My Dream Drama

[rosdrise]

So everyone else has been doing the "Dream Drama" meme, I thought I would throw my hat into the mix. I'm not particularly inspired by any original plot at the moment. But, what I would love to eventually see is a drama based off of my favorite anime of all time: Fruits Basket



I know, given the transformations, that this is highly unlikely to ever happen. But I would totally be down for some crappy CG and bad puppets. I love Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi, and the deer in that is HILARIOUS to look at. Really, if it means I get a Furuba drama I'll take what I can get.

Given the length, a drama would probably take it's lead from the anime. But, I've read the first 10 volumes of the manga and know the summary of everything else. Plus, it's more fun to cast EVERYONE. I totally failed when it came to casting the younger kids... and some of the older ones. I just ran out of ideas and I know some of you guys would have some awesome thoughts on the subject.

I'm going with an all Japanese cast, since the manga is Japanese and the actor I wanted for Shigure (my favorite character) immediately sprang to mind and he was Japanese.

Without further ado, here is my live action Fruits Basket j-drama cast (aka - "that's a lot of good lookin' people" OR "DO YOU ONLY KNOW IDOL ACTORS, cranberrysheep?!").

First up: Tohru



My casting choice: Aragaki Yui



Gakki may not be the strongest actress out there, but she is adorable. Anyone who has seen My Boss My Hero can attest to that. Tohru is sweet and caring and I think Gakki would fill that role admirably. Plus, she looks EXACTLY like her.

Tohru's Friends...

Uo-chan



My casting choice: Ueno Juri



Juri's probably best known for her role as Nodame, the quirky pianist from Nodame Cantabile, so she may seem like an odd-choice for the yankee. But I don't know, I think she's a very talented actress with a great deal of inner strength. Plus, she was a motocross biker in Last Friends. I'm pretty sure she'd knock the socks off of this role.

Hanajima



My casting choice: Horikita Maki



I think Maki is as cute as a button, but I haven't loved in her a role since Nobuta. She has come across as kind of bland in any other role she's gotten (Kurosagi, Hana Kimi, and to a slightly lesser extent in Atashinchi no Danshi). Playing the denpa-wiedling, psychic girl could be really interesting.

Sohma Clan!

Yuki



My casting choice: Yamashita Tomohisa



I REALLY struggled when it came to casting Yuki, and I'm hardly sold on this choice so give me your thoughts. It's probably just my Pi-fangirl, but I actually think Yamapi could pull this off. Yuki is very stoic, and Yamapi is kind of a pod-person so this could totally work.

Kyo



My casting choice: Ikuta Toma



First, how hilarious would it be to have fellow Johnny's and bffs Toma and Yamapi sparring off at the drop of a hat? OMG. Second, Toma was brilliant as Nakatsu. He MADE Hana Kimi. He just needs to bring that same kind of energy to this role. Plus, he can do drama too (Maou, anyone?) so he'd be all over Kyo's angst.

Shigure



My casting choice: Kimura Takuya



This was the first role I cast, actually. Probably because I just finished MR BRAIN and A Million Stars Falling From the Sky which cast Kimura in two completely different roles, but both roles that feed directly into Shigure. Which is actually why he's my favorite Furuba character (followed closely by Kyo). He's so ridiculous and goofy, but has this really creepy scheming side.

Hatori



My casting choice: Fujiki Naohito



An emo doctor with a tragic love history? Yeah, I think he can do it no problem.

Kagura



My casting choice: Kitagawa Keiko



I'd never seen Keiko in anything before Buzzer Beat, but she's quite possibly my favorite thing about that drama (even BEFORE the fanservice, you guys). She's got the spunk to be Kagura but has the talent to keep her from just being plain annoying, which would be really REALLY easy. I think her and Toma would be adorable in the interactions.

Hatsuharu



My casting choice: Eita



Eita has played serious and ridiculous (in the same dramas as Ueno Juri, as it happens). I think he could flip the switch between the two as needed when it comes to playing Haru. Plus, he tends to have crazy hair in all of his roles so it only makes sense.

Rin



My casting choice: Shibasaki Kou



I know, Rin never made an appearance in the anime, but I always wish she had. There's an interesting dynamic between her and both Haru and Shigure. I think Shibasaki Kou (just based off of what I saw in A Million Stars) would be perfect as this strong, willful, and very broken young woman.

Kazuma



My casting choice: Tomoya Nagase



Kazuma isn't a member of the zodiac, but he is Kyo's karate master and foster father. Basically, I want Nagase in every drama and love the idea of him mentoring Toma. SO CUTE.

EVERYONE ELSE

I racked my brain trying to think of people for the remaining cast but couldn't come up with anything. Any thoughts on who would make a good Ayame? He's just... well, he's AYAME. Same with Ritsu, thoughts? Kureno never made it into the anime, so I'm not that concerned about casting him, plus his character is kind of blah so I didn't have any strong opinions.

I don't really know any younger actors so my mind is completely blank when it came to casting Kisa, Hiro, and Momiji (who is older, but doesn't look it at all).

Then there is Akito... who I'm completely lost on. How do you approach that? The anime never deals with... that certain issue so how do you handle casting?

INPUT PLEASE!

ETA: Just a quick note to say I updated my drama rankings. I think I want to tackle the rest of the episodes of Painter of the Wind next, but soon I'll need to pick out another older series to binge on. I'm still in the mood for Kimutaku, so it'll probably be Pride.

Comments

[darkeyedwolf.livejournal.com]

OH GOD. I WANT THIS DRAMA SO BAD. If they can do ghosts and vampires and talking deer they should be able to handle a few puffs of smoke and household pets.

Gakki = PERFECT Tohru.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm saying! I will put up with any amount of cheese and crappy effects if I could get a Furuba drama. I'd be ALL OVER IT.

Doesn't she look like Tohru come to life? Her smile is what totally sold me on the choice.

[darkeyedwolf.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking about the cast. My first choice for Yuki would be Hongo Kanata, though he might look a bit young next to Toma. (Then again, Gakki would too.)

ICHIHARA HAYATO WOULD ROCK THE SHIT OUT OF HATSUHARU.

Akito... hmm. I keep thinking of elegant long-haired women like Kuriyama Chiaki and Nakama Yukie, deceptively beautiful people who could fly in a rage and then scar you for life. Maybe if they chopped off their hair they'd be androgynous enough.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Man, I just did my best to cobble together a cast of people I knew. That Hongo kid TOTALLY looks the part of Yuki. He'd look young next to Gakki too though, I'd think.

I've never seen Ichihara Hayato in anything, but I'll take your word on it! He looks the part too!

Thoughts on a new Kyo? I just love Toma to bits, so I'm biased.

Akito... You're good at this!

[darkeyedwolf.livejournal.com]

I think Kaname Jun would make a good Shigure. (Though I'm biased, as I think Kaname Jun would make a good anything.) He's played dorky and ridiculous but also cold and calculating, and he + a twisted Chiaki/Yukie romance would scorch the earth.

(I don't mean to re-write your whole cast, I just keep thinking about this! It's so exciting! If I could will any drama into existence...)

I'm trying to imagine anyone but Toma as Kyo, and it's just not working. Tooooooma. ♥ ♥ ♥

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Don't be! I asked for input! Kaname Jun had come to mind when I was thinking about Hatori, actually. Do you think he could do Ayame? We have to consider the dynamic of that older trio of Shigure, Ayame, and Hatori. Hmmm...

I'm pretty sold on Kimura for Shigure myself (I'm crazy biased about that XD ).

Toma!~~ I'd kind of love to see him play a Kyo type of character sometime in the future, all gruff on the exterior for really a total softie on the inside who makes leek soup for the girl he likes when she is sick even though he hates leeks. KYO IS SO CUTE.

[darkeyedwolf.livejournal.com]

We have to consider the dynamic of that older trio of Shigure, Ayame, and Hatori.

OH OH OH. IF KIMURA IS SHIGURE, SHINGO CAN BE AYAME! I mean, hair aside -- the craziness, the crossdressing -- it would be PERFECT! Goro even looks a little like a Hatori. I'd buy that dynamic.

all gruff on the exterior for really a total softie on the inside who makes leek soup for the girl he likes when she is sick even though he hates leeks

YES. Sorta like Nakatsu's dork mixed with Box's social awkwardness. And Naoto's angst.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

OK, we'll just let SMAP take over!

YES. Sorta like Nakatsu's dork mixed with Box's social awkwardness. And Naoto's angst.

He'll just have to embrace his inner crazy-violent side and he'll have every aspect of Kyo down!

[anenko.livejournal.com]

I want this so bad. And I loved PGSM, so obviously I have no trouble with puppet animals.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

The public is ready! Why won't Japan provide what we NEED?!

[scanky-chops.livejournal.com]

See, from what i see mnaga adaptations are always hard to do 'cos people always end up hating some aspect of it (namely the cast). Plus if they feel that the drama ruins the whole spirit of the manga they get even more PO-ed. That's why i'm pretty happy not having a clue what's gonna happen. XD

Back on track, i'd watch anything that involved Toma, Kimura AND Nagase. ♥_____♥

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

There are haters for everything though. They just need to loosen up and enjoy the ride. The Furuba anime differed from the manga and it was still fantastic. They could totally do an awesome job!

Back on track, i'd watch anything that involved Toma, Kimura AND Nagase. ♥_____♥

WOULDN'T IT BE AMAZING?!

[ladysaotome.livejournal.com]

Wow - your cast in perfect! Especially Toma as Ryo!

I'm going to be racking my brains all day trying to think of Ayames & Akitos. I love Momiji and I'd prefer someone who really fit the role - I hate how they're always miscasting foreign-types. I've never seen him in anything except Nobuta but Wakaba Ryuya is pretty enough to play Ayame - but he's younger than Pi so I don't know how well that would work out.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

You mean you don't just want to pull a kid in off the street and slap a crappy wig on his head?

[ladysaotome.livejournal.com]

lol. It drives me bonkers when someone who's supposed to be blonde or American is obviously Japanese &/or has a horrific accent. (I can think of several roles in JHanakimi that were mutilated that way.)

Kamiki Ryunosuke could be one of the kids...?

[jennekohan.livejournal.com]

I knew Kimura Takuya had to be in there somewhere. He's in EVERYTHING! I miss Fruits Basket! ; A ;

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to rewatch it since you got me the dvds, now I REALLY want to!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I love the manga (didn't care for the anime) so a big YES to your idea. I always thought Yuki was a little girly, so I can't see Pi as him, as Pi is one of the few idols that doesn't scream 'girl' to me. Maybe Kame?

And Pride is awesome.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Yuki is totally girly, and while I don't think Pi is, I thought he had the 'princely' aspect. Plus, he's as thin as a rail these days.

Kame was actually my second choice! :D

[onmyowndick.livejournal.com]

EITA!

I love this manga so I would so watch this drama! Aragaki Yui is seriously the perfect Tohru.

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

I'm totally stealing your idea and slapping totally different people in these rolls. (Save for Kagura, Hatori, and RIN, OMG SHIBASAKI KOU AS RIN. I can totally imagine that, wtf.)

I think it's only because the first three actresses, while all would probably fit their roles, do nothing for me. aka I don't like any of them Please, don't let that make you want to defriend me so soon. D:

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

DEFRIENDED!

JK OF COURSE. I'd love to see the cast you come up with! :D