Buzzer Beat ~ Gakeppuchi no Hero ~

10Jul09

Official Website
http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/buzzerbeat/

Broadcast
Mondays, 9.00 – 9.54 p.m. from 13 July 2009

Station
Fuji TV

Story
Kamiya Naoki, who is on the professional basketball team, JC Arcs, has hit a slump in contrast to his outstanding success during his school days. At that moment, it is rumoured that the club he belongs to will be abolished as a result of the recession. Naoki would like to marry his girlfriend, Nanami Natsuki, one of the team’s cheerleaders, but cannot decide every time he comes to the crucial moment. One day after a quarrel, Naoki gets worried when he cannot contact Natsuki and in the process of searching for her, he meets Shirakawa Riko, who is working part-time at a bookstore and aims to be a violinist. Riko is the girl that Naoki’s team coach, Kawasaki Tomoya, has fallen in love with at first sight …

Characters
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kamiya Naoki
An athlete on the basketball team, JC Arcs. He decided to be a professional basketball player after his buzzer beater in a basketball match when he was an elementary school student. Brought up in a family of females – his mother, elder sister and younger sister, he is a down-to-earth guy who is not extravagant. However, he is weak in basketball, work and love, and doesn’t have confidence in himself. He is dating Natsuki but starts warming up to Riko with whom he can talk about anything.

Kitagawa Keiko as Shirakawa Riko
She aims to be a violinist and works part-time at a bookstore. Cheerful and positive, she hates dishonesty. She is kind to everyone and self-assured but also has a meddlesome streak. She is sometimes called boyish by the people around her but cannot be honest to the person she likes.

Aibu Saki as Nanami Natsuki
The captain of the cheerleaders. Her juniors admire her strong desire for improvement and devotion to studying dance routines. She has had enough of Naoki, who has no hope of ever getting ahead, but the appearance of Riko makes her conscious of Naoki again. She is cool, practical and would do whatever it takes to achieve her goals.

Kanjiya Shihori as Ebina Mai
Riko’s good friend and roommate. She aims to be a flute player after graduating from music college, and works part-time at a bookstore with Riko. A person who takes things at her own pace and has a dynamic personality. She loves romance stories but doesn’t have a boyfriend because she’s the cautious sort. She detests girls of Natsuki’s type.

Mizobata Junpei as Hadano Shuji
Naoki’s junior who was born in Kansai. His position on the team is shooting guard. He is good at behaving like a spoilt younger brother. He is stuck in reserve.

Maya Miki as Kamiya Makiko
Naoki’s mother. She reached an amicable divorce with her husband when Naoki was 10 and raised him while working as the manager of an Italian furniture store. She believes in her son’s efforts and has hopes for him.

Ito Hideaki as Kawasaki Tomoya
The coach of JC Arcs and a man who looks good in suits. The more inferior Naoki feels, the more superior he appears. He falls in love with Riko at first sight and although he is gentle-mannered, he has an agressive side when it comes to love.

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Filed under: Summer 2009, Upcoming 2009 Dramas   |  Leave a Comment

Summer Dramas 2009

09Jul09

Buzzer Beat Gakeppuchi no Hero
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Mondays, 13 July 2009
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Kitagawa Keiko, Aibu Saki, Kanjiya Shihori, Mizubata Jun, Ito Hideaki, Maya Miki, Nagai Masaru, Aoki Munetaka, Omasa Aya, Komatsu Ayaka
Synopsis: A timid but honest guy (Yamashita Tomohisa), who belongs to his company’s basketball team, does his best when the chips are down in basketball, work or romance. A strong-willed, cheerful and positive girl who cannot be frank (Kitagawa Keiko). And the coach of the basketball team (Ito Hideaki) who gradually becomes his rival in love.
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/buzzerbeat/

Kyuumei Byoto 24-ji 4
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 August 2009
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Eguchi Yosuke, Matsushima Nanako, Santamaria Yusuke, Kimura Tae, Kitano Kie
Synopsis: After a stint with an international humanitarian team of doctors, Shindo Issei (Eguchi Yosuke) returns to Japan from America and begins working for an emergency medical care centre of a medical university in Yokohama. The facility is experiencing a mass resignation of emergency doctors right now. There is a shortage of doctors, shortage of hospital beds, ambulance rotation, monster patients, medical malpractice, medical lawsuits … The work of emergency doctors has so far been harsh because there are a heap of problems. However, Shindo comes here and learns how to push over this heap at once. In the midst of this, Kojima Kaede (Matsushima Nanako) for some reason leaves emergency medical care. She has actually been sued for medical malpractice and is forced to resign from the hospital.
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/kyumei24/

Koishite Akuma ~ Vampire Boy
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Tuesdays, 7 July 2009
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Nakayama Yuma, Kato Rosa, Sakuraba Nanami, Kondo Masahiko, Morimoto Shintaro, Nakajima Kento
Synopsis: Kuromiya Luke (Nakayama Yuma) is a vampire who has come to the human world. He dislikes humans but falls in love with the teacher (Kato Rosa) of the high school class that he has started attending.
Website: http://ktv.jp/vampire_love/

Shin Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-Gakkari
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 July 2009
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Watase Tsunehiko, Inohara Yoshihiko, Hada Michiko, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Taguchi Hiromasa, Nakagoshi Noriko, Endo Kumiko, Asami Reina, Hatano Hiroko, Hara Sachie
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/9gakari/

Tonari no Shibafu
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 July 2009
Station: TBS
Cast: Seto Asaka, Okura Koji, Matsuo Ruri, Shibuya Asuka, Mizumachi Reiko, Miura Rieko, Osugi Ren, Izumi Pinko
Synopsis: Takahira Tomoko (Seto Asaka) is an ordinary, full-time housewife married to the second son (Okura Koji) of the Takahira family. Then one day, his mother, Shino, having compromised the marriage of her eldest son, leaves his house and suddenly comes to live together with her second son and Tomoko, who have finally bought a house of their own.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/tonarino09/

Akahana no Sensei
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 July 2009
Station: NTV
Cast: Oizumi Yo, Kashii Yu, Kamiki Ryunosuke, Suga Kenta, Kamikawa Takaya, Kobayashi Satomi
Synopsis: Ishihara Santaro (Oizumi Yo) is a teacher in charge of a class established in a hospital for junior high school students who are unable to attend school because of long-term hospitalisation. These students also have emotional problems and he tries to make them laugh by putting on a red nose but nothing seems to go right. He has no comic sense and is given the cold shoulder.
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/pre/akahana/

Teio
Time: From 12.30 a.m. Wednesdays, 15 July 2009
Station: TBS
Cast: Tsukamoto Takashi, Yamada Yusuke, Nagasawa Nao, Atae Shinjiro, Kotani Yoshikazu
Synopsis: A guy (Tsukamoto Takashi) is forced by circumstances to fight with the number one host of a host club and enter the night entertainment business as a host when his friend’s girlfriend is seized by that number one host. Armed with strong convictions and friendships, he rises to fame in the night club business.
Website: http://www.tei-oh.com/

Kasouken no Onna Season 9
Time: From 8.00 p.m. Thursdays, 2 July 2009
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Ono Takehiko, Wakamura Mayumi, Tanaka Ken
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kasouken/

Dandy Daddy ~ Renai Shousetsuka . Izaki Ryunosuke ~
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Thursdays, 9 July 2009
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Tachi Hiroshi, Minamisawa Nao, Hirayama Aya, Ishiguro Hideo, Ikeda Tsutomu, Nogiwa Yoko, Sato Jiro, Hayashi Tantan, Yashima Norito, Yo Kimiko, Kaga Takeshi
Synopsis: Izaki Ryunosuke (Tachi Hiroshi) is a romance novelist called the “romance guru” who advocates free love and has also personally experienced a great many loves. But despite that truth, the look on his face changes when it comes to his daughter, Akari’s (Minamisawa Nao) love problems and he immediately turns conservative. Having raised his precious daughter by himself, he wishes to know everything about her and to keep bad fellows away from her. Because of that, he even takes extreme action regarding his daughter. On the other hand, while Akari understands her fathers feelings, she also wants the independence of a high school student …
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/dandy/

Ninkyo Helper
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Thursdays, 9 July 2009
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kuroki Meisa, Yamamoto Yusuke, Igarashi Shunji, Naka Risa, Yabu Kota, Natsukawa Yui, Matsudaira Ken, Kato Seishiro
Synopsis: Tsubasa Hikoichi (Kusanagi Tsuyoshi) is the yakuza boss of “Tsubasa Kogyou” who holds together the organised crime group, Hayabusakai’s Roppongi district. He becomes a helper at “Taiyo”, an elderly care facility, at the sudden orders of the leader of Hayabusakai (Matsudaira Ken). Tsubasa is a ruthless and cruel scoundrel who is feared but he regains his humanity through care giving.
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/ninkyo-helper/

Saru Lock
Time: From 11.58 p.m. Thursdays, 23 July 2009
Station: NTV
Cast: Ichihara Hayato, Ashina Sei, Watabe Gota, Takaoka Sousuke
Synopsis: Sarumaru Yataro (Ichihara Hayato), nicknamed “Saru”, is the only son of a locksmith who lives in the neighbourhood of Asakusa in Tokyo. He works as a locksmith and is a genius at opening any kind of lock but is confounded by emotions and beautiful girls. Saru uses his talent at opening locks to solve difficult and strange cases. Riko (Ashina Sei) is his childhood friend and a straight A student.
Website: http://www.ytv.co.jp/sarulock/

Ueno Juri to Itsutsu no Kaban
Time: From 11.30 p.m. Thursdays, 3 September 2009
Station: WOWOW
Cast: Ueno Juri, Lily Franky (Ep 1), Eguchi Noriko (Ep 1), Tanada Yuki (Ep 1), Nakayama Yuichiro (Ep 2), Muto Akiko (Ep 2), Sawaki Ruka (Ep 3), Suzuki Takuji (Ep 3), Sugawara Daikichi (Ep 3)
Synopsis: -
Website: -

Call Centre no Koibito
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Fridays, 3 July 2009
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Koizumi Kotaro, Mimura, Matsushige Yutaka, Nakajima Hiroko, Takizawa Saori, Shiba Toshio, Wakabayashi Go, Natori Yuko
Synopsis: Tokura Wataru (Koizumi Kotaro), a Tokyo-based salaryman who sees himself as elite, is assigned to be the chief of a local customer call centre unit handling complaints through an unexpected turn of events. Together with the unconventional but professional team members including Aoyama Kyoko (Mimura), a contract employee though she has the nickname “Queen of customer complaints”, he learns about things in life that aren’t written in manuals and grows as a person.
Website: http://callcenter.asahi.co.jp/

Orthros no Inu
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Fridays, 24 July 2009
Station: TBS
Cast: Takizawa Hideaki, Nishikido Ryo, Mizukawa Asami, Yaotome Hikaru, Yamamoto Ryuji, Harada Natsuki, Oshinari Shugo, Haru, Shiba Toshio, Rokkaku Seiji, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Takahata Atsuko
Synopsis: Ryuzaki Shinji (Takizawa Hideaki) has “God’s hands” to cure all illnesses and injuries. He has untold evil aura inside of him that he shows to no one. Aoi Ryosuke (Nishikido Ryo) has “Devil’s hands” to kill people. He has the kind, sensitive heart of an angel. They’re two people who should never meet. The meeting between God and Devil heralds a predestined showdown. Could heaven have really made the wrong choice? Or not …?
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/program/orthros.html

Maid Detective
Time: From 11.15 p.m. Fridays, 26 June 2009
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Fukuda Saki, Harada Ryuji, Matoba Koji, Oshima Yoko, Shinagawa Toru, Nakayama Megumi, Kadena Reon
Synopsis: Wakatsuki Aoi (Fukuda Saki), 18, is a cute maid working at a stately mansion in Kyoto … That is just her cover identity because she has another. She is a detective who has been given a special assignment by the police commissioner of the Kyoto Prefectural Police to conduct undercover operations at a mansion suspected of crime.
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/meido/

Haken no Oscar
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Fridays, 28 August 2009
Station: NHK
Cast: Tanaka Rena, Suzuki Ann, Asami Hikaru, Tokui Yoshimi, Hiraizumi Sei, Kamijo Tsunehiko
Synopsis: Katsuko (Tanaka Rena) is a temporary office worker paid a monthly salary of 190,000 yen and has no boyfriend. She likes shoujo manga and in particular, fantasises about herself in the world of the “Rose of Versailles” as she leads a drab life. When the junior president of her company (Tokui Yoshimi) seeks to implement unreasonable cost-cutting measures, she hears the voice of Lady Oscar in “Rose of Versailles” tell her to fight for the people, and she stands up for justice.
Website: -

Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikoen-mae Hashutsujo
Time: From 7.56 p.m. Saturdays, 1 August 2009
Station: TBS
Cast: Katori Shingo, Karina, Hayami Mokomichi, Shibata Rie, Ibu Masato, Ishii Lasalle
Synopsis: Ryotsu Kankichi (Katori Shingo) has a long body, legs that are short and bowlegged, and bushy eyebrows. He is a senior policeman working at the MPD Katsushika Precinct’s police box in front of Kamearikoen but also a reckless though warmhearted troublemaker.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/kochikame/

Limit ~ Keiji no Genba 2
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Saturdays, 11 July 2009
Station: NHK
Cast: Moriyama Mirai, Takeda Tetsuya, Kato Ai, Sugimoto Tetta, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Wakamura Mayumi
Synopsis: Central Naogya Police Precinct in Aichi Prefecture, the place where Kato Keigo (Moriyama Mirai) has been assigned for his new post, has the largest jurisdiction which encompasses the bustling shopping and entertainment district. If good results are accomplished here, he will be promoted to the headquarters. It is a stepping stone to a splendid life as a detective.
Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/nagoya/keiji2/

Saisei no Machi
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Saturdays, 29 August 2009
Station: NHK
Cast: Tsutsui Michitaka, Makise Riho, Danta Yasunori, Minami Kaho, Yajima Kenichi, Kuboyama Tomohiro, Iwamoto Masuyo, Katsura Kichiya, Konishi Miho, Anan Kenji, Misaki Ayame, Kishibe Ittoku
Synopsis: After the bubble period, Osaka’s fictional city of Namihaya is saddled with a large debt from the large amount of investments in public works. Shouldering the “negative legacy” of the previous mayor, the new mayor calls six members for the “Financial Rehabilitation Project”. In the face of the urgency in areas such as medical treatment, public welfare and education, the project members address extreme cost cuts as they are pressed to make painful choices.
Website: -

Kareinaru Spy
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Saturdays, 18 July 2009
Station: NTV
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Fukuda Kyoko, Ann, Watari Tetsuya, Fujiwara Kazuhiko, Tomochika
Synopsis: Japan is no exception to terrorism that is taking place in the world. In order to protect the people from terrorism, the government is recruiting exceptional spies. This man is one of them. Yoroi Kyosuke (Nagase Tomoya), a former trickster serving time for 13 charges. His professional skill is his ability to turn himself completely into any kind of person in a split second. He wins over his victims and plunders their money. He is a despicable criminal who turns people’s emotions into money. A man of many faces just like a chameleon. Fight one evil with another. Under the philosophy that bad people understand the hearts of the bad, Kyosuke gains his freedom in return for being a spy and goes to help people to stop terrorism. Will this guy, who can no longer cheat people, change when he figures out that his ability is now to be put to use saving people?
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/pre/thespy/

Otomen
Time: From 11.10 p.m. Saturdays, 1 August 2009
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Okada Masaki, Kaho, Kimura Ryo, Seto Koji, Sano Kazuma, Yanagihara Kanako, Takada Nobuhiko, Tsurumi Shingo, Yamamoto Mirai, Ichikawa Tomohiro
Synopsis: Masamune Asuka (Okada Masaki) is the champion of the national high school kendo championship and a strong, silent type of guy. However, he likes shoujo manga and sweets, and is good at needlework and cooking. Because of that, he is called “Otomen” in a reference to his girlish hobbies and tastes. Then Masamune falls in love the first time he lays eyes on Miyakozuka Ryo (Kaho), a transfer student to his school.
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/otomen/

Kanryoutachi no Natsu
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Sundays, 5 July 2009
Station: TBS
Cast: Sato Koichi, Sakai Masato, Takahashi Katsumi, Sano Shiro, Nishimura Masahiko, Sugimoto Tetta, Fukiishi Kazue, Tanaka Kei, Tokoshima Yoshiko, Murakawa Eri, Takahashi Katsunori, Funakoshi Eichiro, Kitaoji Kinya
Synopsis: Following Japan’s defeat in WWII, a passionate group of bureaucrats from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry are filled with a sense of mission to tranform Japan into an affluent country that is on equal footing with the world. Centring on Kazakoshi Shingo (Sato Koichi), a man called “Mister Ministry of International Trade and Industry”, a battle unfolds between the “industrialists” (Takahashi Katsunori, Funakoshi Eichiro) who call for the protection of domestic industries, and the “internationalists” (Sakai Masato, Takahashi Katsumi) whose ideal is free trade aimed at globalisation.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/kanryou09/

Mama wa Mukashi Papa datta
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Sundays, 23 August 2009
Station: WOWOW
Cast: Toda Keiko, Yo Kimiko, Yoshida Eisaku, Mitsuishi Ken, Haruna Ai, Tsugawa Masahiko, Shirakawa Yumi, Ito Shiro
Synopsis: 40-year-old Odani Hitomi (Toda Keiko), has two sons who are elementary school students. A driver of a long-distance coach by profession, she supports the family by herself and is a mother that her children are proud of. However, Hitomi lived physically and legally as Odani Hitoshi, a male, until 10 years ago. Hitomi had a gender identity disorder. At the recommendation of the doctors, he underwent surgery and changed his name to become a female but remains a male on the census register.
Website: http://www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/mamapapa/

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Filed under: Upcoming 2009 Dramas, Upcoming Japanese Dramas   |  8 Comments

Teio

09Jul09

Official Website
http://www.tei-oh.com/

Broadcast
Wednesdays, 12.29 – 12.59 a.m. from 15 July 2009

Station
MBS

Story
Sakaki Ryo, who spends all his time on soccer with his sights set on the J-League, gives up on his dream after graduating from high school and works as a factory worker but resigns. After that, he also becomes a track athlete but loses sight of his purpose in life because of an incident. He reaches a turning point when he hears that the girlfriend of his soccer buddy, Ogawa Eitaro, had been snatched by the number one host, Renjo Toru. Under those circumstances, he declares that he will fight it out with Renjo as a host and plunges into the world of nightlife. However, it is a cruel world where the sharp words of customers and nasty training of the senior hosts goes beyond his imagination.

Characters
Tsukamoto Takashi as Sakaki Ryo
He aimed to join the J-League but gives up. He loses sight of his purpose in life but when the girlfriend of his good friend is snatched by the number one host, Renjo Toru, he transforms into a host going by the professional name, Sakaki Ryo (different Kanji characters). He has strong beliefs and he aims to be the “King” of the cabaret club business with friendship as his weapon.

Yamada Yusuke as Renjo Toru
The number one host of the host club, Moon River. He is always accompanied by his followers and looks down on females. He has an adversarial relationship with Ryo who has come in as a new host.

Atae Shinjiro as Ogawa Eitaro
Ryo’s high school soccer buddy and good friend. He lost his girlfriend to Renjo.

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Fall 2009 Dramas – Rumours

08Jul09

TBA
Date: October 2009, Wednesdays 9.00 pm
Station: TBS
Cast: Sawamura Ikki

TBA
Date: October 2009, Fridays 10.00 pm
Station: TBS
Cast: Mizuki Arisa

TBA
Date: October 2009, Saturdays 8.00 pm
Station: TBS
Cast: Shida Mirai

Jin
Date: October 2009, Sundays 9.00 pm
Station: TBS
Cast: Osawa Takao

TBA
Date: October 2009, Mondays 9.00 pm
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Oguri Shun

Real Clothes
Date: October 2009, Tuesdays 10.00 pm
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Karina

Liar Game 2
Date: October 2009, Saturdays 11.00 pm
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Toda Erika, Matsuda Shota

Koshonin
Date: October 2009, Thursdays 9.00 pm
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: -

TBA
Date: October 2009, Fridays 9.00 pm
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Nakama Yukie

Challenged
Date: October 2009, Saturdays 8.00 pm
Station: NHK
Cast: Sasaki Kuranosuke, Tomita Yasuko, Saigo Teruhiko, Murakawa Eri, Koike Rina, Akimoto Ryutaro

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Upcoming Fall Dramas 2009

07Jul09

Aibou Season 8
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Wednesdays, October 2009
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Masudo Ikue, Kishibe Ittoku, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Otani Ryosuke, Yamanaka Takashi, Rokkaku Seiji, Yamanishi Atsushi, Onoda Ryo, Jinbo Satoshi, Shimizu Masayoshi
Synopsis: -
Website: -

Fumou Chitai
Time: From 10.00 p.m. Thursdays, October 2009 (for two seasons)
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Karasawa Toshiaki, Wakui Emi, Yanagiba Toshiro, Koyuki, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Hashizume Isao, Nakamura Atsuo, Amami Yuki, Takenouchi Yutaka, Ito Shiro, Danta Yasunori, Furuta Arata, Abe Sadayo, Matsushige Yutaka, Kishibe Ittoku, Harada Yoshio
Synopsis: During WWII, Iki Tadashi (Karasawa Toshiaki) was a staff officer at the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army. After the war, he was captured by Soviet troops and forced to do hard labour for 11 years as a prisoner in a concentration camp in Siberia. Returning to Japan upon his release, he rejects the invitation of the Defence Agency to be a part of their organisation and naturally finds himself without employment. Meanwhile, Daimon Ichizo (Harada Yoshio), the president of an Osaka trading company, Kinki Corporation, which started as a wholesale dealer in textiles, hopes to transform the company from an old industrial conglomerate into a full-fledged integrated company. Painfully aware that the company needs men of talent who make judgments from a broad picture and can run the company in an organised way, Daimon decides to target outstanding staff officers who had been with the Imperial Japanese Army headquarters during WWII … After two years of job hunting, Iki, who has no qualifications but military credentials, plunges into the business world.
Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/fumouchitai/

Saka no Ue no Kumo (Part 1)
Time: From 8.00 p.m. Sundays, 29 November 2009
Station: NHK
Cast: Motoki Masahiro, Abe Hiroshi, Kagawa Teruyuki, Ito Shiro, Takeshita Keiko, Matsu Takako, Kanno Miho, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Nishida Teruyuki, Kunimura Jun, Takahashi Hideki, Tsutsumi Daijiro, Matoba Koji, Watari Tetsuya, Kataoka Tsurutaro
Synopsis: The 260-year old shogunate collapses and Meiji Japan is born as a modern state. The country is a young country surrounded by the mature Western powers at the height of imperialism. There are three men in Iyonomatsuyama, Shikoku. They are the Akiyama brothers, Saneyuki (Motoki Masahiro) and Yoshifuru (Abe Hiroshi) and Masaoka Shiki (Kagawa Teruyuki), who represents modern Japanese literature. Men who will play big roles in Meiji Japan’s greatest crisis, the Russo-Japanese War.
Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/matsuyama/sakanoue/

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Koishite Akuma ~ Vampire Boy

05Jul09

Official Website
http://ktv.jp/vampire_love/

Broadcast
Tuesdays, 10.00 – 10.54 p.m. from 7 July 2009

Station
Fuji TV

Story
While Luke freeloads off a three-generation family which runs a Chinese restaurant, he starts attending high school as a transfer student but looks down on the humans who get upset over trivial matters. Luke’s class teacher, Makoto, notices that he looks isolated in class and attempts to unravel his closed heart. One day, he enrages Makoto with his careless remark, “If I can die, I want to die”. When Luke sees Makoto, who strives for other people, his body undergoes big changes and his fangs appear. Makoto is the person whose blood he should suck to attain eternal life. Luke is nervous to learn that he will be reduced to ashes if he doesn’t suck human blood by the time of the second full moon after his fangs have come out. However, he falls in love with Makoto …

Characters
Nakayama Yuma as Kuromiya Luke
A half-vampire who has never sucked human blood. When his fangs come out, he comes to the human world in search of feed. He possesses superhuman strength and the ability to teleport but weakens in the sunlight, and dislikes crosses and garlic. Because his target is his class teacher, Natsukawa Makoto, the type he hates the most, he attempts to give up bloodsucking but the rule is that he will die if he doesn’t suck her blood.

Kato Rosa as Natsukawa Makoto
An English language teacher and also the class teacher of the high school that Luke attends. She has no relatives but has a cheerful and positive personality, and a penchant for helping people who are in trouble. She made her dreams a reality by becoming a teacher. Her first love, Ayumu, whom Luke closely resembles, died in an accident at sea ten years ago. She is dating Fujii Masayuki, the vice principal, but is conscious of Luke’s existence and soon starts to wonder if he is Ayumu.

Kyo Nobuo as Fujii Masayuki
The vice principal of the high school that Luke attends. He is popular because of his genial character. He has a hard time with Luke, who doesn’t follow convention and acts on his whims, but also somewhat envies him. He realises that Makoto’s feelings have begun to sway towards Luke and is caught in a dilemma because his relationship with Makoto is also opposed by his mother, who is the principal.

Sakuraba Nanami as Takagi Kaori
Luke’s classmate. She is a conscientious and placid A-student but is attracted to Luke’s mysterious presence and behaviour. She keeps her own feelings to herself because she pays too much heed to the people around her but when she learns that Luke like Makoto, she boldly tries to pull the two of them apart.

Kondo Masahiko as Kaito
A vampire who keeps watch on Luke. He appears before Luke at unexpected moments to caution him and give him advice. His manner is initially that of carefree abandon, “Quickly suck the blood and go back” but when he sees Luke gradually take a liking to Makoto, he sternly warns him, “Love is a folly”.

Ito Shiro as Shinjo Jiro
The head of the Shinjo family whom Luke is sponging off, and the owner of Shinjo, the Chinese restaurant. He is led to think that Luke is the son of distant relations because of Kaito’s magic and lets Luke freeload. He guides Luke, who lacks emotions, and treats him like a real family member.

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

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Rinjo – Subbing Status

04Jul09

June 17: We’ve been a bit bogged down with work and our personal lives so subbing has progressed slowly the past few weeks but we’re certainly committed to Rinjo. Ep 5 will be coming up in a short while.

June 6: Rinjo has been consistently good for the last few episodes and I almost always come away from an episode feeling my heartstrings tugged, especially when the criminals or suspects have good if rather misguided intentions. Two more episodes to the end of the season.

May 23: I’ve just finished translating Ep 5. Watching Kuraishi and Tachihara is probably never going to be as satisfying as Kuroki and Sakuma in Gonzo (that’s not a fair comparison I suppose) but I like Rinjo all the same.

May 10: Thanks everyone for dropping in and leaving us notes. Ep 2 has been released and we’re making good progress on Ep 3. Ep 3 was a weaker episode than the first two but I liked the way they explored the story of the suspect and the portrayal of his character … the repercussions. Nicely done unlike some other dramas this season which I’m covering at the moment but may no longer do so.

April 29: I think Rinjo is one of the best things this spring season. I’m engrossed and I’d certainly be a devoted viewer even if we weren’t subbing this. The storytelling is good and there isn’t a sprawling main cast to divide the time between so we get to see much more character development, the exploration and shifts in the relationship dynamics among the forensics team members as well as the sometimes taut interactions with the investigative team.

April 23: I won’t go so far at this stage to say that Rinjo may be the best drama of the spring season but it may be the best investigative drama of the seaon with what seems like well fleshed out characters and strong storytelling. Parallels to Gonzo will be inevitable given the character quirks and past of Uchino Masaaki’s Kuraishi Yoshio as well as the tense relationship he has with Takashima Masanobu’s Tachihara Masumi, the director of the First Investigative Division, that hints at a back story which will slowly unravel as the drama progresses. If you loved Gonzo, you should probably check Rinjo out!

Episode 1: Subs released

Episode 2: Subs released

Episode 3: Subs released

Episode 4: Subs released

Episode 5: Subs released

Episode 6: Subs released

Episode 7: Translation completed. Timing in progress

Episode 8: Translation completed. Timing pending

Episode 9: Translation completed. Timing pending

Episode 10: Translation in progress

Stay tuned to this space for regular updates!

Filed under: Rinjo, Spring 2009, Subbed Works   |  5 Comments

Rinjo – Episode 9 Synopsis

04Jul09

Episode 9: Farewell gift

Komatsuzaki, the head of the Criminal Affairs Bureau who is due to retire in just a week, summons Kuraishi and shows him an anonymous New Year’s card. He says it has been addressed and sent to him regularly for the last ten years but it hasn’t come this year for some reason. He wonders if it is because the sender has died but if there had been an unnatural death, Kuraishi’s office should have received the information. However, Kuraishi rules that out because he is certain that the New Year card which bears the Ome postmark is in a woman’s writing and all the unnatural deaths in Ome City in the past year have been male.

The body of Yamahara Naoko, a female university student who died an unnatural death, is found in the room of an apartment in Ome City. At first glance, it seems to be a suicide but Kuraishi determines from the wound on the abdomen that someone had stabbed the victim in a murder disguised as a suicide. Tachihara and his men begin their investigation.

It turns out that an old lady called Akiyo, who is a resident at an old folks home nearby, has picked up the knife which is thought to be the murder weapon while wandering in the woods. There is no doubt that it is the weapon used to kill the female university student from features such as the width of the knife. One of the caregivers says Akiyo had seen the man who had disposed the knife but Akiyo suffers from dementia and doesn’t respond no matter what they ask her. A facial composite is put together but the completed face is that of a 3-year-old boy. Tachihara and his men are baffled but Kuraishi gets fixated on the young boy’s portrait for some reason.

The victim’s stepfather, who was on bad terms with her, surfaces as a suspect but the police are unable to get material evidence. The murderer had been showered with a spurt of blood and ought to have gone out wearing the victim’s clothes in order to hide that blood but … Kuraishi has misgivings about the absence of bloodstains on the door. Maybe the murderer didn’t go outside after committing the murder …

At that moment, Akiyo’s dead body is found. It seems that she had drowned in the river but even Kuraishi cannot determine whether it is a murder, suicide or accident. Investigating the people around Akiyo once again, Kuraishi is convinced of one thing. Akiyo was the person who had sent those New Year’s cards to Komatsuzaki. However, Komatsuzaki claims to have no knowledge of the identity of the sender or the significance of the photograph in Akiyo’s possession.

On the other hand, Akiyo had been seen entering the woods with a man on the morning of her death. That man turns out to be Naoko’s next door neighbour who had sneaked in through the partition boards of the ceiling adjoining both apartments. He had tried to sexually assault her and accidentally stabbed her when she put up a struggle.

Komatsuzaki eventually confides in Kuraishi that he had been adopted from an orphanage at the age of three. He had learnt about it from his adoptive parents when he started high school. Even so, it hadn’t quite mattered because he had regarded them as his biological parents. Yasuda Akiyo was his biological mother but he had no memories or recollections of her and now he regrets that he had not come to visit her even though he knew that she was in Ome …

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

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Kanryoutachi no Natsu

02Jul09

Official Website
http://www.tbs.co.jp/kanryou09/

Broadcast
Sundays, 9.00 – 9.54 p.m. from 5 July 2009

Station
TBS

Story
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry bureaucrats of the 1960s are discussing how to develop domestic industries such as the automotive and electronic products, which are still unable to compete internationally, to a high degree. Should they be exposed to fierce competition from foreign companies, or should they be protected? These are also problems faced by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry but … the hard work and achievements of one domestic manufacturer after another are revived together with Japanese society of those days. The image of Ministry of International Trade and Industry bureaucrats filled with a burning sense of mission to transform Japan into an affluent country on equal footing with the United States and countries of Europe, centres around the ministry’s vice minister, Kazakoshi Shingo, a high-ranking government official who did not take a job in the private sector.

Characters
Sato Koichi as Kazakoshi Shingo
Head of the Automobile Division, Heavy Industries Bureau. Born in Ibaraki prefecture in 1913. He attended Tokyo University’s faculty of law and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s predecessor, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in 1935. He selflessly makes every effort for the sake of national development and because he is an unconventional official who transcends the government framework and gives advice to other ministries, he is called “Mr International Trade and Industry” even by heavyweight politicians. He provides strong leadership and is a unifying force.

Sakai Masato as Niwano Takahisa
Assistant to the head of the Petroleum Division, Mining Bureau. Born in Yamagata prefecture in 1919. He attended Tokyo University’s faculty of law and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1941. Brought up in a poor family involved in the wood industry, he is a member of the “industry faction” and works together with Kazakoshi who advocates the protection of domestic industries. Kazakoshi regards him as a man of talent who will play a part in the future of the ministry.

Takahashi Katsumi as Ayukawa Kotaro
Head of the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Division. Born in Saga prefecture in 1916. He worked his way through commercial high school and graduated from Tokyo University’s faculty of law. In 1938, he joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. A member of the “industry faction”, he empathises with small and medium businesses and ailing enterprises. His nickname is “Grease” because he does his best to bring cases and issues under control. He supports Kazakoshi both openly and secretly.

Sano Shiro as Nishimaru Kenji
A journalist with Tokyo Keizai Shimbun. He possesses a sharp, critical eye and intently watches the proceedings at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry without fear. He has written many scathing articles on Kazakoshi, but on the other hand, he respects Kazakoshi for dedicating his work to domestic industries. He is superb at interviewing and information gathering, and is also familiar with the situation in politics. He gives Kazakoshi valuable information.

Fukuishi Kazue as Yamamoto Mayu
Born in Tokyo in 1934. After graduating at top of Tokyo University’s faculty of economics, she joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1956. The first female career elite hired by the ministry in a bold decision by Kazakoshi. Diligent and full of vitality. She holds Kazakoshi, who strives and works vigorously for his ideals, in high esteem.

Takahashi Katsunori as Katayama Taisuke
Assistant to the head of the Forex Division, Trade Bureau. Born in Tokyo in 1921. He completed elementary and junior high school two years earlier than others and was a bright student who graduated from Tokyo University’s faculty of law. In 1941, he joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry at the same time as Niwano, who is two years his senior. A member of the “trade faction”, who is familiar with the global economy, he is highly esteemed for the articles he contributes to the ministry’s internal newsletter and faces off Kazakoshi with a Westernised, individualistic attitude. He works together with Tamaki also of the “trade faction”.

Funakoshi Eiichiro as Tamaki Hirofumi
Head of the Trade Policy Bureau. Born in Yamanashi prefecture in 1913. He graduated from Tokyo University’s faculty of law and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s predecessor, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in 1935. He and Kazakoshi, who joined in the same year, have been good rivals since their school days and as a candidate for the vice-ministerial position, he is compared with Kazakoshi within the Ministry. Because his pet theory is to “nurture enterprises with international competition” and he supports trade liberalisation, his perspective conflicts with Kazakoshi who belongs to the “industry faction” that advocates protected trade

Kitaoji Kinya as Ikeuchi Nobuto
A political heavyweight who leads the largest faction within the ruling Democratic Liberal Party. A former official from the Ministry of Finance, he first ran for elections in 1949 and was elected. In his first year as a lawmaker, he was selected as the the Minister of Finance, and in the following year, he assumed another post as the Minister of International Trade and Industry. He originally had the views of the “trade faction” and clashed ideologically with Kazakoshi, but he identifies with Kazakoshi’s chivalry and pays attention to his movements.

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Filed under: Summer 2009, Upcoming 2009 Dramas   |  Leave a Comment

Ninkyo Helper

01Jul09

Official Website
http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/ninkyo-helper/

Broadcast
Thursdays, 10.00 – 10.54 p.m. from 9 July 2009

Station
Fuji TV

Story
Tsubasa Hikoichi and other members, who are a part of the mob world feared by society, end up working at an elderly care facility because of the training orders of the chief of their main branch. The mobsters reason that it is for the promotion to the top posts. Their eyes are opened to the importance of contact with people and they regain their human nature as they struggle and make genuine effort to be helpers. Before long, Hikochi and the rest of the “mob helpers” find themselves in confrontation with an enormous nursing care company which upholds the efficiency-first principle. They display the spirit of chivalry, supporting the weak against the strong …

Characters
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi as Tsubasa Hikoichi
The district of Roppongi is his turf and he is the boss of the organised crime group, Hayabusakai’s Tsubasa Kogyou. He has a ruthless and cruel personality but regains his humanity through caring for the elderly.

Kuroki Meisa as Yomogi Riko
The district of Ikebukuro is her turf. Strong-minded and always ready for fight. She and Hikochi are rivals who seek to be in the top posts, but they gradually establish an emotional bond.

Yamamoto Yusuke as Izumi Reiji
A helper at the elderly care facility, Taiyo, who accepts Hikochi and the others from the underworld.

Matsudaira Ken as Takayama Gensuke
The chief of the organised crime group, Hayabusakai, and boss of Takayama-gumi. He issues instructions for Hikochi and the rest to be helpers.

Osugi Ren as Sonozaki Yasuhiro
The owner of Taiyo, an elderly care facility.

Natsukawa Yui as Hatori Akira
The charismatic company president of Heartful Bird, an integrated nursing care organisation. She is at odds with Hikochi and the rest.

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Filed under: Summer 2009, Upcoming 2009 Dramas   |  Leave a Comment