Ouran High School Host Club - Live Action

[walkwithheroes]

This summer seems to be the season of cross dressing girls and manga adaptions. In July, Paradise Kiss, Star Protector Dog, and Ninja Kids!!! will hit theaters. In July the You're Beautiful remake and the unnecessary Hanazakari no Kimitachi e remake will hit the small screen. And now, I hear that the Ouran High School Host Club live action television series is a go!


I'm a huge fan of the manga and I enjoyed the anime series, but I've always been wary of a live action series or film. The manga is just so crazy and the characters just too weird. But, it's happening - there's a page at dramawiki and everything. The cast has even been announced. The cast makes me worried. Very worried.




Haruhi, the straightforward and intelligent heroine will be played by young actress Kawaguchi Haruna. She's been in several television series. She's a fairly good actress for a sixteen year old. She's taken on some serious drama roles, but can have a sense of humor. I'm fine with this casting.


But, then we get to the boys. . .

Tamaki, the fun loving leader of the Host Club, will be played by Ghost Boy from the original Hana Kimi. Yes, Yamamoto Yusuke will be playing Tamaki. His casting seems very off to me.

Nekozawa Umehito, leader of the Black Magic Club, will be a main character in this. He'll be played by Ryusei Ryo. He's currently playing a bit role in Rebound.

Morinozuka Takashi, the silent and huge protector of Honey, will be played by Nakamura Masaya. He's apparently rather tall, so. . .okay.


Haninozuka Mitsukuni, the tiny but fierce member of the club, will be played by Yudai Chiba. He certainly doesn't look young enough to play the character.

The twins, Hitachiin Hikaru and Hitachiin Kaoru will be played by real life twins, Takagi Shinpei and Takagi Manpei. At least they got twins to play the roles.

Ootori Kyoya, the club's "Mom", will be played by Daito Shunsuke.


Mostly, I have nothing to say about the cast. I only know Kawaguchi Haruna (who is good, and may be alright as Haruhi) and Yamamoto Yusuke, whose a fine actor, but seems terribly missed casted as Tamaki. I don't have high hopes for this series. Not just because of the cast, but also because it just doesn't seem like something that can transfer well to onscreen.


Anyway, the Ouran live action series begins this July. It'll air in the "death spot" - 12:20a.m. and will air on TBS.

Comments

[lastingdreams8.livejournal.com]

"Death spot" indeed. Ouran doesn't seem like something that would fit a half-hour timeframe. However, with curious fangirls, I'm hoping the ratings will be raised.

I'm quite happy with the casting, having no knowledge of the original works. I hope they realize how big a fanbase Ouran has and properly adapt it into a full drama.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

The station has a special name for it - Clone Baby was a popular drama that aired in the same time slot. I never saw that drama, but I remember it had a lot of buzz around the internet. I'm sure fans of the original manga and the actors (they all seem to have huge fan bases) will check out the show.

I'm a fan of the original works, which makes the casting really disappointing to me. I just don't think its a manga that can successfully be adapted to the small screen. It also doesn't help that I have no idea who the cast is. All the boys seem to be very popular with the ladies and gentlemen(?) at several sites around the internet. But, I've never heard of them and they don't seem to have acted very much. *shrugs*

I can just hope that it is properly - or somewhat properly - adapted into a watchable show.

[lastingdreams8.livejournal.com]

Yea, I watched Clone Baby and I'd venture to say it was better than the timeslot allowed for. Whereas, if I look at Shima Shima this season, it doesn't look as high quality.

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Yea, I watched <i>Clone Baby</i> and I'd venture to say it was better than the timeslot allowed for. Whereas, if I look at <i>Shima Shima</i> this season, it doesn't look as high quality.

<i<which makes the casting really disappointing to me</i>.
Yea, it's tough seeing something you love come to life and is sabotaged by casting. I am curious, who would you have casted?

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I've seen three episodes of Clone Baby and honestly think it's a good show. It's an interesting idea. I really should finish it.


I don't know who I would cast, because I've never thought it should be a live action show. There are certain mangas - Lovely Complex, From Me to You, Honey and Clover, etc - that could make (and have made) good dramas/films. But, Ouran just seems too crazy and fabulous,.

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

I can see why they casted Yamamoto Yusuke, if only if you take his character in Kamen Rider Kabuto and replaced him in this.

Personally, I would have picked Taguchi Junnosuke's Bido Granmarie or whatever his name was from Yuukan Club. He had the blond hair and all.

I would have much liked the Saito twins instead, but that's for shallow reasons, and I just think they're better actors.

Tbh I've only read the manga and watched bits of the anime, but I can't see this working too well. It's just too crazy!!

(Btw, I also started watching Asuko March! and I fell in love. :'D I'm a Tamaki/Nao fan rofl.)

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Mmm. . .I've never seen Kamen Rider Kabuto. Not my style. I agree, I can't see it as a live action series (or even a film) because of the craziness. Unless they water it down quite a bit.


(Asuko March! is a lovely show. I've watched episodes 1-3 and am really enjoying it.)

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

Clips like this are convincing enough that he could be a good Tamaki. Not the most amazing one, but a good one nonetheless.

(I really like it! I can't wait for the fourth episode. :'D)

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Okay, from the clip, acting wise - he can do it well. I'm just not sure he looks the part.


(I know! I'm looking forward to seeing where the story will go.)

[singing-tree.livejournal.com]

It was only a matter of time before they made it into a drama. :)
Hmm.. Casting seems indeed a bit, off.. But hey, maybe they'll surprise you.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I just wish they had gotten a cast that looks (or feels) more like their manga counterparts. I'll hope for that surprise.

[lightsjustright.livejournal.com]

I do wonder whether its somewhat OTT charm will translate onscreen. Still, I'm always happy for people to give it a shot. Here's hoping :)

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking it may be a bit like the Hana Kimi from '07 - OTT and fun, but not heavy on plot or development. I hope some of the charm will translate. At the very least, I hope the show will get more people to check out the manga and/or anime.