Nobuta wo Produce – Episode 8: The chains of friendship

I don’t care if no one believes me…as long as you believe (Shuji)

What a wonderful episode.

We reach the penultimate episode and things are moving faster than I expected and hoped.

We are finally revealed the evil-doer who has been harming the threesome’s party and it is none other than…

 Face-to-face with the evil

Aoi (Nobuko’s very first friend). And for Aoi, Shuji’s work as the producer has been the trigger. Just like he produces Nobuta, Aoi thinks that manipulating and screwing with others is fine – only that she is ultra-evil (Who knew this was coming – I thought it was Shuji’s ex-girlfriend Mariko all along).

Speaking of Shuji, his appearances have all been removed and he lies open now, all exposed for attacks. The behaviour he moulded for years just disappeared in minute moments. But the  good thing is that he came to know his true friends, cause of that.

 Evil-face

 Evil pwned (for the moment)

But the end result is that Shuji has realised that it is his true friends’ opinion that he values and what matters to him. What Aoi does and means, what others’ say, means nothing – as long as he has their friendship forever.

 Let’s go home, Shuji-kun (Akira in the middle- love it)

I love how both Akira and Nobuko thought about it for some time before supporting Shuji. They both believed him but back-tracked, and I am sure Akira still has some reservations about it; but in front of everyone they supported their friend.

And all because of Nobuta-power !

Rating: 4/5

Quick thoughts: Afraid, what’s going to happen finally. This seemed like an ending of sorts – but it could be the calm before the storm.
P.S. – Also learnt – if you want to forget something, just bury it in a box and forget about it. :P

Breaking Bad – Episode 2: How to lose an-almost dead man?

I cooked crystal meth and killed a man doesn’t have the same ring to it…

The second episode of Breaking Bad marks a continuation of Walter’s desperation. Now that he has entered the drug business, he is learning the death tricks. Here are his levels of desperation include: lying, cheating, tips on body dissolution, and the difficult one: killing. But being the protagonist he does this with finesse – killing by kindness (i.e. feeding his convict ham sandwich and oodles of water, and toilette necessities.

Meanwhile, I am beginning to dislike Walt’s wife Skylar, who is the stick-up-his-ass or ‘psycho-bitch’ as she is called. She doesn’t even try to find out the real reason Walt is behaving the way he is and so easily believes his ‘i take pot’ line.

Rating: 3/5

Thoughts: Hasn’t become too serious for me yet.

Nobuta wo Produce – Episode 7: How to break a heart

And the mask slips, cracks and falls.

Shuji, who had been this epitome of perfection – never throwing a tantrum, never saying no, always getting along, has now been awoken by reality. Threatened by the fact that the production is going away, he realises that when he was with Akira and Nobuko, he was himself. With others, just an image, just a pretence.

All that comes to fruition with his-girlfriend Mariko (previously known as what’s-her-face). He clears the air with her, telling her that he never once loved anyone – not even her and there is no possibility that he will, leaving her broken hearted and in tears.

Following is a series of takes from the conversation. It is so endearing to watch. It seems so real – there is no background music, no dramatic acting, nothing rushed.

By the way, I think it was all precipitated by Akira’s avowal of love to Nobuko herself. But Akira, being himself, tells her that his loving her would hurt her and backs off.

Rating: 4.25/5

Thoughts: Wonderful

Nobuto wo Produce – Episode 6: The key chain blues

Teenage angst: I want Nobuta to be just mine

Some quick, brief thoughts on the episode. The producing work is still in motion, but now Akira wants no part of it. To be popular would mean to always be in the gaze of others and Akira ‘another dime on the streets’ wants her to be his. And being produced means wanting to be something others want. And he tells this secret to Shuji.

Fish’s head anyone?

I’m not sure where this threesome is going to go from here. Nobuko is blissfully unaware of Akira’s feelings, from what I can see. Shuji is questioning himself, over being popular and being himself. Akira is lost over what the future holds; he knows he doesn’t want to be a company chairman, but can you feel no guilt over this decision?

The chemistry of this pair isn’t forced – it’s flowing and gives friendly vibes. Never once Akira’s feelings peer through and never once Nobuko’s feelings are visible.

Rating: 4/5

Thoughts: Decent episode, Getting somewhere. I’m fearing the onslaught of angst though,

Nobuta wo Produce – Episode 5: A double-date and re-awakening of the producer

The Producer with his reluctant cast

A very good episode in terms of character and relationship development.

While Shuji realizes that what Nobuta now needs – after a haircut and decent change of clothing – is a guys’ attention by being in love. He convinces her like this:

Shuji: Be in love…Love is good. Your skin becomes all smooth.

Akira: But it’s already smooth!

But Shuji’s thoughts are slower, as compared to the action of a classmate, Shittaka, who has already sent a love letter to Nobuko.

Love the frame. Pink and blue and boy!

And much slower than Akira, who has not only fallen in love with Nobuko but has realised it and has began acting all-fuzzy and nervous around her.

Too much in love to wear socks/shoes

So, Shuji the producer has taken up his weapons (his girl friend what’s-her-name) and set up a double date. He trains Nobuko to act girly and cheesy, like silly girls do, to appear lovable.

Showing Nobuko how it’s done, homo-style

However, the date which was turning out fine (with Nobuko ever grabbing Shittaka’s coat sleeve!!) suddenly takes a strange turn when an old man near the couple falls to the floor and starts puking. While Nobuko runs to the old man’s rescue, Shittaka who tries to help her shouts ‘disgusting’, fearing any contact with Nobuko’s puke-ridden hand. Akira, who is spying on the couple, notices this and lends a helping hand. He even tells Nobuko that her kind hands could never be disgusting.

The kind, puke-ridden hand of lurve!

However, the next day the school is littered with posters of Nobuko hanging with several guys. Fearing that this will hinder her plans to become popular, Shuji tells her to forgive Shittaka and go back to dating him, in spite of not liking him, like he keeps doing.

But later in his meetings with his girl friend and father (who also calls his wife Nobutan) he realises that it doesn’t matter what others think, as long as there is someone who believes in you and knows the truth. Akira even makes him realise that to him Nobuka is a project he is embarking without knowing what it is all about. Shuji realises that his ambition is hollow, because he doesn’t even know what Nobuko wants. His project was to ‘produce’ Nobuko who was not ridiculed by others; but he wanted to make another person like him, who lived on lies, and never said no, just to remain popular.

The boys spy on Nobuko, their summer project!

Rating: 4/5

Thoughts: Maybe soon the time will come when I can say ‘now we are getting somewhere…’

Dexter season 4: review – And the season’s geometrical shape is…

Is anyone ever safe behind the bars?

Season 4 of Dexter has been a motley coat:  it has been funny and it has been scary, it has been revealing and it has been dampening, there have been lessons, but have they been forgotten?

Milk or blood? (in an Eddie Izzard voice) Daddy dearest Dexter

Season 4 begins with Dexter, the family man, the husband and the father. And obviously being a serial killer - daddy-issues, teenage hormones, marital discord. And this year his challenge is the Trinity killer, someone initially pursued by FBI Special agent Lundy. Like season 3, this season too got off-track and off-topic, especially with the whole LaGuerta-Angel, Quinn-reporter area.

Dexter, Dexter, on the wall…who’s the stranger of them all?

But the last episode gripping and very interesting, far more than whole of season 3 and most of season 4. Michael C. Hall plays Dexter with dexterity and finesse. Lithgow, who played Trinity, was pleasantly twisted too. Carpenter as Deb was superb, and although I dislike her spent emotions over Lundy, I believe her nose for detective is top-notch.

“The wheel is come full circle, I am here” –
King Lear

I think this season completes a full circle. The first season revealed that Dexter was this boy born inn blood, sharing with his sibling this love for murder and kill; Four seasons and he finds a re-writing of the history, with him being a witness to this blood bath. As he picks up his son from the ruins, you cant help but wonder if Harrison shares his father’s destiny or is this device just a mirror for Dexter to see himself?

Season five, most probably, will raise questions about Dexter as a single dad with three kids.

(I think it’s better to hammer yourself now, Dex!)

Rating: 3.5/5 (Season 1 was so much better)

Nobuta wo Produce – Episode 4: The choice between flowers and water

Nobuta power enter: A super power to overcome shyness. Coming soon near you!

Another episode with character progressions and developments. I like how the series doesn’t rush towards people having a change of heart; it progresses gradually and slowly, with the cardboard characters slowly moving towards being well-developed.

The fall of the flowers

Take Shuji, for example. In the first scene, he meets his sort-of girlfriend and they walk towards their class. He is aware that people around him are watching them (I think everyone notices themselves being watched), but then his inner voice says, ‘I dont wanna go out with her.’ Throughout this episode he keeps reminding us that he is not such a good guy/hero. He lies through his teeth, admitting twice that  - “I’m a hypocrite” when he thinks that all his behaviour is for the public view and popularity and “I’m good at lying” after his girl friend finds his birthday date written in Nobuko’s diary. Even I had my doubts when he has to choose between pouring water or flowers on Nobuko. But in the end, he says that he would have chosen flowers, even if he lost his popularity over it and that was “probably because I liked the two of them.”

What a mentally deranged tradition: Water over flowers?

I think the series is not about changing Nobuko, but more about the people around her. Take Bando, the bully. She is given the choice to change – either she can replicate the beat Nobuko like her boyfriend beats her, or she can choose not to. And Bando thinks. That was all that was needed. There is no shameful berating by Nobuko who instills in her guilty feelings – but rather just an option to change.

A very good scene between the girls: “Becoming a good girl now? How can I?”

The other change visible was in Akira, who has started to shape up, proving he is a much better friend to Nobuko than Shuji. (I guess that is obvious considering Akira and Nobuko are always on the periphery). Akira threatens to chop Shuji if he chooses water over flowers. And by the end, in his encounter with the truth-man (what an interesting concept – tell the man the truth and he stops hounding you), Akira says that he is in love with Nobuko.

The origin of the Nobuta power:
Akira’s great physical prowess

Developments all around.

Thoughts: Series is starting to take shape and finding a direction. Although there are often diversions in the form of teachers :P

Rating: 3.5/5

Nobuta wo Produce – Episode 3: The writing on the mirror or the pressures of being a Producer

Shuji – the sewing man, the singer-guitarist, the photographer and the Producer.

I quite liked this episode although nothing important happened in it, apart from revelation of the information that wherever you might be, you always have daddy issues.

So, in this one, the class festival is close-by and Nobuko’s class is undecided on the theme. One of the bullies is responsible for deciding what happens and she chooses the theme of the haunted house. For her this is a chance to ridicule Nobuko again, and take kicks out of her appearance.

The bully says, “We’ll do a haunted house. In a dark room, Nobuko will be standing alone…The main character, Nobuko; the props, Nobuko; the scenery, Nobuko; the Director, Nobuko…”

The return of the hair!

However, Nobuko takes it in the spirit of having fun – something they all will remember when they are older and far away; like when you are studying and look back at the time when you were playing a videogame… (there is some skewed logic there.)

On the other hand, Shuji finds that his brother knows his secret – his split personality is open to his kid brother (who I find acts a bit clumsily). The brother, in his essay, wonders whether Shuji will be a better person when he grows up…as he keeps juggling himself in front of others.

Shuji who ponders over his brothers’ words never reflects back on them when he is asked for multiple favours by other school folks. They all want his help in the festival and he cannot say no to them.  In his bid to remain popular, he never says no and accepts all the tasks.

Hanging out with the teachers….(fail!)

While he does all that, Akira and Nobuko finish the haunted house. On the festival day, however, they find someone has destroyed their work. While re-doing it, Nobuko’s step father visits her with food. While unable to say kind words to him there, she runs after him with a rice ball, after Akira tells her that he found the man kind and not a monster he had imagined.

Soon after, Nobuko comes to realise and more importantly, say, that even if you are a mole, constantly digging, there is a chance that you will meet someone, your mates. This message, she writes, on the exit of the haunted house, and it supposedly ‘warms’ up people.

“Right now, the person’s hand that you hold, the chance of ever having met that person, is a miracle.”

But the episode ends with an introspection. Shuji, who likes to label people and keep up appearances, knows all about Akira and Nobuko. He knew that once the fest was over, Akira would be back to being weird and Nobuko would be ridiculed. But he wonder what he will be: “I was worried about myself, who had nothing.”

Thoughts: The third episode, I thought, revealed more about characters than it was supposed to. The school festival which was supposed to be the centre of attraction took a back seat as compared to the misadventures and runnings of Shuji, who was over-whelmed by tasks due to his refusal to say no to them. Overall, a good look into the mind of the producer.

Rating: 3.5/5

Nobuta wo Produce - Episode 2: Ugly, Show-off and Stupid!

Quote of the episode: The one who needs a haircut wont get one, and the one who doesn’t need to wants to cut her hair. What is all this? Should I cry?

Let the Makeover process commence!

Episode Two of Nobuta… was slower, but gave way to building of friendships and strengthening of enmities, along side revealing that there is someone else who dislikes/hates Nobuko, more than the gang of usual bullies. But more on that later.

The episode begins with the arrival of a Mayonaka-sama, a woman who carries a doll and is seen at night by some kids. And guess who that is, but Nobuko, who carries a doll with her, who has been her friend since childhood. Shuji’s attempt for a makeover are refused by Nobuko, who says that she will remain as pretty or ugly as the doll, and would ever Shuji embarrass himself, by wearing something he doesn’t want… But all of this is precipitated as Nobuko’s uniform is taken and the word ‘ugly’ is spray painted on her coat.

Her wish is thought over by Shuji and the following is the result:

Shuji: Now let’s get your hair cut :P

And I had to add this for sure -

Akira: No matter what you say, isn’t that one cuter?!

So, as she can’t wear her uniform, she must resort to something that caters to all of the school, in her bid to be ‘produced’. And after hours of shopping, food and hair-cut (which apparently is a very big deal for some people), the result is here:

And the response:

Aahh, men (sounds of heavy breathing)….So obvious to read :P

But coming back to the uniform issue – After two days, Nobuko has to come back to the ‘ugly’ uniform because other students, who saw her go to casual from uniform, see that they can use this paint technique to show-off their own clothes. And start spoiling the coats till the vice-principal buts in and Nobuko has to go back to her uniform to spoil this bad blood between them.

So, in order to un-isolate her, the Producers pull out their weapons of mass stupidity and paint the school in it:

The Backside at work or how to impress the behind

Masters of the art work: Show-off and stupid! And because they are so famous, the school follows their lead. So, they are successful in averting the making Nobuko feel small or revert to the Mayonaka-sama crisis.

But they are still unable to understand who began this art to begin with. My guesses here would be Shuji’s sort-of girlfriend. Who else can it be? It’s not the four bullies and unless it’s someone who hasn’t been introduced, it’s only her. She acts all sweet, but alas, we know where sweetness leads to.

Rating: 3/5 (in process)

Thoughts on development: Still no word on Akira. He is sort of oscillating between the two. He shares some common space with both and becomes a comfort to both when they are in need, apart of being the comic relief as well.

Nobuta wo Produce e01 – The Makeover

Nobuko: I… can I become a bigger tree? One that no one can pull out? Can I?

Shuji: You have to become one.

The first episode of Nobuta wo Produce was very entertaining. The story is actually not so original, but the acting and premise seem different.

Shuji is a popular high-school student that everyone likes and listens to, even the spoilt brats. But for him, high school is a game – something that he must do in order to not feel bored or fall in a downward spiral. His internal clock is like a critic, judging others’ action, while he himself will plays the part of an interested host.

However, he feels threatened by Akira, his classmate, who acts goofier than him and always says the wrong or most embarrassing things.

One day a new student, Nobuko, is transferred in their class and immediately becomes the object of ridicule. A group of girls tease her because of her “attitude” and her downy unkempt appearance, even going as far as keeping a dying plant on her desk as a reminder of herself (I gather).

With hair like that, who needs enemies?

Shuji and Akira decide that Shuji will produce a top-ranking Nobuko who will be popular in school, and thus, will end up silencing her critics and bullies. Shuji, however, points out that socially-awkward Akira himself needs to be produced properly.

Nobuko is approached by Shuji and Akira, who tell her to adapt/change herself. Shuji even goes as far as to tell her that if she doesn’t change, she’ll be pulled out like the willow tree, which both of them associated with and was torn down in the first few minutes of the show.

While reluctant at first to change herself for others, Nobuko soon realizes that she can’t go wishing people dead or asking her world to change, if she herself is static. She says yes to change, of being a stronger tree. Shuji and Akira decide that they are going to produce a Nobuko, who is nicknamed as Nobuta (or a pig from what the subtitles said.) But for Shuji, this is just a game – another challenge to avoid a dull life.

The christening of Nobuta

First Impressions: Of all the three, Akira is the most difficult to read. His manner and behaviour are surely signs that he hides a heavy past or secrets. But I am sure that all will be revealed soon.

Premature rating: 3.5/5

Strengths: Internal dialogue of Shuji was wonderful, acting is mostly good, music score (especially the end) was decent, most other characters seem fleshed out

Weakness: Some loose overacting by Shuji and his family, Some forced situations (well, all of it actually), that duo called Destiny, which is like a two-cell gossip club!

Could haves: More background score, more to come.

Wiki Link

Breaking Bad season 1 episode 1

(Apology to self for the long delay in writing)

I am taking a break from watching the long list of Anime that I want to see and whose review is still pending. Thought I'd start watching something with real people in it.

The options were The Sopranos or Breaking Bad. (I am watching Dexter, the Mentalist and The Big Bang Theory too, but that's a weekly drivel that I am avoiding.)

I chose Breaking Bad because it is a low key affair as compared to the Sopranos. It isn't particularly famous in India, and as far as I know it is not coming to any television near us/me. At this year's Emmys, it was totally surprising to find that a show I hadn't heard of (including In Treatment) was getting critical praise. And as I recall Bryan Cranston also won the Emmy for the leading actor, for season 2.

So, what would I choose - The Sopranos, rated as the best series ever by EW and many others or Breaking Bad, which ended its second season and to which I have no clue....

I chose shorter over longer, unfamiliar over successfully famous.

Season 1, episode 1

Cranston is a good chemistry teacher, hardly making ends meet by working two jobs and trying to raise a family. But his dreary life takes another downward turn when he finds out that he has lung cancer and not much long to live.

With time running out, he decides to make a quick buck by befriending a local meth dealer, previously his student, he has the goods on.

The first episode was slow in some places and I think, that will be the pace for the whole series. Cranston is unbelievably real, and seems a desperate man whose looking for a way out, breaking bad.

Obviously the show will guide us through his transformation from in-the-dumps chem teacher to a meth-dealer-without-any-baggage?.

I am also interested in this meth-creation process. While Cranston calls this science, others refer to it as an art, 'cooking'.

Premature rating (one episode): 3/5

Strengths: high potential to evolve, good direction,

Weakness: can be emotional? (I think)

Could haves: Plenty?