2014-06-21

Petero no Souretsu

Date: From 8.00 p.m., Mondays, 7 July 2014

Station: TBS

Scriptwriter: Kamiyama Yumiko (Namonaki Doku, Ooku ~ Arikoto . Iemitsu-hen, Tsumi to Batsu)

Original Work: Petero no Souretsu by Miyabe Miyuki

Cast: Koizumi Kotaro, Hasegawa Kyoko, Kuninaka Ryoko, Muro Tsuyoshi, Takahashi Issei, Aoyama Noriko, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Okamoto Rei, Emi Kurara, Shimizu Fumika, Fuji Manami, Shima Kaori, Shiba Toshio, Honda Hirotaro, Mine Ryuta, Muroi Shigeru, Nagatsuka Kyoko, Hira Mikijiro

Synopsis: Sugimura Saburo (Koizumi Kotaro) is an ordinary salaryman married to Nahoko (Kuninaka Ryoko), the daughter of the chairman (Hira Mikijiro) of Imada business group. It has been two years since he first became involved in various cases at the request of his father-in-law. On the way back from an interview one day, Sugimura encounters a bus hijack by an old person with a gun. The darkness of this country Japan and human nature lurks behind the true motive for the case … …

Website: www.tbs.co.jp/petero2014

Related: Namonaki Doku

Preview: Petero no Souretsu Teaser

Hero 2014

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 14 July 2014

Station: Fuji TV

Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors Series, Galileo Series, Hero)

Cast: Kimura Takuya, Kitagawa Keiko, Sugimoto Tetta, Hamada Gaku, Masana Bokuzo, Yoshida Yo, Tanaka Yoji, Katsuya, Matsushige Yutaka, Yashima Norito, Kohinata Fumiyo, Kadono Takuzo

Synopsis: Kiryuu Kohei (Kimura Takuya) has returned to the Josai branch of the Tokyo Public Prosecutors Office which is now headed by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ushimaru Yutaka (Kadono Takuzo). Kiryuu’s new assistant is the dignified, beautiful but coarse Asagi Chika (Kitagawa Keiko).

Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/HERO

Preview: Hero 2014 Teaser

Asunaro San San Nana Byoushi

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 15 July 2014

Station: Fuji TV

Scriptwriter: Yoshida Noriko (Gekiryuu, Naniwa Shonen Tanteidan, Dr Koto Shinryoujo 2006), Fujiki Mitsuhiko (Yo nimo Kimyona Monogatari)

Original Work: Asunaro San San Nana Byoushi by Shigematsu Kiyoshi

Cast: Yanagiba Toshiro, Goriki Ayame, Kazama Shunsuke, Takahata Mitsuki, Ouchida Yuhei, Iitoyo Marie, Kikuchi Momoko, Nishida Toshiyuki (guest star), Moriguchi Yoko, Honkon, Sorimachi Takashi

Synopsis: One day, Fujimaki Daisuke (Yanagiba Toshiro), a dull middle-aged salaryman who works for a trading company, is ordered to “temporarily transfer” to Asunaro University’s cheering squad instead of getting laid off, on the grounds that the cheering squad of company president’s alma mater is on the verge of being dissolved. At an assembly where the old boys are gathered, the secretary general announces that Fujimaki will be accepted and made the head of the cheering squad. He is thrown into the squad. As he gets antiquated customs “Always have your school uniform on”, “Reply ‘Ossu’”, “A senior’s word is the law” drilled into him by old boy Saito Yuichi (Sorimachi Takashi), he becomes hooked on the depth of the philosophy of supporting people in a visceral way.

Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/asunaro337

GTO (remake) Season 2

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 8 July 2014

Station: Fuji TV

Scriptwriter: Yamaoka Junpei (Honey Trap, Power Game, GTO (remake) Series)

Original Work: GTO by Fujisawa Toru

Cast: AKIRA, Higa Manami, Yamamoto Yusuke, Ono Takehiko, Kazami Shingo, Maruyama Tomomi, Mabuchi Erika, Anami Atsuko, Fujisawa Ayano, Tayama Ryosei, Shirota Yu, Kuroki Hitomi, Matsuoka Mayu, Kikuchi Fuma, Miyoshi Ayaka, Ryusei Ryo, Koshiba Fuka, Katayose Ryota, Sano Reo, Kizaki Yuria, Matsuura Miyabi, Matsui Airi

Synopsis: Onizuka Eikichi (AKIRA) goes from Meishu Academy in Kichijoji to his alma mater Tsujido High School in his hometown of Shonan. Tsujido High School has gone under the umbrella of Meishu Academy and Onizuka is dispatched on a temporary basis. This time, various difficult problems such as a pregnant female high school student, a truant student who makes light of life, a male stalker and radical images happen to him. Onizuka’s unknown past is also finally revealed as he meets people who know about his past again … …

Website: www.ktv.jp/gto

Related: GTO (remake)

Preview: GTO (remake) Season 2 Teaser

Tokyo Scarlet ~ Keishichou NS Kakari

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 15 July 2014

Station: TBS

Scriptwriter: Iwashita Yuko (Keiji no Manazashi, Kamo, Kyoto e Iku, Sousa Chizu no Onna), Sakurai Takeharu (Aibou Series, Ataru Series), Irie Shingo (Toranaide Kudasai)

Cast: Mizukawa Asami, Namase Katsuhisa, Sugawara Daikichi, Kimura Midoriko, Nakamura Masatoshi

Synopsis: The governor of Tokyo is aggravated by an article in an English language magazine which regards it as a problem that there are few female top officials in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police especially its star, the Criminal Investigations Department. In order to erase this negative image overseas, a veteran female detective Demachi Izumi (Kimura Midoriko) is made the head of the First Investigative Division’s new section, and the NS Section is born. However … …

Website: www.tbs.co.jp/to-sca

Seijo

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 26 August 2014

Station: NHK

Scriptwriter: Omori Mika (Tokyo Bandwagon, Last Dinner, Hungry)

Cast: Hirosue Ryoko, Nagayama Kento, Renbutsu Misako, Aoyagi Sho, Tsutsui Mariko, Tabata Tomoko, Tanaka Yoji, Nakada Yoshiko, Kishibe Ittoku

Synopsis: During the summer when he (Nagayama Kento) was 17, his private tutor Ozawa Maria (Hirosue Ryoko), who was then a university student, left him with this last message, “I’ll be your girlfriend after you qualify for university and become an adult.” Then she suddenly disappeared from his life. He still dreams of her sometimes. Even now. 10 years later, they are reunited; she as a serial murder suspect and he as a lawyer. Although his feelings waver between love and contempt, when their bonds are established again, a heartrending, maddening love story begins. Is Maria a wicked woman or a saint?

Website: -

Owakon TV

Date: From 11.15 p.m., Sundays, 1 July 2014

Station: NHK BS Premium

Scriptwriter: Shimoyama Kento

Original Work: Chocolate TV by Mizuno Munenori

Cast: Chiba Shinichi (Sonny), Koizumi Kotaro, Katase Nana, Ichikawa Yui, Fukuda Saki, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Tomiura Satoshi, Endo Yuya, Anan Kenji (guest star), Jinbo Satoshi (guest star), Ueshima Ryuhei (guest star), Ishida Ayumi (guest star), Motomiya Yasukaze (guest star), Kongouchi Takeshi (guest star)

Synopsis: Small and medium subcontractor production companies currently support the TV industry. Chocolate TV is one such company with 20 employees. It undertakes various productions such as varieties, documentaries and dramas. The height of glory of the TV industry is already a thing of the past. Like any ordinary company, they have to be careful of key networks and sponsors as well as struggle to keep alive amidst the meager budgets and tough viewership ratings race. Chocolate TV’s president Aramaki Genjiro (Chiba Shinichi) worked in the industry as a variety programme director and built the company in one generation. The programmes he takes on all have issues. Each time, his employees would unite, devote themselves to producing a programme and ride out the hardships of the TV world.

Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/owakon

Again!

Date: From 1.11 a.m., Wednesdays, 23 July 2014

Station: TBS

Scriptwriter: Takayama Naoya (Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji, Tokumei Tantei Season 1, Seinaru Kaibutsutachi)

Original Work: Again! by Kubo Mitsuro

Cast: Fujii Ryusei, Hayami Akari

Synopsis: Imamura Kinichiro (Fujii Ryusei) ends high school life with not a single thing; not even friends or memories. After the graduation ceremony, he for some reason goes back in time to the morning of the enrollment ceremony three years ago and has a second chance at high school life. Contrary to Kinichiro’s expectations about the tedium of repeating the three years, the head cheerleader Usami Yoshiko (Hayami Akari) calls out to him and he sets out on a completely new high school life.

Website: www.drama-again.com

Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-Gakkari Season 9

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 July 2014

Station: TV Asahi

Scriptwriter: Fukasawa Masaki (Machi Isha Jumbo, Nobunaga no Chef, GTO (remake)), Manabe Chiaki (Aibou Season 12, Sousa Chizu Onna, Honboshi), Takigawa Akiyo (Shin Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-Gakkari series), Tokunaga Tomihiko (Team, Aibou Season 7 – 12)

Cast: Watase Tsunehiko, Inohara Yoshihiko, Hada Michiko, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Taguchi Hiromasa, Hara Sachie, Nakagoshi Noriko

Synopsis: The members (Watase Tsunehiko, Inohara Yoshihiko, Taguchi Hiromasa, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru) of the First Investigative Division’s Ninth Section each have personal problems and troubles as individuals before they are police officers. Although these overly individualistic members may even oppose each other in investigations, what unites them is their strong sense of justice. They appear uncoordinated in their actions, but each of them will channel all energies to the arrests of criminals and grapple with difficult cases.

Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/9gakari

Wakamonotachi 2014

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 July 2014

Station: Fuji TV

Scriptwriter: Muto Shogo (Kazoku Game, Joker, Densha Otoko)

Original Work: Remake of Wakamonotachi 1966

Cast: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku, Nomura Shuhei, Aoi Yu, Hashimoto Ai, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Nagasawa Masami

Synopsis: The parents of five siblings (Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku, Nomura Shuhei) died when they were young and they banded together to survive. They sometimes have big quarrels and heated discussions about the contradictions in the world and ideals. Although times have changed, the worries and problems of the young today develop from universal issues such as academic qualifications, employment, restructuring, love and marriage.

Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/wakamono

ST ~ Aka to Shiro no Sousa File

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 16 July 2014

Station: NTV

Scriptwriter: Watanabe Yusuke (Honey Trap, Mirai Nikki, Lady ~ Saigo no Hanzai Profile)

Original Work: ST ~ Keishichou Kagaku Tokusou-han by Konno Bin

Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Okada Masaki, Shida Mirai, Ashina Sei, Kubota Masataka, Hayashi Kento, Tanaka Tetsushi, Seto Asaka, Watabe Atsuro

Synopsis: Akagi Samon (Fujiwara Tatsuya) and Yurine Tomohisa (Okada Masaki) of the Scientific Task Force, or ST for short, solve difficult crimes together.

Website: www.ntv.co.jp/st

Related: ST ~ Keishichou Kagaku Tokusou-han

Kodoku no Gurume Season 4

Date: From 11.58 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 July 2014

Station: TV Tokyo

Scriptwriter: Taguchi Yoshihiro (Kodoku no Gurume Series)

Original Work: Kodoku no Gurume by Kusumi Masayuki

Cast: Matsushige Yutaka

Synopsis: Inokashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka), who is an imported goods dealer, visits various towns on business. After business meetings, he will stop by shops that he is interested in and looks forward to meals above all else. This summer, he visits Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture for business.

Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kodokunogurume4

Nobunaga no Chef Season 2

Date: From 7.58 p.m., Thursdays, 10 July 2014

Station: TV Asahi

Scriptwriter: Fukusawa Masaki (Machi Isha Jumbo, GTO (remake), Akuto)

Original Work: Nobunaga no Chef by Nishimura Mitsuru

Cast: Tamamori Yuta, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Shida Mirai, Gori, Ashina Sei, Ichikawa Sarunosuke, Cunning Takeyama, Kitaro, Masana Bokuzo, Inagaki Goro (guest star), Sasaki Nozomi, Takashima Masanobu, Saito Yuki, Sasano Takashi, David Ito

Synopsis: French chef Ken (Tamamori Yuta), who went back in time to the Sengoku period and became the personal chef of Oda Nobunaga (Oikawa Mitsuhiro), has regained a part of his lost memory. He learnt the way to return to the present with the help of Akechi Mitsuhide (Inagaki Goro) but did not go back and chose to live as Nobunaga’s chef. Nobunaga’s biggest and strongest enemy, the warlord Takeda Shingen (Takashima Masanobu) and Nobunaga’s official wife Nouhime (Saito Yuki) appear, heralding ups and downs in the relationship of trust between Nobunaga and Ken. And will Mitsuhide cause the Honnoji Incident?

Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/nobunaga

Related: Nobunaga no Chef Season 1

Yoshiwara Uradoshin

Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 26 June 2014

Station: NHK

Scriptwriter: Ozaki Masaya (Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji, Ume-chan Sensei, Shiroi Haru)

Original Work: Yoshiwara Uradoshin by Saeki Yasuhide

Cast: Koide Keisuke, Kanjiya Shihori, Kondo Masaomi, Nono Sumika, Yamauchi Takaya, Minagawa Sarutoki, Kyono Kotomi, Hayashi Ryuzo, Hirata Kaoru, Okina Megumi (guest star), Tomita Yasuko (guest star), Takahashi Yumiko (guest star), Yanagisawa Shingo (guest star), Kurotani Tomoka (guest star)

Synopsis: Kamimori Mikijiro (Koide Keisuke), a low-ranking samurai of Bungo Oka domain, learns about the cruel treatment that his childhood friend Teijo (Kanjiya Shihori), who grew up in the same tenement house, has been receiving at the hands of the family she married into and the two of them run away. They flee their pursuers and after three years wandering in the northern provinces, Mikijiro and Teijo drift to Edo where Edo’s largest pleasure quarters, the Yoshiwara red light district, is. At the Yoshiwara red light district, the Shirobe Club, a band of watchmen led by Shirobei (Kondo Masaomi), have been orchestrating solutions for the various incidents that occur in the pleasure quarters. Mikijiro is hired as a bodyguard while Teijo teaches the prostitutes to read and write. Because Mikijiro now works for the club, the two of them are finally able to find a way out of their nomadic life and days of uncertainty. They have successes and failures against the dark shadows which envelope the women of Yoshiwara.

Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/yoshiwara

Dousousei ~ Hito wa, Sando, Koi o Suru

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 10 July 2014

Station: TBS

Scriptwriter: Tabuchi Kumiko (Go ~ Himetachi no Sengoku, Atsuhime)

Original Work: Dousousei ~ Hito wa, Sando, Koi o Suru by Saimon Fumi

Cast: Iura Arata, Inamori Izumi, Itaya Yuka, Matsuoka Masahiro, Ichikawa Miwako, Takachi Noboru, Okamoto Rei, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Miura Rieko, Ichige Yoshie, MATSU, Emoto Akira (guest star)

Synopsis: Yanagi Kenta (Iura Arata) and Kamakura Akehi (Inamori Izumi) as well as Hirono Kaoruko (Itaya Yuka) and Sakurai Ryosuke (Matsuoka Masahiro) meet again at the first class reunion in 25 years. Back when the four of them met at 15, it was the most beautiful time of their lives because life held enormous possibilities. As if in an effort to make up for lost time, they are rapidly drawn to each other. Kenta begins to realise Akehi’s importance to him while Akehi, a mother of three, also starts to defy her violent husband (MATSU). Meanwhile, Ryosuke and Kaoruko surrender to their mutual passions, but a gap in their feelings arises little by little … … They want to take off with the true love they have found in adulthood. A reality that will not be allowed. The four of them are now 40 years old. They are no longer young, but there is still time for them to start over again. They single-mindedly and earnestly live for this moment, but … …

Website: www.tbs.co.jp/dousousei2014

Preview: Dousousei Teaser

Zero no Shinjitsu ~ Kansatsui Matsumoto Mao

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, July 2014

Station: TV Asahi

Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Glass no Ie, Otenki no Onesan, Cleopatrana Onnatachi)

Cast: Takei Emi, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Wada Masato, Denden, Rokkaku Seiji, Omi Toshinori, Aoyagi Sho, Mizusawa Erena, Miyazaki Karen, Hashizume Isao, Maya Miki

Synopsis: New medical examiner Matsumoto Mao (Takei Emi) has joined the Chuo Medical Examiner’s Office. A beautiful, talented doctor without any relatives, she is proud of her IQ which exceeds 150. She went to America at the age of 10, skipped three grades and studied forensic medicine. An oddball whose only interests are the autopsies and dissections of dead bodies, she also has no friends. As she faces numerous dead bodies each day, she is challenged to find out the cause of death of the mother who abandoned her.

Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/zeroshin

Preview: Zero no Shinjitsu Teaser

Hirugao ~ Heijitsu Gogo 3-ji no Koibitotachi

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, July 2014

Station: Fuji TV

Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (Chi no Shio, Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu, Pandora Series)

Cast: Ueto Aya, Kichise Michiko, Saito Takumi, Ito Ayumi, Kinami Haruka, Kinoshita Houka, Fuchikami Yasushi, Suzuki Kosuke, Takahata Atsuko, Kitamura Kazuki

Synopsis: Housewife Sasamoto Sawa (Ueto Aya) works as a part-time supermarket cashier. One afternoon, she unconsciously pickpockets a lipstick at the supermarket. Takigawa Rikako (Kichise Michiko) sees a part of this. What she proposes is Sawa’s assistance in setting up an alibi for her affair in exchange for her silence on that matter. Sawa obeys the demands of Rikako in order to protect her “happiness” even though she is falling apart emotionally. In the process, she meets high school teacher Kitano Yuichiro (Saito Takumi) and gradually cannot stop thinking about him. Before long, she crosses a line which she should not.

Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/hirugaoa

Juui-san, Jiken desuyo

Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 3 July 2014

Station: NTV

Scriptwriter: Tanabe Mitsuru (Dinner, Bunshin, Control ~ Hanzai Shinri Sousa

Cast: Jinnai Takanori, Yoshimoto Miyu, Nogiwa Yoko, Shaku Yumiko (guest star), Honda Miu (guest star)

Synopsis: Shiba Kentaro (Jinnai Takanori) is a compassionate vet in an old Tokyo neighbourhood. He does not only treat pets but also interferes in the problems of pet owners and struggles to be of help.

Website: www.ytv.co.jp/shibaken/

Last Doctor ~ Kansatsui Akita no Kenshi Houkoku*UPDATED*

Date: From 7.58 p.m., Fridays, 11 July 2014

Station: TV Tokyo

Scriptwriter: Ozaki Masaya (Black President, Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji, Ume-chan Sensei), Takeda Yuki (Kakushou, Doku, Boku to Star no 99-nichi)

Cast: Terawaki Yasufumi, Aibu Saki, YOU, Makita Sports, Watanabe Shu, Watanabe Ikkei, Toda Keiko, Ito Shiro

Synopsis: Yoshizaki Kaoruko (Aibu Saki), who had been a clinician at a university hospital, takes up a post at a medical examiner’s office after she is told by her professor to try to get experience. However, everyone from the supervising doctor Akita Shinya (Terawaki Yasufumi), director Yanagida Shuhei (Ito Shiro) and assistant Yamashita Mieko (Toda Keiko) are all individualistic characters. This does not bode well for the future. Meanwhile, Akita and Kaoruko are put in charge of the dead body of a popular model who fell to her death. The police consider it to be a suicide, but Akita is drawn to a subtle point … …

Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/official/last_dr.akita

Kazokugari

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 4 July 2014

Station: TBS

Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Glass no Ie, Otenki Oneesan, Cleopatrana Onnatachi), Izumisawa Yoko (Tokubo, Ando Lloyd, Apoyan)

Original Work: Kazokugari by Tendo Arata

Cast: Matsuyuki Yasuko, Ito Atsushi, Kitayama Hiromitsu, Mizuno Miki, Shinoda Mariko, Hiraoka Yuta, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Inoue Makio, Akiyama Natsuko, Asada Miyoko, Zaizen Naomi (guest star), Endo Kenichi

Synopsis: High school teacher Sudo Shunsuke (Ito Atsushi) feels a strong resistance to starting a family with his girlfriend. Assistant Inspector Mamihara Koki’s (Endo Kenichi) heart aches at the end of a journey of a mother and child. Child psychology officer Hisaki Yuko (Matsuyuki Yasuko) who works at a counseling centre for children worries about an abused girl. The case of an assault by a high school girl results in a fateful encounter of the three of them. Bound by tragedy, the eyes of each of the people caught in this torrent are opened to life.

Website: www.tbs.co.jp/kazokugari

Preview: Kazokugari CM

Tokumei Tantei Season 2

Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 4 July 2014

Station: TV Asahi

Scriptwriter: Takayama Naoya (Keibuho Yabe Kenzo Series, Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji, Tokumei Tantei Season 1), Kamo Yoshinobu (Tokumei Tantei Season 1, Quartet, Keishichou Keizoku Sousa-han)

Cast: Takahashi Katsunori, Katase Nana, Moritsugu Koji, Yamaguchi Daiichi, Tayama Ryosei, Miura Rieko

Synopsis: An unnamed detective (Takahashi Katsunori) has his base in an old multi-tenant building with strip clubs at a corner of one of the streets along the Chuo train line. He is a troubleshooter who through the beautiful lawyer Saejima Kyoko (Katase Nana) receives jobs from a succession of beautiful women for the sake of money. This bourbon and jazz loving, unsentimental and tough investigator uses foul language, hates being tied down more than anything, and leads a life free of mobile phones, emails and the internet. Even though he gets cheated, covered in cuts and bruises and stomped on by authority, he never gives up and solely seeks the truth for his clients. He is extremely kind to females and because of that, he frequently gets into unnecessary trouble with women who do not pay.

Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/tokumeitantei

Related: Tokumei Tantei Season 1

Aoi Honoo

Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 18 July 2014

Station: TV Tokyo

Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Watashi no Kiraina Tantei, Tenma-san ga Yuku, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series)

Original Work: Aoi Honoo by Shimamoto Kazuhiko

Cast: Yagira Yuya, Yasuda Ken, Muro Tsuyoshi, Nakamura Tomoya, Yamamoto Mizuki, Kuroshima Yuina, Urai Kenji, Sato Jiro, Omizu Yosuke, Adachi Osamu, Kawakubo Takuji, Endo Kaname, Uechi Haruna, Kitaro

Synopsis: It is the beginning on the 1980s in Osaka. First-year art college student Honoo Moyuru (Yagira Yuya) is passionate and ambitious about becoming a manga writer. He has misplaced confidence in his own ability, but also an interest in anime and searches for the path he should take. He reaches a decision just before the summer break. It is to bring his manga manuscript to Tokyo publishers. This is the start of a youth of excruciating anguish for Honoo.

Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/official/aoihonoo

Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo N (neo)

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 19 July 2014

Station: NTV

Scriptwriter: Takahashi Yuya (35-sai no Koukousei, Perfect Blue, Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri)

Original Work: Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo by Amagi Seimaru

Cast: Yamada Ryonosuke, Kawaguchi Haruna, Arioka Daiki, Asari Yosuke, Okamoto Azusa, Hagiwara Riku, Kojima Ayame, Yamaguchi Tomomitsu

Synopsis: High school student Kindaichi Hajime (Yamada Ryunosuke) solves a variety of difficult cases that he gets entangled in with the deductive powers inherited from his grandfather, the famous detective Kindaichi Kosuke.

Website: www.ntv.co.jp/kindaichi2014

Preview: Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo N (neo) Teaser

Suikyuu Yankees*UPDATED*

Date: From 11.10 p.m., Saturdays, 12 July 2014

Station: Fuji TV

Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Umi no Ue no Shinryojo, Keiji 110 kg Series, Tokyo Toy Box), Asakura Keiji (Fukuie Keibuho no Aisatsu)

Cast: Nakajima Yuto, Yamazaki Kento, Takagi Yuya, Ohara Sakurako, Chiba Yudai, Mamiya Shotaro, Nakagawa Taishi, Yoshizawa Ryo, Yamoto Yuma, Shinkawa Yua, Kakei Miwako, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Omasa Aya, Sano Hinako, Ikezu Shoko, Minagawa Sarutoki, Kurashina Kana (guest star), Kitamura Yukiya, Morimoto Leo

Synopsis: Inaba Naoya (Nakajima Yuto) has returned to Japan after living overseas, and transferred to Kasumino Technical High School. It is a school attended by some of the area’s silliest fellows and is on the verge of being closed. He feels strongly that “a delinquent is the strongest hero” from early experience, and has romanticised notions about delinquents. Although Naoya spent time abroad, he has been influenced by Japanese manga on delinquents and has grown into a youth with fighting spirit and chivalry. He has returned to Japan in order to spend the third year of high school in the country. Kasumino Technical High School once had the delinquents he wanted to be like in his childhood. However, these delinquents have now disappeared from Japan and in their place are mild delinquents. Naoya is dejected but comes across water polo. The district he has moved to is known as the “water polo town”. Learning that water polo is no-holds barred aquatic martial arts, he challenges the formidable Kitajima Torao (Takagi Yuya) of rival school, Suiran High School. However, he is defeated. Naoya promises himself that he will beat Torao in water polo and come out tops.

Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/suikyuyankees

Kinkyori Renai Season Zero

Date: From 12.50 a.m., Sundays, 20 July 2014

Station: NTV

Scriptwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Hanasaki Mai ga Damatteinai, Ghost Mama Sousasen, Misaki Number One)

Original Work: Kinkyori Renai by Mikimoto Rin

Cast: Abe Aran, Ishibashi Anna, Kishi Yuta, Adachi Rika

Synopsis: In high school, Sakurai Haruka (Abe Aran), Mirei (Ishibashi Anna) and Kanata (Kishi Yuta) are good friends whom everyone envies. The three of them believed their relationship would remain like this forever. Then Haruka’s stepsister Ririko (Adachi Rika) suddenly returns from overseas. After several years away, she has become beautiful to the extent that classmates call her “goddess”. Although Haruka has often built walls around other people, Ririko deliberately gets close to him. One night, she barges in all of a sudden and starts to cry against his chest. “I have no where to go. You’ll let me stay here, right?” Haruka is baffled by his pushy stepsister, Mirei secretly loves Haruka and Kanata has become aware of Mirei. The distance between Haruka, Mirei and Kanata who had taken it for granted that they would always be close, starts to change little by little.

Website: www.ntv.co.jp/kinkyori

Oyaji no Senaka

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 13 July 2014

Station: TBS

Scriptwriters: Ikehata Shunsaku (Ashio kara Kita Onna, Saka no Ue no Kumo), Inoue Yumiko (Pandora Series, 14-sai no Haha), Okada Yoshikazu (Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi Series, Watashi to iu Unmei ni Tsuite), Kamata Toshio (Last Dinner, Keiji Teinen), Kizara Izumi (Q10, Nobuta o Produce), Kuramoto Sou (Kaze no Garden, Haikei, Chichiuesama), Sakamoto Yuji (Saikou no Rikon, Woman, Hashibe Atsuko (Boku no Ita Jikan, Osozaki Himawari), Mitani Koki (Kiyosu Kaigi, Sutekina Kanashibari), Yamada Taiichi (Arifureta Kiseki)

Cast: Oizumi Yo, Tamura Masakazu, Matsu Takako, Watase Tsunehiko, Nakamura Kankuro, Yakusho Koji, Mitsushima Hikari, Nishida Toshiyuki

Synopsis: A 10-part omnibus drama by 10 different scriptwriters on the theme of fathers and their sons and daughters.

Website: www.tbs.co.jp/oyajinosenaka

Preview: Oyaji no Senaka Teaser

Tsui no Sumika

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 20 July 2014

Station: NHK BS Premium

Original Work: Tsui no Sumika by Senkawa Tamaki

Cast: Kiritani Mirei, Okada Yoshinori, Kato Toranosuke, Hiraizumi Sei

Synopsis: Asakura Tomoko (Kiritani Mirei) obtained her MBA at an American university amd is a rookie reporter for a Tokyo newspaper’s local news desk. Although she is good at numerical expressions, she has not much interest in understanding the feelings of her interview subjects. Furthermore, she has nothing but a lot of pride, and seems to have been branded an unqualified reporter by her superior because of this. In an attempt to overturn this perception, Tomoko decides to do a story on home nursing care based on her memories of her grandfather. However, she gets overwhelmed by the harsh reality and unexpectedly stumbles across a series of unexplained deaths of elderly people receiving such care.

Website: -

Soko o Nantoka Season 2

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 3 August 2014

Station: NHK BS Premium

Scriptwriter: Imai Masako (Bitter Sugar, Soko o Nantoka), Yokota Rie (Otto no Kanojo, Machi Isha Jumbo, Soko o Nantoka)

Original Work: Soko o Nantoka by Aso Mikoto

Cast: Motokariya Yuika, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Megumi, Inoue Yoshio, Watabe Gota, Inoue Waka, Otomo Kohei

Synopsis: Kaise Rakuko (Motokariya Yuika), the completely hopeless rookie, has reached her third year as a lawyer. Her reliable senior Shoji Hiroaki (Ichikawa Ennosuke) has transferred and the handsome, hotshot lawyer Nishibeppu (Inoue Yoshio) comes into Sugawara Kotaro Law Firm which is in a crisis of survival. However, there are bad rumours about Nishibeppu and he seems to have a secret which he cannot disclose for some reason. What is the real reason Nishibeppu has come to the office? Will Rakuko be able to save Sugawara Kotaro Law Firm?

Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/sokonan

Related: Soko o Nantoka

Mozu Season 2 ~ Maboroshi no Tsubasa

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 22 June 2014

Station: WOWOW

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.wowow.co.jp/drama/mozu_wowow

Related: Mozu Season 1 ~ Mozu no Sakebu Yoru

Preview: Mozu Season 2 ~ Maboroshi no Tsubasa CM

Henshin

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 27 July 2014

Station: WOWOW

Scriptwriter: Yoshida Noriko (Gekiryuu, Naniwa Shonen Tanteidan, Himitsu), Tanabe Mitsuru (Dinner, Bunshin, Control ~ Hanzai Shinri Sousa)

Original Work: Henshin by Higashino Keigo

Cast: Kamiki Ryunosuke, Nikado Fumi, Usuda Asami, Watabe Gota, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Makita Sports, Nakao Akiyoshi, Tonesaku Toshihide, Honda Tsubasa, Matsushige Yutaka, Murakami Jun, Ibu Masato

Synopsis: Naruse Junichi (Kamiki Ryunosuke) makes an honest living working at a factory line while dreaming of being an artist. He treasures the little happiness that has developed between him and his girlfriend Megumi (Nikaido Fumi). But on Christmas Eve, he gets involved in a robbery at a jewellery store he had dropped by with the intention of buying an engagement ring, and sustains a serious head injury as a result. Junichi survives because of the world’s first living brain transplant operation. After his discharge from hospital, he develops a sensitive hearing and violence, and eventually his feelings for Megumi start to be different from the past. Although he is left in the dark about the brain transplant, Junichi realises he is obviously about to change and is seized with fear. On the other hand, Megumi’s feelings for Junichi have remained constant and she wishes that he will return to his former self. She tries to pursue the mystery concealed in the surgery but … …

Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/henshin

Zainin no Uso

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 31 August 2014

Station: WOWOW

Scriptwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Tightrope no Onna, Haken no Oscar, Ushi ni Negai o)

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Takito Kenichi, Kimura Yoshino, Nakamura Aoi, Komoto Masahiro, Kataoka Reiko, Mashima Hidekazu, Emoto Tokio, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Okunuki Kaoru, Takenaka Naoto, Yajima Kenichi, Tsuda Kanji, Kitami Toshiyuki, Matsushige Yutaka, Tsutsui Michitaka, Nakadai Tatsuya

Synopsis: Lawyer Kasahara Takuya (Ito Hideaki) comes from behind to win an acquittal for Arimura Hirohito (Emoto Tokio) whom the death penalty was sought on charges of serial rape and murder. The families of the victims and the mass media take out their fury on Kasahara who lodged Arimura’s innocence even though he clearly had the murderous intent and committed the crimes. Kasahara coolly declares that they should blame the law since the court ruling was based on law. On the other hand, lawyer Kusunose Masashi (Takito Kenichi), who was unable to forgive and abandoned the defence of an unremorseful Arimura, has complicated feelings. At that moment, a fatal allergic accident occurs to Aoba Confectionery which is affiliated with Nikkyo Holdings, a massive enterprise led by Haneda Kenzo (Nakadai Tatsuya). Kasahara is asked to defend it and he corners the plaintiff with every possible means. Matsumoto Shogo (Shibukawa Kiyohiko) who has some dirt on Kasahara, shows up and asks for money … …

Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/zainin

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