[Discussion] Last Friends - Nagasawa Masami/Ueno Juri/Eita

pinkcandy · Post by **pinkcandy** » Mar 23rd, '08, 17:49

Ok. This one I definitely have to see, if only because I've really like Eita's work and I think he's got an awesome balance between strongly masculine and sweet/vulnerable in his approach to his characters -- I'm looking forward to seeing what he does here. Hopefully it's a role that'll really stretch his skills? Though it does sound somewhat like it's going to be another 'nice guy' roll. I mean, the 'gay' best friend is a pretty notorious staple in girl dramas all over the world.

Juri looks hot with that pixie-cut. But then again, I'm also a huge fan of the more boyishly androgynous looks for girls. She has just the right facial structure and energetic slim type figure to carry it. Sorta like an early era Faye Wong.

Though, she's a bit too fey/wispy in her style and mannerisms to really strike me as a convincing bull dyke as someone commented before. (Of course, my very Western concept of a bull dyke might be different from what they are like in Asia...)

I don't know that this will be the wonderfully transgressive work that joeboygo is hoping for, though. (and now I am as well, thanks. Expectations have been blown sky high due to your lovely analysis. AHha.) Jdramas tend to be sorta schizophrenic when they approach homosexual topics.

Hanakimi surprised me in the way the gay quotient would go up, and just to counter it, unnecessary pro-straight messages would spring up immediately afterwards. Of course, a more serious drama versus a comedic choujo manga adaptation are in completely separate categories and I probably shouldn't be comparing the two.

raven_frost · Post by **raven_frost** » Mar 25th, '08, 13:15

Scenes from the press conference today:

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Mar 25th, '08, 14:49

thanks for the presscon^^
hope there is download links fot the video soon

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:01

pics from the presscon

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:01

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:03

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:04

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:06

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:07

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:10

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:12

more pics hir : http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/graph/200803/25_5/
why was it there were no shots of Ryo?? tsk tsk tsk..

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:23

credits to schizoo14
reuploaded by me

^poor masami..

marspeach · Post by **marspeach** » Mar 25th, '08, 15:39

Wow, I didn't like Juri's hair at first but now I think it really suits her. Girl crush?

Actually, all the girls look really good. Unfortunately I don't like Eita's look but I don't mind I guess. I'm really looking forward to this show. I just hope I don't get my hopes up too much.

noop · Post by **noop** » Mar 25th, '08, 16:14

meoinkie2 wrote:more pics hir : http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/graph/200803/25_5/
why was it there were no shots of Ryo?? tsk tsk tsk..

something like that rule JE has about showing the face of their boys? something like you have to pay a seperate amount to use the pictures of the JE boys to promote the dorama/movies they're in, not like you already pay then=m to be in the movie and you can use their picture as much as you like.

i remember not seeing many of Kimura's picture in his latest movie.

still, this is press conference... that rule shouldnt apply

P.S. could the Juri-Masami relationship be something Yuri (lesb) ?

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 25th, '08, 17:10

noop wrote: something like that rule JE has about showing the face of their boys? something like you have to pay a seperate amount to use the pictures of the JE boys to promote the dorama/movies they're in, not like you already pay then=m to be in the movie and you can use their picture as much as you like.

i remember not seeing many of Kimura's picture in his latest movie.

still, this is press conference... that rule shouldnt apply

oh boy, that rule is such a kill-joy!!

rickt · Post by **rickt** » Mar 25th, '08, 17:29

lzydata wrote:
toma_sis wrote:I just found small pictures.. I hope I will get the larger saiz

Orange Days II?

more like Lemon Days I'd say..

interesting story line + favourite casts = most anticipated spring 2008 drama for me. I like how Ryo is graduated from his school boy dramas and more towards the adult role nowadays. Juri's hair is so boyish! she reminds me of Pink! Masami.. ah the cute little girl look that I love on her.. and Asami, she still looks gorgeous as always! Eita... I really want to wash and cut his hair!

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Mar 25th, '08, 17:36

thanks for the pic^^
just hope more Juri/Eita pic than Juri/Masami^^"

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Mar 25th, '08, 17:44

i luv Eita n his bizzare hairstyle^^
he look gud n cute in any crazy hairstyles he is in^^
he just have this weird fashion sense n hairstyle but im glad he is unique n different from other people which will make him more special
no matter what i would always support him<3
n i also luv Juri new hair...it really suit her well

silverflame · Post by **silverflame** » Mar 25th, '08, 18:39

new CM? 45 sec

raspberry · Post by **raspberry** » Mar 25th, '08, 19:02

yunizuka wrote:

Ueno Juri's new image/stlye is soooo different from Nodame's. I think she was a little bit tired of that hairstyle!

TabooxNightmare · Post by **TabooxNightmare** » Mar 25th, '08, 19:31

raspberry wrote:
yunizuka wrote:

Ueno Juri's new image/stlye is soooo different from Nodame's. I think she was a little bit tired of that hairstyle!

LOL! That's great!

And somehow I really like Ueno Juri like that. She looks much older, and I mean that in "very good"

Alecsa-chan · Post by **Alecsa-chan** » Mar 25th, '08, 19:55

raspberry:I actually thank you for putting up that scan from the Sailor Moon manga coz my friend said something yesterday that i didn't observe.

I suppose most of you know that Sailor Neptune(Michiru) and Sailor Uranus(Haruka) were involved in a love affair as they loved each other just too much. Even the name are similar: Michiru and Ruka (which could be from Haruka right?) And also Haruka from SM was a moto racer. Just as Ruka from Last Friends + they have like the same looks. While Ruka is the short haired girl, Michiru has a long beautifully curled hair (and again just like the characters of Sailor Moon).

And now this scan ! Maybe the writer is a SM fan?

i think there are just too many similarities. But that could happen though

raspberry · Post by **raspberry** » Mar 25th, '08, 21:29

Alecsa-chan wrote:raspberry:I actually thank you for putting up that scan from the Sailor Moon manga coz my friend said something yesterday that i didn't observe.

I suppose most of you know that Sailor Neptune(Michiru) and Sailor Uranus(Haruka) were involved in a love affair as they loved each other just too much. Even the name are similar: Michiru and Ruka (which could be from Haruka right?) And also Haruka from SM was a moto racer. Just as Ruka from Last Friends + they have like the same looks. While Ruka is the short haired girl, Michiru has a long beautifully curled hair (and again just like the characters of Sailor Moon).

And now this scan ! Maybe the writer is a SM fan? i think there are just too many similarities. But that could happen though

well, actually I didn't think so much of it, just the ribbons and the poses of the actors/actresses made me remeber of this SM pic and I wanted to share it with you. but as you mentioned these congruences ... it can be true!

by the way, I also like Juri's new hairstyle very much. and those boots are so cute on her!!!

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 26th, '08, 03:40

marspeach wrote:Wow, I didn't like Juri's hair at first but now I think it really suits her. Girl crush?

It just takes some getting used to, considering how beloved Nodame is...

junebug6272 · Post by **junebug6272** » Mar 26th, '08, 03:52

I'm a fan of the new hair as well, we're getting to see a different side of Ueno Juri. I remember watching herJounetsu Tairiku and thinking she is really a lot different than the nodame character. I really respect her as an actress because she gets into character so well even outside of the drama. Like when she was doing interviews for Nodame she had that same sort of ditzy cute character, but in the publicity that I've seen for Last Friends you get to see her tougher side..can't wait to see how she is in this new drama.

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 26th, '08, 04:07

junebug6272 wrote:I'm a fan of the new hair as well, we're getting to see a different side of Ueno Juri. I remember watching herJounetsu Tairiku and thinking she is really a lot different than the nodame character. I really respect her as an actress because she gets into character so well even outside of the drama. Like when she was doing interviews for Nodame she had that same sort of ditzy cute character, but in the publicity that I've seen for Last Friends you get to see her tougher side..can't wait to see how she is in this new drama.

Well said.

She's a chameleon when it comes to her roles...

And props to her for taking risks.

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 26th, '08, 04:32

zeiroc · Post by **zeiroc** » Mar 26th, '08, 05:05

Thanks for the pics since the video has been made private

Wow, I know that Juri may be one of those tiny and skinny Japanese gals, but is it me or does her arms look more cut/ripped than usual? That's hott! I personally think that it's awesome how the actors are really getting into character.

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 26th, '08, 05:06

Hmm, where have I seen those pics before.....?

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 26th, '08, 05:08

zeiroc wrote:Wow, I know that Juri may be one of those tiny and skinny Japanese gals, but is it me or does her arms look more cut/ripped than usual? That's hott! I personally think that it's awesome how the actors are really getting into character.

Ripped?

Nicely toned, maybe, but not ripped....

And she's not tiny: she's 5'-6"... Above average height for a Japanese woman, I'll bet.

zeiroc · Post by **zeiroc** » Mar 26th, '08, 05:23

LOL...yes that's what I meant...wish my arms were that toned :-/

alrighty then more reps and maybe an increase in lbs....

and dang...she's above average for Asian women...I'm only 5' 2"

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 26th, '08, 05:27

zeiroc wrote:LOL...yes that's what I meant...wish my arms were that toned :-/

alrighty then more reps and maybe an increase in lbs....

LOL.

Yeah, more reps gets you toned, more weight gives you more muscle.

and dang...she's above average for Asian women...I'm only 5' 2"

Heh.

Yeah, Juri-chan doesn't look that tall, but she is...

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 26th, '08, 09:33

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 26th, '08, 09:33

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Mar 26th, '08, 09:35

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 26th, '08, 13:35

Great pics!!

lzydata · Post by **lzydata** » Mar 31st, '08, 19:14

bmwracer wrote:Great pics!!

I second that! The cast looks very comfortable together, which should be important since this is at least partly a roommates drama. Just the fact that that sofa they used in the press conference is supposed to be the focal point of things makes me happy. It reminds me of shows like Long Vacation, Itsumo futari de... others?

But I must say, Nishikido Ryo is taking on a big risk with this role; talk about sacrificing for your art. First, as he said in the press conference, a Johnny like him isn't supposed to be doing things like beating up his girlfriend, and while he was doing that scene he already got called "saitei" by the female cast members. So all girls who watch this show will hate him for it. Second, all guys who watch this show will hate him for beating up Nagasawa Masami. It's like, sacrilege. People will protest in the streets, man.

...

In case anyone couldn't tell, I'm joking. But not completely

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Mar 31st, '08, 20:05

lzydata wrote:Second, all guys who watch this show will hate him for beating up Nagasawa Masami.

From appearances, if that guy thumps on Masami-chan, Juri-chan's gonna turn around and kick his ass as payback...

Unlikely, but that's worth the price of admission alone.

baby_bytes · Post by **baby_bytes** » Mar 31st, '08, 21:52

This is the first drama in like a 1 1/2 yrs that i'm actually looking forward to. For some reason I haven't been drawn to any drama's after HYD2 LOL I hope this drama turns out well.

TG3 · Post by **TG3** » Apr 1st, '08, 02:32

Outstanding cast, a proven writer, and a unique story. I have great expectations for this one. Okay, we know Masami is abused, Ueno is probably a lesbian, or at the very least bisexual. What's with Eita? It says he has past trauma. I'm betting it's sexual abuse (probably of the male on male variety).

There's a kind of melancholic vibe about this drama that I'm digging. Recent stuff has been too safe and cartoonish. This one looks like it's trying to go outside the box, which is a good thing.

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 04:32

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 04:33

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 04:34

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 12:17

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 12:19

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 12:25

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Apr 1st, '08, 13:25

Uh, how come you made the same post three times?

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Apr 1st, '08, 14:34

thanks for the pics^^
really hope someone could scans the hq pic of the Gyao magazine^^

paramaya · Post by **paramaya** » Apr 1st, '08, 14:43

wow, that nodame (ups, ueno) looks so kawai. I still can't watch though I want to.

Alecsa-chan · Post by **Alecsa-chan** » Apr 1st, '08, 15:29

wow Ryo and Masami are so into it! they look like an old couple lol

Ueno x Masami

Thank you for the scans!

Nomanymore · Post by **Nomanymore** » Apr 1st, '08, 16:51

I don't get why Ryo character could beat up such a girl like Masami ^^; wondering where he got that violence from, she's probably not the 1st ..

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 1st, '08, 17:19

bmwracer wrote:Uh, how come you made the same post three times?

i didn't know..must be during the times i was encountering some problems with my PC..i thought it wasn't yet posted so i just had to refresh and click again..

for the mods, kindly delete the other 2 posts!! thank you!!

Beecubed · Post by **Beecubed** » Apr 2nd, '08, 02:57

YYYAYAAHH
Wanna see this one so badly now.
Hadn't read about it beforehand, but WHAT a cast, and what a different vibe I'm getting from this.
Let's see how good this one will be...

mikey480 · Post by **mikey480** » Apr 2nd, '08, 09:00

Relly psyched for this one, it just has to be awesome! Like Beecubed said...WHAT a cast....

GoddessCarlie · Post by **GoddessCarlie** » Apr 2nd, '08, 11:01

I'm another one looking forward to this! It looks like a great cast and an interesting story line. I hope it doesn't dissapoint

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 2nd, '08, 13:55

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 2nd, '08, 13:56

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 2nd, '08, 13:57

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 2nd, '08, 13:58

GoddessCarlie · Post by **GoddessCarlie** » Apr 2nd, '08, 23:55

Thanks for the photos, Masami looks awesome with long hair.

tsurashi313 · Post by **tsurashi313** » Apr 3rd, '08, 00:20

They finally revamped the site! yay.

It's looks awesome.
http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/lastfriends/index.html

Ruisai7 · Post by **Ruisai7** » Apr 5th, '08, 08:15

Cool! Definitely looking forward to this, partly because of Uneno Juri!

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 6th, '08, 05:32

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 6th, '08, 05:43

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 6th, '08, 05:50

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 6th, '08, 05:51

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 6th, '08, 13:54

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 6th, '08, 14:03

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Apr 6th, '08, 14:11

thanks for the pics^^
is there no page of Eita and Juri together??
is there also hq scan of this cover??

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 7th, '08, 02:34

hmmm..i haven't seen any scans nor pics of juri and eita together yet..
which cover were you referring to?? the very last pic?? the recent images i posted were olready HQ..well that's how i perceive it..hehehe..

tsurashi313 · Post by **tsurashi313** » Apr 7th, '08, 02:52

Awesome new pics! Thank you so much meoinkie2 for sharing! So excited for the drama... just a few more days!

Sorry if it sounds anywhere near rude... DX but could you put the HQ scans under a spoiler cut next time?

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Apr 7th, '08, 03:01

no i mean the Gyao front cover which have the pic of three of them^^

GoddessCarlie · Post by **GoddessCarlie** » Apr 7th, '08, 03:53

Thank you for the images. I'm looking forward to this!

meoinkie2 · Post by **meoinkie2** » Apr 7th, '08, 07:20

Salz wrote:no i mean the Gyao front cover which have the pic of three of them^^

oh i see..

i haven't seen some HQ scans of it..id post them hir as soon as i find them..

untitledmelody · Post by **untitledmelody** » Apr 10th, '08, 14:19

Hello minna, I think I'm going to be a regular here on this thread...

I just watched the first episode via streaming on TVUplayer (Keyhole TV decided to go under network maintenance of all nights >.<).

It's... AMAZING. I really don't regret anticipating it these few weeks and promoting it so much on my LJ. It's already amazing without subs, and with my limited knowledge of Japanese. It's bound to be even better with subs. Why I say this is because the Masami-chan, Ju-chan and Ryo brought out their characters' emotions very well in the camera.

The first episode was... Sad. Painful (very). Thoughtful. And shocking. And I really mean the last one... The last scene was darn shocking, though I kinda expected it. xD Are we allowed to post spoilers here, with or w/o tags?

I can't wait for the subs to be out. *thumbs-up*

Asian DramaWiki Forum

[Discussion] Last Friends - Nagasawa Masami/Ueno Juri/Eita

Who is online