Hana Kimi (Japan) & Hana Kimi (Taiwan)
So it’s true. Both versions of the series will be played on the same day at a local channel here in the Philippines. Starting March 24, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (Hana Kimi / Japan) will be aired on GMA, while Hanazakarino Kimitachihe (Hana Kimi / Taiwan) is on ABS-CBN.
Both series are based on the Japanese manga Hana-Kimi by Hisaya Nakajo. Since both are based on the same story, the plot and characters are essentially the same. The only difference is how both drama portray the story, and of course their names. A rough English translation of the drama is “For You In Full Blossom”.
Hanazakarino Kimitachihe (Hana Kimi / Taiwan) runs in 15 90-minute episodes and is longer than the Japanese version. It was first shown in Taiwan in the late 2006. The three major characters are Lu Rui Xi (Ella Chen; based on Mizuki Ashiya), Zuo Yi Quan (Wu Chun; based on Izumi Sano), and Jin Xiu Yi (Jiro Wang; based on Shuichi Nakatsu).
I can’t comment on this one since I haven’t watched this version, yet. But my girlfriend told me that the leading man on this version is more “cuter” than the Japanese version. I told her that she is biased on the Korean/Chinese dramas. Or maybe “I am” the one who is biased on the Japanese one.
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (Hana Kimi / Japan) uses the exact name of the characters from the manga since it is originally from Japan. This series runs on 12 episodes, with 54 minute each, so it is shorter than the Taiwanese version. The 3 major cast are, the ever cute Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki, Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi, and Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi. This series aired in Japan on the 2nd-half of last year (2007).
This is one of the first few J-doramas (Japanese dramas) I’ve watched since last year and the second series I’ve actually recommended to my girlfriend (the other one was Liar Game). The show was full of humor and a little bit of drama. In the last few minutes of the last episode, expect heavy drama (^_^). I liked this series for two reasons; (1) because of the humor and wild antics of the cast, and (2) because of Horikita Maki (this is the first series I’ve known and seen her.)
I wonder which show will have the most viewers…
