Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 23 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Yamamura Yukiko (Kekkonshiki no Zenjitsu ni, Aru Hi Ahiru Bus), Kuramitsu Yasuko (Love Song)
Original Work: Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu by Miyazono Izumi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Nishiuchi Mariya, Yamamura Ryuta, Sawamura Ikki, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Nakamura Anne, Sugimoto Tetta, Yamaga Kotoko, Kagimoto Akira, Kato Ryo, Kishii Yukino, Morita Kanro, Furutachi Kanji, Hayama Shono, Ishino Mako
Synopsis: Takanashi Asuka (Nishiuchi Mariya) is an office lady working for a big bank. She has a number of financial qualifications and is the most dedicated worker. Despite the trend to marry later today, Asuka’s dream is to get married and become a housewife. However, her boyfriend of five years proposed, then suddenly dumped her. So a depressed Asuka has to start looking for a marriage partner even though she does not have the time. She meets a handsome, popular TV announcer Nanami Ryu (Yamamura Ryuta) who is one of those rapidly increasing numbers of men who loathe marriage. He would be the ideal man for Asuka if he were not dead set against settling down. Although they eventually end up dating, they have a rocky path ahead of them … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/ashita_kekkonshimasu
Preview: Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu Teaser
Kimi wa Petto (2017)
Date: From 7 February 2017 (updated on Tuesdays)
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Koga Fumie (Ghostwriter), Arai Yuka (Watashi no Uchi ni wa Nanimo Nai, Tokyo Sentimental, Konkatsu Deka)
Original Work: Kimi wa Petto by Ogawa Yayoi
Genre: Romantic comedy
Cast: Iriyama Noriko, Shison Jun, Takezai Terunosuke, Yanagi Yurina, Noro Kayo, Shida Yumi, Okabe Takashi, Yoshida Oolongta, Masaki Reiya, Kinoshita Misaki, Okamura Izumi, Ikushima Sho, Tochihara Rakuto
Synopsis: Beautiful, highly educated career woman Iwaya Sumire (Iriyama Noriko) finds Goda Takeshi (Shison Jun), a handsome young man lying in a cardboard box outside her apartment. She jokingly suggests that she takes him as her pet and gives him the same name as her former pet dog, Momo. This is how they start living together.
Website: www.cinemart.co.jp/kimipe
Preview: Kimi wa Petto (2017) Teaser
Uso no Sensou
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 10 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Goto Noriko (Kazoku no Katachi, Team Batista Series, Zeni no Sensou)
Genre: Revenge
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Fujiki Naohito, Mizuhara Kiko, Kikuchi Fuma, Kyo Nobuo, Magy, Nomura Masumi, Osugi Ren, Yamamoto Mizuki, Yasuda Ken, Ichimura Masachika
Synopsis: 30 years ago, Ichinose Koichi’s (Kusanagi Tsuyoshi) family was killed in a murder plot when he was young. Since the moment he saw the criminal, he plotted a clever scheme and became a gifted swindler. Despite his genius, he is indifferent to money and has no ambition. Koichi tries to take revenge on the criminal and as he closes in on the truth of what happened on the night of the murder, the people involved emerge. He exposes their scandals and crimes with the methods of a swindler and starts to obliterate them socially.
Website: www.ktv.jp/uso
Preview: Uso no Sensou CM
Related: Zeni no Sensou
Quartet (2017)
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 17 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Sakamoto Yuji (Woman, Saikou no Rikon, Mother)
Genre: Love and suspense
Cast: Matsu Takako, Mitsushima Hikari, Takahashi Issei, Matsuda Ryuhei, Yoshioka Riho, Tomizawa Takeshi, Yagi Akiko, Mummy-D, Motai Masako
Synopsis: One day, four people in their 30s happen to meet – Maki Maki (Matsu Takako), a first violinist; Sebuki Suzume (Mitsushima Hikari), a cellist; Iemori Yutaka (Takahashi Issei), a violist; and Beppu Tsukasa (Matsuda Ryuhei), a second violinist. They have not fulfilled their dreams nor reached the peak of their lives but have stopped before a gentle slope. The four of them form a quartet and end up spending one winter in beautiful Karuizawa. However, this “coincidence” hides a big secret.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/quartet2017
Preview: Quartet (2017) Teaser
Bakumatsu Gurume Bushimeshi
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Tuesdays, 10 January 2017
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Sakurai Tsuyoshi (Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu, Genkai Shuraku Kabushikigaisha, Marumo no Okite Series)
Original Work: Kinban Gurume Bushimeshi by Tsuchiyama Shigeru
Genre: Period
Cast: Seto Koji, Tanaka Kei, Sakai Wakana, Miyoshi Ayaka, Kusakari Mayu, Toda Keiko, Tokui Yu, Hirata Mitsuru, Kusakari Masao
Synopsis: During the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate, Sakai Banshiro (Seto Koji), a cowardly samurai lives in Edo, apart from his family as he takes turns on duty because of his feudal lord’s (Kusakari Masao) processions to and from his alternate residence. He yearns for his beloved wife Suzu (Miyoshi Ayaka) while living on his own. Although Banshiro is utterly hopeless in cooking, he solves the problems of the people around him by making food with recipes from her.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pyd/bushimeshi
Nekonin
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Wednesdays, 11 January 2017 (followed by movie)
Station: BS Fuji
Scriptwriter: Kuroki Hisakatsu (Nekozamurai Series, Shukan Maki Yoko)
Genre: Period
Cast: Ohno Takuro, Sato Eriko, Fujimoto Izumi, Shibukawa Kiyoshiko, Suzuki Fuku, Emoto Akira, Maro Akaji, Kusano Ini, Osawa Hikaru, Aoki Tsunenori, Funakoshi Eiichiro
Synopsis: Young ninja Kagerota (Ohno Takuro/Suzuki Fuku) of the Kiryu family was separated from his father when he was 10 and has lived without knowing love. His father is the legendary ninja, Kenzan (Funakoshi Eiichiro). One day, Kagerota goes to Edo on a mission with fellow ninjas. It is a simple mission to steal special goldfishes from the residence of a feudal lord. They successfully get into the place and are about to steal the gold fishes when they sense something by the side. It is a fat cat (Kintoki) with a red nose. There is something about the familiar cat that bears resemblance to his father … …
Website: neko-nin.info
Preview: Nekonin Introduction
Osaka Loop Season 2 ~ Hito Eki Goto no Ai no Monogatari
Date: Late night, Wednesdays, 18 January 2017
Station: Kansai TV
Scriptwriters: Fukutani Keisuke, Hatakeyama Junichi, Yasuda Chihiro, Nakai Minami, Inukai Kyoko, Inagawa Ami, Yasuda Mana, Kobayashi Hirotoshi, Kimura Yasuhiko
Genre: Love
Cast: Jiyoung, Momose Saku, Kimura Midoriko, Namioka Kazuki, Takatsuki Sara, Abe Junko, Yamamoto Hiroyuki, Nakae Yuri, Suzuki Sarina, Nakamura Yuri, Koshiba Fuka, Tabata Tomoko, Inoue Sonoko, Takahashi Ai, Babazono Azusa, Niimi Shohei, Kiyoi Saki, Hyodo Daiki, Maeda Koki, Katono Taiko, Chinzei Suzuka, Tanimura Mitsuki (guest star), Kinoshita Houka
Synopsis: Where there are people, there is a district. Trains connect district to district. The train stops at stations, creating encounters between people at the stations and that is where love is born. This is a 10-part omnibus drama about the great love stories – romance, love of family, friendship, love of home town – linked to individual train stations on the Osaka Loop line.
Website: www.ktv.jp/osakaloop2
Related: Osaka Loop Season 1 ~ Hito Eki Goto no Ai no Monogatari
Hokusai to Meshi Sae Areba
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 25 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Doki Harumi (OL Kana no Ojiisan Kansatsu Nikki, Kazoku no Ura Jijou), Kitagawa Ayako (Onna Kudoki Meshi Series, Prison School, Ofukousan)
Original Work: Hokusai to Meshi Sae Areba by Suzuki Sanami
Genre: Food
Cast: Kamishiraishi Mone, Ikeda Eliza, Maeda Goki
Synopsis: Yamada Fumiko (Kamishiraishi Mone), nicknamed Bun, is a poor university student who lives alone in Kita Senju, Tokyo with her talking soft toy Hokusai. A shy person and a day dreamer, Bun makes the people around her happy with imaginative, delicious food that takes little effort.
Website: –
Sumu Sumu
Date: From 1.29 a.m., Wednesdays, 25 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Bakarhythm (Sutekina Sentaxi)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Nikaido Fumi, Bakarhythm, Wakabayashi Masayasu
Synopsis: Entertainers Bakarhythm and Wakabayashi Masayasu live on the same floor of an apartment building in Tokyo. One day, the two of them discover that Nikaido Fumi lives in this building. She joins their group before they even realise it and the trio become close friends who solve one another’s worries and problems.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/sumusumu
Tokyo Tarareba Musume
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 18 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Series, Hotel Concierge, Gokusen Series)
Original Work: Tokyo Tarareba Musume by Higashimura Akiko
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Eikura Nana, Oshima Yuko, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Hiraoka Yuta, Ishikawa Ren, Kaneda Akio, Tanaka Kei, Suzuki Ryohei
Synopsis: 30-year-old Kamata Rinko (Yoshitaka Yuriko) is single and a struggling scriptwriter. She has no boyfriend and keeps having night outs at drinking spots with her girlfriends Yamakawa Kaori (Eikura Nana) and Torii Koyuki (Oshima Yuko). “If I become beautiful, a better guy will appear!” “If we grow to like each other, we can get married!” They will not stop talking about these hypothetical questions. Then a younger, handsome, golden-haired guy suddenly utters, “These “what if” women!” and the trio have to face the harsh reality that they are no longer girls. Rinko enters her 30s while still immature, seeking happiness and struggling with romance and work.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/tarareba
Rental no Koi
Date: From 12.10 a.m., Thursdays, 19 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Tanabe Shigenori (Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Goriki Ayame, Taiga, Kishii Yukino, Kentaro, Hara Mikie, Nobue Yu, Kaneda Ayana, Kiyohara Sho, Nukumizu Yoichi
Synopsis: Takasugi Remi (Goriki Ayame) is the most popular rental girlfriend of Rental Lovers, a company which provides a girlfriend rental service. Men who date Remi fall in love with her in the blink of an eye. Although she understands the likes of customers and completely becomes the ideal girlfriend in attitude, speech and even character, when her work ends, she never smiles. Moreover, there is a strange bandage around her neck … … Then Remi gets rented by a university student Yamada Kosuke (Taiga) who is madly in love with her.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/renkoi-tbs
Preview: Rental no Koi Teaser
Kuzu no Honkai
Date: From 1.55 a.m., Thursdays, 19 January 2017
Network: Fuji On Demand
Scriptwriters: Hagiwara Ere, Takahashi Motoko (Dakara Kouya, Tsuki no Koibito)
Original Work: Kuzu no Honkai by Yokoyari Mengo
Genre: School romance
Cast: Yoshimoto Miyu, Sakura Dori, Mizuta Koki, Ikegami Sarii, Aizawa Rina
Synopsis: Second-year high school student Yasuraoka Hanabi (Yoshimoto Miyu) and his girlfriend Awaya Mugi (Sakura Dori) look like the ideal, good-looking couple and are envied by everyone. However, they actually share a secret. They are just together to avoid feeling lonely and have made a pact that they cannot tell anyone. Both of them like someone else. Hanabi has liked high school teacher Kanai Narumi (Mizuta Koki) since childhood while Mugi fancies his private tutor Minagawa Akane (Aizawa Rina).
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/kuzunohonkai_drama
Shukatsu Kazoku ~ Kitto, Umaku Iku
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 12 January 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Hashimoto Hiroshi (Risk no Kamisama, Shinigami-kun, Unmei no Hito)
Genre: Family
Cast: Miura Tomokazu, Kuroki Hitomi, Maeda Atsuko, Kudo Asuka, Arai Hirofumi, Yamamoto Mirai, Nakagawa Chika, Kimura Midoriko, Watanabe Dai, Kimura Tae, Yajima Kenichi
Synopsis: Tomikawa Yosuke (Miura Tomokazu) is the head of human resource at major steel company. His wife Mizuki (Kuroki Hitomi) is a Japanese language teacher at a private junior high school while their daughter Shiori (Maeda Atsuko) works for a jewellery maker and their son Hikaru (Kudo Asuka) is job hunting. Something unanticipated causes this seemingly peaceful family to start to fall apart and head in an unexpected direction.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/shukatsukazoku
Preview: Shukatsu Kazoku CM
Kirawareru Yuuki
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 12 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Hope, Specialist, Tantei no Tantei)
Original Work: Kirawareru Yuuki by Kishimi Ichiro and Koga Fumitake
Genre: Detective
Cast: Karina, Kato Shigeaki, Masu Takeshi, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Maruyama Tomomi, Sakurada Dori, Iitoyo Marie, Sagara Itsuki, Okazaki Sae, Judai Satoshi, Masana Bokuzo, Shiina Kippei
Synopsis: Ando Ranko (Karina) is an unpopular detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Eighth Section. A loner who has not assimilated into the organisation, she does not care how she is regarded, will not listen to the opinions of those around her and always acts on her beliefs. She also goes against the policies of her superiors and the task force, but personally does not feel that this is a bad thing. At the young age of 32, Ranko is the ace of Sakuradamon, having been instrumental in solving a series of difficult cases. However, many people in the male-dominated organisation do not think well of her attitude. She is partnered with a junior detective Aoyama Toshio (Kato Shigeaki), who has just been transferred. Unlike Ranko, Aoyama cares very much what other people think and does not want to be disliked. He downright grows to hate Ranko because she often acts on her own and pushes him around without any explanation.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/kira-yu
Masuyama Chounouryokushi Jimusho
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 5 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Sakurai Tsuyoshi (Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!, Genkai Shuraku Kabushikigaisha, Marumo no Okite)
Original Work: Masuyama Chounouryokushi Jimusho by Honda Tetsuya
Genre: Sci-fi
Cast: Tanaka Naoki, Asaka Kodai, Nakamura Yuri, Emoto Tokio, Hirata Atsuko, Oshinari Shugo, Root, Musaka Naomasa, Kaga Takeshi
Synopsis: When people with supernatural powers pass the Japan ESP Association’s certification test, they are called grade one and grade two ESPers while those who fail are called incompetent. The members (Asaka Kodai, Nakamura Yuri, Emoto Tokio, Hirata Atsuko) of Masuyama Supernatural Powers Office in Nippori possess supernatural powers. Led by their chief, Masuyama Keitaro (Tanaka Naoki), they help clients to solve troubles such as extramarital affairs and searching for people. But they are certainly not perfect supermen and women.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/masuyama
Tokyo Joshi Zukan
Date: From 16 December 2016 (updated on Fridays)
Network: Amazon Prime
Scriptwriter: Tanada Yuki (Shukan Maki Yoko)
Original Work: Tokyo Joshi Zukan by Tokyo Calendar
Cast: Mizukawa Asami, Morisaki Win
Synopsis: Aya (Mizukawa Asami) lives in the countryside and is enamoured of Tokyo. She comes to the metropolis from Akita Prefecture and starts to grow up as her circumstances change.
Website: www.amazon.co.jp/Prime-Video
Kumokiri Nizaemon Season 3
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 6 January 2017
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Maekawa Yoichi (Shizumanu Taiyo Series, Gunshi Kanbei, Lady Joker), Okamoto Satoru (Kumokiri Nizaemon Series), Matsushita Ryuichi
Original Work: Kumokiri Nizaemon by Ikenami Shotaro
Genre: Period
Cast: Nakai Kiichi, Kunimura Jun, Uchiyama Rina, Tezuka Toru, Daito Shunsuke, Asakura Aki, Watanabe Tetsu, Kurosawa Asuka, Murata Takehiro, Matsuda Satoshi, Yabe Kyosuke, Itao Itsuji, Kondo Yoshimasa, Shunputei Koasa
Synopsis: During the Kyoho period, a gang of thieves are active in Edo, the Tokaido and Nakasendo, and all across the Kansai region. Targeting only the very wealthy, they steal large sums of money with skillful techniques and never kill or injure people. People call them the Kumokiri gang because they appear with the clouds and disappear like the mist. The leader Kumokiri Nizaemon (Nakai Kiichi) keeps a rein on this gang of highly-skilled and notorious followers Nanabake no Ochiyo (Uchiyama Rina), Kinezumi no Kichigoro (Ibu Masato), Subashiri no Kumagoro (Tezuka Toru), Ingakozo Rokunosuke (Emoto Tasuku) and others while Abe Shikibu (Kunimura Jun), the chief of the public security force, the Hitsuke Tozoku Aratamekata, opposes him. The fierce battle which pits the wits of the two men continues to go on.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/kumokiri3
Related: Kumokiri Nizaemon Season 2
Sanbiki no Ossan Season 3 ~ Seigi no Mikata, Mitabi!
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 20 January 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Egashira Michiru (Fukigenna Kajitsu, Enka, Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai), Suzuki Satoshi, Mori Hayashi (Nigh Hero Naoto, Mane no Tenshi, Isharyou Bengoshi), Fukasawa Masaki (Onnatachi no Tokusou Saizensen, Doctor Car, Nobunaga no Chef Series)
Original Work: Sanbiki no Ossan by Arikawa Hiro
Cast: Kitaoji Kinya, Izumiya Shigeru, Shiga Kotaro, Ohno Takuro, Mine Azusa, Komoto Masahiro, Nishida Naomi, Fujita Yumiko, Nakada Yoshiko
Synopsis: Three old men who used to be brats form a neighbourhood watch group called ‘Sanbiki no Ossan’ to tackle all sorts of bad things that are rampant in the town such as fraud, molest and animal abuse. They are Kiyota Kiyokazu (Kitaoji Kinya), a kendo master who has found another job at a neighbourhood game centre after his retirement; Tachibana Shigeo (Izumiya Shigeru), a judo practitioner and the former owner of a pub called ‘Yoidore Kujira’; and the brainy Arimura Norio (Shiga Kotaro) who runs an instrument factory. With the help of Kiyota’s grandson (Ohno Takuro) and Arimura’s daughter (Mine Azusa), the trio punish fraudsters and thieves.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/3biki.ossan3
Related: Sanbiki no Ossan Season 1 ~ Seigi no Mikata, Kenzan!
Zenigata Keibu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., 10 February 2017
Stations: NTV, Hulu & WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Yamaura Masahiro (Umi ni Furu, Kurofuku Monogatari, Roosevelt Game), Oishi Tetsuya (Keiji 7-nin Series, Scapegoat, Keiji no Manazashi), Takayama Naoya (Saigo no Restaurant, Shi no Zouki, Tokumei Tantei Series), Yamaoka Junpei (Gurame!, Juken no Cinderella, Sakura)
Original Work: Lupin Sansei by Monkey Punch
Genre: Detective
Cast: Suzuki Ryohei, Maeda Atsuko, Miura Takahiro, Watabe Atsuro (guest star), Hakamada Yoshihiko, Watanabe Ikkei, Kamikawa Takaya
Synopsis: Zenigata Koichi (Suzuki Ryohei) is not the bungling inspector who is always given the slip by the elusive great thief, Lupin Sansei. He is a stubborn, but righteous and compassionate detective who will never forgive bad people.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/zenigata
Preview: Zenigata Keibu Teaser
Okaasan, Musume o Yamete Ii desu ka?
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 13 January 2017
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (Isan Souzoku, Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu Series, Pandora Series)
Genre: Home suspense
Cast: Haru, Yagira Yuya, Aso Yumi, Oozora Mayumi, Dan Mitsu, Ishii Anna, Terawaki Yasufumi, Saito Yuki
Synopsis: 25-year-old Hayase Mizuki (Haru) and her mother Akiko (Saito Yuki) are the best of friends, quite like a couple. Although Koji (Terawaki Yasufumi) is concerned about the attachment of his wife and daughter, he lives only for his work and has not been able to address their relationship. However, everything completely changes after Mizuki meets Matsushima (Yagira Yuya), a home builder in charge of the Hayases home which is under construction, and the two of them strike up a friendship. Akiko takes a liking to Matsushima and pushes him to date her daughter. In the process, Mizuki starts to become aware that she has been unconsciously living by gauging her mother’s feelings. She attempts to pull away from her. This agitates Akiko who does not want to be robbed of what is most precious to her and something dangerous gradually comes on inside of her … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/nagoya/okamusu
Gekokujo Juken
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 13 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Morosawa Kazuyuki (Keibuho Sugiyama Shintaro, Shiawase ni Naritai, Nurse no Oshigoto Series)
Original Work: Gekokujo Juken by Sakurai Shinichi
Genre: Family
Cast: Abe Sadao, Fukada Kyoko, Yamada Miku, Waka Danna, Minagawa Sarutoki, Okada Koki, Kawamura Yosuke, Koshiba Fuka, Tezuka Toru, Kaname Jun, Kazama Shunsuke, Kobayashi Kaoru
Synopsis: A droll man with the gift of the gab, Sakurai Shinichi (Abe Sadao) was a bit of a delinquent in the past and came out to work after junior high school. He and his cute wife Kanako (Fukada Kyoko) have a daughter Kaori (Yamada Miku) who is in fifth grade in elementary school. Even though they do not have much academic qualifications and money, they have good humour and are a happy family. But one day, Shinichi sees his daughter’s horrible score of 41 for a national test and worries that she will become a junior high school graduate too. Determined not to let Kaori suffer like him, Shinichi recklessly decides to teach her himself. And so, father and daughter begin preparing for the upcoming junior high school entrance exam with their sights set on the most difficult school.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/gekokujo_juken
Preview: Gekokujo Juken Teaser
Ubai Ai, Fuyu
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 20 January 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu (Renai Dorama o Mouichido, Umareru)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Kurashina Kana, Miura Shohei, Otani Ryohei, Akimoto Sayaka, Mister Chin, Darenogare Akemi, Nishime Shun, Kimura Midoriko, Miyake Hiroki, Sakakibara Ikue, Mizuno Miki
Synopsis: Ikeuchi Hikaru (Kurashina Kana) works for a design company in Tokyo and has a fiancé Okugawa Kota (Miura Shohei). However, her life suddenly changes with the appearance of her ex-boyfriend Moriyama Shin (Otanin Ryohei). She had once loved him to death but he vanished all of a sudden after telling her that they are breaking up. The feelings that Hikaru has tried to suppress are rekindled when she is reunited with Shin, who is in Tokyo for three months, and her heart seeks him even though he is now married with a wife, Ran (Mizuno Miki). As this happens, Kota’s love and jealousy deepens and he gradually turns into someone he hates.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ubaiai
Byplayers ~ Moshimo 6-nin no Meiwakiyaku ga Sharehouse de Kurashitara*UPDATED*
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 14 January 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Matsui Daigo, Fujiki Mitsuhiko (Asunaro San San Nana Byoushi), Miyamoto Takeshi
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Endo Kenichi, Osugi Ren, Taguchi Tomorow, Terajima Susumu, Matsushige Yutaka, Mitsuishi Ken, Kana Kita, Yakusho Koji (guest star), Arakawa Yoshiyoshi (guest star), Ikematsu Sosuke (guest star), Yamaguchi Sayaka (guest star), Takito Kenichi (guest star)
Synopsis: Six outstanding supporting actors (Endo Kenichi, Osugi Ren, Taguchi Tomorow, Terajima Susumu, Matsushige Yutaka, Mitsuishi Ken) receive offers from an overseas video distribution website for a large scale drama. An A-lister is playing the leading role and the director is also world famous. However, the director has a request. That is for them to live together for three months under the same roof to prepare for their roles and to bond. The circumstances are bewildering and they behave like junior high school students. But in truth, some project 10 years ago is the reason why they each have a lingering discomfort. Furthermore, there is a secret regarding this drama project … … Then, the supporting actors hear a rumour that the male lead has been dropped and this sets off ripples in the house they are sharing.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/byplayers
Preview: Byplayers Teaser
Yamada Takayuki no Cannes Eigasai
Date: From 12.52 a.m., Saturdays, 7 January 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Docudrama
Cast: Yamada Takayuki
Synopsis: The story kicks off with actor Yamada Takayuki telling director Yamashita Nobuhiro that he wants to win the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and follows the two men as they quickly begin to discuss the details of the movie and the movie production process involving both Yamashita and friend, documentary producer Matsue Tetsuaki.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/yamada_cannes
Preview: Yamada Takayuki no Cannes Eigasai Teaser
Super Salaryman Saenai-shi
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 14 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Yuusha Yoshihiko Series, Uchuu no Shigoto, Watashi no Kiraina Tantei)
Original Work: Chuunen Salaryman Saenai-shi by Fujiko F Fujio
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Tsutsumi Shinichi, Koizumi Kyoko, Muro Tsuyoshi, Kaku Kento, Hayami Akari, Nakamura Tomoya, Shimazaki Haruka, Takahashi Katsumi, Sato Jiro, Sasano Takashi, Yokoyama Ayumu, Fukushima Mariko, Tomiyama Eriko, Kanazawa Miho
Synopsis: 52-year-old Saenai (Tsutsumi Shinichi) is an ordinary middle management salaryman. One day, he is forcibly handed a super suit by a strange old man (Sasano Takashi) and reluctantly takes over as superman. With a wife from hell Enko (Koizumi Kyoko) and two children (Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Ayumu), Saenai is stuck between world peace and domestic problems. Life does not go well just by becoming superman. What is justice, peace and happiness?
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/saenai
Preview: Super Salaryman Saenai-shi Teaser
Seirei no Moribito Season 2 ~ Kanashiki Hakaishin
Date: From 9.00 p.m. Saturdays, 21 January 2017 (continues in late 2017)
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Omori Sumio (64, Nezumi Edo o Hashiru, Akumu-chan)
Original Work: Moribito Series by Uehashi Nahoko
Genre: Period fantasy
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Itagaki Mizuki, Maki Yoko, Emoto Akira, Suzuki Rio, Dean Fujioka, Dan Mitsu, Fukuyama Kohei, Hashimoto Satoshi, Shinagawa Toru, Ibu Masato, Watanabe Eri, Iwasaki Udai, Suzuki Ryohei, Oda Risa, Koichi Mantaro, Kora Kengo
Synopsis: Four years after her journey with Chagum ended, Balsa (Ayase Haruka) has become an outlaw. Concealing herself in the kingdom of Rota to the west of the New Yogo Empire, she continues to be a bodyguard. One day, Balsa saves a young girl Asura (Suzuki Rio) who is being sold by a human trafficking ring. The girl is the only survivor of a massacre that occurred several days ago. The kingdom of Rota was founded after the people of Taru who believe in Taru Hamaya, the god of devastation, were conquered and they have been persecuted since then. But Asura, the perpetrator of the massacre, has the ability to summon Taru Hamaya. Spies of the royal family are mobilised in an attempt to eliminate her. Balsa teaches Asura that she must not kill people as deadly combat with the Kasharu (Maki Yoko) begins. Meanwhile, in the New Yogo Empire, Chagum (Itagaki Mizuki) who is now the crown prince, has set out on a sea voyage. The Trush Empire to the south is trying to invade the north and wages war against the seafaring kingdom of Sangal as a beachhead. Chagum leads reinforcements, but this is the emperor’s ploy to expel the crown prince. Sangal falls into the hands of the Trush Empire and Chagum ends up becoming a captive … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/moribito
Related: Seirei no Moribito Season 1
Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 14 January 2017
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Taniguchi Junichiro
Original Work: Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku by Hamada Maha
Genre: Career
Cast: Higa Manami, Hasegawa Kyoko, Watanabe Dai, Ishibashi Renji, Yachigusa Kaoru (guest star), Hayami Mokomichi, Funakoshi Eiichiro, Oishi Goro, Ishii Masanori, Abe Megumi, Tachibana Nozomi, Inoue Jun, Dan Jiro, Masu Takeshi
Synopsis: Imagawa Atsushi (Watanabe Dai), the childhood friend whom office lady Ninomiya Kotoha (Higa Manami) had been in love with, gets married. She attends his wedding reception in the foulest of moods. However, she hears an amazing speech that moves her at the reception. It is the congratulatory address of the legendary speechwriter Kuon Kumi (Hasegawa Kyoko). Mesmerised by her words, Kotoha becomes Kumi’s apprentice and starts training in words. Atsushi soon decides to run in the House of Representatives election and Kotoha is designated as his speechwriter. Will her words be able to move the world?
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/ohigara
Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi (2017)
Date: From 11.00 p.m., Saturdays, 7 January 2017
Network: AbemaTV
Scriptwriters: Ozaki Masaya (Omukae Death, Otona Joshi, Last Doctor), Takayama Naoya (Saigo no Restaurant, Shi no Zouki, Kyoto Ninjo Sousa File), Hasegawa Toru
Original Work: Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi Finale by Yanagisawa Kimio
Genre: Action
Cast: Takahashi Katsunori, Sakurai Atsuko, Nagai Masaru, Tayama Ryosei, Sakata Rikako, Omiya Taro, Saito Yu, Shibue Joji, Honoka, Komaki Mako, Miura Rieko, Umemiya Tatsuo, Mizuhashi Kenji (guest star), Takahashi Shoko (guest star)
Synopsis: Tadano Hitoshi (Takahashi Katsunori), the unimpressive detective by day, but an unstoppable superhero by night is back!
Website: drama-tadano.abema.tv
Related: Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi Season 4
Preview: Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi (2017) CM
Mahiru no Akuma*NEW*
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 4 February 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kosaka Takafumi (Hi no Ko, Mutsuu, Temisu no Kyuukei)
Original Work: Mahiru no Akuma by Endo Shusaku
Genre: Medical mystery
Cast: Tanaka Rena, Nakamura Aoi
Synopsis: One day, Nanba Masato (Nakamura Aoi), a young man who is aspiring to be a writer, feels excruciating pain in his abdomen and is rushed to a hospital. A surgeon Okochi Yoko (Tanaka Rena) diagnoses him with appendicitis. Beautiful like a goddess, she eases his hellish pain. He is hospitalised after the successful surgery and delighted that she is his attending physician. However, this is the opening to great despair and doom. Yoko is sociable and cheerful and also treats patients kindly. But her true face is something that she cannot even personally understand. Apathetic to all events from a young age, she is impassive and immoral. She has no compassion when she sees people who are suffering and also no feelings of guilt. When target people or events materialise, her dark side will kick in on impulse.
Website: tokai-tv.com/mahirunoakuma
Gin to Kin
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Sundays, 8 January 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Yamaoka Junpei (Sniffer, Gurame, Juken no Cinderella), Nemoto Nonji (Otokomeshi, Night Hero Naoto, Hatsukoi Geinin)
Original Work: Gin to Kin by Fukumoto Nobuyuki
Cast: Ikematsu Sosuke, Lily Franky, Makita Sports, Usuda Asami, Murakami Jun, Kora Kengo (guest star), Maruyama Tomomi (guest star), Duncan (guest star), Sano Shiro (guest star), Shimada Kyusaku (guest star), Emoto Akira (guest star)
Synopsis: Morita Tetsuo (Ikematsu Sosuke) is a good-for-nothing who can never get ahead and has been venting his anger through gambling. He keeps losing until he is penniless. One day, Tetsuo meets Hirai Ginji (Lily Franky), an influential fixer who controls the underworld, at a race track. Drawn to Ginji’s villainy and ease at making billions, Tetsuo decides that he wants to become a person called “Kin” to surpass “Gin” and sets foot into the underworld.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/gintokin
Preview: Gin to Kin CM
Dansui!
Date: From 12.55 a.m., Sundays, 22 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Yoshida Erika (Heroine Shikaku)
Original Work: Dansui! by Kiuchi Tatsuya
Genre: Sports
Cast: Matsuda Ryo, Miyazaki Shuto, Anzai Shintaro, Akazawa Tomoru, Sato Hisanori, Ozawa Ren, Kuroba Mario, Ikeoka Ryosuke, Hirose Tomoki, Kaminaga Keisuke, Saito Kyohei, Nasuda Yudai, Tsukayama Hisanao, Sakurai Keisuke, Kamimura Kaisei, Oura Ryuichi, Moro Morooka
Synopsis: Higashigaoka High School’s male swimming club presently has only three second-year members – leader Sakaki Shuhei (Matsuda Ryo), Shinozuka Daiki (Miyazaki Shuto) and Koganei Haruyoshi (Akazawa Tomoru). They welcome the new school year with the aim of getting members.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/dansui
Onna Joshu Naotora
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, 8 January 2017
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Morishita Yoshiko (Watashi o Hanasanaide, Tenno no Ryoriban, Tonbi)
Genre: Period
Cast: Shibasaki Kou, Sugimoto Tetta, Zaizen Naomi, Maeda Gin, Kobayashi Kaoru, Miura Haruma, Takahashi Issei, Yagira Yuya, Kanjiya Shihori, Muro Tsuyoshi, Ukaji Takashi, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Kariya Shunsuke, Denden, Kakei Toshio, Nakamura Baijaku, Shunputei Shota, Onoue Matsuya, Asaoka Ruriko, Abe Sadao, Nanao, Suda Masaki, Ichihara Hayato, Inoue Yoshio, Hanafusa Mari, Takahashi Hikaru, Wada Masato, Komatsu Kazushige
Synopsis: During the Sengoku Period, Ii Naomori (Sugimoto Tetta), the head of the Ii family of Totomi (present day western Shizuoka), was killed in war. There were no male successors but only one princess (Shibasaki Kou). Taking the manly name, Naotora, she became the female lord of the castle in this turbulent age. However, the vassals could not hide their dismay. They did not think there was anything a female could do. At a time when the three major powers – the Imagawa clan of Suruga Province, Takeda clan of Kai Province and Tokugawa clan of Mikawa Province – were lying in wait for territory, her true worth as the lord was called into question. The only things Naotora could depend on in this place which had scarce resources and military might, were her own intellect and courage. She joined hands with comrades to run the province, resolutely survived and laid the foundation for future development. Her motivating force was her single-minded love for her fiance whom she made a promise to in her childhood.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/naotora
Preview: Onna Joshu Naotora CM
Daibinbo
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 8 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Adachi Naoki (Furenabaochin, Underwear, Shitsuren Chocolatier)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Koyuki, Ito Atsushi, Narita Ryo, Kamiyama Tomohiro, Uchida Rio, Imai Shunta, Nozawa Shiori, Kamiyama Tomohiro, Takito Kenichi, Okuda Eiji, Naka Riisa (guest star)
Synopsis: The company that Saegusa Yuzuko (Koyuki), a single mother with two children (Imai Shunta, Nozawa Shiori), works at suddenly goes bankrupt and she loses both her income and savings. Just as she is at her wit’s end, Yuzuko is contacted out of the blue by a lawyer Kakihara Shinichi (Ito Atsushi). However, she is the only one who thinks he is a complete stranger. Kakihara is actually her former high school classmate. He may not appear dependable from his small build and good-natured appearance, but he is a hotshot lawyer whose annual income is over 10 billion yen. He has liked Yuzuko since high school days and mustered the courage to get in touch with her after hearing about her situation. Although Kakihara advises that there is a secret behind her company’s bankruptcy, Yuzuko is more concerned about finding employment rather than the reason why her life has been thrown into upheaval and turns him down. Kakihara’s investigation reveals the possibility that the mysterious large 3 billion yen amount that partly caused the bankruptcy was pooled together. By the time Yuzuko realises it, she has become involved in exposing this secret.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/daibinbo
A Life ~ Itoshiki Hito
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 15 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Hashibe Atsuko (Fragile, Ghostwriter, Boku Series)
Genre: Medical, romance
Cast: Kimura Takuya, Takeuchi Yuko, Matsuyama Kenichi, Kimura Fumino, Nanao, Emoto Akira, Tanaka Min, Kobayashi Takashi, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Asano Tadanobu
Synopsis: When Okita Kazuaki (Kimura Takuya) was starting out as a doctor, he was forced to resign from the hospital. He left his girlfriend Danjo Mifuyu (Takeuchi Yuko) behind and went to the US alone. 10 years go by and he comes back as a surgeon with outstanding skills to save his former teacher (Emoto Akira) from illness. His teacher is none other than his ex-girlfriend’s father. In the time that Okita was away, Mifuyu had married his own good friend Masao (Asano Tadanobu), who is now the deputy director and the heir of the hospital. To make matters worse, this friend was the one who plotted to drive him out form the hospital 10 years ago. Okita has to face all sorts of ordeals to save his teacher. But he never gives up amid the swirl of love, desire, friendship, jealousy and pride. Okita may be awkward but deals with patients with all his heart. His way of life gets the people working at the hospital to start asking themselves what real healthcare is.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/ALIFE
Preview: A Life ~ Itoshiki Hito Teaser
Rakuen
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 8 January 2017
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Mare, Chi no Wadachi, Kami no Tsuki)
Original Work: Rakuen by Miyabe Miyuki
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Nakama Yukie, Kuroki Hitomi, Kaho, Kaneko Nobuaki, Matsuda Miyuki, Ishizaka Koji (guest star), Kobayashi Kaoru, Nishida Naomi, Komoto Masahiro, Oshinari Shugo, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Ito Sairi, Ikeda Narushi, Riju Go
Synopsis: While the case of the Doisaki couple (Kobayashi Kaoru, Matsuda Miyuki) who murdered their 15-year-old daughter (Ito Sairi) and hid her body under their home for 16 years is being reported, a housewife visits Maehata Shigeko (Nakama Yukie), a writer working for an editorial production company. This lady says her 10-year-old son may possess the special ability to see the memories of other people and holds out a drawing that he had illustrated. The drawing shows a young lady lying down inside a home with a distinctive weather vane in the shape of a bat and because it is remarkably similar to the case of the Doisakis, Shigeko undertakes the investigation half-convinced. However, at that point, the youth dies in a traffic accident. Seiko (Kaho), the second daughter of the Doisakis, is told by her parents’ lawyer (Kuroki Hitomi) to severe ties with them while a female high school student is held captive in some neighbourhood.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/rakuen
Related: Mohouhan
Onna no Naka ni Iru Tanin
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 8 January 2017
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Yoshimoto Masahiro (Keishichou Zero-gakari, Bokura Playboys, Kageri Yuku Natsu)
Original Work: Onna no Naka ni Iru Tanin by Ide Toshiro
Genre: Crime suspense
Cast: Seto Asaka, Omi Toshinori, Ishiguro Ken, Kino Hana, Itaya Yuka, Komoto Masahiro, Morioka Yutaka, Nishiyama Mayuko, Nakamura Tomoya, Mihiro, Sasaoka Sasuke, Shono Rin
Synopsis: Tanuma Yuriko (Seto Asaka) is a housewife who lives with her husband Kazuo (Omi Toshinori), their two children and mother-in-law Hatsue. One day, Saori (Nishiyama Mayuko), the wife of Kazuo’s friend Kusumoto Masafumi (Ishiguro Ken) is strangled to death and Kazuo confesses that he had been having an affair with her. Yuriko suspects that he murdered Saori. Realising that he cannot get away, Kazuo acknowledges that he killed her and tries to give himself up to the police. However, Yuriko desperately holds him back. She decides to cover up his crime to protect their peaceful family life. Before Yuriko realises it, a stranger within her starts to take action for the sake of protecting her beloved family … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pd/onnanonaka
Shikaku Tantei Higurashi Tabito
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 22 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Fukuhara Mitsunori (Makanai-so, Ofukou-san, Teen Court)
Original Work: Tantei Higurashi Tabito no Sagashimono by Yamaguchi Kozaburo
Genre: Detective
Cast: Matsuzaka Tori, Tabe Mikako, Hamada Gaku, Kinami Haruka, Sumida Moeno, Ueno Tatsuya, Shishido Kavka, Kitaoji Kinya
Synopsis: Higurashi Tabito (Matsuzaka Tori) is an investigator who lost four of his five senses and only has his sight. He is an amazing detective whose specialty is finding things. His eyes can see things that are invisible to an ordinary person such as scent, taste, temperature, weight and pain. The requests that his detective agency constantly gets are to search for things that cannot be found through ordinary methods. But the one that is the most flawed is Tabito himself. Is he searching for love or …?
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/tabito
Related: Shikaku Tantei Higurashi Tabito Drama Special
Kanjou 8-go Sen
Date: From 11.30 p.m., Sundays, 15 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV 2
Scriptwriter: Akutsu Tomoko (Teddy Go!)
Original Work: Kanjou 8-go Sen by Hatano Tomomi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Kawaei Rina, Kurashina Kana, Kanjiya Shihori, Matobu Sei, Ono Yuriko, Hotta Akane, Tanaka Kei, Miura Takahiro, Horii Arata, Sugino Yosuke, Machida Keita, Mashima Hidekazu, Watanabe Makiko
Synopsis: Ogikubo, Hachimanyama, Chitose Funabashi, Futako Tamagawa, Kaminoge and Denen Choufu … Loop line 8 travels along these six towns. Despite the short distance, it is necessary to change trains and take a circuitous route. There are women (Kawaei Rina, Kurashina Kana, Kanjiya Shihori, Matobu Sei, Ono Yuriko, Hotta Akane) living in each of these towns who waver over love that has not turned out as they wish such as one-sided love, domestic violence and affairs. Like “neighbours” who have to go a long way around, their relationships are loosely connected. They are somehow only able to see each other’s appearances maybe because of the nature of these relationships and then wonder why things are not going well for them personally. They worry and compare with others but still wish to look ahead.
Website: otn.fujitv.co.jp/kanjo8gosen
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