Fall 2013 Dramas

Keiji no Manazashi
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Mondays, 7 October 2013
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Iwashita Yuko (Kamo, Kyoto e Iku, Suzuki Sensei, Rinjo), Oishi Tetsuya (Perfect Blue, Platinum Town, Don Quixote)
Original Work: Keiji no Manazashi by Yakumaru Gaku
Cast: Shiina Kippei, Kaname Jun, Ono Yuriko, Yoshida Yo, Yamada Anna, Nakabayashi Taiki, Yoshiie Akihito, Fujimoto Izumi, Itaya Yuka, Kitamura Yukiya, Matsushige Yutaka, Moriguchi Yoko (guest star), Nomura Shuhei (guest star), Ryu Raita (guest star), Suda Kunihiro (guest star), Hotaru Yukijiro (guest star), Matsuzawa Kazuyuki (guest star), Yamaguchi Yoshiyuki (guest star), Katsumura Masanobu (guest star), Fukikoshi Mitsuru (guest star), Ito Yuko (guest star), Hoshino Mari (guest star), Taiga (guest star), Oshinari Shugo (guest star), Tokunaga Eri (guest star), Hirata Mitsuru (guest star)
Synopsis: Natsume Nobuto (Shiina Kippei) was an officer at a juvenile detention centre. Then his young daughter Emi (Yamada Anna) became a victim in a case and slipped into a coma from which she has never awaken. 10 years on, Natsume has transformed into a police officer, going from a job that trusts in people to a job that suspects people. Now over 40, this latecomer is a detective with the Violent Crimes Section at Higashi Ikebukuro Police Precinct’s Criminal Affairs Division. The precinct’s jurisdiction of east Ikebukuro is an area where an entertainment and nightlife district has spread out behind high-rise buildings while a short walk away is an old town streetscape. This district of contradictory elements is like looking at a microcosm of society with its many facets. It is in east Ikebukuro that Natsume teams up with the veteran detective Fukumori Seiichi (Matsushige Yutaka) and younger female detective Adachi Ryoko (Ono Yuriko) to deal with cases as he finds out the truth. Despite the heartrending pain he has been through, he still tries to believe in people. The look in his eyes unsettles criminals and gains the trust of tight-lipped parties involved in cases.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/keijinomanazashi

Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 14 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Detarame Hero, Lady ~ Saigo no Hanzai Profile, Celeb to Binbou Taro)
Cast: Matsuda Shota, Takei Emi, Fujiwara Norika, Fukushi Sota, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Tsuchiya Yuichi, Toda Erika, Terajima Susumu, Aso Yumi, Ueno Denis, Kato Ai (guest star), Shinoda Mariko (guest star), Kaho (guest star), Ishida Ayumi (guest star), Takimoto Miori (guest star), Sasaki Nozomi (guest star), Eikura Nana (guest star)
Synopsis: Sezaki Kota (Matsuda Shota) is a young, competent doctor whose only shortcoming is his terrible weakness when it comes to beautiful women. In an unexpected turn of events, he boards the ‘Kaishinmaru’, a hospital ship which goes around to islands without hospitals in the Seto Inland Sea. He would fall in love with a woman he meets on each island he visits, declare that he is going to live with her and make every effort to solve the medical problem she has. However, various people would be drawn into this fuss. In the end, he would get dumped by the woman. He would tearfully go on to the next island and fall in love with another woman and the same thing would happen over and over again … … The nurse Togami Mako (Takei Emi) is Sezaki’s partner. Mako, who detests things which do not make sense or are not right, cannot help getting irritated with the seemingly irresponsible Sezaki when he suddenly appears on the ship.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/uminoueno_shinryojo

Shuden Gohan
Date: From 11.58 p.m., Mondays, 7 October 2013
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Iwai Hideto (Last Dinner, Shuden Bye Bye)
Original Work: Shuden Gohan by Umetsu Yukiko and Takaya Ayu
Cast: Wakabayashi Masayasu, Sakai Wakana, Sato Hitomi
Synopsis: Masayasu (Wakabayashi Masayasu) and Wakana (Sakai Wakana) are a working couple who live in the outskirts. His older sister Hitomi (Sato Hitomi) has forced herself into their lives and now lives with them. At night, they may be tired and hungry after a long day, but they are weary of convenience store food and eating out. They want to eat something healthy because it is late at night. A simple, delicious supper which does not take time prepare and to clean up. In fact the only rule that they have established is to cook and eat at home even if they come back on the last train.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/shuuden_gohan
Related: Shuden Gohan Drama Special

Henshin Interviewer no Yuutsu
Date: From 12.28 a.m., Tuesdays, 22 October 2013
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Miki Satoshi (Atami no Sousakan, Jikou Keisatsu Series)
Cast: Nakamaru Yuichi, Kimura Fumino, Fuse Eri, Matsuo Suzuki, Mashima Hidekazu, Nakamura Yuko, Shoji Yusuke, Machida Mari, Mitsuishi Ken, Iwamatsu Ryo, Matsushige Yutaka
Synopsis: Shirakawa Jiro (Nakamaru Yuichi) is a genius author. At the age of 15, his novel won the top prize. He has written 99 mystery novels as a trick genius since then. Shirakawa is tackling what would be his milestone 100th novel, but he has not been able to write anything and this has gone on for more than three months. Aonuma Kiryu (Nakamaru Yuichi) is a genius interviewer who is able to get people to loosen their tongues. Shirakawa who takes pleasure in being a fake, has become the transforming interviewer Aonuma Kiryu in order to listen to what people say. He has no interest in the truth but seeks a real case which he had found through the internet as subject matter for his 100th novel. It is the unsolved Tulip Murders in which the grotesque abandoned corpses of two housewives were followed by yet another murder one year later. Together with a pretty editor (Kimura Fumino), Shirakawa heads to the town where the cases occurred. As Aonuma, he gets close to the hidden truth with his formidable powers of deduction.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/hen-tavi_neo

Miss Pilot
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 15 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Sakurai Tsuyoshi (Marumo no Okite, Priceless, Sorekara no Umi), Ikegami Junya (Iryu Sousa Seasons 1 & 3, Ninkyo Helper, Tsuki no Koibito)
Cast: Horikita Maki, Aibu Saki, Saito Takumi, Sakuraba Nanami, Nanao, Iwaki Koichi, Mamiya Shotaro, Koyanagi Yu, Fujii Ryusei, Shonozaki Ken, Fujisawa Ema, Negishi Toshie, Ishikura Saburo
Synopsis: Tezuka Haru (Horikita Maki) is the daughter of a pub owner in Kamata, Tokyo. Her naive, frank and honest personality often gets her into trouble. As a result, she is rejected by every company that comes her way during the job hunting process. Just as Haru is running out of options, she see ANA’s recruitment information. She decides to apply to be an airline pilot without giving it any thought. Although she barely makes the cut for the pilot cadet programme, she unexpectedly falls under the spell of the joy of flying in the air during the tests and earnestly sets her sights on becoming a female pilot. However, what awaits her is a training programme tougher than she had imagined. Haru does the best she can in training and keeps getting scolded by the strict instructors everyday. As she faces the heavy pressure of not having a second chance at becoming a pilot if she fails, she surmounts challenges with her straightforward personality and easy smile.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/misspilot

Yorozu Uranaidokoro Onmyoya e Yokoso
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 8 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Strawberry Night, Dinner, Zettai Reido)
Original Work: Onmyoya Series by Amano Shoko
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Kurashina Kana, Chinen Yuri, Kashiwagi Yuki, Suruga Taro, Miyakawa Ichirota, Hamada Mari, Fuse Eri, Mie Haru, Minamino Yoko, Sugi Ryotaro
Synopsis: Abe no Shomei (Nishikido Ryo) is a fake fortune teller who has no psychic powers but displays the sign ‘Yorozu Uranaidokoro’ at Oji in Tokyo’s Kita district. Despite his good looks, he has a barbed tongue, finds most things bothersome and is aloof. He will not do work that is not lucrative. Although he serves customers looking like an imposing medium, he is evidently shady. But he smoothly solves whatever difficult problems or troubles they have with logic, ingenuity and eloquence from his former days as a host. He possesses an enigmatic charm which makes every customer go away feeling extremely grateful to him.
Website: www.ktv.jp/onmyoya

Kuroneko, Tokidoki Hanaya
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Tuesdays, 1 October 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Shigeki
Cast: Taira Airi, Hayashi Kento, Tanihara Shosuke, Kajihara Zen, Matobu Sei, Anan Kenji, Fujiyoshi Kumiko
Synopsis: Hinata Kiyoka (Taira Airi) is heartbroken over the death of her husband, Koki (Tanahara Shosuke) who died in a freak accident one year after their marriage. Some circumstance results in her being put in charge of Neko no Hige, a small flower shop and cafe, on a temporary basis. True to its name, the cafe has a black cat called Kumi-chan. Nearly all the customers who come to the cafe are there with the intent of seeking Kumi-chan’s counsel. Because her predictions have a hit rate of close to 100%, there is no end to the customers with problems. One day, Kumi-chan gets possessed by Koki’s spirit, and a love triangle develops between Kiyoka, the black cat and Takumi (Hayashi Kento), a part-time employee who has feelings for her.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/kuroneko

Shikeidai no 72-jikan
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Tuesdays, 26 November 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Kawasaki Izumi (Higashino Keigo Mysteries)
Original Work: Shikeidai no 72-jikan by Shinohara Chie
Cast: Kuriyama Chiaki, Tanaka Kei, Daichi Mao, Aoyagi Sho, Satsukawa Aimi, Machida Mari, Onishi Ayaka, Sugata Shun
Synopsis: A group of five women and men (Kuriyama Chiaki, Tanaka Kei, Satsukawa Aimi, Aoyagi Sho, Machida Mari) have been confined in a secluded house deep in the mountains. Each of them had a motive for killing the owner’s (Daichi Mao) son years ago. No one comes forward to confess. If no one does so, they will die one by one in the next 72 hours. The owner’s warning turns into a reality and they are killed one at a time. In order to survive, those present in the locked chamber blame each other. Faced with the fear of impending death, they lay bare the truth. When the outline of the incident gradually emerges, the situation takes an unexpected turn.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/ckd72

Aibou Season 12
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 16 October 2013 (for two seasons)
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Narimiya Hiroki, Suzuki Anju, Matobu Sei, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Otani Ryosuke, Yamanaka Takashi, Rokkaku Seiji, Yamanishi Atsushi, Ishizaka Koji
Synopsis: –
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/aibou
Related: Aibou Season 11

Legal High Season 2
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kosawa Ryota (Legal High Season 1, Gaiji Keisatsu, Gonzo)
Cast: Sakai Masato, Aragaki Yui, Okada Masaki, Namase Katsuhisa, Koike Eiko, Taguchi Junnosuke, Yano Masato, Satomi Kotaro, Koyuki, Matsudaira Ken (guest star), Kuroki Haru, Furutachi Kanji, Sato Ryuta (guest star), Tanimura Mitsuki (guest star), Tsukaji Muga (guest star), Minami (guest star), Hirosue Ryoko (guest star), Kunimura Jun (guest star), Suzuki Honami (guest star), Ito Shiro (guest star)
Synopsis: Hanyu Haruki (Okada Masaki) is a young lawyer at the legal firm Nexus which he set up with a buddy. He believes that because the law is created by humans, it is not perfect. Rather than administer justice through law, points of compromise should be found for a win-win solution. Hanyu ends up facing off against Komikado Kensuke (Sakai Masato) and Mayuzumi Machiko (Aragaki Yui) at court in each trial. But unlike Komikado who views lawsuits as games and has no hesitation in declaring that “winners are justice”, Hanyu aims for a solution which both the plaintiff and the defendant will accept. He is a natural at deception. This coupled with his innocent smile even ensnares Komikado. Although they are always at odds because of work, he privately shows an interest in Machiko and appears to have more than just friendly feelings for her. He takes action whenever he has the opportunity and tails her.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/legal-high
Related: Legal High Season 2

Danda Rin ~ Roudou Kijun Kantokukan
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 2 October 2013
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Hata Takehiko (Otousan wa Nido Shinu, Summer Rescue, Dandy Mama)
Original Work: Dandarin-O- by Tajima Takashi
Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Matsuzaka Tori, Kazama Shunsuke, Mizuhashi Kenji, Triendl Reina, Oshima Yoko, Nishida Naomi, Ishino Mako, Okura Koji, Sano Shiro, Kitamura Kazuki, Watanabe Ikkei (guest star), Denden (guest star), Hirayama Aya (guest star), Sasai Eisuke (guest star), Shida Mirai (guest star), Kaku Kento (guest star), Tonesaku Toshihide (guest star), Shimada Kyusaku (guest star), Masu Takeshi (guest star), Ishida Takuya (guest star), Nishida Naomi (guest star), Watanabe Tetsushi (guest star), Ishibashi Anna (guest star)
Synopsis: The Labour Standards Bureau aims at a society where Japan’s 52 million workers can work with peace of mind. Labour standards inspector Danda Rin (Takeuchi Yuko) is assigned to the Nishi Tokyo Labour Standards Inspection Office. A woman with a strong sense of justice, she is unyielding and unstoppable when it comes to the Labor Standards Act which protect workers. Discord arises with the male labour standards inspectors who intend to get on reasonably well with Rin as she shakes off their control and fights against businesses that exploit employees – no compensation for overtime, token managerial positions and workplace harassment by those in positions of power.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/dandarin

Kasouken no Onna Season 13
Date: From 7.58 p.m., Thursdays, 17 October 2013 (for two seasons)
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Kaneda Akio, Kazama Toru, Osada Seiya, Sakimoto Hiromi, Saito Satoru, Okuda Erika, Tanaka Ken
Synopsis: –
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kasouken

Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko Season 2
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 17 October 2013
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Nakazono Miho (Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko Season 1, Hatsukoi, OL Nippon)
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Fujiki Naohito, Uchida Yuki, Fueki Yuko, Endo Kenichi, Sasano Takashi Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Mizusawa Erena, Nomaguchi Toru, Rokkaku Shinji, Asano Kazuyuki, Mita Yoshiko, Nishida Toshiyuki, Kishibe Ittoku, Shaku Yumiko (guest star)
Synopsis: The cool and unconventional freelance surgeon Daimon Michiko (Yonekura Ryoko) enters Teito Medical University Hospital this time. To Teito Medical University’s Third Hospital which is mocked as a branch office, Teito Medical University Hospital is viewed as the top of the mammoth organisation. However, in recent years the university hospital’s medical departments have been on the decline, and the hospital’s first priority is neither the lives of patients nor research papers but simply making profit. That may be why even doctors are constantly seeking to reap profit and freelance doctors like Michiko have appeared in the grueling field of surgery which is under pressure from the harsh working conditions. In this era where the fittest survive, the organisation which is overwhelmed by the friction arising from being no different than a community of salarymen will be pitted against Michiko, the loner and maverick.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/doctor-x
Related: Doctor X ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko Season 1

Otto no Kanojo
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 24 October 2013
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Egashira Michiru (Naniwa Shounen Tanteidan, Scrap Teacher, Gokusen Series)
Original Work: Otto no Kanojo by Kakiya Miu
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Suzuki Sawa, Suzuki Fuku, Furukawa Yuki, Otomo Karen, Yanagisawa Shingo, Yamamura Momiji, Katahira Nagisa, Tanabe Seiichi
Synopsis: 20-year-old Yamagishi Hoshimi (Kawaguchi Haruna) was raised single-handedly by her mother after her father died early. A temporary staff working for Daitoa Mill’s Sales Department, she is mentored by her boss Komatsubara Mugitaro (Tanabe Seiichi) as she studies for the exam to become a full-time employee. One day, Komatsubara’s wife Hishiko (Suzuki Sawa), who suspects her husband of having an affair, goes to meet Hoshimi. As the two women jostle with each other, they unexpectedly swop bodies. Komatsubara starts to feel suspicious about the changes in his wife. On the other hand, Hishiko is supported and charmed by Hoshimi who is inside her.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/ottonokanojyo_tbs

Dokushin Kizoku ~ A Swinging Single
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 10 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Sato Shimako (Unfair Series, Koi ni Ochitara, Minami-kun no Koibito)
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kitagawa Keiko, Fujigaya Taisuke, Renbutsu Misako, Hiraiwa Kami, Nishihara Aki, Sasai Eisuke, Ito Hideaki, Dewi Sukarno, Yamashita Tomohisa (guest star)
Synopsis: A movie company president (Kusanagi Tsuyoshi) is the “swinging bachelor” who dislikes being forced to adjust his pace and believes love is unnecessary. A woman dreaming of becoming a movie writer (Kitagawa Keiko) lets work overtake romance and is disillusioned about marriage. She is the “marriage refugee”. The younger brother of the movie company president (Ito Hideaki) works for the same company and has good negotiation skills and business sense. He is the “brave divorcee” who is going through a divorce mediation and has been kicked out of the house but instead of being discouraged, he tries his best in love with another woman. These three people meet by chance and become entangled in a strange triangular relationship.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/dokusinkizoku

Hakuba no Oujisama ~ Junai Tekireiki
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 3 October 2013
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Fujii Kiyomi (Take Five, Ruroni Kenshin)
Original Work: Hakuba no Oujisama by Saku Yukizo
Cast: Yuka, Miura Takahiro, Nakamura Shunsuke, Arai Hirofumi, Kawakita Mayuko, Ichikawa Miwako, Yamada Maho, Yuki Mio, Yanagishita Tomo
Synopsis: High school teacher Hara Takako (Yuka) is 32 and has no boyfriend. She is desperate and insecure. One day, a new teacher Ozu Kotaro (Miura Takahiro) seven years Takako’s junior is assigned to her school. Takako takes a romantic interest in Kotaro and the two of them grow attracted to each other. But in truth, Kotaro has a fiancee. Seeing the disconsolate Takako, reignites the love of Kurosawa Akio (Nakamura Shunsuke), a senior teacher whom she once had an affair with.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/hakuba

Higanjima
Date: From 12.58 a.m., Fridays, 25 October 2013
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Nakamura Masaru (QP, Dragonhead, Dororo)
Original Work: Higanjima by Matsumoto Koji
Cast: Shiraishi Shunya, Suzuki Ryohei, Yamashita Rio, Endo Yuya, Nishii Yukito, Abe Shohei, Katsunobu, Sato Megumi, Kurihara Rui, Misaki Ayame, Tsurumi Shingo
Synopsis: Miyamoto Akira (Shiraishi Shunya) left his hometown to study in a Tokyo university. He returns one summer vacation to learn that his older brother Atsushi (Suzuki Ryohei) has been missing since he took a trip with his fiancee (Misaki Ayame) half a year ago. Akira heads for the remote island of Higanjima in order to search for Atsushi. However, what awaits Akira when he arrives on the island is a scene from hell beyond all imagination. Vampires dwell on Higanjima as a result of a virus that infected people. No one will live to return once they set foot on the island.
Website: higanjima-tv.jp

Kumokiri Nizaemon Season 1
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 4 October 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Miyagawa Ichiro (Natsukumo Agare)
Original Work: Kumokiri Nizaemon by Ikenami Shotaro
Cast: Nakai Kiichi, Kunimura Jun, Uchiyama Rina, Ibu Masato, Emoto Tasuku, Tezuka Toru, Endo Kumiko, Murata Takehiro, Matsuda Satoshi, Kyono Kotomi
Synopsis: During the Kyoho period in the reign of Tokugawa Yoshimune, there is a gang of thieves which steal large sums of money with skillful techniques, not just in Edo but also the Tokaido and the Nakasendo, and all across the Kansai region. They only target the very wealthy, and never kill or injure people. They appear with the clouds and disappear like the mist. The leader who 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 is Kumokiri Nizaemon (Nakai Kiichi), the greatest bandit of all time. On the other hand, Abe Shikibu (Kunimura Jun) is the chief of the Hitsuke Tozoku Aratamekata, the public security force, which is intent on arresting the Kumokiri gang. A fierce battle unfolds and the Hitsuke Tozoku Aratamekata continues to pose a threat to the Kumokiri. The next target of the Kumokiri gang is a wealthy Owari merchant. As the Hitsuke Tozoku Aratamekata close in, how will the Kumokiri carry out the theft?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/kumokiri
Related: Kumokiri Nizaemon Season 2

Kazoku no Urajijou
Date: From 7.57 p.m., Fridays, 25 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Takei Aya (Kagi no Nai Yume o Miru, Karamazov no Kyoudai)
Cast: Zaizen Naomi, Sawamura Ikki, Tanimura Mitsuki, Matsushita Kohei, Suzuki Katsuhiro, Mizutani Kaho, Megumi, Sato Jiro, Onodera Akira, Maya Kyoko, Matsushita Yuki (guest star)
Synopsis: The Isawas are the average, ordinary Japanese family. Husband Yasuhiko (Sawamura Ikki) and wife Yukari (Zaizen Naomi) are the owners of Isawaya, a restaurant that serves set meals in the old downtown district of Tokyo. They are a happy couple despite their contrasting characters. But the sudden appearance of Takagi Rui (Tanimura Mitsuki), the girlfriend their eldest son Haruhiko (Matsushita Kohei), and Yukari’s mother Mimatsu Hanae (Maya Kyoko), who has been out of touch since she divorced her husband, expose a secret of this three-generation family and family ties are tested.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/urajijyo

Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi Namida no Jikenbo
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 11 October 2013
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Kurokawa Hiroyuki
Cast: Funakoshi Eiichiro, Nakayama Shinobu, Koizumi Kotaro, Hirayama Aya, Hayashi Yasufumi, Yamada Jundai, Matsuo Satoru, Kawanishi Kenji, Kanayama Kazuhiko, Sato Takayuki, Nagashima Takuma, Sudo Nanako, Furuya Ikko (guest star), Nakahara Takeo, Mano Azusa, Shiraishi Miho (guest star), Ishii Masanori (guest star)
Synopsis: Detective Yoshinaga Seiichi (Funakoshi Eiichiro) of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police is a person with empathy. He tries to unravel the hearts of the living who are connected to many of the cases he has solved. Yoshinaga teams up with a new partner, Kagami Kiichi (Koizumi Kotaro). Kiichi’s father Takashi (Furuya Ikko) was a legendary detective whom even Yoshinaga admired, but he got involved in a case and was killed in the line of duty five years ago. At first, Kiichi lacks a sense of responsibility as a detective. But as he and Yoshinaga uncover the truth of his father’s case, his eyes are opened to the significance of his occupation.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/yoshinaga

Kurokouchi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 11 October 2013
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Izumi Yoshihiro (Tokkan, Nankyoku Tairiku, Rookies)
Original Work: Kurokouchi by Richard Wu & Kono Koji
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Goriki Ayame, Kashii Yu, Riju Go, Koichi Mantaro, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Kawamura Yosuke, Endo Kaname, Kawakita Mayuko, Azuma Mikihisa, Kaneko Ken, Daichi Yasuo, Kazama Morio, Watabe Atsuro, Ashina Sei, Koide Keisuke, Mashima Hidekazu, Okuda Erika, Watabe Gota (guest star), Shiga Kotaro (guest star), Yashiba Toshihiro (guest star), Itao Itsuji (guest star), Suda Kunihiro (guest star)
Synopsis: Kurokouchi Keita (Nagase Tomoya) is a man who has dirt on politicians and keeps extorting large sums of money from them. He is neither a gangster nor a hooligan but a detective by profession. An Assistant Inspector of the Criminal Investigations Department’s Second Investigative Division at Kanagawa Prefectural Police, Kurokouchi is called “shady prefectural police”. He is an aloof man with no subordinates, but cracks brutal unsolved crimes through information obtained illegally along with the money. He is an underhanded, corrupt daredevil who fights one evil with another. What lies ahead maybe the truth of the audacious 300 million yen heist, the greatest unsolved case of the post-war era. The heist took place in December 1968 and the statute of limitation ran out in December 1975. Kurokouchi believes the criminal(s) are still around now and has been investigating. Rookie detective Seike Mashiro (Goriki Ayame) is paired up with Kurokouchi. A police officer for just over a year, she is outstanding but naive. She and Kurokouchi are like “dynamic” and “static” in everything as they go after cases.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/kurokouchi

Jikken Keiji Totori Season 2
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 12 October 2013
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Nishida Masafumi (Jikken Keiji Totori Season 1, Youkai Ningen Bemu, Kaibutsu-kun)
Cast: Mikami Hiroshi, Takahashi Mitsuomi, Kuriyama Chiaki, Sasano Takashi, Takahashi Ai, Kino Hana (guest star), Maruyama Tomomi (guest star), Owada Miho (guest star), Hagiwara Masato (guest star), Totsugi Shigeyuki (guest star)
Synopsis: 44-year-old Totori Hiroshi (Mikami Hiroshi), a zoologist turned Tokyo Metropolitan Police First Investigative Division detective, and his young 29-year-old partner Yasunaga Teppei clash with each other sometimes and help each other at other times as they pursue criminals.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/totori2
Related: Jikken Keiji Totori Season 1

Taiyou no Wana
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 30 November 2013
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Oshima Satomi (Koisuru Hae Onna, Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi, Good Life ~ Arigato Papa. Sayonara)
Cast: Nishijima Takahiro, Tsukamoto Takashi, Ito Ayumi, Omi Toshinori, Misaki Ayame, Patrick Harlan, Takahashi Choei, Nakahara Takeo, Ishida Hikari, Yoshida Eisaku, Ibu Masato
Synopsis: Hasegawa (Nishijima Takahiro) works for the Intellectual Property Department of Meio Denki, a Nagoya-based major electric appliance manufacturer. One day, Meio Denki receives a warning letter from the US company, Zester Research. Zester Research is seeking a hefty compensation and license fee for Meio Denki’s infringement of patented solar panel technology. Meio Denki had been staking its fortunes on this technology. An uproar ensues within the company and Hasegawa is suspected of being an industrial spy. This happens just as he is starting married life with his beautiful older wife Aoi (Ito Ayumi). Called a patent troll, Zester Research is an American patent mafia led by the mysterious Sawada (Tsukamoto Takashi) from behind the scenes. On the other hand, Hama (Omi Toshinori), who busies himself with the in-house lawsuit countermeasures office, is repeatedly rebuked and insulted by his superior Maruoka (Ibu Masato) and eventually strikes Maruoka on the head … … This case becomes a fuse which ignites love and pride, and starts a bruising game.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/nagoya/wana

Kaiki Daisakusen Mystery File
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 5 October 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Kobayashi Hirotoshi (Azamijo no Lullabye, Ikemen Sobaya Tantei, Sweet Rain), Nakano Takao (Kaiki Daisakusen Second File), Kurosawa Hisako (49-nichi no Recipe, Yotsu no Uso)
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Harada Taizo, Tabata Tomoko, Murai Ryota, Takahashi Mai, Harada Mieko, Morimoto Leo (guest star), Yasuda Ken (guest star), Asari Yosuke (guest star), Shimada Kyusaku (guest star), Yamamoto Mirai (guest star), Takahashi Kaori (guest star), Hirata Mitsuru (guest star), Tsukamoto Takashi (guest star), Nagashima Toshiyuki (guest star)
Synopsis: A human body suddenly combusts without warning, a mysterious virus makes a blood vessel mutate into a plant root … … The Science Research Institute (Kamikawa Takaya, Harada Taizo, Murai Ryota, Takahashi Mai, Harada Mieko) which consists of scientists, investigates bizarre cases that are more than the police and forensic researchers can handle. As they expose the scientific tricks behind the cases and track down criminals, the dark hearts of these criminals are revealed.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/kaiki

Toshi Densetsu no Onna Season 2
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 11 October 2013
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Goto Noriko (Goen Hunter, Toshi Densetsu no Onna Season 1, Team Batista Series), Kuramochi Yutaka (13-sai no Hello Work, Nobunaga no Chef), Watanabe Yusuke (Lady ~ Saigo no Profiling, Mirai Nikki, Bloody Monday Series), Fukuda Yuichi (Tenma-san ga Yuku, Kodomo Keisatsu, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series)
Cast: Nagasawa Masami, Mizobata Junpei, Takenaka Naoto, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Okubo Kayoko, Takatsuki Sara, Akizuki Narumi, Koizumi Maya, Kazama Aki, Sudo Risa, Takuma Takayuki, Takatsuki Sara, Ibu Masato
Synopsis: Detective Otonashi Tsukiko (Nagasawa Masami), who went to New York following a sudden and unprecedented secondment from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division, returns to Japan temporarily. The Unscientific Incidents Investigation Unit, or UIU for short, has just been set up within the police organisation by the new police commissioner. Tsukiko decides to return to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department now that cases connected to Toshi Densetsu can be investigated more openly than ever before. Tsukiko’s boss Tannai Ichio (Takenaka Naoto) ends up being appointed to be the UIU’s figurehead.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/toshidensetsu
Related: Toshi Densetsu no Onna Season 1

Tokyo Bandwagon ~ Shitamachi Daikazoku Monogatari
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 12 October 2013
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Omori Mika (Hungry, Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku, Brother Beat)
Original Work: Tokyo Bandwagon Series by Shoji Yukiya
Cast: Kamenashi Kazuya, Tabe Mikako, Tamaki Koji, Hiraizumi Sei, Kaga Mariko, Mimura, Inohara Yoshihiko, Kaneko Nobuaki, Hira Airi, Mitsuishi Ken, Bengal, Masu Takeshi
Synopsis: The somewhat peculiar Hotta family runs Tokyo Bandwagon, a secondhand bookstore and cafe in the old part of Tokyo. A big four-generation family that is rare these days, the Hottas live by rather unusual family rules, and solve strange incidents that arise in the old town. The elusive and eccentric Ganato (Tamaki Koji) is the father of 26-year-old Ao (Kamenashi Kazuya), his second son and a freelance tour guide. Ganato always seems to have no goal in mind, but is actually a legendary rocker. Although Ao is the child of his father’s mistress, he has been raised without prejudice. Ao is an irresistible playboy to females due to the gap between his frivolous behaviour and occasional melancholic expressions, but then he encounters university student Makino Suzumi (Tabe Mikako) and falls deeply in love with her.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/bandwagon

Honey Trap
Date: From 11.10 p.m., Saturdays, 19 October 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Yamaoka Junpei (Power Game, GTO remake, Clover)
Cast: AKIRA, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Uchiyama Rina, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Takashima Masanobu (guest star), Nakama Yukie, Nonami Maho, Takeda Shinji
Synopsis: Miyama Yuichi (AKIRA) is an advanced materials researcher at a top trading company. As the person in charge of new business which all rival firms are also planning to bid for, he is a central figure in major company-wide projects. He has an unaffected manner and is the type whose priority is work. Although he is not the pushy sort, he possesses a certain strength, has a good personality and is spoken well of. But in truth, there are many people who are envious of his ability as well as performance at work and he also has many enemies. One day, information on the new business is stolen by someone. Miyama is is suspected of leaking information and gets suspended. He loses everything in an instant. However, he gets up and strikes back in order to regain what he has lost. Miyama’s wife Natsumi (Nakama Yukie), who works in the company’s accounting department, is good at cooking and puts her husband first. The virtuous, ideal wife. But she goes through a lot of hardship to support him as he is dropped in a far corner and attacked by an unseen enemy.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/honey-trap

Tokyo Toy Box
Date: From 11.55 p.m., Saturdays, 5 October 2013
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Tokunaga Yuichi (Keiji 110 kg, Detarame Hero, Tokyo Airport), Yamaoka Shinsuke (Otatsukeya Jinpachi, Sharehouse no Koibito, Tefutefusou e Yokoso), Hattori Takashi
Original Work: Tokyo Toy Box by Ume
Cast: Kaname Jun, Uno Misako, Fukushi Seiji, Kitagawa Hiromi, Kikuta Daisuke, Cho Tamiyasu, Hashimoto Manami, Kishi Asuka, Shimizu Kazuki, Aijima Kazuyuki, Ishibashi Renji
Synopsis: Tsukiyama Hoshino (Uno Misako), an office lady at a management consulting firm, ends up seconded to a small game company called Studio G3 in Akihabara because of her superior’s scheme. What awaits her is a team of individualistic game creators led by company president Tenkawa Taiyo (Kaname Jun) who thinks about nothing but creating interesting games. Meanwhile, Sensui Izuru (Fukushi Seiji) of Solid Works, the industry’s largest company which Taiyo previously worked at, reaches out for Studio G3 and Taiyo but … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/tokyo_toybox

Saibanchou! Onaka Sukimashita
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Saturdays, 6 October 2013 (for two seasons)
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Tenma-san ga Yuku, Kodomo Keisatsu, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series)
Cast: Kitayama Hiromitsu, Sato Jiro, Totsugi Shigeyuki
Synopsis: The plaintiff killed his wife one night this year. He confessed his crime at the neighbourhood police station and was arrested. His wife died of suffocation. A big amount of cream puff had blocked her throat! The lawyer (Kitayama Hiromitsu), judge (Sato Jiro), public prosecutor (Totsugi Shigeyuki), accused and witnesses are the only ones who appear. However, the people connected to the trial are all characters with idiosyncracies.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/saiban

49
Date: From 12.50 a.m., Saturdays, 6 October 2013
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Nojima Shinji (Gold, Love Shuffle, Bara no Nai Hanaya)
Cast: Sato Shori, Jinguji Yuta, Yamamoto Maika, Yasui Kentaro, Nomura Masumi, Morita Miuto, Shimekake Ryuya, Haniuda Amu, Abe Aran, Konno Mahiru, Kyan Yutaka
Synopsis: Kagami Dan (Sato Shori), a plain and dull 16-year-old first year high school student, is not good at both studies as well as sports and has a tendency to be reclusive. However, an incident results in the spirit of his late father entering his body. Because his father is a natural in everything, Dan starts to excel in studies and sports, and immediately becomes a popular guy in school. He even wins the love of the school’s belle. The people (Jinguji Yuta, Yasui Kentaro) around Dan are suprised by his sudden change, but they are influenced by his maturity and gradually charmed by his behaviour. However, his friends start to realise the secret regarding his transformation.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/49

Nocon Kid ~ Bokura no Gameshi
Date: From 12.52 a.m., Saturdays, 5 October 2013
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Sato Dai, Ishiyama Hidenori (Oretachi wa Tenshi da!), Ueda Makoto (Dragon Seinendan, Kazoku Hakkei), Mori Hayashi (Shomuni 2013, Kamo, Kyoto e Iku), Maeda Shiro (Last Dinner, Kazoku Hakkei)
Cast: Tanaka Kei, Haru, Sato Jiro, Hamano Kenta
Synopsis: 45-year-old Watanabe Reiji (Tanaka Kei) visits his family which used to run a game centre and this brings back memories of his good friend Kido Akinobu (Hamano Kenta) and the beautiful, young Takano Fumi (Haru). 30 years earlier, Game Centre Watanabe which Reiji’s father Masashi (Sato Jiro) had started was doing a roaring business. The children in the neighbourhood and even salarymen would turnout during working hours. Reiji’s classmate Kido would also come everyday and spend most of his pocket money competing in games. Reiji was not very interested in them but the awe-inspiring sight of Takano playing games, made him belatedly reach out for them. In a strange turn of events, he ended up facing off against Kido in a game.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/noconkid

Ando Lloyd ~ A.I. Knows Love?
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 13 October 2013
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Nishiogi Yumie (Honjitsu wa Taian Nari, SPEC Series, Tokujo Kabachi!!)
Cast: Kimura Takuya, Shibasaki Kou, Oshima Yuko, Kiritani Kenta, Honda Tsubasa, Kiritani Mirei, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Jesse, Yamamoto Mizuki, Hiraoka Yuta, Natori Yuko, Endo Kenichi
Synopsis: Eccentric, genius physicist Matsushima Reiji (Kimura Takuya) is engaged to Ando Asahi (Shibasaki Kou), a career woman who works for a major IT company. Reiji is a university professor well known in the world and a leading researcher in the wormhole theory (A wormhole is a theoretical ‘tunnel’ that links two places in space-time). He realises that he and Asahi will be killed because of the theory he has derived, and one day, loses his life in a plane explosion. Asahi is shocked by the sudden death of her beloved fiance. In addition, her own life becomes the target of some unknown person for reasons she cannot comprehend. Just as she is feeling at a loss and defenceless, a mysterious man called Lloyd (Kimura Takuya) appears in front of her from a desk drawer. He looks just like the late Reiji. Lloyd’s only mission is to protect Asahi from all sorts of danger. His philosophy is that “ineffective justice is pointless.” It is therefore no wonder that he defends himself and resorts to violence to protect the people he treasures. On the other hand, he does not know the word love and cannot understand human anger and sorrow. Asahi initially displays revulsion to Lloyd, but starts to notice his own sad existence and her heart gradually goes out to him … … As Lloyd guards Asahi, he begins to develop feelings … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/ANDO-LLOYD

Hard Nut ~ Suugaku Girl no Koisuru Jikenbo
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 20 October 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Masaki Mitsuharu (Monsters, Mr Brain, Bloody Monday Season 1), Yamaura Masahiro (35-sai no Koukousei, Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri, Ikemen desune)
Cast: Hashimoto Ai, Kora Kengo, Yajima Kenichi, Hamaoka Kazuki, Katsumura Masanobu, Shimada Kyusaku (guest star), Nakagoshi Noriko (guest star)
Synopsis: Namba Kurumi (Hashimoto Ai) is a student who attends Tokyo University’s Department of Mathematics. She may be an oddball who is poor at communication, but solves difficult cases in flashes of genius. Detective Tomoda Tatsuhiko (Kora Kengo) of Hatsune Police Precinct is a young police officer who set a record for uncovering firearms and was selected for the Criminal Affairs Division. He takes on the difficult cases together with Kurumi but their friendship is shrouded in darkness.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/hardnut

Link
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 6 October 2013
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Furueru Ushi, Nemureru Mori no Jukujo, Magma)
Cast: Omori Nao, Tamayama Tetsuji, Mimura, Tanaka Rena, Ayano Go, Kuroki Hitomi, Takeda Tetsuya (guest star), Tanaka Naoki, Nagayama Kento, Kaneko Nobuaki, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Tamaru Maki, Maeda Oshiro, Maihane Mimi, Seto Koji, Otoo Takuma, Ikeda Narushi, Yajima Kenichi, Hotaru Yukijiro, Irie Masato
Synopsis: Former police officer Terahara Ken (Omori Nao) works for a private security firm. He is suddenly summoned back to Japan while on duty in Taiwan and ordered to protect Matsuoka Takanori (Takeda Tetsuya), the secretary general of the Democratic Party. On the other hand, public prosecutor Sakurai Satoko (Kuroki Hitomi), who was transferred to the Kochi District Public Prosecutors Office for a previous whistle-blowing incident, returns to the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office in a reshuffle by her former superior for the purpose of indicting a big shot. In the midst of this, a branch office of Tokyo’s Aoba Shinkin Bank is blown up and the bank’s armoured truck is attacked. The bomber who has set the events in motion is a young man called Aoyagi Tomoya (Seto Koji). This incident creates a link between Terahara, Matsuoka, Satoko and Ishikawa Aki (Tanaka Rena) who works at Aoba Shinkin Bank. After that, this link unexpectedly starts to extend to include Takashima Shoichi (Tamayama Tetsuji), a Hokkaido junior high school teacher; Kawamoto Rie (Mimura), a Tokyo nurse; Sawada Tsutomu (Tanaka Naoki), an Osaka apparel company employee; and Sean (Ayano Go), an IT company president.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/link

Kanata no Ko
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 1 December 2013
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Izumi (Solanin, Ningen Konchuuki)
Original Work: Kanata no Ko by Kakuta Mitsuyo
Cast: Sakai Maki, Iura Arata, Miyazaki Masaru, Mitsushima Hikari, Nagase Masatoshi (guest star), Fujimura Shiho, Suzuki Shinsuke, Isayama Hiroko, Onishi Ayaka, Iwasaki Miku, Tsuruta Mayu, Ishibashi Kei, Hirosawa So, Harada Mayu
Synopsis: Participants have been assembled for a 2 day 1 night climbing tour of Mt Fuji. Mameda Hitoko (Sakai Maki) is one of them. Led by the guide Nozawa Ryoichi (Iura Arata), she heads for the summit with Kondo Shintaro (Suzuki Shinsuke), Aoyama Someno (Isayama Hiroko) and Mitsuke Ai (Onishi Ayaka). Each person appears to be seeking salvation from the regrettable past and feelings of guilt that he or she has. When Someno casually looks over her shoulder, Hitoko is crouching down with her hands covering her face. Ryoichi and the others call out to her and she comes back to her senses. Hitoko realises that as she was enveloped by a thick fog, her gait unsteady and her mind in a stupor, she had seen the figure of her only daughter Natsuki (Iwasaki Miku) … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/kanatanoko

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