Posts Categorized: Japanese Dramas

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.

May 13 2019

Toshiaki Karasawa & Yoko Maki cast in NTV drama series “Voice: 110 Emergency Control Room”

Toshiaki Karasawa and Yoko Maki are cast in NTV drama series “Voice: 110 Emergency Control Room” (literal title). The drama series is a remake of 2017 OCN drama series “Voice” with Jang Hyuk and Lee Ha-Na in the lead roles. Taro Otani & Mitsuru Kubota will direct the drama series and the series will be scripted by Hideya Hamada.

For the NTV drama series version, Yoko Maki will play Hikari Tachibana. She has a special hearing ability and she uses that talent while working in the 110 emergency phone call center. Toshiaki Karasawa will play Detective Shogo Higuchi. They work together to save people.

“Voice: 110 Emergency Control Room” first airs July, 2019 in Japan.

May 10 2019

Kyoko Fukada & Koji Seto cast in Fuji TV drama series “Daughter of Lupin”

Kyoko Fukada and Koji Seto are cast in Fuji TV drama series “Daughter of Lupin” (literal title). The drama series is based on 2015 novel “Rupan no Musume” by Dai Yokozeki. Kyoko Fukada will play Hana Mikumo in the drama series. She comes from a family of thieves. Koji Seto will play Kazuma Sakuraba. He comes from a family of police officers. Drama series will be directed by Hideki Takeuchi (“Nodame Cantabile“) and scripted by Yuichi Tokunaga (“Princess Jellyfish“).

“Daughter of Lupin” first airs July, 2019 in Japan (takes over Fuji TV’s Thursday 10PM time slot after “Strawberry Night Saga.”).

May 7 2019

Takumi Saito & Masataka Kubota cast in Hulu drama series “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa Season 2”

Takumi Saito and Masataka Kubota are cast in Hulu drama series “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa Season 2.” The drama series is a sequel to 2016 NTV drama series “Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa.” Takumi Saito & Masataka Kubota will reprise their respective roles from the original drama series, which are criminologist Hideo Himura played by Takumi Saito and mystery writer Arisu Arisugawa played by Masataka Kubota. They work together to solve criminal cases.

“Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa Season 2” will stream on Hulu this fall in Japan.