Posts Categorized: Japanese Dramas

May 22 2020

Yo Yoshida and Yo Oizumi cast in WOWOW drama series “Year 2020 Love of May”

Yo Yoshida and Yo Oizumi are cast for lead roles in WOWOW drama series “Year 2020 Love of May” (literal title). The drama series is scripted by Yoshikazu Okada (“In This Corner of the World“) and directed by Daishi Matsunaga (“Pieta in the Toilet“).

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: In May, 2020, Yukiko (Yo Yoshida) lives her life as a single woman. She divorced her ex-husband Motoo (Yo Oizumi) 4 years ago and she now works at a big supermarket. Meanwhile, Motoo is also single after divorcing Yukiko. He works as a salesman for a mid-size design company. Yukiko and Motoo have not talked to each other in the past 4 years, but Motoo misdials and calls Yukiko.

“Year 2020 Love of May” will consist of 4 episodes and first air June 2, 2020 in Japan.

May 14 2020

Koji Kikkawa & Jun Shison cast in Fuji TV-KTV drama series “Private Detective Rintaro Yuri”

Koji Kikkawa and Jun Shison are cast in Fuji TV-KTV drama series “Private Detective Rintaro Yuri” (literal title of “Tantei Yuri Rintaro”). The drama series is based on two novels by Seishi Yokomizo: “Chocho Satsujin Jiken” & “Tsukareta Onna.” Koji Kikkawa will play main character Rintaro Yuri. He works in Kyoto as a private detective and forensic psychologist. Jun Shison will play his assistant  Shunsuke Mitsugi. Filming for the drama series has already finished and took place in Kyoto and the surrounding Kansai region.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: Rintaro Yuri (Koji Kikkawa) used to work as the chief of the First Investigation Division in Tokyo. Due to a case, he resigned from the police force and moved back to his hometown of Kyoto. Now, he works as a forensic psychologist in Kyoto. After receiving requests from the police, he helps them with their investigations. His investigation method involves careful observance of the crime scenes and he uses trace techniques learned from a hunter. He met that hunter in the Rocky Mountains, USA, during his school days. His assistant in Kyoto is Shunsuke Mitsugi (Jun Shison). Shunsuke Mitsugi admires Rintaro Yuri and runs the website “Yuri Rintaro no Jikenbo,” which records Rintaro Yuri’s performance.

The 5 episode drama series first airs  June 16, 2020 in Japan.

May 12 2020

Trailer & still images for Netflix drama series “Ju-On: Origins”

Trailer and still images added for upcoming Netflix drama series “Ju-On: Origins” starring YosiYosi Arakawa, Yuina Kuroshima, Ririka, and Kana Kurashina. Drama series is directed by Sho Miyake and scripted by Hiroshi Takahashi & Takashige Ichise. Above and below are 9 still images from the drama series.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: Haruka Honjo (Yuina Kuroshima) is a rookie actress. She hears the sounds of footsteps at night in her house. When she learns of psychic researcher Yasuo Odajima (YosiYosi Arakawa) from a TV variety program, she seeks counseling from him about her problem.

“Ju-On: Origins” will stream from July 3, 2020 on Netflix.

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Apr 21 2020

Tsuyoshi Muro & Mei Nagano cast in NTV drama series “Doting Parent Youth White Paper”

Tsuyoshi Muro and Mei Nagano are cast in NTV drama series “Doting Parent Youth White Paper” (literal title of “Oyabaka Seishun Hakusyo”). The drama series features an original screenplay by Ichiro Anabuki and directed by Yuichi Fukuda. For the drama series, Tsuyoshi Muro and Mei Nagano will play father and daughter. They also become schoolmates at a university.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: 40-year-old Taro Obika (Tsuyoshi Muro) is a single father and works as a novelist. After his wife died from an illness, he has raised his daughter Sakura (Mei Nagano) alone. He loves his daughter Sakura deeply. Since Sakura only attended all girls’ schools, he worries about her entering a coed university. To placate his worry, he decides to enroll in the same university as his daughter. Taro Obika begins to enjoy campus life for himself.

“Doting Parent Youth White Paper” first airs July, 2020 in Japan.

Apr 13 2020

YosiYosi Arakawa & Yuina Kuroshima cast in Netflix drama series “Ju-On: Origins”

YosiYosi Arakawa and Yuina Kuroshima are cast in Netflix drama series “Ju-On: Origins.” The drama series will consist of 6 episodes and will be available to stream on Netflix from this summer in about 190 countries. Also cast in supporting roles are Ririka, Koki Osamura, Kai Inowaki, Tokio Emoto, Nobuko Sendo and Kana Kurashina.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: Haruka Honjo (Yuina Kuroshima) is a rookie actress. She hears the sounds of footsteps at night in her house. When she learns of psychic researcher Yasuo Odajima (YosiYosi Arakawa) from a TV variety program, she seeks counseling from him about her problem.

Apr 6 2020

Etsushi Toyokawa cast in TV Asahi drama special “The Fugitive”

Etsushi Toyokawa is cast in TV Asahi drama special “The Fugitive” (literal title) co-starring Ken Watanabe. The drama special is a remake of the 1960’s U.S. television series “The Fugitive.” Etsushi Toyokawa will play Detective Squad Chief Masami Hosaka. He chases after fugitive Kazuki Kakurai (Ken Watanabe) who escaped from a prison transport bus. Seiji Izumi (“Aibou: Season 1“) will direct the drama special and screenplay adaptation is written by Masahiro Yoshimoto (“Cold Cases“). Above is a teaser poster for the drama special.

“The Fugitive” consists of 2 episodes and will air sometime later this year in Japan.

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Mar 31 2020

Yosuke Eguchi & Moka Kamishiraishi cast in NHK drama series “Request to the Angel”

Yosuke Eguchi & Moka Kamishiraishi are cast in NHK drama series “Request to the Angel” (literal title of “ Tenshi ni Request wo”). Also cast in the drama series are Jun Shison, Yuka Itaya, Mitsuko Baisho, and Meiko Kaji. The drama series features an original screenplay by Sumio Omori and directed by Keiji Kataoka. Screenwriter Sumio Omori and director Keiji Kataoka previously worked together on NHK drama series “Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.”

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: Shugo Shimada (Yosuke Eguchi) was once a detective. He now runs a private detective agency. His assistant is Akari Kojima (Moka Kamishiraishi). Shugo Shimada is not thrilled with his work. One day, receives a request from an elderly woman who looks wealthy. She wants him to help achieve Mikie Omatsu’s (Meiko Kaji) last wish, which requires taking her to a place. The elderly woman met Mikie Omatsu during a hospital stay. Mikie Omatsu does not have much time to live.

“Request to the Angel” first airs June 6, 2020 and will consist of 5 episodes.

Mar 23 2020

Poster for NTV drama series “Tadashii Rock Band no Tsukurikata”

Poster added for NTV drama series “Tadashii Rock Band no Tsukurikata” starring Ryusei Fujii, Tomohiro Kamiyama, Louis Kurihara, and Kengo Yoshida. The drama series follows a rock group as they ponder adding a fifth member in their pursuit to play at Japan’s largest music festival. The drama series also features an original screenplay.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: Rock band Kanashimi no Mukogawa was formed half a year ago. The group consists of 4 members: Shizuma (Ryusei Fujii), Tetsuma (Tomohiro Kamiyama), Rokuro (Louis Kurihara) and Noboru (Kengo Yoshida).

Shizuma is the leader of the group. Tetsuma is a university student, who does not have a dream or goal. Rokuro is a mysterious figure. Noboru is a guy with a bright personality. The goal of the band is to take part in the “Dengeki Rock Festival,” which is the biggest musical festival in Japan. One day, Shizuma suggests that the group should have a new member. The four bandmates go to a cafe to meet a candidate for the group. The person who awaits for them is a middle-aged man (Jiro), who can only play Hawaiian musical instrument.

“Tadashii Rock Band no Tsukurikata” first airs April 20, 2020 in Japan.

Mar 12 2020

Ayaka Wilson & Sakurako Ohara cast in WOWOW drama series “Piple”

Ayaka Wilson and Sakurako Ohara are cast in WOWOW drama series “Piple” co-starring Yuki Kaji. Also cast in suporting roles are Shugo Oshinari, Yusuke Yamada, Asami Usuda, Mari Hamada, Yu Kamio, Masaki Kaji, Hazuki Shimizu, and Tomu Fujita. The drama series is based on novel “Pipuru” by Mariru Harada. Above is a promotional poster for the drama series. The drama series will have Ayaka Wilson playing AI robot Piple and Sakurako Ohara will play the creator of the AI robot Kaede Miyama.

“Piple” will first air May 18, 2020 in Japan.

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