MDL 2013 Jdrama Awards
I've been enchanted, spellbound, captured and completely taken in by one Asian drama starlet. Yes I, like many others, have fallen prey to Horikita Maki's charm. Her adorable face and her cute mannerisms have had me enamored since I first seen her in Hana Kimi. I know what you're thinking. "Joe, wasn't she dressed like a guy in that show?" And I know where you're coming from. I had my own Nakatsu-like hesitations at first, but her "Yosha!" got my heart melting in episode 1 and by the time she put on girl clothes in episode 3 I was smitten.
Horikita Maki is beautiful, but she's not the only beautiful Japanese girl in existence. So what makes her stand out from the rest? I've discussed this with other Maki-Lovers and we've discovered that she just has a certain charm that the others lack. You can see it in every role she plays in. Some roles are similar, some are more diverse, but she always brings her charm to every one of them.
Maki is every guy's kind of girl, seeing as when she was younger she enjoyed playing baseball and mock Dragonball Z games more than playing with dolls. Yet at the same time, she looked up to her mother and turned out to be a beautiful young lady. Maki's allure is so great that it even attracts her own group of bodyguards who are willing to go so far as to dress up as women and become a hostess in her place.
Not yet ready to cross-dress in order to protect Maki? You might change your mind after you watch the following dramas. And with that, let the stalkers' guide commence!
Nobuta wo Produce - Shy but Sweet Maki
Although Maki had done commercials and a few other dramas and movies, Nobuta wo Produce was the drama that put her on the map as an actress. She won her first acting award for the best-supporting actress from Japan's Television Academy awards for her role as Nobuta. While Nobuta wo Produce may not show off her most attractive side, since she actually had to wear make-up to make herself look worse in order to play the role, Maki's fans will still love this drama because it's a great drama. Maki does a fantastic job playing the shy, sweet, socially awkward Nobuta, and your heart will definitely still be pierced when you're beamed with Maki's Nobuta Power Injection.
Hana Kimi - Tomboyish but Cute Maki
As previously mentioned, this is the first drama that I saw Maki in and also the drama I fell for her in. Apparently so did everyone else because she won her first Best Actress award for her role as Ashiya Mizuki, a girl who pretends to be a boy in order to enter an all boys school so that she can help her hero, Sano, high jump again. Even though I watched Hana Kimi early in my drama days, it's still one of my favorite dramas, and it's the only one I've seen 3 times and still loved. Maki is superb as the tomboyish, hamburger-loving, 'super-cute-girl-who's-one-of-the-guys' Ashiya Mizuki and if you watch this then I'm sure you'll develop your own crush on her.
Atashinchi no Danshi - Attractive and Motherly Maki
Now that you're totally crushing on Maki, like the rest of us, how about watching a drama where everyone else is too! In Atashinchi no Danshi (Boys in My House) Maki plays Chisato, a girl who was forced to become homeless because of her irresponsible father's gambling debts *takes a breath* who then is given an opportunity to inherit a large sum of money if she can be a mother to an unruly group of boys... men... uh man/boys. Three things I love about this drama: 1. It's hilarious, 2. It's fun, 3. Maki looks great in it. Maki fans won't want to miss this one. It's my second favorite Maki drama, after Hana Kimi.
Cartoon Kat-Tun - The Real Adorable Maki
Now that your crush has elevated to stalker mode, you've got to see this Cartoon Kat-Tun episode. It's only one episode, or 2 if you count the cooking episode, but it's a must-see for Maki stalk... uh, I mean fans. Cartoon Kat-Tun is a variety show hosted by the six group members of Kat-tun. It's a pretty funny/fun variety show, but when Maki becomes the guest, it is epic. This is one of the best Kat-tun episodes I've seen. It's so funny watching everyone else crush on Maki, even the camera crew. Plus you get a chance to see the real adorable Maki outside of her acting roles. Here's part 1 of 4.
Innocent Love - Innocent and Romantic Maki
Innocent Love is a Maki drama that I avoided for a while. I mean look at the poster. It looks a little too melodramatic for my taste. But eventually my longing to see Maki again got me to give this one a try and I'm so glad that I did because this drama is excellent and Maki is amazing in it. Innocent Love has a dramatic, touching and suspenseful story, and Maki does a wonderful job playing the role of Kanon, the sweet, innocent, cute girl who has fallen victim to life's and love's circumstances. Don't make the same mistake I did by putting this drama off. If you're ready for a more serious drama, go ahead and watch Innocent Love.
Tokyo Boy - Incredibly Sweet/Tomboyish Maki
Tokyo Boy is a very cool movie. It has a unique story to it. It's a little weird and it's kind of subtle, so much so that some people don't like it, but if you're in the mood for a movie that's not as fast-paced, has a kind of out there story, and stars our heroine Maki as a beautiful and "multi-dimensional" character then try Tokyo Boy. Again, this is one that I almost passed up, but I'm glad I didn't. Thank you, Maki, for starring in these fantastic dramas so that I would be encouraged to watch them.
Tokujo Kabachi - Strong-willed and Beautiful Maki
Tokujo Kabachi is where you'll see Maki in a much different light. She's not shy or sweet in this one, but she is attractive. Maki plays the role of the strong-willed, man-hating, super hot administrative scrivener who hates to lose and will do whatever it takes to win the case for her client. It took me a second to get used to this Maki, but once I did I enjoyed Tokujo Kabachi and... Maki's beautiful face.
Umareru - Gorgeous and Responsible Maki
Umareru is one of Maki's more recent dramas. She's grown up a little more, and she's grown up nice. *Me Gusta* Maki plays the role of an aspiring writer who takes the assignment of writing a book on one of Japan's recent phenomenon: late-life childbearing. After taking this assignment she finds out that her mother, who was recently widowed is pregnant. You'll see Maki playing the role of a young, responsible woman/older sister. I liked Umareru, even though parts of it were like reading a book on late-life childbearing. She's absolutely gorgeous in this drama, and the story is good. The problems the family faces are a lot deeper than can be told in the description and Maki can be seen looking breathtakingly beautiful in every episode.
Other Dramas and Movies That Maki Has Starred In (That I've seen)
Byakuyakou (Into The White Night)
Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari 2010 Fall [SP]
Now that you've received your stalking guide, stalk away. Maki-chan, I wrote you a song: *sings* "I see you through your window, and I'm standing on a tree outside."
If there is an actor or an actress that is worthy of a Stalker's Guide in your opinion, and you have watched enough dramas of his/hers to prove it, please contact Elisabetta about it.
