tabemonster wrote:

I think I remember reading something about how KimuTaku and another SMAP member had dramas airing concurrently and one character makes a cameo in the other's drama! But I don't know what dramas they are...

That was Gift and Ii Hito. All the SMAP members did cameos for Ii Hito, but Kimura was still in character from Gift, and vice-versa when Kusanagi did his cameo for Gift.

Shinji Higuchi directing monster drama "MM9"
Sun, May 30, 2010 (12:19pm EDT)
It was revealed last week that movie director Shinji Higuchi ("The Hidden Fortress," "Japan Sinks") has been placed in charge of his first television drama. Titled "MM9 -MONSTER MAGNITUDE-," the show is based on a sci-fi novel by sci-fi writer Hiroshi Yamamoto.

In the alternate reality of "MM9," monster attacks are a common occurrence in Japan. A special division of the Japan Meteorological Agency has been established to predict such attacks, as well as support the Japan Self-Defense Forces and minimize the damage from the attacks. The drama depicts the everyday lives of the unsung heroes working in the division.

Higuchi is well-known as a special effects director, having worked on the Heisei-era "Gamera" film trilogy. That trilogy's screenwriter, Kazunori Ito, has also been recruited for the "MM9" drama. While Higuchi is serving as the general director for the series, he is also personally directing three of the episodes. The other ten episodes have been split among directors Tomoyuki Furumaya, Ataru Oikawa, Takuma Tosaka, and Kiyotaka Taguchi.

Anna Ishibashi (17) and Machiko Ono (28) are co-starring in the show, respectively playing a rookie member of the special division and the member in charge of her training. The supporting cast includes Issei Takahashi, Yasuhi Nakamura, Satoru Matsuo, Sarutoki Minagawa, Takako Kato, and Yutaka Matsushige.

"MM9" is being produced by MBS and will air on Wednesday nights (1:30am), starting on July 7. It has also been announced that MBS is teaming up with King Records to make the series available to iPad users in Japan, offering each episode for free digitally on the same day that it airs on television.
Source: Nippon Cinema

^ That's interesting. I know it's been asked several times if there have ever been any sci-fi dramas. Looks like they got there wish.

Yoshino Kimura stars in new police drama
Mon, May 31, 2010 (9:58am EDT)
It has been confirmed that actress Yoshino Kimura (34) will star in a new drama series this summer, tentatively titled "Keishichou Keizoku Sousahan."

Last month, Japan abolished the statute of limitations for murder, inspiring the idea for a new drama focused on a police unit relentlessly pursuing criminals with the latest scientific techniques. Kimura plays a capable detective at the core of the unit.

The series will air on Thursday nights at 9:00pm on TV Asahi, beginning in July. It was also recently announced that Noriyuki Higashiyama (43), who will reportedly be marrying Kimura in the near future, is starring in his own drama next season as well.
Source: Sankei Sports

Masato Sakai leads "Joker" detective drama
Tue, June 1, 2010 (7:23pm EDT)
Masato Sakai (36) will star in a new Fuji TV drama series titled "Joker: Yurusarezaru Sousakan," playing a police detective. NEWS member Ryo Nishikido (25) and model Anne (24) have also been cast.

The story's central character is a detective on the Kanagawa prefectural police force (Sakai). During the day, he is known as a "Buddha" for his gentle personality, pouring all of his energy into resolving each case. But at night, he transforms into a cruel punisher as his gentleness gives way to his anger towards the criminals. The series is said to pose questions about what justice and evil truly are.

Besides Anne (who plays Sakai's rookie partner) and Nishikido, the cast also features Takeshi Kaga, Ren Osugi, and Ryo. "Joker" is set to air on Tuesdays at 9:00pm, starting on July 13.
Source: Sports Hochi

xploring wrote:

NEWS member Ryo Nishikido (25) and model Anne (24) have also been cast.

No thanks.

bmwracer wrote:

No thanks.

But there's the brilliance of Sakai Masato! *ignores Ryo*
_________________

Kanjani8's 18th single, "365 Nichi Kazoku" out June 8th, 2011!

colorbar credits to nannandesuka@LJ

WD wrote:

But there's the brilliance of Sakai Masato! *ignores Ryo*

Maybe if Ryo could be blanked out of pixellated throughout the entire show....

Hirosue, Nagase co-star in "24 Hour Television" drama special

The drama special for this year's "24 Hour Television" telethon has been revealed. The drama is titled "Miporin no Ekubo" and will star Ryoko Hirosue with TOKIO's Tomoya Nagase.

Hirosue and Nagase will play a married couple in this tearjerker, based on a true story of two parents who are told that their daughter Miho (played by Manatsu Kimura) has one year left to live due to a brain tumor. The drama depicts the family's remaining time together, including the 359 letters that Miho drew before her death.

NTV will air the drama on the night of August 28. The "24 Hour Television" program will start earlier that day.

Jero's first television drama role
Sun, June 6, 2010 (9:29am EDT)
Enka singer Jero (28) has been given his first role in a television drama. It was announced last week that he has been cast in NHK Osaka's "Tennoji Broadway," a drama special scheduled to air on July 30.

Set in Tennoji, Osaka, the drama is a comedy starring Airi Taira (25) as Kaede Kusunoki, the only child of a temple priest. Her father is concerned about finding a successor, but she has no interest in it and dreams of becoming a Broadway musical star. One day, she brings home her boyfriend Michael (Jero) from America, and he unexpectedly begins showing interest in becoming the temple successor.

Last year, Jero made his acting debut in the movie "Donju." He has also provided a voice for a "Crayon Shin-chan" film.
Source: Sponichi Annex

gaijinmark wrote:

Yuki Amami aims for "GOLD" Yuki Amami is confirmed to be starring in a new drama series this summer, tentatively titled "GOLD." The show is a home drama penned by screenwriter Shinji Nojima.

Well, this one just got a lot less appealing:

Sorimachi, Nagasawa join "GOLD" cast
Tue, June 8, 2010 (6:53pm EDT)
Two more main cast members have been revealed for the upcoming Fuji TV drama series "GOLD." The show was first announced last month with Yuki Amami as the star, and now she has been joined by Takashi Sorimachi and Masami Nagasawa.

gaijinmark wrote:

Well, this one just got a lot less appealing: Sorimachi, Nagasawa join "GOLD" cast Tue, June 8, 2010 (6:53pm EDT) Two more main cast members have been revealed for the upcoming Fuji TV drama series "GOLD." The show was first announced last month with Yuki Amami as the star, and now she has been joined by Takashi Sorimachi and Masami Nagasawa.

I am not trying to be a troll. I only recently took notice of Nagasawa last month when I finally watched Proposal Daisakusan. I did not realize that there was such negative sentiment concerning her.

Is it that she is considered a bad actress or perhaps has a bad personality in RL?
_________________

I live to level up.

gaijinmark wrote:

Well, this one just got a lot less appealing: Sorimachi, Nagasawa join "GOLD" cast Tue, June 8, 2010 (6:53pm EDT) Two more main cast members have been revealed for the upcoming Fuji TV drama series "GOLD." The show was first announced last month with Yuki Amami as the star, and now she has been joined by Takashi Sorimachi and Masami Nagasawa.

LOL.

Tough it out, G-Mark... I'm enduring Sunao ni Narenakute with this fangirl-bait Jaejoong guy...

Madoka wrote:

Is it that she is considered a bad actress or perhaps has a bad personality in RL?

Other than her last drama Boku no Imoto, she hasn't done what I would call a very good job in any drama that I've seen her in. Whether or not her last drama was a fluke or she's finally catching on to what it takes to be a good actress remains to be seen.

gaijinmark wrote:

Other than her last drama Boku no Imoto, she hasn't done what I would call a very good job in any drama that I've seen her in. Whether or not her last drama was a fluke or she's finally catching on to what it takes to be a good actress remains to be seen.

Well she did pretty decent job in Sekai no Chuushin de the movie version and also that small but significant role in Tobosha, but has been on downward spiral since then. Haven't seen Boku no Imoto though. So you think she did better in the drama?
_________________

Kanjani8's 18th single, "365 Nichi Kazoku" out June 8th, 2011!

colorbar credits to nannandesuka@LJ

Aya Ueto, Masaaki Uchino reunite for romance drama
Mon, June 21, 2010 (6:32pm EDT)
Aya Ueto will star in a short drama series this fall, titled "Juunen Saki mo Kimi ni Koishite." This will be her first time leading a series on NHK.

The show reunites her with actor Masaaki Uchino, whom she worked with in the 2004 tennis manga adaptation "Ace wo Nerae!" Back then, the two played the roles of a student and a tennis coach, but here they will be playing love interests.

The story focuses on 26-year-old Rika (Ueto), a single editor who is unskilled in love. The story starts when a man (Uchino) appears before her, telling her that he is her husband from 10 years in the future. He informs her that she will meet the young version of himself in a few days, but begs her not to marry him.

Both Ueto and Uchino will have double roles, playing their characters in the present and 10 years in the future.

The drama is an original story written by popular screenwriter Mika Omori. NHK will broadcast the series for six episodes on Tuesday nights at 10:00pm, starting on August 31.

^ Mark your calendar, Evie!

I've added all the summer dramas. Just waiting for Genma to add the link to the index page. However, I can't find much info on these upcoming dramas:

- Ashita no Hikari wo Tsukame
- Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku
- Shin Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9 Gakari
- GOLD
- Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo
- Gakeppuchi no Eri
- Moteki
- HAMMER SESSION!
- Mioka
- GM Odore Doctor
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Madoka wrote:

I am not trying to be a troll. I only recently took notice of Nagasawa last month when I finally watched Proposal Daisakusan. I did not realize that there was such negative sentiment concerning her. Is it that she is considered a bad actress or perhaps has a bad personality in RL?

just dont mind them, if i can remember during ProDai days alot of Maki fans bashed Masami for pairing up with Yamapi (and end up kissing him!), pretty pointless huh! negative stuffs doesnt end thats why.. anyway Masami has still us (or at least me!) to support her ...
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.... That's because this is ....

Wynter wrote:

I've added all the summer dramas. Just waiting for Genma to add the link to the index page. However, I can't find much info on these upcoming dramas: - Ashita no Hikari wo Tsukame - Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku - Shin Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9 Gakari - GOLD - Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo - Gakeppuchi no Eri - Moteki - HAMMER SESSION! - Mioka - GM Odore Doctor

I'd like to watch Shin Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9 Gakari but I'm afraid it won't be subbed. I'm also curious about GOLD and Hotaru2