Since there's no thread yet for this drama, here's one to discuss and pour out your thoughts!
Title: IS~男でも女でもない性~
Title (romaji): IS ~Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei~
Genre: Drama
Broadcast network: TV Tokyo
Broadcast period: 2011-July-18 start
Air time: Monday 22:00
SUMMARY
“IS” stands for “intersexual,” a term referring to people who cannot clearly be classified as male or female, and who may biologically possess characteristics of both sexes. Rokuhana’s manga primarily deals with the troubles faced by the young Hoshino Haru (played by Fukuda), an intersexual who was registered as a girl at birth but has been raised as a boy.
Goriki plays Aihara Miwako, a mysterious classmate who tries to get close to Haru. Inoue Masahiro has been cast as Ibuki Kenji, a member of the soccer club whom Haru begins having feelings for. Nishida Naomi and Minami Kaho play Miwako’s and Haru’s mothers, respectively. - Tokyograph
My thoughts:
It is based on the manga by Chiyo Rokuhana, still ongoing actually so if you're curious on the original manga version, you can check it out. I'd say it's worth reading if you want to understand more about the characters and storyline and maybe compare with the live-action. As for me, I didn't know the existence of the manga till the drama promotion few months ago, so I read it up and it's really engaging!
Well here's the link to read the manga online if you want but the main character, Haru Hoshino only appears from Volume 2 onwards. http://manga.animea.net/aiesu-chapter-13-page-1.html
After watching the first episode
First episode was similar to the manga (cept Haru-drama only has a little sister but in the manga he has several siblings).I read the manga few months back so I may be wrong, but basically it follows the manga where it has this flashback to the parents, so we don't see much of Haru yet, cept for several scenes with Miwako. But nevertheless, I feel that the first episode is very important in order to explain to viewers what exactly is IS (intersexual). I think many people do misunderstand that it's equivalent to Gender Identity Disorder or even Transgender. So it's crucial they make it clear from the beginning that they're different.
Well, about having Fukuda and Gouriki as both Haru and Miwako...initially I thought it'd be much better if Gouriki was cast as Haru instead of Fukuda. The hairstyle they chose for Haru is a bit..well yeah it's short, but I just thought they'd have cut it even shorter, like what Gouriki had in her previous dramas.
I did a comparison of Fukuda's Haru with the manga Haru
But Gouriki's Miwako's hairstyle with the manga version is pretty similar.
I'll give them the benefit of doubt, I shouldn't rant too much about the hairstyle and focus more on the storyline. So far, I think both Fukuda and Miwako are doing alright. Miwako still has limited screen time in the first episode, but she managed to give this mysterious air already. As for Haru, I like the tiny details of body languages, like how he sits with his legs wide open and then slowly corrects it and also the languages. First episode is great! So I hope the next ones will be even better or at least maintain.
So anybody else watching this drama?
EDIT
Opening theme song (Souiro Coordinate) by Kusuo thanks to r1ck for the information. Souiro Coordinate
I'm watching
and it is just perfect!!! I love it so far very close to the manga indeed
Intersexual is a subject that has to be discussed even through a drama
and Haru's parents have to be the example for ALL parents (not just parents with IS kids)
EDIT
Opening theme song (Souiro Coordinate) by Kusuo thanks to r1ck for the information.
Souiro Coordinate
I am in love with this song
the drama is really exciting fukuda and Gouriki are perfect Haru and Miwako. I liked their encounter, although it seemed a coincident but i think it's not.
Miwako's rule wasn't that big in the manga, I think they will give her bigger rule in Haru's life.
There is sth bothering me though . Haru's parents , I hoped they would be younger like the manga, they were young parents. I don't wanna judge from the ep1 so I'll wait
Can't wait to see Lion , he seemed really cute in the preview.
EDIT
Opening theme song (Souiro Coordinate) by Kusuo thanks to r1ck for the information.
Souiro Coordinate
I am in love with this song
the drama is really exciting fukuda and Gouriki are perfect Haru and Miwako. I liked their encounter, although it seemed a coincident but i think it's not.
Miwako's rule wasn't that big in the manga, I think they will give her bigger rule in Haru's life.
There is sth bothering me though . Haru's parents , I hoped they would be younger like the manga, they were young parents. I don't wanna judge from the ep1 so I'll wait
Can't wait to see Lion , he seemed really cute in the preview.
omg ur right! Leon is super cute in ep 2~~ I like him so much better than Kenji! I mean, he was like the only one, atm, who shares Haru's personal secret since childhood and he's such a great buddy! I really like the way they communicate with each other. Can see that Haru's really comfy around him.
about ep 2
Watched without subs, so there are some parts I can't really get...what's with Miwako's father and the phone call? I couldn't get his convo and he looks suspicious. And LOL at all of Haru's class experiences! The part where he acts cute just to get along with the new three classmates PRICELESS!
Forgive me but I just have to share these, they're so cute!
It's great to see Haru having such a great friend who understands her so well and doesn't mind her condition. LEON ROCKS!~
Miwa, on the other hand, definitely has serious issues. On the outside,she may look happy-go-lucky with lovely parents, but she has another dark side. She's hungry for someone's attention and love, which is why she's clinging so badly on Haru, imo. The next episode looks pretty tragic.
Anyways, I now take back my doubt of seeing Fukuda Saki in Haru's character. After episode 2, I really think she's perfect for the role. She's portraying the character pretty well so far. Keep up the good work, Saki-chan!
Last edited by avieamber on Aug 18th, '11, 03:51, edited 1 time in total.
unguanime wrote:@avieamber: Thanks for the song! Love it!
Has anybody watched ep3? I didn't see that coming!
That Miwa is an intersexual too....
I started to guess towards that direction since the middle of the third episode.
I haven't read the manga. Please no spoilers. ^^
no surprise here for me, since it follow the manga a lot
What I like is the way both Haru and Miwako are portrayed very true to the chara's from the manga
unguanime wrote:@avieamber: Thanks for the song! Love it!
Has anybody watched ep3? I didn't see that coming!
That Miwa is an intersexual too....
I started to guess towards that direction since the middle of the third episode.
I haven't read the manga. Please no spoilers. ^^
You're welcome
About Miwa, it won't be a surprise anymore if you've read the manga
And @ SeraEris
Same here! But there's something bothering me with the side story of Kenji and Miwa's father. Was that in the manga? I have to re-read the manga Anyways, I just never thought they'd be this fast into Miwa's story because in the manga, it was quite long before her connection with Haru, at least that's what I recalled. Either way, ep3 was great! The episodes seem to be getting better than the last. I hope they keep this up.
@avieamber & @SeraEris:
Thanks for not putting up spoilers
avieamber wrote:
NEED MORE LEON scenes PLEASE!!!
THIS.
I like Leon~ So far I like him better than Kenji. But of course, Leon is the best friend. Kenji's role is different so I guess they can't be compared to each other.
About the acting, Inoue Masahiro seems a bit off to me, but I'm not complaining ^^
Fukuda Saki and Gouriki Ayame are awesome. Love Fukuda Saki more and more.
I'm currently watching Kingyo Club too (in which Irie Jingi stars) so it's refreshing to see Irie plays two different roles He's pretty good.
Miwako's mother successfully creeps me out. LOL.
Kenji's story is yet to be unfold fully but it seems to be exactly like the manga, about Miwako's father hmm I don't know I haven't read the whole manga yet so I do not know his background story and as far as I am in the manga he doesn't appear much.
As for Miwako, in the manga she is a big chara in Haru's life so I believe the brought her into the story so fast because they wanted to focus on that part the most
This drama is really good, I haven't watched a drama in years but this one has started off excellently. I hope it keeps it up all the way to the end. This and Ouran. jdramas seems to be looking up!
Episode 3 spoilers
What a cliffhanger, I'm shocked that there is another IS but I also don't how how I didn't see it. There were so many hints, I want to hit myself.
Almost everyone seems to have their own secret in this drama too. The only one I really cared about was Miwa, she, including her family was a strange one. The contrast between her family and Haru's family attitude towards IS is staggering. I hope we get some Miwa/Haru & her family time.
I'm really looking forward to what's next, I don't read the manga but I am itching to pick it up after episode 3.
I always want to mention that the actress who plays Miwa is the cutest thing ever. How have I not seen her in a drama before.
Rori wrote:This drama is really good, I haven't watched a drama in years but this one has started off excellently. I hope it keeps it up all the way to the end. This and Ouran. jdramas seems to be looking up!
Episode 3 spoilers
What a cliffhanger, I'm shocked that there is another IS but I also don't how how I didn't see it. There were so many hints, I want to hit myself.
Almost everyone seems to have their own secret in this drama too. The only one I really cared about was Miwa, she, including her family was a strange one. The contrast between her family and Haru's family attitude towards IS is staggering. I hope we get some Miwa/Haru & her family time.
I'm really looking forward to what's next, I don't read the manga but I am itching to pick it up after episode 3.
I always want to mention that the actress who plays Miwa is the cutest thing ever. How have I not seen her in a drama before.
^ I'd highly recommend you to read the manga, it's really good! More depth than in the drama, but I have to say, I'm very satisfied with their performance so far, the story's like what SeraEris mentioned, follows the manga closely with several subtle additions of course. Btw, the actress playing Miwa is Gouriki Ayame, and she's been in several dramas before this, but I only know her from the recent Taisetsu na Koto (Miura Haruma, Toda Erika) and also Asuko March. I like her a lot in Taisetsu though, she's chirpy in there
I'm sure there'll be more Haru/Miwa scenes (as in manga) but this is the kind of drama that I just anticipate every week to catch what's going to happen next. Even though I've read the manga, I'm still curious of how they're gonna execute it live-action and also maybe add few changes here and there. It's showing tonight!
@SeraEris - Yea, the dad didn't appear much anyway in the manga, so I'm curious what is his story in the drama version. And I just recalled Kenji's story when I browsed through the manga. Here's to more Haru/Miwa and Haru/Kenji scenes!
This drama is really intriguing. First episode was a little draggy, but once they got through the character intro. etc, it became interesting.
I have one question though-
I watched it without subs so it was a little unclear to me, but did Miwa know that she herself was an inter-sexual all this time? Or did she just find out in episode 3?
LaLaLaDRAMA wrote:This drama is really intriguing. First episode was a little draggy, but once they got through the character intro. etc, it became interesting.
I have one question though-
I watched it without subs so it was a little unclear to me, but did Miwa know that she herself was an inter-sexual all this time? Or did she just find out in episode 3?
i browsed thru the manga and... correct me if I'm wrong, for those of you who still remember the manga. so to answer ur question:
Actually in the manga, Haru and Miwa are from different schools and they didn't meet at the school like in 1st episode of drama. They actually met at this IS club where Haru's doctor introduced him to go. So, in fact, Miwa knew all along about her condition since she's a member there. I think it's the same in the drama, she knew she's IS. Which is why I think she was really happy having to meet another IS like Haru. It's only that they revealed her true condition at home with her mother/family in ep3. I hope this helps!
I may be wrong though, so I'd really appreciate if anybody else recall otherwise about the manga.
Last edited by avieamber on Aug 18th, '11, 03:52, edited 1 time in total.
Actually in the manga, Haru and Miwa are from different schools and they didn't meet at the school like in 1st episode of drama. They actually met at this IS club where Haru's doctor introduced her to go. So, in fact, Miwa knew all along about her condition since she's a member there. I think it's the same in the drama, she knew she's IS. Which is why I think she was really happy having to meet another IS like Haru. It's only that they revealed her true condition at home with her mother/family in ep3. I hope this helps!
I may be wrong though, so I'd really appreciate if anybody else recall otherwise about the manga.
the scene at the bar/club, the part where the owner began to unbutton Miwako's dress...wow I feel her pain! That scene was well done Also, a lot of internal conflicts for Haru this episode, i really need subs for this one.
For those who've watched it, anybody else think that Miwako's mother was over the line for asking Haru's mother to transfer Haru to other school? (I hope I was right about the convo btw the two mums). Why should Haru change school just because they couldn't accept their own daughter's real identity? I really feel sorry for Miwako having such parents.
Another scene I really adore was the part where Leon meets Miwako. That was super hilarious to see him go all gaga over her! And at one corner Haru looks so uncomfortable with her presence. Another highlight for me was when Haru held Leon's hands just to check whether she'll have any feelings for him or not. Yay for including that scene from the manga.
Another great episode. Finally Leon has more screentime!!!
Can I just say how uncomfortable it is that a lot of people in this post are calling Haru "she" and "her"? Haru thinks of himself as male, and if you look closely at the translation, the translator is going out of their way to use "he" when someone who understands him is talking, and "she" when someone who doesn't is talking. Like Mrs. Aihara, and Haru's schoolteachers and classmates.
Transfinite wrote:Can I just say how uncomfortable it is that a lot of people in this post are calling Haru "she" and "her"? Haru thinks of himself as male, and if you look closely at the translation, the translator is going out of their way to use "he" when someone who understands him is talking, and "she" when someone who doesn't is talking. Like Mrs. Aihara, and Haru's schoolteachers and classmates.
You don't want to be like Naoko Aihara, do you?
interesting view and I would agree with it if Haru was ready to accept a gender.
I think for many people is tricky that the actor is female, also the fact that Haru's parents registered Haru as a girl and even there was a surgery when Haru was a baby to remove testicles, also Haru's body changes to more female, the most proper addressing is "they" because Haru is not certain of the gender as of yet, at least manga wise.
remember that Haru is Intersexual and they don't have a gender identity disorder (though Haru is quite skeptical etc) Haru identifies as IS even though they say "I'm a man" etc
I don't think I make sense...
"I am a man" is enough of a self-identification though... I know that intersex isn't the same as transgender, but in both situations it's considered only polite to accept a person's self-identification as valid. The only reason he's questioning himself is because he's fallen in love with another boy.
Transfinite wrote:Can I just say how uncomfortable it is that a lot of people in this post are calling Haru "she" and "her"? Haru thinks of himself as male, and if you look closely at the translation, the translator is going out of their way to use "he" when someone who understands him is talking, and "she" when someone who doesn't is talking. Like Mrs. Aihara, and Haru's schoolteachers and classmates.
You don't want to be like Naoko Aihara, do you?
I knew this kind of discussion will appear sooner or later I know when it comes to respecting the person's desire or his/her self-identification, we should follow the gender the person wishes to be. As in Haru's case, it's a he. I used 'she' in my bloggie although initially I used he/she (coz since Haru's an IS), then i thought it is kinda hard to type both, so I changed to she. But I don't have any preference towards Haru's gender. Come to think of it, maybe I should just change it to a 'he'. This is so as not to offend anyone.
And about
Haru's feelings towards Ibuki senpai, I was thinking if 'gay' exists in their dictionary? I mean...not that I'm saying Haru's gay but he just might be since he identifies as a male all this while. But frankly, I do hope Haru remains an IS. I don't see it as an imperfection, I think IS people are kinda special. While everybody else is either male or female, they get to be both. I hope this doesn't offend anyone.
Thanks for understanding. I think this is a very delicate and important subject for a lot of IS's fans.
On a less peevy note... Does anyone know where to find the lyrics to the opening and ending? It's fine if they're in raw Japanese. It's just hard to understand them by ear.
Transfinite wrote: On a less peevy note... Does anyone know where to find the lyrics to the opening and ending? It's fine if they're in raw Japanese. It's just hard to understand them by ear.
Doesn't it fall on the child to decide which gender/sex they will become... intersex or not.
Stop choosing for those children, they can choose for themselves when the time comes...
We are actually who we are... Not who society want us to become!!
Life is rarely black or white... there is always an "uncomfortable" grey zone for almost everything!! Though we like to close our eyes to it... makes life simpler, or is it!?
Oooh, it's been taken from a manga.... let's check this out.
the story getting better.
acting most of cast are excellent.
in ep06 when reon appear i got laugh and my heart feel sad about miwa and haru at same time.
hi there! How's everyone doing? Still watching IS, I hope
Because it's really great now towards the end. Just watched ep9 and truly awesome.
I really feel so happy and cheer for Miwa when she finally finds her will and strength. The chopping off her hair scene was really well done, and not forgetting the part where she confessed to Leon about her being IS. I wanna hug Leon watching his face like that when he hears it. Aww...but I'm sure he has no problem with Miwa being IS. I think he'll accept her like how he accepts Haru since childhood. But it really make me wonder how the show will end.
Will Haru-Kenji and Miwa-Leon happen? Or they stay as good friends? I didn't finish the manga so I don't know how it'll unfold. But anyways, I hope there'll be 2 more episodes cause I can't get enough of Leon hehehe.
Btw, Haru's fighting scene---> if only Manami is around lolz she'd have her minions to take care of those guys.
ep09 is great.
I can't judge someone doing wrong here
like miwa's mother hope her child be happy
and Haru doesn' want to lie but end up getting squueze out.
Only one more episode
I hope there are more episode with epic story.
Can't really believe it's already over. I recall waiting for monday to come every week.
Well I like the ending, very predictable but it's definitely the best ending/outcome for the story.
The scene between Haru and Miwa's father is quite heart-warming, and how Miwa's family get back together again, that hug was nice! And great to see Haru finally wearing boy's uniform lolz...can't believe we actually have to wait till the last 1 minute of the show to see that haha...but the acceptance of the school and friends is definitely the best thing that could happen to him and Miwa. LeonxMiwa so sweet! Haru x Kenji is left open ended though, but at least there's a hint.
Overall, so glad they made a live-action of this manga, the casts are great especially Fukuda Saki and Gouriki ~
So what do you guys think about the finale? Satisfied? or left wanting more?
Of course such an über happy end isn't very realistic, but it felt soooo good
Wayz any, I'm quite content with the liberal message : ) It didn't feel too moralistic either... My prediction is that Haru will return to dressing as a girl shortly though. she'll never be the same ; )
Last edited by antspace on Sep 26th, '11, 19:36, edited 1 time in total.
The ending was easy... and let's say that the students were really easy on Haru...
However, it is a satisfying ending... that was pretty much the only way I could see the show ending.
The other way would have been a knife in the back... and I rather like acceptance and tolerance.
And as I said we are all who we are, and we should all have the leeway to decide who we want to become... Acceptance should always be there, and society should never hinder... but hey, that's rarely the case, is it!? Those who had fingers pointed at them will understand what I mean.
I think the ending was decent.. to me, the only unrealistic part was
The mother of Miwa suddenly becoming reasonable... Seriously, she needs to psychological help. I think there's a difference between Haru's mom trying to kill them both and Miwa-mama trying to kill her daughter years after. Yeah I think that was too neatly patched up.
I already saw Reon and Miwa becoming a couple.. it goes with the "No one will accept us because we're IS.. we won't find love, Haru." thing that Miwa kept saying over and over again.. it was kidna obvious at the end she would be with that person who accepts her so... that's logical in terms of how dramas work out and the foreshadow it gave. I think also with Hoshino's meeting his mom & sister moment was kinda predictable too (or at least getting into some contact with them) since we knew from toward the start of the show he had this big secret and something heavy on his shoulder. They revealed what it was but I doubt they would really just leave it like that though do wish they kinda showed the reunion of the 3 ;_;
The big baking cake thingy... well.. it looks too perfect and happy-like but... again it's not surprising since the opening always shows the families interacting happily and doing happy things together so... yeah it's not too outta place but I think it is with Naoko being there and Hoshino not ^^;
I don't think they did bad with the open-endedness of Haru and Hoshino's relationship (be it friendship or more than that) It was an interesting choice to not show Hoshino at the very end.
My only issue.. it's not the drama's fault but it's kinda reoccurring with dramas in general... why don't they wanna educate students in stuff like this anyway ;_;? I'm not sure if it's only just an exaggeration or a culture difference but yeah... instead of thinking it's the 'different' person who needs to conform to society and hide who they are... why can't they just educate students that out there in the world.. even in their own neighborhoods exist people who are different >_>? Like I know that's the point of the drama to show people that "Hey, there are people who are intersex.. and guess what, they're like you and me." But I guess the student/school portrayal of "You must keep this secret because it could cause an uproar to our other students! Parents will complain!" and the student's reaction to when they find out (I mean... crying... really ;_;?) Like I said, I'm not sure if it is just exaggeration/dramatization purposes or culture differences (or mix of both) but yeah.. it just... things like that in dramas always bothered me. (Well I guess it's also the fact that Japan is still a homogenous country.. even if the progress of individualism has gone a long way over the years.. I guess in some aspects it's still always there)
I like that cute nerdy-looking girl.. she's so adorable!!!!! Omg I just loooove her smile ^___^ But yeah I like dramas like this that teaches people struggle of different sorts of people and backgrounds.. to show that not everyone is the same. Not that we should show pity but to understand and have awareness and well.. have different insight and be less ignorant ^^ Education is a powerful thing~
but there isn't haru's body issue, how he overcome that.
the noisy neighbours didn't make big fuss for the society.
maybe focus only haru and school that's why it can be ending for drama.
I've found a documentary published by BBC this year regarding IS or DSDs (Disorders of Sexual Development). Torrent is hosted by the mvgroup forum and info about it is here : docuwiki