I used to think that Fujiki Naohito was a poor copy of Kimura Takuya when I first watched him in PROPOSAL DAISAKUSEN. It must be the physical resemblance or the hair. I thought, the roles that were too minor for KimuTaku or were rejected by him landed on Fujiki-san’s  lap. But many dramas later, I don’t think that way anymore.

Fujiki-san turns any role, no matter how minor or mundane or or ordinary it is, into something memorable. Of course, we all remember him as Bucho in HOTARU NO HIKARI. And as I watch LAST CINDERELLA this season, I can’t help but see some of Bucho in Tachibana Rintaro.

I have no idea where the story is going, or who the drama’s 39-year-old Cinderella aka Sakura (played by a deglamorized Shinohara Ryoko who is really 39 years old) will end up with. Aside from Tachibana, there’s Hiroto, who is 15 years her junior. Hiroto is played by a grown-up Miura Haruma who is giving off some Matsumoto Jun vibe from MJ’s early roles.

But back to Bucho… I mean, Tachibana. Truth be told, I am rooting for him to get the girl. There is just so much chemistry between his character and Sakura, which is the source of fun in this drama. I don’t know… whenever Fujiki-san bickers or becomes snarky with anyone, it’s just hilarious to watch. Or maybe, I just miss Bucho.

Note: It’s interesting that while “bucho” means big boss in Japanese, it means “pig fat” or “lard” in Spanish and Portuguese, and when used as a slang, means an SOB.

Bucho and Tachibana likes beer. But I prefer iced GREEN tea, please.

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