Story: I want to start off this review by saying, just because this is a remake doesn’t mean that it’s a carbon copy of the original. There is some speculation, myself included, that this remake was made because people felt that the original Sano Izumi was too cold and didn’t really seem to like Mizuki. While I absolutely love the original and have watched it many times, nothing can replace it. The remake is actually pretty good. I started this drama with hardly any hopes at all, expecting to be disappointed and let down. Remakes are hardly any good, but this drama proved wrong. They took a different path by changing certain aspects. The dorms were the same as were the classes, but instead of the school being brilliant and amazing, it was in ruins, in constant need of repair and always on the verge of being shut down by the board of directors. One of the best things about this drama was that they kept the original Hanayashiki Hibari, because no one can play her better than Iwasa Mayuko. They kept a lot of key aspects like the original soundtrack, and as I said earlier some of the locations, but added a new flavor to it that was rather pleasing. I just want you all to remember that this may be a remake but it isn’t really based off the original. Many people think it’s upsetting how similar the two dramas are, with the set, music and actors, but keep in mind this isn’t based off the original drama but the MANGA. Music: I really would have liked to hear different music but the original sound track was just as good. They did use a new theme song, Flying Get by AKB48, which was okay. Nothing compared to Ai Otsuka who sang Peach for the 2007 version. Cast/Acting: With this remake I also believe they were trying to give new actors or idols a chance to show their stuff. Quite a few were unhappy with the way Miura Shohei acted, claiming that he was just like Ikuta Toma. Please keep in mind that he wasn’t copying the original actor, but acting as the character does. Sometimes it all seems amateur-ish and other times it was okay. The story was the part I cared about the most, not the actors. In the original Hana Kimi the couple I shipped the most was Mizuki and Sano, go figure. This one though I shipped Nakatsu and Kayashima, as you see a lot more of their friendship here and how close they really are. However, there was some new eye candy such as Kiriyama Renn who played Nanba Minami and Tokuyama Hidenori who played Oscar. This cast isn’t as good looking as the original, but every one has something good looking about them. SEE MORE DRAMA AND MOVIE REVIEWS HERE: http://dramadevoted.tumblr.com/