Fall Dramas 2008

28Aug08

Innocent Love
Date: Mondays, 9.00 p.m. from 20 October 2008
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Horikita Maki, Kitagawa Yujin, Fukushi Seiji, Uchida Yuki, Narimiya Hiroki, Kashii Yu
Synopsis: When Akiyama Kanon (Horikita Maki) was a child, her parents were murdered. To make matters worse, her older brother, Yoji (Fukushi Seiji), was arrested as the murder suspect. Given the cold shoulder because she’s the sister of a murderer, and also unable to work part time, each day of Kanon’s life is fraught with difficulty. She decides that she cannot continue living in this manner and comes to Tokyo. Kanon finds work doing house cleaning. Then, at her workplace, she meets the man of her destiny, Nagasaki Junya (Kitagawa Yujin).
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/innocentlove/index.html

Serebu to Binbou Taro
Date: Tuesdays, 9.00 p.m. from 14 October 2008
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Ueto Aya, Kamiji Yusuke, Ueno Natsuhi, Kashiwabara Takashi, Kuninaka Ryoko, Miura Rieko, Takuma Takayuki, Nakayama Megumi, Wakamura Mayumi, Yamashita Shinji, Kazama Morio
Synopsis: Mitazono Arisu (Ueto Aya) is the wilful, “Paris-esque” daughter of an actress and a hotelier who is a member of founding family of the Hilton chain. Her actions are the perfect target of the paparazzi. There are endless rumours of her romances with sports figures, musicians and politicians. Even major political news is overshadowed by Arisu’s scandals, and she is also featured in magazines as a more influential person than the prime minister. On the other hand, she is favourably received because of her sincere yet silly actions. Sato Taro (Kamiji Yusuke) is one of the so-called working poor with an annual income of less than 2 million yen. Widowed 6 years ago, he and his 3 children struggle to get by each day. But he lives positively without giving up hope and becomes a precious existence that fills Arisu’s lonely side.
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/celeb/index.html

Team Batista no Eikou
Date: Tuesdays, 10.00 p.m. from 14 October 2008
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Nakamura Toru, Shirota Yu, Shaku Yumiko, Ihara Tsuyoshi, Toda Masahiro, Tsurumi Shingo, Suzuki Hiroki, Miyagawa Daisuke
Synopsis: There is a specialist team for Batista surgery called Team Bastista which boasts a 100% success rate for a difficult surgery for heart disorders at the hospital affiliated to Tojo University’s medical school. However, three successive patients have died on the operating table midway through surgery. Could this be medical malpractice or murder? Taguchi Kohei (Ito Atsushi), a doctor practising psychosomatic medicine, tries to unravel the mystery behind the deaths of patients operated by elite cardiac surgeon Kiryu Kyoichi (Ihara Tsuyoshi) and his team. Together with a Health Ministry official, Shiratori Keisuke (Nakamura Toru), Taguchi gets closer to the truth.
Website: http://www.ktv.co.jp/batista/

Oh! My Girl!
Date: Tuesdays, 10.00 p.m. from 14 October 2008
Station: NTV
Cast: Hayami Mokomichi, Kato Rosa, Yoshida Riko, Tomosaka Rie, Okada Yoshinori, Yoshida Riko, Takahashi Hitomi, Irie Jingi, Shinohara Mai, Furuta Arata
Synopsis: Yamashita Kotaro (Hayami Mokomichi), is a poor mobile phone novelist enjoying his single life. He is a freeter whose dream to be a novelist still hasn’t been realised and he works part-time at a publishing company. Then Ann (Yoshida Riko), an impertinent, little liar comes to stay with him. She is a famous 6-year-old child star managed by Fuji Mineko (Kato Rosa). The daughter of his older sister, with whom he has no blood relations, Ann changes his blissful single life. How will a 24-year-old who isn’t quite an adult interact with a 6-year-old who doesn’t behave like a child and has a philosophical view of life?
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/ohmygirl/

Aibou 7
Date: Wednesdays, 9.00 p.m. from 22 October 2008
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Terawaki Yasufumi, Suzuki Sawa, Takagi Saya, Kishibe Ittoku, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Otani Ryosuke, Yamanaka Takashi, Rokkaku Seiji
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/aibou/

OL Nippon
Date: Wednesdays, 10.00 p.m. from 8 October 2008
Station: NTV
Cast: Mizuki Arisa, Abe Sadao, Minami, Maeda Chie, Minagawa Sarutoki, Moro Morooka, Inoue Yoshio, Asano Yuko, Azuma Mikihisa
Synopsis: Kanzaki Shimako (Mizuki Arisa) is a single 31-year-old OL who has worked at the General Affairs department of an established firm for 9 years. She is capable, trusted by her superiors, has a strong sense of responsibility and hates to lose. Then, her company decides to implement outsourcing and Shimako finds herself named to teach three Chinese.
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/ol-nippon/

Omiyasan
Date: Thursdays, 8.00 p.m. from 16 October 2008
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Watase Tsunehiko, Sakurai Atsuko, Nanase Natsumi, Sugai Kin, Tani Kei
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/omiyasan2008/

Shouni Kyumei
Date: Thursdays, 9.00 p.m. from 16 October 2008
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Konishi Manami, Tsukamoto Takashi, Kazuchi Ryo, Osugi Ren, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Fueki Yuko, Nadaka Tatsuo, Tajitsu Yoko, Masana Bokuzou, Jinnai Takanori
Synopsis: Aoyama Sora (Konishi Manami) is a simple and innocent but strong-willed pediatrician who finds herself at odds with the pediatrics policy of the large hospital she is working in and quits her job to be the female director of the pediatrics hospital she sets up.
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kyumei/

Kaze no Garden
Date: Thursdays, 10.00 p.m. from 9 October 2008
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Nakai Kiichi, Kuroki Meisa, Kamiki Ryunosuke, Ito Ran, Okuda Eiji, Ogata Ken, Hirahara Ayaka
Synopsis: Associate Professor Shiratori Sadami (Nakai Kiichi), an anesthesiologist at a famous Tokyo hospital, is an expert in palliative care and an authority in the field of anesthesiology. His invigorating personality and cheerfulness make him stand out in the hospital and his relationships with women are tacitly accepted by everyone. However, Shiratori is suffering from end stage cancer. Aware of his impending death, Shiratori finds himself going back to his hometown of Furano. His father Teizo (Ogata Ken) and two children Rui (Kuroki Meisa) and Gaku (Kamiki Ryunosuke) are living there but all communication has been cut off since 7 years ago. Sadami’s flings with women had driven his wife Saeko to suicide. Because of this, he was renounced by his father and also wasn’t allowed to meet his children. His aged father looks after the British garden left behind by Saeko together with Rui and Gaku. Will the day come when he can be ushered into this beautiful garden blooming with seasonal flowers caressed by the breeze?
Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/garden/

Yume o Kanaeru Zo
Date: Thursdays, 11.58 p.m. from 2 October 2008
Station: NTV
Cast: Mizukawa Asami, Furuta Arata, Oguri Shun (guest star in Ep 1), Satoi Kenta, Sakurada Seiko, Okubo Mariko, Kato Rie
Synopsis: Hoshino Asuka (Mizukawa Asami) is dumped by her boyfriend, who is a colleague at the same workplace, on her 25th birthday. To make matters worse, her apartment catches fire and she can’t return to live in it. Asuka finds herself wishing for happiness and the elephant god Ganesha (Furuta Arata) suddenly appears. He had lived with Inoue Kohei (Oguri Shun) in that apartment several years ago. With the appearance of Ganesha, Asuka learns what true happiness is. Yume o Kanaeruzo will be a continuation of the 2-hour drama special Yume o Kanaeruzo SP starring Oguri Shun.
Website: http://www.ytv.co.jp/yumezou/special02/index.html

Gira Gira
Date: Fridays, 9.00 p.m. from 17 October 2008
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Sasaki Kuranosuke, Maya Miki, Hara Sachie, Miura Shohei, Ashina Sei, Tanaka Yoji, Hiraizumi Sei, Kotegawa Yuko, Ishibashi Ryo, Igarashi Shunji (guest star), Hara Mikie (guest star), Toda Keiko (guest star)
Synopsis: Kohei (Sasaki Kurasnosuke) was a legendary host called the King of Roppongi who can melt a person’s heart but he retired to work in a company. However, to look after his wife, Momoko (Hara Sachie) and son when he suddenly gets laid off, he reenters to the world he had left and works at a host club run by Yuki (Maya Miki). Kohei finds himself wedged between the family he loves and his night job. Through his struggle for supremacy with the other hosts and standoff against the power players who rule the dark world, he regains his former “dazzling” self, eventually mesmerising the hosts and the people around him.
Website: http://giragira.asahi.co.jp/

Ryusei no Kizuna
Date: Fridays, 10.00 p.m. from 17 October 2008
Station: TBS
Cast: Ninomiya Kazunari, Nishikido Ryo, Toda Erika, Miura Tomokazu, Kaname Jun, Nakashima Mika, Omo Toshinori, Shitara Osamu, Ryo, Terajima Susumu, Kiritani Kenta, Ikezu Shoko
Synopsis: Based on Higashino Keigo’s mystery novel of the same name, Ryusei no Kizuna, is about three siblings – older brother Koichi (Ninomiya Kazunari), Taisuke (Nishikido Ryo) and younger sister Shizuna (Toda Erika) – whose parents were murdered by someone when they were elementary school students. The three of them have relied on each other ever since. They conspire in fradulent activities while searching for their parents’ killer.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/ryuseinokizuna/

Salaryman Kintaro
Date: Fridays, 11.15 p.m. from 10 October 2008
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Nagai Masaru, Inoue Waka, Aoyama Noriko, Kazami Shingo, Kikuchi Kenichiro, Ogawa Nana, Azama Myuu, Shioyama Misako, Kaneda Mika, Hosogawa Shigeki, Shiba Toshio, Furuya Ikkou, Utsui Ken
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kintaro/

Scrap Teacher ~ Kyosei Saisei ~
Date: Saturdays, 9.00 p.m. from 11 October 2008
Station: NTV
Cast: Yamada Ryosuke, Nakajima Yuto, Chinen Yuri, Arioka Daiki, Kamiji Yusuke, Kato Ai, Mukai Osamu, Yashima Norito, Rokkaku Seiji, Nakamoto Koji
Synopsis: Scrap Teacher is a story about four transfer students who revitalise the apathetic and self-centred teachers of the junior high school they come to.
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/scrap/

Room of King
Date: Saturdays, 11.10 p.m. from 4 October 2008
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Mizushima Hiro, Suzuki Ann, Igawa Haruka, Watabe Atsuro
Synopsis: Mori Jiro (Mizushima Hiro), a freeter working part-time at a flower shop in Aoyama; Asada Asako (Suzuki Ann), an OL working temporarily at a bank; and Hibiki Kyoko (Igawa Haruka), a female venereologist, are contacted by a mysterious real estate office and receive offers to move into a high-end apartment called “King” at Aoyama. But a popular stylist Majima Yohei (Watabe Atsuro) is already living there. In fact, they have been made to take part in a “room-share” game in which only the successful person who overcomes numerous circumstances will win the right of ownership of the apartment.
Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/ROK/index.html

Akai Ito
Date: Saturdays, 11.00 p.m. from 6 December 2008
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Minamizawa Nao, Mizobata Junpei, Kimura Ryo, Okamoto Rei, Ishibashi Anna, Sakuraba Nanami, Yanagishita Tomo, Suzuki Kasumi, Iwata Sayuri, Yazaki Hiroshi
Synopsis: The person she yearned for all along liked her older sister, Haruna. After the end of her first love, Takemiya Mei (Minamizawa Nao) met Nishino Atsushi (Mizobata Junpei) and fell in love with him. Mei, who knew that they had met when they were young, believes that this love is fated. But when Atsushi learns about the shocking “past” between them, he suddenly leaves. They face numerous hurdles – the death of a beloved person, drugs, DV. Can the fated pair be tied together guided by the red thread?
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/akai-ito/index.html

Bloody Monday
Date: Saturdays, 8.00 p.m. from 11 October 2008
Station: TBS
Cast: Miura Haruma, Kichise Michiko, Sato Takeru, Katase Nana, Narimiya Hiroki (guest star), Yoshizawa Hisashi, Matsushige Yutaka, Ashina Sei, Fujii Mina, Kawashima Umika, Tanaka Tetsuji, Nakahara Takeo, Shimada Kyusaku, Tokunaga Eri
Synopsis: On the night of Christmas Eve, a bargain is struck in Russia. Maya (Kichise Michiko) obtains a killer virus from a man belonging to a syndicate. Her aim is to create a viral pandemic in Japan. The plan’s keyword is “Bloody Monday”. Then she arrives in Japan, guns down Russian intelligence agent(s) pursuing her and disappears. Responsible for counter terrorism, the Public Security Intelligence Agency, also known as the “Third Eye”, asks Takagi Fujimaru (Miura Haruma) who attends Miyo High School to analyse a chip left behind by the intelligence agent(s). Fujimaru looks like a very ordinary high school student but he is actually a brilliant hacker called “Falcon”. He breaks into computers with advanced hacking skills and has uncovered numerous wrongdoings. After some struggle, Fujimaru succeeds in the file download. The truth hidden in that mysterious file is … Then Orihara Maya appears in front of Fujimaru as a teacher at Miyo High School … Can “Falcon” save Japan and the world from this virus?
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/bloody-monday/

Judge II ~ Shima no Saibankan Funto Ki
Date: Saturdays, 9.00 p.m. from 25 October 2008
Station: NHK
Cast: Nishijima Hidetoshi, Toda Naho, Masuoka Mei
Synopsis: Part I depicted the assignment of Misawa Kyosuke (Nishijima Hidetoshi) to one of Kagoshima’s outlying islands as its only judge, the confusion he felt in a different environment and the cases he faced, as he matured as a person in his first year. Part II will portray Kyosuke, who has gained confidence from his experience on the island, in the remaining year that he has until he leaves.
Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/judge2/

Scandal
Date: Sundays, 9.00 p.m. from 19 October 2008
Station: TBS
Cast: Suzuki Kyoka, Hasegawa Kyoko, Momoi Kaori, Fukiishi Kazue, Toda Naho, Sawamura Ikki, Mitsuishi Ken, Kato Toranosuke, Endo Kenichi, Ishihara Yoshizumi, Kohinata Fumiyo, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Takizawa Saori, Kohama Masahiro
Synopsis: Love and suspense begin with the dramatic reunion of housewives and working women. Because of love, money, lifestyles, family, fashion, typical housewives are getting caught up in certain circumstances … questioning what women’s happiness is and looking for true happiness. Four women with different worries – Takayanagi Takako (Suzuki Kyoka) who is troubled about love, Kawai Hitomi (Hasegawa Kyoko) who is troubled about courage, Samejima Mayuko (Fukiishi Kazue) who is troubled about riches and Shindo Tamaki (Momoi Kaori) who is troubled about desire – meet at the wedding of the mysterious Shiraishi Risako (Toda Naho). They build up genuine friendships through their tears and quarrels when Risako gets caught in some matter.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/scandal2008/

Prisoner
Date: Sundays, 10.00 p.m. from 16 November 2008
Station: WOWOW
Cast: Tamayama Tetsuji, Tsuruta Mayu, Omori Nao, Nakamura Shunsuke, Sada Mayumi, Kohinata Fumiyo, Matsushige Yutaka, Ishiguro Ken
Synopsis: Izawa Keigo (Tamayama Tetsuji), a teacher, tenders his resignation because of an incident. He visits Yuzurihara (Nakamura Shunsuke), his senior from college days who runs an orphanage in Seraivia, a small country in Southeast Asia and stays to help at the orphanage for a while. Then Yuzurihara is taken in by a man called Joy and loses his entire fortune. An angry Keigo demands the money back from Joy but is arrested by the police, who have been bribed by Joy. Keigo sinks into despair in prison. His cellmate, a mysterious man called Pon (Omori Nao) proposes a scheme to break out of prison but …
Website: http://www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/prisoner/

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