[Fujimi Symphony Orchestra SERIES 1 - Kanreizensen Conductor]
Original (Novel): Fujimi Symphony Orchestra Series - Kanreizensen Conductor (ISBN: 4044346011)
Author: 秋月こお Akizuki Koh
Cover Illustrator: 西 炯子 Nishi Keiko
Released: 12/01/1995 Magazine.Magazine (JUNE)
Catalogue Number: JCD-951201
Price: 3800 yen (with tax), 3689 yen (w/out tax)
Cast:
増谷康紀 Masutani Yasunori (桐ノ院 圭 Tounoin Kei) x 置鮎龍太郎 Okiayu Ryoutarou (守村悠季 Morimura Yuuki)
勝生真沙子 Katsuki Masako (川島奈津子 Kawashima Natsuko)
梅津秀行 Umezu Hideyuki (石田国光 Ishida Kunimitsu)
Summary + Review:
I have finally decided that it would strongly do my Okiayu fandom wrongness if I don't review the Fujimi *laughs* and, people seem to be slightly confused about this giant, giant series. Let me explain. The Fujimi Symphony Orchestra, other known as the Fujimi Nichoume Kokyogakutan Series (富士見二丁目交響楽団シリーズ), is a novel series that has been running since 1994. The novel has been adapted into audio drama CDs by the JUNE publisher, which releases two-disk dramas that are very loyal to the original story. Also, since the Fujimi series is strongly related to classical music, the Sony company also releases a series of Fujimi drama CDs that are focused more on the background music and various classical pieces performed by the Fujimi Orchestra. The two types of Fujimi drama CDs have different sets of seiyuus, as well as different story progressions. For now, I will review the JUNE disks, since they are more drama-centric, plus, my favorite Okiayu-sama is voice-acting for this series XDDDDDDD.
After I wrote this review I looked it over and to tell the truth, it is somewhat boring -_- I wonder why cannot I bring out the best of the Fujimi, but it has dawned on me that something like Fujimi, as well as many other great yaoi series, needs one to sit, listen, and slowly begin to appreciate the atmosphere that it brings. With my poor composition skills and lack of vocabulary, I cannot put the joy of being obssessed with the Fujimi in proper words -_-....so, while you read this review, please remind yourself that this review is entirely NOT the representation of what Fujimi truly is....and I apologize for that T__T
The Fujimi Nichoume Symphony Orchestra is a small public orchestra consisting of part-time members. It is called the "Nichoume (二丁目)" since there are two orchestras in the Fujimi area, and people usually uses this term to distinguish it from the other orchestra. Nichoume actually has a slightly condescending meaning indicating that the orchestra is the "ghetto" one and not as superior as the other. But the objective of establishing the Fujimi Nichoume Orchestra is to encourage music lovers, no matter skilled or unskilled, to appreciate music and working with others in a group setting. Therefore, although the Fujimi Orchestra is not such a high-leveled orchestra, it is a very friendly and relaxed environment for music players.
The drama opens with the introduction of Fujimi's new conductor--Tounoin Kei. A tall lean man which is described as similar to a "telephone pole," he introduces himself: "My name is Tounoin Kei. The first character consisted of the 'wood' root, 'in' as the hospital, and 'Kei' with two 'ground' characters. Due to constant misprounciation, a 'no' written in katakana is added in the middle." Now you ask why do I go this length to describe his intro? It's because it's Tounoin's most famous intro XDDDD and it gives a very strong first impression of himself. In Akizuki-sensei's novel, she describes Tounoin's voice as a suave tenor. I have to say that Masutani's voice is just the right type (although a bit to the bass side) XDD. And the intro read by Masutani-san is indeed very nice-sounding and attractive, just like the handsome and tall Tounoin himself. Now the Concert Master (AKA head violinist) rises to introduce himself in return. Okiayu, playing the part of Morimura Yuuki, says in return, "I am Morimura Yuuki, the Concert Master. Yoroshiku (nice to meet you)." In the Fujimi series, Okiayu uses a very young voice...it probably also has to do with the fact that this drama was released back in 1995. At any rate, I like Okiayu's young voice *_* (have I said this before? XD;;). Morimura Yuuki is a bit towards the sensitive type, so Okiayu's slightly high-pitched voice also really suits his personality.
The Fujimi drama largely consists of Okiayu's monologue...an auto plus for Okiayu fans XDDD Morimura Yuuki does a lot of first-person narration along with description of minor background information. Moving on with the story, the orchestra members soon discovered that Tounoin Kei, a 'genius' musician who has attended a prestigious school, is a harsher conductor than any they've met before. In the first rehearsal, he demands that everyone keep their eyes on him, even if they cannot memorize the music. If he finds anyone who isn't keeping his/her eyes on his conducting, he immediately shouts "Stooooooop!!" and starts over (BTW this "stooooop" is the secondly famous of Kei's quotes, rofl). As the Concert Master and the substitute conductor before Tounoin arrives, Yuuki is worried about Kei's harsh attitude and fears that the members will be intimidated. However, the rest of the orchestra, especially the women, seems to be attracted to this new conductor, and starts to attend the rehearsals with more effort.
Yuuki has a secret crush on Kawashima Natsuko, a flute player in the orchestra. Someday, he plans to confess and propose to her. Ever since Kei arrived, though, Kawashima seems to be attracted to Kei more than anyone else...Yuuki, being jealous of Kei and a little resentful of the change in pace in the orchestra, is distracted during rehearsals and performs badly. Being angry at himself, he concludes that perhaps he is used to the slow pace that the orchestra usually has, and is comfortable at keeping his position as the Concert Master because at this slow pace, nobody can excel him. Then, being shameful at himself and guilty that he doesn't want to improve like the other members, Yuuki decides to quit the orchestra.
A bit of break to describe the drama itself. With the accompanying background classical music (in this first drama the theme is W.A. Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik (*footnote 1)," the piece that the orchestra is mainly practicing), and Okiayu's long monologues, it is extremely pleasing and relaxing to listen to. Masutani-san's deep voice and Okiayu's higher pitch make a great combination, and both of their voices are SO NICE ~____~ *slightly melting*. The story as it will develop, is a very sweet and heart-warming storyline (trust me, it IS XDD unlike some MoB...*frowns at Kuwabara-sensei* and Kei and Yuuki turns out to be a really sweet couple) Overall, I'd say that the JUNE disks are very well-made and good dramas before bedtime, lol.
Back to the story, Yuuki decides to quit the orchestra. Kei however, seems strongly hurt by Yuuki's decision. He drags Yuuki to his own house--a very empty room which basically contains nothing else than a huge set of stereo system and a bed. Seeming to be suddenly getting angry, Kei smiles with a scary expression...(and Yuuki shivers with fright, lol) Touching Yuuki's face, he slowly begins to say, "To tell the truth..."
Yuuki is about to dodge because Kei is approaching closer, but suddenly, Kei's lips touch his. Turning around after the unexpected kiss, Kei puts a CD into his stereo. "Wagner~" (this is his third most famous quote XDDDD which freaked me out for months and months.....|||||||||||) A loud wave of sound blasts from the speakers. Kei pushes Yuuki onto the bed and proceeds to....you know -_-. (Ken does her usual thing of avoiding H descriptions~~) Okiayu and Masutani's performances in this track is really superb ^^; starting back from when Yuuki lightly says "desukara yamemasu!" and quitting the orchestra, and Kei's shock at hearing that sentence...I like how Okiayu says that so easily, as if Yuuki really doesn't care and just gives up, and of course Masutani getting suddenly serious at Yuuki's decision. And then the scene in Kei's apartment--and Masutani's "Waaaaagneer~~~" which really, is very scary T__T (I will treat Wagner with a VERY* different attitude from now on...;;;;;) at this point Kei's voice becomes softer than usual, but is frighfully threatening *shivers*. You can hear Okiayu's voice too rising in pitch and becomes more coarse as he becomes more nervous with Kei's attitude. It's pretty rare to hear Okiayu's wild coarse voice ^^; he really perfectly illustrated Yuuki's sensitivity and his fear during the raping, though.
The rape part I'll skip, but really, this scene is much more mild than comparative rape scenes in other dramas (COUGH a certain Shiawase ni Dekiru). Yuuki as described in the novel, in order to escape from the pain of being raped, instead forces himself to be absorbed into the music surrounding him, and somehow his body proceeds to react to the sex as if he's excited by the music. At this part, I would really prefer the background music to be louder than they had it in the drama, because I always turn on the sound louder to get the full effect on that part XD;;;;; (and to tell the truth, Wanger's Tannhauser Overture *footnote 2* IS nice...and the climax is a very strong and fulfilling forte ^^) and Yuuki is supposed to be absorbed in the "sea of sound waves" anyways. Time count: 6 minutes...although the entire piece is about 13 minutes in the Sony disk.
After the completely random raping (gomen, it IS pretty random now come to think of it XD;;;;; but that doesn't deter me from being a big Fujimi fan), Kei confesses that he fell for Yuuki since when he first met him. Also, Kawashima, who previously confessed to Kei but was rejected, tells Kei that Yuuki might be homosexual because he doesn't show any interest in her after all these years (actually, Yuuki is just shy -_-;;;;;;;; Yuuki, see how your life can be changed by being too hesitant? lol). Here comes my favorite scene---Yuuki suddenly losing it, bolting for the door and falls down the stairs, bumps his head and faints, and wakes up crying and then laughing like crazy XDDDDDD I have to again admire Okiayu's performance to bring out Yuuki's slightly psychotic character. He's so pitiful when he sobs and sniffs, cursing using a weak voice, and going "nuuuu~~" when Kei comforts him (just so kawaii *dies*), and that prolonged crazy laugh like he's completely out of it....*sweatdrops*. Masutani-san also completely brings out Kei's soft spots, at first trying to stay calm and comforting Yuuki, and then unable to control his anxiety, he went close to tears confessing again and again trying to get Yuuki to act rational. Even though that scene is a little abnormal, it's the first scene that starts to make a bit of sense to the previous raping and shows how much Kei really cares about Yuuki.
Kei insists that the orchestra must have Yuuki as the Concert Master, and he says that if himself, the conductor, is the father of the orchestra, then Yuuki is the mother who is more caring and gentle than the strict father. Yuuki, touched by Kei's detemined attitude, agrees to stay in the orchestra. Actually, Yuuki is strangely forgiving when it comes to Kei, lol. After waking up again and finding Kei worried all over him, Yuuki suddenly realizes that he no longer feels jealous of Kei, and even forgives Kei for a short while and tries to tell himself that Kei does this because 'geniuses' are supposed to have a weird way of doing things ^^;
The last two tracks sums up the events following...Yuuki finally gathering up courage to confess to Kawashima, but is of course, rejected -_-;. Yuuki and Kwashima share a friendly drink, with Kawashima hinting here and there about Yuuki possibly liking Kei *rofl* and while it is true that even though Yuuki still cannot quite get over the idea of being raped and being gay, his cooperation with Kei in the rehearsals improves greatly afterwards. Fans of Fujimi (like me) will know that Yuuki eventually accepts Kei as a lover, and the story starts from there, really, bringing out the strengths of Kei and Yuuki and their strong bond tied by the love for music and for each other. So even if this opening drama doesn't impress you, I would still strongly suggest listening to a couple more of the Fujimi dramas and see for yourself how Yuuki and Kei's relationship progresses. The success of Fujimi is unlike other classic yaoi series. Basing on the wonderful wholesomeness of love relationships instead of angst, Fujimi is a very charming series that brings out the best in yaoi romance and makes one feel all warm and happy inside ^^.
1. Eine kleine Nachtmusik (serenade no. 13), G major, 1787 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Eine kleine Nachtmusik = a little night music).
2. Tannhauser Overture, 1860 by Richard Wagner.