Summer 2017 Dramas

Papakatsu
Date: From 26 June 2017 (updated on Mondays)
Station: dTV & Fuji On Demand
Scriptwriter: Nojima Shinji (Our House, Platonic, Gold)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Watabe Atsuro, Iitoyo Marie, Kentaro, Kirishima Reika, Hashimoto Satoshi
Synopsis: 20-year-old Anri (Iitoyo Marie) is an ordinary university student. She gets kicked out of the house by her mother who has found a new lover, and is even forsaken by her boyfriend. Then she hears about papakatsu (finding a sugar daddy) from a friend. At first Anri is negative to the idea but she registers on a papakatsu website in order to earn a living. This is how she meets 45-year-old Wataru (Watabe Atsuro) and gets to sleep in his apartment instead of yet another internet cafe. But … …
Website: pc.video.dmkt-sp.jp/ft/s0005201
Preview: Papakatsu CM

Shogi Meshi
Date: From 31 July 2017 (updated on Mondays)
Station: Fuji On Demand (available on Fuji TV from 3 August 2017)
Scriptwriters: Kodama Yoriko (Kodoku no Gurume Seasons 2 – 3 & 5 – 6, Onna no Naka ni Iru Tanin, Keibuho Sugiyama Shintaro), Mizoi Eiichi Davis (Hana no Zubora Meshi)
Original Work: Shogi Meshi by Matsumoto Nagisa
Genre: Food
Cast: Uchida Rio, Katono Taiko, Inaba Yu, Nekota Nao, Asakura Erika, Kiyose Hikari, Ito Masayuki, Kaneda Akio
Synopsis: Toge Nayuta (Uchida Rio) is the first professional female shogi player who studied under her father since elementary school. A game of shogi can take more than 10 hours and she seriously worries about what meals and snacks she is allowed to eat during breaks. She aims to gain the upper edge from the food she chooses near the Shogi Hall in Sendagaya and defeat her male rivals including Hozan Takayoshi (Katono Taiko) and Kurose Tokihiko (Inaba Yu).
Website: fod.fujitv.co.jp/s/genre/drama/ser4c47

Code Blue ~ Dr Heli Kinkyuu Kyuumei Season 3
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 17 July 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Adachi Naoko (Daibinbo, Furenabaochin, Shitsuren Chocolatier)
Genre: Medical
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Higa Manami, Asari Yosuke, Arioka Daiki, Narita Ryo, Araki Yuko, Baba Fumika, Maruyama Tomomi, Ito Yumi, Ito Yuki, Iwai Kenshiro, Shimogaki Madoka, Kiyama Ryusei, Terajima Susumu, Sugimoto Tetta, Ryou, Ando Masanobu, Shiina Kippei
Synopsis: With more than 10 years of experience as doctors, Aizawa Kosaku (Yamashita Tomohisa), Shiraishi Megumi (Aragaki Yui), Hiyama Mihoko (Toda Erika), Saejima Haruka (Higa Manami) and Fujikawa Kazuo (Asari Yosuke) have taken different paths in their professional and private lives. Aizawa left the emergency room of Shoyo University-affiliated Northern Hospital and devotes himself to surgeries every day with the aim of further self-improvement as a neurosurgeon. Megumi has been struggling as the staff leader of flight doctors at the short-handed emergency room while Mihoko who had once set her sights on becoming a flight doctor, left the hospital and chose to be a gynecologist at a perinatal medical centre. Haruka is still a flight nurse and an ace in the profession. Fujikawa has also become an emergency doctor specialising in orthopedic surgery and supports the hospital’s emergency service together with Megumi. New fellows Natori Soma (Arioka Daiki), Haitani Shunpei (Narita Ryo), Yokomine Akari (Araki Yuko) arrive at the emergency room with the aim of becoming flight doctors while Yukimura Futaba (Baba Fumika) wants to be a flight nurse. As everyone laments that the four are useless, Megumi has no choice but to attempt to train and make them staff. Meanwhile, Shinkai Hiroki (Ando Masanobu), a strong rival to Aizawa, shows up. There is a contest in the Department of Neurosurgery to choose a doctor for the prestigious Toronto University.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/codeblue
Preview: Code Blue Season 3 CM

Sachi no Otera Gohan
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Tuesdays, 18 July 2017
Station: Nagoya TV
Scriptwriters: Matsui Kana (Princess Maison), Osaka Natsuko
Original Work: Sachi no Otera Gohan by Kanemori Ayami
Genre: Food, romance
Cast: Tanimura Mitsuki, Mizuno Masaru, Tamura Yukihisa, Shimizu Takanori, Kobayashi Ryoko, Imou Haruka, Fujimoto Izumi, Edo Harumi, Saito Yoichiro, Ueki Shohei, Omiya Taro, Komura Hiro, Kubo Akira
Synopsis: Office lady Usui Sachi’s (Tanimura Mitsuki) life is a run of bad luck just as her name suggests. She is often busy with odd jobs at the events company where she works, such that it has become a habit for her to live on convenience store meals every day. One day, Sachi collides into Karamaru Atsushi (Tamura Yukihisa) at the convenience store. He brings her to a temple to give her a treat to express his apology. Karamaru is training to take over the running of the temple. Sachi encounters the chief priest Gendo (Mizuno Masaru) and university student Ogi Takenori (Shimizu Takanori) who has come to learn about the temple’s shojin cuisine. As she eats the food, she is taught the importance of eating proper meals. After that, Sachi tries to cook at home for the first time in a long while. In the process, she starts to feel slight changes in her daily life.
Website: sachinooteragohan.com
Preview: Sachi no Otera Gohan CM

Koshoku Robot
Date: From 12.59 a.m., Tuesdays, 20 June 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Nemoto Nonji (Gin to Kin, Otokomeshi, Night Hero Naoto)
Original Work: Koshoku Robot by Iwaoka Hisae
Genre: Food
Cast: Arioka Daiki, Takaki Yuya, Yaotome Hikaru, Mikura Mana, Morita Kanro, Kaku Tomohiro, Imai Takafumi, Miyaji Masako, Anan Kenji, Nukumizu Yoichi
Synopsis: At the ○×Food Company’s franchise outlets, a customer can exchange 3,000 points for a 25 cm tall robot who will assist with their health and dietary needs. Mujaki (Arioka Daiki) has been delivered to an office lady Takagi Nozomi (Mikura Mana) who is a lousy cook and used to eating meals alone, Yancha (Takaki Yuya) to a salaryman Yaguchi Yutaka (Morita Kanro) who is poor at communicating and lacks self-confidence, and Ottori (Yaotome Hikaru) to a middle-aged man Kobashi Akio (Anan Kenji) who has been driven out by his wife Saeko (Miyaji Masako) and is on the verge of divorce. However, these tiny robots do not seem to only assist with hot meals … …
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/koshoku
Preview: Koshoku Robot CM

Bokutachi ga Yarimashita
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 18 July 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Kirawareru Yuuki, Specialist, Umi ni Furu)
Original Work: Bokutachi ga Yarimashita by Kaneshiro Muneyuki
Genre: Action suspense
Cast: Kubota Masataka, Nagano Mei, Arata Mackenyu, Hayama Shono, Mamiya Shotaro, Konno Hiroki, Kawaei Rina, Okazaki Sae, Itao Itsuji, Sakakibara Ikue, Mizukawa Asami, Miura Shohei, Furuta Arata
Synopsis: High school students Tobio (Kubota Masataka), Maru (Hayama Shono), Isami (Mamiya Shotaro), and 20-year-old Paisen (Konno Hiroki) who graduated from high school a long time ago are contented with their lives. One day their ordinary routine completely changes. Tobio and the rest plant a home-made bomb at the school next door in revenge for Maru’s vicious beating at the hands of delinquents. However, the bomb which was only intended to shock the delinquents, ends up causing a huge explosion that claims many victims including friends and seniors. This triggers the start of their life on the run.
Website: www.ktv.jp/bokuyari
Preview: Bokutachi ga Yarimashita CM

Kanna-san!
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 18 July 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Magy (Busu no Hitomi ni Koi Shiteru)
Original Work: Kanna-san! by Fukaya Kahoru
Genre: Family
Cast: Watanabe Naomi, Kaname Jun, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Kudo Asuka, Triendl Reina, Sissonne Jiro, Kawahara Eito, Asaka Mayumi, Toyama Toshiya, Saito Yuki, Shishido Kavka (guest star), Sato Ryuta (guest star)
Synopsis: Suzuki Kanna (Watanabe Naomi) has a handsome, free-spirited husband Rei (Kaname Jun) with an Oedipus complex and a 4-year-old son Reon (Kawahara Eito). But one day, she happens to discover her “loving” husband’s affair with interior designer Kusakabe Mari (Shishido Kavka) and is furious. She wishes that she can chase this low-life out but … … besides contending with his infidelity, she has to face the attacks of her overprotective mother-in-law Ryuko (Saito Yuki), large amounts of work from an unreasonable boss and bring up her son who is a spoilt crybaby. However, Kanna is a positive, happy and fashionable superwoman who can overcome any difficulty with love and courage.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/kannasaaan
Preview: Kanna-san! CM

FACE ~ Cyber Hanzai Tokusouhan
Date: From 11 July 2017 (updated on Wednesdays)
Network: Amazon Prime
Scriptwriters: Fukasawa Masaki (Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakkari Series, Doctor Car, ST Aka to Shiro no Sousa File), Sekine Toshio
Genre: Investigative
Cast: Goriki Ayame, Miura Takahiro, Konishi Ryosei, Matsushita Yuya, Koichi Mantaro, Shibuki Jun, Tominaga Saori, Okouchi Nanako, Murakami Hiroaki
Synopsis: Yuki Rin’s (Goriki Ayame) parents passed away and she has been living with her older brother Koichiro (Miura Takahiro). Koichiro was an IT engineer who worked for the government until he was recruited by a vicious cyber crime group one year ago. That was when Rin’s ordinary, happy life crumbled. She miraculously survived despite taking her brother’s bullet. Then she was brought into FACE, a cyber crime special investigation unit which the Cabinet created in secret, on the strength of her profiling ability by Minegishi Shugoro (Murakami Hiroaki). Believing in Minegishi, Rin joins the unit’s members (Konishi Ryosei, Matsushita Yuya, Koichi Mantaro, Tominaga Saori) to combat cyber crime which can destabilise the nation.
Website: www.amazon.co.jp/Prime-Video
Preview: FACE ~ Cyber Hanzai Tokusouhan CM

Kaijuu Club ~ Kusou Tokusatsu Seishunki
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 7 June 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Fukuhara Kota (Final Fantasy XIV Hikari no Otousan, Yowamushi Pedal)
Cast: Hongo Kanata, Yokohama Ryusei, Yano Masato, Kato Ryo, Yamaguchi Shogo, Emoto Tokio, Tsukaji Muga, Komatsu Toshimasa, Ano, Imagawa Aoi, Baba Fumika
Synopsis: Set in the mid-1970s, the Kaijuu Club is a group which loves fancy special effects series such as Ultraman and Ultra Seven. They research monsters from every possible angle and hold editorial meetings to publish a fan magazine on the monsters. Ryota (Hongo Kanata) is a young man who loves monsters with a passion. Katsuo (Yokohama Ryusei) is the only high school student who is a member of this club. With his detailed knowledge of special effects series. he poses a threat to Ryota’s identity as the club’s ace despite his age. He is also a genius in his reviews and deeply impresses the members. Ryota’s rival is Shingo (Yano Masato) who prides himself in devoting his entire life to special effects series. He appreciates Ryota’s reviews more than anyone else but at the same time strives to write better ones than his.
Website: www.mbs.jp/kaijuclub

Maji de Koukaishitemasu
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 5 July 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Asada Atsushi
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Iitoyo Marie, Takeda Rena, Sakurada Dori, Yuhi, Izawa Yuki, Ikemoto Keita, Okada Koki, Iwaido Seiko, Hibi Mikoto, Nukumizu Yoichi, Horibe Keisuke
Synopsis: Ishikawa Tsubame (Takeda Rena) and Sakamoto Marin (Iitoyo Marie) are first-year students at a university for aspiring navigators. The two girls join a month-long practical training aboard a vessel for their first test as freshmen in an environment where 80% are boys. They have to cope with the gruelling training and unimaginable seasickness as they struggle together with the male students (Sakurada Dori, Yuhi, Izawa Yuki, Ikemoto Keita).
Website: www.mbs.jp/majikoukai

Ito-kun A to E
Date: From 1.20 a.m., Wednesdays, 16 August 2017 (followed by movie)
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kiyasu Kohei (Sayonara Enari-kun, Jikken Keiji Totori Season 2, Teen Court)
Original Work: Ito-kun A to E by Yuzuki Asako
Genre: Romance
Cast: Kimura Fumino, Sasaki Nozomi, Shida Mirai, Ikeda Eliza, Kaho, Yamada Yuki, Nakamura Tomoya, Tanaka Kei
Synopsis: 32-year-old Yazaki Rio (Kimura Fumino) is a scriptwriter. Five years ago, she scored a big hit with Tokyo Doll House, the romance drama she was in charge of. But she has not written any hit titles since then, and clings to her past glory to maintain her dignity. One day, Rio’s book of essays “Fall in Love like the Heroine!” about Tokyo Doll House goes on sale and she holds a talk show. She scans through the questionnaires that the producer (Tanaka Kei) had made participants fill up and notices that four women in the audience – Shimabara Tomomi (Sasaki Nozomi), Nose Shuko (Shida Mirai), Aida Satoko (Ikeda Eliza) and Jinbo Miki (Kaho) have something in common. The name of the man that all of them are discussing happens to be “Ito”. Could this be a coincidence? Rio meets them and hears their stories. Wanting to make a comeback, she begins to write the script for a new drama based on these stories. It gradually occurs to Rio that Ito whom the four women have been talking about may be the same person.
Website: www.mbs.jp/ito-kun
Preview: Ito-kun A to E CM

Keiji 7-nin Season 3
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 July 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: –
Genre: Detective
Cast: Higashiyama Noriyuki, Takashima Masahiro, Tsukamoto Takashi, Kurashina Kana, Kataoka Ainosuke, Yoshida Kotaro, Kitaoji Kinya
Synopsis: The fight for redevelopment rights intensifies in the run up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Rinkai area is on the way to becoming a new hotbed for crime. Amagi Yu (Higashiyama Noriyuki) and the team (Takashima Masahiro, Tsukamoto Takashi, Kurashina Kana, Kataoka Ainosuke, Yoshida Kotaro, Kitaoji Kinya) have to tackle extremely violent crimes which have become complex, multifaceted and global. A darkness lurking in the Rinkai area emerges as the strongest enemy of the seven detectives who step beyond the justice of their work and run out of control. In the process, their feelings, secrets and hidden sides are revealed. Each passing moment steadily sows distrust and conflict. The Rinkai area is also where Amagi Yu’s wife and daughter died in an accident 12 years ago, and a shocking truth comes to light.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/keiji7_03
Preview: Keiji 7-nin Season 3 CM
Related: Keiji 7-nin Season 2

Kahogo no Kahoko
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 July 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Yukawa Kazuhiko (Gisou no Fuufu, Marumaruzuma, Kaseifu no Mita)
Genre: Family
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Takeuchi Ryoma, Kubota Sayu, Kuroki Hitomi, Hamada Mari, Nakajima Hiroko, Umezawa Masayo, Tokito Saburo, Sato Jiro, Nishio Mari, Shukugawa Atom, Mita Yoshiko, Nishioka Tokuma, Hiraizumi Sei
Synopsis: Nemoto Kahoko (Takahata Mitsuki), a 21-year-old university student, has been raised in an overly protective environment by her mother Izumi (Kuroki Hitomi) and father Masataka (Tokito Saburo). She has never worked part-time, chosen clothes on her own or walked to the train station because she gets picked up and dropped off. Even at university, she gets the people around her to become her slaves and do all sorts of things for her with her angelic smile. Then one day, Kahoko meets Mugino Hajime (Takeuchi Ryoma) who grew up in an environment completely different from hers. He was abandoned by his parents, grew up in an orphanage and holds more than two part-time jobs to put himself through university. Kahoko is told that this kind overprotectiveness will be the end of Japan. She begins a journey of self-discovery. Through the many “firsts” that she experiences, she starts to solve a series of family problems with the true “ability” which had been lying dormant within her.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/kahogo-kahoko

Wanitokagegisu
Date: From 11.56 p.m., Wednesdays, 19 July 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Izumi (Fujiko, Yume o Ataeru, Onna wa Sore o Yurusanai)
Original Work: Wanitokagegisu by Furuya Minoru
Genre: Romance
Cast: Arita Teppei, Honda Tsubasa, Kaku Kento, Yoshimura Kaito, DOTAMA, Fukuyama Shodai, ACE, Fuchikami Yasushi, Murakami Jun, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: 38-year-old Tomioka Yuji (Arita Teppei) is a bachelor who has never dated a woman. He works the night shift as a security guard at a supermarket. He has doubts and anxiety about his daily life, and reminds himself that loneliness is a crime. One night, during a shooting star, he wishes for a friend. But the person who shows up in front of him is his enigmatic neighbor, Hada Azusa (Honda Tsubasa), who falls in love with him at first sight. Tomioka is completely oblivious to her feelings. Then the appearance of a homeless man (Mitsuishi Ken) and a mysterious letter with the message “You’ll lose your mind within a year and die” utterly changes Tomioka’s life … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/wanitokagegisu
Preview: Wanitokagegisu CM

Iryu Sousa Season 4
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 13July 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Oishi Tetsuya (Kirawareru Yuuki, Keiji 7-nin Series, Scapegoat), Morishita Tadashi (Ishikawa Goemon, Keiji 7-nin Season 2, Saikyou no Futari)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Kuriyama Chiaki, Toda Keiko, Danta Yasunori, Nagai Masaru, Komoto Masahiro, Muraki Shigeru
Synopsis: –
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/iryu_08
Preview: Iryu Sousa Season 4 CM

Kurokawa no Techou (2017)
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 20 July 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Habara Daisuke (Godan, Massan, Double Face)
Original Work: Kurokawa no Techou by Matsumoto Seichou
Genre: Mystery suspense
Cast: Takei Emi, Eguchi Yosuke, Naka Riisa, Takito Kenichi, Wada Masato, Naito Risa, Takashima Masanobu, Maya Miki, Takahata Atsuko, Okuda Eiji, Ito Shiro
Synopsis: Haraguchi Motoko (Takei Emi) works as a temporary employee at a bank in the day and a hostess at a club in Ginza at night to repay her parents’ debt. However, just as she pays off the debt, talk of a lay-off of temporary employees comes up at the bank. This spurs her to put a plan that she had been secretly developing into motion. Motoko embezzles 180 million yen from the bank and opens her own club called Carnet in Ginza with a black notebook containing an illegal list of that amount of money and the accounts opened under other people’s names as her shield. Without a backer, she survives in the night scene as a young proprietress through sheer ambition, and eventually rises to become the queen of the night.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kurokawanotecho
Preview: Kurokawa no Techou (2017) CM

Cecile no Mokuromi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 13 July 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hikawa Kayo (Kirawareru Yuuki, GTO (2014), Iryu Season 4)
Original Work: Cecile no Mokuromi by Yuikawa Kei
Cast: Maki Yoko, Kichise Michiko, Ito Ayumi, Itaya Yuka, Hasegawa Kyoko, Kaneko Nobuaki, Tokui Yoshimi, Lily Franky, Mashima Hidekazu, Ishibashi Kei, Ito Shuko, Sato Eriko, Fujisawa Ema, Uno Shohei, Sato Ruiki, Kato Masato
Synopsis: Miyaji Nao (Maki Yoko), a down-to-earth, contented housewife and mother of teenage boy (Sato Ruiki), has no interest in dressing up. However, her life completely changes one day after she happens to get scouted by Kurosawa Junko (Itaya Yuka), the chief editor of popular female magazine Vanity, to be a model. Nao steps into the world of a fashion magazine that she has never even read before despite her prejudice against its superficiality that absolutely does not agree with her and her own reluctance to “look beautiful”. She gradually begins to discover a new set of values in the process of coming in contact with Okita Eri (Ito Ayumi), a writer who is at a critical stage in her career, and Hamaguchi Yukako (Kichise Michiko), a stunningly beautiful and professional top model. That is the female desire to be beautiful and to be loved at all times … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/Cecile

Sauce-san no Koi
Date: From 11.00 p.m., Thursdays, 1 June 2017
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Tanaka Hiromi (Onna Michi), Kanda Yu (Loveho no Ueno-san, Good Morning Call)
Original Work: Kimi to Sauce to Boku no Koi by Honda Harumi
Genre: Romance suspense
Cast: Mimura, Chiba Yudai, Iwasaki Hiromi, Tochihara Rakuto, Abe Shinnosuke, Hagiwara Minori, Takeuchi Toshi, Tahara Kanako, Sugi-chan, Matsuda Satoshi
Synopsis: Uno Masanao (Chiba Yudai), a 19-year-old student of a university of the arts, works part-time at a convenience store in Tokyo. Every night, a mysterious older woman Gota Mika (Mimura) comes to this convenience store and only buys sauce. He falls in love with her and takes to calling her Sauce-san. One day, the two of them form a connection when Masanao sends Mika home after she is chased by a molester and they go on to date despite their 10-year age gap. However, Mika’s trauma somehow rears its head as a result of her tragic past. As her past is gradually revealed, it offers glimpses of the unexpected truth and their relationship eventually cracks … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dsp/saucesan

Nou ni Sumaho ga Umerareta!
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 6 July 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu
Genre: Sci-fi
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Shinkawa Yua, Ando Natsu, Okada Ryutaro, Nomura Masumi, Bokumoto Sakiko, Yuki Moe, Nakagawa Chika, Nitta Yuriko, Takashima Kotoha, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Shinoda Mariko, Nishimaru Yuko, Toda Masahiro, Kishitani Goro
Synopsis: 34-year-old Orimo Keita (Ito Atsushi) is a candidate for retrenchment at the apparel company where he works. One day, his brain suddenly seems to become like a smartphone. In his field of vision, message balloons fly about and he can even see other people’s smartphone messages. As a user of a traditional cell phone, Keita has practically no smartphone knowledge and does not know what to make of this. He begins to get embroiled in trouble within and outside his company that does not concern him.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/smahoman

Tokyo Vampire Hotel
Date: From 16 June 2017
Network: Amazon Prime
Scriptwriters: Sono Sion (Minna ESPer da yo! Series, Jikou Keisatsu Series), Tsugita Jun, Ikarimoto Manabu
Genre: Horror thiller
Cast: Kaho, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Tomite Ami, Kagurazaka Megumi, Adachi Yumi, Saito Takumi (guest star), Nakagawa Shoko (guest star), Matsui Rena (guest star)
Synopsis: Manami (Tomite Ami) is targeted by vampires on her 22nd birthday and K (Kaho), who possesses tremendous power, tries to save her in a raging battle. On that day, young men and women are invited to Hotel Requiem where a huge nationwide matchmaking convention is being held by the mysterious Yamada (Mitsushima Shinnosuke). He lives and runs this ornately beautiful, palatial hotel with a bizarre empress (Adachi Yumi) and Elizabeth Báthory (Kagurazaka Megumi). Then Yamada suddenly declares to the gathered crowd that tomorrow will be the apocalypse and only the people inside this hotel will be saved.
Website: www.amazon.co.jp/Prime-Video
Preview: Tokyo Vampire Hotel CM

Tokyo Alice
Date: From 25 August 2017 (updated on Fridays)
Network: Amazon Prime
Scriptwriter: Aso Kumiko (Hito wa Mita me ga 100%, Cain to Abel, Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san Series)
Original Work: Tokyo Alice by Chiya Toriko
Genre: Romance
Cast: Yamamoto Mizuki, Triendl Reina, Asahina Aya, Takahashi Maryjun, Otani Ryohei, Daito Shunsuke, Shiraishi Shunya, Sugino Yosuke, Koseki Yuta, Yanagi Shuntaro, Satsukawa Aimi
Synopsis: Four former classmates share an apartment in Daikanyama, Tokyo and pursue their own happiness. Arisugawa Fuu (Yamamoto Mizuki) works for a design production company and spends most of her salary on fashion, Haneda Mizuho (Triendl Reina) is a budding manga artist, Sakuragawa Rio (Takahashi Maryjun) practises psychosomatic medicine, and Enjoji Sayuri (Asahina Aya) works for a Ginza art gallery.
Website: www.amazon.co.jp/Prime-Video
Preview: Tokyo Alice Introduction

Sabori Man Kantaro
Date: From 1.00 a.m., Fridays, 13 July 2017
Network: Netflix & TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Murakami Hiroki, Adachi Shin, Yamaguchi Toshiyuki, Sakai Yoshifumi
Original Work: Sabori Man Ametani Kantaro by Hagiwara Tensei
Genre: Food
Cast: Onoe Matsuya, Ishikawa Ren, Minagawa Sarutoki, Onoue Hiroyuki, Shimizu Hazuki
Synopsis: Ametani Kantaro (Onoe Matsuya) is a bespectacled, handsome sales representative at Kiccho Publishing. He does his work perfectly and is trusted by the people around him. But Kantaro has been hiding a secret. That is skiving off work to indulge in sweets. On this day, he quickly wraps up his sales rounds outside and heads to a sweets shop to have his fill.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kantarou
Preview: Sabori Man Kantaro CM

Denshichi Torimonochou Season 2
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 4 August 2017
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Moriwaki Kyoko (Watashi o Mitsukete, Ginnikan, Last Dinner), Yamamoto Mutsumi (Kounodori, Yae no Zakura), Morishita Tadashi (Ishikawa Goemon, Kaze no Toge)
Original Work: Denshichi Torimonochou by Jinde Tatsuro
Genre: Period
Cast: Nakamura Baijaku, Tanaka Misako, Tokushige Satoshi, Katono Taiko, Koshiba Fuka, Otsuka Chihiro, Kazami Shingo, Bengal, Hotaru Yukijiro, Matsudaira Ken, Fujiwara Norika (guest star)
Synopsis: Denshichi (Nakamura Baijaku) of Kuromoncho is a subordinate of a police constable. He punishes widespread evil in the backstreets of Edo with a purple truncheon entrusted to him by the inspector Toyama Saemon (Matsudaira Ken), who is the magistrate of Kitamachi. Denshichi condemns the crimes rather than the criminals and is sympathetic and kind. Despite his bright character, he had once accidentally killed a person in an attempt to save someone. That is why he implores that people live no matter what happens.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/denshichi2

Keishichou Zero-gakari ~ Seikatsu Anzenka Nandemo Soudanshitsu Season 2
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 21 July 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Yoshimoto Masahiro (Bokura Playboys, Kageri Yuku Natsu), Oishi Tetsuya (Kirawareru Yuuki, Keiji 7-nin Series, Scapegoat), Takayama Naoya (Saigo no Restaurant, Shi no Zouki, Kyoto Ninjo Sousa File)
Original Work: Seikatsu Anzenka Zero-gakari by Togashi Rintaro
Genre: Detective
Cast: Koizumi Kotaro, Matsushita Yuki, Adachi Yumi, Kinoshita Takayuki, Tozuka Junki, Rokkaku Shinji, Kishi Asuka, Suruga Taro, Wakamura Mayumi, Ishimaru Kenjiro, Kato Cha, Kobayashi Nenji, Osugi Ren, Kato Masaya (guest star), Oshinari Shugo (guest star), Murasugi Seminosuke (guest star), Zaizen Naomi (guest star)
Synopsis: The “anything” consultation office of Suginami Chuo Police Precinct is a department to leave people who have got the boot for causing problems at various places. “Zero is zero no matter how you multiply it.” That is to say, good-for-nothings are useless no matter how many people there are. They get ridiculed as the “Zero Section” and have to handle miscellaneous affairs such as annoying, trivial notifications, complaints, claims and troublesome disputes. At the section, the naive Kobayakawa Fuyuhiko (Koizumi Kotaro), a career police officer from the National Research Institute of Police Science who cannot read situations, teams up with capable veteran detective Terada Torami (Matsushita Yuki) who was thrown out of the Criminal Affairs Division for causing trouble all the time. Although they do not agree with each other, they take on all sorts of cases and chores with their good-for-nothing colleagues.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/zerogakari2
Preview: Keishichou Zero-gakari Season 2 Teaser
Related: Keishichou Zero-gakari ~ Seikatsu Anzenka Nandemo Soudanshitsu Season 1

Yowamushi Pedal Season 2
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Fridays, 18 August 2017
Station: BS Sky Perfect
Scriptwriter: Fukihara Kota (Kaijuu Club, Final Fantasy XIV Hikari no Otousan, Yowamushi Pedal Season 1)
Original Work: Yowamushi Pedal by Watanabe Wataru
Genre: Sports
Cast: Ogoe Yuki, Kimura Tatsunari, Fukazawa Taiga, Gomoto Naoya, Tomotsune Yuki, Baba Ryoma, Kujirai Kosuke, Yashima Ryo, Teruma, Hirai Hiroki, Asato Yuya, Sakurai Minami, Takigawa Eiji, Suzuki Hiroki, Kitamura Ryo, Miyazaki Shuto, Aoki Soramu, Akimoto Ryutaro, Ueda Keisuke, Murata Mitsu
Synopsis: Onoda Sakamichi (Ogoe Yuki) is an Akihabara-loving nerd who has just entered high school in Chiba Prefecture. He tries to join the school’s anime-manga club in order to make friends. However, Sakamichi meets classmates Imaizumi Shunsuke (Kimura Tatsunari) and Naruko Shokichi (Fukazawa Taiga). Finding joy in cycling, he joins the bicycle racing club. Led by the captain, Kinjo Shingo (Gomoto Naoya), a third-year student, the members of the club are aiming to top the inter-high school meet. A novice at bicycle racing, Sakamichi experiences cycling with Imaizumi and Naruko, overcoming a welcome race for first-year students and a four-day 1,000 km endurance training camp that unleashes the makings of a cyclist who is good at riding uphill. Who will be chosen as members for the inter-high school meet?
Website: www.bs-sptv.com/yowapeda
Related: Yowamushi Pedal Season 1

Blanket Cats
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 23 June 2017
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Egashira Michiru (Fukigenna Kajitsu (2016), Enka ~ Gold Rush, Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai)
Original Work: Blanket Cats by Shigematsu Kiyoshi
Cast: Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kichise Michiko, Shimazaki Haruka, Karata Erika, Sakai Miki, Miho Jun, Renbutsu Misako (guest star), Magy (guest star), Tomosaka Rie (guest star), Kato Toranosuke (guest star), Taiga (guest star), Matsumoto Honoka (guest star), Ibu Masato (guest star), Tomita Yasuko (guest star)
Synopsis: Shiina Shusuke (Nishijima Hidetoshi) has been searching for new owners for the cats that his late wife (Sakai Miki) had reared, together with his childhood friend Fujimura Misaki (Kichise Michiko), who is a vet. Hiromi (Renbutsu Misako) who wants to be given a cat that will be a substitute for the pet that her grandmother had loved, comes to visit. After inspecting Hiromi’s house, Shusuke hands her a blanket together with a cat. Hiromi is relieved that her grandmother is happy to be reunited with the cat. However, this time, she brings up her desire to meet Hiromi’s fiance … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama10/blanketcats

Hello Harinezumi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 14 July 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: One Hitoshi (River’s Edge ~ Okawabata Tanteisha, Mahoro Eki-mae Bangaichi, Moteki)
Original Work: Hello Harinezumi by Hirokane Kenshi
Genre: Investigative
Cast: Eita, Fukada Kyoko, Morita Go, Nakaoka Soichi, Katayama Moemi, Yamaguchi Tomoko, Aoi Yu, Lily Franky, Ito Atsushi (guest star), Watanabe Tetsu (guest star), Fukikoshi Mitsuru (guest star), Hirata Mitsuru (guest star), Nakahara Takeo (guest star), Muro Tsuyoshi (guest star), Kunimura Jun (guest star)
Synopsis: Akatsuka Detective Agency stands inconspicuously at Shimo Akatsuka in Tokyo’s Itabashi ward. Its carefree, eccentric investigator Nanase Goro (Eita) is eager to take on troublesome cases that everyone else is reluctant to. At times, he and his partner Kogure Kyusaku (Morita Go) tackle sad cases and sometimes difficult ones that are beyond imagination. The detective agency is headed by Kaze Kaoru (Yamaguchi Tomoko), a heavy drinker who downs alcohol during the day but watches out for Goro and Gu-re.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/hello-harinezumi
Preview: Hello Harinezumi CM

Aino Kekkon Soudanjo
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 28 July 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Tokuo Koji (Thrill, Keishichou Nasi Goreng-ka, Konkatsu Deka), Yajima Koichi, Shimizu Yukako (Reverse, Fukigenna Kajitsu (2016), Onna wa Sore o Yurusanai)
Original Work: Aino Kekkon Soudanjo by Yagi Jun
Cast: Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Takanashi Rin, Nakao Masaki, Yamaga Kotoko, Maeda Beverly, Kaga Takeshi, Nakamura Anne, Kato Haruhiko (guest star), Ichikawa Yui (guest star), Ozawa Maju (guest star), Shaku Yumiko (guest star), Kashiwabara Shuji (guest star)
Synopsis: Aino Shingo (Yamazaki Ikusaburo), a former associate professor of ethology, is now the head of Aino Matchmaking Agency. His matchmaking agency charges a high membership fee. If a person can pay 2 million yen, the agency will find a partner who perfectly matches his or her requirements and marriage will certainly follow. Aino is of the opinion that “Love is wicked. The shortcut to marriage is to eliminate unnecessary romantic feelings as much as possible.” He has established the rule that a person must meet his or her partner in person until they get engaged. Aino offers unique counsel based on his study of animal behaviour. Although he antagonises his clients by treating them like animals, he makes good on his promise.
Website: tv-asahi.co.jp/aino
Preview: Aino Kekkon Soudanjo CM

Gintama ~ Mitsuba-hen
Date: From 15 July 2017 (preceded by movie)
Station: dTV
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Yuusha Yoshihiko Series, Super Salaryman Saenai-shi, Uchuu no Shigoto)
Original Work: Gintama by Sorachi Hideaki
Genre: Period Sci-fi
Cast: Kitano Kii, Oguri Shun, Yagira Yuya, Yoshizawa Ryo, Nakamura Kankuro
Synopsis: Okita’s (Yoshizawa Ryo) older sister Mitsuba (Kitano Kii) visits the quarters of the Shinsengumi to announce her marriage to the trader Kuraba Toma. The two siblings spend time together. Mitsuba worries that her brother has no friends and in order to assure her, he introduces Sakata Gintoki (Oguri Shun), who happened to pass by, as his best friend. Meanwhile, there are reports of strange boats going in and out of Edo. Hijikata Toshiro (Yagira Yuya) investigates this and it turns out that the incident has an unexpected link to Mitsuba.
Website: video.dmkt-sp.jp/ft/s0000669
Preview: Gintama ~ Mitsuba-hen Introduction

Shimokitazawa Die Hard
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 22 July 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Ueda Makoto (Nocon Kid, Dragon Seinendan), Enomoto Gurimu, Kiyasu Kohei (Sayonara Enari-kun, Bokura Minna Shindeiru, Teen Court), Saijo Mitsutoshi, Shiba Yukio, Nemoto Shuko, Hosokawa Toru (Tonari no Seki-kun), Fukuhara Mitsunori (Shikaku Tantei Higurashi Tabito Series, Makanaiso, Ofukou-san), Matsui Shu (Teen Court), Maruo Maruichiro, Miura Naoyuki (Koekoi)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Furuta Arata, Koike Eiko, Jinbo Satoshi (guest star), Yoshizawa Ryo (guest star), Yanagi Yurina (guest star), Murasugi Seminosuke (guest star), Sakurai Yuki (guest star), Takahashi Hitomi (guest star), Mitsuishi Ken (guest star), Akiyama Ryuji (guest star), Kawaei Rina (guest star), Ikeda Tetsuhiro (guest star), Aso Kumiko (guest star), Nomaguchi Toru (guest star), Ueki Natto (guest star), Uchikawa Reo (guest star), Ueda Haruka (guest star), Nishida Naomi (guest star), Ogawa Tamaki (guest star), Sakai Wakana (guest star), Shison Jun (guest star), Rokkaku Shinji (guest star), Kuze Seika (guest star), Yamanishi Atsushi (guest star), Natsuna (guest star), Wada Soko (guest star), Emoto Tokio (guest star), Sato Jiro (guest star), Matsumoto Honoka (guest star), Kato Ryo (guest star), Katagiri Jin (guest star), Sato Ryuta (guest star), Usuda Asami (guest star), Tanaka Yoji (guest star), Aoyagi Sho (guest star), Morikawa Aoi (guest star), Baba Fumika (guest star), Watanabe Makiko (guest star)
Synopsis: Omnibus series of stories on the worst day of one’s life which happens in Shimokitazawa.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/shimokitazawa
Preview: Shimokitazawa Die Hard CM

Dead Stock ~ Michi e no Chousen
Date: From 12.52 a.m., Saturdays, 22 July 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Miyake Ryuta, Kato Junya (Isan Sozoku Bengoshi Kakizaki Shinichi )
Genre: Horror
Cast: Murakami Nijiro, Hayami Akari, Tanaka Tetsushi, Tsutsui Mariko, Nakamura Yuko
Synopsis: Tsuneta Riku (Murakami Nijiro), a rookie assistant director at TV Tokyo, is assigned to the Unidentified Materials Centre to tidy the large volume of programme material that was discovered when they moved office last year. The other people at the centre are colleague Nikaido Saori (Hayami Akari), a director, and Sayama Satoru (Tanaka Tetsushi), a producer. This is quite different from ideal but Riku spends his days organising VTR. Then one day, he finds recorded material of unnatural phenomenon.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/deadstock
Preview: Dead Stock CM

Ecchan
Date: From 6.05 p.m., Saturdays, 15 July 2017
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Sakurai Tsuyoshi (Bakumatsu Gurume Bushimeshi, Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!, Genkai Shuraku Kabushikigaisha)
Original Work: Ecchan by Shishi Bunroku
Genre: Period love comedy
Cast: Santamaria Yusuke, Kadowaki Mugi, Ishida Nicole, Hirao Nanaka, Horiuchi Keiko, Ando Tamae, Murakawa Eri, Minemura Rie, Yano Masato, Hashimoto Atsushi, Konno Misako, Oshima Yoko, Okamoto Kenichi, Aijima Kazuyuki, Nishimura Masahiko, Kataoka Ainosuke (narrator)
Synopsis: It is Tokyo in 1935. 10-year-old Yanagi Etsuko (Hirao Nanaka) is a young girl who loves songs. Her father Kantaro (Santamaria Yusuke), a struggling lyricist, still cannot forget her late mother and wastes his life away. Seeing her father like this, Etsuko begins a search for Kantaro’s second bride and new partner who will be her mother. Her first target is her teacher Muraoka Masako (Murakawa Eri) whom she eggs on to land a date with her father. However, it does not go very well. The next person who catches her attention is a salesgirl Ikebe Kyoko (Kadowaki Mugi) whom she met at a department store. Etsuko is drawn to Kyoko’s simplicity and gradually begins to love her as if she were her own mother. However, at that moment, Kantaro’s elder sister Tsuruyo (Minemura Rie) pursues the subject of an arranged introduction with Kusakabe Kaoru (Ishida Nicole), the incredibly beautiful daughter of a bank owner who is a shareholder of her husband’s (Aijima Kazuyuki) company … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/etchan

Kamisama kara Hitokoto^*CANCELLED*
Date: From 8.15 p.m., Saturdays, 10 June 2017
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Habara Daisuke (Godan, Massan, Double Face)
Original Work: Kamisama kara Hitokoto by Hagiwara Hiroshi
Genre: Office
Cast: Koide Keisuke, Kishii Yukino, Miyake Hiroki, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Koizumi Kotaro, Ichige Yoshie, Kusabue Mitsuko, Danta Yasunori
Synopsis: Sakura Ryohei (Koide Keisuke) is a hot-blooded guy who hates dishonesty. But at times, his sense of righteousness gets the better of him and he ends up in conflict with his boss. Because of that, he quickly gets into an argument with his boss at a big meeting just after his move to Shuzan Foods from a major advertising agency. After repeated failure, Ryohei is reassigned to the Customer Service Office. It is the department that is right on the front-line of handling very demanding customers – one of the hot topics nowadays. At first, Ryohei is sullen about it. But his seniors in the Customer Service Office are actually experts at handling complaints despite their peculiarities.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/hitokoto
*Actor Koide Keisuke has been indefinitely suspended by his agency

Uchi no Otto wa Shigoto ga Dekinai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 8 July 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Chiho (Beppin-san, Go-nin no Junko, Tatakau! Shoten Girl)
Genre: Career, family
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Matsuoka Mayu, Sato Ryuta, Dan Mitsu, Yabu Kota, Imoto Ayako, Eguchi Noriko, Yoshimoto Miyu, Yagyu Miyu, Yashiki Hiroko, Abe Shohei, Kasamatsu Sho
Synopsis: Good looking Kobayashi Tsukasa (Nishikido Ryo) has a good academic background and income. He is supposed to be the “ideal husband”. But one day, his wife Sayaka (Matsuoka Mayu) learns his secret. In fact, Tsukasa is a burden who continuously gets in the way at his workplace. Meanwhile, Tsukasa does not want Sayaka, who believes that he is a capable husband, to know that he is quite the opposite. But repeated mistakes, humiliation and the contemptuous looks directed at him by his subordinates push him to his limit. Just as Tsukasa is about to quit, he finds out that Sayaka is pregnant. Since he cannot make her feel anxious, he decides that he has to become capable in his work. And so, the husband and wife tag-team begin their fight for survival.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/shigotogadekinai

Miyazawa Kenji no Shokutaku
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 17 June 2017
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Ikeda Natsuko (Suna no Tou, Algernon ni Hanabata o (2015), Alice no Toge)
Original Work: Miyazawa Kenji no Shokutaku by Uonome Santa
Genre: Biographical
Cast: Suzuki Ryohei, Ishibashi Anna, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Ichikawa Mikako, Yanagisawa Shingo, Okayama Hajime, Takezai Terunosuke, Inowaki Kai, Inukai Naoki, Kanno Misuzu, Hirata Mitsuru
Synopsis: In 1921, a young Miyazawa Kenji (Suzuki Ryohei) stormed out of his wealthy family and ran away to Tokyo. In the eight months that he lived in Tokyo as he made a living for himself, his mind never left his beloved younger sister Toshi (Ishibashi Anna). One day at the end of summer, he gets an unexpected telegram, “Toshi is sick. Come back immediately.” Kenji returns home in great haste to find a seemingly healthy Toshi waiting for him. He had been thoroughly deceived by this scheme of his father Masajiro (Hirata Mitsuru) who was worried about him. Kenji has not been able to find something to be passionate about. But he begins to realise that his own ideal is to share happiness after he makes the croquette that he had tasted in Tokyo by hand and shares it with his family. This is communicated through his representative work. And in accordance to Toshi’s wish, he makes the decision to take a position as a teacher at the Hienu (now known as Hanamaki) Agricultural School which has just been established.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/kenji
Preview: Making of Miyazawa Kenji no Shokutaku

Plage ~ Wakeari Bakari no Sharehouse
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 12 August 2017
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Oura Kota (Heat, Shomuni (2013)), Yoshida Yasuhiro (Cold Case)
Original Work: Plage by Honda Tetsuya
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Hoshino Gen, Naka Riisa, Mashima Hidekazu, Nakamura Yuri, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Suga Shikao, Ishida Yuriko
Synopsis: 32-year-old salesman Yoshimura Takao (Hoshino Gen) has had a string of failures in his work at a travel agency and to make things worse, he is snubbed by the woman he likes. Then he is arrested for using stimulants which he did not really know he was taking to forget his troubles and given a suspended sentence. Takao is naturally dismissed by his company. On top of all that, the apartment he is living in goes up in flames … … Takao is taken to a shared house which has a cafe called ‘Plage’ on the first floor. The basic rent is 50,000 yen, a rotating schedule for cleaning, only a curtain as partition for individual rooms but comes with delicious food. Takao begins to live with a light heart until his next job is decided. But he gets involved in all sorts of commotion caused by the flawed residents (Naka Riisa, Mashima Hidekazu, Nakamura Yuri, Shibukawa Kiyohiko).
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/plage
Preview: Plage CM

Yaneura no Koibito
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 3 June 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Ouki Shizuka (Kurofuku Monogatari, Karamazov no Kyoudai, Tsugunai)
Genre: Love suspense
Cast: Ishida Hikari, Imai Tsubasa, Miura Rieko, Matsuzawa Kazuyuki, Otomo Karen, Takahashi Futo, Hayata Ryusei, Katsumura Masanobu, Takahata Atsuko
Synopsis: Housewife Saijo Kinuka (Ishida Hikari) moved to a Western-style house in Kamakura with her husband Makoto (Katsumura Masanobu), daughter Honoka (Otomo Karen) and son following the death of her father-in-law. This was strongly encouraged by her father-in-law’s second wife Chizuko (Takahata Atsuko). Despite her reservations about living on the same property as her mother-in-law, Kinuka decides to shift. It is a house she has wanted to fulfil her longtime dream of holding flower arrangement classes in her own salon and for her family of four to live spaciously. On the day of the housewarming party, Kinuka’s ex-boyfriend Seno Itsuki (Imai Tsubasa) suddenly shows up even though they parted ways 18 years ago. He says he is being pursued by debt collectors and wants her to conceal him. She instinctively feels fear and tries to turn him away but he disappears. Strange things start happening in the household. The food in the fridge goes down, her husband’s laundry goes missing, and then she hears the sounds of a violin on her wedding anniversary. When Kinuka climbs up to the attic guided by the music, she finds Seno playing the violin. He had settled there in secret and started observing the family’s real self. Kinuka begins to learn the secrets that her family and even her good friend Suganuma Kyoko (Miura Rieko) have kept mum about. She is driven into a corner mentally and her feelings for Seno waver. Then a murder sets the wheels of destiny in motion.
Website: tokai-tv.com/yanekoi
Preview: Yaneura no Koibito CM

Utsubokazura no Yume
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 5 August 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Fujii Kiyomi (Renai Jidai, Take Five, Kuro no Onna Kyoushi), Nakamura Yukari (Keiji 110 kg Series)
Original Work: Utsubokazura no Yume by Nonami Asa
Cast: Shida Mirai, Otsuka Nene, Kokusho Sayuri, Matsumoto Toshio, Haba Yuichi, Maeda Oshiro, Kawashima Ririka, Uesugi Shohei, Yamato Kota, Maki Emi, Tsuruta Ryosuke, Hyunri, Haruta Junichi, Yoshimoto Miyoko, Matsubara Chieko
Synopsis: 18-year-old Saito Mifuyu (Shida Mirai) is a simple girl who grew up in Nagano. After the death of her mother (Yoshimoto Miyoko), her father (Haruta Junichi) brings his lover (Hyunri) over which displaces Mifuyu in her own home. Mifuyu arrives in Tokyo following an invitation from her late mother’s younger cousin Kashimada Naoko (Otsuka Nene) to come over to her house for a while. It is a house blessed with “wealth” that she herself cannot obtain even if she wishes for it. Thinking this outrageous, Mifuyu starts seeking to fit into the Kashimada family, and in the process completely changes into a “pitcher plant girl” who plays on the desires of her prey to attain her goals.
Website: tokai-tv.com/utsubokazura
Preview: Utsubokazura no Yume CM

Izakaya Fuji
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Sundays, 9 July 2017
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Nemoto Nonji (Gin to Kin, Otokomeshi, Hatsukoi Geinin), Yamada Akane (Kichijoji dake ga Sumitai Machi desu ka? Jikou Keisatsu Series), Awashima Zuimaro, Imanishi Yuko
Original Work: Izakaya Fuji by Kuriyama Keisuke
Cast: Nagayama Kento, Omori Nao, Iitoyo Marie, Tateishi Ryoko, Suwa Taro, Hirata Atsuko, Yo Kimiko, Nakamura Genki, Murakami Jun, Shinohara Ryoko (guest star), Osugi Ren (guest star), Shiina Kippei (guest star), Mizukawa Asami (guest star), Nagayama Yoko (guest star), Maeda Atsuko (guest star), Tezuka Toru (guest star), Ono Nonoka (guest star), Otoo Takuma (guest star), Kishitani Goro (guest star), Yamamoto Mirai (guest star), Matsuo Takashi (guest star)
Synopsis: Nishio Eiichi (Nagayama Kento) came to Tokyo alone to pursue his dream. He is a struggling young actor who is troubled that he only plays dead corpses each time he appears in a drama. One day, Nishio enters a small pub called Fuji in Nakameguro on a whim and sees actor Omori Nao (Omori Nao), who is one of the famous people with signatures on the walls and ceiling plastered with coloured paper, drinking in there. Nishio is reminded what the important things are as he comes in contact with Omori and other celebrities who are regulars at Fuji.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/izakaya_fuji
Preview: Izakaya Fuji CM

Gomen, Aishiteru
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 9 July 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Asano Taeko (Dakara Kouya, Utsukushiki Wana, Ten no Hakobune)
Original Work: I’m Sorry, I Love You by Lee Kyung-Hee
Genre: Romance
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Yoshioka Riho, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Onishi Ayaka, Daichi, Yamaji Kazuhiro, Kusamura Reiko, Rokkaku Seiji, Ikewaki Chizuru, Nakamura Baijaku, Otake Shinobu, Lee Soo-hyuk
Synopsis: Okazaki Ritsu (Nagase Tomoya) was abandoned by his mother when he was a child and lived on the margins of society. The underworld was the only place for him. One day, in a strange turn of events, Ritsu saves Mita Rinka (Yoshioka Riho). This is an encounter that will change both their destinies. Then, Ritsu gets involved in an accident and sustains a grave head injury. No one knows if he will be able to survive. Wanting to be filial to his mother in his last moments, Ritsu starts searching for her. He finds Hyuga Reiko (Otake Shinobu) with the information he has obtained. However, he sees the mother whom he believed had given him up because of poverty, shower tremendous love on her son Satoru (Sakaguchi Kentaro). He is taken aback by their wealth and happy expressions, and struggles with conflicting feelings of yearning and loathing. Then he meets Rinka again. Rinka has had feelings for her childhood friend Satoru but it is not reciprocated while Ritsu seeks love because he has never been loved by anyone before. Rinka is gradually drawn to him as his loneliness and warmth touch her. Satoru has received all his mother’s love and lives without a care, not knowing Ritsu’s anguish. And Reiko dotes on Satoru without realising that her son is by her side. Now their lives intersect.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/gomen_aishiteru
Preview: Gomen, Aishiteru CM

Keishichou Ikimono-gakari
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 9 July 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tanaka Shinichi (Shachoushitsu no Fuyu, Medical Team Lady Da Vinci no Shindan, Kaiki Renai Sakusen)
Original Work: Keishichou Ikimono-gakari Series by Okura Takahiro
Genre: Investigative
Cast: Watabe Atsuro, Hashimoto Kanna, Miura Shohei, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Ishikawa Ren, Kiyohara Sho, Yokoyama Daisuke, Denden, Terajima Susumu, Asano Atsuko, Sakura Dori (guest star)
Synopsis: 48-year-old Sudo Tomozo (Watabe Atsuro), a former assistant inspector from hell who was with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division, sustained injuries in a case and was taken off from front-line investigation. He is assigned to a department for deadwood, the General Affairs Department’s Animal Unit which takes care of the pets of suspects and missing persons. This is where he meets 22-year-old Usuki Keiko (Hashimoto Kanna) who is a graduate of veterinary medicine and crazy about animals. Sudo gets exasperated with Keiko who loves animals more than humans and rushes headlong in her own direction. However, the appearance of the pets left at the scenes are clues to her. She makes astonishing inferences from her immense knowledge and keen powers of observation. As a result, Sudo and Keiko partner to solve cases one after another.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/ikimono

Hanzai Shokogun Season 2
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 11 June 2017
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Shinozaki Eriko (Rakuen, Copyface, Kami no Tsuki), Taniguchi Junichiro (Honjitsu Ohigara mo Yoko, Keiji no Manazashi)
Original Work: Shokogun Series by Nukui Tokuro
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Tamayama Tetsuji, Tanihara Shosuke, Watabe Atsuro, Komoto Masahiro, Mimura, Tsuruta Mayu, Sakurada Hiyori, Kaname Jun, Kimura Tae, Nomaguchi Toru, Tezuka Satomi, Itao Itsuji, Kobayashi Yutaka, Aijima Kazuyuki, Ryu Raita
Synopsis: One year ago, a woman who was cherished by two men was murdered. Former detective Muto Takashi (Tamayama Tetsuji) is her older brother who had loved her as if he were her father after their parents died young. His good friend Kaburagi Wataru (Tanihara Shosuke), a senior detective, was actually her boyfriend and she was the only one Kaburagi loved in his lonely life. Kaburagi counsels Muto and attempts to persuade him to forget the past. However, Kaburagi is the one who crosses the line and gets consumed by revenge.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/hanzaishokogun
Related: Hanzai Shokogun Season 1

Akira to Akira
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 9 July 2017
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Shizumanu Taiyo, Shitamachi Rocket (WOWOW))
Original Work: Akira to Akira by Ikeido Jun
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Saito Takumi, Koizumi Kotaro, Tanaka Rena, Kaku Kento, Kinoshita Houka, Horibe Keisuke, Matsushige Yutaka, Takimoto Miori, Nagashima Toshiyuki, Kamikawa Takaya (guest star), Omi Toshinori, Ishimaru Kanji
Synopsis: In April 1986, an orientation is being conducted for Sangyo Chuo Bank’s new employees. The last course is practical training on financial strategy for the two outstanding teams. The leaders for the respective teams are Kaido Akira (Mukai Osamu) and Yamazaki Akira (Saito Takumi) who are both graduates of Tokyo University. As the son of the owner (Ishimaru Kanji) of one of Japan’s leading companies, Kaido was born with an easy life and is promised a future as the next company president. On the other hand, the genius Yamazaki suffered hardships after his father’s (Matsushige Yutaka) company went bankrupt and their family had to run away at night. The two of them have built lives for themselves and joined the same bank. In fact, their lives had even crossed paths before this. But they have yet to realise this fact. Kaido and Yamazaki challenge each other as good friends and rivals as they overcome difficulties. And then, in what can only be described as “destiny”, a punishing ordeal drops on them … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/akira
Preview: Akira to Akira Introduction

Teinen Joshi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 9 July 2017
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Tabuchi Kumiko (Bijo to Danshi, Dousousei, Go ~ Himetachi no Sengoku)
Original Work: Teinen Joshi by Kishimoto Yukiko
Cast: Minami Kaho, Yamaguchi Yuichiro, Kusakari Tamiyo, Shimizu Michiko, Ishino Mako, Machida Keita, Yamashita Rio, Takano Shiho, Kikuchi Momoko, Fuji Mariko, Terawaki Yasufumi, Kusabue Mitsuko
Synopsis: 53-year-old Miyama Asako (Minami Kaho) is in charge of a department at a large trading company. She is doing well in her work but just as she expects another promotion, she gets a sudden transfer notice. However, Asako is treated like a hindrance at her new workplace and wonders why things have come to this. She grimly makes up her mind to resign. But her newly married daughter Aoi (Yamashita Rio) has moved back home for childbirth while her ex-husband’s (Terawaki Yasufumi) mother Tomiko (Kusabue Mitsuko) is still emotionally attached for some reason and even her care falls on Asako. It is a situation where Asako does not have the luxury to choose her job. She is so busy coping with all sorts of work that she has little concern for her own appearance. In the process, she gradually starts to realise her purpose in this society right now.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pd/teinen

Aishite Tatte, Himitsu wa Aru
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 16 July 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kuwamura Sayaka (Sukina Hito ga Iru Koto, Koinaka)
Original Work: Akimoto Yasushi
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Fukushi Sota, Kawaguchi Haruna, Kaku Kento, Suzuki Kosuke, Shirasu Jin, Yashiba Toshihiro, Saeki Daichi, Emoto Tokio, Yamamoto Mirai, Horibe Keisuke, Endo Kenichi, Okae Kumiko, Suzuki Honami
Synopsis: Legal apprentice Okumori Rei (Fukushi Sota) is on the verge of getting married when he is cornered by someone due to a past secret. Eight years ago, during the summer when Rei was a third-year junior high school student, he killed his father Kosuke (Horibe Keisuke) and made it look like he went missing in order to protect his mother Shoko (Suzuki Honami) from domestic violence. This became the secret between him and his mother. Rei aspired to be a lawyer and lived without getting deeply involved with anyone. That was until he met Tachibana Sawa (Kawaguchi Haruna) at law school. She is like a sudden light that illuminates his dark life and the two of them soon fell in love. However, right after Rei’s marriage to Sawa is decided, he starts receiving ominous messages from someone who knows his secret … …
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/aishitetatte

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