Posts Categorized: Japanese Dramas

Aug 19 2019

Title and supporting cast announced for TBS drama series “Grand Maison Tokyo”

For upcoming TBS drama series starring Takuya Kimura and Kyoka Suzuki, the drama series has been titled “Grand Maison Tokyo.” In addition, supporting cast of Yuta Tamamori (‘Kis-My-Ft2’), Kikunosuke Onoe, Mitsuhiro Oikawa and Ikki Sawamura have been announced. The drama series will follow two chefs Natsuki Obana (Takuya Kimura) and Rinko Hayami (Kyoka Suzuki) who open a restaurant and try to receive 3 stars from Michelin Guide. For supporting actor Yuta Tamamori, he will play Shohei Hirako. He worked as Natsuki Obana’s (Takuya Kimura) pupil at a restaurant in Paris. Now, he works as a chef at a buffet restaurant in a first-class hotel in Japan.

“Grand Maison Tokyo” will first air October, 2019 in Japan (takes over TBS’ 9PM time slot after “No Side Manager“).

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Aug 14 2019

Fuji TV set to air live-action drama series “Hana ni Kedamono Second Season”

Fuji TV is set to air live-action drama series “Hana ni Kedamono Second Season” from August 26, 2019 in Japan. The drama series is based on manga series “Hana ni Kedamono” by Miwako Sugiyama and is set about 30 months after the first season “Hana ni Kedamono.” “Hana ni Kedamono Second Season” will feature an original screenplay. The drama series was already released through online streaming platforms dTV-FOD from March 23, 2019. Yurika Nakamura, Yosuke Sugino, Takashi Matsuo and Shouma Kai will reprise their respective lead character roles.

Aug 13 2019

Fumino Kimura cast in WOWOW drama series “Butterfly’s Mechanics: Murder Analysis Squad”

Fumino Kimura is cast for the lead role in WOWOW drama series “Butterfly’s Mechanics: Murder Analysis Squad” (literal title). The drama series is based on 2017 novel “Chou no Rikigaku: Keishicho Satsujin Bunsekihan” by Kazushi Asami. For the drama series, Fumino Kimura will reprise her role of Detective Toko Kisaragi whom she also played in 2015 WOWOW drama series “Stone’s Cocoon” and 2016 WOWOW drama series “Crystal’s Beating.” Both of those drama series are based on different novels by Kazushi Asami. Meanwhile, spin-off drama series “Evil’s Wave” is now set to air October 6, 2019 in Japan.

“Butterfly’s Mechanics: Murder Analysis Squad” will first air November, 2019 in Japan.

Aug 8 2019

Takumi Saito & Masataka Kubota cast in NTV drama special “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa 2019”

Takumi Saito and Masataka Kubota are cast in NTV drama special “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa 2019.” The drama special precedes Hulu sequel drama series “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa Season 2” which will be available to stream after the NTV drama special. Both titles follow 2016 NTV drama series “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa” and they are based on 1992 novel “Himura Hideo Series” by Arisu Arisugawa. For the drama special, Takumi Saito will reprise his role of criminologist Hideo Himura and Masataka Kubota will reprise his role of mystery writer Arisu Arisugawa.

“Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa 2019” is scheduled to air sometime during autumn, 2019 in Japan.

Aug 6 2019

Mitsuki Takahata cast in NTV drama series “Colleagues’ Sakura”

Mitsuki Takahata is cast in NTV drama series “Colleagues’ Sakura” (literal title of “Doki no Sakura”). The drama series features an original screenplay by Kazuhiko Yukawa (“I’m Mita, Your Housekeeper “) and directed by Hiroto Akashi & Seiichi Nagumo. The drama series reunites Mitsuki Takahata, screenwriter Kazuhiko Yukawa and directors Hiroto Akashi & Seiichi Nagumo, who all previously worked together in 2017 NTV drama series “Overprotected Kahoko.”

For drama series “Colleagues’ Sakura,” Mitsuki Takahata will play title character Sakura. She was born on a remote island and her dream is to build a bridge on the island. She begins work at a construction company and doggedly pursues her dream. The drama series will consist of 10 episodes and each episode will depict 1 year in the life of Sakura.

“Colleagues’ Sakura” first airs October, 2019 in South Korea.

Aug 5 2019

Sota Fukushi & Nanao cast in TBS live-action drama series “Marigold in 4 Minutes”

Sota Fukushi and Nanao are cast in TBS live-action drama series “Marigold in 4 Minutes.” The drama series is based on manga series “Marigold in 4 Minutes” by Kirie. The drama series will be directed by Keita Kono and screenplay by Tsuyoshi Sakurai. In the drama series, Sota Fukushi and Nanao will play stepsiblings. Sota Fukushi’s character has a special ability to see the last moment before someone dies and he learns that his stepsister has only 1 year to live.

“Marigold in 4 Minutes” first airs October, 2019 in Japan.

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Jul 24 2019

Dean Fujioka & Takanori Iwata cast in Fuji TV drama series “Sherlock”

Dean Fujioka & Takanori Iwata are cast in Fuji TV drama series “Sherlock.” As the recognizable title hints, the drama series is based on the famous novel series “Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but set in present day Tokyo. Hiroshi Nishitani (“Galileo“) will direct the drama series and the screenplay adaptation is scripted by Yumiko Inoue (“Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon“). Dean Fujioka will play Sherlock, while Takanori Iwata will play Watson.

“Sherlock” will first air October, 2019 in Japan (takes over Fuji TV’s Monday 10PM time slot after “Asagao: Forensic Doctor“).

Jul 24 2019

Toma Ikuta cast in NTV drama series “My Story is Long”

Toma Ikuta is cast in NTV drama series “My Story is Long” (literal title). The drama series features an original screenplay by Shigeki Kaneko (“The Kitazawas: We Mind Our Own Business“) and directed by Satoru Nakajima (“The Kitazawas: We Mind Our Own Business“). Toma Ikuta and screenwriter Shigeki Kaneko previously worked together in 2008 Fuji TV drama series “Honey & Clover” and 2009 Fuji TV drama series “Voice.” For drama series “My Story is Long,” Toma Ikuta will play 31-year-old Mitsuru Kishibe. He is unemployed and comfortably lives with his mother at her home. Things change for him when his older sister and her family temporarily move back to her mother’s home.

“My Story is Long” will first air October, 2019 in Japan (takes over NTV’s Saturday 10 PM time slot after “Voice“).

Jul 17 2019

Mao Inoue cast in NHK drama series “Boy Torajiro”

Mao Inoue is cast in NHK drama series “Boy Torajiro” (literal title). The drama series is based on novel “Warugaki Shosetsu Torajiro no Kokuhaku” by Yoji Yamada. The drama series will cover the first 14 years in the life of famous fictional character Torajiro Kuruma. He is the main character in the “Tora-san” series of films directed by Yoji Yamada. In the drama series, Mao Inoue will play Mitsuko Kuruma. She is the mother of Torajiro Kuruma. Also cast in the drama series are Katsuya Maiguma, Yuki Izumisawa, Yukino Kishii and Kanji Ishimaru.

“Boy Torajiro” first airs October 19, 2019 in Japan (takes over NHK’s Saturdays 21:00 time slot after “Heron Detective“).