Totone-chan
Date: From 8.00 a.m., Mondays – Saturdays, 4 April 2016
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Nishida Masafumi (Nobunaga Concerto, Jikken Keiji Totori, Yokai Ningen Bemu)
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kimura Tae, Sagara Itsuki, Sugisaki Hana, Mukai Osamu, Daichi Mao, Kataoka Tsurutaro, Ohno Takuro, Akino Yoko, Pierre Taki, Hiraiwa Kami, Kawaei Rina, Abe Junko, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Katagiri Hairi, Karasawa Toshiaki, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Yamaguchi Tomomitsu, Ito Atsushi
Synopsis: The eldest daughter of the Kohashis, Tsuneko was 11 years old when her father Takezo (Nishijima Hidetoshi) died of tuberculosis. Taking her father’s teachings about the importance of ordinary life to heart, she became ‘Toto One-chan’, a paternal figure to her mother Kimiko (Kimura Tae) and two younger sisters Mariko (Sagara Itsuki) and Yoshiko (Sugisaki Hana). She struggles to sustain the family as the head of the household. Right after the war, she launches a lifestyle magazine created for the sake of females together with Mariko and Yoshiko in a devastated Tokyo. It is called ‘Your Life’ and was full of practical articles for readers. With the help of the genius editor Hanayama Isaji (Karasawa Toshiaki), the magazine grew to become essential to females living in the period of high economic growth.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/totone-chan
Preview: Totone-chan Introduction
Love Song
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 11 April 2016
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuramitsu Yasuko
Genre: Romance
Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Fujiwara Sakura, Suda Masaki, Kaho, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Kinoshita Houka, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Suruga Taro, Tanaka Tetsushi, Yuki Saori, Uzaki Ryudo, Mizuno Miki
Synopsis: 44-year-old Kamishiro Kohei (Fukuyama Masaharu) was a professional musician 20 years ago. He only had one hit song and remained in obscurity until his contract was terminated by the record company and he left the music industry. Although time has passed, he has not been able to completely cut off his passion for music and leads a life of drudgery. One day, Kamishiro meets a lonely Sano Sakura (Fujiwara Sakura) who has an inferiority complex. She is sick of life like him. However, she has been given a singing voice that is a gift from god. Kamishiro feels the desire to put himself to the test once more and be recognised because of his encounter with her. They connect through music and his monotonous life begins to change little by little. Their love song starts to play … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/lovesong
Makanai-sou
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Tuesdays, 19 April 2016
Station: Nagoya TV
Scriptwriter: Fukuhara Mitsunori (Ofukou-san, Teen Court)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Seino Nana, Kikuchi Akiko, Yamazaki Yuta, Uchida Chika, Yamano Umi, Fujimura Mahiro, Suzunosuke, Fukushi Seiji, Watanabe Tetsu
Synopsis: Fujishima Ryo (Seino Nana), who aims to be an Italian chef, gets cheated by a bad guy and ends up in a lot of debt. She arrives at Makanai-sou, as a cook at the invitation of her elder sister, Kyoko (Kikuchi Akiko) to live together for the first time in 15 years. A 60-year-old boarding house with a communal bath in Nagoya, Makanai-sou is a place where meals are inclusive for all the residents.
Website: www.nagoyatv.com/makanaisou
Juhan Shuttai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 12 April 2016
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Nogi Akiko (Okitegami Kyoko no Bibouroku, Soratobu Kouhoushitsu, Lucky Seven)
Original Work: Juhan Shuttai by Matsuda Naoko
Genre: Workplace
Cast: Kuroki Haru, Odagiri Joe, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Nagaoka Tasuku, Maeno Tomoya, Nono Sumika, Kohinata Fumiyo, Takito Kenichi, Kaname Jun, Nagayama Kento, Muro Tsuyoshi, Takada Junji, Yasuda Ken, Matsushige Yutaka, Mogami Moga
Synopsis: Kurosawa Kokoro (Kuroki Haru) was aiming for a spot on the Olympic judo team until an injury put an end to that dream. She decides to join the large publishing company Kotokan and is assigned to the editorial department for the manga magazine Shukan Vibes. Kokoro gets involved with the manga artists, editorial, sales and bookshop staff as she learns the basics of editing under senior editor Iokibe Kei (Odagiri Joe). Seeing the low-profile activities to produce a reprint, Kokoro gets fired up with the desire to do it too. But the manga artist who is the magazine’s draw is lured away by a rival magazine Emperor and Shukan Vibes is faced with a survival crisis.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/juhan-shuttai
Preview: Juhan Shuttai CM
Boku no Yabai Tsuma
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 19 April 2016
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Samurai Sensei, Yokoso Wagaya e, Subete ga F ni Naru)
Genre: Psychological suspense
Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kimura Yoshino, Aibu Saki, Asaka Kodai, Mashima Hidekazu, Kimura Midoriko, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Takahashi Issei, Sato Ryuta, Miyasako Hiroyuki
Synopsis: Mochizuki Kohei (Ito Hideaki) married Maria (Kimura Yoshino), the beautiful and talented daughter of a wealthy family. He quit his job at a medium-sized advertising agency to run a cafe and appears to have everything going well with him. Although Kohei pretends to be the perfect husband, he feels suffocated by his wife’s consideration and restrictions, and plots her murder at the instigation of his cafe partner and lover Kitasato Anna (Aibu Saki). However, the situation drastically changes just as he makes the decision to kill Maria. When Kohei returns home, she has been kidnapped and the kidnapper demands an enormous ransom. To make things worse, he is made a suspect at some point in this kidnapping case and driven into a corner. In the middle of this, Maria’s frightening true face which was completely unknown to Kohei gradually emerges … …
Website: www.ktv.jp/yabatsuma
Preview: Boku no Yabai Tsuma CM
Saigo no Restaurant
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Tuesdays, 26 April 2016
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Takayama Naoya (Shi no Zouki, Kyoto Ninjo Sousa File, Tokumei Tantei Series)
Original Work: Saigo no Restaurant by Toei Michihiko
Genre: History
Cast: Tanabe Seiichi, Kinami Haruka, Suzuki Kosuke, Ishiguro Hideo, Fukuda Mayuko, Triendl Reina, Takenaka Naoto, Ozawa Maju, Yamamura Momiji, Takeda Tetsuya
Synopsis: Oda Nobunaga (Takenaka Naoto), Sakamoto Ryoma, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc (Triendl Reina), Napoleon (Takeda Tetsuya) … … Historical figures, who died violent deaths, travel into the future to a modern-day restaurant called “Heaven’s Door”. French chef Sonoba Shinogu (Tanabe Seiichi) has a go at the unreasonable orders of these great people and makes their souls rest in peace.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pyd/saigo
Dias Police ~ Ihou Keisatsu
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 13 April 2016 (followed by movie)
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Richard Woo
Original Work: Dias Police by Richard Woo
Genre: Police
Cast: Matsuda Shota, Hamano Kenta, Yanagisawa Shingo, Kou Yoshio, Marie, Fukushima Rila (guest star), Kaho (guest star), Nakamura Tatsuya (guest star), Ashina Sumire (guest star), KONTA (guest star)
Synopsis: There are approximately 150,000 illegal immigrants in Tokyo. A large number of them cannot qualify for refugee status and live in poverty. The illegal immigrants have created a secret organisation, the ‘Foreign Government Office’, to protect themselves. This Office has a bank that the Financial Services Agency is not involved in, a hospital that does not have the authorisation of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and a foreign police called “Dias Police”. Kubozuka Saki (Matsuda Shota) is the only police officer who works for the Office. He helps the vulnerable in this autonomous society.
Website: www.dias-police.jp
Preview: Dias Police CM
Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Season 11
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 6 April 2016
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Fukasawa Masaki (Keishichou Zero-gakari, Nobunaga no Chef, Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Series), Okazaki Yukiko (Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Series 8 – 10), Manabe Chiaki (Deiri Kinshi no Onna, Answer, Honboshi), Takigawa Akiyo (Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Series 8 – 10), Tokunaga Tomihiko (Higanbana, Keiji 7-nin, Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Series), Hasebe Bakushino (Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Series 9 – 10), Hosho Kazuyuki, Okawa Shundo (Hanchou Season 3 – 6)
Genre: Detective
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 arrest of criminals and grapple with difficult cases.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/9gakari_11
Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 13 April 2016
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Shigeki (Kyou wa Kaisha Yasumimasu, Summer Nude, Voice)
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Haru, Koike Eiko, Kotaki Nozomu, Shimizu Fumika, Wakabayashi Makoto, Fudauchi Kota, Nishihori Ryo, Sugimoto Tetta, Maruyama Tomomi, Miyake Hiroki, Kitamura Kazuki
Synopsis: 34-year-old Samejima Reiji (Ohno Satoshi) is the successor of a traditional Japanese inn and a company president who has expanded the business into the hotel industry. Although he is wealthy and able to make guests satisfied, females who get close to him quickly leave once they know about his arrogant and childish character. Then one day, his first love (Haru) arrives. She is a mysterious female who cannot read situations and he does not know what she is thinking. Even so, Reiji wants to be loved by the person he likes and pursues her with romantic tactics which are too lowly. He used to think that he is always right. But now his sense of worth starts to get shaken.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/sekamuzu
Preview: Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi CM
Busujima Yuriko no Sekirara Nikki
Date: From 12.10 a.m., Thursdays, 21 April 2016
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Yajima Koichi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Maeda Atsuko, Arai Hirofumi, Watanabe Daichi, Nakamura Shizuka, Yagi Masayasu, Maeda Goki, Moromizato Daisuke, Kondo Yoko, Tomokawa Kazuki, Yamazaki Ginnojo, Takagi Wataru, Hashizume Jun, Kondo Yoshimasa, Kataoka Tsurutaro
Synopsis: Busujima Yuriko (Maeda Atsuko) works hard as a reporter assigned to cover an important political figure, Kuroda Densuke (Kataoka Tsurutaro). But in her private life, she revels in wild romances. Unable to trust men because she was let down by her father when she was a child, Yuriko has created extreme rules when she has a romance with anyone. That is, to have two boyfriends. Even if she is cheated by either of them, the other will love her. To Yuriko, love and betrayal are inextricably linked. And she will not have an affair. Then one day, Yuriko meets an ace political reporter Ozu Shota (Arai Hirofumi) from a rival newspaper. The married Ozu falls in love with her. Yuriko is convinced that he is the man of her destiny and loses her head. But even though Ozu accepts her, his behaviour remains baffling.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/busujima
Preview: Busujima Yuriko no Sekirara Nikki Introduction
Nezumi, Edo o Hashiru Season 2
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 14 April 2016
Station: NHK
Scriptwriters: Omori Sumio (64, 55-sai no Hello Life, Akumu-chan Series), Kawasaki Izumi (55-sai no Hello Life, Higashino Keigo Mysteries), Sato Tomoharu (Rinshou Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri, Last Cop, Jigoku Sensei Nube), Seko Masashi
Original Work: Nezumi, Edo o Hashiru by Akagawa Jiro
Genre: Period
Cast: Takizawa Hideaki, Aoyama Misato, Kyomoto Taiga, Hamada Mari, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Katase Nana, Takashima Masahiro
Synopsis: It is the Bunka-Bunsei period. While culture of the townspeople matures and flourishes, administration by the close advisers of the 11th Tokugawa shogun Ienari is rampant and characterised by a debasement of public morals in Edo. Discontent with the samurai families and local businessmen grows because the lives of the ordinary people who live in the town are getting harder and harder. All of a sudden, a whistle sounds in the dead of the night. The chivalrous thief known as Nezumi Kozo easily escapes along the roofs with a box of 1,000 ryo and scatters the money over a shabby tenement house that is asleep. The true identity of this thief is that of the playboy called Jirokichi (Takizawa Hideaki). Although he is nothing more than a mere thief, he is obsessed about justice and would poke his nose in cases where he will not even get a penny. This is because he loves seeing the happiness of the people living in Edo.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/nezumi2
Preview: Nezumi, Edo o Hashiru Season 2 CM
Related: Nezumi, Edo o Hashiru Season 1
Keishichou Sousa Ikkachou
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 14 April 2016
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Ishihara Buryu (Keiji 110 kg Series, Hancho Seasons 1 – 3)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Naito Takashi, Saito Yuki, Kaneda Akio, Suzuki Hiroki, Honda Hirotaro, Tokoshima Yoshiko
Synopsis: The First Investigative Division is the star unit of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Oiwa Junichi (Naito Takashi), the head of the division, leads around 400 elite detectives. He has an extremely heavy responsibility – attends initial investigations at the scenes of all brutal crimes that occur within the metropolis, decides on the course of action of the investigations at the same time as he directs many investigation task forces and get into investigations himself at the critical phase. However, Oiwa is definitely not a superman. Amid his suffering, Oiwa overcomes this grave responsibility and is quite simply a”life-size hero” and “ideal boss” to his subordinates.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ikkacho
Preview: Keishichou Sousa Ikkacho CM
Good Partner ~ Mutekina Bengoshi
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 21 April 2016
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors Saikyo no Meii Series, Hero Series, Galileo Series)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Takenouchi Yutaka, Matsuyuki Yasuko, Kaku Kento, Matsukaze Risa, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Sugimoto Tetta, Baba Azusa, Okamoto Azusa, Miyaji Masako, Miyazaki Karen, Okura Koji, Kunimura Jun, Goda Masashi, Uechi Haruna
Synopsis: Sakisaka Kento (Takenouchi Yutaka) is a lawyer with an outstanding career. He seems cool and handsome, but he is a zealous person who will confront things that are unreasonable and wrong head-on. There are times when he values the words of a single person and not a lawyer. Sakisaki is regarded as the ace of the law firm, but his only weak point is a lawyer at the same firm who also happens to be his ex-wife Natsume Yoshie (Matsuyuki Yasuko). He has been raising their daughter Mizuki (Matsukaze Risa) as a single father since their divorce. A stylish lawyer who holds her head high, Yoshie is down-to-earth and a perfectionist. These two rival lawyers often have well-reasoned legal arguments regarding the cases of their clients. However, when they wander off topic, they will call each other “papa” and “mama” the moment they lose their cool and start quarreling like a couple.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/goodpartner
Preview: Good Partner CM
Hayako-sensei, Kekkon Surutte Hontou desu ka?
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 21 April 2016
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Mizuhashi Fumie (Sharehouse no Koibito, Hotaru no Hikari Series)
Original Work: Hayako-sensei Series by Tatsuki Hayako
Genre: Slice of life
Cast: Matsushita Nao, Kanjiya Shihori, Sato Hitomi, Tanaka Kei, Maihane Mimi, Mamiya Shotaro, Kawaei Rina, Koshiba Fuka, Yamauchi Takaya, Tanokura Yuta, Bito Isao, Matsuzaka Keiko
Synopsis: 34-year-old Tatsuki Hayako (Matsushita Nao) is a single elementary school teacher who is not concerned about marriage even though she wants to marry the person she loves some day. That is until her father Tatsushi (Bito Isao) collapses and is hospitalised one day. Although his life is not in danger, Hayako suggests that her parents close their tofu shop. But the next morning, she sees her mother Naoko (Matsuzaka Keiko) fumbling with the preparation of the tofu alone in the shop. Seeing the commitment and strong bonds of her parents, who have been together for a long time, with her own eyes, Hayako finally starts to consider marriage seriously. She forms a “matchmaking alliance” with fellow female teachers Kugayama Mika (Kanjiya Shihori) and Narimasu Umeko (Sato Hitomi). A senior single male teacher Sendagi Rentaro (Yashima Norito) also joins them. Although they cannot get accustomed to things such as matching making parties, premonition of romance with someone younger, they take the first step towards marriage … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/hayako
Doctor Car
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 7 April 2016
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Fukasawa Masaki (Keishichou Zero-gakari, ST Aka to Shiro no Sousa File, Nobunaga Chef Series)
Genre: Medical
Cast: Goriki Ayame, Nakamura Shunsuke, Fueki Yuko, Kinoshita Houka, Naito Risa, Kubota Maki, Endo Yuya, Ito Takaaki, Yokoyama Ayumu, Azuma Chizuru, Katase Rino
Synopsis: Unlike an ambulance, a doctor car is an emergency vehicle that doctors ride to scenes where patients are in critical condition in order to diagnose and administer emergency medical treatment quickly. This actually raises the survival rate significantly. Tendo Ichika (Goriki Ayame) is an unmarried mother of a 5-year-old child and a new doctor of a general hospital’s doctor car medical team. Asagi Yusuke (Nakamura Shunsuke), who is the only son of the hospital’s director, thinks the doctor car is expensive junk and plots to get it scrapped. He is also unusually hostile to Ichika and the other members of the hospital follow him in picking on her endlessly.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/doctorcar
Hibana
Date: From 3 June 2016
Station: Netflix Japan
Scriptwriters: Kato Masato (Fushigina Misaki no Monogatari, Sougen no Isu, Kokou no Mesu), Takahashi Miyuki (Monster, Ai to Makoto)
Original Work: Hibana by Matayoshi Naoki
Genre: Semi-autobiographical
Cast: Hayashi Kento, Namioka Kazuki, Kadowaki Mugi, Yoshii Masao, Murata Hideaki, Nahana, Yamamoto Sayaka, Sometani Shota, Taguchi Tomorow, Kobayashi Kaoru, Watanabe Tetsu, Nukumizu Yoichi, Takahashi Maryjun, Imada Koji, Yamamoto Hiroshi, Miyazaki Tomu, Tokunaga Eri, Tokui Yu, Shimada Kyusaku, Imai Hana, Shimabukuro Seina, Fukuda Tenkyu, Oshinari Shugo, Murasugi Seminosuke, Takeda Rina
Synopsis: Struggling entertainer Tokunaga (Hayashi Kento) has an electrifying encounter with a senior entertainer Kamiya (Namioka Kazuki), at a fireworks festival in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, and asks to be his disciple. Kamiya is a genius with a human touch. He agrees on condition that Tokunaga writes his biography. Opening his heart to Tokunaga, Kamiya meets him frequently and tries to impart his own unique stand-up comedy philosophy. However, the path that the two of them will take is decidedly different. This is the story of the friendship and struggles between two performers trying to make it in the competitive world of show business.
Website: hibana-netflix.jp
Doctor Chousahan ~ Iryou Jiko no Yami o Abake
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 22 April 2016
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Hayashi Makoto (Doctor X Seasons 2 – 3, Strawberry Night, Meitantei Conan Kudo Shinichi e no Chosenjo)
Genre: Medical mystery
Cast: Tanihara Shosuke, Nakagoshi Noriko, Oshinari Shugo, Fujii Mina, Kino Hana, Hirasawa Kokoro, Tayama Ryosei, Takahata Atsuko, Fukushi Seiji (guest star), Nishimura Masahiko (guest star)
Synopsis: It is estimated that between 1,300 to 2,000 people die because of medical accidents in Japan every year. The Medical Accident Investigation Committee (MAIC) exposes the darkness lurking behind these accidents. Its members – doctors and lawyers – conduct undercover investigations at suspicious hospitals and medical care facilities. Hanaoka Akira (Tanihara Shosuke), a gastroenterologist, is the leader of the MAIC’s Seventh Unit. When he has doubts about a place he has infiltrated, he will tenaciously investigate until he gets proof and zeroes in on the truth.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/doctor_chosahan
Preview: Doctor Chousahan CM
Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae (2016)*NEW*
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 13 May 2016
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Furuta Motomu ( Kamiya Genjiro Series, Kumokiri Nizaemon Season 2), Tamura Megumi
Original Work: Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae by Fujisawa Shuhei
Genre: Period
Cast: Mizobata Junpei, Taira Yuna, Ishiguro Ken, Takahata Yuta, Makita Sports, Namioka Kazuki, Washio Machiko, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Furuya Ikkou
Synopsis: 20-year-old Tachibana Noboru (Mizobata Junpei) lives for tomorrow. He leaves Akita and turns to an uncle Genan, who is a town doctor in Edo. Tachibana gets a job as a doctor of Kodenma Prison at Genan’s recommendation. The impressionable Tachibana sees the suffering of people who live at the bottom of society as he gets involved in all sorts of incidents inside the prison and solves them with brilliant deductions and jujitsu skills.
Website: –
Watashi Kekkon Dekinai Janakute, Shinain desu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 15 April 2016
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Zainin no Uso, Tightrope no Onna, Haken no Oscar)
Original Work: Sparta Konkatsu Juku by Mizuno Keiya
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Nakatani Miki, Fujiki Naohito, Hasegawa Kyoko, Seto Koji, Omasa Aya, Hiraiwa Kami, Chisun, Matsui Jurina, Kentaro, Hirata Kaoru, Midori Yurie, Morita Kanro, Matsui Airi, Azuma Rion, Ranju Tomu, Tokui Yoshimi, Natsuki Mari, Marcia, Suzuki Kosuke (guest star), Inoue Yoshio (guest star)
Synopsis: 39-year-old Tachibana Miyabi (Nakatani Miki) is a aesthetic dermatologist who dismissively declares, “I can get married anytime I want to”. She enjoys a fulfilling single life and has a condescending attitude. One day, she encounters the caustic owner Tokura Seiji (Fujiki Naohito) of a Japanese restaurant that she visits with her friends. He points out the reality that she is “romance-impaired (unpopular female)” with a triple handicap of beauty, career and age. At first, Tokura’s unexpected insolence enrages Miyabi and she leaves his restaurant. But when she faces up to reality, she has to confront being denigrated as “romance-impaired” in the romance and marriage market, and she is forced to listen carefully to the grudging advice of Tokura … …
Website: www.tbs.jp/watashi_kekkon
Preview: Watashi Kekkon Dekinai Janakute, Shinain desu CM
Contrail ~ Tsumi to Koi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 15 April 2016
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Second Love, Kazokugari, Glass no Ie)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Ishida Yuriko, Iura Arata, Harada Taizo, Sakuraba Nanami, Horiuchi Keiko, Maruyama Tomomi, Matsuura Rihito, Nakanishi Ryota, Murata Takehiro, Nogiwa Yoko
Synopsis: Aoki Aya (Ishida Yuriko) is a lonely woman who lost her husband Atsushi (Maruyama Tomomi) in a random murder six years ago. The son she was expecting at the time of incident is now 5 years old (Matsuura Rihito). One day, she meets truck driver Osabe Ryoji (Iura Arata) at the drive-in where she works and falls in love with him. However, Ryoji, who abandoned everything including his job as a lawyer, was the perpetrator of her husband’s murder six years ago … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama10/contrail
Fukigenna Kajitsu (2016)
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 29 April 2016
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Egashira Michiru (Enka ~ Gold Rush, Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai, Otto no Kanojo), Koyama Shota (5-ji Kara 9-ji Made, Ishitachi no Renai Jijou, Subete ga F ni Naru)
Original Work: Fukigenna Kajitsu by Hayashi Mariko
Genre: Romance
Cast: Kuriyama Chiaki, Ichihara Hayato, Manda Hisako, Takanashi Rin, Narimiya Hiroki, Hashimoto Manami, Rokkaku Seiji, Mitsuishi Ken, Inagaki Goro
Synopsis: 32-year-old housewife Mizukoshi Mayako (Kuriyama Chiaki) has been married for five years. Disgruntled that her husband Koichi (Inagaki Goro) does not see her as a woman, she seeks men to occupy her boring routine and stone-cold heart. But one day, an encounter suddenly changes her dreary life. Music critic Kudo Michihiko (Ichihara Hayato) shows up in front of her. He knows that she is another man’s wife, but he pursues her intently. Mayako’s heart is stolen by Michihiko. She indulges in a forbidden love, seeking happiness and acting on instinct. What awaits her!?
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/fukigen
I’m A Hero ~ Hajimari no Hi
Date: From 9 April 2016 (followed by movie)
Station: dTV
Scriptwriter: –
Original Work: I’m A Hero by Hanazawa Kengo
Genre: Horror suspense
Cast: Nagasawa Masami, Kirishima Reika, Asaka Kodai, Yamazaki Hirona, Shiomi Daiki
Synopsis: People infected with a mysterious virus turn into zombies called ZQN. ZQN attacks people with superhuman strength and their victims also become ZQN. This story on the night before anyone has noticed signs of the virus and the world descends into pandemonium, focuses on Oda Tsugumi’s (Nagasawa Masami) days as a nurse and starts to close in on the true nature of the hidden mystery (ZQN).
Website: pc.video.dmkt-sp.jp/ft/s0005015
Preview: I’m A Hero ~ Hajimari no Hi CM
Night Hero Naoto
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 16 April 2016
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Mori Hayashi (Mane no Tenshi, Nocon Kid, Shomuni 2013), Nemoto Nonji (5-ji Kara 9-ji Made, Juui-san Jiken desu yo, Yowakutemo Katemasu), Hori Masato (Taikomochi no Tatsujin), Iketani Masao
Genre: Action
Cast: Naoto, Kuroshima Yuina, Kinoshita Houka, Yo Kimiko, Nonaka Takamitsu, Shouji Yusuke
Synopsis: Naoto (Naoto), a performer, reluctantly becomes a masked hero as a result of an incident. He makes every effort to get rid of villains in order to save the socially vulnerable who are helpless against criminals.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/night_hero
Preview: Night Hero Naoto CM
Sono “Okodawari”, Watashi ni mo Kure yo!!
Date: From 12.52 a.m., Saturdays, 9 April 2016
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Takemura Takeshi (Yamada Takayuki no Tokyo-to Kita-ku Akabane)
Original Work: Sono “Okodawari”, Ore ni mo Kure yo!! by Seino Toru
Genre: Mock documentary
Cast: Matsuoka Mayu, Ito Sairi, Saito Takumi (guest star), Okura Shimon (guest star), Yashima Norito (guest star), Inui Akito (guest star), Ohashi Hiroyuki (guest star), Sakon Yoichiro (guest star), Furusawa Takeshi (guest star), Seino Toru (guest star)
Synopsis: As emcees of a fictitious variety programme, Matsuoka Mayu (Matsuoka Mayu) and Ito Sairi (Ito Sairi) interview people with fixations in everyday life to find out what is difficult for others to understand, but makes the person happy.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/okodawari
Ichiro
Date: Saturdays, May 2016
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Mutsuki (Challenged Series, Genya, Reset)
Original Work: Ichiro by Asada Jiro
Genre: Period
Cast: Nagayama Kento, Watanabe Dai, Mimura, Fujimoto Takahiro, Kajihara Zen, Matsuura Miyabi, Oshinari Shugo, Yajima Kenichi, Kamijo Tsunehiko, Ishiguro Ken, Sano Shiro
Synopsis: 19-year-old Onodera Ichiro (Nagayama Kento), who was born and raised in an Edo residence, is hastily summoned to return to his hometown after his father, the chief attendant of feudal lord processions, is killed in an accidental fire at home. Ichiro’s family is the Makisakas of West Mino. Although the Makisakas are vassals of the shogun with 7,500 koku, they are a distinguished family that has the status of a feudal lord. The role of the chief attendant is to manage the entire journey from the preparation of the procession of the feudal lord to his alternate residence. Fire caused by negligence is actually a grave offense that would result in confiscation of their stipend, but Ichiro is ordered to be the chief attendant because of the impending departure of the procession. However, he has never taken over the role from his father. If he should fail, there is a possibility that this could be the end of the family line. Assailed from all sides and with no one he can turn to, Ichiro decides to rely on the ancestral records of the processions, which his father had risked his life to protect, and heads for Edo. This is a battle to him. But in fact, the procession this time has been set up to bring down the feudal lord in an attempt to usurp the family.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/ichiro
Totto Terebi
Date: From 8.15 p.m., Saturdays, 30 April 2016
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Nakazono Miho (Dr Rintaro, Doctor X Series, Hatsu Koi)
Original Work: Totto Terebi by Kuroyanagi Tetsuko
Genre: Family
Cast: Mitsushima Hikari, Nakamura Shido, Mimura, Hamada Gaku, Yasuda Narumi, Omori Nao, Takeda Tetsuya, Yoshida Eisaku, Kishomoto Kayoko, Yoshida Kotaro, Kuroyanagi Tetsuko
Synopsis: Kuroyanagi Tetsuko (Mitsushima Hikari) became NHK’s first television actress in 1953 (Showa 28), which was the start of television broadcasting. She has brought laughter and tears to TV viewers and many people have supported her since the beginning of the television age when dramas were live until today.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/tottotv
Omukae desu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 23 April 2016
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Ozaki Masaya (Otona Joshi, Last Doctor, Black President)
Original Work: Omukae desu by Tanaka Meka
Genre: Supernatural comedy
Cast: Fukushi Sota, Tsuchiya Tao, Kadowagi Mugi, Suzuki Ryohei, Hamada Kokone, Nomaguchi Toru, Morinaga Yuki, Otomo Karen, Negishi Takuya, Hirukawa Yu, Matsukawa Akari, Kobayashi Rio, Ishino Mako, Osugi Ren, Ito Shiro (guest star), Kanno Miho (guest star), Yashiba Toshihiro (guest star)
Synopsis: Terse, science-oriented Tsutsumi Madoka (Fukushi Sota) and expressive, sports-oriented Aguma Sachi (Tsuchiya Tao) attend the same university. They get along like oil and water because they cannot understand each other’s train of thoughts. However, Madoka and Sachi share a strange part-time job which is to channel ghosts to heaven for the pink rabbit Nabeshima (Suzuki Ryohei), the grim reaper. Although they provoke each other, they make up for what the other lacks and start to learn something about living.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/omukaedesu
Preview: Omukae desu Teaaser
Gugu datte Neko de Aru Season 2
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 June 2016
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Takada Ryo (Gugu datte Neko de Aru)
Original Work: Gugu datte Neko de Aru by Oshima Yumiko
Genre: Slice of life
Cast: Miyazawa Rie, Nagatsuka Keishi, Kuroki Haru, Maeda Atsuko, Nishida Naomi, Issey Ogata, Tanaka Min
Synopsis: Popular manga writer Kojima Asako (Miyazawa Rie) lives with her two cats at a home office that commands a view of Kichijoji’s Inokashira Park in Tokyo. Her assistant Manami (Kuroki Haru) has begun thinking of striking out on her own as a manga writer and a fellow assistant Iida Chisato (Maeda Atsuko) applies to be Manami’s replacement. Meanwhile, the editor Omori (Nagatsuka Keishi) gets married, but he cannot bring himself to tell Asako. Then Asako hears rumours that the missing homeless man (Tanaka Min), who left Gugu in her care, was seen at Mt Fuji … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/gou-gou
Related: Gugu datte Neko de Aru Season 1
Hi no Ko
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 2 April 2016
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Kosaka Takafumi (Mutsu, Tenshi to Akuma, Kageri Yuku Natsu), Takahashi Yuya (Rugged Series, Tenshi to Akuma, Kindaichi Shonen Jikenbo neo)
Original Work: Hi no Kon by Shizukui Shusuke
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Santamaria Yusuke, Yuka, Kinami Haruka, Okura Koji, Sato Ryuta, Shono Rin, Sakoda Takaya, Asaka Mayumi, Ibu Masato
Synopsis: Takeuchi Shingo (Santamaria Yusuke), a serial murder suspect whom retired judge Kajima Isao (Ibu Masato) acquitted two years ago, moves in next door to the home where Kajima and his family live. Takeuchi grew up starving for the affection of his parents and does everything he can for the people he likes. He has a charming smile, tasteful gifts and cares for the elderly. However, he gets violent if people start to avoid him. He wins the hearts of the Kajimas with effusive goodwill, but a series of inexplicable incidents start to occur in the area near their house. Yukimi (Yuka), the wife of Isao’s son Toshiro (Okura Koji), realises Takeuchi’s true nature and tries to expose him even though she is isolated from the family.
Website: tokai-tv.com/hinoko
Preview: Hi no Ko CM
Hiru no Sentozake
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Sundays, 10 April 2016
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Taguchi Yoshihiro (Kodoku Gurume Series, Hondana Shokudo Series, Shoku no Gunshi)
Original Work: Hiru no Sentozake by Kusumi Masayuki
Genre: Lifestyle
Cast: Totsugi Shigeyuki, Yagi Akiko, Emoto Tokio, Hirota Aika, Kaneko Daichi
Synopsis: Ad salesman Utsumi Takayuki (Totsugi Shigeyuki) always delivers the worst performance because he is poor at talking and dealing with things as well as a pushover. His only pleasure is skipping work, going to the public bath in the day on a weekday and gulping beer after that. He cannot resist the temptation when he sees a public bath during working hours despite his sense of guilt.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/sentozake
Preview: Hiru no Sentozake CM
99.9 ~ Keiji Senmon Bengoshi
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 17 April 2016
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Uda Manabu (Borderline, Tokyo Airport, Lucky Seven)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Kagawa Teruyuki, Eikura Nana, Aoki Munetaka, Katagiri Jin, Magy, Watanabe Makiko, Baba Toru, Emi Kurara, Ikeda Takafumi, Kishii Yukino, Fujimoto Takahiro, Okuda Eiji, Kishibe Ittoku
Synopsis: The conviction rate for criminal cases in Japan is 99.9%. However, this hides a big danger. Once indicted, there is a tendency to accept the prosecution’s story at face value. There are also extremely few lawyers that specialise in criminal cases. Therefore, a thorough verification is very difficult. Miyama Hiroto (Matsumoto Jun) is a young, unconventional lawyer who constantly accepts criminal cases which are not lucrative. He fixates on the remaining 0.1% and pursues the truth until he is satisfied. One day, Miyama is headhunted by Madarame Haruhiko (Kishibe Ittoku) who heads one of Japan’s four largest legal firms for his track record of pulling off exonerations many times over. He is transferred to the criminal cases team which has been set up in the name of corporate social responsibility, but the person who is supposed to be his buddy is Sada Atsuhiro (Kagawa Teruyuki), an ace in civil cases. Sada serves as legal counsel to a big company and makes big money for the law firm. However, he is tasked with leading the team and has to suffer the indignity of taking charge of unprofitable criminal cases.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/999tbs
Preview: 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi Teaser
Our House
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 17 April 2016
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Nojima Shinji (Onii-chan Gacha, Platonic, Gold)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ashida Mana, Charlotte Kate Fox, Yamamoto Koji, Kato Seishiro, Terada Kokoro, Matsuda Serika, Watanabe Mai, Tsukamoto Takashi, Matsushita Yuki, Hashizume Isao
Synopsis: Six months ago, the mother (Watanabe Mai) of 12-year-old Ban Sakurako (Ashida Mana), died of illness. Sakurako, the second of four siblings (Kato Seishiro, Terada Kokoro, Matsuda Serika) and the eldest daughter, takes on all the housework and manages the family with extremely stern behaviour that insidiously strikes terror in the hearts of her siblings. While the children are still feeling raw from the loss of their mother, their father Sota (Yamamoto Koji), who works in the US, marries American Alice Shepherd (Charlotte Kate Fox) and brings her back to Japan. Sakurako is indignant that he would marry a foreigner he has never even dated and opposes the remarriage. She uses all sorts of tricks in her attempt to drive her new mother out.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/ourhouse
Preview: Our House CM
Terra Formars ~ Aratanaru Kibou
Date: From 24 April 2016 (followed by movie)
Station: dTV
Scriptwriter: –
Original Work: Terra Formars by Sagusa Yu
Genre: Space
Cast: Ito Hideaki, Takei Emi, Shinoda Mariko, Kikuchi Rinko, Kato Masaya, Hayashi Kento, Sugaya Tetsuya, Fujii Takemi, Takaoka Saki
Synopsis: It is the year 2599. Only 15 people can contend for a mission to eradicate a living organism on Mars to complete the Mars colonisation plan. If the mission is a success, they can have what they want. Family, freedom, money, power … … To achieve their own desires and ulterior motives, the assembled candidates betray and cheat each other during the aptitude test to determine the crew members of the spaceship BUGS 2 in a fierce battle for survival.
Website: pc.video.dmkt-sp.jp/ft/s0004377
Kakkou no Tamago wa Dare no Mono
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 27 March 2016
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Tanabe Mitsuru (Akagi, Henshin, dinner)
Original Work: Kakkou no Tamago wa Dare no Mono by Higashino Keigo
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Tsuchiya Tao, Hongo Kanata, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Ihara Tsuyoshi, Mano Erina, Takasugi Mahiro, Morinaga Yuki, Yano Masato, Toda Masahiro, Yamashita Yorie, Otsuru Gitan, Maeda Aki, Yajima Kenichi, Asano Kazuyuki
Synopsis: Hida Kazami (Tsuchiya Tao) aspires to be a top skier just like her father Hiromasa (Ihara Tsuyoshi). One day, it is discovered that she has a gene that only top athletes have. Wanting to unlock this mystery, a gene researcher Yuzuki Yosuke (Totsugi Shigeyuki) approaches Hiromasa to carry out research. But Hiromasa stubbornly refuses because he is burdened with the horrible past associated with his daughter’s birth. 10 years ago, a newborn was kidnapped and his wife died. Who are the parents of this daughter? Distressing facts are revealed one after another, and then an inexplicable event … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/kakkou
Preview: Kakkou no Tamago wa Dare no Mono CM
Kiseki no Hito
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 24 April 2016
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Okada Yoshikazu (Dokonjo Gaeru, Boku no Tsuma to Kekkon Shite Kudasai, Kokoro ga Pokitto ne)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Mineta Kazunobu, Aso Kumiko, Sumida Moeno, Asaka Kodai, Nakamura Yurika, Katsuji Ryo, Yamauchi Takaya, Mitsuishi Ken, Shiraishi Kayoko, Miyamoto Nobuko
Synopsis: Kamemochi (Mineta Kazunobu) is a useless guy with no accomplishments who lives somehow or other each day. Tsurusato Hana (Aso Kumiko) is a tough woman fighting against a harsh life. One day, he falls in love with her. Hana has a daughter Umi (Sumida Moeno) who is both deaf and blind and she experiences all sorts of difficulties in daily life. Kamemochi decides that what he needs to right now is to help mother and daughter. Making up his mind to become Umi’s teacher and teach her about the world, Kamemochi begins his first impulsive attempt in life and his single-minded thoughts create an incredible miracle.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pd/kiseki
Shizumanu Taiyo
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 8 May 2016
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Gunshi Kanbei, Lady Joker, Marks no Yama)
Original Work: Shizumanu Taiyo by Yamasaki Toyoko
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Natsukawa Yui, Dan Rei, Itao Itsuji, Koizumi Kotaro, Kusakari Tamiyo, Wakamura Mayumi, Furuya Ikko, Kunimura Jun, Watabe Atsuro, Komoto Masahiro, Watanabe Dai, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Horibe Keisuke, Hashimoto Satoshi, Aijima Kazuyuki, Moro Morooka, Iwasaki Hiromi, Sakurada Hiyori, Tajima Reiko, Tokushige Satoshi, Nagashima Toshiyuki, Tsurumi Shingo, Hasegawa Kyoko, Mimura, Harada Taizo, Aso Yumi
Synopsis: Onchi Hajime (Kamikawa Takaya) is the labour union leader of a national airline. He and his deputy Gyoten Shiro (Watabe Atsuro) seek to improve the poor working conditions which can cause fatal accidents, and have intense confrontations with the airline’s top management. However, Onchi is relegated to a remote place overseas while the pragmatic Gyoten ingratiates himself with the people at the top and moves up. Not long after that, a large passenger aircraft of the national airline crashes in an unprecedented tragedy. Returning to Japan, Onchi is put in charge of the bereaved families and engages them sincerely. Meanwhile, the Japanese government demands that Kunimi Masayuki of a cotton spinning business, become the airline’s new chairman in order to rebuild the company. Onchi is given the role to conduct an inquiry into the improprieties rampant in the organisation by Kunimi, but discovers that Gyoten, who has climbed to the position of managing director, stands in his way.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/shizumanu
Yutori desuga Nani ka
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 17 April 2016
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kudo Kankuro (Gomenne Seishun!, Ama-chan, 11-nin mo Iru!)
Genre: Social
Cast: Okada Masaki, Matsuzaka Tori, Yagira Yuya, Ando Sakura, Taiga, Shimazaki Haruka, Tezuka Toru, Yoshida Kotaro, Aoki Sayaka, Takahashi You, Nakada Yoshiko, Yamoto Yuma, Shoji Yusuke, Yoshioka Riho, Kato Ryo, Komatsu Kazushige, Kikuchi Misato
Synopsis: Three guys born in 1987 are identified as the “first relaxed generation” – unambitious, uncompetitive and uncooperative. They are the product of school reforms undertaken in 2002 that include shorter five-day weeks, relaxed grading and less emphasis on rote learning. Sakama Masakazu (Okada Masaki) is an ordinary salaryman who has worked for a food products manufacturer for seven years. This spring, he is seconded to an affiliated chain of pubs. Yamaji Kazutoyo (Matsuzaka Tori) is a teacher of fourth graders at an elementary school in Tokyo’s Suginami district. He finds himself caught between the demands of the school and the complaints of parents. Michigami Malibu (Yagira Yuya) was called a prodigy when he was a child and topped his junior high school class but failed to qualify for university. He has not held a fixed job since then and has been moving from one night entertainment district to another as a tout. He lives with his older wife and their newborn child in a small six-tatami space as he guns for his eleventh attempt at university. This is the story of their ambivalence and struggles with work, family, love and friendships.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/yutori
Preview: Yutori desuga Nani ka CM
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