Sakura ~ Jiken o Kiku Onna
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Mondays, 20 October 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Matsumoto Miyako (Inpei Sousa, Kakushou, Fake ~ Kyoto Bijutsu Jiken Emaki), Yamaoka Junpei (GTO (remake) Series, Honey Trap, Power Game)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Nakama Yukie, Sato Ryuta, Aijima Kazuyuki, Kino Hana, Ono Takuro, Morioka Yutaka, Suruga Taro, Ayane, Kusabue Mitsuko, Takashima Reiko
Synopsis: Mizusawa Sakura (Nakama Yukie) is the ultimate “good listener”. In the morning, she hears the voices of listeners as the DJ of a small FM radio network. In the afternoon, she lends a ear to residents’ complaints at the inquiry counter of Komagome Chuo Police Precinct’s Community Safety Division. At night, she obtains information from regular customers at the small restaurant which her grandmother Ume (Kusabue Mitsuko), a former police woman, runs. Once a case occurs, Sakura will hide her identity and go undercover. She is actually a special investigator under the orders of “Iron Lady” Igarashi Kyoko (Takashima Reiko), the chief of the police precinct. Sakura partners the hot-blooded detective Takeuchi Masato (Sato Ryuta) whom she frequently encounters at investigation scenes, and unlocks the mysteries of the cases.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/sakura2014
Preview: Sakura CM
Nobunaga Concerto
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 13 October 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Nishida Masafumi (Jikken Keiji Totori Series, Kaibutsu-kun, Yokai Ningen Bemu)
Original Work: Nobunaga Concerto by Ishii Ayumi
Genre: Sci-fi
Cast: Oguri Shun, Shibasaki Kou, Yamada Takayuki, Mukai Osamu, Fujigaya Taisuke, Kaho, Fujiki Naohito, Saotome Taichi, Hamada Gaku, Arai Hirofumi, Takashima Masahiro, Yagira Yuya, Morishita Yoshiyuki, Sakata Masanobu, Abe Shinnosuke, Nishida Toshiyuki, Namase Katsuhisa, Denden, Maeda Atsuko, Mizuhara Kiko, Takahashi Issei
Synopsis: Saburo (Oguri Shun), an ordinary high school student, travels back in time to the Sengoku era (1549). He encounters a young lord who looks exactly like him and is told, “Be my substitute. I’m the eldest son of the Oda family, Oda Nobunaga.” After the young lord leaves, Saburo is mistaken for Nobunaga by a vassal and taken to the castle. He starts to live as Oda Nobunaga from this day. The young samurai of the Oda family which is merely a minor feudal lord, set out towards the extraordinary dream of unifying the whole country through the power of Saburo. Saburo, a person from modern times who has no experience killing people, does not understand the willingness of the warlords of the Sengoku era to lay down their lives for their family. It is the same for the vassals too. They have had a hard time understanding Nobunaga’s actions ever since the ill-mannered, wilful Saburo took over. Despite this “generation gap across space and time”, they are soon on the brink of achieving their dream … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/nobunaga-concerto-drama
Preview: Nobunaga Concerto CM
Subete ga F ni Naru
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 21 October 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Yorozu Uranai Dokoro Onmyouya e Yokoso, Dinner, Strawberry Night), Oyama Shota (Bitter Blood)
Original Work: Subete ga F ni Naru by Mori Hiroshi
Cast: Takei Emi, Ayano Go, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Hayami Akari, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Mizusawa Erena, Yoshida Kotaro
Synopsis: The brilliant, invincible duo of Saikawa Kohei (Ayano Go), a university associate professor in architecture, and his wealthy student Nishizono Moe (Takei Emi) take on bizarre locked room murders and figure out the shocking tricks.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/F
Preview: Subete ga F ni Naru CM
Sutekina Sentaxi*UPDATED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 October 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Masuno Hidetomo (Bakarhythm)
Cast: Takenouchi Yutaka, Masuno Hidetomo (Bakarhythm), Yasuda Ken (guest star), Konishi Manami (guest star), Nakamura Toru (guest star), Minamisawa Nao, Seino Nana, Masu Takeshi, Kimura Fumino (guest star), Nakamura Shunsuke (guest star), Fueki Yuko (guest star), Katsuji Ryo (guest star), Yoshida Yo (guest star), Hakamada Yoshihiko (guest star), Asami Reina (guest star), Kuriyama Chiaki (guest star), Usuda Asami (guest star), Miyake Hiroki (guest star), Kanjiya Shihori (guest star), Aiko (guest star)
Synopsis: Edawakare (Takenouchi Yutaka) is the driver of Sentaxi, a marvellous vehicle which is able to take a passenger back to his or her “life’s turning point”. His cool appearance is at odds with his talkative, meddlesome, sweet-toothed character. He gives advice to passengers who are flustered after failing in their life’s choice.
Website: www.ktv.jp/sentaxi
Sayonara Watashi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 October 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Okada Yoshikazu (Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi Series, Watashi to iu Unmei ni Tsuite, Starman, Kono Hoshi no Koi)
Cast: Nagasaku Hiromi, Ishida Yuriko, Sato Hitomi, Tanimura Mitsuki, Lily, Omi Toshinori, Fujiki Naohito
Synopsis: In the autumn of their first year in high school, some incident spurred Tomomi (Nagasaku Hiromi) and Kaoru (Ishida Yuriko) to promise to be friends forever. However, at their present age of 41, the two of them have gone through different lives. Tomomi has built a happy family that everyone envies while Kaoru lives for her career as a movie producer. The differences in their lifestyles have created a distance between them. The two friends meet again for the first time at a class reunion after 20-something years and return to their former closeness. However, Tomomi has one suspicion. Kaoru knows too much about her own family. Is her husband (Fujiki Naohito) and good friend having an affair? When Tomomi gets to the bottom of the matter, an inconceivable fate awaits her and Kaoru. The two of them are at the mercy of a harsh destiny, and before long, they learn what is hidden in each other’s hearts … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama10/sayonara
Preview: Sayonara Watashi CM
Onna wa Sore o Yurusanai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 21 October 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Takahashi Izumi (Kanata no Ko, Ningen Konchuuki), Shimizu Yukako (Konya wa Kokoro dake Daite, Limit, Yakou Kanransha)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Fukada Kyoko, Terajima Shinobu, Mizobata Junpei, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Kato Masaya, Takenaka Naoto, Matsushige Yutaka, Kamikawa Takaya
Synopsis: 31-year-old Iwasaki Urara (Fukada Kyoko) became a lawyer and did a disservice to client because of her own mistake in her first court case. This traumatised her and she gave up being a lawyer. Fretting that she isn’t cut out to be a lawyer, Urara ekes out a living by working part time. She is saddled with a debt of 4 million yen in fees to become a lawyer and her days are empty without purpose in life or work. On the other hand, 41-year-old elite lawyer Ebisawa Rinka (Terajima Shinobu) works for the largest law firm in the industry and is also rumoured to be a candidate for a position at the top. She lives in a high-rise apartment, and likes fine wines and branded goods. Her philosophy is “It’s meaningless if I don’t win” and she often wins cases through high-handed methods. However, the methods that Rinka used in a case becomes evident and she is fired from the law firm. In addition, she is ousted from the bar association and no longer able to stand in a courtroom. She has no choice but to build up confidence in the many court cases she won so that she can win back credibility as a lawyer. Making Urara’s acquaintance by chance, Rinka sets eyes on Urara’s legal qualifications. She makes Urara do her bidding in an attempt to somehow regain her own qualifications. Will the two women be able to grasp happiness both as a lawyer and a female?
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/yurusanai2014
Preview: Onna wa Sore o Yurusanai CM
Time Spiral
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Tuesdays, 2 September 2014
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Fujii Kiyomi (Take Five, Kuro no Onna Kyoushi)
Original Work: Tokeru Rasen by Mizumori Eren
Genre: Sci-fi love mystery
Cast: Kuroki Meisa, Gackt, Hiraoka Yuta, Taketomi Seika, Akimoto Naomi, Kishimoto Kayoko
Synopsis: Aizawa Natsuki (Kuroki Meisa) suffered trauma because she was kidnapped when young, but she grew up with the support of her childhood friend Yuki Kentaro (Hiraoka Yuta) and now does physics research at a university. One day, she meets a newly-appointed professor Tatsumi Shuya (Gackt) who has come to the university. From then on, strange things keep happening around Natsuki. And it is no wonder. Shuya is in fact a time traveller who comes and goes between the future and the past. He attempts to hamper Natsuki and Kentaro’s friendship, and entices Natsuki romantically. Natsuki is gradually at his mercy. Before long, the heartrending “predestined relationship” between Natsuki and Shuya, which crosses space and time, is revealed.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/timespiral
Carolling ~ Christmas no Kiseki
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Tuesdays, 4 November 2014
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Kanome Keiko, Arikawa Hiro
Original Work: Carolling by Arikawa Hiro
Cast: Miura Takahiro, Yuka, Suzuki Fuku, Abe Joji, Nakabeppu Aoi, Shirahane Yuri, Sakurai Atsuko, Ishii Masanori, Mickey Curtis, Nakada Yoshiko
Synopsis: Around the time the atmosphere in the world is filled with cheer in preparation for Christmas, there are people completely detached from the gaiety with which Christmas Eve is eagerly anticipated. A former couple who work at a company learns that it will go bankrupt at Christmas; an elementary school boy distressed by his parents who are entering divorce; and kindhearted small-time gangsters who have descended into the underworld business although not by choice. They seek love, get betrayed and have troubles. Even so, they struggle hard in their attempt to take a step out. Will the former couple be able to convey the love they have for each other? Can the boy prevent the divorce of his parents and protect his family? Will the small-time gangsters be able to hold on to love and tread the respectable path? These three groups somehow get entangled in this story with laughter and tears. Will Christmas miracles happen?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/caroling
Watashitachi ga Puropozusarenai no ni wa, 101 no Riyuu ga Atte da na
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Wednesdays, 5 November 2014
Station: Lala TV
Scriptwriters: Watanabe Chiho, Nagata Yuko, Sato Jiro, Inukai Kyoko, Kusuno Ichiro
Original Work: Watashitachi ga Puropozusarenai no ni wa, 101 no Riyuu ga Atte da na by Jane Su
Cast: Ichikawa Mikako, Kawamura Emiko, Kojima Hijiri, Sakai Wakana, Tanimura Mitsuki, Hirayama Aya, Watanabe Makiko, Sato Jiro, Yamamoto Yusuke, Aibu Saki, Inoue Waka, Owada Miho, Kinami Haruka, Sato Megumi
Synopsis: An omnibus drama which analyses and explains the 101 reasons of women who have trouble getting married or proposals while depicting the alternating joys and sorrows of these “unwed pros”.
Website: www.lala.tv/watapro
Shinya Shokudo Season 3
Date: From 1.11 a.m., Wednesdays, 22 October 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: -
Original Work: Shinya Shokudo by Abe Yaro
Genre: Food
Cast: Kobayashi Kaoru, Ayata Toshiki, Fuwa Mansaku, Matsushige Yutaka, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: Set in a nook of a shopping district, the small restaurant which people call Shinya Shokudo only opens late at night from midnight to seven in the morning. Its menu consists of just pork and vegetable miso soup set, beer, sake and shochu. However, the customers still come for the interactions and the owner’s (Kobayashi Kaoru) willingness to cook whatever dish they request, if he can.
Website: www.meshiya.tv
Preview: Shinya Shokudo Season 3CM
Aibou Season 13
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 15 October 2014 (for two seasons)
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Koshimizu Yasuhiro (Aibou Series)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Narimiya Hiroki, Suzuki Anju, Matobu Sei, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Yamanaka Takashi, Ishizaka Koji, Nakama Yukie (guest star)
Synopsis: -
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/aibou
Preview: Aibou Season 13 CM
Kyou wa Kaisha Yasumimasu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 15 October 2014
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Shigeki (Summer Nude, Voice, Puropozu Daisakusen)
Original Work: Kyouwa Kaisha Yasumimasu by Fujimura Mari
Genre: Romance
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Fukushi Sota, Tamaki Hiroshi, Naka Riisa, Chiba Yudai, Taguchi Junnosuke, Iwai Kami, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Asano Kazuyuki, Takahata Atsuko, Suzuki Anju
Synopsis: Aoishi Hanae (Ayase Haruka) is a plain, inconspicuous office lady who has had no experience in love and no boyfriend. On her 30th birthday, she happens to end up drinking with Tanokura Yuto (Fukushi Sota), a cool university student nine years her junior who is also a part-timer at her company, on the way home from a welcome party for new employees. Hanae gets drunk. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds a naked Yuto sleeping next to her. She has her first experience and first boyfriend out of the blue. Even when Hanae and Yuto go on to date, it is a daily process of trial and error because everything is a first for Hanae, including an amusement park date, a sleepover, Christmas Eve or a couple’s trip. To complicate matters, she also gets a proposal from Asao Yu (Tamaki Hiroshi), the CEO of an Italian food company who is popular with women, and a love triangle develops.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/yasumimasu
Preview: Kyou wa Kaisha Yasumimasu CM
First Class Season 2
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 15 October 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Oikawa Hironori (Doctors ~ Saikyo no Meii, First Class Season 1)
Cast: Sawajiri Erika, Kimura Yoshino, Aoyagi Sho, Kurashina Kana, Shishido Kavka, Fuchikami Yasushi, Shinohara Tomoe, Suzuki Chinami, Nakamura Tomoya, Okamoto Keito, Yamaya Kasumi, Sasaki Nozomi, Nanao, Tabata Tomoko, Miura Rieko, Itaya Yuka, Yo Kimiko, Ichikawa Miwako, Kojima Hijiri, Tomosaka Rie, Natsuki Mari
Synopsis: Half a year has passed since Yoshinari Chinami (Sawajiri Erika) rose to the position of editor of her dream fashion magazine First Class and saved it from closing down despite harassment in the editorial department. She has now become an up-and-coming designer in the fashion brand industry. See her transform from “everyone else but me is bad” to “everyone is bad including me”.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/firstclass2
Related: First Class Season 1
Preview: First Class Season 2 CM
Kasouken no Onna Season 14
Date: From 7.58 p.m., Thursdays, 16 October 2014
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Todayama Masashi (Aibou Series), Sakurai Takeharu (Take Five, Aibou Series, Ataru)
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Wakamura Mayumi, Kazama Toru, Kaneda Akio, Saito Satoru, Osada Seiya, Sakimoto Hiromi, Yamamoto Hikaru, Nishida Ken
Synopsis: -
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kasouken
Bonkura
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 16 October 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Onishi Kenichi (Keiji 110 kg Series, Iryu Sousa Series, Rinjo Series)
Original Work: Bonkura by Miyabe Miyuki
Genre: Period
Cast: Kishitani Goro, Okunuki Kaoru, Kazama Shunsuke, Musaka Naomasa, Shiga Kotaro, Osugi Ren, Matsuzaka Keiko, Tsurumi Shingo
Synopsis: The murder of a greengrocer marks the start of a series of disappearances of the residents of a tenement house. Feeling suspicious about these cases as well as sympathy for the residents, the constable Izutsu Heishiro (Kishitani Goro) starts to investigate the background of the cases on his own. Picking on the wisdom of his nephew Yuminosuke as he searches, Izutsu soon realises that the mystery of a case which occurred 17 years ago lies hidden behind it. The landowner Minatoya Soemon is the one who holds this secret … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/bonkura
Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko Season 3
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 October 2014
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Hayashi Makoto (Doctor X Season 2, Strawberry Night, Meitantei Konan), Terada Toshio (Doctor X Season 2, Mayonaka no Panya-san, Kumo no Kaidan), Nakazono Miho (Hanako to Anne, Doctor X Series, Hatsukoi)
Genre: Medical
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Endo Kenichi, Uchida Yuki, Katsumura Masanobu, Watanabe Ikkei, Makita Sports, Takahashi Kazuya, Kinoshita Takayuki, Naito Risa, Shonozaki Ken, Matsushima Hana, Ito Shiro (guest star), Furuya Ikko (guest star), Nishida Toshiyuki (guest star), Nakao Akira, Ibu Masato, Takahata Atsuko, Kishibe Ittoku, Kitaoji Kinya
Synopsis: Freelance surgeon Daimon Michiko (Yonekura Ryoko) gets embroiled in an escalating struggle for supremacy between the factions of Totei University Hospital and Saikyo University Hospital which represent Japan’s east and west at the National Medical Care Centre, the most technologically advanced hospital in the country.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/doctor-x
Related: Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko Season 2
Preview: Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko Season 3 CM
Mozu Season 2 ~ Maboroshi no Tsubasa
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 16 October 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Nishi Kosuke (Galileo Season 2, Kagi no Kakatta Heya)
Original Work: Mozu no Sakebu Yoru & Maboroshi no Tsubasa by Osaka Go
Cast: Nishijima Hidetoshi, Maki Yoko, Kagawa Teruyuki, Ito Atsushi, Ikematsu Sosuke, Hasegawa Hiroki, Ishida Yuriko, Kohinata Fumiyo, Aoi Yu, Sano Shiro
Synopsis: Kuraki Naotake (Nishijima Hidetoshi) is the Public Security Division’s ace who lost his beloved wife Chihiro (Ishida Yuriko) in a bombing incident, Osugi Ryota (Kagawa Teruyuki) is the honest to a fault detective who worked his way up the ranks, and Akeboshi Miki (Maki Yoko) is the Public Security officer who holds the key to solve the case. This time, a cross-border conspiracy gets in the way of Kuraki, Osugi and Miki as they challenge more evil. While they fight against an international terrorist organisation, a shocking truth hidden behind peaceful society soon emerges.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/mozu_tbs
Related: Mozu Season 1 ~ Mozu no Sakebu Yoru
Preview: Mozu Season 2 ~ Maboroshi no Tsubasa CM
Mama to Papa ga Ikiru Riyuu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 20 November 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Tatsui Yukari (Strawberry Night, Konkatsu, Shouni Kyuumei)
Original Work: Watashi, Nyuugan. Otto, Haigan. 39-sai Fuufu de Yomei Senkoku by Gasei
Cast: Fukiishi Kazue, Aoki Munetaka, Watanabe Konomi, Igarashi Hinata, Tanaka Tetsushi, Asaka Mayumi, Dunkan, Kunihiro Tomiyuki, Fubuki Jun
Synopsis: Two years after the birth of her second child (Igarashi Hinata), 34-year-old Yoshioka Toko (Fukiishi Kazue) is diagnosed with breast cancer. Furthermore, surgery is not possible because she is terminally ill, but the doctor is not certain of her life expectancy. Toko vows that she will not let illness get the better of her for the sake of her son and daughter (Watanabe Konomi) and lives a positive life, but at times, she is tormented by a wave of fear and anxiety. A few days later, her husband Kenichi (Aoki Munetaka) is also notified that he has end-stage lung cancer. Despite the short time they have left to live, the Yoshiokas still have dreams. They do not forget humour and how to be a loving family.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/mamapapa2014
Dear Sister
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 16 October 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Nakatani Mayumi (Sono Hi no Maeni, Last Cinderella, Water Boys)
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Matsushita Nao, Ishihara Satomi, Iwata Takanori, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Mori Kanna, Horiuchi Keiko, Tanabe Seiichi, Katahira Nagisa
Synopsis: 27-year-old Fukazawa Misaki (Ishihara Satomi) and 29-year-old Hazuki (Matsushita Nao) are sisters who are polar opposites in both lifestyle and personality. Although they would hurt each other’s feelings, they would also make up for each other’s deficiencies. The beautiful Misaki is the typical younger sister who is good at putting on the little girl act. She did not fare well academically but knows how to swim with the tide. After graduating from high school, she left home and went missing. But one day, she suddenly moves into Hazuki’s apartment and behaves with wild abandon. However, Misaki has a secret which she keeps to herself … … Hazuki works at a ward office and has set her sights on an early marriage to her boyfriend who works in the same office. She is the well-organised, fastidious chairperson type, but is a wee bit socially awkward. Hazuki feels that Misaki snatched all their mother’s (Katahira Nagisa) love in childhood. What will happen now that Misaki has moved in with her? Hazuki actually has a secret which she cannot tell Misaki too. As these two sisters clash while living under the same roof, their values start to change little by little.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/dearsister
Preview: Dear Sister CM
Binta! ~ Bengoshi Jimuin Minowa ga Ai de Kaiketsushimasu
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 2 October 2014
Station: NTV
Scriptwriters: Oishi Tetsuya (Team, Keiji no Manazashi, Perfect Blue), Kawashima Sumino (Again!!, Otatsukeya Jinpachi, Jidan Koshounin ~ Gotakeshi), Takayama Naoya (Again!!, Tokumei Tantei Series, Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji)
Original Work: Tokko Jimuin Minowa by Ogawa Kei
Genre: Legal
Cast: MATSU, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Ishiguro Hideo, Hara Nanoka, Nishimura Masahiko, Sakai Miki (guest star), Hakamada Yoshihiko (guest star)
Synopsis: Minowa Bunta (MATSU) is not a lawyer but a new office clerk at a law firm. The former chief of a biker gang, Minowa has neither the educational background nor the refinement but was miraculously employed. He has absolutely no knowledge of the law, but he believes all the problems in the world can be solved with love. He would tackle troubles such as inheritance, divorce, illegal loans, monster parents and neighbours with the “power of love” and “unprecedented actions”.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/binta
Shin Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi
Date: From 7.58 p.m., Fridays, 17 October 2014
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Tago Akihiro (Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi, Mori no Asagao, Yasashii Jikan), Hikawa Kayo (GTO (remake) Season 2, Iryu 4, Kyuumei Byoto 24-ji Season 5)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Funakoshi Eiichiro, Koizumi Kotaro, Kakizawa Hayato, Nakayama Shinobu, Hirayama Aya, Mano Azusa, Hayashi Yasufumi, Yamada Jundai, Matsuo Satoru, Kasai Kenji
Synopsis: Yoshinaga Seiichi (Funakoshi Eiichiro) is a detective of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s First Investigative Division. He believes “there is no case that cannot be solved” and he never gives up on an investigation. His partner is Kagami Kiichi (Koizumi Kotaro) whose father Takashi was the prefectural police’s legendary detective. Kujo Kazumai (Kakizawa Hayato), a police official who graduated from Tokyo University, is sent to the First Investigative Division. He should have taken the post of Director, but an exception has been made in accordance to his wishes and he is assigned to be a detective out in the field.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/yoshinaga
Related: Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi ~ Namida no Jikenbou
Ooka Echizen Season 2
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 3 October 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Onishi Nobuyuki (Ooka Echizen Season 1)
Genre: Period
Cast: Higashiyama Noriyuki, Katsumura Masanobu, Kuninaka Ryoko, Konda Yoshimasa, Matsubara Chieko, Hira Takehiro, Tsugawa Masahiko
Synopsis: The reign of the eighth shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune (Hira Takehiro) was notable for the “Ooka Sabaki” which supported the Kyoho Reforms advanced by Yoshimune. Ooka Echizen (Higashiyama Noriyuki), an Edo magistrate, punished evil that brought suffering to the common people, making judicial decisions with humanity and fairness that came to be known as “Ooka Sabaki”. He would go beyond his status and position, and work very hard for the people’s happiness. He was also their pride.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/oooka2
Related: Ooka Echizen Season 1
N no Tame ni
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 17 October 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Okudera Satoko (Yakou Kanransha)
Original Work: N no Tame ni by Minato Kanae
Genre: Love mystery
Cast: Eikura Nana, Kubota Masataka, Kaku Kento, Koide Keisuke, Hara Hideko, Shibamoto Yuki, Moro Morooka, Miho Jun, Hayama Shono, Yamamoto Mirai, Orimoto Junkichi, Mitsuishi Ken, Miura Tomokazu, Konishi Manami, Tokui Yoshimi
Synopsis: University student Sugishita Nozomi (Eikura Nana), Naruse Shinji (Kubota Masataka), Ando Nozomi (Kaku Kento) and Nishizaki Masato (Koide Keisuke) end up coming upon the scene of the murder of the Noguchi couple (Konishi Manami, Tokui Yoshimi), because of a plan they had devised. Nishizaki is arrested at the scene and is given a 10-year prison term because of his voluntary confession. 10 years later, Takano Shigeru (Miura Tomokazu), a former police officer who has misgivings about the verdict of this case, starts to pursue the truth. He is convinced that it all began as a result of an incident caused by Nozomi and Naruse on an island in the Seto Inland Sea in the summer 15 years. “They committed a crime at that time. It was for the sake of each N.”
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/Nnotameni
Preview: N no Tame ni CM
Tatakau Onna
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 17 October 2014
Station: Fuji OTN
Scriptwriters: Kakiuchi Mika, Takasaki Takuma
Original Work: Tatakau Onna by Koizumi Kyoko
Cast: Kadowaki Mugi, Yamanaka Takashi, Kosuge Shiori, Shinohara Yukiko, Hara Maika, Komatsu Moka, Kishii Yukino, Owada Kensuke, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Ito Ayumi, Takeko Aya, Takaoka Saki, Neko Tsubaki, Nishida Naomi
Synopsis: A lady (Kadowaki Mugi) works at a lingerie shop. Females of various ages visit her small shop, from elementary school students to those in their 40s in this five-part omnibus series. Each stands at a crossroad as a female.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/otn/tatakauonna
Preview: Tatakau Onna CM
Flashback*NEW*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 19 December 2014
Station: Fuji NEXT
Scriptwriter: Ono Toshiya (Kekkon Dousoukai)
Cast: Narita Ryo, Takanashi Rin, Toyohara Kosuke, Komatsu Masao, Sano Shiro, Nakamura Toru, Negishi Toshie, Watanabe Hiroyuki, Morimoto Leo, Tsugawa Masahiko
Synopsis: Unprecedented bizarre murders occur in present day Tokyo such as the corpse with a dissolved upper half body and the charred corpse. The detective Kagami Ryoma (Narita Ryo), who possesses the special ability to see the flashbacks of the dead, and the talented scientist Todoroki Himiko (Takanashi Rin), who was deprived of a Nobel Prize by her direct superior, takes on the investigation. These two members of HIDE (Hidden Incident Department) solve a series of mysterious murders through flashbacks and advanced scientific knowledge. However, Kagami has a secret. If they cannot come in contact with a clue seen in the flashbacks within 72 hours, his brain will explode and he will die. What becomes clear to the two of them is the unforeseen, shocking truths of history. Will they be able to prevent the impending annihilation of mankind?
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/otn/flashback
Kurofuku Monogatari
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 24 October 2014
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Ouki Shizuka (Karamazov no Kyoudai, Tsugunai, W no Higeki), Yamaura Masahiro (Roosevelt Game, Hard Nut, 35-sai no Koukousei)
Original Work: Kurofuku Monogatari by Kurashina Ryo
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Sasaki Nozomi, Yamamoto Yusuke, Kashiwagi Yuki, Nakao Akiyoshi, Yasui Kentaro, Yanagi Shuntaro, Iriyama Anna, Kakei Miwako, Sugimoto Yumi, Iwasa Mayuko, Aizawa Rina, Yanagi Yurina, Fukuyoshi Marina, Kaneda Ayana, Kurokawa Tomoka, Aiba Hiroki, Nakajima Hiroko, Jinbo Satoshi, Kitamura Yukiya, Kaname Jun, Takenaka Naoto
Synopsis: Ogawa Akira (Nakajima Kento) is a student who has failed medical school entrance exams twice and is retaking it for a third time. His father (Jinbo Satoshi) is a doctor and his parents yearn for him to enter medical school. One day, he happens to encounter the beautiful hostess Kyoko (Sasaki Nozomi). It is love at first sight for him. Because of this, he goes into the Ikebukuro nightclub where Kyoko is the top hostess, and starts working as a black-suited staff member. Inexperienced in the ways of the world and naive, Akira starts to learn about the harshness of living in the nightlife and begins to change.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kurofuku
Preview: Kurofuku Monogatari Teaser
Tamagawa Kuyakusho of The Dead
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 4 October 2014
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Arai Yuka (Arasa-chan, Koibumi Biyori), Akamatsu Yoshimasa (Piece)
Original Work: Tamagawa Kuyakusho of The Dead by Nagana Yoichi and Toi Ao
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Hayashi Kento, Hirose Alice, Kaneko Nobuaki, Takahashi Tsutomu, Katagiri Jin, Furutachi Kanji, Toyota Ellie, Tabata Tomoko, Kondo Koen, Chiba Masako, Akabane Shinichi
Synopsis: 16 years ago, there was an occurrence of zombies in western Mexico. They rapidly spread around the world through the transmission of a virus. The world was thrown into panic with the appearance of the first zombies, but because their movements were slow and they were also feeble, zombies were not commonly perceived to be such a threat and their existence became an everyday affair. In Tamagawa ward in Japan, there is a special welfare division where all the defective staff members from other divisions have been transferred. The primary responsibilities of this division are to manage and capture special insurance subjects (residents carrying the zombie virus or zombified residents). Akaba Shinsuke (Hayashi Kento) is one such staff member, but he is in no way motivated. In his 25 years, he has had no one to call girlfriend and leads an uninspiring life. However, one day, Tachibana Rin (Hirose Alice), a girl with the looks of an idol and skills of a martial artist is assigned as a rookie … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/tamagawa
Preview: Tamagawa Kuyakusho of The Dead CM
Borderline
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 4 October 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Uda Manabu (Tokyo Airport, Lucky Seven), Kajimoto Emi (Otokomae 2)
Cast: Koike Teppei, Kakei Toshio, Yamaguchi Makiya, Tokui Yu, Mori Kanna, Maro Akaji, Fujiwara Norika, Hashizume Isao
Synopsis: Firefighters are always at the borderline. The boundary of the gaping abyss of death close to daily life. They get caught between the words of gratitude and angry rebuke of people. The lives of rescuers and their buddies are in the balance.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/borderline
Preview: Borderline CM
Dark Suit
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 22 November 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Arai Shuko (Shima no Sensei, Seinaru Kaibutsutachi, Lady ~ Saigo no Hanzai Profile)
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Saito Takumi, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Kurashina Kana, Ichikawa Yui, Otsuru Gitan, Jinbo Satoshi, Enoki Takaaki, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Shiba Toshio, Ishimaru Kenjiro, Owada Shinya, Osugi Ren, Sugawara Daikichi, Ryu Raita, Ishimaru Kanji
Synopsis: Ichinose Ryo (Saito Takumi) works as a salesperson for a subsidiary of Hashiba Electronics, a mid-sized electronics manufacturer which prides itself on its long history. One day, he is ordered to transfer to the company’s headquarters. Why him when he has no strong points? The new company president Matsumoto (Ishimaru Kanji), who has come from America, has his eye on Ichinose’s perseverance as a salesperson and intends to make a five-member team contemplate strategies to improve the management of Hashiba Group. Ichinose and the members head to Vietnam in search of cost-cutting measures. While in Vietnam, he learns about the ongoing bribery behind the contract work between headquarters and subsidiary as a result of a new business plan – a license business – which has severely shaken Hashiba Group. Ichinose is determined to change the company in order to correct its way of doing things and fulfil his own and other members’ dreams … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/darksuit
Jigoku Sensei Nube
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 October 2014
Station: NTV
Scriptwriters: Magy, Sato Yuji
Original Work: Jigoku Sensei Nube by Makura Sho
Genre: School
Cast: Maruyama Ryuhei, Kiritani Mirei, Hayami Mokomichi, Yamamoto Mizuki, Chinen Yuri, Jiyoung, Yuka, Nakagawa Taishi, Yoshizawa Ryo, Sano Gaku, Matsui Airi, Sano Hinako, Mizutani Kaho, Nakamura Yurika, Takatsuki Sara, Makita Sports, Toyama Toshiya, Yamada Shintaro, Shibata Misaki, Sakagami Shinobu, Takahashi Hideki
Synopsis: Nueno Meisuke (Maruyama Ryuhei) takes up a post at Domori High School. He cares very much for his students but his enthusiasm proves futile. A hopeless teacher who is clumsy, foolish and ridiculed by students. However, there is another side to him. He is the only teacher in Japan with psychic powers because of a devil dwelling in his left hand. When his students are attacked by monsters and evil spirits which take up residence in weak human hearts, he would risk his life to protect them by making use of his left hand.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/nube
Preview: Jigoku Sensei Nube CM
Gugu datte Neko de Aru
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 18 October 2014
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Takada Ryo
Original Work: Gugu datte Neko de Aru by Oshima Yumiko
Cast: Miyazawa Rie, Kuroki Haru, Nagatsuka Keishi, Nakaoka Souichi, Ichikawa Miwako, Kikuchi Rinko, Iwamatsu Ryo, Tanaka Min
Synopsis: Kojima Asako (Miyazawa Rie) is a writer of popular manga for teenage girls. While she is facing a looming deadline, Saba, the beloved cat she has lived with for years suddenly dies. Asako is no longer able to draw manga after that and also loses her appetite. At the suggestion of her worried editor Omori (Nagatsuka Keishi), she moves to a new house but her life does not return to what it used to be. One day, when Asako is walking in a park, she comes across a homeless person (Tanaka Min) with a sick kitten. She starts wanting to cure the kitten of its illness and brings it to the hospital without permission … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/gou-gou
Preview: Gugu datte Neko de Aru CM
Heisei Saru Kani Kassenzu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 15 November 2014
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Habara Daisuke (Castella, Double Face, Beautiful Rain)
Original Work: Heisei Saru Kani Kassenzu by Yoshida Shuichi
Cast: Suzuki Kyoka, Kora Kengo, Hagiwara Masato, Takaoka Saki, Asaka Kodai, Fukuda Ayano, Mine Azusa, Makita Sports, Ikeda Narushi, Chiba Tetsuya, Nakahara Takeo, Ishibashi Renji
Synopsis: A hit-and-run case occurs at Kabukicho in Tokyo. Hamamoto Junpei (Kora Kengo), a bartender who witnessed the incident, realises that the man who was arrested is a different person from the man who was at the scene. It seems that the real culprit is international cello player Minato Keiji (Hagiwara Masato) and his older brother is taking the rap. Aiming to get rich quick, Junpei and Tomoki (Asaka Kodai), the host he treats as a younger brother, decide to blackmail Minato. But Minato’s manager Yuko (Suzuki Kyoka) stands in their way. Overwhelmed by her presence, Junpei readily admits defeat. On the other hand, Yuko takes interest in Junpei’s character. Junpei is someone impossible to hate and loved by everyone. Soon, a huge evil which is Yuko’s longtime enemy shows up. Because of this unintended meeting of two people who live in different worlds, those around them get involved: Minato; Mizuki, the hostess (Fukuda Ayano) who has come to Tokyo in pursuit of Tomoki; Miki, the proprietress (Takaoka Saki) of the Korean club where Junpei works; Kosaka, Miki’s boyfriend and former gangster (Ikeda Narushi); and Tomoka, Minato’s niece who is a university arts student. An uproar that will shake up Japan begins.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/sarukani
Preview: Heisei Saru Kani Kassenzu CM
Heisei Busaiku Salarymen
Date: From 12.50 a.m., Sundays, 19 October 2014
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Yamaura Masahiro (Roosevelt Game, 35-sai no Koukousei, Hard Nut)
Genre:
Cast: Yoko Wataru, Miyata Toshiya, Nikaido Takashi, Senga Kento, Maiko, Minamisawa Nao, Nomaguchi Toru, Shiga Kotaro
Synopsis: At the West Tokyo branch office of Pakupaku Confectionery, capable salarymen clinch successive business deals. However, nothing seems to go right for four of the people among the busy staff. Even though they always give it their best, they would fail and get scolded and have to start all over again. There is Yoko Wataru (Yoko Wataru) who is the one the other three would like to depend on because he is the most senior, but he is incompetent, has bad timing in everything and falters when he speaks; Miyata Toshiya (Miyata Toshiya) often gets scolded due to his naivete and inability to read situations; Nikaido Takashi (Nikaido Takashi) is the athletic sort, very diligent, tends to get extremely close to other people when talking and has a pretty quick temper; and Senga Kento (Senga Kento) who is stylish and good at his work, but is somewhat blur and oddly harsh towards females but lenient with males. The foursome grapple with the challenges which appear inside and outside the company although they are in danger of being laid off.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/heiseibusaiku
Gomenne Seishun!
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 12 October 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kudo Kankuro (Amachan, 11nin mo Iru, Unubore Keiji)
Genre: School comedy
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Mitsushima Hikari, Nagayama Kento, Shigeoka Daiki, Haru, Triendl Reina, Shirasu Jin, Kuroshina Yuina, Morikawa Aoi, Koseki Yuta, Suzuki Takayuki, Yamoto Yuma, Tomiyama Eriko, Hisamatsu Ikumi, Ryusei Ryo, Saito Yuki, Morishita Aiko, Enari Kazuki, Nakamura Shizuka, Hida Yasuhito, Shishido Miwako, Ueki Natto, Sakai Maki, Namase Katsuhisa, Kazama Morio
Synopsis: 31-year-old Hara Heisuke (Nishikido Ryo) is a teacher at a high school in Shizuoka. He is like most people rather than an exceptional person. But an unfortunate accident which occurred 14 years ago ended up messing up his life. Feeling responsible, he stuck to his hometown and alma mater from then on. Meanwhile, it is decided that the boys school where he works will be merged with a girls school in the same area because of a decline in student numbers next year. Furthermore, a joint cultural festival is to be held as a “trial event” for the merger. Heisuke dedicates himself towards the aim of making the cultural festival a success and overcomes the big fuss that occurs. His hard work finally bears fruit with the great success of the joint cultural festival.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/gomenne_tbs
Preview: Gomenne Seishun! CM
Yuube no Curry, Ashita no Pan
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 5 October 2014
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Kizara Izumi (Nobuta o Produce, Q10)
Original Work: Yuube no Curry, Ashita no Pan by Kizara Izumi
Cast: Naka Riisa, Hoshino Gen, Kaga Takeshi, Mizobata Junpei, Mimura, Katagiri Hairi, Kaku Kento, Yoshida Yo, Fukushi Seiji, Ono Yuriko
Synopsis: Seven years ago, Terayama Kazuki (Hoshino Gen) died of cancer at the young age of 25, leaving behind his wife Tetsuko (Naka Riisa) and father Rentaro (Kaga Takeshi). They live together and are a family, but theirs is a delicate relationship of daughter-in-law and father-in-law with no blood ties. Through the intriguing people Tetsuko comes into contact with who were linked by fate to her kindhearted husband, she is freed from the pain of the loss of a loved one and begins to start life again.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/yubecurry
Preview: Yuube no Curry, Ashita no Pan CM
Kabuka Bouraku
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 October 2014
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Yoshimoto Masahiro (Team, Naze Kimi wa Zetsubou to Tatakaeta no ka, Koukousei Restaurant)
Original Work: Kabuka Bouraku by Ikeido Jun
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Oda Yuji, Takashima Masanobu, Seto Koji, Kawashima Umika, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Ryu Raita, Tsuruta Mayu, Itao Itsuji, Ishiguro Ken, Ishibashi Ryo, Endo Kaname, Yajima Kenichi, Aijima Kazuyuki, Iida Kisuke, Oishi Goro, Mori Ren, Sena Jun, Watanabe Ikkei
Synopsis: At the meeting room of mega bank Shiromizu Bank, there is a heated discussion regarding additional financing for Ippudo, a giant supermarket which is in the throes of corporate restructuring. Bando Hiroshi (Oda Yuji), the credit officer in charge of Ippudo, believes “the important point of a loan is collection” and raises an objection to a loan for Ippudo which has not made efforts to restructure. On the other hand, Nito Tetsuya (Takashima Masanobu), the deputy director of planning who fears the aftermath of bankruptcies will extend to the bank, advocates decisive action on loans. Nito finds Bando disagreeable and plots to set him up. Meanwhile, a bomb explosion occurs at an Ippudo outlet. The message claiming responsibility for the attack demands the resignation of Ippudo’s autocratic chairman Kazama Kozo (Ryu Raita) and the company’s liquidation. Furthermore, Ippudo receives a threat promising to keep up with the bombings if it does not agree to the demands. Ippudo is apprehensive that its share price will slump and tries to conceal the message. However, Bando, who received a report, is vehemently opposed to this. He thinks that they should make this public in order to prevent the damage from spreading. At the same moment, Yaen Hiromitsu (Itao Itsuji), a detective of the First Investigative Division, starts to regard a youth (Seto Koji) near the scene of the bomb explosion with suspicion … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/kabuka
Akka
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 23 November 2014
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Chiho (First Class, Kohiya no Hitobito, Saki)
Original Work: Akka by Shimada Masahiko
Cast: Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Kuroki Meisa, Hayashi Kento, Abe Tsuyoshi, Sasano Takashi, Ishibashi Renji, Toyohara Kosuke, Takahashi Katsumi
Synopsis: Counterfeit money which no one is able to see through, is not counterfeit money any longer. The sophisticated counterfeit million yen bills which a homeless man picked up circulates like blood which flows in blood vessels and starts to ravage Japan in the same way a virus would. The fundamental value of money is overturned and in order to build a world not ruled by money, the destiny of a man who has just initiated an outrageous scheme is … … There is a young millionaire (Oikawa Mitsuhiro), a lovely undercover investigator (Kuroki Meisa), a mysterious community representative and a genius appraiser who can recognise counterfeit money. Before long, each ulterior motive upsets Japan’s economy and begins to lead to the conspiracy of a shady organisation.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/akka
Preview: Akka CM
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