Entries for October 31st, 2008
This isn't the first time a manga was adapted into both a Chinese/Taiwanese series and a Japanese one. However, this IS the first time I’ve watched both versions for the purpose of comparison, mainly because the people I asked about them had varied recommendations (and reasons for them). Curiosity naturally kicked in so I watched Hana Kimi (also called Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) in both its Taiwanese and Japanese adaptations to see for myself which one was more worth my time.
Complete objectivity is impossible in this case since people have their own tastes and I had to watch one first before the other. To minimize bias, each drama was analyzed by setting, story, and characters.
The Setting
Taiwan’s Ying Kai all boys’ school is, in a way, more realistic. It has (relatively) normal students with your usual school problems and the usual school activities. The class is noisy, rowdy, and inattentive—what you would expect of a class full of boys. It’s normal and boring besides the occasional conflict or classroom shenanigan, but that’s how life is for most people.
In complete contrast, Osaka Academy of the Japanese adaptation is chock full of crazy. You’ve got weirdos in capes, spiritualists, a barely competent school director, spirit possessions, random cartoony, reality-bending feats…the list goes on. For a western-like all boys’ school, it’s pretty wild. This is good for a comedy, but most of the time the humorous exploits only interrupt the story flow because you have to pause for a moment and ask, ‘What?’. Both dramas were going for a light-hearted, fun environment though and succeeded, so I call it a tie.
The Plot
Japan gets this one, hands down. I mentioned Ying Kai was more realistic, but when you look at premise and main story outline, the Japanese adaptation has more acceptable character motivations (the reason certain characters act or feel). Even if it has half a dozen filler sub-plots, the main story is engaging and believable in its situations. Not to mention the Japanese version has a satisfying ending. On the other hand, the Taiwan version’s slower pacing and predictable, repetitive plot gets boring fast.
Special Category: Comedy and Drama
Both series are essentially comedy romances. In cases like this, I like to look at the comic and dramatic elements more closely.
The Taiwanese adaptation is definitely comic without going overboard with the craziness. The only things overdone with this are the acting and facial expressions, which isn’t a problem (except for a couple of characters). The romance, though, has a flaw. While there are more instances for the two leads to be in compromising, awkward, and romantic situations, the romantic/sexual tension seems forced and from the Big Book of Cliché Romantic Anime Scenes. The characters seem more like siblings, usually.
The relationship between the characters in the Japanese version is clearly romantic, but it’s mild and restrained, and I don’t see these two getting comfortable around each other too soon. It’s an awkward relationship, compared to the more relaxed one of the Taiwan version. For people who like to giggle at sweet moments, the Taiwanese version wins. However, for those who like a more vague, mildly romantic relationship, the Japanese one is for you. And I just happen to be one of the latter type.
I guess it just depends on a viewer’s taste. That goes for the comedy, too. The Taiwanese version has some clever, laugh-out-loud moments, but some are almost embarrassing to watch with an older person. But even worse is the Japanese version’s slapstick humor that is sometimes just too trippy and out there, so however annoying the Taiwanese humor can get, I’m going with the Taiwanese on this. Japan wins the Drama Award, though.
The Characters
This is the hardest part to judge, so let’s settle this with a character showdown.
([Taiwanese character] vs. [Japanese counterpart])
Liang Si Nan vs. Minami Nanba
At first glance Nan seems like the more competent dorm head, but later in the series Nanba shows how he CAN be responsible and he DOES lead and protect his schoolmates. He also is the bigger playboy, whereas Nan seems too much of the cool, narcissistic type, and those rarely ever get the girls. Nanba fits the character more perfectly. Also, Nanba-senpai can kick Senior Nan’s ass any time. Minami wins.
Japanese characters: 1
Taiwanese charcters: 0
Wang Tian Si vs. Megumi Tennouji
First off…what the fuck? MEGUMI? What the hell kind of name for a guy is Megumi?! …eherm. That aside, Tennouji is awesome. He kicks ass (literally, and on several occasions), and although he is still sometimes the muscled idiot he’s supposed to be, he still is competent as a dorm head and as a member of the sudent council. Tian Si just looks like an idiot, period. Tennouji, definitely.
Japanese characters: 2
Taiwanese charcters: 0
Oscar vs. Masao “Oscar” Himejima
The Taiwanese one doesn’t even have a real name, damn. With only a few seconds of screen time, I can’t judge him. Masao…is annoying. He’s supposed to be intelligent, even only in academic terms, but this idiot doesn’t look smart in the very least. Learned, but not smart. His over-acting just seems annoying and not funny. No one wins this one.
Japanese characters: 2
Taiwanese charcters: 0
Da Shu vs. Kayashima
This is a hard one. Da Shu is a more comic character with a somewhat more realistic take on the ‘spiritualist’ character (no exaggeration with him, just creepy ghost conversations and the ability to pop in out of nowhere). Kayashima is more serious and has more dimensions to his character and personality outside of being a teenage spirit chaser (probably because he has a bigger role). They’re equally creepy, but I’d like to say it’s a tie. They both fit the role quite nicely.
Japanese characters: 3
Taiwanese charcters: 1
Shen Le vs. Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka has more screen time, but rather then being the rival looking for a fight, his role is more of an observer, or as I call ‘em, “random guys who show up for no apparent reason but to say a couple of inconsequential lines”. The only thing he actually did in the series is to help get the Sano family together by inviting Sano over to his school, but the rest of the series he just hangs around (he hangs around Sano, specifically, which gives rise to the question of his sexuality especially after that kissing scene...). Not that Shen Le doesn’t hang around, of course. Shen Le has a more active role, though. He provokes and successfully pisses off both leads, serves as a mild threat to the female lead’s secret, and later becomes the ‘surprisingly nice guy’ who cheers the girl on. He also fits the role of the guy who looks, talks, and walks like a trouble-maker but is actually a passionate athlete. Shen Le gets this one.
Japanese characters: 3
Taiwanese charcters: 2
Yang Yang vs. Nakao
Ah, the gay kid who likes the Dorm 2 head. Yang Yang is more good looking (and a flamingly gay character), but Nakao has more depth to him and his…affection. I don’t want to give too many ties, so if I have to choose…Nakao wins.
Japanese characters: 4
Taiwanese charcters: 2
Lu Jing Xi vs. Ashiya Shizuki
Shizuki was more antagonistic and moved the plot rather than just stirred things. ‘Nuff said.
Japanese characters: 5
Taiwanese charcters: 2
Yuan Qui Ye vs. Akiha Hara
This one is tricky. Akiha is actually a combination of two roles (a woman and a bisexual), and has way more character interaction. So, I’ll divide this into two battles.
Yuan Qui Ye vs. Akiha Hara (the professional photographer role)
Yuan Qui Ye didn’t just stir things and gave problems, he pushed the plot (if slightly) forward. However, I like Akiha’s interaction with Umeda more. It’s a tie. Again. Damn my neutrality…
Japanese characters: 6
Taiwanese charcters: 3
Wu Wan Juan vs. Akiha Hara (the female reporter role)
For the crazy, obsessive reporter role? Definitely Wu Wan Juan.
Japanese characters: 6
Taiwanese charcters: 4
Quan vs. Sano Izumi
Sano is cool, cold, and better acted. He also has a more consistent personality. Even the fact that he kisses people when he’s drunk isn’t just an excuse for him to kiss the female lead; he actually kisses ANYBODY, and three people are shown to fall victim to him in the series. However, Quan has more weaknesses a normal person would have. He also looks like the type who is capable of actually warming up to people despite being irritable, and is a more likeable guy. He could use a bit more toughening up, but like I said, a more likeable character. Sorry, Sano.
Japanese characters: 6
Taiwanese charcters: 5
Xiu Yi vs. Nakatsu
Another hard one. I have to admit the difficulty only lies in the fact that I’m partial to Xiu Yi. I mean, COME ON. The guy is friggin’ adorable. Annoying as hell, but adorable, especially when he smiles. That monkey’s smile is infectious. Fangirling aside, though, he’s still a likeable character because of his liveliness and laid back personality. He’s also hyper and funny, and a perfect friend to have around (if he’s not embarrassing you). He also overreacts comically like his character requires, but that is sometimes a flaw to the character. Sometimes he emotes too much I just want him to shut up. It may be just because the actor is overacting, though. Still, you will sooner laugh at him (and his antics) than feel sorry for him. Nakatsu, though, is a character you will really feel sorry for. While he accepts his ‘homosexuality’ much faster than Xiu Yi (who spends several episodes agonizing over it), it also shows the…er….depth of his love. I can’t believe I typed that down…Anyway, it shows his decisiveness and the fact that he’s willing to be gay ‘coz he loves someone. Xiu Yi also showed that in his own way, which is…well…let’s say it’s much less discreet. And funny. The problem with comparing these two characters is that they were going for different images. Xiu Yi is the better comic, while Nakatsu is the better dramatic character. I guess this comes down to yet another tie. *dodges empty beer cans*
Japanese characters: 7
Taiwanese charcters: 6
Rui Xi vs. Mizuki
Mizuki’s actress will never pass for a guy. She’s likeable as a character, though, albeit mopey. She blames herself for almost everything and gets depressed a lot. Rui Xi has more spunk and attitude and is funny. She also could be easily called a guy. However, in the latter episodes Rui Xi’s character becomes more stupid, more of the ‘danzel in distress’ character whose weakness only serves to make her male lead save her from trouble she called upon herself. I wouldn’t mind her getting into trouble a lot if she can get herself out of it (or at least HELP), but when it’s always her knight in shining armor who comes to her rescue, she drops from the likeable character list.
Mizuki has a more ‘pure’ reason for leaving America (with no selfish or delusional fantasies, only an innocent goal) compared to Rui Xi’s fanaticism. The only reason I can even mildly like Rui Xi is because of her healthy relationship with Quan. That said, Mizuki definitely wins this one (though Rui Xi would win in a fist fight).
Japanese characters: 8
Taiwanese charcters: 6
Dr. Mei Tian vs. Dr. Umeda
Forget the main characters, THIS is the biggest showdown! The guys who played these roles are both very good actors. They’re both well-developed and consistent characters, both essential to the plot and both awesome characters. Umeda is not the gay stereotype. He hardly looks gay, really, if you ignore that episode where he grabbed a guy’s ass. It looks like he’s only gay because he hates women, or one specific woman who scarred him for life. That’s what it looks like, anyway, if the end does imply he’s gonna become straight. Mei Tian, on the other hand, is gay and damn proud of it. He’s not flamingly gay, but he is a more obvious homosexual than Umeda. He’s also a vain tease who loves to screw with people (they don’t call him “the Heartless” for nothing!). Mei Tian’s awesome, really. Taiwan’s cast gets two points just for having him!
Japanese characters: 8
Taiwanese charcters: 8
*dodges another barrage of beer cans*
Okay, okay. That was cheating. I just love Mei Tian too much…
Japanese characters: 8
Taiwanese charcters: 7
Now comes the final blow to the Taiwanese adaptation. The Japanese one had a lot of extra characters that, while unnecessary, added fun to the story. Also, the fact that everyone in the dorms got along well with each other (or at least interacted with each other), however unlikely in real life, is heartwarming (or cute, your pick of adjectives). Despite the HUGE cast, that was a lot of interaction outside a small group of friends or the love triangle. So, I add another point to the Japanese cast.
Japanese characters: 9
Taiwanese charcters: 7
Overall character showdown winner: Japanese
Winner?
Both dramas have their strengths and weaknesses. But when it comes down to it, it’s just all about taste. If you want a light-hearted comedy, go for the Taiwanese series. Or watch both. If you’re more concerned about story and drama, watch the Japanese one. I personally liked the Japanese one better, as evidenced by the results of this comparison—not that I don’t like the Taiwanese adaptation. I watched both without regret for wasted time, after all.
amused [ MOOD ]