Sean Akizuki's East Asian Drama and Movie Blog

Well, I haven't updated on Kamen Rider Zi-O for some time again, haven't I? I have to admit that there are some passions that catch me whether it's what I missed in old school and some new school stuff I haven't checked out yet. I'd like to give my thoughts on Kamen Rider Zi-O's finale which had me mixed through and through. I would like to share my mixed feelings. Remember that if you liked the finale then fine. If you don't like it then also fine. But let's just be civil unlike a certain group of trolls who just can't stand anybody disagreeing with them. First, I'd like to share my thoughts on the finale arc... Some things are predictable and some things aren't. Some things are just random like Tsukuyomi becoming a Kamen Rider -- I thought it was just as random as GoGoV introducing the Max Victory Robo Sigma Project as a last-minute pullout to defeat Grandienne's final invasion. Schwarz being the final antagonist was not at all su...

One of the greatest classic Wuxia series last decade was "The Return of Condor Heroes" (2006). I did have very stupid reasons to watch it and yes, Crystal Liu, is giving me also a stupid reason to check out Mulan (2020). I'd still like to teasingly ask if Crystal really bail it out by just being hotter than the first Disney's version of Mulan? Then there's that classic theme song "The Roaming World Laughs" which is "Jiang Hu Xiao" in Mandarin.  Here are the lyrics with both Chinese and English found on Youtube : 江湖笑 恩怨了 人过招 笑藏刀 Jiang hu xiao en yuan liao ren guo zhao xiao cang dao. The martial arts world laughs, kindness and hatred ended. People exchange blows, smiles hidden by blades. 红尘笑 笑寂寥 心太高 到不了 Hong chen xiao xiao ji liao xin tai gao dao bu liao. The mortal world laughs; a lonely laugh. The heart is too high, it can't be reach. 明月照 路迢迢 人会老 心不老 Ming yue zhao lu tiao tiao ren hui lao xin bu lao. The moon ...

I can remember how I thought F4 was a Japanese boy band until I heard their song "Can't Lose You". It was in Mandarin and perhaps the first Chinese song that got me interested in listening to Chinese music. Back then, I didn't care too much until F4 came. It was Meteor Garden that got me into Chinese entertainment. It was their trademark song "Can't Lose You" (which was used in Meteor Garden Season II).  Now, here's what I'd call a  loose translation I found online: (Jerry)  Without you, who am I?  Wherever my heart stops it doesn't seem right  (Vic)  On which day? Whereabouts can we carry on the unfinished love  At the cross roads, who is beside you?  (Ken)  Even if the world denies you  It won't make me give you up  (Vanness)  Even if our past has nothing to prove it  (Vanness & Ken)  I will stay by you  (All)  Oh Baby baby baby, my baby baby  I definitely can't lose...

Lavender is probably one of those great oldies during the 2000s that I can't get over. Sure, it's already almost 2020 but if something's that good -- the chances are it'd still be a hit even to a new generation. Here's the English translation of the lyrics of the classic hit song: The wind blows from somewhere Rain, too, became sad together (with wind and me) No one wanted to talk to me The love had left silently. Some time The wind is coming, scattering the blooming flowers Rain dropped tears to the sea I could understand now...barely You chose to have the dream of lavender color and to wait. The fragrance of the flower where the memory continues to drift We promised each other that we wouldn't forget about you You are the light, which keeps dark night. Pretending to be strong is rather sad The days continues to wait for a miracle, you were braver than me The fragrance of the flower where the memory continues to drift I...

I always feel the need to take a break from Tokusatsu because there's other new school stuff worth watching or other old school stuff also worth watching. I just thought that staying away from Japanese entertainment is no guarantee that a Toku break would happen. So how does that happen? I just feel the need to take a break from Tokusatsu like I take a break from ramen -- but some things just aren't meant to be. I remembered how I took a break from Tokusatsu last decade and somewhat successfully did. I focused mostly on the new school Korean TV series and Taiwanese TV series. Whether they were typical love stories or action-packed shows (which aren't meant for children) -- I find them to be more enjoyable than Tokusatsu. But the time came that I started missing Tokusatsu. I would start to watch newer shows either out of curiosity, with good reviews, because I just dislike Power Rangers (and felt that I needed to educate the fans about Super Sentai), or the dumbest reaso...