Posts Categorized: Japanese Dramas

Jun 4 2019

Ryosuke Yamada cast in TV Asahi drama series “Semiotoko”

Ryosuke Yamada (‘Hey! Say! JUMP’) is cast in TV Asahi drama series “Semiotoko.” The drama series features an original screenplay by Yoshikazu Okada (“Be With You“). Tadaaki Horai and Hajime Takezono will direct the drama series. The fantasy-romance drama series will have Ryosuke Yamada playing Semi. Semi is actually a cicada insect, but he turns into a human to live with a woman for 7 days.

“Semiotoko” will first air July, 2019 in Japan (takes over TV Asahi’s Friday 23:15 time slot after “Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono Season 3“).

Jun 4 2019

Yosuke Sugino cast in TBS-MBS drama series “Scams”

Yosuke Sugino is cast in TBS-MBS drama series “Scams.” The drama series is based on 2015 non-fiction novel “Rojin Kui” by Daisuke Suzuki (“Gangoose“) and directed by Yuki Kobayashi (“Kamikaze Cowboy“). In the drama series, Yosuke Sugino will play Seijitsu Kusano. He falls into bad financial position and then is offered a job where he has to withdraw money from the bank accounts of scam victims.

“Scams” first airs June 30, 2019 on MBS and July 2, 2019 on TBS.

Jun 3 2019

Takuya Kimura cast in Fuji TV drama special “Kyojo”

Takuya Kimura is cast for the lead role Fuji TV drama special “Kyojo.” The drama special is based on 2011 novel “Kyojo” by Hiroki Nagaoka. Isamu Nakae (“Hundred Million Stars From the Sky“/”Dr. Koto Shinryojo“) directs the drama special and Ryoichi Kimizuka (“Bayside Shakedown“) writes the screenplay adaptation. In “Kyojo,” Takuya Kimura will play Kimichika Kazama. He is a strict instructor at a police acadamey.

“Kyojo” will consist of 2 episodes and air January, 2020 in Japan.

May 30 2019

Aya Asahina cast in TV Asahi drama series “Runway 24”

Aya Asahina is cast in TV Asahi drama series “Runway 24.” In the drama series, Aya Asahina will play Momoko Inoue. She tries to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a pilot. Her employer is Peach Airlines, which is a real low cost airline based out of Japan. Also cast in the drama series is Atsuhiro Inukai, Shunya Shiraishi, ko-dai (Sonar Pocket), Erika Denya, Ami Hachiya, Manabu Ino, Tomoharu Hasegawa and Hisahiro Ogura.

“Runway 24” will first air July 6, 2019 in Japan.

May 28 2019

Nao Omori cast in TV Asahi drama series “Sign”

Nao Omori is cast for the lead role in TV Asahi drama series “Sign.” The drama series is a remake 2011 SBS drama series “Sign” starring Park Shin-Yang and Kim A-Joong. The Japanese remake of “Sign” is the third remake of a South Korean drama series that will air this summer along with “Voice” and “Two Weeks.” Also cast in “Sign” are Marie Iitoyo, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Mahiro Takasugi and Toru Nakamura.

“Sign” will first air July, 2019 in Japan (takes over TV Asahi’s Thursday 9PM time slot after “Emergency Interrogation Room.”).

May 23 2019

Masato Sakai cast in TBS sequel drama series “Naoki Hanzawa”

Masato Sakai is cast in TBS sequel drama series “Naoki Hanzawa” (working title). The drama series is based on novels “Rosujene no Gyakushuu” and “Ginyoku no Ikarosu” by Jun Ikeido. The first season of “Naoki Hanzawa” aired on TBS back in 2013 and was a huge hit with the final episode receiving 42.2% viewership rating. Katsuo Fukuzawa will return to direct the sequel of “Naoki Hanzawa” and Kentaro Ushio (“Downtown Rocket“) will write the screenplay adaptation.

“Naoki Hanzawa” will first air April, 2020 in Japan.

May 20 2019

Haru Kuroki cast in TBS live-action drama series “Nagi’s Long Vacation”

Haru Kuroki is cast in TBS live-action drama series “Nagi’s Long Vacation.” The drama series is based on manga series “Nagi no Oitoma” by Misato Konari. The drama series will be directed by Toshio Tsuboi, Takeyoshi Yamamoto and Nobuhiro Doi. In the drama series, Haru Kuroki will play Nagi Oshima. She is a young woman with extremely curly hair. She wants to restart her life and moves out to the suburbs of Tokyo.

“Nagi’s Long Vacation” first airs July, 2019 in Japan.

May 16 2019

Takashi Sorimachi cast in TV Tokyo drama series “Legal Heart”

Takashi Sorimachi is cast for the lead role TV Tokyo drama series “Legal Heart.” The drama series will slot into TV Tokyo’s Drama Biz Monday 10PM time slot, following the conclusion of “Spiral: Machikoba no Kiseki.” “Legal Heart” is based on autobiography novel “Inochi no Saiken Bengoshi: Kaisha to Kazoku o Ikikaeraseru” by Kenichi Muramatsu. He works as an attorney and helps small companies facing bankruptcy. Masaki Nishiura (“Code Blue“) will direct the drama series and screenplay will be handled by Yumie Nishiogi (“SPEC: Heaven“).

“Legal Heart” first airs this July in Japan.

May 14 2019

Yudai Chiba cast in NHK drama series “The Sunflower on the Shogi Board”

Yudai Chiba is cast for the lead role in NHK drama series “The Sunflower on the Shogi Board” (literal title). The drama series is based on 2017 novel “Banjo no Himawari” by Yuko Yuzuki (“The Blood of Wolves“). Also cast in supporting roles are Misako Renbutsu, Kohei Otomo, Naoto Takenaka, Akira Emoto and Kiyohiko Shibukawa. The drama series is a crime-mystery story with the central figure being shogi player Keisuke Kamijo (Yudai Chiba). Ryuichi Honda (“GS Wonderland“) will direct the drama series.

Filming for “The Sunflower on the Shogi Board” will begin mid-July, 2019 and finish late-August, 2019. The drama series will consist of 4 episodes and will first air September 8, 2019.