Shun Oguri, Mao Inoue reunite in "Veterinarian Dolittle" drama
Mon, August 23, 2010 (6:17pm EDT)
It is now confirmed that Shun Oguri and Mao Inoue will co-star in a new drama series this fall. The pair, who appeared together in the live-action "Hana Yori Dango," have been cast in an adaptation of "Juui Dolittle" ("Veterinarian Dolittle"), a manga written by Midori Natsu and illustrated by Makiyoshi Chikuya.

Oguri plays the part of Kenichi Tottori, a highly capable veterinarian known by the nickname "Dolittle." He has a sharp tongue, and he maintains a strict attitude about issues such as money and proper pet care. But in addition to saving animals, he also helps fix the problems of their owners.

Inoue plays the female lead as Kenichi's co-worker Asuka Tajima, while Hiroki Narimiya as rival veterinarian Masaru Hanabishi. The show will also focus on the love triangle between the three characters.

The show will air on TBS in the Sunday 9:00pm time slot, starting in October.

Shinohara to play an audit investigator in new drama
August - 25 - 2010

The fall season seems to become better and better with every new drama announcement. Today it has been confirmed that actress Shinohara Ryoko (37) will star in NTV's upcoming drama "Kogane no Buta ~Watashi-tachi ga haratta Zeikin wo Oue!~". It will be her first starring role in a drama serial since the birth of her son back in 2008.

In the drama she will play a female investigator for an audit office and chase after people that tried to fiddle with their taxes. They describe it being somewhat of a modern version of "Mitokomon". Okada Masaki (21) and Oizumi Yo (37) will be part of the cast as well.

Shinohara just lost her father about a week ago and now she already has to prepare for a drama. "My father always has been my biggest and most understanding fan. From now on I'd like to keep on devoting myself to work, so that he will continue to have a smile on his face while watching my performances in heaven."

Her father had to raise her up by himself since her mother's death when she was 2 years old. In 2005 she fulfilled his biggest wish to see his daughter in a wedding dress when she married fellow actor Ichimura Masachika (61). Just 3 days before his sudden death she was able to see him that happy again when she and her husband celebrated their 5th anniversary together with him. "Nobody has ever been happier to see me on TV than my father," she said. Continuing to work hard as an actress is the best thing she can do to keep him proud.

As usual the drama will start someday in October. NTV will air it every Wednesday at 10pm.

Source: http://www.kawaii-joyuu.com/2010/08/25/shinohara-to-play-an-audit-investigator-in-new-drama/

^ Hardly sounds like a fun drama. But Ryoko is a great actress.

"great actress"... hummm I don't know... but she has charisma. And she's a touching character.

20 century boy wrote:

"great actress"... hummm I don't know... but she has charisma. And she's a touching character.

LOL, a lot of people seem to throw around the word "great."

Someone actually used it in another thread when referring to YamaP.

Takaya Kamikawa stars in "Marks no Yama"
Wed, August 25, 2010 (10:18am EDT)
A press conference was held on Wednesday for the recently announced WOWOW drama series "Marks no Yama." The show is based on the Naoki Prize-winning novel by Kaoru Takamura, which was previously adapted by director Yoichi Sai in 1995 as a film starring Kiichi Nakai and Masato Hagiwara.

The mystery story starts with two murders, one of a former gangster and another of a Ministry of Justice official. As one police inspector (played by lead actor Takaya Kamikawa) investigates the case, he learns of a connection to a mysterious young man named "Marks" (Kengo Kora).

The cast for the show, which was revealed one person per day from August 3 up until the press conference, also features Fumiyo Kohinata, Ken Ishiguro, Manami Konishi, Ren Osugi, and Naho Toda. The first of the five episodes will air on October 17 at 10:00pm.

Bunch of my favorites in the cast, Manami, Ishiguro Ken, Fumiyo Kohinata, and Naho Toda.

Matsuyuki, Aibu, Koide and more in new Fuji TV drama
August - 26 - 2010


Fuji TV is going to introduce a new drama time slot on Sundays at 9pm with the start of this year's fall season and today they've announced who are going to be the pioneers for that time slot.

The drama is called "Perfect Report" and features actress Matsuyuki Yasuko (37) in the leading role as a top class reporter working for a TV station. Her name is Souzan and she might be one of the best reporters out there, but she's such a stubborn woman that she has to face a lot of other problems in her life. About the drama Matsuyuki said, "I'd like to make a drama that is going to refresh your energy for the next day," and added, "It's a real honor to have the first starring role in the new time slot."

Koide Keisuke (26) and Aibu Saki (25) will co-star alongside Matsuyuki. Koide will play a former politics reporter who is now the right arm of Souzan. "I'm very happy to be a part of the newly created drama time slot. I will work hard to the best of my abilities," he said. Aibu will play a former weathergirl who ended up having to work under Souzan due to some huge debacle she caused in the past. "It will be very exciting for me, because it's been over 1 year since I've last acted in a drama serial," she expressed her anticipation.

Others like Kohinata Fumiyo (56) and Kaname Jun (29) will complete the cast.

Source: http://www.kawaii-joyuu.com/2010/08/26/matsuyuki-aibu-koide-and-more-in-new-fuji-tv-drama/

Ishihara to play a fake psychic in new night drama

This spring TV Asahi created the "Sunday Night Drama" drama time slot at 11pm and today they've announced that actress Ishihara Satomi (23) will star in its 3rd drama called "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso". It will be her first drama starring role since "Puzzle" back in 2008.



The drama itself was already announced on the 17th, but back then they didn't say anything about the cast. The mystery comedy is based on a manga by Kaitani Shinobu who also created the manga "Liar Game". Ishihara will play Odagiri Kyoko (Odakyo), a beautiful psychic who uses her fake powers to solve criminal cases on TV. She is only able to solve those cases thanks to the carefully collected information she gathers between the recordings of the show. One day she happens to meet one of her biggest fans Taniguchi Ichiro who ends up working for her after finding out her secret. Taniguchi will be played by Tanihara Shosuke (38).



Ishihara about the role, "I'm very excited to portray the transformation between the TV and private personality of Odakyo. Please meet her every Sunday night to support her with her lie, to laugh and to get thrilled while watching the drama!" About her fellow actor Tanihara she added, "Even from a long time before I've always hoped to be able to work together with him someday and so I'm really happy that it's finally going to happen. While hoping to become good friends, I'm looking forward to become a really fun duo with him."



Tanihara also shared a few comments about Ishihara. "I think Ishihara Satomi is an actress who can completely change herself according to the role she's playing. I'm very happy that I will soon be able to see how she is going to portray the role of Odagiri Kyoko, but that's not the only thing why I think it's worth doing this drama. I haven't read the original, but alone Odagiri Kyoko's character and her lie that makes other people happy make is reason enough why you should read it. As a bonus you get to solve mysteries together with her and stuff like that. I got really fascinated by its multifaceted story," he said.



Last but not least mangaka Kaitani about getting yet another of his works adapted into a drama, "Out of all of my works I'm the most confident about this one being turned into a drama. Ishihara Satomi is going to play the leading role and I can't wait to see her wearing the clothes of Odagiri Kyoko."



�\
Written by: KawaiiJoyuu
Sources: Walkerplus, Oricon

http://www.kawaii-joyuu.com/2010/08/26/ishihara-to-play-a-fake-psychic-in-new-night-drama/

^ It almost sounds like a variation of Trick.

bmwracer wrote:

LOL, a lot of people seem to throw around the word "great."

"Great" is obviously a very very very subjective term. Among living Japanese actresses, I think there are three great actresses, and none of them is under 60, so that tells you what an old fart I am.

Re: Shinohara Ryoko--among actresses who have been consistently appearing in dorama this century, I think she's probably as good if not better than any of the top tier talent (as opposed to tarento) , primarily because even though she has yet to appear in a series anywhere close to being good, her performances have been generally excellent (another very very very subjective term).

xploring wrote:

Ishihara to play a fake psychic in new night drama This spring TV Asahi created the "Sunday Night Drama" drama time slot at 11pm and today they've announced that actress Ishihara Satomi (23) will star in its 3rd drama called "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso". It will be her first drama starring role since "Puzzle" back in 2008. The drama itself was already announced on the 17th, but back then they didn't say anything about the cast. The mystery comedy is based on a manga by Kaitani Shinobu who also created the manga "Liar Game". Ishihara will play Odagiri Kyoko (Odakyo), a beautiful psychic who uses her fake powers to solve criminal cases on TV. She is only able to solve those cases thanks to the carefully collected information she gathers between the recordings of the show. One day she happens to meet one of her biggest fans Taniguchi Ichiro who ends up working for her after finding out her secret. Taniguchi will be played by Tanihara Shosuke (38). Ishihara about the role, "I'm very excited to portray the transformation between the TV and private personality of Odakyo. Please meet her every Sunday night to support her with her lie, to laugh and to get thrilled while watching the drama!" About her fellow actor Tanihara she added, "Even from a long time before I've always hoped to be able to work together with him someday and so I'm really happy that it's finally going to happen. While hoping to become good friends, I'm looking forward to become a really fun duo with him." Tanihara also shared a few comments about Ishihara. "I think Ishihara Satomi is an actress who can completely change herself according to the role she's playing. I'm very happy that I will soon be able to see how she is going to portray the role of Odagiri Kyoko, but that's not the only thing why I think it's worth doing this drama. I haven't read the original, but alone Odagiri Kyoko's character and her lie that makes other people happy make is reason enough why you should read it. As a bonus you get to solve mysteries together with her and stuff like that. I got really fascinated by its multifaceted story," he said. Last but not least mangaka Kaitani about getting yet another of his works adapted into a drama, "Out of all of my works I'm the most confident about this one being turned into a drama. Ishihara Satomi is going to play the leading role and I can't wait to see her wearing the clothes of Odagiri Kyoko." �\ Written by: KawaiiJoyuu Sources: Walkerplus, Oricon http://www.kawaii-joyuu.com/2010/08/26/ishihara-to-play-a-fake-psychic-in-new-night-drama/

Woah!! a lot of new dramas to look forward

Yasuko Matsuyuki leads first series in new Fuji TV drama time slot
Wed, August 25, 2010 (7:56pm EDT)
Fuji TV is launching a new drama time slot this October. The Sunday 9:00pm block will be known as "Dramatic Sunday," and the first series to fill the spot will be titled "Perfect Report," starring Yasuko Matsuyuki (37).

Matsuyuki plays a top-class TV reporter named Aoyama, who possesses both brains and beauty but is also known for being too rigid. Despite her cold and blunt outward appearance, on the inside she is passionate as a reporter, dedicated to collecting information and seeking out the truth. Keisuke Koide (26) plays a fellow reporter who works closely with her, and Saki Aibu (25) plays a formerly popular announcer who now works under Aoyama. Fumiyo Kohinata (56) and Jun Kaname (29) will both also appear on the show.

Fuji TV has not broadcast a drama series in the Sunday 9:00pm time slot since 1979. Now they will be competing for audiences with TBS, which has had several successful dramas in that slot. Next season, TBS will be broadcasting the series " Juui Dolittle," starring Shun Oguri (27) and Mao Inoue (23).
Source: Sankei Sports

20 century boy wrote:

"great actress"... hummm I don't know... but she has charisma. And she's a touching character.

She's consistently delivered solid performances. She's also shown versatility, as her shows have been of different genre. I don't see her taking a back seat to most actresses in leading roles in Japan right now.

shin2 wrote:

"Great" is obviously a very very very subjective term. Among living Japanese actresses, I think there are three great actresses, and none of them is under 60, so that tells you what an old fart I am. Re: Shinohara Ryoko--among actresses who have been consistently appearing in dorama this century, I think she's probably as good if not better than any of the top tier talent (as opposed to tarento) , primarily because even though she has yet to appear in a series anywhere close to being good, her performances have been generally excellent (another very very very subjective term).

True. I agree.

I've seen the versatility in the drama she plays in, not in her performance.

In fact I think her acting was better a few years ago. She tends to rely on the same few gimmicks always and always now.

20 century boy wrote:

I've seen the versatility in the drama she plays in, not in her performance. In fact I think her acting was better a few years ago. She tends to rely on the same few gimmicks always and always now.

I would say she is good and also talented at her craft. To me she is a strong supporting actress and has been a good lead in a couple things too. I can't personally say great but I can see how others can and will respect their choice.

"Ishihara to play a fake psychic in new night drama"

I want to see this. I thought by the description it may be a rip off of the USA show "Psyche" but the plot sounds more like a blend of Trick and Psyche together. Should be fun.

Kyoka Suzuki, Kyoko Fukada star in "Second Virgin"
Fri, August 27, 2010 (10:14pm EDT)
NHK has announced the broadcast of a drama series titled "Second Virgin," starring Kyoka Suzuki (42) and Kyoko Fukada (27). Actor Hiroki Hasegawa (33) will play the male lead.

Suzuki plays a divorced producer in publishing who meets a man 17 years younger than her (Hasegawa) and begins having an affair with him. Fukada plays Hasegawa's wife.

The series will air on Tuesday nights at 10:00pm, beginning on October 12. It has also been announced that the theme song will be Kumi Koda's "Anata Dake ga," which goes on sale as a double A-side single with "Suki de, Suki de, Suki de" on September 22.
Source: Sankei Sports

Joe Odagiri, Ken Watanabe play teacher and student in drama special
Sun, August 29, 2010 (1:54am EDT)
On October 11, TBS will broadcast a drama special titled "Hei no Naka no Chuugakkou," starring Joe Odagiri (34). The story is a human drama scripted by veteran writer Makiko Uchidate, filmed in an actual prison.

The story is set in the Asahimachi Junior High School, the only junior high school in Japan inside a prison. The school provides education to prisoners of all ages who were unable to receive the regular compulsory education. Odagiri plays the main character as a teacher in the school, and the show focuses on his interactions with the various students, which include Ken Watanabe (50) as a former steeplejack serving 15 years for two murders, Seiji Chihara (40), Hideji Otaki (85), and Shota Sometani (17).

The drama was shot at the real location, within the Matsumoto Juvenile Prison in Matsumoto, Nagano. This is said to be the first television drama filmed within actual prison walls.
Source: Sankei Sports

xploring wrote:

Joe Odagiri, Ken Watanabe play teacher and student in drama special Sun, August 29, 2010 (1:54am EDT) On October 11, TBS will broadcast a drama special titled "Hei no Naka no Chuugakkou," starring Joe Odagiri (34). The story is a human drama scripted by veteran writer Makiko Uchidate, filmed in an actual prison. The story is set in the Asahimachi Junior High School, the only junior high school in Japan inside a prison. The school provides education to prisoners of all ages who were unable to receive the regular compulsory education. Odagiri plays the main character as a teacher in the school, and the show focuses on his interactions with the various students, which include Ken Watanabe (50) as a former steeplejack serving 15 years for two murders, Seiji Chihara (40), Hideji Otaki (85), and Shota Sometani (17). The drama was shot at the real location, within the Matsumoto Juvenile Prison in Matsumoto, Nagano. This is said to be the first television drama filmed within actual prison walls. Source: Sankei Sports

Hmm, this should be interesting.

Like Abe Hiroshi, Watanabe Ken is always watchable.

Junior Chihara to star in "Minami no Teiou" drama
Mon, August 30, 2010 (7:53pm EDT)
Comedian Junior Chihara has been given his first starring role in a television drama. The show is "Shin Minami no Teiou," a live-action adaptation of the popular "Minami no Teiou" manga by Dai Tennoji and Rikiya Gou.

"Minami no Teiou" has been in publication since 1992, collected into 103 volumes so far. It has already spawned 64 films (mostly direct-to-video), starring Riki Takeuchi.

The story centers on the loan shark Ginjiro Manda, known as the "king" of the Minami business district in Osaka. Feared by all, the ruthless Manda charges "toichi" (10% interest every 10 days) and yet stops at nothing to collect every last yen.

Shunsuke Daito plays Manda's underling. Ren Osugi, Hisako Manda, Miho Shiraishi, Masahiko Nishimura, Hidekazu Akai, and Shige Uchida have also been cast.

"Shin Minami no Teiou" will be broadcast by Fuji TV on September 21.