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"JIN" drama gets prime time rerun
Wed, November 17, 2010 (7:00pm EST)
The popular 2009 drama series "JIN" is already set to have a sequel next spring, but the original will be returning to the small screen for a special rerun broadcast. While television dramas are often rerun in afternoon time slots, "JIN" will apparently be the first to be rerun during "golden time" (7pm-10pm).
The original 11 episodes will be edited as a "director's cut" and trimmed to fit within 9 hours of broadcast. It will then be divided into two 4-and-a-half-hour episodes, to be aired nationally on December 27 and 28, starting at 7:00pm on both nights.
When it was first aired during the autumn of 2009, "JIN" was very well received. It recorded ratings of over 20% for several episodes, and the finale reached 25.3% ratings. The show has also won various awards, both in Japan and overseas.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Erika Toda, Haruma Miura co-star as teachers in next "Getsu 9" drama
Wed, November 17, 2010 (6:42pm EST)
 
Erika Toda (22) and Haruma Miura (20) will co-star in Fuji TV's next "Getsu 9" drama series. The show, called "Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta," will be the first time either of them has starred in that time slot, and the first time that either has played the part of a teacher.
Toda plays a cheerful high school English teacher, while Miura plays a sincere and earnest biology teacher at the same school. The two characters were classmates during their high school and university days, and now they are engaged to be married in half a year. However, their happiness is put to the test when various circumstances lead to Miura unwittingly engaging in an improper relationship with one of his new female students. While he suffers from the anguish of his betrayal, he is resolved to save the young girl from her problems.
The series will premiere this January.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nao Minamisawa, Shugo Oshinari cast in drama special "Maigo"
Thu, November 18, 2010 (9:06am EST)
NHK Osaka is producing a drama special titled "Maigo," scheduled to be broadcast on February 19, 2011. The drama is being done by the same screenwriter (actor/playwright Shiro Maeda) and director as the 2009 drama special "Okaimono," which won an award from the Hoso Bunka Foundation.
   
The story revolves around an elderly female foreigner who gets lost in a big city. As the various people she encounters try to help her, they each come to open their hearts to one another. The cast features Nao Minamisawa (20), Shugo Oshinari (29), Eriko Nakamura (22), Yuta Kanai (25), and Taiga (17).
Filming started in the Osaka area on November 13.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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22nd Young Scenario Award winner being turned into drama
Thu, November 18, 2010 (8:08pm EST)
The winner of the 22nd Fuji TV Young Scenario Award was announced on Thursday. The story, written by Akiko Nogi, is titled "Sayonara, Robinson Crusoe" and was chosen from 11 candidates in the final round of judging.
"Sayonara, Robinson Crusoe" is already being turned into a drama special, scheduled to air late at night on December 29. Kei Tanaka (26) will star, with supporting performances by Misako Renbutsu (19), Go Ayano (28), and Rinko Kikuchi (29).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yosuke Asari gets starring role in wheelchair rugby drama
Sat, November 20, 2010 (9:48pm EST)
Actor Yosuke Asari (23) has been given his first starring role in a television series, titled "Hitori Janai." Up until now, he has had supporting roles in dozens of dramas, including both seasons of "Code Blue."
In "Hitori Janai," Asari plays Shohei, a university student who is partially paralyzed in a motorbike accident. After falling into despair about his condition, he is introduced to the sport of wheelchair rugby, helping him regain his self-confidence. Yoko Moriguchi (44) plays a housewife who has lost her will to live. Her character meets Shohei through a blog.
To prepare for the role, Asari trained twice a week in August at the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, located in Tokorozawa, Saitama. He also practiced with players from the national wheelchair rugby team.
BS Fuji produced the drama to commemorate its 10th anniversary. The network will broadcast the 6-episode series on Saturday nights at 8:00pm, starting on January 8.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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C-ute's Airi Suzuki stars in DVD drama
Sun, November 21, 2010 (5:56pm EST)
°C-ute and Buono! member Airi Suzuki (16) will take on her first starring role in the straight-to-DVD horror drama series "Keitai Kanojo." The series will also feature Gravure Japan 2010 winner Seika Taketomi (15), acting for the first time.
"Keitai Kanojo" is based on the popular mobile phone novel of the same name. It is the sequel to "Keitai Kareshi," which was turned into a movie last year starring 9nine's Umika Kawashima (16).
In "Keitai Kanojo," Suzuki plays a high school student investigating the mystery behind a mobile phone dating simulation game. Taketomi plays a girl who appears within the game, somehow killing the male players one by one.
Geneon Universal will release the drama in April 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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King Kong's Nishino stars in "Gota Keshi" drama
Sun, November 21, 2010 (7:08pm EST)
Comedian Akihiro Nishino (30) has been given a leading role in a drama series for the first time. He will play the protagonist of "Jidan Koushounin Gota Keshi," adapted from Shuntaro Osawa's manga "Gota Keshi."
Nishino, who is part of the duo King Kong, has recently been expanding his repertoire beyond comedy. He published a novel in June and a picture book earlier this month. He has done a little acting in television and film, though "Gota Keshi" will be his first acting role in a series.
Nishino plays the silver-haired Torajiro Shirai, who became adept at negotiation techniques and body language analysis during his days as a diplomat. Due to his skills, he is called upon to settle various political matters. Shiori Kutsuna (17) plays Ayano Sakura, a part-timer who assists Torajiro, while comedian Gori (38) of Garage Sale plays a bar owner who serves as Torajiro's information management expert.
NTV will broadcast the series on Thursdays at 11:58pm, beginning on January 6.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Team Batista 2" drama gets special episode in January
Mon, November 22, 2010 (12:18pm EST)
The drama series "Team Batista 2: General Rouge no Gaisen" is coming back to television for a special episode at the start of next year. Atsushi Ito (26) and Toru Nakamura (45) will once again play the leads as a doctor and a ministry official investigating a hospital incident.
The "Team Batista" drama franchise stems from a series of novels by medical mystery author Takeru Kaido, which were also adapted into two films starring Yuko Takeuchi and Hiroshi Abe. The television version began with the series "Team Batista no Eikou" in 2008, followed by a special episode in 2009 based on "Nightingale no Chinmoku." The second series "Team Batista 2: General Rouge no Gaisen" aired from April to June of this year.
The new special episode will be a sequel to the second series. Fuji TV plans to air it on January 2.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Arashi's Masaki Aiba stars in "Bartender" drama
Tue, November 23, 2010 (5:59pm EST)
Arashi's Masaki Aiba (27) is confirmed to be starring in a drama adaptation of Araki Joh and Kenji Nagatomo's popular manga "Bartender," airing this winter. This will be Aiba's first lead drama role since last year's "My Girl."
"Bartender" has been serialized in Shueisha's Super Jump magazine since 2004, and its collected volumes have so far sold over 2.5 million copies. The protagonist is Ryu Sasakura (Aiba), a genius bartender who has won a European cocktail contest. Now back in Japan, he listens to his customers talk about their problems of work, love, and family, then helps them settle those problems through his cocktails. Other plot points include a potential romance with the story's heroine and showdowns against rival bartenders.
Aiba has been training since September with a professional bartender to learn actual cocktail-making techniques.
TV Asahi will broadcast "Bartender" in the Friday 11:15 time slot, starting in January. Supporting cast details are expected to be revealed soon.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yosuke Eguchi to lead "School!!" drama
Thu, November 25, 2010 (7:02pm EST)
Yosuke Eguchi (42) has been appointed as the star of a new Fuji TV series, which is said to be his first school drama. The show is appropriately titled "School!!" and is set for broadcast in Fuji TV's Sunday 9:00pm time slot this winter.
The drama revolves around a public elementary school beset with problems. Eguchi plays the passionate protagonist, who worked at construction sites for 20 years with a mid-sized general contractor. However, in order to keep a promise he made with his former teacher, he suddenly changes jobs and becomes the principal of his old school, which he must save from closing down.
       
Eguchi's supporting cast includes Hidetoshi Nishijima (39), Kie Kitano (19), Takashi Tsukamoto (28), Ittoku Kishibe (63), Miwako Ichikawa (34), Shohei Miura (22), Keiko Horiuchi (39), and Sansei Shiomi (62).
"School!!" premieres in January 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kenichi Matsuyama confirmed as star of 2012 taiga drama
Thu, November 25, 2010 (8:28am EST)
A couple weeks ago, rumors surfaced that actor Kenichi Matsuyama (25) had been chosen to star in NHK's 2012 taiga drama, "Taira no Kiyomori." The network confirmed that on Thursday with an official press conference announcing Matsuyama as the show's star.
This will be Matsuyama's first appearance in one of NHK's taiga dramas. As previously reported, the series will revolve around the life of the 12th century general Taira no Kiyomori, responsible for the Taira clan's rise to power. Although Taira no Kiyomori has traditionally been portrayed as a villain, his character will be depicted differently in this drama.
The series is scheduled to premiere in January 2012, though filming is expected to start next summer.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kis-My-Ft2's Fujigaya, Kitayama join Karina in "Misaki No. 1!!"
Fri, November 26, 2010 (11:12am EST)
 
More cast members have been revealed for the drama series "Misaki No. 1!!" that was announced last week. In particular, two members of the Johnny's Jr. group Kis-My-Ft2 will play major roles: Taisuke Fujigaya (23) and Hiromitsu Kitayama (25).
Based on a manga series by Masato Fujisaki, the drama features Karina as a top Roppongi hostess who winds up as a temporary teacher for a class of problematic high school students. The show's staff includes several members of the team behind the similar "Gokusen" drama series.
Misaki Tennoji's (Karina) students are members of the second-year "Z Class." Fujigaya plays the part of Kazuma Kujo, who holds the status of leader within the class, while Kitayama plays Kujo's accomplice Ryosuke Minato, who serves as a "mood maker" for the class.
This is Fujigaya's first drama role since the 2007 special "Byakkotai," and the first ever for Kitayama. Fujigaya remarked that he is looking forward to the part very much, since it is his first school drama and his first drama with another member of Kis-My-Ft2.
         
Other cast members that have been revealed include Tomohiro Ichikawa (19), Kei Tanaka (26), Asami Usuda (26), Yuichi Tsuchiya (31), Yu Tejima (26), Yumi Kobayashi (22), Ayaka Komatsu (24), Muga Tsukaji (39), Keiko Toda (53), Naomi Zaizen (44), and Akio Kaneda (56).
The drama will air on Wednesday nights on NTV, starting in January.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Umika Kawashima plays killer in "Heaven's Flower"
Fri, November 26, 2010 (10:04pm EST)
Actress and 9nine member Umika Kawashima (16) has landed the lead role in a television drama series for the first time. She is set to star in TBS's "Heaven's Flower," which will also feature D-BOYS member Hirofumi Araki (27) and actor Go Ayano (28).
 
Set in the near-futuristic 2060, "Heaven's Flower" combines mystery with a pure love story. Due to a botched experiment, Japan has become a barren land where flowers can't even bloom, resulting in a severe rationing crisis. While the country works towards rebuilding, "District 7" is one of the areas left behind in the process.
The story unfolds in the neglected District 7. Despite Kawashima's typical innocent image from her previous works, here she takes on her first "villain" role as a cruel and emotionless assassin named Ai, part of a group known as "Last Garden." While faithfully carrying out her missions every day, she encounters the police detective Yuichiro Manaka (Araki), and she suddenly must deal with her newfound emotion of love. The ensuing story is a romantic mystery involving betrayal and the secret behind her birth.
 
Ayano plays the police organization's commanding officer Shion. His counterpart, the leader of "Last Garden," will be played by actress Yoshiko Mita (69), who has not had a recurring role in a drama series since "Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu" in 2006. Hirotaro Honda (59) has been cast as Ai's greatest enemy, the boss of a Chinese mafia.
Kawashima got her acting start in 2006 and has appeared in dramas such as "Bloody Monday" and "Kaibutsu-kun." Although she has starred in a mobile phone drama as well as two movies, she admitted that she feels pressure since this is her first starring TV role. She will also be training for some action scenes, which include the use of a pistol and fighting with a knife at close range.
"Heaven's Flower" premieres on January 14, airing every week in the "Friday Break" time slot (12:20am-12:50am).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Hiroshi Tamaki to play Kenichi Matsuyama's rival in "Taira no Kiyomori"
Sat, November 27, 2010 (9:19pm EST)
 
Just a few days ago, it was confirmed that Kenichi Matsuyama (25) will be the star of NHK's 2012 taiga drama, "Taira no Kiyomori." It was then revealed yesterday that Hiroshi Tamaki (30) will be joining him, playing Matsuyama's rival.
Matsuyama will play the general Taira no Kiyomori, who led the Taira clan to power during the 12th century. Tamaki will play Minamoto no Yoshitomo, who became head of the Minamoto clan. Although the two were on the same side during the Hogen Rebellion in 1156, they later fought against each other during the Heiji Rebellion in 1159. Kiyomori's victory led to the downfall of the Minamoto clan and Yoshitomo's ultimate death.
Although Matsuyama has never appeared in a taiga drama before, Tamaki has previously appeared in two: "Komyo ga Tsuji" in 2006 and "Atsuhime" in 2008.
NHK will begin broadcasting "Taira no Kiyomori" in January 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Misaki No. 1!!" adds Aya Omasa
Sat, November 27, 2010 (11:25pm EST)
Following up on the recent cast announcements for the "Misaki No. 1!!" drama series, one more major cast member has been revealed. Up-and-coming actress Aya Omasa (19) will play the main female student.
The series stars Karina (26) as a hostess who temporarily becomes the teacher for a class of problem students. Omasa has been cast as a student named Yui Sakurai, the only girl in a group known as the "ochikobore 5-nin-gumi" (which can be loosely translated as the "Failure Five"). Her energetic character acts like an older sister to the boys in the group, which include the previously announced Kis-My-Ft2 members Taisuke Fujigaya (23) and Hiromitsu Kitayama (25).
Although Omasa has been acting since 2006, she achieved mainstream popularity with her role as the heroine of the drama series "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge" earlier this year. Since then, she was given starring roles in two upcoming films, "Usotsuki Mi-kun to Kowareta Ma-chan" (opening January 2) and "Keitai Deka: The Movie 3" (opening February 5). She also has a supporting role in the live-action "Paradise Kiss" movie, set to open in May.
The "Misaki No. 1!!" drama series premieres in January.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kinya Aikawa leads, writes, directs detective drama
Sun, November 28, 2010 (12:03am EST)
Actor Kinya Aikawa (76) is working on a new drama series titled "Renzoku Eiga: Minato Koshiro Keishi," for which he will be the lead actor, screenwriter, and director. Although he has taken on all three roles before for a movie, this is his first time doing so for a television drama.
Aikawa has apparently been working on this project since the start of this year. "Renzoku Eiga" is described as a suspenseful story about a police detective in charge of a murder case, though it will also incorporate themes of romance and human drama.
As an actor, Aikawa has already established his image as a detective for the past three decades through dramas such as the "Nishimura Kyotaro Travel Mystery" series.
"Renzoku Eiga" will air on BS Fuji on Sundays at 7:00pm. The first episode is scheduled for January 16.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kana Uemura's "Toilet no Kamisama" being turned into drama
Sun, November 28, 2010 (7:19pm EST)
Kana Uemura's song "Toilet no Kamisama" will be turned into a 2-hour drama special on TBS, it has been learned. The song, which is nearly 10 minutes in length, tells of Uemura's relationship with her grandmother, from her childhood to her grandmother's death. The song has been a major hit this year, earning Uemura multiple awards, as well as invitations to several year-end music shows, including NHK's upcoming Kohaku Uta Gassen.
 
Kie Kitano (19) has been chosen to play the part of the protagonist Kana, and Shima Iwashita (69) will play the grandmother. Mana Ashida (6) will play the childhood version of Kana. Also appearing in the drama are Yui Natsukawa as Kana's mother and Nenji Kobayashi as Kana's grandfather.
  
The "Toilet no Kamisama" will air across the country on TBS and MBS's network on January 5.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Ryomaden" wraps up with 21.3% ratings
Mon, November 29, 2010 (11:39am EST)
The final episode of the NHK taiga drama "Ryomaden" aired on Sunday. According to data by Video Research Ltd., the finale achieved ratings of 21.3% in both the Kanto and Kansai regions.
The series premiered on January 3 with ratings of 23.2% and reached its peak with the 5th episode (24.4%). Over all 48 episodes, the show averaged 18.7% in the Kanto area, compared to 19.5% in the Kansai area.
The 18.7% average in the Kanto region ties it with the 2007 series "Fuurinkazan," but places it behind the most recent taiga dramas; "Atsuhime" averaged 24.5% in 2008, and "Tenchijin" averaged 21.2% in 2009.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kei Tanaka, Kento Nagayama, Nobuaki Kaneko revealed to be in Mao Inoue's "Ohisama"
Mon, November 29, 2010 (11:59am EST)
A few more key cast members have been announced for NHK's upcoming morning drama series "Ohisama," which stars actress Mao Inoue (23). Although the inclusion of Kengo Kora (23) was already known last month, three more male characters were revealed for the first time: Kei Tanaka (26), Kento Nagayama (21), and Nobuaki Kaneko (29). None of the four men have appeared in an Asadora before, nor have they acted with Inoue before.
"Ohisama" stars Inoue as the cheerful Yoko, alive during the time of World War II. The show follows her life as she becomes a teacher, then later marries Kazuya, the son of a long-standing soba shop family (Kora).
Yoko's two older brothers Haruki and Shigeki will be played by Tanaka and Nagayama, respectively. Kaneko will play Koichi, a friend of Haruki who also becomes Yoko's first love.
"Ohisama" begins next year on March 28 and ends on September 24, airing Mondays through Saturdays at 8:00-8:15am for a total of 156 episodes.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 19-11-2010 04:42 PM
