ICYMI: Hotaru no Hikari (2007)

In case you missed it, Hotaru no Hikari (Glow of the Firefly) is a feel-good romcom with laugh out loud moments and endearing cast of characters. Amo man dya ang akon first ever dorama (Japanese drama series) kag ang nakayanggaw ka nakon sa Jdramaverse.

Doramas are well-known sa mga live-action adaptations nanda kang manga/anime. This is no exception, and since waay ko man nabasa ang manga (or any idea about Jdramas at that time) I was pleasantly surprised sa dalagan ka estorya kag character development. While the series follows the romcom formula (e.g. "meet cute", reflective friends, exit & chase, speech & kiss), ang nauyunan ko is how simple this is and yet universal ang pang 90's slumbook-question theme na nga: What is love? Is it about the grand romantic gesture, the doki doki feels, the friendship? Is it about changing your self or staying true to your nature? Ang doramas kis-a kun maka "slice of life", wagas... Agwanta timo kun maigu-an kaw.

Kag amo dya ang napangita ko sa akon romcoms -- big on comedy & subtle romance. I am such a sucker for slow-burning dramas that demand commitment.

Ayase Haruka as Amemiya Hotaru

The story revolves around Amemiya Hotaru (Ayase Haruka), an efficient OL (office lady) who works for a famous interior design company. Ang waay naman-an ka mga co-workers na nga at home, naga tigbaliw si Hotaru into a "himono-onna" or dried-up woman (araw-araw man, Japan... munoglaon lang, dried-up dayon?! I felt so attacked ha!) who prefer to laze around the house clad in a stained T-shirt and sweat pants, drinking beer while reading mangas and scratching her behind. She is not interested in men obviously or in anything for that matter. Ang ana motto in life...

"I'd rather lay around than fool around."

Ugaring ang ana carefree balaynon lifestyle is threatened when one day, her boss, Takano Seiichi (Naohito Fujiki), moves into her rented house. Then, at work, an up-and-coming young designer, Teshima Makoto (Kazuki Kato) returns from London, and pursues Hotaru!

Hotaru & Makoto

Si Hotaru nga nagaligid imaw ka ana dum-ok nga beer cans, chitchirya wrappers, comics kag iban nga whatnots is what I aspire for in my retirement. Imagine spending the rest of your days carefree...kaon, basa, turog, kuris-kuris, pahurom sa dramaverse.. Tulad pa lang gani ga practice dun ako. Masapwan lang gid ako ka dya tuod...

If you want more of Hotaru and the gang (hay bitin ang 10 episodes) may Season 2 dya kag movie special. Indi run ko mag elaborate sa plot kag characters, basi may ma spoil pa ako sa gusto man maglantaw. Basta makalilingaw dya nga series bisan judgmental gamay sa mga laon kag munoglaon. May hang-up ako sa term nga "dried-up woman".

Hotaru & Buchou (Takano)

references:

The Rom-Com Formula, Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2DPeFjZknA

http://www.cinemablography.org/blog/a-formula-for-love-the-romantic-comedy-genre