Hana Kimi: Episode 01 ~ Pretty Boys, Unite!

Ken Akamatsu’s popular Negima manga manages to acquire a live action deal. Fanboys in all shapes and sizes salivate. As for the fangirls…. Well, the Negima news is quite nice but I am sorry to say that our minds are preoccupied with a much more fascinating drama.

Only a few days ago, I stumbled into a very interesting headline via AnimeNano. It pointed to a certain fangirl oriented entry. It contained wonderful yet surprising news: Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (HanaKimi), a popular manga written by Hisaya Nakajo, is being adapted to a Japanese live action drama featuring a cast full of pretties and Oguri Shun as Sano.

Oh, holy mother of gawd.

HanaKimi begins with a disclaimer. It warns viewers of its fictional world and its silly antics. (I presume) Fangirls alike enthusiastically brave the journey ahead. Audiences watch the opening teaser. And as promised, a surreal but exciting world is upon us.

The series unapologetically introduces the improbable premise. Ashiya Mizuki (Maki Horikita) flies to Japan, disguises as a boy, and enrolls to an all-boy school for the sole purpose of meeting the high jumper Sano Izumi.

Audiences meet Mizuki. Then, chaos ensue. With our heroine enrolled in a school, whose entrance requirements are literally based on physical appearances, a barrage of pretty boys clutter the screen. The school and subsequently, the series’ motto: Pretty boys, UNITE! My response: HELL, YEAH!

The pretties are cute. Unfortunately, most of them are, well, boys. I like cute but I’d rather have sexy hotness. And only men can be sexy hotness. But never fear, a different light dawns upon us. Oguri Shun, slightly channeling his HanaDan S1’s Rui, steps into the view. Whoa. He still exudes boyish charm but he is definitely starting to look like a man.

And yes, MEN >>> PRETTIES. (Can I get an amen??)

Despite its silly premise and its minor flaws (i.e. Maki cannot pass as a guy; over-the-top fangirling; a few questionable acting), the gender-bending HanaKimi is definitely a welcome addition to the summer season. The first episode brought out a solid introduction, character and story-wise. It borrows the essential points from the manga, re-shuffles various chapters, adds a new spin on a few characters, throws in laugh out loud gags and dialogue, and peppers in unabashed fanservice while maintaining a cohesive plot. I am impressed.

And as I finished watching episode, there are a few certainties that I realized.

1. I am mostly here for the fanservice. Everything else is a bonus. Color me shallow.

2. Oguri Shun is transforming into some kind of hottness. His half nekkidness, even though nose-bleed inducing, will always be welcome.

3. Japanese cast is much prettier that the Taiwanese cast (usually, it’s the other way around).

4. I need to watch HanaKimi with the doors closed and windows shut. I was surprised at the number of laugh-out-loud moments.

5. I might develop an obsession on Maki Horikita’s fabulous eyes. So pretty. So expressive.

6. I will be anemic by the end of the season. Gawd help me.

7. I want Os to cover HanaKimi, darnit!! Please come back!

P.S. This is going to be a busy summer. I think I know what to blog about these coming weeks.

Beware of Spoilers. You have been warned.

07.06.07 @ 4am
HanaKimi