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"Iryu 3" confirmed for next season
Wed, August 18, 2010 (6:24pm EDT)
  
A third season of Fuji TV's popular drama series "Iryu" has been confirmed. "Iryu Team Medical Dragon 3" will again star Kenji Sakaguchi (34) as a brilliant surgeon. Izumi Inamori (38), who only appeared in the first series, and WaT member Teppei Koike (24) have been confirmed as returning cast members, while Kenichi Endo (49) and Mitsuki Tanimura (20) are joining as new characters.
 
Adapted from the manga of the same name by Akira Nagai and Taro Nogizaka, the first "Iryu" series aired in 2006 and averaged 14.8% ratings, with a peak of 17.2%. The second series in 2007 fared even better, averaging 17.2% and reaching as high as 21.0%.
In the new series, Endo will play a rival doctor to Sakaguchi's character. Tanimura has been cast as a medical intern.
"Iryu 3" will air in the same Thursday 10:00pm time slot, starting in October.
    
UPDATE: Sadao Abe, Tetsuhiro Ikeda, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Mari Natsuki, and Ittoku Kishibe have also been confirmed as returning cast members.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shoko Nakagawa's mobile drama gets limited theater screenings
Sat, August 21, 2010 (10:08am EDT)
On Saturday, Shoko Nakagawa (25) held a live performance to celebrate the release of her new single, "Flying Humanoid / Sen no Kotoba to Futari no Himitsu." During the event, she announced to her fans that her recent mobile phone drama is going to be shown in theaters for a limited time.
As announced last month, Nakagawa got her first starring drama role in "Koi no Tadashii Houhou wa Hon ni mo Sekkeizu ni mo Notteinai," a mobile phone drama that began distribution through DOR@MO on August 8. Because of its popularity, it was decided that the ten-episode series will be shown as a movie in select theaters across the country, for a two-week period starting on October 2.
Directed by filmmaker Tetsuo Shinohara ("Metro ni Notte," "Heaven's Bookstore"), the drama uses Nakagawa's song "Sen no Kotoba to Futari no Himitsu" (from the new single) as its motif. Nakagawa plays a librarian named Izumi Noda who has trouble connecting with other people. Her friend sets up a group date, where she meets an aspiring architect named Neru Yonetani (played by Hiroki Suzuki of D-BOYS), and a romance between them unfolds.
The drama's fourth episode will be released on August 22.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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SMAP's Kusanagi, Nakama, Ichiro to appear in drama
Monday 23rd August, 05:46 AM JST
SMAP singer Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, 36, and actress Yukie Nakama, 30, will debut in a TBS drama set in the 1960s, called “99-year love: Japanese-Americans.” Seattle Mariners player Ichiro will also make a cameo appearance as a baseball player in the drama, appearing in real-life footage of a player at bat.
The drama tells the story of a Japanese family that immigrated to the United States 99 years prior to the story. Kusanagi will play a second-generation Japanese-American as well as, with the help of prosthetics, that character’s father. Nakama appears as Kusanagi’s wife in the drama.
The story deals with issues of racism. According to producers, they decided to add footage of Ichiro “because he is an example of a man that transcends racial stereotypes, to contrast the content of the show.”
The drama will begin on Nov 3, at 9 p.m., and will air in five 2-hour segments.
Kusanagi said: “I really hope this drama strikes a chord with not only Japanese viewers, but American viewers as well.”
“I feel like I’ve really accomplished something landing this part,” Nakama added. The mini-series co-stars Kiichi Nakai, Pinko Oizumi and Keiko Kishi.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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"Ancient Dogoo Girl" returns with sequel
Sun, August 22, 2010 (6:40am EDT)
MBS's fantasy/comedy television series "Kodai Shoujo Dogu-chan" ("The Ancient Dogoo Girl") is returning with a sequel this fall. The new show will be titled "Kodai Shoujotai Dogoon V," and will have starring actress Erika Yazawa (19) joined by a new group of "dogoo girls."
The original series was broadcast from October to December in 2009, and it proved popular enough to get a movie version into theaters earlier this year. The story revolved around an ancient yokai (monster) hunter inadvertently revived in modern times. Although Yazawa (a member of Idoling!!!) was billed as the main attraction of the show, it also drew attention due to the famous directors attached to the project, including Noboru Iguchi, Takashi Shimizu, and Keisuke Toyoshima.
In "Dogoon V," the show will introduce a group of five female apprentice yokai hunters, clad in the same kind of clay bikini as Yazawa's character. The members of the group are the "Doki Doki Wave"-shooting Doji-chan (Misaki Momose, 17), the battler Doro-chan (Rina Takeda, 19), the super-strong Doka-chan (Manami Nomoto, 14), the nurse Dore-chan (Maria Yoshikawa, 21), and the dreamer Dori-chan (Haruka Dan).
The regular cast includes Teruhiko Saigo (63) and Shogo Suzuki (21). Like the first show, the modern-day monsters will be played by guest actors, including Sei Ashina (26), Yuko Ito (36), Kenji Otsuki (44), Megumi Kagurazaka (28), Ayumu Saito (45), and Momoko Tani (25).
Most of the original staff will return. Besides Iguchi and Toyoshima, some of the confirmed names are Yoshihiro Nishimura, Tsuyoshi Kazuno, and Ryuta Miyake.
MBS will start airing the new series in October. More details will be announced on the show's official website.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yuji Oda to return in drama sequel to "Amalfi"
Sun, August 22, 2010 (7:05pm EDT)
Actor Yuji Oda (42), who just got married last week, will be reprising his role in a sequel to last year's hit movie "Amalfi: Megami no Hoshu." However, this time it will be turned into a television series, rather than another film.
The drama is tentatively titled "Kaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku." As the name indicates, the show will focus on the diplomat Kosaku Kuroda, Oda's character in "Amalfi." After the success of the movie, sources say that Oda strongly wanted to play the character in a television series. While the movie told the story of a single kidnapping, the drama will take on a much bigger scale, with Kuroda becoming involved in various situations such as international terrorism and domestic crimes. Right now the script is in development, though details will have to wait until Oda returns from his honeymoon overseas.
Fuji TV will broadcast the drama. It is planning to start the series in January in the Thursday 10:00pm time slot, though filming will begin as early as mid-September.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yutaka Takenouchi, Aya Ueto co-star in Fuji TV's Monday night drama
Sun, August 22, 2010 (6:49pm EDT)
 
Fuji TV's Monday night drama series this fall will star Yutaka Takenouchi (39) and Aya Ueto (24), it has been learned. The show does not yet have an official title.
Takenouchi has been in several "Getsu 9" dramas before, including the 1997 show "Beach Boys." His last time starring in one was with Ryoko Hirosue (30) in the 2001 series "Dekichatta Kekkon." Ueto, on the other hand, was most recently in last year's "Konkatsu!"
In the new series, Takenouchi plays an aquarium employee named Kengo, who seems ordinary at first glance but actually possesses a secret that he would sacrifice everything in order to protect. Meanwhile, Ueto plays Risa, a young woman working in the sex trade in order to pay off her brother's debt, though her situation has led her to contemplate suicide. These two characters, both full of despair, meet each other and end up entering a contract marriage purely for its benefits. However, as they overcome various troubles, their relationship begins turning into true love.
 
Shota Matsuda (24) and Kie Kitano (19) have also been confirmed as cast members. The series will begin in October, airing every Monday at 9:00pm.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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TV Tokyo announces third "Jyouou" series
Mon, August 23, 2010 (6:58pm EDT)
A third season of the "Jyouou" drama series is now on its way. Gravure idol Mikie Hara (23) will reprise her starring role from the second season, joined by several new cast members.
The original "Jyouou" drama aired in 2005 with Hiromi Kitagawa (29) as the lead, and was adapted from Ryo Kurashina's manga of the same name about young hostesses in Roppongi competing for a large cash prize and the title of number one. Last year, Hara took over the reins for the "Jyouou Virgin" series, based on the manga's sequel. The third season, titled "Jyouou 3 ~Special Edition~," will continue the story from "Jyouou Virgin."
  
The male lead this time will be played by Gota Watabe (24), while Mayu Sakuma (25) and AV star Kirara Asuka (21) play main characters. Other confirmed cast members include Megumi Nakayama, Ai Haneda, Rika Kawamura, Mitsuyoshi Shinoda, Takeshi Kongochi, Reon Kadena, and Megumi Kagurazaka.
"Jyouou 3" will naturally air in TV Tokyo's "Drama 24" time slot (Friday 12:12am), starting on October 8. The show's theme song will be sung by Ayabie vocalist Aoi.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shun Oguri, Mao Inoue reunite in "Veterinarian Dolittle" drama
Mon, August 23, 2010 (6:17pm EDT)
 
It is now confirmed that Shun Oguri (27) and Mao Inoue (23) 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 (27) 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.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shinohara Ryoko Back in the Lead
August 25, 2010
Just a week after losing her father, actress Shinohara Ryoko (37) had a happier announcement yesterday. She is to play the lead role in an upcoming Nippon TV drama series about tax investigators. Starting in October and airing on Wednesday nights, "Ougon no Buta" (The Golden Pig) features Shinohara in her first drama starring role since she became a mother. Her last lead was in 2007's "Haken no Hinkaku." NTV have described the new series as a modern version of the long-running "Mito Komon." The show also stars Oizumi Yo (37) and Okada Masaki (21).
Shinohara said of her father, who died on August 17, "For me, he was my biggest fan and the person who understood me better than anyone. I want to devote myself to my work and hope that my father will be smiling down on me."
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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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.
    
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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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.
http://asiacue.com/images/persons/k/Kohinata,%20Fumiyo_image.jpeg 
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: www.tokyograph.com |
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Satomi Ishihara plays psychic in "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso"
Wed, August 25, 2010 (8:15pm EDT)
It was learned last week that Shinobu Kaitani's manga series "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso" is being turned into a live-action show. The primary cast has now been announced, with Satomi Ishihara (23) taking on the title role of the false psychic Kyoko Odagiri.
Kyoko Odagiri is known as a showy, charismatic and popular psychic, though in reality she has no special powers. Instead, the unusual heroine gathers information through her own effort, then plays up the role of the psychic, willing to create any kind of lie if it will help save someone. Shosuke Tanihara (38) will play the mysterious Ichiro Taniguchi, who becomes Kyoko's accomplice.
Ishihara's last leading role in a series was in the 2008 mystery drama "Puzzle."
TV Asahi will broadcast "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso" on Sundays at 11:00pm, beginning this October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takumi Saito leads drama based on "Ryu ga Gotoku" video game
Fri, August 27, 2010 (9:40am EDT)
The hit video game series "Ryu ga Gotoku" (released in English as "Yakuza") is getting a live-action drama adaptation of its newest installment, "Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou," which is being released for the PlayStation Portable on September 22. The show will star actor Takumi Saito (29).
The video game series, which started out on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, is a mix of action and adventure set in the yakuza world. "Kurohyou" will be the franchise's first game for a handheld console, and it was decided that it would be accompanied by the franchise's first drama series. However, the games have already had two live-action works - one was released directly to DVD, while the other was the feature film "Ryu ga Gotoku: Gekijoban" directed by Takashi Miike.
 
Saito plays the main character in the drama, who is also the protagonist of the new game. Takuya Ishida (23) and Hideo Ishiguro (21) play his junior and his close friend, respectively. The cast also features retired kickboxer Masato (31) in his first regular drama role and actor Koichi Iwaki (59), who also provided a voice for the game. Rock band RIZE will do the show's theme song, titled "MUPPET."
The 11-episode series will begin airing on TBS and MBS on October 5, in both networks' 1:25am time slot (1:55am for the first episode on TBS). In conjunction with the broadcast, exclusive images will be available for the PlayStation 3 and the PSP through the PlayStation Store. A manga version of the story has also been announced, starting on September 18 in Weekly Young Magazine.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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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: www.tokyograph.com |
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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: www.tokyograph.com |
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Junior Chihara to star in "Minami no Teiou" drama
Mon, August 30, 2010 (7:53pm EDT)
Comedian Junior Chihara (36) 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 (46).
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.
http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/20100707_daito_shunsuke.jpg
Shunsuke Daito (24) plays Manda's underling. Ren Osugi (58), Hisako Manda (52), Miho Shiraishi (32), Masahiko Nishimura (49), Hidekazu Akai (51), and Shige Uchida (32) have also been cast.
"Shin Minami no Teiou" will be broadcast by Fuji TV on September 21.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Deka Wanko" manga goes live-action
Tue, August 31, 2010 (11:43am EDT)
http://www.otakuworks.com/defaultimgs/1868.jpg
"Deka Wanko," a manga series by "Gokusen" creator Kozueko Morimoto, is being turned
into a live-action television drama. The news is being announced in the new issue of
Shueisha's magazine YOU, on sale September 1.
Started in 2008, the "Deka Wanko" manga is about a rookie detective named Ichiko
Hanamori. She earned the nickname "Wanko" ("doggie") for her uncanny dog-like sense
of smell, which helps her in solving unusual cases. The series is currently up to six
collected volumes.
More details about the drama version may be revealed in the magazine.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Tomohiro Ichikawa to star in "Clone Baby"
Tue, August 31, 2010 (7:25pm EDT)
This fall, TBS is creating a new 30-minute time slot for dramas on Friday nights at
12:20am, called "Friday Break." The first series in that slot is tentatively titled "Clone
Baby" and will star 18-year-old actor Tomohiro Ichikawa. This will be his first starring
role in a drama series.
The show, which revolves around human cloning, is described as a suspense and
mystery story set in a metaphorical game of "musical chairs," involving elements such as
psychological warfare.
Of the nine main cast members, six were chosen through audition: Ichikawa, Tori
Matsuzaka, Yukari Taki, Kento Yamazaki, Daisuke Kikuta, and Yu Inaba. The other three
main cast members are Akiko Kikuchi, Honoka Miki, and Tetsuya Makita.
"Clone Baby" will premiere in October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yukie Nakama, Rei Dan face off in winter drama series
Tue, August 31, 2010 (7:39pm EDT)
The stars of one of Fuji TV's drama series this coming winter have already been
announced. Although the show does not yet have a title, it will be led by Yukie Nakama
(30) and Rei Dan (39), apparently working together for the first time. Filming already
started on August 30.
The show portrays a suspenseful battle between two women. Nakama takes on the role
of a mysterious "wicked woman," while Dan plays a housewife of a happy home. After
the two meet, their peaceful lives become a complicated mess of both friendship and
jealousy.
The series begins in January and will air in Fuji TV's Tuesday 10:00pm time slot.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Keigo Higashino's "Himitsu" adapted to drama
Wed, September 1, 2010 (8:15pm EDT)
 
The Keigo Higashino novel "Himitsu" ("The Secret") is being turned into a live-action
drama series this fall, starring Mirai Shida (17) and Kuranosuke Sasaki (42). The show
will air in TV Asahi's Friday 11:15pm time slot, starting in October.
Published in 1998, "Himitsu" was nominated for the Naoki Prize and the Yoshikawa Eiji
Prize, while winning the Mystery Writers of Japan Prize. In 1999, director Yojiro Takita
adapted it as a movie, starring Ryoko Hirosue (30) and Kaoru Kobayashi (58). The story
involves a married couple, where the wife dies but her spirit ends up inside the couple's
daughter.
     
Naturally, Shida is playing the role of the daughter and Sasaki is playing the father.
Hikari Ishida (38) has been cast as the mother. Other cast members include Yuika
Motokariya (22), Tantan Hayashi (21), Satoshi Hashimoto (44), Shoko Ikezu (40),
Takeshi Masu (54), Ryo Ryusei (17), Keiko Horiuchi (39), and Mitsuru Fukikoshi (45).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 24-8-2010 11:17 AM
