Giragira (2008)

I wrote a review for this a while back and i guess it got lost when the new mdl came around so I will give you the skinny again. Gira Gira is a heart-warming tale about a man who has turned his back on his life as a host for a normal life, only to return once again when he has no other options.
This is one of those dramas where the main character almost always has a smile and he's got a little bite to back up his bark. Kohei (main character) was written well with complex feelings, loyalty and intelligence, very different to what hosts are usually portrayed to be. I really liked the fact that Kohei had certain standards working in the world of hosts clubs and those standards helped him survive.
I felt the story was realistic in giving an answer to "what happens to good hosts when they get old?".
Although the story is based in and around host clubs/ life this is not a romance and its not funny either. Gira Gira is a life drama attempting to shove "you dont have to sell your integrity" on its watcher with every episode. I didnt mind the message as much as i hated(i know i contradicting myself) the seemingly forced waxy smile kuronosuke always had on his face, he must have kept botox flowing. The men were much worse than the women, the men were: catty, jealous,traitors, cowardly and overly sensitive throughout the drama.
yes there is some stero typical behavior, some really bad things happen to our main character, and yes he dishes out ridiculously miraculous advice. However, even with that waxy face Kohei is endearing, sincere, persistent and you fall in love with him. I liked Gira Gira; there is a feel good ending, it stays entertaining and suspenseful, and it helps there are one or two hot guys around. give it a chance by getting to episode 2.

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My overall thought of this drama is that it was okay.  I was recommended not to watch it so with my personality, I went to look for it. I finished it within a day because it was just 8 episodes and I had the time to binge.  It wasn't as bad as I was told.  Mind you, it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible. The story was a simple one, kinda like a slice of life type genre. There wasn't really any big suspenseful drama within the show.  All the problems are pretty much predictable and it was handled in predictable ways.  So there wasn't really any suspension or very emotional cues that make it to the audience. The acting and cast was so-so to me.  It wasn't great.  I had added it in my PTW list because of Shohei Miura. I turn into a total fan girl when it comes to him.  He was a secondish, thirdish lead in the drama but his acting impact didn't really help that show.  But in his defense, this drama is one of his earlier dramas.  In terms of music, nothing striking so I gave it an okay.  I probably won't rewatch it.  Like I said it didn't really have any grabbing material.  It was like it was just telling a very simple story.  Everything was very predictable like I have mentioned.
I do agree with the person who told me it wasn't good.  I wouldn't say it is terrible but it just doesn't have that hook that keeps the audience entertained.  It does grab you a little on sympathy but not by much.  The creativity just wasn't there.  It's one of those movies/dramas where you watch it, think it's okay and leave it at that.

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