Sep. 21st, 2016 11:00 pm
Gou Gou Datte Neko de Aru 2: Drama Notes
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earth_colorsHere are a few notes from the second season of Gou Gou Datte Neko De Aru:
Kaibori [掻い掘り]. It basically involves draining out the water in ponds (usually used in farmlands) during agricultural off-seasons, in order to capture fish (especially alien ones), repair and maintain the river banks, to inspect, etc. As one of the administrative tasks of the Inokashira Park's Executive Committee, kaibori is essential in order to maintain the function of Inokashira Pond. It is also to prepare for Inokashira Park's centennial celebration next year, marking 100 years after it was opened to the public in 1917. The public is also invited to help in kaibori volunteer activities. Erratum: I erroneously wrote in the Translator's Notes in Episode 1, that this pond was "man-made". It is actually a natural water source for the Kanda River. And speaking of Kanda River, in Ep. 4, when Omori was walking, he looked at the river, and realized that he has already gone past Kojima Asako's house in Musashino, and he has reached Mitaka City where the river is located.
(info: inokashirapark100) (pic: suginami.seikatsusha)
Gumi [グミ] and Kotaro [小太郎]. Gou Gou and Bee are portrayed respectively by: Gumi, 3 year old female, and Kotaro, one year old male (Note: Though portrayed by a female cat, Gou Gou's gender is not mentioned in the drama, but I assumed Gou Gou is male as shown in the movie version, when he went after a female cat; Meanwhile I also don't know what Bee's gender is but I assume she is female in the drama). Gumi is said to be the grandchild of the cat that portrayed Gou Gou in the 2008 movie version. According to the staff, Gumi has gotten fat since Season 1, and so they tried to put her on a diet during filming of Season 2. However, instead of slimming down, they say it rebounded, after noticing she had gotten even bigger towards the end of shooting. Nevertheless, the cast and crew are all praises for Gumi's acting skills, saying she follows instructions quite well, and stays put when told. Lead star, Miyazawa Rie says of Gumi: "She was able to pull off sublime performances every time, more than we imagined. I remind myself that I have to act with her. She understands exactly what to do." Also, according to the staff, Gumi was at first good friends with Kotaro. However, when Kotaro became friends with the little kittens in the drama, Gumi apparently resented it and during her scenes with Kotaro, the staff noticed their "friendship" had declined. For some behind-the-scenes cuteness, here's a link.
Akitsune Mountain Tombs [秋常山古墳群]. In Ep. 2, this was the place that Kojima's assistant, Iida Chiiri went to in order to research about historic ruins. It is found in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, also referred to as Nomi Tombs. It was first discovered in 1984: two tombs were found and excavated, numbered as 1 and 2, and eventually designated as a National Historic Site in 1994. The major tomb, No. 1 is described to be shaped as a 3 tiered keyhole. The site is said to date back to 4th century AD.
(info/pic: ja.wiki)
Farewell, Hanako. Japan's beloved oldest elephant that appeared in this drama (Season 1), died on 26 May 2016. She was found lying down on the ground inside her enclosure. Her caretakers know that if she remains as is, her weight of 2.1 tons will put pressure on her lungs, and will cause suffocation. However, efforts to bring her back on her feet failed, and she died on that same day. She was 69 years old. Autopsy revealed she indeed died of respiratory failure. Results also discovered arthritis had set in on her right front leg, which more likely caused her inability to stand. Hanako first came to Japan from Thailand in 1954, and had stayed in Inokashira Park since then.
Ep 4 Thoughts. When Omori talked about why he thinks he couldn't tell Kojima-sensei about his upcoming wedding, he said something about "using everything too" (the way Kojima-sensei "uses everything" when she comes up with her stories) if he confesses or becomes candid. It took me a long time trying to understand what he meant. In the end, I think he meant that if he starts talking (and be candid about his personal life), he won't be able to stop. And it would be hard on him, because he wants to maintain a professional relationship with her (considering that editors-in-charge are temporary, and he can be assigned to someone else), hence he wants to draw the line somehow (it is also why he is confused as to what should their relationship be: Editor? Friend? Where does one end and where does one start?)
Also regarding the scene when they both were walking at the park, and seeing cut-out life-sized panels of (probably popular) characters in mangas that they both worked on in the past... Was it real? Did Omori stage that in order to surprise Kojima? Or was it just one of the surreal dreamy moments that this drama inserts in its scenes once in a while? I still do not know the answer, and probably it is up to the viewer to decide. But for me, it might be a sort of a reference to an earlier dialogue between Kojima and Iida: "Stop making the night scene into a fantasy-like atmosphere" which was Iida's style. I think the night scene in the park was something like that, and since this episode was narrated by Iida, the night scene was shown in her "style". And the two walking hand in hand, was probably meant to look similar to a couple walking down the aisle, meaning that theirs is also a "marriage" of sorts, a "marriage of manga", and they smile and laugh as they walk down the "aisle", while the characters they worked on are in "attendance" and to bear witness. That is also why Iida said that she "feels like congratulating the two", a "couple" who has been working hard together for ten years.
(pic: wowow)
Location Shooting. The drama is as usual, filmed mostly in Kichijoji and Inokashira Park, mainly promoting the shops within the area (all pix above from left to right, except the last pic, are from wowow):
Painu-Niraikanai [南ぬニライカナイ]. The izakaya where Minami, Iida and other assistants are drinking. It's an Okinawan themed shop. Note: there are several branches of this shop "Niraikana" in the area. Address: 1F, 1-17-1 Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino Tokyo (Tel: 0422-46-2900) (info: tabelog)
Pollo [ポヨ]. The shop selling roasted chicken in Ep 3 (note: there are several branches of this shop in the area, too). Address: 2-12-3 Kichijoji, Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo (Tel no 0422-21-3955) (info: hamoyoko)
Chez Moi [シェモア]. The coffee shop in Ep 3. Address: 1-18-23 Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino Tokyo (tel no: 0422-47-2041) (info: tabelog)
Mariya [まりや]. The okonomiyaki shop in Ep 4. Address: 1-18-7 Kichijoji, Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo (Tel no: 0422-21-4592) (info: tabelog)
Iseya, Main Store [いせや 総本店]. The yakitori shop and izakaya in Ep 4 where Kojima Asako talks with the old man. The shop shown is the original main branch. When the old man mentioned that he was supposed to go to the "other Iseya shop across the park", he was referring to Iseya's second branch. Address: 1-2-1 Gotenyama Musashino Tokyo (Tel no: 0422-47-1008) (info: tabelog)
Kin no Saru [金の猿]. The restaurant in Ep 4 where Asako and Omori had their talk. Address: 1-21-1 Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino Tokyo (Tel no: 0422-72-8757) (info: tabelog)
Gontemba City [御殿場市]. Where Asako went to in search of the homeless man's look alike. Located on the southeastern flank of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. Scenes were shot at the Gotemba Golf Course (pic above), Roadside Station Subashiri, Fuji Sengen Jinja (Shrine), and the Otanai Seikou-en or Botanical Gardens (info: wiki)
Episode Index: (link)
Kaibori [掻い掘り]. It basically involves draining out the water in ponds (usually used in farmlands) during agricultural off-seasons, in order to capture fish (especially alien ones), repair and maintain the river banks, to inspect, etc. As one of the administrative tasks of the Inokashira Park's Executive Committee, kaibori is essential in order to maintain the function of Inokashira Pond. It is also to prepare for Inokashira Park's centennial celebration next year, marking 100 years after it was opened to the public in 1917. The public is also invited to help in kaibori volunteer activities. Erratum: I erroneously wrote in the Translator's Notes in Episode 1, that this pond was "man-made". It is actually a natural water source for the Kanda River. And speaking of Kanda River, in Ep. 4, when Omori was walking, he looked at the river, and realized that he has already gone past Kojima Asako's house in Musashino, and he has reached Mitaka City where the river is located.
(info: inokashirapark100) (pic: suginami.seikatsusha)
Gumi [グミ] and Kotaro [小太郎]. Gou Gou and Bee are portrayed respectively by: Gumi, 3 year old female, and Kotaro, one year old male (Note: Though portrayed by a female cat, Gou Gou's gender is not mentioned in the drama, but I assumed Gou Gou is male as shown in the movie version, when he went after a female cat; Meanwhile I also don't know what Bee's gender is but I assume she is female in the drama). Gumi is said to be the grandchild of the cat that portrayed Gou Gou in the 2008 movie version. According to the staff, Gumi has gotten fat since Season 1, and so they tried to put her on a diet during filming of Season 2. However, instead of slimming down, they say it rebounded, after noticing she had gotten even bigger towards the end of shooting. Nevertheless, the cast and crew are all praises for Gumi's acting skills, saying she follows instructions quite well, and stays put when told. Lead star, Miyazawa Rie says of Gumi: "She was able to pull off sublime performances every time, more than we imagined. I remind myself that I have to act with her. She understands exactly what to do." Also, according to the staff, Gumi was at first good friends with Kotaro. However, when Kotaro became friends with the little kittens in the drama, Gumi apparently resented it and during her scenes with Kotaro, the staff noticed their "friendship" had declined. For some behind-the-scenes cuteness, here's a link.
Akitsune Mountain Tombs [秋常山古墳群]. In Ep. 2, this was the place that Kojima's assistant, Iida Chiiri went to in order to research about historic ruins. It is found in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, also referred to as Nomi Tombs. It was first discovered in 1984: two tombs were found and excavated, numbered as 1 and 2, and eventually designated as a National Historic Site in 1994. The major tomb, No. 1 is described to be shaped as a 3 tiered keyhole. The site is said to date back to 4th century AD.
(info/pic: ja.wiki)
Farewell, Hanako. Japan's beloved oldest elephant that appeared in this drama (Season 1), died on 26 May 2016. She was found lying down on the ground inside her enclosure. Her caretakers know that if she remains as is, her weight of 2.1 tons will put pressure on her lungs, and will cause suffocation. However, efforts to bring her back on her feet failed, and she died on that same day. She was 69 years old. Autopsy revealed she indeed died of respiratory failure. Results also discovered arthritis had set in on her right front leg, which more likely caused her inability to stand. Hanako first came to Japan from Thailand in 1954, and had stayed in Inokashira Park since then.
Ep 4 Thoughts. When Omori talked about why he thinks he couldn't tell Kojima-sensei about his upcoming wedding, he said something about "using everything too" (the way Kojima-sensei "uses everything" when she comes up with her stories) if he confesses or becomes candid. It took me a long time trying to understand what he meant. In the end, I think he meant that if he starts talking (and be candid about his personal life), he won't be able to stop. And it would be hard on him, because he wants to maintain a professional relationship with her (considering that editors-in-charge are temporary, and he can be assigned to someone else), hence he wants to draw the line somehow (it is also why he is confused as to what should their relationship be: Editor? Friend? Where does one end and where does one start?)
Also regarding the scene when they both were walking at the park, and seeing cut-out life-sized panels of (probably popular) characters in mangas that they both worked on in the past... Was it real? Did Omori stage that in order to surprise Kojima? Or was it just one of the surreal dreamy moments that this drama inserts in its scenes once in a while? I still do not know the answer, and probably it is up to the viewer to decide. But for me, it might be a sort of a reference to an earlier dialogue between Kojima and Iida: "Stop making the night scene into a fantasy-like atmosphere" which was Iida's style. I think the night scene in the park was something like that, and since this episode was narrated by Iida, the night scene was shown in her "style". And the two walking hand in hand, was probably meant to look similar to a couple walking down the aisle, meaning that theirs is also a "marriage" of sorts, a "marriage of manga", and they smile and laugh as they walk down the "aisle", while the characters they worked on are in "attendance" and to bear witness. That is also why Iida said that she "feels like congratulating the two", a "couple" who has been working hard together for ten years.
(pic: wowow)
Location Shooting. The drama is as usual, filmed mostly in Kichijoji and Inokashira Park, mainly promoting the shops within the area (all pix above from left to right, except the last pic, are from wowow):
Painu-Niraikanai [南ぬニライカナイ]. The izakaya where Minami, Iida and other assistants are drinking. It's an Okinawan themed shop. Note: there are several branches of this shop "Niraikana" in the area. Address: 1F, 1-17-1 Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino Tokyo (Tel: 0422-46-2900) (info: tabelog)
Pollo [ポヨ]. The shop selling roasted chicken in Ep 3 (note: there are several branches of this shop in the area, too). Address: 2-12-3 Kichijoji, Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo (Tel no 0422-21-3955) (info: hamoyoko)
Chez Moi [シェモア]. The coffee shop in Ep 3. Address: 1-18-23 Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino Tokyo (tel no: 0422-47-2041) (info: tabelog)
Mariya [まりや]. The okonomiyaki shop in Ep 4. Address: 1-18-7 Kichijoji, Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo (Tel no: 0422-21-4592) (info: tabelog)
Iseya, Main Store [いせや 総本店]. The yakitori shop and izakaya in Ep 4 where Kojima Asako talks with the old man. The shop shown is the original main branch. When the old man mentioned that he was supposed to go to the "other Iseya shop across the park", he was referring to Iseya's second branch. Address: 1-2-1 Gotenyama Musashino Tokyo (Tel no: 0422-47-1008) (info: tabelog)
Kin no Saru [金の猿]. The restaurant in Ep 4 where Asako and Omori had their talk. Address: 1-21-1 Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino Tokyo (Tel no: 0422-72-8757) (info: tabelog)
Gontemba City [御殿場市]. Where Asako went to in search of the homeless man's look alike. Located on the southeastern flank of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. Scenes were shot at the Gotemba Golf Course (pic above), Roadside Station Subashiri, Fuji Sengen Jinja (Shrine), and the Otanai Seikou-en or Botanical Gardens (info: wiki)
Episode Index: (link)
