IGUANA NO MUSUME (Iguana’s Daughter)

Iguana no Musume (Iguana's daughter) is the title. The story is based on a story (or one of those old Japanese stories) of an Iguana who saved a man (I may have gotten this wrong or it's another way around) but the wife of the iguana was given a wish...to be human. She has gotten her wish but the problem is that no matter what happens..she will always know she is not a true human being but an iguana (sounds funny but it's actually a very very good story).

The story is about the Iguana's daughter...a human being...school student who is in love with a a dude in her school.  This is a typical student romance drama..but with the twist of the "iguana" theme. It sounds wierd but when you watch it.. it's very good...sort of reminds me of Pinnochio/Little Mermaid.. A problem being no matter if given the wish of being human (when you are not)..it may change your appearance..but you are still the same thing you were before. I hope this is making sense.. because it sounds confusing.  You feel for the Iguana's daughter...who felt that she was human all this time...can she still find happiness? Can she face what she really is? This is a drama based on the manga strip. Rika (Kanno) is a high school senior with no self esteem. She thinks she is an iguana. Why? Her mother (Kawashima) claims that whenever she sees Rika she sees an iguana instead of a real human. Because of this, Rika has never received or was shown any love by her mother. Rika' younger sister Mami (Enomoto) has been getting all of the love and attention by the mother. Rika likes Noboru (Okada) a lot but can't tell him her feelings. Mikami (Komine) is jealous of Rika and refuses to let Noboru go out with her. Kaori (Sato) plays Rika's friend and is always encouraging her. Will Rika end up with Noboru? Will he turn her away if he finds out she is an iguana? Tune in.

Starring: Kanno Miho, Enomoto Kanako, Kawashima Naomi, Komine Rena, Sato Hitomi, Okada Yoshinori, Kusakari Masao, Komatsu Miyuki and more.
Theme song: "Your Song" by Elton John
NETWORK: TV Asahi
DURATION: April 15, 1996 though June 17, 1996. 10 episodes.
REVIEWS:

Actually, I enjoyed it....it's sort of "Little Mermaidish" but the only problem is the iguana looks so phoney but the drama is pretty good.-KNDY