I think I like this version. I'm not sure if I like it better than the old one, but it has its own charm. I think I'm kind of partial to the ridiculous Taiwanese version of it, so that clouds my judgment, but I love Miura Shohei and I think he makes a sweet Nakatsu.
I felt so stupid for not recognizing Sano. He was in the BECK movie. <3 I loved him as Saku, but I'm not sure about him playing the jerk role. I never liked Sano, so it makes me saaaad.
YES Satou Yuki. <3 <3 <3 I'm so happy to see he's been in it as much as he has. Even if him trying to be tough just makes me laugh. Probably because in my head, I still see him as Kagami.
I'll never be able to shake it.
I think the plot is a little more convoluted in this one. It feels about as random as the first one did, though. It makes me want to watch the first one again...
I don't know about the new Mizuki... but I'm a Horikita Maki fan. And I loved Ella in Hana Kimi. Of the three of them, she's really the only one who I thought might actually pass for a boy. But even then, yeah. I have to work hard to suspend my disbelief any time I watch any incarnation of this show, haha.
So far, though, loving it. I can't wait for more. ^^
EDIT:
LOL. OMG. Owner is one of the school's headmasters (
Ishimaru Kenjiro). I was watching episode 6 and I kept staring at him and going, "Why the heck does he look so familiar?!" Finally I looked it up. My roomie and I both cracked up. Can't believe I didn't realize it sooner.