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AKB48's Kojima Haruna joins “Ikemen Desu ne” cast
Posted on June 5, 2011 by tokyograph
AKB48 member Kojima Haruna (23) has been added to the cast of the upcoming drama series “Ikemen Desu ne.” Announced last month, the show is a remake of the hit Korean series “You’re Beautiful” with a starring cast of Takomoto Miori, Tamamori Yuta (Kis-My-Ft2), Fujigaya Taisuke (Kis-My-Ft2), and Yaotome Hikaru (Hey! Say! JUMP).
   
As previously revealed, the story still revolves around a boy band named A.N.JELL, and Takimoto plays a nun-in-training who has to secretly take her twin brother’s place in the group. Kojima will take on the role of the popular idol singer NANA, originally named Yu Hee-Yi in the Korean series. Her character becomes involved in a relationship scandal with the band’s leader, played by Tamamori.
TBS will broadcast “Ikemen Desu ne” on Friday nights at 10:00pm this summer, starting in July.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Final “Arakawa Under the Bridge” cast announcement adds Oguri Shun, Yamada Takayuki
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
The live-action adaptations of “Arakawa Under the Bridge” have had their cast gradually revealed over the last few weeks, and the final announcement was delivered today. Oguri Shun (28) and Yamada Takayuki (27) have been chosen to play the Village Chief (Soncho) and Hoshi, respectively.
The Village Chief and Hoshi are two major characters in the story. The chief is most familiar in his kappa costume, claiming to be a centuries-old kappa (a type of legendary water sprite). Hoshi, on the other hand, is a self-proclaimed rock star who is in love with the main female character Nino (played by Kiritani Mirei).
It is said that the special makeup used for Oguri and Yamada’s characters requires more than 2 hours to apply.
TBS will begin airing the “Arakawa Under the Bridge” drama series on July 26 in a Tuesday night 12:55am-1:25am time slot. The affiliated MBS (in Osaka) will air the show on Saturday nights at 12:30am-12:58am, starting on July 30.
The movie version is still scheduled for release in February 2012.
www.tokyograph.com |
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Takeuchi Yuko’s drama special “Strawberry Night” to become series next year
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Last November, actress Takeuchi Yuko (31) starred in the Fuji TV drama special “Strawberry Night.” That special is now being turned into a full drama series, scheduled for broadcast early next year. Takeuchi will return with other main cast members like Takeda Tetsuya (62) and Nishijima Hidetoshi (40), and Koide Keisuke (27) has been revealed as one of the new cast additions.
  
The “Strawberry Night” drama special was based on a bestselling mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya, part of the “Himekawa Reiko” series. The new drama series will continue the story with several of the other “Himekawa Reiko” books.
Takeuchi once again plays the protagonist Himekawa Reiko, an elite police detective who has quickly risen in the ranks. Because of her keen instincts, she is said to understand a criminal’s thoughts even better than the criminal himself.
Besides Takeda, Nishijima, and Koide, the cast also features Ukaji Takashi, Namase Katsuhisa, Takashima Masahiro, Endo Kenichi, Watanabe Ikkei, and Tsugawa Masahiko.
Filming for the show has already begun, though Fuji TV plans to broadcast it next year, starting in January.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Tsuchiya Anna to make first TV drama appearance in “Mitokomon”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Model and singer Tsuchiya Anna (27) recently finished filming for her first appearance in a television drama. She has been given a guest role in an episode of the long-running historical drama “Mitokomon,” which begins its 43rd season on TBS this summer.
Tsuchiya has acted in several movies before, but up until now she has never had an acting role on television.
“Mitokomon” starts on July 4, airing on Monday nights at 8:00pm. Tsuchiya plays the daughter of a shop owner in the 6th episode, scheduled for broadcast on August 8.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kitagawa Keiko stars in wartime manga adaptation “Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Kitagawa Keiko (24) will star in a drama special based on Kono Fumiyo’s manga “Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni.” The manga, which tells the story of a woman who survives the atomic bombing at Hiroshima during World War II, was originally serialized in 2007-2009 and earned an Excellence Prize in the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival.
Kitagawa plays the protagonist Suzu, while Koide Keisuke (27) plays her husband, a naval officer named Hojo Shusaku who fell in love with her after meeting her only once as a child. The two move to a new life in Kure, Hiroshima during the war, a couple years before the devastating bombing in which she loses loved ones and even her own right arm. The story will cover a span of 4 years between 1943 and 1946.
Yuka plays Rin, a new friend Suzu meets in Kure who has a secret past with Shusaku. Hayami Mocomichi plays Tetsu, Suzu’s first love. Other cast members include Ryo, Shinoda Saburo, Ichige Yoshie, and Ashida Mana.
“Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni” will be aired on NTV on August 5.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Cast revealed for Sato Koichi and Miura Haruma’s “Hi wa Mata Noboru”
Posted on June 14, 2011 by tokyograph
Last month, it was announced that Sato Koichi and Miura Haruma were teaming up for a drama series as a sequel to the drama special “Saigo no Bansan.” Today, many more of the cast members were revealed for the show, which has been officially titled “Hi wa Mata Noboru.”
As previously announced, Sato is playing a former detective and newly appointed police instructor, while Miura is playing a trainee cop. Maya Miki plays the head of the police school who opposes Sato, YOU plays the school doctor, and Ishino Mako plays the “mama” of a bar near the school. Ikematsu Sosuke has been cast as a top student at the school.
Other new additions include Namioka Kazuki, Takahashi Tsutomu, Minami Keisuke, Tomiura Satoshi, and Kitamura Tomohiko. The returning cast members from the drama special are Saito Yuki, ARATA, Rokkaku Seiji, and Hashizume Isao.
TV Asahi will air “Hi wa Mata Noboru” on Thursdays at 9:00pm, starting in July.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Horikita Maki rumored to star in 2012 NHK morning drama
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
According to an unconfirmed report by the Nikkan Sports newspaper, actress Horikita Maki (22) has been offered the starring role in NHK’s 86th Asadora, scheduled to begin next spring after the end of “Carnation” (September 2011-March 2012). Horikita was reportedly chosen without an audition, just like Inoue Mao (24) was for the currently airing “Ohisama.”
Nikkan Sports quotes someone connected to NHK, who says that Horikita’s supporting cast has also already been decided. No details about the story have currently been revealed yet. However, a quote from another source suggests that it will not take place in the present day, but will instead focus on an earlier period in time, like last year’s hit “Gegege no Nyoubou” and the current “Ohisama.”
Horikita has starred in several prime time dramas and movies, but this would be her first time in one of the NHK morning dramas.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Hana Kimi” drama remake’s male cast revealed
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
The primary male cast for the new “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise” drama series was made public on Thursday. Lead actress and AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko (19) will have Nakamura Aoi (20) and Miura Shohei (23) as the two other sides of the story’s love triangle, and at least 26 other young male actors will round out the cast.
This drama remake was announced by Fuji TV last month, with Maeda replacing Maki Horikita (22) from the original 2007 series. Nakamura and Miura are likewise taking over the roles that were played by Oguri Shun (28) and Ikuta Toma (26).
Newspapers have also reported Yamada Shintaro (24) and Sato Yuki (27) as cast members. Based on a poster image from the Sankei Sports newspaper, the rest of the cast seems to include:
(*Note: Most of these were visually identified and are still pending confirmation.)
Kotani Shotaro
Okazaki Kazuhiro
Kawahara Kazuma
Kurihara Goro
Takami Ozora
Asaka Kodai
Kasai Shige
Yamamoto Ryosuke
Nishii Yukito
Yanagishita Tomo
Suzuki Katsuhiro
Ando Ryu
Miyajima Kusuto
Matsushima Shota
Mamiya Shotaro
Okayama Tomoki
Kanai Sonde
Katoono Taiko
Kiriyama Renn
Mitsushima Shinnosuke
Tokuyama Hidenori
Horii Arata
Maeda Gouki
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Fukiishi Kazue to star in “Barairo no Seisen” drama series
Posted on June 20, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Fukiishi Kazue (28) will star in a TV Asahi drama series this summer titled “Barairo no Seisen.” The show is based on Koyama Yukari’s popular manga of the same name, which is currently being serialized in Kodansha’s magazine Kiss.
Fukiishi plays a housewife named Makoto whose peaceful life suddenly changes when she learns of her husband’s affair. Determined to reaffirm her own beauty, she decides to try becoming a fashion model.
Hasegawa Tomoharu (39) will play Makoto’s husband, while Watanabe Konomi (4) will play their daughter. Inoue Jun (64) has been cast as Makoto’s father. Natsuki Mari (59) will play the president of Makoto’s modeling agency, and Ashina Sei (27), Nakama Lisa (28), and Takizawa Saori (29) will also play models. Kaname Jun (30) will round out the cast as a popular photographer.
“Barairo no Seisen” will air on Sundays at 11:00pm this summer.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Ore no Sora” lead to be decided by online voting, Kuninaka Ryoko to co-star
Posted on June 21, 2011 by tokyograph
In March, TV Asahi revealed that it was working on a drama adaptation of the Motomiya Hiroshi manga “Ore no Sora: Keiji-hen.” More details have now been released, including the fact that the lead actor will be decided by an online poll. This is the first time that a drama series on a national network will have its star decided by votes on the Internet.
The original “Ore no Sora” manga tells the story of a young man named Yasuda Ippei, whose father is the head of Japan’s greatest business conglomerate. In the “Keiji-hen” sequel, the fiery Yasuda becomes a police detective.
TV Asahi initially announced that it would hold a public audition for the main character. The field of 2,700 applicants was whittled down to 10 finalists, and TV Asahi decided to have the winner determined by the public. As per the audition rules, all 10 are amateurs who are not currently signed with a management agency.
The finalists include 25-year-old Umeda Hiroki, who currently works as an assistant director for the TV Asahi show “Morning Bird!” All of the finalists can be seen on the “Ore no Sora” website, which includes links to video introductions from each one of them. Each of them is also opening a personal blog today, and voting will begin at the same time.
Meanwhile, the drama’s female lead has already been decided. Actress Kuninaka Ryoko (31) will play a fellow detective who is also a potential love interest for the main character.
Actor Nagai Masaru (33) was also revealed as a cast member last month.
“Ore no Sora” will air on Sundays at 11:00pm this fall.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Mitsushima Hikari stars in NHK miniseries “Kaitakushatachi”
Posted on June 21, 2011 by tokyograph
Next year, NHK will broadcast a special “documentary drama” mini-series to commemorate the launch of its BS Premium channel and the 40th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic ties between Japan and China. The 4-episode series, titled “Kaitakushatachi,” will star actress Mitsushima Hikari (25).
The story is set in the region formerly known as Manchuria and is based on the groups trying to resettle there in the years after the Manchurian Incident. The central characters are a family of four siblings who live there, but who are forced to flee due to the Soviet invasion of the region and Japan’s defeat in World War II. As a result, they return to Japan and attempt to forge a new life on a farm in the Tochigi prefecture.
  
Mitsushima plays Hatsu, the eldest daughter who tries to support her younger siblings in their pursuit of their dreams. Ishida Takuya (24) plays a younger brother who runs the farm, while Ayano Go (29) plays another younger brother who enlists in a volunteer army. Yamashita Rio (18) plays the sister and the youngest of the four, who dreams of becoming a nurse. Hatsu’s husband is played by Arai Hirofumi (32).
Part of the drama is being filmed in Hokkaido this month and in November. Further filming will take place in Tochigi in August and October, and in China in September. NHK will air the series in January 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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NHK announces 2013 taiga drama, starring Ayase Haruka
Posted on June 22, 2011 by tokyograph
NHK has already announced its plans for its 2013 taiga drama. Titled “Yae no Sakura,” the drama will star actress Ayase Haruka (26) in an original screenplay by “Gegege no Nyoubou” writer Yamamoto Mutsumi.
“Yae no Sakura” will tell the story of Niijima Yae, also known as Yamamoto Yaeko, who was born into the Aizu Domain during the late Edo period. Skilled in gunnery, she helped defend Aizu during the Boshin War, earning her the nickname of the “Bakumatsu Joan of Arc.” After the war, she married educator Joseph Hardy Neesima (Niijima Jo) and became a Christian, and she helped Neesima found Doshisha University.
The story will take place mainly in the Fukushima prefecture, where Yae was originally from. NHK apparently chose the story partly in response to the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake.
Filming is expected to begin in the summer of next year. A total of 50 episodes are planned, starting in January 2013.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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L of K-pop group Infinite to play villain in drama series “Jiu”
Posted on June 23, 2011 by tokyograph
 
A few weeks ago, Kuroki Meisa (23) and Tabe Mikako (22) were announced as co-stars in a suspense drama series titled “Jiu: Keishichou Tokushuhan Sousakei.” At the time, it was said that the villain of the series would be played by a popular music artist from overseas, and now his identity has been revealed: L (19) of the Korean group Infinite.
“Jiu” is based on a series of novels by Honda Tetsuya about two female police detectives who are trying to hunt down a man named Jiu (played by L), a criminal ringleader responsible for a series of brutal crimes. The character is described as a handsome young man with blond hair, who has outstanding vision and reflexes and who “knows no pain.”
Infinite debuted in Korea in 2010. In Japan, they have released four singles in consecutive months, from January to April of this year.
TV Asahi will broadcast “Jiu” on Friday nights at 11:15pm, starting in July.
Source: http://www.tokyograph.com |
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Maki Horikita to play doctor in postwar drama
Entertainment Jul. 04, 2011 - 05:55AM JST ( 19 )
TOKYO —
Actress Maki Horikita, 22, will play a doctor an NHK drama to air next year. The drama, which starts next April 2, is titled “Ume-chan sensei,” and is based on a screenplay by Masaya Ozaki.
Horikita plays the title character, Dr Ume, who becomes a doctor in Kamata, Tokyo after World War II. Horikita said the theme is one of recovery, and added that it is also relevant to Japan today, which is trying to recover from the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Sakai Miki, Park Jung Min co-star in mobile drama “8 Gatsu no Love Song”
Posted on July 3, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Sakai Miki (33) will soon star in her first drama since she became a mother in March of last year. The show is a mobile drama titled “8 Gatsu no Love Song,” which will begin distribution through au’s LISMO service on August 5. Sakai’s co-star is Park Jung Min (24) of the Korean boy band SS501.
“8 Gatsu no Love Song” is about a Korean pop star and a Japanese housewife, who have a dangerous one-night romance. This is the first time that Sakai has played a role involving a relationship with a younger man. She commented that in the scene where Park Jung Min confesses his love and holds her hand, she was so nervous that her hands were sweating.
Sakai also just released her first essay today, titled “Sakai Miki no Baai – Shiawase Mikipedia.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Strangers 6" collaborative drama begins filming in Japan
Posted on July 3, 2011 by tokyograph
The Korean-Chinese-Japanese collaborative drama series “Strangers 6” began the Japan portion of its filming on July 1. It was originally scheduled to start shooting in March, but the Tohoku earthquake delayed the whole project until now and resulted in changes in the Korean and Chinese cast as well.
A still of a topless scene with actor Karasawa Toshiaki (48) was released today. It is reported that he underwent a month of training and lost 5 kilograms for the drama, which will feature his first true action scenes.
 http://asiacue.com/images/persons/k/Kitamura,%20Kazuki_image.jpeg  
“Strangers 6" is about a group of six experts from the police forces of Korea, China, and Japan who are secretly gathered to protect the countries’ economic futures. The Japanese part of the cast is being led by Karasawa but also includes Kikawada Masaya (31), Kitamura Kazuki (41), Kanno Misuzu (45), and Morita Suzuka (18). The Korean cast includes Oh Ji-ho (35) and Kim Hyo-Jin (27).
 
The drama’s budget is reported to be approximately 1 billion yen for 15 one-hour episodes. In Japan, the series will first be broadcast on WOWOW this coming winter, followed by a Fuji TV broadcast sometime in 2012. Korea and China are expected to air the series in early 2012, and there are plans for broadcasts in more than 30 Asian countries and territories.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Marumo no Okite” achieves big ratings for series finale
Posted on July 4, 2011 by tokyograph
The final episode of the Fuji TV drama series “Marumo no Okite” aired on Sunday. According to numbers released by Video Research Ltd., the episode achieved an impressive average rating of 23.9% in the Kanto region, and 20.6% in the Kansai region. The episode’s peak was 27.5%.
“Marumo no Okite” has been getting strong numbers since the beginning of the season, but it likely suffered due to airing in the same time slot as TBS’s “JIN.” That series ended last week, with a final episode that achieved 26.1% ratings (peak of 31.7%) and gave the entire series a 21.3% average.
Before the finale, the highest-rated episode of “Marumo no Okite” was two weeks earlier, at 17.2%. This means that the last episode scored almost 7 percentage points higher than the series’ peak. Overall, the final average for the series ended up at 15.8%.
The show’s theme song “Maru Maru Mori Mori!,” sung by child co-stars Ashida Mana (7) and Suzuki Fuku (7) debuted at #3 on the sales charts and has remained in the Top 10 up until now.
The final episode, which lasted 90 minutes long, also included a guest appearance by AKB48’s Maeda Atsuko (19). Maeda is starring in the new “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise” drama series, which premieres on July 10 in the same time slot.
Correction: Ashida Mana and Suzuki Fuku are 7 years old now, not 6.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 8-6-2011 02:18 PM
