Manpuku
Date: From 8.00 a.m., Mondays – Saturdays, 1 October 2018
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors Series, Good Partner, Galileo Series)
Cast: Ando Sakura, Hasegawa Hiroki, Matsushita Nao, Kaname Jun, Uchida Yuki, Otani Ryohei, Kiritani Kenta, Seto Koji, Kishii Yukino, Matsui Rena, Kureshiro Kumi, Hamano Kenta, Nakao Akiyoshi, Matsumoto Kenzo, Fujiyama Senjiro, Kataoka Ainosuke, Hashimoto Manami, Anan Kenji, Hashizume Isao, Matsuzaka Keiko, Maehara Ko, Maiguma Katsuya, Kawanami Junichi, Naganuma Ikuya, Steel Teppei, Umebayashi Ryota, Nakamura Taiki, Miyoshi Daiki, Nankawa Taiki, Seki Kensuke, Enokida Takato, Hara Yujiro, Tsujioka Jinsuke
Synopsis: Imai Fukuko (Ando Sakura), the youngest of three sisters (Uchida Yuki, Matsushita Nao), grew up in a poor family but received a lot of love. She is a born optimist and loves eating. Because their father died early, she starts to work as a hotel’s telephone switchboard operator to support the family after graduating from a school for girls. Some incident leads to her encounter with her future husband Tachibana Manpei (Hasegawa Hiroki). The two of the eventually get married but Fukuko keeps getting pushed around by Manpei who develops businesses with unconventional ideas. At first, she only tolerates this, but she soon supports him and begins to grow into a strong woman. And then, the couple produce a great invention of the century which changes global food culture.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/mampuku
Preview: Manpuku Introduction
Suits Season 1
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 8 October 2018
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Ikegami Junya (Keiji Yugami, Higanbana, Gokuaku Ganbo), Komine Hiroyuki (Kaseifu no Mitazono Series, Kaiki Renai Sakusen, Shoku no Gunshi)
Original Work: Suits by NBC Universal
Genre: Legal
Cast: Oda Yuji, Nakajima Yuto, Araki Yuko, Nakamura Anne, Isomura Hayato, Imada Mio, Kunimura Jun, Tajima Reiko, Kote Shinya, Suzuki Honami, Nakamura Ikuji (guest star), Seki Megumi (guest star), Kitaro (guest star), Yanagi Shuntaro (guest star), Koichi Mantaro (guest star), Yamamoto Mirai (guest star), Ogoshi Chiharu (guest star), Iwai Kenshiro (guest star), Nakahara Kanan (guest star), Hankai Kazuaki (guest star), Sakuma Yui (guest star), Osumi Kenya (guest star), Miyata Yoshinori (guest star), Komatsu Kazushige (guest star), Harumi Shiho (guest star), Ishibashi Shizuka (guest star), Takenaka Naoto (guest star)
Synopsis: Kai Shogo (Oda Yuji) is a hotshot lawyer who belongs to Yukimura Uesugi, one of Japan’s four large law firms which is headed by Yukimura Chika (Suzuki Honami). He is a sharp but very arrogant man who studied at Harvard University after enrolling in Tokyo University. Kai is primarily in charge of lucrative cases such as corporate acquisitions, mergers and strategic alliances, and a promotion to senior partner is within reach. Worried about Kai’s extreme win-at-all-costs mentality, his boss proposes that he team up with a young lawyer as a condition for his promotion. Kai accepts this condition and conducts interviews to hire a rookie lawyer. That is when Suzuki Daiki (Nakajima Yuto) arrives. Suzuki is a smart young man with a photographic memory. But he lives the life of a part-timer under the influence of bad company, and earns a living as a substitute test taker for all sorts of industries.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/SUITS
Preview: Suits CM
Harassment Game
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Mondays, 15 October 2018
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (BG, Kinkyuu Torishirabe Shitsu Series, Pandora Series)
Cast: Karasawa Toshiaki, Hirose Alice, Furukawa Yuki, Ichikawa Yui, Ishino Mako, Takito Kenichi, Takashima Masahiro, Sano Shiro, Satoi Kenta, Kita Noa, Ogura Ichiro, Ito Masayuki, Tanaka Naoki (guest star), Shida Mirai (guest star), Onoue Hiroyuki (guest star), Yo Kimiko (guest star)
Synopsis: Akitsu Wataru (Karasawa Toshiaki) is the manager of the Toyama Chuo branch of Maruo Holdings, an established major supermarket chain. He was demoted as a result of some incident and moves to the countryside with his family. However, one day, Akitsu is recalled to the headquarters as the head of the compliance unit. The CEO and board members have hidden ulterior motives. Various harassment issues happen within the company. Akitsu solves them with novel ideas and methods.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/harassmentgame
Preview: Harassment Game CM
Endo Kenichi to Kudo Kankuro no Benkyou Sasete Itadakimasu
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Tuesdays, 13 November 2018
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Kudo Kankuro (Kangoku no Ohimesama, Yutori desu ga Nani ka Series, Ama-chan)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Endo Kenichi, Oguri Shun (guest star), Naka Riisa (guest star), Kato Ryo (guest star), Takahata Atsuko (guest star), Nomura Shuhei (guest star), Mizuno Miki, (guest star), Takashima Masanobu (guest star), Momoi Kaori (guest star)
Synopsis: Endo Kenichi (Endo Kenichi) plays Detective Moroi Joe who is pursuing a serial murder on the set of a suspense drama series. Filming for the drama ends without a hitch, but problems arise and scenes have to be filmed again. However, Endo’s costars have already left the set. Well-known actors and actresses who happen to be nearby are hurriedly offered parts in the drama.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/benkyou
Preview: Endo Kenichi to Kudo Kankuro no Benkyou Sasete Itadakimasu Introduction
Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekiteiru
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 9 October 2018
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hashibe Atsuko (A Life, Ghost Writer, Boku Series)
Cast: Takahashi Issei, Eikura Nana, Kaname Jun, Kojima Kazuya, Nishihata Daigo, Yahagi Honoka, Triendl Reina, Kita Kana, Hirota Ryohei, Tanaka Min, Anan Kenji, Toda Keiko, Kobayashi Kaoru, Kawaguchi Waku (guest star), Wada Takuma (guest star), Matsumoto Wakana (guest star)
Synopsis: Aikawa Kazuki (Takahashi Issei) is a university lecturer who teaches ethology, which is the study of animal behaviour. He just started life as a lecturer six months earlier at the recommendation of Professor Samejima Shun (Kobayashi Kaoru) whom he studied under in university. However, when it comes to the animals and living things that Kazuki loves, he gets so immersed that he pays no attention to other things. He is not able to follow the rules established by the university and gets scolded at work every day. In addition, he has the habit of procrastinating on things that he finds bothersome and is also poor at being punctual. Kazuki’s lessons are “not ordinary”. Although he gives students assignments to make them express their opinions, he would end up saying that he does not know the right answer and stump them. Kazuki’s behaviour bewilders the people around him, and at times, it even irritates them. They keep this “eccentric” at a slight distance but this does not perturb him. However, their own values are shaken by the sight of Kazuki, who has no bias or preconceived ideas and enjoys each day following his interests and curiosity, and they are gradually influenced by him.
Website: www.ktv.jp/bokura
Preview: Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekiteiru CM
Chugaku Seinikki
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 9 October 2018
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Final Cut, Watashi Kekkon Dekinai Janakute Shinain desu, Boku no Tsuma to Kekkon Shite Kudasai,)
Original Work: Chugaku Seinikki by Kawakami Junko
Genre: Romance
Cast: Arimura Kasumi, Okada Kenshi, Machida Keita, Makita Sports, Natsuki Mari, Tomochika, Yoshida Yo, Natsukawa Yui
Synopsis: Suenaga Hijiri (Arimura Kasumi) has fulfilled her long-time dream and become a junior high school teacher in the remote countryside. She meets Kuroiwa Akira (Okada Kenshi), a third-year junior high school student with a mysterious charm. He falls in love with her at first sight and directly expresses his romantic interest. However, Hijiri has a fiance Kawai Shotaro (Machida Keita) whom she has dated since university days. He has been posted to Osaka for work and they are in a long distance relationship. Hijiri knows in her mind that she should never develop feelings for Akira because she is a teacher and has a fiance. But she is swayed by Akira and soon becomes attracted to him … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/chugakuseinikki_tbs
Preview: Chugaku Seinikki Introduction
Room Laundering
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 7 November 2018
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Sakurai Tsuyoshi (Fuwaku no Scrum, Bakumatsu Gurume Series, Omotesando Gasshobu!)
Cast: Ikeda Eliza, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Ito Kentaro, Okuno Eita, Yamoto Yuma, Taguchi Tomorow, Odagiri Joe
Synopsis: Yakumo Miko (Ikeda Eliza) keeps moving from one apartment with an interesting history to another. Her job is “room laundering”; living in stigmatised properties that her mother’s younger brother Ikazuchi Goro (Odagiri Joe) finds, erasing the incident’s history and cleaning the place up before the next occupant comes. However, what is in store for Miko wherever she goes are ghosts who linger in the apartments – former occupants with a lot of regrets. For some reason, Miko is able to see them and she is forced to solve their problems. This is complicated by Nijikawa Akito (Ito Kentaro) who used to be a neighbour at one of the places she lived in, and their relationship eventually develops into a romance … …!?
Website: www.mbs.jp/roomlaundering
Kono Koi wa Tsumi nano ka?*NEW*
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 5 December 2018
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Shiozuka Yume
Original Work: Kono Koi wa Tsumi nano ka? by Torishima Haito
Genre: Romance
Cast: Kashiwagi Yuki, Ito Kentaro, Yamoto Yuma, Mao, Kato Shinsuke, Tanaka Makoto, Abe Shuhei, Kuroda Daisuke (guest star), Saito Takumi (guest star), Murakami Jun
Synopsis: 24-year-old salaryman Kohinata Taiga (Ito Kentaro) with low self-esteem. He has no experience in love, and lacks communication skills as well as a purpose in life. While on his way to work one day, Taiga meets Komada Tae (Kashiwagi Yuki), a busty woman with a baby face who is 8 years his senior, through an “accident” and falls in love for the first time. He learns that Tae is actually a professional shogi player. A romance between two very different people begins. Is this love a crime or a checkmate?
Website: www.mbs.jp/koi_tsumi
Aibou Season 17
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 17 October 2018 (for two seasons)
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Koshimizu Yasuhiro (Aibou Series)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Sorimachi Takashi, Nakama Yukie, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Suzuki Anju, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Yamanaka Takashi, Yamanishi Atsushi, Asari Yosuke, Tanaka Ryuzo, Jinbo Satoshi, Rokkaku Seiji, Ono Ryo, Harada Ryuji, Kimura Yoshino, Narimiya Hiroki, Enoki Takaaki, Terawaki Yasufumi, Sugimoto Tetta, Katagiri Ryuji, Tsugawa Masahiko, Kishibe Ittoku, Ishizaka Koji, Toyota Maho (guest star), Riju Go (guest star), Tanimura Mitsuki (guest star), Ashina Sei (guest star), Emoto Akira (guest star), Morimoto Leo (guest star), Morita Junpei (guest star), Nakano Hideo (guest star), Hasegawa Kimihiko (guest star), Sakimoto Hiromi (guest star), Kimura Ryo (guest star), Nishida Naomi (guest star), Matsuo Satoru (guest star)
Synopsis: Aoki Toshio (Asari Yosuke), a special investigation officer from the cyber security task force, is demoted to the Special Missions Unit as “punishment”. He holds a grudge against Sugishita Ukyo (Mizutani Yutaka) and Kaburagi Wataru (Sorimachi Takashi), and had been working behind the scenes tear up the team. What ripples will he cause as the third member of the Special Missions Unit?
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/aibou
Kemono ni Narenai Watashitachi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 10 October 2018
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Nogi Akiko (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu, Juhan Shuttai, Okitegami Kyoko no Bibouroku)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Aragaki Yui, Matsuda Ryuhei, Tanaka Kei, Kuroki Haru, Inukai Atsuhiro, Ito Sairi, Kondo Koen, Ichinose Wataru, Kikuchi Rinko, Matsuo Takashi, Yamauchi Keiya, Tanaka Misako
Synopsis: Shinkai Akira (Aragaki Yui) is always smiling and her work is perfect. She is liked by everyone, but no one knows the great hardship she undergoes in her professional and private life in order to play the perfect girl. Nemoto Kousei (Matsuda Ryuhei) is a wordly, charming accountant who is popular with women. However, no one knows that it is only a pretense and he views everything coldly. He trusts no one and is cynical about everything. The two of them, who are never brutally honest and guard their hearts, happen to meet at a craft beer bar after work one day. It is because they are complete strangers that they can hurl what they truly think at each other. In the process of doing so, they get hurt but begin to step out in their own way.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/kemonare
Preview: Kemono ni Narenai Watashitachi CM
Ten Tenhodori no Kaidanji
Date: From 1.35 a.m., Thursdays, 4 October 2018
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Nemoto Nonji (Smoking, Otoko no Misao, Izakaya Fuji), Masaike Yosuke (Miss Sherlock, Massage Tantei Joe), Miyamoto Masaki
Original Work: Ten Tenhodori no Kaidanji by Fukumoto Nobuyuki
Cast: Kishitani Goro, Yoshida Eisaku, Furukawa Yuki, Matoba Koji, Denden, Okayama Hajime, Aijima Kazuyuki, Takubo Issei, Yamaguchi Yoshiyuki, Tanaka Yoji, Hoshida Hidetoshi, Kaneko Noboru, Nagaoka Takuya, Setokuma Naoki, Sarukawa Masatoshi, Fukumoto Nobuyuki
Synopsis: Igawa Hiroyuki (Furukawa Yuki) is well-versed in mahjong and makes a killing from novice opponents at a mahjong parlour. One day, he meets Ten Takashi (Kishitani Goro) who runs a mahjong contracting business, in other words a pinch hitter. Ten is unrivalled in his ability to win and his strong will. Hiroyuki admires him, and gets immersed in the world of mahjong. The two of them soon encounter Akagi Shigeru (Yoshida Eisaku), the legendary mahjong player, and Harada Katsumi (Matoba Koji), currently one of Kansai’s strongest mahjong players, as they battle it out to determine who is the top of Japan’s mahjong underworld.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/ten
Preview: Ten Tenhodori no Kaidanji Teaser
Kasouken no Onna Season 18
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 18 October 2018
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Todayama Masashi (Kasouken no Onna Seasons 3, 12 – 17, Ishi Tsubute, Specialist Series), Sakurai Takeharu (Kasouken no Onna Seasons 3, 12 – 17, Kami no Shita o Motsu Otoko, Yamegoku)
Genre: Investigative
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Wakamura Mayumi, Kazama Toru, Kaneda Akio, Saito Satoru, Watanabe Shu, Yamamoto Hikaru, Nishida Ken, Ishii Kazuaki, Maekawa Yasuyuki (guest star), Magy (guest star), Kochi Machiko (guest star), Kanai Yuta (guest star), Mister Chin (guest star), Yokoyama Megumi (guest star), Nakabayashi Taiki (guest star), Kokusho Sayuri (guest star), Kurosaka Mami (guest star), Inoue Waka (guest star), Takizawa Saori (guest star)
Synopsis: –
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kasouken18
Legal V ~ Moto Bengoshi Takanashi Shoko
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 11 October 2018
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Hashimoto Hiroshi (Otona Gakkou, Shukatsu Kazoku, Risk no Kamisama)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Mukai Osamu, Hayashi Kento, Nanao, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Naito Risa, Miyamoto Mayu, Adachi Yumi, Miura Shohei, Katsumura Masanobu, Kohinata Fumiyo, Takahashi Hideki, Kojima Kazuya (guest star), Yamaya Kasumi (guest star), Saito Yuki (guest star), Hirayama Hiroyuki (guest star), Kiriyama Ren (guest star), Okamoto Nobuto (guest star), Hara Hideko (guest star), Shimazaki Haruka (guest star), Hakamada Yoshihiko (guest star), Ryu Raita (guest star), Tozuka Junki (guest star), Seto Toshiki (guest star), Shigaki Taro (guest star), Kataoka Reiko (guest star), YOU (guest star), Yabe Taro (guest star), Azuma Chizuru (guest star), Aizawa Rina (guest star), Kanichiro (guest star)
Synopsis: Takanashi Shoko (Yonekura Ryoko) is a scandalous former lawyer whose licence was revoked. There are plausible dark rumours that she hit her boss and had been extorting with a criminal syndicate before this happened. She persuades Kyogoku Masahiko (Takahashi Hideki), a university professor who is a lawyer on paper, to open a law firm. Then she scouts a young lawyer Aoshima Keita (Hayashi Kento) and paralegals by telling them a pack of lies and proceeds to order them around with a fiendishly arrogant attitude. A major law firm stands in her way. As a series of troublesome civil cases drop in unexpectedly, will her team be able to win against the very elite lawyers?
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/legal-v
Tasogare Ryuuseigun
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 11 October 2018
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Asano Taeko (Gomen Aishiteru, Utsushiki Wana, Dakara Kouya)
Original Work: Tasogare Ryuuseigun by Hirokane Kenshi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Sasaki Kuranosuke, Nakayama Miho, Fujii Ryusei, Ishikawa Ren, Reiji, Aso Yumi, Yagi Akiko, Ono Takehiko, Kuroki Hitomi, Masuda Hidehiko, Hyadain, Motokariya Yuika, Okada Koki, Iwamoto Masuyo, Takada Junji, Harumi Shiho, Hirayama Yusuke, Ito Masayuki, Shibuya Kento, Otani Ryosuke
Synopsis: Banker Takizawa Kanji (Sasaki Kuranosuke) lives only for work and has become a branch manager through relentless hard work amid a restructuring of the financial industry. Lately, his conversations with his wife Mariko (Nakayama Miho) have dwindled and he has also grown apart from his daughter Misaki (Ishikawa Ren) who is of marriageable age. But he readily accepts this way of life. One day, Kanji is suddenly ordered on a secondment to a client company for an irrational reason. He is unable to hide his shock at this unexpected demotion and begins to question his own life. Kanji happens to see a poster of a snowy mountain and lies to his family that he is going to Switzerland for a business trip the next day. He travels to Switzerland alone and arrives in the Swiss Alps. He meets Meguro Shiori (Kuroki Hitomi) on a gondola bound for the Matterhorn in a snow storm and the two of them hit it off. Meanwhile, Mariko suspects that her husband may be having an affair but cannot voice what she thinks. She ends up falling into a forbidden love with her daughter’s fiance Hino Haruki (Fujii Ryusei) … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/tasogare
Preview: Tasogare Ryuuseigun CM
Black Scandal
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 4 October 2018
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Sato Tomoharu (Black Revenge, Rinshou Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri, Last Cop Series)
Cast: Yamaguchi Sayaka, Ando Masanobu, Matsui Rena, Wakaba Ryuya, Morita Kanro, Ogawa Sara, Tanigawa Shoichiro, Nomura Masumi, Namioka Kazuki, Emma Jasmine, Matsumoto Marika, Katagiri Jin, Hiraiwa Kami, Kataoka Tsurutaro
Synopsis: Yagami Arisa (Yamaguchi Sayaka) is a go-getting manager at the entertainment agency Florite and solves the problems of its talents. In fact, five years ago, she was the popular top actress Fujisaki Sara and engaged to marry Teshigawara Junya (Ando Masanobu), the only son of Florite’s CEO Teshigawara Tomokazu (Kataoka Tsurutaro). However, she was set up in an adultery scandal which ended her career in the entertainment industry and made her lose everything. To expose the truth and seek revenge against the people who framed her, Sara had her face changed through cosmetic surgery and became a different person. She retaliates by getting the people involved in the plot to hold humiliating press conferences one by one. But shocking facts that no one had imagined are hidden.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/blackscandal
Preview: Black Scandal Teaser
Related: Black Revenge
Love or Not Season 2
Date: From 5 October 2018 (updated on Fridays)
Station: dTV and Fuji on Demand
Scriptwriter: Masumoto Takuya (The Black Company, Love or Not Season 1, Omotesando Gasshobu!)
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Yamashita Kenjiro, Motokariya Yuika, Machida Keita, Asami Reina, Yagi Masayasu, Mizusawa Erena, Satsukawa Aimi, Hosoda Yoshihiko
Synopsis: Usami Kosuke (Yamashita Kenjiro) is obtuse and an inept company employee. He is cohabiting with his girlfriend Hirosawa Mako (Motokariya Yuika) whom he started dating after a fateful encounter. One day, Kosuke makes up his mind to propose to her. But Mako beats him to it and he ends up hearing shocking words from her … …
Website: pc.video.dmkt-sp.jp/ft/s0007060
Preview: Love or Not Season 2 CM
Related: Love or Not Season 1
Tokyo Blood Type House
Date: From 7 December 2018
Network: Amazon Prime
Scriptwriters: Suzuki Osamu (Ubai Ai Fuyu), Okura (Hello Harinezumi, Sumu Sumu, Sutekina Sentaxi Series), Yoshii Minako, Yamada Yoshitatsu (Denei Shojo, Shinjuku Seven, Nou ni Sumaho ga Umerareta!), Takemura Takashi, Fukuda Takuya
Genre: Situational
Cast: Inagaki Goro, Katsuji Ryo, Kaname Jun, Dan Mitsu (guest star), Miyazon (guest star), Morisaki Win (guest star), Mizushima Hiro (guest star), Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (guest star)
Synopsis: Three men share a house. Goro (Inagaki Goro), the CEO of an IT company, has O-type blood. Jun (Kaname Jun), a chiropractor, has A-type blood while Ryo (Katsuji Ryo), a florist, has AB-type blood. Each week, they welcome a guest (Dan Mitsu, Miyazon, Morisaki Win, Mizushima Hiro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi) as the prospective fourth occupant of the shared house.
Website: www.amazon.co.jp/Prime-Video
Preview: Tokyo Blood Type House CM
Pretty ga Oosugiru
Date: From 12.59 a.m., Fridays, 19 October 2018
Station: NTV
Scriptwriters: Arai Shuko (Tsubaki Bunguten, Higanbana, Mother Game), Watanabe Mako (Seisei Suru Hodo Ai Shiteru, Akutotachi wa Senri o Hashiru, Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!)
Original Work: Pretty ga Oosugiru by Osaki Kozue
Cast: Chiba Yudai, Satsukawa Aimi, Kobayashi Kinako, Yajima Maimi, Ikehata Reina, Kuroba Mario, Nagai Mijika, Moriyama Asuka, Nakao Akiyoshi, Horiuchi Keiko, Sugimoto Tetta
Synopsis: Niimi Yoshitaka (Chiba Yudai) has worked for a major publishing company for three years and is the literary editorial department’s ace. But one day, he is ordered by chief editor Kashiwazaki Ryuhei (Sugimoto Tetta) to transfer to Pipin, a Harajuku-style fashion magazine, all of a sudden. Niimi goes to work sulkily and encounters peculiar female staff (Kobayashi Kinako, Yajima Maimi, Ikehata Reina) including the strong-minded Sato Rio (Satsukawa Aimi), and self-absorbed models in flashy outfits. Although he is initially put off by this workplace which is full of pretty, he gradually decides to grapple with this “kawaii” culture in earnest.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/pretty
Chuzai Keiji
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 19 October 2018
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Tago Akihiro (Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi Series), Irie Shingo
Original Work: Chuzai Keiji Series by Sasamoto Ryohei
Genre: Detective
Cast: Terajima Susumu, Kitamura Yukiya, Fueki Yuko, Sato Kanta, Suzunosuke, Yamaguchi Mayu, Mashima Hidekazu, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Ito Shiro (guest star), Ichige Yoshie, Kuroki Hitomi
Synopsis: Police officer Enami Atsushi (Terajima Susumu), who used to be a detective in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division, is is well-loved and called Chuzai-san by the people of Okutama.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/chuzaikeiji
Related: Chuzai Keiji Drama Special
Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae Season 3
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 9 November 2018
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Furuta Motomu (Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae Seasons 1 – 2, Kamiya Genjiro Torimono Hikae Series), Tamura Megumi (Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae Seasons 1 – 2), Kobayashi Masahiro (Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae Seasons 1 – 2)
Original Work: Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae by Fujisawa Shuhei
Genre: Period
Cast: Mizobata Junpei, Taira Yuna, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Makita Sports, Masana Bokuzo, Namioka Kazuki, Watanabe Yutaro, Washio Machiko, Ishiguro Ken, Furuya Ikkou
Synopsis: Tachibana Noboru (Mizobata Junpei) is a doctor of Kodenmacho Prison. He has gained experience as a doctor in a prison, and has also grown up to be a remarkable young man who impressively solves cases with his strong sense of justice and outstanding jujitsu skills as he comes in touch with cases related to the people who go in and out of Kodenmacho Prison. This time, a new incident concerning Noboru’s future arises.
Website:
Related: Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae Season 1
Dairenai ~ Boku o Wasureru Kimi to
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 12 October 2018
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Ie Uru Onna Series, Contrail, Second Love)
Genre: Romance
Cast: Toda Erika, Muro Tsuyoshi, Tomizawa Takeshi, Sugino Yosuke, Kurokawa Tomoka, Hashizume Jun, Natsuki Yoko, Kusakari Tamiyo, Matsuoka Masahiro, Koike Teppei (guest star)
Synopsis: 34-year-old Kitazawa Nao (Toda Erika) is a doctor who works hard every day at a ladies clinic. She is engaged to marry an older doctor Ihara Yuichi (Matsuoka Masahiro) with perfect qualities. One month before her wedding, Nao moves to her new home. On the day of the move, she meets a surly Mamiya Shinji (Muro Tsuyoshi), who works part time for the moving company and used to be a struggling writer. The two of them fall in love. However, Nao discovers that she is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In spite of this, Shinji changes this crisis with laughter and cheerfully supports Nao. Through her illness, Shinji learns the meaning and joy of mutual love and her presence awakens his potential. He writes a book about living with Nao and their romance, all the while aware that Nao will no longer know him some day … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/dairenai_tbs
Preview: Dairenai CM
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 12 October 2018
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Habara Daisuke (Kurokawa no Techou (2017), Godan, Massan)
Original Work: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinchuu by Kumoto Haruko
Cast: Okada Masaki, Ryusei Ryo, Narumi Riko, Omasa Aya, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Hirata Mitsuru, Sasai Eisuke, Sakai Miki, Kawakubo Takuji, Yanagiya Kyotaro
Synopsis: In the early days of the Showa era, Yakumo (Okada Masaki) enters the world of rakugo, traditional Japanese comic storytelling. He forges a firm friendship with the talented Sukeroku (Yamazaki Ikusaburo) who began training at the same time. Yakumo is drawn to Sukeroku’s craft and envious. He struggles to catch up and grows with the support of the geisha Miyokichi (Omasa Aya). Before long, Sukeroku and Miyokichi are united in marriage. But the two of them die in a very mysterious accident. Yakumo adopts their orphaned child Konatsu (Narumi Riko) while carrying a secret surrounding their deaths. Konatsu grows up hating Yakumo as her parents’ foe. Together with Yakumo’s disciple Yotaro (Ryusei Ryo), she soon begins to close in on the truth about the deaths of Sukeroku and Miyokichi which Yakumo has covered up.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama10/rakugo
Boku to Shippo to Kagurazaka
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 12 October 2018
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Taniguchi Junichiro (Shiro to Kiiro, Universal Koukokusha, Hanzai Shokogun Series), Kunii Kei (Mob Psycho 100, Kakuregiku, Kogure Shashinkan)
Original Work: Boku to Shippo to Kagurazaka by Tarasawa Michi
Cast: Aiba Masaki, Hirosue Ryoko, Shuri, Kotaki Nozomu, Nagisa, Yashiba Toshihiro, Yamura Hiroki, Okura Koji, Murakami Jun, Kato Kazuko, Issey Ogata, Kita Noa (guest star), Kaga Mariko (guest star), Takizawa Ryoko (guest star), Mashima Hidekazu (guest star), Iketani Nobue (guest star)
Synopsis: Koenji Tatsuya (Aiba Masaki) is a young vet who works at Sakanoue Veterinary Clinic in Kagurazaka, Tokyo. He quit the veterinary hospital that he had worked at and returned to his hometown. He is about to work for Dr Tokumaru Zenjiro (Issey Ogata) but Dr Tokumaru entrusts the clinic to him all of a sudden, and disappears. Despite his bewilderment, Tatsuya stays on with veterinary nurse Kase Tokiwa (Hirosue Ryoko) and Tashiro Shinichi (Murakami Jun). His interactions with the people of Kagurazaka deepen and he is eventually called Dr Ko.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/shippo
Saint Onii-san
Date: From 18 October 2018
Network: Pikkoma TV
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Super Salaryman Saenai-shi, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series, Uchuu no Shigoto)
Original Work: Saint Onii-san by Nakamura Hikaru
Cast: Matsuyama Kenichi, Sometani Shota, Sato Jiro, Yamano Umi
Synopsis: Jesus (Matsuyama Kenichi) and Buddha (Sometani Shota), who have safely crossed over to a new century, are sharing an apartment in Tachikawa, Tokyo while they spend a vacation on earth taking in its four seasons. Jesus loves feeble jokes and comedy greatly and is a spendthrift who loves new things. Buddha, on the other hand, is thrifty like a housewife and his hobby is making original T-shirts using silkscreen printing. They are enjoying everyday life at their own pace, but unintentionally demonstrate their godly powers everywhere.
Website: st023.com
Preview: Saint Onii-san CM
Utsunuke
Date: From 29 September 2018 (updated on Saturdays)
Network: Hulu
Original Work: Utsunuke ~ Utsu Tunnel o Nuketa Hitotachi by Tanaka Keiichi
Cast: Tanaka Naoki, Ohgo Suzuka
Synopsis: Tanaka Keiichi (Tanaka Naoki) was at one point both a salaryman and manga artist. He suffered from depression for 10 years but eventually managed to break out of it. He becomes a guide to people from different backgrounds and together with his assistant Kaneko (Ohgo Suzuka), helps them to successfully overcome depression.
Website: www.happyon.jp/utsunuke
Preview: Utsunuke CM
Boukyaku no Sachiko
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 13 October 2018
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Oshima Satomi (Machi Koba no Onna, Yassan, Hanamoyu), Inukai Kyoko (Osaka Kanshousen Series, Watashitachi ga Puropozu Sarenai noni wa, 101 no Riyuu ga Atte da na Series), Yamagishi Santa
Original Work: Boukyaku no Sachiko by Abe Jun
Genre: Food comedy
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Saotome Taichi, Hayama Shono, Aizawa Rina, Shigeoka Hiroshi, Uechi Haruna, Fuse Eri, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Hasegawa Tomoharu (guest star), Ikeda Tetsuhiro (guest star), Owada Shinya (guest star), Izumiya Shigeru (guest star), Kiyohara Sho (guest star), Sato Megumi (guest star)
Synopsis: Sasaki Sachiko (Takahata Mitsuki) is an editor of Sarara, a literary magazine. Called “Iron Lady”, she has earned the respect of her colleagues for her perfectionism and diligence. After her groom Shungo (Saotome Taichi) disappeared all of a sudden on the day of their wedding, she discovered that delicious food could help her forget him. Several months later, Sachiko is reminded of Shungo again and again by the appearance of two writers – one with a tendency to wander off and the other a social recluse – as well as a new employee who cannot read situations. When that happens, Sachiko turns to food. Then Shungo shows up … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/boukyakunosachiko
Preview: Boukyaku no Sachiko CM
Related: Boukyaku no Sachiko Drama Special
Kono Manga ga Sugoi!
Date: From 12.52 a.m., Saturdays, 6 October 2018
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: –
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Aoi Yu, Arai Hirofumi (guest star), Yamamoto Hiroshi (guest star), Kanno Misuzu (guest star), Tsukamoto Shinya (guest star), Denden (guest star), Nakagawa Taishi (guest star), Higashide Masahiro (guest star), Hiraiwa Kami (guest star), Morikawa Aoi (guest star), Moriyama Mirai (guest star), Yamamoto Mizuki (guest star)
Synopsis: Actors will appear in each episode as guests. They will talk about the manga they like and enter the frame to play the character through a special technique for a live-action adaptation of the manga.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/konomanga
Nuke Mairu ~ Onna 3-nin Ise Mairi
Date: From 6.05 p.m., Saturdays, 27 October 2018
Station: NHK
Scriptwriters: Komatsu Eriko (Itsumade mo Shiroi Hane, Kabukimono Keiji, Hanamoyu), Kuwabara Yuko
Original Work: Nukemairu by Asai Makate
Genre: Period
Cast: Tanaka Rena, Tomosaka Rie, Sato Eriko, Fukushi Seiji, Daichi Mao, Takizawa Hideaki, Tachi Hiroshi
Synopsis: Ino (Tomosaka Rie), the daughter of a restaurant owner; Shika (Sato Eriko), the beautiful, dignified wife of a samurai; and Chou (Tanaka Rena), the proprietress of a sundries shop were the ultimate trio of Bakurocho in Edo in their youth. Now they are all over the age of 30. Each feels depressed about their own circumstances which they cannot tell anyone. One day, they leave behind their work and families all of a sudden and turn out for the Nuke Mairi. The Nuke Mairi is a special pilgrimage to the Ise Grand shrine that was popular among the people during the Edo Period. The three women begin a chaotic journey on foot along the Tokaido, the main road between Kyoto and Edo, with Ise as their goal and the place to begin life anew.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/nukemairu
Silent Voice
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 6 October 2018
Station: BS Japan
Scriptwriters: Brazily Anne Yamada (Sayonara Enari-kun, Kono Yo ni wa Tayasui Shigoto wa Nai, Tokyo Sentimental Series), Oura Kota (Final Life, Plage, Heat), Honda Takaaki (Daishou, Retake, Higanbana)
Original Work: Silent Voice by Sato Seinan
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Kuriyama Chiaki, Shirasu Jun, Ukaji Takashi, Nomura Shuichi, Shiina Kanae, Saeki Daichi (guest star), Tsuda Kanji (guest star), Horiuchi Keiko (guest star), Nishimura Kazuhiko (guest star), Mochizuki Ayumu (guest star), Moriguchi Yoko (guest star), Mashima Hidekazu (guest star)
Synopsis: People tell lies with words through their cerebral neocortex. However, the moment before a person does so, the mental reflexes of the limbic system will be apparent. There is a female detective who can see through the lies of suspects by reading their “micro-gestures” which only appear for 0.2 seconds. Her name is Tateoka Ema (Kuriyama Chiaki). Lies are lost on her. Any suspect who is targeted by Ema will eventually be forced to make a confession.
Website: www.bs-j.co.jp/official/silentvoice
Preview: Silent Voice CM
Cold Case Season 2 ~ Shinjitsu no Tobira
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 13 October 2018
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Yoshida Yasuhiro (Konoudori Season 2, Plage, Cold Case Season 1), Sakai Masaaki (Aogeba Toutoshi, Hamon (Yakubyougami Series), Smoking Gun), Nogi Moegi, Takimoto Tomoyuki (Hokuto, Tenshi to Akuma, Watashi to iu Unmei ni Tsuite), Hourai Ryuta (Heisei Sasameyuki, Cold Case Season 1), Zeze Takahisa (Cold Case Season 1, Zainin no Uso, Kanata no Ko)
Original Work: Cold Case by Warner Bros
Genre: Crime suspense
Cast: Yoshida Yo, Nagayama Kento, Takito Kenichi, Mitsuishi Ken, Miura Tomokazu, Yoshimura Kaito (guest star), Sato Ryo (guest star), Horii Arata (guest star), Uesugi Shuhei (guest star), Maekawa Yasuyuki (guest star), Okunuki Kaoru (guest star), Ichige Yoshie (guest star), Shinoda Saburo (guest star), Tsukayama Masane (guest star), Hashizume Isao (guest star), Kudo Kankuro (guest star), Morinaga Yuki (guest star), Kamio Fuju (guest star), Hagiwara Masato (guest star), Yada Akiko (guest star), Yoshioka Hidetaka (guest star), Nishida Naomi (guest star), Riju Go (guest star), Hashimoto Jun (guest star), Sato Koichi (guest star), Hiraiwa Kami (guest star), Tanaka Kei (guest star), Kanai Yuta (guest star), Yamane Kazuma (guest star), Shuko (guest star), Matsumoto Wakana (guest star), Oka Mitsuko (guest star), Okuda Eiji (guest star), Kaneda Akio (guest star), Maiguma Katsuya (guest star), Misaki Ayame (guest star), Endo Yuya (guest star), Murakami Shingo (guest star), Doguchi Yoriko (guest star), Yajima Kenichi (guest star), Ishibashi Renji (guest star), Inoue Yoshio (guest star), Iitoyo Marie (guest star), Murakawa Eri (guest star), Yamamoto Keisuke (guest star), Fukami Motoki (guest star), Kitamura Yukiya (guest star), Yamada Anna (guest star), Bando Ryota (guest star), Kiryu Mai, Ono Rina (guest star), Hirosawa So (guest star), Sato Takashi (guest star), Fujitani Miki (guest star), Tanaka Ken, (guest star), Nakamura Yuko (guest star), Minemura Rie (guest star), Kataoka Reiko (guest star), Koichi Mantaro (guest star), Narumi Riko (guest star), Saotome Taichi (guest star), Kobayashi Ryoko (guest star), Nakajima Ayumu (guest star), Ishizaki Natsumi (guest star), Iwamoto Masuyo (guest star),Yamamoto Kei (guest star), Iwaido Seiko (guest star), Kakei Miwako (guest star), Kiba Katsumi (guest star), Mizuno Kumi (guest star), Ryu Raita (guest star)
Synopsis: Inspector Ishikawa Yuri (Yoshida Yo) leads the team (Nagayama Kento, Takito Kenichi, Mitsuishi Ken) from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s First Investigative Division to crack unsolved cases.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/coldcase2
Preview: Cold Case Season 2 CM
Related: Cold Case Season 1 ~ Shinjitsu no Tobira
Dorokei ~ Keishichou Sousa Sanka
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 13 October 2018
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Hayashi Koji (Headhunter, Sniffer Series, Cold Case Season 1)
Original Work: Dorokei by Fukuda Shu
Genre: Detective
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Endo Kenichi, Ishibashi Anna, Nakamura Tomoya, Eguchi Noriko, Nomaguchi Toru, Tanaka Michiko, Ikushima Sho, Maruyama Tomomi, Itao Itsuji, Inamori Izumi, Takahashi Katsumi (guest star), Sasano Takashi (guest star), Kanichiro (guest star), Sugimoto Tetta (guest star), Yo Kimiko (guest star)
Synopsis: Madarame Tsutomu (Nakajima Kento) is a rookie detective at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Third Investigation Division which investigates thefts. He completely loses motivation for his job in the face of the police organisation’s logic and reality. One day, Madarame encounters the legendary thief Kemuri Garasu (Endo Kenichi) who leaves no witnesses or traces, and whom no one has ever seen. For some reason, Kemuri meddles with Madarame at every opportunity and even helps him solve cases. What is his true motive? Will Madarame be able to arrest him in the end?
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/dorokei
Anata ni wa Watasanai
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 10 November 2018
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Tatsui Yukari (Koshiji Fubuki Monogatari, Mama to Papa ga Ikiru Riyuu, Strawberry Night Series)
Original Work: Kakuregiku by Renjo Mikihiko
Genre: Love suspense
Cast: Kimura Yoshino, Mizuno Miki, Takana Tetsushi, Hagiwara Masato, Aoyagi Sho, Imoto Ayaka, Yamamoto Naohiro, Oginome Keiko
Synopsis: Kamishima Michiko (Kimura Yoshino) has been married for 20 years. Her husband Shunpei (Hagiwara Masato) is the son and chef of a distinguished family which runs a traditional Japanese restaurant and they have two children. She leads a peaceful life as a full-time housewife. But one day, Yahagi Tae (Mizuno Miki), a woman who identifies herself as Shunpei’s lover, appears in front of Michiko all of a sudden and tells her, “I’ve come to get your husband”. Tae says they have been in a relationship since six years ago. She presents divorce papers that Shunpei has signed to Michiko and reveals that Michiko’s late mother-in-law had welcomed their relationship. Furthermore, Michiko discovers that her husband’s restaurant is heavily in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy. Confronted with a series of unexpected truths, Michiko has Tae buy out her marriage papers with Shunpei for 60 million yen and decides that she will become the proprietress of the restaurant and put it back on track.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/anawata
Related: Kakuregiku
Kekkon Aite wa Chusen de
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 6 October 2018
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Seki Erika (Ima kara Anata o Kyohaku Shimasu, Hello Harinezumi, Career), Kawashima Sumino (Final Life, Isan Sozoku Bengoshi Kakizaki Shinichi, Mane no Tenshi)
Original Work: Kekkon Aite wa Chusen de by Kakiya Miu
Genre: Romance
Cast: Nomura Shuhei, Takanashi Rin, Otani Ryohei, Satsukawa Aimi, Onishi Ayaka, Matsumoto Ukyo, Kato Masato, Yamaguchi Miyako, Tomita Keiko, Kugasawa Toru, Hirayama Yusuke, Wakamura Mayumi, Tomiyama Eriko (guest star), Hiraiwa Kami (guest star)
Synopsis: The Japanese government enforces a new law as a last ditch measure while the country’s declining birth rate and ageing population shows no sign of bottoming out. Unmarried men and women between the ages of 25 to 39 with no children will have their prospective partners chosen by ballot. If the person is not to their liking, they can turn down up to two people. However, if they turn down a third person, they will have to serve on an anti-terrorism logistics unit for two years. 26-year-old Miyasaka Tatsuhiko (Nomura Shuhei) is a bachelor in Tokyo who works as a system engineer and lives alone. He does not trust people and is extremely particular about cleanliness due to trauma from his junior high school days. He is not good at romance and is very anxious, and at the same time, has great hopes for this law. Fuyumura Nana (Takanashi Rin) lives with her family in Tokyo and joined a radio station through connections. She is dumped by her boyfriend Ginbayashi Ranbo (Otani Ryohei) just before the law goes into force and later fails miserably at the blind dates. Tatsuhiko and Nana who should not have met, eventually end up on a blind date … …
Website: tokai-tv.com/chusenmiai
Preview: Kekkon Aite wa Chusen de CM
Sakura no Oyakodon Season 2
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 1 December 2018
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Shimizu Yuki (Sakura no Oyakodon Season 1)
Cast: Maya Miki, Natori Yuko, Emoto Tokio, Aijima Kazuyuki
Synopsis: Tsukumo Sakura (Maya Miki), who ran a secondhand bookstore called Tsukumodo, has become an staff for meals at Hachidori no Ie, a shelter where abused children can seek temporary refuge. This place has never been disclosed in order to protect children from their parents and adults.
Website: tokai-tv.com/oyakodon2
Preview: Sakura no Oyakodon Season 2 CM
Related: Sakura no Oyakodon Season 1
Shitamachi Rocket Season 2
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 14 October 2018
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Ushio Kentaro (Black Pean, Chiisana Kyojin, Mutsuu)
Original Work: Shitamachi Rocket ~ Ghost by Ikeido Jun
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Tsuchiya Tao, Takeuchi Ryoma, Yasuda Ken, Tokushige Satoshi, Wada Soko, Konno Hiroki, Nakamoto Ken, Tanida Ayumi, Tsubokura Yoshiyuki, Baba Toru, Asakura Aki, Tateishi Ryoko, Yamamoto Keisuke, Yamada Yusuke, Matsukawa Naruki, Sugaya Tetsuya, Kanno Rio, Hara Anna, Bokumoto Sakiko, Imoto Ayako, Maya Miki, Megumi Toshiaki, Ikehata Shinnosuke, Furutachi Ichiro, Kinoshita Houka, Yamamoto Gaku, Nakamura Baijaku, Baisho Mitsuko, Onoe Kikunosuke, Tatekawa Danshun, Kanda Masaki, Kikkawa Koji, Sugi Ryotaro
Synopsis: Tsukuda Industries has weathered frequent difficulties such as the patent infringement suit, development of the valve system for rocket engines and design of an artificial Gaudi heart valve due to the unity of its employees. However, it lands in yet another predicament because of an unanticipated problem. A downturn in the business of Teikoku Heavy Industries, one of Japan’s leading corporations which is a customer of the rocket engine valve system that has now become Tsukuda Industries’s flagship product, may spell the end of the Stardust Programme. Right on the heels of this shocking news, a major client which is a manufacturer of agricultural machinery announces a reduction in its deal for small engines. Then, Tonomura Naohiro (Tatekawa Danshun), the head of the accounting department, is faced with a dilemma when his father collapses. Tsukuda Kohei (Abe Hiroshi) makes an unexpected decision to ride through this rough patch. And so, Tsukuda Industries undergoes a significant transformation from the “universe” to the “earth”.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/shitamachi_rocket
Preview: Shitamachi Rocket Season 2 Introduction
Related: Shitamachi Rocket (TBS)
Shinhannin
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 23 September 2018
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Ikeda Natshko (Miyazawa Kenji no Shokutaku, Suna no Tou, Algernon ni Hanabata o (2014))
Original Work: Shinhannin by Shouda Kan
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Koizumi Kotaro, Uchida Yuki, Komoto Masahiro, Tanaka Yoji, Hamada Manabu, Morioka Ryu, Shimizu Shin, Nagano Satomi, Moro Morooka, Kondo Yoshimasa, Omi Toshinori, Kitami Toshiyuki, Denden, Takashima Masanobu
Synopsis: The murder of Sudo Isao (Omi Toshinori), a used car dealer, occurs in Shizuoka Prefecture in 2008. Detective Kusaka Satoru (Koizumi Kotaro) of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police’s Susuno Precinct, checks his background. He learns that Sudo’s young son Obata Mamoru from a previous marriage, died in a kidnapping incident in Shizuoka in 1974. In 1988, with just one year before the statute of limitation on the kidnapping case ran out, a special investigation unit was formed under the instructions of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police’s police chief Hashibami Yasuhide (Takashima Masanobu). Shigeto Seiichiro (Kamikawa Takaya), who rose to the rank of superintendent despite being a non-career officer, became the director and led a group of six capable detectives in the re-investigation. Kusaka cannot comprehend why Sudo, who lived in Tokyo more than 20 years after the death of his son, was murdered in Shizuoka Prefecture. He instinctively knows that delving into the kidnap and murder of the child will shed light on the case. Kusaka visits Shigeto who has left the police for a long time and searches for clues. He makes contact with Mamoru’s mother Saeko (Nagano Satomi) and her older sister Rie (Uchida Yuki), and gradually draws near the real culprit.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/shinhannin
Preview: Shinhannin CM
Shufu Katsu!
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 7 October 2018
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriters: Egashira Michiru (Blanket Cats, Fukigenna Kajitsu (2016), Enka ~ Gold Rush), Lee Jyonhi (Kakugo wa Ii ka Soko no Joshi, Hotel Concierge, Mayonaka no Panya-san)
Original Work: Sengyou Shufu ga Shuushoku Suru made ni Yatteoku beki 8-tsu no Koto by Usui Cynthia
Cast: Suzuki Honami, Shimazaki Haruka, Okada Yoshinori, Aoyagi Sho, Imai Yuki, Yamaya Kasumi, Kobayashi Ryoko, Iwai Kenshiro, Sakata Masanobu, Oshima Yoko, Katono Taiko, Nakajima Hiroko, Takahashi Hitomi, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Ukaji Takashi
Synopsis: Miyamoto Natsuko (Suzuki Honami), a full-time housewife, is shocked beyond words when her husband Akira (Ukaji Takashi) announces that he has resigned from his company and wants to focus on agriculture which has been his interest for some time. Having given her all to the family, Natsuko fears that their secure family life will collapse all at once. However, both their 20-year-old daughter Hana (Shimazaki Haruka) and 17-year-old son Kotaro say, “Isn’t it good for each of you to live the life you want?” Natsuko feels unhappy and sets her mind on trying to find employment and work. However, no company is willing to hire a full-time housewife in her 50s as a full-time employee. One day, Natsuko happens to get involved in the chaos of a limited time sale at a local supermarket. She winds up managing the cash register and shows her skills as a housewife. She begins a new life at a supermarket in financial trouble … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pd/shufukatsu
Pandora IV ~ AI Sensou
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 11 November 2018
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (BG, Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu Series, Pandora Series)
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Kuroki Hitomi, Mimura Rie, Miura Takahiro, Yamamoto Koji, Harada Taizo, Watabe Atsuro, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Okamoto Rei, Masu Takeshi, Washio Machiko
Synopsis: Doctor Suzuki Tetsuro (Mukai Osamu) uses AI technology that he had developed to diagnose patients at a medical centre run by an IT company. AI diagnosis proves popular with the public because it takes less time, is precise and also free of charge. Gamo Shunpei (Watabe Atsuro), the CEO of the IT company that introduced AI diagnosis, advocates promoting AI for medical treatment to ensure they do not fall behind other countries. However, Arizono Naoko (Kuroki Hitomi), the head of the medical association, expresses reservations that it is “early days”. A top surgeon Ueno Chizuo (Harada Taizo) is uncomfortable about performing surgery on patients diagnosed by AI. Meanwhile, one such patient whom Ueno operated on, dies after his condition takes a sudden turn for the worse after surgery. Ueno claims this is because of the unnecessary AI diagnosis. Suzuki refutes that it was due to Ueno’s misjudgment. A journalist Tachikawa Haruo (Yamamoto Koji) gets wind of the patient’s death and begins his own investigation.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/pandora4
Preview: Pandora IV CM
Related: Pandora III ~ Kakumei Zenya
Crossroad Season 3 ~ Gunshu no Seigi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 2 December 2018
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Miyuki (Crossroad Seasons 1 – 2, Hibana, Isharyou Bengoshi)
Original Work: Crossroad by Kaneko Narito
Genre: Investigative
Cast: Tachi Hiroshi, Kazama Shunsuke, Shida Mirai, Kanda Joe, Tsukamoto Takashi, Matsumura Hokuto, Hashimoto Manami, Tokushige Satoshi, Kanda Masaki
Synopsis: Serial murders occur in Ota ward. Ozeki Tatsuro (Tachi Hiroshi) who works for the Omo Rinko Police Precinct’s Police Affairs Division is preoccupied with handling phone complaints from residents of the ward. Meanwhile, freelance journalist Itagaki Kohei (Kanda Masaki) is fed up of his job and burns his interview notes on a beach. This is where he finds a young woman (Shida Mirai) who is suffering from a debilitating illness. Itagaki is about to lend her a hand when a man hurls himself at him. He later learns that the man is a journalist Fujishiro Shion (Kazama Shunsuke) who streams videos on Net Scoop. Meanwhile, the serial killer begins drawing attention with posts by Araki Takuma (Tsukamoto Takashi) on a social media site called JUSTICE. The police receives a phone call from Araki who hints at a confession. The investigation task force which had been pursuing another man as a suspect, hastily gets Araki to come voluntarily for questioning but … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pd/crossroad3
Related: Crossroad Season 2
Kyou kara Ore wa!!
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 14 October 2018
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Super Salaryman Saenai-shi, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series )
Original Work: Kyou kara Ore wa!! by Nishimori Hiroyuki
Genre: School comedy
Cast: Kaku Kento, Ito Kentaro, Seino Nana, Taiga, Hashimoto Kanna, Yamoto Yuma, Wakatsuki Yumi, Masaki Reiya, Shisonnu, Izuka Kenta, Aihara Mika, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Isomura Hayato, Muro Tsuyoshi, Sena Jun, Sato Jiro, Yoshida Kotaro, Shirota Yu (guest star), Nakamura Tomoya (guest star), Tozuka Junki (guest star), Katsuya (guest star), Sakata Tadashi (guest star), Suga Kenta (guest star), Abe Ryohei (guest star), Shibuya Kento (guest star), Namioka Kazuki (guest star), Hirano Kinari (guest star), Ikeda Junya (guest star), Arai Hirofumi (guest star), Iketani Nobue (guest star), Oguri Shun (guest star), Shimazaki Haruka (guest star), Takahashi Katsumi (guest star), Tsutsumi Shinichi (guest star), Hashimoto Jun (guest star), Hamabe Minami (guest star), Yagira Yuya (guest star), Yamazaki Kento (guest star), Yamada Takayuki (guest star), Yokoyama Ayumu (guest star)
Synopsis: Free-spirited, self-indulgent Mitsuhashi Takashi’s (Kaku Kento) creed is “Whatever I do, I’ll win!”. He decides to become a blonde-haired delinquent after his transfer to Nanpa High School. Together with the righteous, spikey-haired Ito Shinji (Kentaro), he forms the greatest delinquent duo.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/kyoukaraoreha
Preview: Kyou kara Ore wa!! Teaser
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