Japanese Dramas | AsianWiki Blog

Mar 10 2020

Kiichi Nakai cast in WOWOW drama series “The Grand Family”

Kiichi Nakai is cast in WOWOW drama series “The Grand Family” (literal title). The drama series is based on novel “Karei Naru Ichizoku” by Toyoko Yamasaki (“The Great White Tower“/”The Waste Land“). Staff for the drama series includes director Masaki Nishiura and screenwriter Youichi Maekawa.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: Daisuke Manpyo (Kiichi Nakai) is an owner and also president of Hanshin Bank, which ranks 10th in the nation in terms of bank deposits. Besides Hanshin Bank, Daisuke Manpyo owns several others companies and real estate. He hears from his first son-in-law about a move to reorganize the commercial banks. His son-in-law works as b bureaucrat for the Ministry of the Treasury. Daisuke Manpyo attempts to block his bank from being merged with another bank. He faces difficult times.

“The Grand Family” will air sometime next year in Japan.

Mar 10 2020

Hiroshi Abe cast in TBS drama series “Dragon Zakura 2”

Hiroshi Abe is cast in TBS live-action drama series “Dragon Zakura 2.” The drama series is a sequel to 2005 TBS drama series “Dragon Zakura” and is based on manga series “Dragon Zakura 2” by Norifusa Mita. Hiroshi Abe will reprise his character of high school teacher Kenji Sakuragi in the sequel drama series.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: 10 years after Kenji Sakuragi (Hiroshi Abe) left Ryuzan High School, the school is in a downturn. Ryuzan High School once produced many students that were admitted into the University of Tokyo, but not so anymore. To get the school out of its downturn, Kenji Sakuragi is sent an offer to return to Ryuzan High School.

“Dragon Zakura 2” will first air sometime this summer in Japan.

Mar 8 2020

Juri Ueno cast in Fuji TV drama series “Asagao: Forensic Doctor”

Juri Ueno, Saburo Tokito, Shunsuke Kazama, and Yuzuna Kato are all cast in Fuji TV live-action drama series “Asagao: Forensic Doctor 2.” All four of the performers will reprise their characters from 2019 Fuji TV drama series “Asagao: Forensic Doctor.” The drama series is based on manga series “Kansatsui Asagao” by Masahito Kagawa.

Meanwhile, above is promotional image of the cast from the first day of filming for the sequel drama series, which took place in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The scene has Asagao (Juri Ueno), Taira (Saburo Tokito), Shinya (Shunsuke Kazama) and Tsugumi (Yuzuna Kato) are on family trip.

“Asagao: Forensic Doctor 2” will first air summer, 2020 in Japan.

Takuya Kimura cast in TV Asahi drama series “BG: Personal Bodyguard Season 2”

Takuya Kimura is cast in TV Asahi drama series “BG: Personal Bodyguard Season 2.” Also returning for season 2 are Takumi Saito, Nanao and Shotaro Mamiya. Cast to play new supporting characters are Mikako Ichikawa, Masanobu Katsumura, and Toru Nakamura.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: The private security company, where Akira Shimazaki (Takuya Kimura) worked, is sold to a large company. The large company’s policy is only focused on making a profit, so Akira Shimazaki isn’t happy about with his new employer. To stay true to his belief of protecting the weak, he quits his job at the private security company. Akira Shimazaki begins to work for himself as a private bodyguard. Masaya Takanashi (Takumi Saito) has a strong sense of duty as a bodyguard. He wonders why his Akira Shimazaki quit his job at their security company. To find out, Masaya Takanashi visits Akira Shimazaki.

“BG: Personal Bodyguard Season 2” first airs April 16, 2020 in Japan (takes over TV Asahi’s Thursday 9PM time slot after “Police and Prosecutor.”).

Mar 3 2020

Yua Shinkawa cast in NTV-YTV drama series “Guilty”

Yua Shinkawa is cast for the lead role NTV-YTV drama series “Guilty.” The drama series is based on “Guilty: Nakanu Hotaru ga Mi o Kogasu” by Ai Okaue. For the drama series, Yua Shinkawa will play Sayaka Ogino. Her character is married and works, but, after being betrayed, she meets her first love.

“Guilty” will first air April 2, 2020 in Japan.

Honoka Yahagi & Kentaro Ito cast for lead roles in MBS drama series “Peanut Butter Sandwich”

Honoka Yahagi and Kentaro Ito cast for lead roles in MBS drama series “Peanut Butter Sandwich.” Shuko Ito is also cast for a major supporting role. The drama series is based on webcomic “Peanut Butter Sandwich” by Mitsouko.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: The Japanese government runs a Peanut Butter Sandwich organization. The organization picks 4 single women and supports them to find a man to marry. The organization includes Chief Gonda (Shuko Ito), Tsubaki (Honoka Yahagi) and Kobayashi (Kentaro Ito). Tsubaki is a rookie member. Even though she is a member, she has doubts about marriage and even the existence of the organization. Meanwhile, Kobayashi places emphasis on data and doesn’t hold interest in people. The Peanut Butter Sandwich organization selects OL Sayo, Nurse Miharu, OL Miwa and Secretary Akane.

“Peanut Butter Sandwich” first airs April 2, 2020 in Japan.

Feb 29 2020

Kalen Anzai and Shohei Miura cast in TV Asahi drama series “M: Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite”

Kalen Anzai and Shohei Miura are cast in TV Asahi drama series “M: Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite.” The drama series is set in the 1990’s and follows a high school student as she attempts to become a pop singer. Kalen Anzai will play aspiring star Ayu and Shohei Miura will play music label executive Masa.

Plot synopsis by AsianWiki: Set in the 1990’s, high school student Ayu (Kalen Anzai) lives with her mother and grandmother in Fukuoka. She works as a model, but, to pursue an acting career, she goes to Tokyo with her grandmother. While attending a high school, she picks up acting work, but only minor roles. One day, Ayu meets Masa (Shohei Miura), who is the executive director of record label A Victory. He decides to make Ayu into a singer. According to Masa, Ayu prepares to make her debut as a singer. Meanwhile, she encounters jealousy from rivals at her record label. Trusting Masa, Ayu endures her problems. She also develops feelings for Masa and Masa also holds feelings for her.

“M: Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite” will first air April, 2020 in Japan.

Feb 18 2020

Masahiro Matsuoka, Kei Inoo, & Marie Iitoyo cast in TV Asahi drama series “Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono Season 4”

Masahiro Matsuoka (‘Tokio’), Kei Inoo (‘Hey! Say! JUMP’), and Marie Iitoyo are cast in TV Asahi drama series “Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono Season 4.” Masahiro Matsuoka will reprise his main character role of Kaoru Mitazono. He works as a housekeeper and dresses up as a woman. Kei Inoo will reprise his role of Hikaru Murata from “Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono Season 3” and Marie Iitoyo will play new character Mai Kirishima.

Plot synopsis by AsianWiki: Kaoru Mitazono (Masahiro Matsuoka) is a housekeeper. He is perfect with his job, but he is also full of mystery. He dresses up as a woman. He accompanies housekeeper Hikaru Murata (Kei Inoo) and rookie housekeeper Mai Kirishima (Marie Iitoyo).

“Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono Season 4” first airs April, 2020 in Japan (takes over TV Asahi’s Friday 23:15 time slot after “Wasteful Days of High School Girls.”).

Feb 16 2020

Kento Nakajima & Sho Hirano cast in NTV drama series “Miman Keisatsu: Midnight Runner.”

Kento Nakajima (‘Sexy Zone’) and Sho Hirano (‘King & Prince’) are cast for in NTV drama series “Miman Keisatsu: Midnight Runner.” The drama series is a remake of 2017 South Korean film “Midnight Runners” starring Park Seo-Joon and Kang Ha-Neul. For the NTV drama series version, Kento Nakajima will play Kai Honma. He is the more cerebral of the two main characters, who are cadets at the police academy. Sho Hirano will play Jiro Ichinose, who is more physically fit (Park Seo-Joon’s character in the original movie).

“Miman Keisatsu: Midnight Runner” first airs April, 2020 in Japan.

Yumi Adachi cast in TV Tokyo drama series “Throw It Away, Adachi”

Yumi Adachi is cast in TV Tokyo drama series “Throw It Away, Adachi” (literal title of “Suteteyo, Adachi-san”). The drama series will slot in TV Tokyo’s Friday 24:52 time slot after “Zetsumeshi Road.” For the drama series, Yumi Adachi will play herself. She will go through a Marie Kondo like reorganization of her belongings. Drama series is scripted by Yuko Shimoda (“Coffee & Vanilla“) & Akiko Ohku and directed by Akiko Ohku as well.

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki: The chief editor of a woman’s magazine talks to Yumi Adachi (Yumi Adachi) about a new idea for the magazine. Their plan revolves around a person who disposes of stuff and lives more comfortably. According to their plan, Yumi Adachi decides to throw away various items one by one. On that night, Yumi Adachi falls asleep as usual, but she has an unusual dream.

“Throw It Away, Adachi” first airs April 17, 2020 in Japan.

Posts Categorized: Japanese Dramas