Posts Categorized: Japanese Dramas

Apr 8 2025

Issey Takahashi cast in WOWOW drama “1972 Nagisa no Keika”

Issey Takahashi is cast in WOWOW drama series “1972 Nagisa no Keika.” Drama series is based on 2022 novel “Nagisa no Keika” by Izumi Sakagami and directed by Hideyuki Hirayama (“Everest: The Summit of the Gods“). The story for the drama series is set in the year 1972 in Okinawa, right before rule of the area is returned to Japan from a special U.S. civil administration. At that time, a car carrying one million U.S. dollars is attacked and disappears. Issey Takahashi will play Taichi Maeda. He leads a special investigation team that must solve the case in 18 days, before rule of the area is returned to Japan.

“1972 Nagisa no Keika” will air sometime this fall in Japan.

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Mar 28 2025

Kazunari Ninomiya cast in movie “Exit 8”

Kazunari Ninomiya is cast in movie “Exit 8.” Movie is based on video game “8ban Deguchi” and directed by producer-screenwriter-director Genki Kawamura. The film has the unusual premise of a man lost within in an underground passageway that seems loop infinitely and also exhibiting strange behavior. The man must find Exit 8, to get out. Meanwhile, the first teaser trailer and poster has also been released. The teaser trailer can be viewed at AsianWiki via the Exit 8 link above or below.

“Exit 8” will be released August 29, 2025 in Japan.

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Mar 19 2025

Kyoko Yoshine and Kyoya Honda cast in Fuji TV drama “Nami Uraraka ni, Meoto Biyori”

Kyoko Yoshine and Kyoya Honda are cast in Fuji TV drama series “Nami Uraraka ni, Meoto Biyori.” Drama series is based on webcomic by “Nami Uraraka ni, Meoto Biyori” by Hachi Nishiga. The story for “Nami Uraraka ni, Meoto Biyori” is set in 1936 and is a romantic-comedy centered around an arranged marriage. Kyoko Yoshine will play Natsumi. She never even met her husband prior to her marriage. Kyoya Honda will play Takimasa Ebata. He is a naval officer and doesn’t express his feelings very well.

“Nami Uraraka ni, Meoto Biyori” will first air April 24, 2025 (takes over Fuji TV’s Thursday 10PM time slot after “Japan’s Saitei Man“).

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Mar 7 2025

Kumiko Aso and Akihisa Shiono cast in TV Asahi drama “Mamono”

Kumiko Aso and Akihisa Shiono are cast in TV Asahi drama series “Mamono.” The drama series is co-production between TV Asahi and South Korean production studio SLL, that produced drama series like “Itaewon Class” and “Reborn Rich.” Kumiko Aso will play lead character Ayame Kajin in the drama series. She works as a lawyer in a male dominated field. She meets a dangerous man named Iteya Minamoto played by Akihisa Shiono.

“Mamono” will first air April 18, 2025 in Japan.

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Mar 4 2025

Kanna Hashimoto & Shohei Miura cast in TV Asahi drama “Ameku Takao no Suiri Karte”

Drama series is based on novel series “Ameku Takao” by Mikito Chinen (“Patient Chart Prayer“). The medical-mystery drama series will have Kanna Hashimoto play lead character Takao Ameku. She is a medical doctor and a diagnostician. Although highly gifted, she has autism spectrum disorder, which makes her a little hard to handle at times. Shohei Miura will play Yu Takanashi. He is a physician and begins to work with Takao Ameku.

“Ameku Takao no Suiri Karte” will first air April 22, 2025 in Japan (takes over TV Asahi’s Tuesday 9PM time slot after “Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono Season 7“).

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Feb 25 2025

Keita Machida and Kotaro Koizumi cast in TV Tokyo drama “Shissounin Sousakuhan”

Keita Machida and Kotaro Koizumi cast in TV Tokyo drama series “Shissounin Sousakuhan.” The suspense drama series will have Keita Machida play Tatsuhiko Shirosaki. He worked as a detective until his wife went missing and the police department didn’t investigate her case. He then resigned from the police department and started his own private detective office to find his wife. Kotaro Koizumi will play Shinpei Sasazuka. He is the former detective partner of Tatsuhiko Shirosaki and continues to help Tatsuhiko Shirosaki after he resigned from the police force.

“Shissounin Sousakuhan” will first air April 11, 2025 in Japan (takes over TV Tokyo’s Friday 9PM time slot after “Hotei no Dragon“).

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Feb 25 2025

Hiroshi Abe, Mei Nagano, and Shunsuke Michieda cast in TBS drama “Caster”

Hiroshi Abe, Mei Nagano, and Shunsuke Michieda are cast in TBS drama series “Caster.” The drama series features an original screenplay that revolves around a long running news program that is mired with low ratings. Hiroshi Abe will play Soichi Shindo. He is hired to become the new anchorman for the program. He is an unconventional fellow who follows his own rules to investigate cases and will do anything to reveal the truth. Mei Nagano will play Hana Sakikubo. She is the new program director for the news program and her background is in variety shows. Shunsuke Michieda will play Yusuke Motohashi. He is an assistant director and in his second year at the station.

“Caster” will first air April, 2025 in Japan (takes over TBS’ Sunday 9PM time slot after “Mr. Mikami’s Classroom“).

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Feb 20 2025

Shotaro Mamiya cast in TBS drama “Ignite.”

Shotaro Mamiya is cast in TBS drama series “Ignite.” The drama series features an original screenplay about an unconventional law firm in Tokyo. Shotaro Mamiya will play Ryo Uzaki. After having a career change, he unsuccessfully tries to find a law firm to hire. Then he finds Peace Law Office. The law firm seeks out clients by going to places with trouble and igniting people to sue.

“Ignite” will first air April, 2025 in Japan.

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Feb 17 2025

Tomohisa Yamashita & Haruka Fukuhara cast in movie “The Honest Realtor”

Tomohisa Yamashita and Haruka Fukuhara are cast in movie “The Honest Realtor” (“Shojiki Fudosan”). The film is based on manga series “Shojiki Fudosan” by Takeshi Natsuhara and Mitsuhiro Mizuno, which was previously adapted into 2022 NHK drama series “The Honest Realtor” and 2024 NHK drama series “The Honest Realtor 2.” Tomohisa Yamashita and Haruka Fukuhara starred in both of the NHK drama series. For the movie version, Tomohisa Yamashita will reprise his role of Saichi Nagase. His character is a realtor and a habitual liar, but a curse caused him to tell only the truth.

“The Honest Realtor” will be released sometime next year in Japan.

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Feb 12 2025

Alice Hirose cast in NTV drama “Nande Watashi ga Kamisekkyou”

Alice Hirose is cast in NTV drama series “Nande Watashi ga Kamisekkyou.” Drama series is scripted by Okura (“Nursing Aide At Your Side“) and directed by Hidemi Uchida (“Nursing Aide At Your Side“) & Seiichi Nagumo (“Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out 2024“). Lead actress Alice Hirose will play a woman who reluctantly becomes a teacher. This will be the first Alice Hirose plays a character who is a teacher. The role is also something of a full circle moment for her as she played a high school student in the same NTV Saturday time slot 12 years ago in drama series “No Dropping Out: Back to School at 35.”

“Nande Watashi ga Kamisekkyou” will first air April, 2025 in Japan.

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