Hana yori Dango 2 Returns

After a year of the 1st season's finale, Hana yori Dango 2 Returns with full glamor in January 2007, spanning 11 episodes on TBS until March 2007. Besides the original cast from the 1st season, the list of Guests for this new season is remarkable and full of surprises.

The last season ended with Makino Tsukushi (牧野つくし) confessing her love to Do-myo-ji Tsukasa (道明寺司), before he left for New York to continue his studies. During his stay in New York, something awful occurred, which totally changed Tsukasa's attitudes towards his responsibility as being the heir of the Domyoji Finance Group. He stopped contacting Tsukushi, cutting off his feelings for her and putting all his effort into the company instead.

Matsumoto Jun (松本潤) as Do-myo-ji Tsukasa (道明寺司)

Missing Tsukasa very badly, Tsukushi is encouraged by the F4, especially Hanazawa Rui (花沢類) to go to New York. Fortunately, Tsukushi's father won the 1st prize in Bingo at his company's dinner, a 2-way ticket to New York. So, off she goes to find her love in New York.

Tsukushi's family staring at the prize unbelievingly

Inoue Mao- (井上真央) as Makino Tsukushi (牧野つくし)

Although Tsukushi meets Tsukasa again, he is cold at her and is always busy with his job. Even the other members of the F4 cannot help much, as Tsukasa does not reveal what is troubling him. Disappointedly, they head back to Japan. During the time when Tsukushi is feeling down, Tsukasa's sister, Do-myo-ji Tsubaki (道明寺椿) shows up and gives her the usual support, which Tsukushi needed most.

Do-myo-ji Tsubaki (道明寺椿) treating Tsukushi on Sushi to cheer her up

Shortly, Tsukasa is ordered back to Japan by his mother, Do-myo-ji Kaede (道明寺楓). She organizes a special birthday party for Tsukasa and announces his engagement to O-kawahara Shigeru (大河原滋), the daughter of an Oil Tycoon.

Tsukasa's mother announces his engagement with Shigeru on his birthday party

The surprised Tsukasa confronting his mother

Kato- Natsuki (加藤夏希) as O-kawahara Shigeru (大河原滋)

The other F4 members are amused by Shigeru's innocent personality

For the sake of the Domyoji Finance Group, Tsukasa accepts the arrangement from his mother and starts dating Shigeru. At the same time, Rui begins to express his feelings towards Tsukushi. Well, it's getting a little love complex from here on, but true love won't be defeated that easily right?

Oguri Shun (小栗旬) as Hanazawa Rui (花沢類)

In order to force Tsukasa to marry Shigeru, Kaede plays a few nasty tricks, including retrenching Tsukushi's dad. Losing her home, Tsukushi moves to a very old flat with her brother, while her parents move to the seaside and work in the fishery industry. However, thanks to Tsukasa, an "up roaring" accident happened at the old flat causing Tsukushi to lose her home once again. She is then invited by Tsubaki to stay at the Do-myo-ji residence, whereby she insists on working as a maid in return.

Tsukushi as a maid at the Do-myo-ji residence

The house chore at the Do-myo-ji residence is managed by Tama (玉), a very old lady who has been working for the Do-myo-ji family over 60 years. Mischievously, she instructed Tsukushi to be the private servant of Tsukasa, which overwhelmed Tsukasa with joy.

Sasaki Sumie (佐々木すみ江) as Tama (玉)

Tsukasa is overjoyed to have Tsukushi as his private servant

Tsukushi's best pal since childhood, Matsuoka Yu-ki (松岡優紀) is also facing love problem. She is in love with Nishikado So-jiro- (西門総二郎), one of the F4 members. But he still cannot forget his first love, Hinata Sara (日向更).

Matsuda Shouta (松田翔太) as Nishikado So-jiro- (西門総二郎) Nishihara Aki (西原亜希) as Matsuoka Yu-ki (松岡優紀)

Kanjiya Shihori (貫地谷しほり) as Hinata Sara (日向更)

Tsukushi and Yu-ki visits Mimasaka Akira's (美作あきら) house one day and finds it extremely cute!

Nishimura Tomomi (西村知美) as Akira's Mum

Akira's Twin Sisters
Abe Tsuyoshi (阿部力) as Mimasaka Akira (美作あきら)

I was surprised to see Ikuta Toma (生田斗真) and Toda Erika (戸田恵梨香) as the guest actor & actress in this season. Toma starring only in episode 1, while Erika in episode 10 & 11. Of course, they are the bad guys...