Shuji Kiritani (Kazuya Kamenashi) is one of the most popular guys in his school. He is pretending to care for all of his classmates,but deep down, is quiet and doesn't open up to others.But for some reason,when his eccentric classmate Akira Kusano (Tomohisa Yamashita) is around, he can show his true self. One day, a new girl from another school comes to Shuji's classroom.Her name is Nobuko Kotani (Maki Horikita).Nobuko=Nobuta. Fromher gloomy looks, she begins to get harassed by the class bullies in no time.The harassment was devastating.Her lunch gets ruined, she gets a vase of flowers on her deskmeaning she had died, and she even gets water splashed while she is in the toilet booth.After knowing that the bullying is by Bando (Fumiko Mizuta), Shuji and Akira advise Nobuko to try to harmonize with others. But Nobuko tells them that she has tried to do so in the past,but every time it turns outmiserable. Shuji tells Nobuko to have a more positive attitude, and he protects Nobuko from the harassment.However, he feels that the bullying won't stop that easily. Hearing about this, Akira comes up with the idea to makeover Nobuko from her looks to her personality, so that she'd become one of themost popular girls in their school.That way, there's no way the bullies can harass her.And so Shuji and Akira's greatmake-over begins... A Cinderella story which portrays the social life of Japanese teenagers. Can this gloomy girl really become popular in her school? [Asian Media Wiki]

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  Kamenashi Kazuya (Shuji Kiritani)

  Main Role

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  Yamashita Tomohisa (Akira Kusano)

  Main Role

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  Horikita Maki (Nobuta Kotani)

  Main Role

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  Natsuki Mari (Kyoko Sada)

  Supporting Role

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  Toda Erika (Mariko Uehara)

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  Daito Shunsuke (Kenta Taniguchi)

  Supporting Role

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• Jan 12, 2012 10 of 10 episodes seen

  iAcchan
  2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  10
  • Story  10
  • Acting/Cast  10
  • Music  8
  • Rewatch Value  8

  Nobuta wo Produce~ a great jdrama.
  
  Story- The storyline revolves around 2 boys and a girl, where the girl has closed herself off from the outside world and the two boys just don't really fit into their school and they decide to give her a makeover, "produce" her into the most popular girl at school. Its a fun idea with great moments. The drama is fun and quirky for the most part, showing emotional scenes whenever necessary. For a while, I copied "Nobuta's power.... Activate!" just because it was cute.
  
  Acting/Cast- What makes this drama is the trio of stars that play the leads, Maki-chan, Kamenashi Kazuya and Yammapi. Alone, each star has the potential to make a great drama, and together, they show their capabilities. I actually didnt recognize Maki-chan in this at first(I know, I didnt read the cast list, blahh), but seeing her change from the quirky character of Hana Kimi into a dark, and pessimistic girl is a complete turnaround. Kame has also released a few of his own dramas, in my opion, the best being Tatta Hitotsu no Koi.
  And Yammapi has been in many dramas such as Kurasagi, Dragon Zakura, so on and so forth. With such talented leads, its bound to be good.
  
  Music- I dont know why, but music in jdramas never really stick to me unlike kdramas. Im pretty sure Kat-tun or Arashi sang the songs for this drama, so it'll be popular within japan/ fans of the two bands.
  
  Rewatch? Hmm, I don't know about the rewatch. Maybe just a few scenes that were memorable but thats about it. read more

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• Jan 12, 2012 10 of 10 episodes seen

  Jeaniessi
  10 of 10 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  8
  • Story  8
  • Acting/Cast  9
  • Music  7
  • Rewatch Value  8

  What a sweet drama! While the premise of Nobuta wo Produce is not original, it is freshly told and I enjoyed every episode.
  
  What I really found endearing is the frankness of the lead male Shuji and his inner monologue/narration. I like that he was outwardly popular but inwardly unsure, bored, scared and lonely. The theme of this show is a simple one. Finding true friendship...whether you are a popular kid, a quirky loner or a withdrawn, scared and painfully shy newcomer.
  
  Each episode is written to show the development of this core friendship. As the synopsis and title reveal, these three come together to 'produce' Nobuta and make her popular but...wow is that so not what really matters here. I loved the way the story unfolded in such an original manner compared to the way a westernized show would have handled this. Lovely.
  
  The acting is great. Not perfect but very good. My favorite was Yamashita Tomohisa who played Akira. He was so quirky, clumsy and strange but what a loyal and steadfast friend. Yamapi was great. There are a lot of wonderful characters to be found within the setting of their school; teachers and students alike. I enjoyed Shuji's family. They were a hoot! Nobuta was like a flower opening up to the sun when Shuji and Akira found her. I loved the development of her strength and their loyalty to her. Wonderful!
  
  At 10 episodes, this series was a fast and entertaining watch. No story line or plot point dragged on too long or bogged down the pace. The music was fine..not memorable but not bad either. But this drama isn't really about a standout soundtrack so I did not find it distracting or lacking in any way. I gave the re-watch value an 8 because while I might not watch it again this was a very entertaining drama and others might really enjoy watching more than once.
  
  I recommend this drama highly. It's quick, it's sweet, it's touching and fun. Give it try if you are hesitating. read more

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• 
  Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

  Both are essentially make-over dramas. While YNSH focuses heavily on a romantic aspect more than Nobuta does. They have a lot of similar qualities. Nobuta is more comical than YNSH as well but still both convey good messages. Kamenashi Kazuya also stars in both of these dramas.

  reportRecommended by melineli
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  Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

  Both are about makeover of quite weird girls.

  reportRecommended by tvidatko