On August 29th, it was announced that actress Takimoto Miori will be starring in the live-action drama adaptation of famed author Miyabe Miyukifs mystery novel ePerfect Bluee.
It will be Takimotofs first time to have a sole starring role in a drama on a commercial network. Moreover, TBS will be airing the drama in prime time, which makes it an even greater opportunity for the young actress.
The story revolves around the all-female eHasumi Detective Agencyf, where Takimoto plays one of the female detectives named eHasumi Kayokof. The agency is run by her mother eHasumi Kyokof (Zaizen Naomi). Terawaki Yasufumi is going to play the owner of a bar close to the agency. Another female detective will be played by Hirayama Aya, while the agencyfs personal guard – a former police dog by the name of eMasaf will be voiced by Funakoshi Eiichiro.
ePerfect Bluef was Miyabefs first long novel and was released in 1989. In 2010, WOWOW already adapted it into a TV movie starring Kato Rosa, which was also screened in cinemas nationwide for a whole week. However, this time they are changing parts of the story by adding characters and elements from Miyabefs other novel eKokoro Torokasu Youna: Masa no Jikenboe, hence the addition of a speaking dog.
The producer stated, gWhile using the original novels as its base, we will try to add some bold arrangements to make it more modern, without ruining what makes Miyabefs novels so great, such as her individual social viewpoint and her warm depiction of each person in her stories.h
He seems to be especially fond of the unique duo of a rookie female detective and a former police dog. He said, gWith such universal hero-like characters, I wouldnft be surprised if this is going to be turned into a longer series.h
Takimoto commented, gIfm really happy that I was picked for this drama. Ifve always wanted to co-star with a dog, so itfs going to feel like a dream come true. I hope Ifll grow accustomed to my lovely partner quickly.h
She also revealed that shefs not really the type that can guess whofs the criminal in mystery dramas, but that doesnft shefs going to make it easier for the viewers. She said, gI hope it can be a drama that is gradually able to drag its viewers into the story and keep them on the edge of their seats all the time.h
TBS is going to air ePerfect Bluef every Monday at 8:00 pm, starting on October 8th.
On August 31st, Fuji TV announced another fall drama called eTOKYO AIRPORT ~Tokyo Kukou Kansei Hoanbu~e (lit. ~Tokyo Airport Air Traffic Services Department~) starring actress Fukada Kyoko.
The drama is set at the Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airpot), and Fukada plays an enthusiastic rookie air traffic controller. She commented, gPlease pay attention to the air traffic controllers and their great efforts and teamwork to protect the sky above Japan from behind the scenes. Ifm very ambitious about this drama and will focus all my energy on this role.h
Air traffic controllers direct all aircraft traffic at airports. Itfs the first drama on broadcast television to focus on the job of such a controller and to depict the work that happens within a control tower.
The original script for eTOKYO AIRPORTf was written by Uda Manabu, who already created another air traffic controller drama called eTOKYO CONTROLe for Fuji TVfs pay-TV satellite channel eFuji TV NEXTe in 2011. Fukada is playing a woman named eShinoda Kaorif who was working as a ground staff member at the airport. After receiving her state examination and going through a strict training period at the Aeronautical Safety College, she eventually becomes an air traffic controller just before turning thirty.
Haneda Airport is the busiest airport of Japan with at least one aircraft taking off or landing every two minutes. In one year, it handles around 62,000,000 passengers (around 170,000 per day), which makes it almost impossible not to face various troubles and difficulties every day.
In the first episode of the drama, eShinodaf almost causes a serious accident because of a careless mistake. Everyone in the control tower has to be absolutely concentrated, especially when bad weather is making their work more difficult than it already is; after all, they are protecting the lives of millions of people. There is more than enough material for a thrilling and fast-paced human drama, with each episode featuring realistic scenarios that have already happened at airports.
The filming is going to begin in mid-September and will be set at various places inside Haneda Airport. Fukada will also get the opportunity to enter the actual control tower and observe professional air traffic controllers in action.
Producer Sekiguchi Daisuke (eTokyo Controlf, eHappy Flightf) commented, gThe pass rate for air traffic controllers is said to be 1%. I couldnft think of anyone else other than Fukada, who has recently become more mature and charming than ever, to play a woman tackling a job in which she has to protect millions of people.h
The co-workers of eShinodaf will be played by Sasaki Nozomi, Kaname Jun, Seto Koji, Seto Asaka, Tokito Saburo, and others.
Fuji TV is going to air eTOKYO AIRPORT ~Tokyo Kukou Kansei Hoanbu~f every Sunday at 9:00 pm, starting sometime in October.[/b]
Ew can't stand Sasaki Nozomi and her judgment ass calling american women models fat. ignorant jerk thats why you ain't in any high fashion magazine smh
On September 1st, it was announced that actress Mimura will star in the new NHK drama eKoisuru Hae Onnae.
Mimura will play an unappealing woman who is getting etrainedf into a magnificent woman by a mysterious man, who will be played by actor Kakei Toshio. Throughout the story, she gradually becomes attracted towards this man. Itfs described to be a romantic comedy and like a modern version of eMy Fair Ladye.
This is the first time that Mimura and Kakei are working together. She commented, gIfm worried whether Ifll be able to keep up with his energy, but Ifd like to try my best.h
NHK will air eKoisuru Hae Onnaf in their relatively young eYoru Doraf (night drama) time slot on Tuesdays at 10:55 pm. Only two dramas have occupied that time slot since its creation in fall 2011 so far. eKoisuru Hae Onnaf is slated to start airing on November 6th, right after eNemureru Mori no Jukujoe, which will start airing on September 4th.
The 11th season of popular detective drama gAibouh starring Mizutani Yutaka will start airing on TV Asahi in October with Narimiya Hiroki as the new partner of the protagonist named gKai Toruh.
On August 31st, it was announced that Takarazuka Revuefs former top star, Matobu Sei, and actor Ishizaka Koji will be appearing on the drama as regular cast members.
Matobufs role will be gToruhs (Narimiya) girlfriend gUsui Etsukoh who works as a flight attendant, and she will be the key person for the encounter between gToruh and the protagonist gSugishita Ukyoh (played by Mizutani Yutaka).
Ishizaka will be playing gKai Mineakih, the father of gKai Toruh and the Deputy Commissioner-General of the National Police Agency. One of the highlights of the drama will be a parent-child relationship between Ishizaka and Narimiya.
It was also announced that the first special episode will be set in Hong Kong, and will feature a case that happens at the official residence of Japanfs consul general. This will be the first gAibouh episode to depict the case in overseas.
gAibou Season 11 will begin broadcasting every Wednesday at 9:00PM on TV Asahi starting in October.
On September 3rd, it was announced that another drama adaptation of one of Honda Tetsuyafs (eStrawberry Nightf) novels will be released. Fuji TV is set to air eDolcee as a special drama starring actress Matsushita Yuki.
eDolcef focuses on an unmarried female detective named eUozumi Hisaef, who solves mysterious cases in her jurisdiction by getting close to the people involved in the incidents. Itfs the first time Matsushita is starring in a eFriday Prestigef (time slot from 9:00 to 11:00 pm) special drama. If itfs popular enough, she might even be in more episodes in the future.
Matsushita commented on her character, gShefs an experienced and hard working detective of the investigation unit at a local police station, who believes that itfs not just important to catch criminals but to prevent crimes from happening in her jurisdiction in the first place.h
She continued, gJust like the title eDolcef suggests, itfs a suspenseful drama wrapped in a sweet atmosphere.h Dolce is an Italian word for fsweetf.
Her co-stars are made up of several veteran actors such as Tanabe Seiichi, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Bengal (Yanagihara Haruo), Sugata Shun, and Nishioka Tokuma. The young actor Baba Toru is going to play a rookie detective who is adoring eUozumif, while the two actresses Uchiyama Rina and Hoshi Yuriko are going to portray important guest roles as well.
eDolcef is slated to air sometime in October, but the exact date has yet to be announced.
Itfs been announced that actress Takei Emi (18) will be starring in NTVfs upcoming drama gTokyo Zenryoku Shoujog, which will start airing in October. This will be the third consecutive starring drama series for Takei after gW no Higekih (TV Asahi, aired during April ~ June 2012), and gIki mo Dekinai Natsuh (Fuji TV, currently airing). Reportedly, it will be a heartwarming comedy between father and daughter.
Takei commented, gThough I had played many characters who were burdened with some kind of destiny, this time, I will be playing a role that I have never done before, and that could help me pull out my new self. I hope it will be a drama that cheers up the people who watch it. I canft wait to play the role!h
As Takei said, her role named eSaeki Reif is a 19-year-old girl who just moved to Tokyo. She is a cheerful girl, and has a unique positiveness, but anything she does is unprecedented as it goes round and round and gets nowhere. In Tokyo, eReif meets her father who left her and her mother 15 years ago. Though shefs repulsed by him at first, looking at her father living a loose life makes her rouse herself. Setting her fatherfs remarriage as her goal, she makes strenuous efforts in the city of Tokyo.
Other cast members will include, Miura Shohei as eTamagawa Daisukef who crushes on eReif, Higa Manami as unpopular 26-year-old model eSerizawa Hanakof, Tsukamoto Takashi as eSakurai Koichif who is a single father with a 4-year-old daughter, and Watabe Atsuro as eSuzuki Takuyaf, the father of eRei.f
It was also revealed that Ban Kazuhiko (gDeka Wankoh, gKuitanh) will be in charge of the script.
gTokyo Zenryoku Shoujoh is scheduled to begin broadcasting on October 10th (every Wednesday at 10:00 pm).
Toda Erika to star in NHK Winter 2013 drama "Shotenin Michiru no Mi no ue Hanashi"
Toda Erika will be starring in the NHK Winter 2013 drama "Shotenin Michiru no Mi no ue Hanashi" (Bookstore employee Michiru's Life Story) which is due to be shown from 8 January 2013 at 10.55pm over 10 weeks. This is the first time that Toda is acting in a lead role in a NHK drama. Filming is scheduled to begin in Oct.
The story is told from the perspective of a man played by Omori Nao who claims to be Michiru's (Toda) husband and he describes his wife's life which went haywire after she got a winning lottery ticket worth JPY 200m. Michiru is an ordinary woman who works at a bookstore in the countryside and has been dating Kutaro (Emoto Tasuku) for one year but has no intention of getting married. The reason for that is actually due to Michiru two-timing Kutaro with another man Toyomasu (Arai Hirofumi), a sales department employee of a Tokyo publishing company. One day, on the pretext of going to a dentist, Michiru sneaks out of her workplace and goes to send Toyomasu off as he is returning to Tokyo. On the spur of the moment, Michiru goes to Tokyo with Toyomasu and stays with him.
Michiru is asked to buy a lottery ticket for her colleague and she later finds out that the ticket she bought has won the top prize of JPY 200m. She collects the winnings without telling anyone and this marks the beginning of her haywire life. Michiru goes to her childhood friend Takei (Koura Kengo) who is her only support in Tokyo but later finds out a shocking truth about him. Later on, Kutaro who comes to Tokyo to look for Michiru and Toyomasu also disappear under mysterious circumstances.
Co-stars include Ando Sakura, Haru, Hamada Mari, Asada Miyoko and Hirata Mitsuru.
Takahashi Katsunori to return to Friday nights with new drama eTokumei Tanteif
On September 5th, it was announced that actor Takahashi Katsunori is going to portray a hard-boiled anonymous detective in TV Asahifs upcoming Friday night drama eTokumei Tanteie (lit. eAnonymous Detectivef).
Takahashi is already very familiar with the Friday, 11:15 pm drama time slot. He has previously played the protagonist in the popular drama eTokumei Kakarichou – Tadano Hitoshie (gtokumeih as in gmissionh, not ganonymoush), which released four seasons and a final two-part special. The highest rating it recorded on Friday nights was 17.0%, which earned it a top 3 spot in the time slot.
He expressed, gThere just arenft that many restrictions when doing a night drama, which makes it more likely to create something new. I hope wefll be able to create another exciting drama in that typical Friday night fashion (laughs).h
The signs are pointing at another successful series, since it will be the exact same staff from eTokumei Kakarichouf that will work on eTokumei Tanteif together with Takahashi.
Takahashi will portray a private detective, whofs working from a shabby rented room in a multi-tenant building. Nobody knows his name, and he only accepts requests from women. His office is also his home, and he does various odd jobs for a gcertain establishmenth thatfs being operated in the same multi-tenant building. He loves bourbon, and his favorite music is jazz. Moreover, he only uses foul language and seems like a truly hard-boiled detective, but hefs extremely weak and kind in front of women. It has almost become second nature to him to get into trouble because of a woman without even getting paid a lot in the end.
The drama is set along the Chuo Line in Tokyo, a place known for its secondhand clothing and record shops, and countless enticing gmassage parlorsh. Thanks to the recommendations by the beautiful lawyer eSaejima Kyokof (Katase Nana), hefs never running out of requests by woman who cannot rely on the police. He resorts to all kind of methods to help his clients and knows some unique individuals who can help him out at times. Of course, he always tries to score with his female clients, but his remarkable efforts almost always end up in vain.
Aside from Katase, the supporting cast will be made up of Miura Rieko and Tayama Ryosei, who should also be familiar to fans of eTokumei Kakarichouf. Miura is playing a moneylender, while Tayama is playing a veteran police officer. Two more important roles will be portrayed by Moritsugu Kouji (a bartender) and Yamaguchi Daichi (a college student who invents handy tools for the detective). Additional eye-candy will be provided by fashion model Sakai Ayumi and AV actresses Otowa Reon and Ogawa Asami, who will all three be playing strippers at a local strip club.
TV Asahi will start airing this action and suspense drama sometime in October.
Watabe Atsuro to play a man without scruples in the drama special eKiken na Shamenf
On September 7th, it was announced that actor Watabe Atsuro will star in the upcoming Fuji TV drama special eKiken na Shamene.
eKiken na Shamenf is the second drama special by Fuji TV to commemorate the 20th anniversary after writer Matsumoto Seichofs passing, this year. The story is about a man without scruples who even kills his lover in order to climb up the corporate ladder. The original novel was first published in 1959 and has since then already been adapted into numerous dramas.
Watabe commented, gI want to portray this evil man, the grief hefs holding and so on, as detailed as possible.h His two main co-stars are Hasegawa Kyoko and Mizobata Junpei.
He will play a man named eAkiba Bunsakuf who happens to find out that the current lover of his companyfs president is his ex-girlfriend, eNozeki Toshief (Hasegawa). She turns out to be a great tool for him to earn the presidentfs trust. Moreover eNozekif confesses to him that hefs the only one she truly loves and that she wants to be together with him. Soon after, she suddenly disappears and a corpse of a woman, reduced to nothing but bones, is discovered by the police.
Itfs already Watabefs second time to play in an adaptation of one of Matsumotofs works and he will once again play a criminal. gMaybe I just have the face of a criminal,h he joked. gThis work is stripping down a character to its roots in a really skillful way.h
He continued, gI think that those people who love to guess the trick behind a mysterious crime and those who just love repulsive characters, who have one or more skeletons in their closets will be able to enjoy this drama.h
Hasegawa commented delightedly, gTherefs just something about Matsumoto and how hefs able to portray women in such a unique and sensual way. It has always been a wish of mine to play in one of his works.h
It will also be the first time for Mizobata to appear in a Matsumoto drama. Hefll play an ex-boyfriend of eNozekif, who devotes all his energy to expose the seemingly perfect crime of eAkibaf. He expressed his thoughts on co-starring alongside Watabe stating, gIfm playing a role that is supposed to drive Watabefs character into a corner, which is obviously a huge hurdle for someone like me, but Ifll try my best.h
The production side explained that the most important criterion for casting was to find the most colorful characters, and that they are more than satisfied with their three main actors. The additional supporting cast also includes Nakamura Atsuo and Akai Hidekazu.
Fuji TV will air eKiken na Shamenf at 9:00 pm on September 30th.
On October 6th, WOWOW announced that actress Mizuno Miki is going to star in their new serial drama eTen no Hakobunee.
eTen no Hakobunef is set in the world of international aid. Mizuno is portraying a woman named eNanamif, who herself sets foot on the other side of official development assistance (ODA) where bribes, political maneuvering, and greedy people with a lot of money come together under the pretext of international aid.
Nanami was brought up as the daughter of a poor farmer family who fell victims to a great earthquake, but – like many other families – received almost no financial support from the country. She is working in a club alongside her studies at the university in order to send some money home to her family. There she also happens to get acquainted with the young manager of a powerful construction company and his subordinate eMiyazatof (Ihara Tsuyoshi), who explains to her whatfs really happening behind the scenes of ODA.
Itfs a clearly corrupted world, but Nanami takes a great interest in it and gets closer to eMiyazatof. She asks him to find her a job in this world in exchange for her body, which soon develops into a dangerous game of love and money and a scandal that is going to shake the whole country.
The story is based on a novel of the same name by Hattori Masumi (eThe Secret Agreementf) and the script is written by Asano Taeko (eLove Generationf).
The rest of the cast is made up of Takeda Shinji, Toda Naho, Horibe Keisuke, Morisaki Win, and Sano Shiro. WOWOW is going to air a total of five episodes of eTen no Hakobunef every Sunday at 10:00 pm, starting on December 9th.
In spite of the best (worst?) efforts of "Taira no Kiyomori" the Taiga format manages to survive. Unfortunately, NHK still persists in not giving a real actor the lead role. :crazy:
V6's Junichi Okada to star in 2014 taiga
On October 10, NHK announced that V6 member Okada Junichi will be starring in the new Taiga drama for 2014 titled gGunshi Kanbei.h
The script was originally written by Maekawa Yoichi, and the drama will depict the life of Kuroda Kanbei (other names: Kuroda Yoshitaka or Kuroda Josui).
Okadafs role gKuroda Kanbeih is a genius strategist under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Though he was given an important post by gthree heros (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu)h, he was also warned by them due to his ability as Hideyoshi described him as gthe next ruler.h Okada said, gI am excited that I will be able to spend time in this era for the whole year with the cast and the staff members. I would like to live through this Sengoku period as hard as I can.h
He also commented about Kanbei, gI think he has many different faces. One is how he was described as ethe strongest No.2Œ, and was even terrified of Hideyoshi. He is a quite interesting and charming person. I want to portray the role as a humane military commander/strategist.h
Filming will begin next August, and the drama will start airing on January 2014 until the following year.
gaijinmark wrote:In spite of the best (worst?) efforts of "Taira no Kiyomori" the Taiga format manages to survive. Unfortunately, NHK still persists in not giving a real actor the lead role. :crazy:
Is NHK being blackmailed by Johnny's or something? :mrgreen:
On October 16th, Fuji TV announced that they are going to air a special episode of their 2012 winter drama eLucky Sevene starring Arashifs Matsumoto Jun in spring 2013.
The drama followed a team of seven private detectives that struggled with various difficult cases. Matsumoto was supported by an ensemble of great actors such as Eita, Matsushima Nanako, Oizumi Yo, and Naka Riisa. One highlight of eLucky Sevenf were the actions scenes featuring Matsumoto and Eita, but it also offered a lot of comical situations, which turned it into a very successful drama with a season-average rating of 15.6%.
In spring the team of seven are going to tackle yet another difficult case in a new special episode that will also feature two prominent guest stars with actress Ishihara Satomi and actor Oikawa Mitsuhiro. The latter is playing a brilliant economist who is rumored to be the mastermind behind a couple of financial crimes, while Ishihara plays his charming and devilish secretary. The protagonist eTokita Shuntarof (Matsumoto) is approaching the secretary in order to get to the bottom of the financial crimes, but he soon realizes that his feelings for her arenft all that fake. He has completely fallen for her devilish charm and keeps on losing sight of his actual objective.
Filming for the special began on October 13th.
Ishihara expressed, gIfm looking forward to work with Matsumoto again. It has been a while that we worked together. I havenft played that many mysterious characters in dramas so far, but Ifd like to work hard and enjoy this new experience.h
Fuji TV has yet to announce an exact date for the special episode.
Aiba Masaki to star in new medical drama 'Last Hope'
Fuji TV has announced that one of their upcoming winter dramas will be a medical drama titled eLast Hopee starring Aiba Masaki from Arashi.
Fuji TV describes eLast Hopef as a human medical suspense drama. The story revolves around a medical team with completely different individuals, whether itfs their age, their gender, their achievements or their field of specialization. While aiming to become the forefront of advanced medical care, those individuals grows as a team and face their hidden pasts.
Aiba will play the protagonist, an internist who possess a great power of imagination and is able imagine the pain of the patients, which causes him to become very close to them. He can read and understand the emotions of each patient just by checking their heartbeat through his stethoscope. On the other hand he is also a person who tends to do things at his own pace and never misses his mid-afternoon snack at 3:00 pm. He is also burdened with a secret in his past that he has yet to find out himself.
The supporting cast is made up of Tabe Mikako as a cool and dry doctor from the emergency room, Tanabe Seiichi as a gifted and presumptuous surgeon who loves women, and Kohinata Fumiyo as an ambitious specialist for advanced medical care. Additional characters are played by Kitamura Yukiya, Sakuraba Nanami, Takashima Masahiro, and Hirata Mitsuru.
Fuji TV will be airing eLast Hopef every Tuesday at 9:00 pm.
Kyoka Suzuki to play abused mother in upcoming drama
TBS has announced that they will adapt the novel eYako Kanranshae (lit. eFerris Wheel at Nightf) of best-selling author Minato Kanae (eKokuhakuf, eShokuzaif) into a drama series for the upcoming winter season. Actress Suzuki Kyoka will play the protagonist, a housewife, and mother,who is being driven towards a mental breakdown by her abusive daughter and other things.
Itfs Minatofs first suspense-packed novel that focuses on family problems. The story revolves around a sensational incident that happened in an exclusive residential district where the elite families live. Minato depicts how the family in question and the families around them handle and respond to this incident.
The main focus lies on the Endo family that worked hard to finally purchase a house in this high class residential area. Endo Mayumi (Suzuki) is the housewife and mother of this family. Mayumi still feels like her biggest dream has finally come true, but things soon take a turn for the worse when her eldest daughter fails her junior high-school entrance examination and gradually starts domestic violence towards her. Moreover it seems like her husband tries to avoid coming back home and if that isnft already enough, Mayumi also gets bullied by Mrs. Kojima, the wife neighborhood council president. Living across the street is the Takahashi family, who seem like the perfect elite family from the outside, but one day Mr. Takahashi suddenly gets murdered.
The screenplay is written by Okudera Satoko (movie eYoukame no Semif, anime eSummer Warsf) and Shimizu Yukako (drama eHanawake no Yonshimaif). The supporting cast has yet to be announced.
TBS will broadcast eYako Kanranshaf every Friday at 10:00 pm, starting in January 2013.
Uchino Masaaki, Tokiwa Takako to star in new drama 'Tonbi'
Actor Uchino Masaaki will star in a TBS drama series next year, titled gTonbi.h This will be his first lead role in a TV series since the second season of the gJINh in 2011, and it will reunite him with several key staff members from that popular show: producer Ishimaru Akihiko, director Hirakawa Yuichiro, and screenwriter Morishita Yoshiko.
gTonbih was originally a 2008 bestselling novel published by Naoki Prize-winning author Shigematsu Kiyoshi, and it was turned into a 2-part drama special in 2012, starring Tsutsumi Shinichi. The story depicts the bond between a bumbling father named Ichikawa gYasuh Yasuo and his son, whom he has raised on his own after losing his wife in a tragic accident.
Uchino will play the father, while actress Tokiwa Takako will play his wife. Sato Takeru has been cast as the son, starting from the age of 16. Other cast members include Fukiishi Kazue, Kato Takako, Nomura Hironobu, Aso Yumi, and Emoto Akira.
TBS will broadcast gTonbih on Sunday nights at 9:00pm, beginning in January.
gaijinmark wrote:Actor Uchino Masaaki will star in a TBS drama series next year, titled gTonbi.h This will be his first lead role in a TV series since the second season of the gJINh in 2011, and it will reunite him with several key staff members from that popular show: producer Ishimaru Akihiko, director Hirakawa Yuichiro, and screenwriter Morishita Yoshiko.
Hopefully there will be a lot less crying. :beaten:
Replying needs an account. Registration opens soon.