now know he's a nudist, so I'm glad they kept true to the manga for his character. For me he's like Arisu, he'd do anything for his friends and he survives for his friends. This one of the times I wished there was a different outcome, it also shows that not everyone in these games are bad guys.

We see the return of Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryu and without giving too much away, he's one of the reasons why Chishiya starts wanting to fight and live differently. When I look and think about it Chishiya and Kuzuryu are very similar in that they have jobs where money takes priority, making them both become cold and calculated. Both Kuzuryu and Chishiya have a profound affect on one another which creates the outcome to both of their stories.

We me Yuri Tsunematsu as Akane Heiya, a new character and player, in which we see how her character changes before and during the games. She also has a fondness for Aguni who she's been travelling with, since he found her.

I feel that I need to mention Yusaku Mori as Ippei Oki because I really rooted for his character, especially when he teamed up with Chishiya. But he's too pure hearted and it shows he's never had to play a heart game.

A role and game was created for season 2 and it went to Chihiro Yamamoto as Risa, she was definitely worthy of the title Queen. She was badass and I loved seeing her go up against Usagi.

Out of all the face cards Ayumi Tonida as Isao Shirabi was the only one that creeped me out and was the only one I was happy to see the outcome of. He was really eerie when we first met him and for me the most terrifying as he seemed unstoppable. But his fight scenes were some of my favourite, even when they literally pulled the rug from under your feet.

I loved how season 2 ended, for me it was enough closure to not warrant a 3rd season, but I am lowkey happy that Netflix have confirmed the 3rd season and that both Kento and Tao will be returning and reprising their roles as Arisu and Usagi, all that remains is if Netflix are going to move away from the manga and create a whole new story, or follow the manga when it comes to the joker card. I'm curious to see how season 3 will go but whether I'll love it as much as season 1 and 2 is something I'll have to wait and find out.

Alice in Borderland is such an amazing show that when we completed season 2, I started buying the manga to see how the characters and plot differs between the two. It's definitely one of my favourite Japanese dramas. And if you haven't delved into that world yet, I highly recommend it. Just be prepared for the rollercoaster of a journey you'll be taken on.

Have you watched Alice in Borderland 2?

Were you a fan of the cast?

Were you a fan of the plot and script?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye