Japanese Drama [PART 2]~Update & Review~

whitedove

Inamori stars in first drama in four years
Fri, February 27, 2009 (1:54am EST)



Actress Izumi Inamori is starring in a television series for the first time since four years ago. The show is a serious human drama titled "Ai$hiteru ~Kaiyou~," about the love and conflict between a mother and her child.

The drama is based on a manga by Minoru Ito. Inamori plays Satsuki, the mother of a 10-year-old boy. When her son ends up killing a 7-year-old boy, conflict arises in their family, leading to a lot of tears and pain. One of the show's main themes is forgiveness ("kaiyou"). While the original comic told the story from the perspective of the victim's family, the drama will focus on the assailant's family.



Yuka Itaya plays the victim's mother. NTV will begin broadcasting the series on April 15 in its Wednesday 10:00pm time slot.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Shota Matsuda stars in "parody mystery" series
Wed, March 4, 2009 (1:36am EST)



Actor Shota Matsuda has just picked up his first true lead role in a television drama. Titled "Meitantei no Okite," the show is based on a "parody mystery" work by award-winning author Keigo Higashino.



The original "Meitantei no Okite" is a short mystery collection that takes a humorous approach to many of the genre's cliches. Matsuda stars as the "famous detective" Daigoro Tenkaichi, while Yu Kashii plays the female lead as a rookie cop. Yuichi Kimura has also been cast.

"Meitantei no Okite" will air on TV Asahi on Friday nights at 11:15pm, starting in April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

"Drifting Net Cafe" becomes drama
Thu, March 5, 2009 (2:50am EST)



Shuzo Oshimi's sci-fi manga series "Hyoryu Net Cafe" is being adapted into a television drama this spring. The show will star actor Atsushi Ito, who is well known for his starring role in "Densha Otoko."

Also known as "Drifting Net Cafe," the original manga revolves around salaryman Koichi Toki (Ito), who leads a trouble-free but unexciting life. One day he stops by an internet cafe, where he runs into his first love whom he never forgot (played by model KIKI). A sudden electrical failure traps him and the other customers in the cafe, which has become a strange universe of its own.

As the manga is still fairly new, the original story's ending has not yet been decided, so the drama will possibly depart from the comic's storyline.



The supporting cast also includes Reina Asami. TBS will air the drama on Wednesday nights at 12:29am (12:44am for the first episode). It premieres on April 15.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

"Homeless Chugakusei" drama gets a sequel
Sat, March 7, 2009 (4:16am EST)

Hiroshi Tamura's best-selling autobiography "Homeless Chugakusei" will have a sequel to its television adaptation. Last July, Fuji TV aired a drama special that starred new child actor Tatsuya Kuroki as Tamura's childhood self. The episode garnered ratings of 18.8% in the Kanto area and 26.0% in the Kansai region.

On April 12, the network will broadcast "Homeless Chugakusei 2," based on the book "Homeless Daigakusei" that was published by Tamura's older brother Kenichi this past October. The book relates the family's experiences from the perspective of Kenichi, who was a college student at the time.



Including Kuroki, the cast of the first special - including Kaho, Kei Tanaka, Takashi Naito, and Hiroko Yakushimaru - will reprise their roles. In addition, Mitsuki Tanimura is joining the cast as Kenichi's girlfriend.



Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Narimiya stars in Japan-Hong Kong drama
Sun, March 8, 2009 (3:01am EDT)

NHK and Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK have teamed up to produce a two-part television drama titled "Shiawase no Soup wa Ikaga?" The project was first announced in April 2008 and has now been scheduled to air in Japan on March 26-27.



Hiroki Narimiya stars as a young man who becomes tired of his life in Japan and decides to go to Hong Kong. There, he comes across a woman (Annie Liu) and her grandfather (Wu Ma) who run a restaurant specializing in fish ball soup. As the story develops, he too learns the art of making the soup.

The drama was filmed in Hong Kong and Japan last May. The cast also includes Yuen Qiu, Jun Fubuki, and Sansei Shiomi.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Oikawa chosen to succeed Aibou's Terawaki
Sun, March 8, 2009 (3:17am EDT)



The popular TV Asahi detective series "Aibou" has found its new star. Actor Mitsuhiro Oikawa will be filling in the gap left by Yasufumi Terawaki earlier this season.



Terawaki had played one half of the leading duo alongside Yutaka Mizutani ever since the show's start in 2000. He left during the ongoing 7th season, leaving Mizutani without a partner.

Oikawa will make his first appearance in the season's two-hour finale on March 18. He will continue with the role when the series enters its 8th season.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

Kittie

career nari makin berkembang...

whitedove

ONE OK ROCK's first drama theme
Tue, March 10, 2009 (4:13am EDT)



The band ONE OK ROCK has been tapped for their first theme song for a television drama. "Around the World Shonen," their 4th single, will be used in the manga-to-drama adaptation "God Hand Teru" that starts on TBS next month.

ONE OK ROCK made their major label debut in 2007. Vocalist Taka helped gain the group some attention for being the son of singers Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori, as well as being a former member of the idol group NEWS. The band's last album, "Kanjou Effect," charted at #13 in November.

"Around the World Shonen" goes on sale May 6.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Naohito Fujiki, Yoshino Kimura lead "Yakou no Kaidan"
Wed, March 11, 2009 (1:07am EDT)

Seicho Matsumoto's novel "Yakou no Kaidan" is being turned into a television drama series this spring on TV Asahi. The story is described as a male-led version of Matsumoto's "Kurokawa no Techo," which was turned into a drama in 2004 starring Ryoko Yonekura.



Naohito Fujiki stars as a successful beautician who rose from poverty, using women as stepping stones on his way to the top. Yoshino Kimura plays the heroine of the story, a magazine editor and one of the beautician's customers. A victim of love, she ends up entangled in Fujiki's dark past.

"Yakou no Kaidan" airs on Thursdays at 9:00pm, starting in April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Toma Ikuta stars in jury drama series
Wed, March 11, 2009 (12:38am EDT)



Popular young actor Toma Ikuta has a solo starring role in a drama series for the first time. The show, titled "Majo Saiban," will be the first drama to tackle the issue of Japan's new "saiban-in" (lay judge) system.

This May, Japan is reintroducing the jury system, which was previously abolished in 1943. Since then, only judges have decide the outcome of criminal cases, but under the new system, cases will be decided by a combination of judges and lottery-selected citizens.

In "Majo Saiban," Ikuta plays a typical part-timer with little interest in social issues. However, he is unexpectedly chosen as a juror in the trial of a suspected female murderer. While the mystery surrounding the case unfolds, an unknown group is secretly attempting to bribe the jury.



Actress Ai Kato plays a housewife who is also selected as a juror, while Manami Higa plays Ikuta's girlfriend, a newspaper reporter. Yuriko Ishida takes on the role of the accused.

Fuji TV will air "Majo Saiban" on Saturday nights at 11:10pm. The series starts on April 25, about a month before the actual jury system goes into effect.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Ikimono Gakari ties in with "Boku no Imouto"
Fri, March 13, 2009 (2:11pm EDT)



A few days ago, it was announced that Ikimono Gakari was chosen to provide the new opening song for the "Naruto Shippuden" anime series. Now, they have been given another major tie-in for the spring, with the theme song to the TBS drama "Boku no Imouto" (starring Joe Odagiri and Masami Nagasawa).



The song is a ballad titled "Futari." It will be released as a single on May 27, but it is not yet known if the single will include "Hotaru no Hikari" (their song for "Naruto").

"Boku no Imouto" premieres on April 19 and airs on Sundays at 9:00pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Sho Sakurai stars in "The Quiz Show"
Fri, March 13, 2009 (7:07pm EDT)



Arashi's Sho Sakurai has been chosen to star in the NTV drama series "The Quiz Show." The show is a prime time version of last summer's late night drama "The Quiz Show," which starred Jin Katagiri and Shigeyuki Totsugi.

In the new version, Sakurai plays the host of a live TV quiz program. On the show, contestants who achieve 7 correct answers win 10 million yen, and those who get 8 correct answers will have one of their wishes granted by the TV network. But while the questions start off innocently enough, as the game progresses, the questions gradually delve into the contestants' past crimes or indiscretions, presenting them with the dilemma of having to confess their guilt in order to win.

Sakurai's character also has a mysterious past. Before becoming the show's host, an accident had left him in a vegetative state for six years, which also resulted in him losing most of his memories.



The supporting cast includes Kanjani8's Yu Yokoyama as the show's director, Aya Matsuura as a rookie assistant director, and Miki Maya as the producer. Broadcast begins on April 18 in NTV's Saturday 9pm time slot.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

Kittie

sajer nk masuk umah nih byk2 kali sbb ade gambo Nari yg besar...

whitedove

Yumiko Shaku plays the "Love Game"
Mon, March 16, 2009 (12:09am EDT)



Actress Yumiko Shaku has been given the lead in the upcoming NTV drama series "LOVE GAME." The show is based on the debut novel of TV writer Motoichi Adachi, who is better known for working on the scripts of variety shows like "Odoru! Sanma Goten" and "Kiseki Taiken! Unbelievable." The novel goes on sale at the end of this month.

"LOVE GAME" revolves around a secret game in which the participants can win 100 million yen if they succeed at a love-related task. However, no one has ever succeeded in the game before.

Shaku plays the beautiful but mysterious "dealer" of the game. The challenges she presents to the contestants, who are constantly monitored, include tasks such as "get your wife to sign divorce papers within 8 hours" and "steal your friend's boyfriend within 3 days."



The guests on the show include Shun Shioya and Hiromi Kitagawa in the first episode, and Waka Inoue in the second episode. NTV will broadcast the series on Thursday nights at 11:58pm, starting on April 23.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Shiina does new solo single for "Smile"
Mon, March 16, 2009 (12:53am EDT)



Ringo Shiina is back with her first solo single in roughly five years. Titled "Ariamaru Tomi," the song will go on sale May 27, which is the anniversary of her debut single "Koufukuron" back in 1998.



"Ariamaru Tomi" is being used as the theme song for the TBS drama "Smile," starring Jun Matsumoto and Yui Aragaki. The series begins on April 17.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Naomi Kawashima introduces new drama 'Egoist'

Tuesday 17th March, 09:16 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Naomi Kawashima, 48, on Monday attended a press conference to introduce her latest soap opera on the Fuji TV network “Egoist.” Kawashima plays an egoistic actress who is the mother of the main character, an aspiring actress. The drama co-stars Rei Yoshii and Mao Miyaji.

Asked about her new married life with pastry chef Toshihiko Yoroizuka, 43, Kawashima said, “I try not to be egoistic but humble. He comes and watches me play golf. I feel like he is my own private gallery on the course.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove

Yumiko Shaku plays the "Love Game"
Mon, March 16, 2009 (12:09am EDT)



Actress Yumiko Shaku has been given the lead in the upcoming NTV drama series "LOVE GAME." The show is based on the debut novel of TV writer Motoichi Adachi, who is better known for working on the scripts of variety shows like "Odoru! Sanma Goten" and "Kiseki Taiken! Unbelievable." The novel goes on sale at the end of this month.

"LOVE GAME" revolves around a secret game in which the participants can win 100 million yen if they succeed at a love-related task. However, no one has ever succeeded in the game before.

Shaku plays the beautiful but mysterious "dealer" of the game. The challenges she presents to the contestants, who are constantly monitored, include tasks such as "get your wife to sign divorce papers within 8 hours" and "steal your friend's boyfriend within 3 days."



The guests on the show include Shun Shioya and Hiromi Kitagawa in the first episode, and Waka Inoue in the second episode. NTV will broadcast the series on Thursday nights at 11:58pm, starting on April 23.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

Kittie

shioya ade midnight drama la~~~
still lg tingat kat die mase nanase...

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whitedove

Shioya!   dia dah jadi SHUN favourite aku, bukan Oguri Shun lagi dah

whitedove

Drama Grand Prix: "Kami no Shizuku" wins winter
Thu, March 19, 2009 (12:31am EDT)



In preparation for its annual Drama Grand Prix, Nikkan Sports already conducted voting for the 2009 winter season earlier this month. A total of 13,613 votes were collected. The big winner this time was NTV's "Kami no Shizuku," which starred KAT-TUN member Kazuya Kamenashi. The show picked up all four categories it was eligible for, leaving Miho Kanno to win for Best Actress.

Best Drama:

   1. Kami no Shizuku - 4376
   2. Uta no Oniisan - 3950
   3. Zeni Geba - 1207
   4. RESCUE - 876
   5. Voice - 864

Best Actor:

   1. Kazuya Kamenashi (Kami no Shizuku) - 4637
   2. Satoshi Ohno (Uta no Oniisan) - 4154
   3. Kenichi Matsuyama (Zeni Geba) - 1387
   4. Hiro Mizushima (Mei-chan no Shitsuji) - 625
   5. Yuichi Nakamaru (RESCUE) - 554

Best Actress:

   1. Miho Kanno (Kiina) - 5136
   2. Nana Eikura (Mei-chan no Shitsuji) - 2330
   3. Yukie Nakama (Arifureta Kiseki) - 2012
   4. Nao Minamisawa (Akai Ito) - 880
   5. Pinko Izumi (Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari) - 805

Best Supporting Actor:

   1. Seiichi Tanabe (Kami no Shizuku) - 2104
   2. Ryuhei Maruyama (Uta no Oniisan) - 1891
   3. Toma Ikuta (Voice) - 1782
   4. Takahisa Masuda (RESCUE) - 870
   5. Takeru Sato (Mei-chan no Shitsuji) - 844

Best Supporting Actress:

   1. Riisa Naka (Kami no Shizuku) - 2310
   2. Nana Katase (Uta no Oniisan) - 2007
   3. Yoshino Kimura (Uta no Oniisan) - 1464
   4. Mimura (Zeni Geba) - 919
   5. Satomi Ishihara (Voice) - 773

Voting for the annual awards will begin on the 23rd.

Source: www.tokyograph.com