Third gTeam Batistah drama series adds Takahashi Katsunori, Konishi Manami
May 23, 2011
Takahashi Katsunori in "Team Batista 3" (Mantan Web)Fuji TVfs popular gTeam Batistah drama series is coming back for a third season. Ito Atsushi and Nakamura Toru are reprising their roles as a doctor and a ministry official who unravel the truth behind mysterious deaths.
The gTeam Batistah dramas are based on a novel series by mystery author Kaido Takeru, which have also been separately adapted as films starring Takeuchi Yuko and Abe Hiroshi. The television version with Ito and Nakamura started in 2008 with gTeam Batista no Eikou,h based on the first book in the series. The second book, gNightingale no Chinmoku,h was turned into a special episode, and then the third book, gGeneral Rouge no Gaisen,h became the second season of the drama series, under the title gTeam Batista 2: General Rouge no Gaisen.h
The third season is tentatively titled gTeam Batista 3: Ariadne no Dangan,h after the fifth book of the series, gAriadne no Dangan.h The story revolves around the planned establishment of a new autopsy imaging center, and a murder inside an MRI scanner. New cast members include Takahashi Katsunori as an elite police bureaucrat, and Manami Konishi as a forensic doctor.
gTeam Batista 3 will premiere in July, airing on Tuesdays at 10:00pm.
Fukuda Saki & Gouriki Ayame to star in gISh live-action drama
TV Tokyo announced that they are going to produce a live-action drama adaption of the award-winning manga gIS: Otoko demo Onna demo nai Seig, starring the two young actresses Fukuda Saki and Gouriki Ayame.
gISh depicts the life of the intersexual Hoshino Haru (Fukuda) and his struggles with his family, life and love. He officially was born as a girl, but was raised as a boy throughout most of his childhood. He enrolls into a special senior high school in order to acquire the license of a cook, but due to his birth certificate stating that he is a girl, he is forced to become a female student at the new school. Things become even more difficult for him, when his body starts to become more feminine and he develops deeper feelings for a male student.
Having both male and female anatomical parts, itfs extremely difficult for people with a gender identity disorder to chose either path, and to gain acceptance for who they are. Due to the low degree of recognition and societyfs prejudices, their lives are filled with pain and troubles. Hoshino feels the same pain, but yet he manages to always look like a very bright person.
Fukuda spoke up about this unique role, in which he said: gWhen I first heard the story for this drama, I considered it to be an extremely difficult theme. From now on, as an actress and as the person Fukuda Saki, I am going to be worried about what would be the best way to play this role in order to (correctly) convey the life of an intersexual to the viewers. It would be the greatest blessing for me as an actress if it were to increase the acknowledgment of intersexual people.h
Gouriki, who used to read this manga during her junior high school days, will play the role of one of Hoshinofs mysterious female classmates who tries to get closer to her for a specific reason. This will be Gourikifs first drama in a lead role.
She commented, gIt feels like a dream that my first starring role is going to be in an adaption of the manga I love so much. In order to fully express my feelings and thoughts towards the drama and in order to grow as the person Gouriki Ayame, Ifd like to put all of my effort into this project.h Furthermore, she added, gIfd like to show you my best acting in order to convey the important message of the drama and to gain more acknowledgment for all intersexual people.h
Other actors who will be making an appearance in the drama are Inoue Masahiro, Nishida Naomi and Mina Mikaho.
gIS: Otoko demo Onna demo nai Seih is going to air every Monday at 10pm.
Some details confirmed for gDetective Conanh drama series
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Word spread last week that the gDetective Conanh live-action special that aired in April would be turned into a full-length drama series, and today the project was officially announced. The main cast from the special will return, including lead actor Mizobata Junpei, Kutsuna Shiori, Akimoto Sayaka (AKB48), Otsuka Nene, and Jinnai Takanori.
gDetective Conanh was also turned into two drama specials in 2006 and 2008, starring Oguri Shun. This time, however, will be the first live-action series based on the popular manga.
Titled gMeitantei Conan: Kudo Shinichi e no Chousenjou,h the show will air on NTV in a Thursday 11:58pm time slot, starting on July 7. Although the specials were all entirely original stories, the upcoming series will include some parts from the original manga by Aoyama Gosho. Hattori Heiji, the rival of the protagonist Kudo Shinichi, will also appear in live-action form for the first time, though the actor playing the part has not yet been named.
Sources:
Mantan Web
Official website
http://www.ytv.co.jp/conan-drama/[/url]
gTaira no Kiyomorih female cast led by Fukada Kyoko, Takei Emi
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
NHKfs 2012 taiga drama gTaira no Kiyomorih already has an impressive male cast lined up, who were announced two weeks ago. Today, NHK held a press conference to reveal the main female cast, adding nine more big names to the roster. At the top of the list were actresses Fukada Kyoko and Takei Emi, playing important roles as partners of lead actor Matsuyama Kenichi.
The drama revolves around the life of the 12th century general Taira no Kiyomori (Matsuyama). Fukada plays his wife, Taira no Tokiko. Meanwhile, Takei plays his concubine, Tokiwa Gozen, who was also a lover to Kiyomorifs rival Minamoto no Yoshitomo (Tamaki Hiroshi).
Out of the nine actresses revealed today, only Fukada and Wakui Emi have appeared in one of NHKfs taiga dramas before. The announced roles are:
Fukada Kyoko – Taira no Tokiko
Takei Emi – Tokiwa Gozen
Narumi Riko – Taira no Shigeko
Kato Ai – Takashina no Akiko
Wakui Emi – Fujiwara no Muneko
Tanaka Lena – Yura Gozen
Dan Rei – Fujiwara no Tamako
Ryo – Horikawa no Tsubone
Matsuyuki Yasuko – Fujiwara no Nariko
gTaira no Kiyomorih premieres in January 2012 and will run for 50 episodes.
Aragaki Yui stars in Fuji TVfs next gGetsu 9 with Nishikido Ryo
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Aragaki Yui (22) will star in Fuji TVfs next Monday night drama series, tentatively titled gZenkai Girl.h The show is described as a romantic comedy with NEWS member Nishikido Ryo (26).
gZenkai Girlh is the first time that Aragaki is playing the main character in a television series, though she has previously had several roles as major secondary characters. In the series, she plays Wakaba, an ambitious international lawyer with dreams of rising to the top. After finding a job at a law office, her boss (Yakushimaru Hiroko) gives her an unexpected assignment: to take care of the bossfs 5-year-old daughter.
Wakaba is eager to do the task well in order to advance her career. While taking the girl to nursery school, she encounters a young man (Nishikido) who is raising a son after being divorced from his wife. As they both struggle in watching over the kids, love gradually blossoms between them.
Hirayama Hiroyuki (33) and Renbutsu Misako (20) will also appear in the show. Filming begins in early June, and the series will start in July in Fuji TVfs Monday 9:00pm time slot.
gaijinmark wrote:^ Never mind Fukada and Takei, I'm more excited about Riko Narumi! :applaud:
Ditto. Narumi Riko's been getting a lot of work since she graduated from high school and came back to the show business. :mrgreen: I'm also excited about Kato Ai. :woot:
But seriously, darn that Matsuyama Kenichi, he got too many lovely ladies in his Taiga drama. :beatyou:
Matsushita Nao stars in new drama adaptation of gKurumi no Heyah (Updated)
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Actress Matsushita Nao (26), who became a household name last year with her role in the hit drama series gGegege no Nyoubou,h will star in another NHK series called gKurumi no Heya.h
The drama is based on a novel by the late screenwriter Mukoda Kuniko that was already adapted for television in 1982 (starring Ishida Ayumi) and in 1989 (starring Takeshita Keiko). The story is set in Tokyo around 1980, where the serious young woman Momoko struggles to shoulder the burden of keeping her family intact after her father gets laid off and then disappears.
NHK will broadcast the drama on Tuesdays at 10:00pm, for a total of six episodes between July 26 and August 30. Mukodafs 30-year death anniversary is on August 22.
The supporting cast features Kanie Keizo, Takeshita Keiko, Igawa Haruka, Usuda Asami, Seto Koji, Harada Taizo, and Nishida Naomi.
Hamada Gaku, Taira Airi lead suspense drama gPiece Voteh
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Young actor Hamada Gaku (22) has landed his first starring role in a television drama, after more than a decade of acting experience. He will play the main character in NTVfs gPiece Vote -Touhyou no Kakera-h (tentative title), while Taira Airi (26) will take on the heroine role.
The suspenseful story revolves around 7 young men and women leading ordinary lives, who are suddenly rounded up on a ship called the gPiece Voteh (an apparent pun on gPeace Boath). Similar to the movie gSe7enh which was themed around the seven deadly sins, the dramafs motif will be the gseven modern sinsh which Japanfs youths are unknowingly guilty of. The 7 passengers on the ship are accused of crimes they are unaware of, and they are forced to stake their lives in a deadly game played out on the boat.
Hamadafs character is a college student named Wakiya, though he has been nicknamed gWakiyaku-kunh (gsupporting roleh) when compared to his successful older brother, a well-known businessman. However, after his brother suddenly dies, a mysterious man appears before Wakiya accusing him of causing the death, then takes him onto the Piece Vote.
Meanwhile, Taira plays Iwami Saki, an office worker who hates conflict with other people, so she always ends up holding back her own opinions and ingratiating herself with others.
The series is being directed by Ochiai Masayuki (gKansen,h gParasite Eveh). Screenwriters include Mizoi Eiichi Davis (gSandaime Akechi Kogoroh) and Yamaoka Junpei (gMajisuka Gakuenh).
NTV will broadcast gPiece Voteh on Mondays at 11:58pm, starting on July 4 (first episode begins at 12:18am). The time slot is currently held by the travel variety show gTabizaru,h but it will be converted into a drama time slot after gTabizaruh wraps up its run at the end of June. Along with gMeitantei Conan: Kudo Shinichi e no Chousenjouh and gRokudenashi BLUES,h this will be NTVfs third late-night drama series this summer.
Mizuki Alisa to star in gHanawake no Yon-shimaih drama series
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Actress Mizuki Alisa (34) will star in a new TBS drama series this summer, making her the first person ever to have a lead role in a drama series for 20 consecutive years. Her part this time is in gHanawake no Yon-shimai,h based on a manga by Saimon Fumi (gTokyo Love Story,h gAsunaro Hakushoh).
Serialized from 2005 to 2008 in Kodanshafs magazine Morning, gHanawake no Yon-shimaih is a comedy depicting the ups and downs of four sisters. Mizuki plays the second eldest Takemi, who has divorced twice and is a single mother of three children.
Kichise Michiko (36) plays the eldest sister Fujiko, an gunbeatableh fashion magazine editor. Kanjiya Shihori (25) plays the third sister Sakurako, an employee at a wig maker who is easily swayed by others and who is searching for her true self.Kawashima Umika (17) plays the youngest sister Ume, a 2nd-year theater student at an art college who has zero experience in love.
All four of the sisters are connected somehow to a freelance photographer, played by NEWS member Kato Shigeaki (23). The sistersf parents are being played by Endo Kenichi (49) and Miyazaki Yoshiko (52).
gHanawake no Yon-shimaih will air in TBSfs Sunday 9:00pm time slot (currently occupied by gJINh). The series will premiere sometime in July.
Kuroki Meisa, Tabe Mikako co-star in suspense series gJiuh
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Kuroki Meisa (23) and Tabe Mikako (22) are acting together for the first time, co-starring in a drama series this summer called gJiu: Keishichou Tokushuhan Sousakei.h The two will play police detectives on the same special investigation team, though their differing personalities lead them to constantly clash with each other.
Tabe has previously starred in a few television dramas, but this will be the first lead role in a series for Kuroki.
The show is based on the gJiuh suspense novel series by Honda Tetsuya. Motoko (Kuroki) is a fierce, physically capable investigator with a strong battle instinct, while Misaki (Tabe) is more intellectual, kind-hearted, and naive. The two of them are both working to track down Jiu, the ringleader responsible for a series of brutal crimes.
The original novels also detailed the charactersf love lives, including intense bedroom scenes between Motoko and her lover. It is not yet known how the drama series will depict that aspect of the story.
Shirota Yu (25) plays a mysterious man connected to Motoko somehow, while Kitamura Yukiya (37) plays a police superior. According to TV Asahi, the role of Jiu will not be played by a Japanese person, but instead by a popular music artist from overseas.
The series will begin in July and air in TV Asahifs Friday 11:15pm time slot.
Sources:
Sankei Sports
Official website
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/jiu/
Maki Yoko to star in NHK drama series this fall
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Actress Maki Yoko (28) is taking on the lead role in an NHK drama series at the end of this year. Titled gKare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi,h the series is based on the novel gOmoiwazurau Koto Naku Tanoshiku Ikiyoh by the popular, prize-winning author Ekuni Kaori.
The story focuses on the love lives of three sisters and their bonds as a family. Maki plays the middle sister Haruko, who turns down a marriage proposal from her beloved boyfriend. Kimura Tae (40) plays the eldest sister Asako, who is hiding the fact that she is suffering from domestic violence by her husband. Kaho (19) has the role of the youngest sister Ikuko, who is unable to understand the concept of love.
Nagatsuka Kyozo and Takahata Atsuko have been cast as the parents of the three sisters. Yusuke Santamaria, Tokui Yoshimi (Tutorial), Miura Takahiro, and Kataoka Reiko also have supporting roles.
NHK plans to broadcast the show as an 8-episode series between November 1 and December 20, running in a Tuesday 10:00pm time slot. Composer Oshima Michiru is handling the soundtrack, while Ando Yuko is providing the theme song, gKagayakashiki Hibi.h Asano Taeko is in charge of the script.
Maki previously starred in gShukan Maki Yokoh in 2008, but that series consisted of unrelated episodes by different writers and directors. gKare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachih will count as her first true starring role in a television series.
Takeuchi Yukofs drama special gStrawberry Nighth to become series next year
from Tokyograph by tokyograph
Last November, actress Takeuchi Yuko (31) starred in the Fuji TV drama special gStrawberry Night.h That special is now being turned into a full drama series, scheduled for broadcast early next year. Takeuchi will return with other main cast members like Takeda Tetsuya (62) and Nishijima Hidetoshi (40), and Koide Keisuke (27) has been revealed as one of the new cast additions.
The gStrawberry Nighth drama special was based on a bestselling mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya, part of the gHimekawa Reikoh series. The new drama series will continue the story with several of the other gHimekawa Reikoh books.
Takeuchi once again plays the protagonist Himekawa Reiko, an elite police detective who has quickly risen in the ranks. Because of her keen instincts, she is said to understand a criminalfs thoughts even better than the criminal himself.
Besides Takeda, Nishijima, and Koide, the cast also features Ukaji Takashi, Namase Katsuhisa, Takashima Masahiro, Endo Kenichi, Watanabe Ikkei, and Tsugawa Masahiko.
Filming for the show has already begun, though Fuji TV plans to broadcast it next year, starting in January.
Kitagawa Keiko stars in wartime manga adaptation gKono Sekai no Katasumi nih
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Image from: Mantan Web
Actress Kitagawa Keiko (24) will star in a drama special based on Kono Fumiyofs manga gKono Sekai no Katasumi ni.h The manga, which tells the story of a woman who survives the atomic bombing at Hiroshima during World War II, was originally serialized in 2007-2009 and earned an Excellence Prize in the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival.
Kitagawa plays the protagonist Suzu, while Koide Keisuke (27) plays her husband, a naval officer named Hojo Shusaku who fell in love with her after meeting her only once as a child. The two move to a new life in Kure, Hiroshima during the war, a couple years before the devastating bombing in which she loses loved ones and even her own right arm. The story will cover a span of 4 years between 1943 and 1946.
Yuka plays Rin, a new friend Suzu meets in Kure who has a secret past with Shusaku. Hayami Mocomichi plays Tetsu, Suzufs first love. Other cast members include Ryo, Shinoda Saburo, Ichige Yoshie, and Ashida Mana.
gKono Sekai no Katasumi nih will be aired on NTV on August 5.
Fukiishi Kazue to star in gBarairo no Seisenh drama series
Posted on June 20, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Fukiishi Kazue (28) will star in a TV Asahi drama series this summer titled gBarairo no Seisen.h The show is based on Koyama Yukarifs popular manga of the same name, which is currently being serialized in Kodanshafs magazine Kiss.
Fukiishi plays a housewife named Makoto whose peaceful life suddenly changes when she learns of her husbandfs affair. Determined to reaffirm her own beauty, she decides to try becoming a fashion model.
Hasegawa Tomoharu (39) will play Makotofs husband, while Watanabe Konomi (4) will play their daughter. Inoue Jun (64) has been cast as Makotofs father. Natsuki Mari (59) will play the president of Makotofs modeling agency, and Ashina Sei (27), Nakama Lisa (28), and Takizawa Saori (29) will also play models. Kaname Jun (30) will round out the cast as a popular photographer.
gBarairo no Seisenh will air on Sundays at 11:00pm this summer.
Mitsushima Hikari stars in NHK miniseries gKaitakushatachih
Posted on June 21, 2011 by tokyograph
Next year, NHK will broadcast a special gdocumentary dramah mini-series to commemorate the launch of its BS Premium channel and the 40th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic ties between Japan and China. The 4-episode series, titled gKaitakushatachi,h will star actress Mitsushima Hikari (25).
The story is set in the region formerly known as Manchuria and is based on the groups trying to resettle there in the years after the Manchurian Incident. The central characters are a family of four siblings who live there, but who are forced to flee due to the Soviet invasion of the region and Japanfs defeat in World War II. As a result, they return to Japan and attempt to forge a new life on a farm in the Tochigi prefecture.
Mitsushima plays Hatsu, the eldest daughter who tries to support her younger siblings in their pursuit of their dreams. Ishida Takuya (24) plays a younger brother who runs the farm, while Ayano Go (29) plays another younger brother who enlists in a volunteer army. Yamashita Rio (18) plays the sister and the youngest of the four, who dreams of becoming a nurse. Hatsufs husband is played by Arai Hirofumi (32).
Part of the drama is being filmed in Hokkaido this month and in November. Further filming will take place in Tochigi in August and October, and in China in September. NHK will air the series in January 2012.
Sources:
Mantan Web
Eiga.com
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