Yuina Kuroshima cast in new WOWOW drama series “Tokyo Sumikko Gohan.” The drama series is based on 2015 novel “Tokyo Sumikko Gohan” by Nariko Narita and directed by Yukiko Mishima (“Bread of Happiness“). In the drama series, Yuina Kuroshima will play lonely high school student Fu Sawatari. She discovers a house “Sumikko Gohan” where people gather to eat happily.
“Tokyo Sumikko Gohan” will first air May, 2017 in Japan.
Mirei Kiritani is cast in Fuji TV live-action drama series “Hito wa Mitame ga 100 Percent.” The drama series is based on the manga of same name by Hiromi Okubo. In the drama series, Mirei Kiritani will play main character Jun Jonochi. She works at a paper manufacturing company. Her character doesn’t hold any interest in making herself attractive, until she notices that others don’t view her as a woman. Hiroaki Matsuyama will direct the drama series and Tomoko Aizawa will write the screenplay adaptation. The duo previously worked together in 2012 Fuji TV drama series “The Locked Room Murders.”
“Hito wa Mitame ga 100 Percent” will first air April, 2017 in Japan.
Kyoka Suzuki and Koji Seto are cast in new TV Tokyo drama special “Toga no Hito.” The drama special is based on 2013 novel “Toga no Hito” by Arimasa Osawa and directed by Akimitsu Sasaki. In the drama special, Kyoko Suzuki plays former detective Shizuri Maki. She quit her job after her partner Detective Maeda died while protecting her. She then meets Detective Maeda’s son (played by Koji Seto) while visiting his grave.
“Toga no Hito” airs this spring in Japan.
Ryoko Hirosue, Mirai Moriyama & Yuri Kanari are cast in new WOWOW drama special “Inagakike no Moshu.” The drama special is based on an original screenplay by Goro Koyama. His screenplay won the 9th WOWOW Scenario Award in 2015. Story for the drama series follows a child (Yuri Kanari) who gets nervous in front of people and becomes terrified by the thought of making a speech at a funeral like his father just did. He then worries about his uncle (Mirai Moriyama) and aunt (Ryoko Hirosue) who are single. He tries to get them married to avoid making a speech at their funerals.
In addition, a teaser trailer for “Inagakike no Moshu” can be viewed at AsianWiki. “Inagakike no Moshu” will air March 18, 2017 in Japan.
Shun Oguri & Hidetoshi Nishijima are cast in new Fuji TV-KTV drama series “Crisis.” The drama series is scripted by Kazuki Kaneshiro (“SP”) and directed by Kosuke Suzuki & Keiichiro Shiraki. The drama series has Shun Oguri and Hidetoshi Nishijima playing members of a secret Special investigation Team at the National Police Agency. They take on cases involving important political matters and dirty jobs for the government.
“Crisis” will first air this April in Japan.
5 guest appearances have been announced for upcoming TV Tokyo drama series “Byplayers.” The guest appearances will have Koji Yakusho (ep.1), YosiYosi Arakawa (ep.2), Sosuke Ikematsu (ep.2), Sayaka Yamaguchi (ep.3) & Kenichi Takito (ep.3). For each of the guest appearances they will play themselves.
The drama series stars veteran actors Kenichi Endo, Ren Osugi, Tomorowo Taguchi, Susumu Terajima, Yutaka Matsushige & Ken Mitsuishi. Story for the drama series has the 6 veteran actors receiving roles in a big budget drama series. They are then asked by the director to live together for 3 months at a share house.
“Byplayers” first airs January 13, 2017 in Japan.
Yuki Yamada, Shimon Okura & Nagi Nemoto are cast in upcoming live-action film “Friends Games” and drama series “Friends Games.” Both titles star Ryo Yoshizawa & Rio Uchida and are based on manga series “Tomodachi Gemu” by Mikoto Yamaguchi.
For “Friends Games,” Yuki Yamada will play Tenji Mikasa. He is a top student in his class and possesses excellent communication ability. Shimon Okura will play Makoto Shibe. He is a class president and his father is a city councilman. Nagi Nemoto will play Yutori Kokorogi. She is an otaku with a kind personality.
Movie and drama series versions of “Friends Games” will be released sometime later this year in Japan.
Aoi Nakamura is cast in upcoming Fuji TV drama series “Mahiru no Akuma” starring Rena Tanaka. Also cast in supporting roles are Masato Ibu and Koji Ookura. In the upcoming drama series, Aoi Nakamura will portray Masato Nanba. He is an aspiring writer and develops positive feelings for Dr. Yoko Okouchi (Rena Tanaka). Nevertheless, he begins to have questions about her and researches further.
“Mahiru no Akuma” first airs February 4, 2017 in Japan.
Gaku Hamada & Alice Hirose are cast in TV Tokyo live-action drama series “Tsuribaka Nisshi Season 2.” The drama series is based on fishing manga series “Tsuribaka Nisshi” by Juzo Yamasaki. Also returning from season 1 of TV Tokyo’s “Tsuribaka Nisshi” are Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Kitaro, Shono Hayama, Momoko Tanabe, Tatsuo Nadaka & Ryo Ono.
“Tsuribaka Nisshi Season 2” will air April, 2017 in Japan.
Koji Yakusho is cast in new TBS drama series “Rikuo.” The drama series is based on 2016 novel “Rikuo” by Jun Ikeido. In the drama series, Koji Yakusho will play main character Koichi Miyazawa. He runs a small company that produces tabi (traditional Japanese socks). Due to declining demand, the struggles financially. He then decides to manufacture running shoes.
“Rikuo” will first air October, 2017 in Japan.