Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (Hana-Kimi)

I’m excluding the manga on the plea of ignorance and compare only the Live Action versions XD. Within a year, two adaptations of the same manga is produced, which is asking to be compared. I’ll probably be adding on more later, as I finish up the series.
Hana Kimi (Taiwan) consist of 15 episodes, aired in 2006 while Hana Kimi (Japan) 12 episodes, aired in 2007. Its funny – I realised it only when I was putting their pictures together, but the uniform colours for the two versions are directly inversed. I think the Japanese production team did that on purpose lolz.

Ashiya Mizuki 芦屋 瑞稀

The girl who disguises herself as a boy to enter Osaka High (all boys school) to encourage her Idol to high-jump again. I’m surprised that people (in the drama) question the fact that a girl would cross-dress to mix into an all boys dorm. Which hot-blooded adolescent girl wouldn’t want to be in a school known as ‘ikemen (good-looking guys) paradise’? I don’t see what’s so suprising about that.

Ella Chen (right) definitely looks much more like a boy. Students would have to be blind not to notice how girly Horikita Maki (left) is, yet no one questions the fact after episode 1, as if its really normal to see girly-looking guys peppering the campus. In terms of cute, Maki wins. It helps that she looks more girlish. Both Maki and Ella had to put on some exaggerated expressions when playing this role, but Maki has this natural wide-eyed charm that makes Ella (who is trying her best) look like she is overacting.

Maki’s Ashiya is big-hearted, well-meaning, energetic, optimistic and a little clueless. Ella’s Ruixi is boyish, innocent, prone to imagination and looks kind of clueless most of the time.

Sano Izumi 佐野 泉

I found that there were rather strong differences between Wu Chun’s (left) Quan and Oguri Shun’s (right) Sano. Wu Chun’s Quan fits in better with his friends and is emotionally honest about his insecurities and problems. Oguri’s Sano is colder, the sore (frozen) thumb sticking out in Dorm 3, a reticent loner type who keeps everything to himself. Not having read the manga, I have no idea which Sano is more Sano. Personally, I prefer Oguri’s Sano because he posed a huge contrast to warm-hearted Ashiya.

Nakatsu Shuiichi 中津 秀一

Nakatsu is a big source of humour for the show and Ikuta Toma (right) wins hands down. It is difficult for Jiro Wang (left) to outdo Ikuta who made the entire show come alive. I never really liked Johnny’s which is like an idol-factory but boy, the juniors can act, all the way from Matsujun to Ikuta Toma, to Yamapi to Kamenashi Kazuya. Ikuta steals the show in spite of his supporting role. He’s naturally funny, sweet, lovable and lights up the screen everytime he appears. He had me rooting all the way for Nakatsu, heck Oguri Shun XD.

Namba Minami 難波 南

Namba is supposed to be a ladies killer (along with Sano and the other dorm heads apparently). Danson Tang (left) is IT. He looks like a ladies killer alright. I can see girls falling over themselves to get to him. Not really Mizushima Hiro (right). I had no idea why Namba is so popular in his version (other than being Dorm head). He lacks the x-factor, despite bearing a stronger resemblence to the manga than any of his cast mates. Does anyone think Hiro looks like Matsujun?

Umeda Hokuto 梅田 北斗

Umeda is one character I watch with interest because he seems to occupy a special place as the school doctor. In terms of acting, both are pretty natural. In terms of attractiveness, I like Ryan Tang (left) better. I have no idea why they gave him ultra long hair extensions, but it suits him fine and his unplaceble smile is melting. He oozes sex appeal while Kamikawa Takaya (right) looks more edgy.

In an interesting turn both, ‘Umedas’ starred in the Japanese version and Taiwanese adaptation of Shiroi Kyoto 白い巨塔 (the Great White Tower) respectively. Kamikawa won best supporting actor as the plaintiff’s down-and-out lawyer Sekiguchi (I like him better there) while Ryan Tang had a supporting role as Jerry Yan’s doctor friend.

Overall: 花樣少年少女 vs 花ざかりの君たちへ

花樣少年少女 Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu: The True Ikemen Paradise
Sorry to the J-version, but T-Hana Kimi with its high production values and a few choice leads (Wu Chun, Danson Tang, Jiro Wang, Ryan Tang) manages to produce the real ‘paradise’ of good-looking men. Its very pleasant to watch because everything is prettily done, especially the uniforms. It manages to bring out the exclusivity of the school that is Osaka High.

花ざかりの君たちへ Hanazakari no Kimitachi e: For You, in Full Bloom
I took no breaks between Episodes 1 to 8. Talented actors, fast pacing and sophisticated presentation of the same storyline with lots of humour is the formula for success. Humour in particular, is the clincher. J-Hana Kimi relies soley on facial and physical expressiveness, quick repartees (e.g. eyeball father) and upbeat soundtrack (I love Ikemen Boogie!!!) to bring out the fun that is Osaka High. The sense of camaraderie in particular, is very strong.