Haruna Yabuki – Climax (March 20th, 2009)
Line Communication s/I-One
Catalog # – LCDV-40366 – Region 2 Disc – 4:3 Aspect
Running Time: 68 minutes
The Skinny: Care to describe the beautiful Haruna Yabuki? Gravure idol, wife, mother, actress? Without some first hand knowledge, and I have none, I’ll make no comment about the middle two choices – wife and mother, other than to say I have no idea if either of these terms apply to the fair Ms Haruna.
But for actress and gravure – I’ll say yes to both, and if this DVD’s title is accurate, then it is a portent of things to come – or I should say the end of the things to come. This title likely means that this is the last new work that will be released with Haruna Yabuki as a gravure idol. If this is truly the climax and end of Haruna’s gravure career, it is both a sad and happy time for us.
I think she is especially gifted as a model. She’s got a great screen presence, she’s a visual treat with her long and lithe body, her gleaming smile, and her long hair. Surely the gravure world will lose a primo model if this is indeed her last gravure video. And we thank her and the makers of her many videos for the gifts she has bestowed on us.
But I have seen her in at least three Japanese TV Drama series. I think she’ll do well in that field too.
As for this video, it is a pleasure to watch Haruna cavort in the ocean, or play subtly with our passions as she bathes.
The best scene is the one set in the rain forest. Haruna wears a faux snakeskin swimsuit and looks ever so sexy.
You will also like many of the behind the scenes, and making of features. This is when Haruna is at her best – when she’s not quite in a role, or just after, and she will interact with the crew or the director.
There was a time when the camera is following her, and she heads out to where the van is parked. She introduces the crew’s driver in English. She says, “…and here’s our driver; he’s a very shy guy.”
English was used on a number of occasions by Haruna. most likely because she is fluent in English, and because the video was shot in Guam, where English is the local custom.
The US Dollar is also the currency used in Guam, and there was a scene where Haruna portrayed a pole dancer in a gentlemen’s club, and accepted tips. She took in a tidy sum, and her skills as a pole dancer did not seem freshly acquired. Possibly somewhere in Haruna’s past she did this as a temporary ‘profession’. I’m speculating here so don’t bet the farm on this.
Other scenes were played as high concept or pure glamor with Haruna wearing something exotic, and/or absorbed in having an attitude like the runway model’s in some swanky haute-couture fashion show in Paris or Milan.
Summary: I like looking at Haruna Yabuki and I like looking at her best when she’s clowning around or having a hearty laugh with her colleagues. But you’ve probably figured that out by just looking at the images I’ve captured for this review.
I’ll recommend this video to both Haruna’s existing fans as well as those who aren’t very familiar with her video work. Four point two five is your rating. Bon voyage, Haruna. We’ll miss you.
