Hana Yori Dango is the Japanese adaptation of the Japanese shojo manga with the same name with a first season  (9 episodes), Hana Yori Dango 2 ( 11 episodes) and the final movie.

Here’s the deal:

Makino Tsukushi (portrayed by Inoue Mao) is a middle class girl studying at a high society high school. This said school is very prominent for its elite students from high class companies and families. The F4 or “Flower Four” is a well-known group consisting of 4 heirs from powerful families and multi billionaire companies. This story tackles the story of Makino and her adventures in love, pursuing happiness and growing up.

What I like about this Japanese drama:

1. FRIENDSHIP

In this drama, even though the main focus is around the romantic relationship between Makino and Domyouji (leader of F4), this version showcases more about f4 and their friendship.

In this drama “F4” is shown as a brotherhood, not only as a group of brat rich dudes. Throughout the course of the series the complex friendship of these boys namely (Jun Matsumoto as)  Domyouji Tsukasa, (Shun Oguri as)  Hanazawa Rui (Shota Matsuda as)  Nishikado Soujiro and  (Tsuyoshi Abe as) Mimasaka Akira is shown. They care for each other and you can see it, they may not express it verbally but the way they have each other’s backs, and the way they deal with their problems together is such an integral part of the plot and a great symbolism of true friendship.

2. Great Actor Choices

Let’s all be realistic here, comparing the Jdrama cast with the Taiwanese and Korean drama cast, they aren’t the best looking bunch (well except, Jun Matsumoto). BUT, BUT, BUT in assessment of the acting the Japanese actors nailed the characters!

I specially want to give my kudos to Inoue Mao (Makino Tsukushi) for being the best incarnation of the main lead character. She’s a free spirited, strong character, there wasn’t any moment where I was annoyed with her acting because she gets the part, and she gets the soul of Makino.

3. Great Chemistry

Makino Tsukushi and Domyouji Tsukasa, my goodness man, the chemistry of these two is a real jackpot. In today’s television there isn’t much TV couples where you can feel the tension, the spark, the interest for each other of the characters. You can’t force it, because if you will, it’ll be just a blob of horseshit ( like Clary and Jace from shadowhunters ha) also with the supporting characters, the bond is just nice to watch, it’s natural, not forced into my face.

4. Matsumoto Jun aka Domyouji Tsukasa

This dude is seriously the best Domyouji ever existed ( I just can’t), the acting is fantastic. 

Jun Matsumoto captures the characterization of Domyouji as this kid with the tough façade but inside he’s just a regular person longing for acceptance and love perfectly with his acting and charm.

5. Character Development

Let’s talk about Domyouji Tsukasa your typical arrogant, insensitive and violent rich kid. When you first see him your reaction will probably go along these lines, “What’s with the hair?”. I’m kidding but seriously though, Tsukasa is flawed and you can’t dare to say that he’s an entirely good person specially with the red card (when you receive this card, this means you’re in a lot of trouble) fiasco, the way he treated Makino at the very start, his rage and don’t even get me started with his anger management issues.

When he started to feel “humane” emotions for Makino he started to change, but did his love for Makino became the main element for his great development as a person?

Not entirely, but his love and care for the girl is one of the main reasons because without her he’s probably going to be a jerk for the rest of his life. I think that his relationship with Makino is the jump start for him to kind of understand he’s being a jerk and he’s not the centre of the universe.

I love this part in the series where an employee said

“ Domyouji didn’t try to beat me to death, but he hugged me and said that he was happy I was okay.”  

Even just with that line, you can see how he developed emotionally and mentally as a person.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This is my favourite adaptation of Hana Yori Dango (manga), great characters, romance and it's really funny!  and this will always have a special place in my heart! Totally recommend!

Ratings: A+

(disclaimer: I don't own any of the images shown unless stated)