Seishun Tantei Haruya
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, October 2015
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: –
Original Work: End Credit ni Saitekina Natsu by Fukuda Eiichi
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Tamamori Yuta, Shinkawa Yua, Takada Sho
Synopsis: The smart and brave university student Asagi Haruya (Tamamori Yuta) starts to receive detective-like work through a strange turn of events, and solves difficult cases rampant nowadays with the assistance of his schoolmate, Kubodera Kazutomi (Takada Sho).
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/haruya

Umi ni Oriru^*UPDATED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, October 2015
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Tokunaga Yuichi (Tantei no Tantei, Keiji 110 kg Series, Umi no Ue no Shinryojo), Asano Atsuya (Kageri Yuku Natsu, Onna wa Sore o Yurusanai, Zainin no Uso)
Original Work: Umi ni Oriru by Akeno Kaeruko
Genre: Marine mystery
Cast: Arimura Kasumi
Synopsis: Amaya Miyuki (Arimura Kasumi) becomes the first female pilot of the Shinkai 6500 in Japan. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) had put effort into her first submersible across the organisation. Miyuki’s father had also been active as a brilliant pilot and researcher of JAMSTEC, but died of illness without fulfilling his life ambition. Miyuki is intent on discovering herself in the deep sea that her late father had told her about when she was a child. However, at one time, she finds shocking footage from her father’s locker of the last submersible that he had allegedly piloted, and is assailed by fear.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/umi

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Date: From 9.00 p.m., 6 July 2015
Original Work: Kage no Chitai by Matsumoto Seichou
Cast: Tanihara Shosuke, Takito Kenichi, Yada Akiko, Okamoto Rei, Aoyama Noriko, Kitami Toshiyuki, Iwamoto Masuyo, Yamamoto Kei, Kamikawa Takaya
Synopsis: Tashiro Keisuke (Tanihara Shosuke), a reporter for Maichou Shimbun’s regional information desk, used to be the ace of the local news desk with a series of scoops, but was transferred to this department due to an offending article on a prefectural police’s dealings with bribes. Tashiro intends to come along for the “Famous Waters Special” trip organised by his colleague, Kizaki Kaori (Okamoto Rei). Their destination is his hometown, Kurumi Village, a mountain village famous for spring water and fireflies. Shukan Maichou’s well-known reporter, Kuno Shoichi (Kamikawa Takaya), is visiting the village with Kawashima Eiko (Aoyama Noriko), his junior during his time with the local news desk, to cover the whereabouts of a missing university professor, Yamakawa (Watanabe Kenkichi). Kuno is a gossip rag who is capable, but will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal. Arriving at the location, Tashiro starts taking photographs by a river in the mountains. Then he senses the presence of a person, but there is no one in the surroundings. While pursuing the unseen presence, he proceeds further along an animal trail and ends up slipping off a cliff. Realising that Tashiro is not with her, Kaori seeks the help of Kuno and Eiko and the three of them search around. They soon find Tashiro lying in the wilderness. Kaori and Eiko are concerned about his welfare, but Kuno picks up Tashiro’s camera and turns it on. The camera was in video mode at the time it was dropped and had captured a small hut in a dense fog. A man in a suit whose head was covered by a bag was being taken to this small hut … … Kuno concludes that the man in the suit is Professor Yamakawa and Tashiro contacts the police. Tashiro visits the police precinct and meets with detective Tsutsui Takanori (Takito Kenichi). He turns on the camera to show the recorded video to Tsutsui. However, the memory card is not inside. It appears to have been taken out by Kuno. Tsutsui refuses to investigate without proof, and delivers a parting shot on the article Tashiro had fabricated about the bribes of the prefectural police. Tashiro is frustrated, but is dragged by an indignant Kaori to start probing into what is happening in this village.
Official Website: www.tbs.co.jp/getsugol/20150706

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.ntv.co.jp/drama-deathnote

Broadcast
From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 5 July 2015

Station
NTV

Story
Yagami Light, an ordinary university student who aspires to be a civil servant, lives with his detective father, Soichiro, and younger sister, Sayu. Besides going for live performances by Ichigo Berry, which Amane Misa belongs to, he works hard at his studies and part-time job. One day, he sees Sakoda, a classmate from high school days who was sent to a juvenile corrective institution, show up and extort his good friend, Kamoda. Light tries to stop Sakoda, but ends up having his mobile phone taken away. On the way home, Light picks up a mysterious notebook with the words “Death Note” written on it by chance. “The person whose name is written in this notebook will die,” is written inside. Light laughs this off and jots Sakoda’s name down as a joke. But the next morning, Sakoda death is reported. Many people are delighted with Sakoda’s death. Light even succeeds in killing the vicious criminal who snatched a police officer’s gun and took his father hostage while out on parole. Once Light realises the power of the weapon he has in his hands, he decides to reduce the number of criminals and create a peaceful world. He starts to pass judgement on bad people who threaten peaceful daily life with the Death Note and is gradually worshiped on the internet as the hero called “Killer” by the public. However, the world famous detective, L, appears before Light. The mysterious L had noticed the time that a rash of mysterious deaths occurred in the world was skewed towards Japan. He says Killer is bad and declares that he will catch him. Which is justice and which is evil? Who will die and who will survive? A battle of wits are waged by the two geniuses and N watches this with a defiant smile. A new battle finally begins … …

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriter
Izumi Yoshihiro (Gokuaku Ganbo, Kurokouchi)

Original Work
Death Note by Obata Takeshi

Related Post:

• Death Note CM

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.tbs.co.jp/hotel_2015

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 7 July 2015

Station
TBS

Story
One summer morning, 23-year-old Amano Toko walks into the lobby of the foreign-owned Vollmond Hotel in high spirits. Her long-cherished dream has come true. She is starting a new job as a concierge today after three years with the F&B department. The Vollmond Hotel is a top hotel which gives the sense of the extraordinary. It has a distinctive atmosphere that makes a guest feel special. The charismatic fashion designer Kaiho Sachi, arrives with her husband, Satoru and son, Tsubasa. She is a VIP guest who holds her birthday party at the hotel every year, and the general manager, Washio Ryosuke, has come to the lobby to receive her. Sachi requests for a change of flowers even though it is the day of her birthday. Toko agrees despite her apprehension. Learning about this, the senior concierge Honjo Kazuma does everything in his power to find a compromise to Sachi’s request. Even Sachi is satisfied with his quick thinking. However, Toko who has mistaken the true meaning of the words “A concierge does not say no”, ends up being barred from involvement in this matter. She is disappointed, but still has to have a smile for guests. Then, Shukuzato Taichi directs Watanabe Yuji, a young man who is staying at the hotel for the first time, to the concierge desk. Hearing from Shukuzato that Yuji is going to ask his girlfriend Tanaka Madoka to marry him, Toko suggests a surprise proposal and requests Takagaki Arisa, a housekeeping staff, and others to put up decorations. However, Yuji who runs a flower business, has to rush to the farm because of a change in the flowers that will be used for Sachi’s party and they do not know what time he will reach the hotel. News of Madoka’s arrival adds to the anxieties of a flustered Toko … … Toko frequently panics on the inside despite her feelings. She runs around within the hotel in an attempt to solve problems and gives all she has got in order to put smiles on guests’ faces with the support of the people around her.

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriter
Matsuda Yuko (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai, Ghost Mama Sousasen)

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• Hotel Concierge CM

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.ktv.jp/heat

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 7 July 2015

Station
Fuji TV

Story
Ikegami Tatsuya is an employee of the real estate company, Clover Urban Development, headed by company president Hibino Jin. He has set his sights on Sachio City, a provincial town in southwest Tokyo, as a candidate site for a multibillion-yen urban development project. Concealing his identity, Ikegami joins Sachio City fire brigade’s 11th branch to obtain information on the landowners for the purpose of acquiring the site. This is where he meets members of the fire brigade including Azumi Sakura, Kanbe Kyoko, Ishizawa Satoshi as well as the firefighter Goda Atsushi. Coming from a real estate company with a merit-based system, Ikegami cannot understand the activities of the fire brigade. On top of that, it is a group that worries about a reduction in personnel and gets derided for being feeble and miserable by the locals. Although Ikegami looks down on Sakura and the others, his “my own interests first” conviction starts to waver little by little as he comes in contact with the fire brigade which works hard for the local residents and faces disasters with his rival, Goda. On the other hand, the contest with Hamada Naoki, a colleague who is recommending another candidate site for the project which Ikegami has been developing with the support of the management consultant Yuki Eri, begins to intensify … …

Characters
AKIRA as Ikegami Tatsuya
A successful elite businessman who was headhunted by Hibino Jin, the president of the large real estate company, Clover Urban Development. He is cool but passionate below the surface. A confident man who hates to lose. He joins Sachio City fire brigade’s 11th branch with the objective of obtaining information that will make his urban development project a success.

Kuriyama Chiaki as Azumi Sakura
A member of Sachio City fire brigade’s 11th branch and the unofficial acting branch commander. She works as a kindergarten teacher and feels a sense of pride in her job at the fire brigade. A kindhearted heroine who leads the branch. She observes the branch’s traditions as she makes every effort to revive the 11th branch beloved of the local residents and secure the number of personnel.

Sato Ryuta as Goda Atsushi
The leader of the firefighters who belong to Sachio City’s Fire Department. The strong, silent type, he makes level-headed judgements and acts bravely. He is outstanding on every count. He has the makings of a leader and takes command at the frontline.

Tanaka Kei as Hamada Naoki
An employee of Clover Urban Development and Ikegami Tatsuya’s rival. He has been pushing a different candidate site for the development project and opposes Ikegami.

Nanao as Yuki Eri
A management consultant. Ikegami Tatsuya’s business partner. A talented woman who has all sorts of connections. She and Ikegami have friendly competition as they exchange information with each other. They are more than friends but not quite lovers.

Inagaki Goro as Hibino Jin
The president of Clover Urban Development. A shrewd man who rapidly grew his company at a young age. He is a hard-nosed businessman who will not hesitate to discard a person who is not able to achieve results. He headhunted Ikegami Tatsuya whose abilities he appreciates and has placed his hopes on the urban development project that Ikegami is working on. But his inner thoughts are completely inscrutable and he possesses a “silent terror”. He likes to take a shot at difficult things.

Scriptwriters
Ushio Kentaro (Shomuni 2013, Take Five)
Oura Kota (Shomuni 2013, Switch Girl 2)
Tsubota Fumi

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• Heat Introduction

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Abe Hiroshi tops Nikkei Entertainment’s ranking again … Nikkei Entertainment has released its ‘Power Ranking’ for the Top 30 Male Actors and Top 20 Upcoming Male Actors. I’m puzzled and horrified by the inclusion of some names, but thrilled that my favourite actors like Abe Hiroshi, Watabe Atsuro, Eita, Tsutsumi Shinichi, Sometani Shota are on it. Abe didn’t just make the list. He retained first position for the third year running! Although Abe has hardly been in dramas lately, he has appeared in the commercials of some 10 companies this year and also achieved acclaim in movies such as Fushigina Misaki no Monogatari. Nishijima Hidetoshi who is enjoying increased exposure from commercials and the Mozu franchise made his debut in the rankings this year. Higashide Masahiro, Fukushi Sota and Suzuki Ryohei, the top three upcoming male actors, are riding high after career breakthroughs with their performances in NHK’s recent morning dramas.

The annual ranking is based on a ‘Power Score’ calculated from data on visibility (number of respondents able to recognise an actor by name and face) and level of interest (number of respondents interested to see, hear and know more about an actor) that is collected once every three months in February, May, August and November. 4,400 male and female respondents from their teens to 60s in Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa, are drawn in equal number by five-year age agroups.

Top 30 Male Actors by Power Score
1. (1.) Abe Hiroshi – 43.9
2. (5.) Ohno Satoshi – 42.5
3. (3.) Sakurai Sho – 42.3
4. (7.) Ninomiya Kazunari – 41.7
5. (2.) Sakai Masato – 40.0
6. (6.) Aiba Masaki – 40.0
7. (12.) Nakai Masato – 39.7
8. (4.) Matsumoto Jun – 39.3
9. (8.) Okada Junichi – 37.9
10. (9.) Kattori Shingo – 37.2
11. (15.) Kagawa Teruyuki – 36.7
12. (13.) Oizumi Yo – 36.6
13. (21.) Oguri Shun – 36.5
14. (14.) Nagase Tomoya – 36.4
15. (17.) Takenouchi Yutaka – 36.2
16. (11.) Abe Sadao – 36.1
17. (18.) Kusanagi Tsuyoshi – 36.0
18. (29.) Joshima Shigeru – 35.7
19. (10.) Mukai Osamu – 35.2
20. (19.) Yamaguchi Tatsuya – 34.4
21. (27.) Kimura Takuya – 34.2
22. (23.) Karasawa Toshiaki – 33.8
23. (24.) Tsutsumi Shinichi – 33.0
24. (32.) Ikuta Toma – 32.7
25. (43.) Matsuoka Masahiro – 32.5
26. (27.) Tsumabuki Satoshi – 32.2
27. (25.) Eita – 31.8
28. (47.) Tamaki Hiroshi – 31.8
29. (16.) Kokubun Taichi – 31.4
29. (34.) Hayami Mokomichi – 31.3

Top 20 Upcoming Male Actors by Power Score
1. (9.) Higashide Masahiro – 7.9
2. (10.) Fukushi Sota – 7.8
3. (12.) Suzuki Ryohei – 7.3
4. (13.) Matsushige Yutaka – 7.0
5. (19.) Yamazaki Kento – 6.1
6. (21.) Saito Takumi – 6.0
7. (23.) Tanaka Tetsushi – 5.8
8. (27.) Kubota Masataka – 5.5
9. (28.) Ikematsu Sosuke – 5.5
10. (31.) Sometani Shota – 5.5
11. (32.) Takito Kenichi – 5.5
12. (48.) Hamada Gaku – 4.5
13. (51.) Muro Tsuyoshi – 4.5
14. (53.) Shirahama Aran – 4.4
15. (71.) Tamayama Tetsuji – 3.6
16. (71.) Yamada Takayuki – 3.6
17. (74.) Kaku Kento – 3.5
18. (75.) Endo Kenichi – 3.5
19. (78.) Watabe Atsuro – 3.4
20. (79.) Chiba Yudai – 3.3
*Excludes Johnny’s

“Impressive” casts the new normal for drama specials? … The castings for three 2-hour drama specials broadcast on Fuji TV and NTV in late June (the crossover from the spring to the summer seasons) have been so unusual that these have attracted attention. Takeuchi Yuko, Maki Yoko and Mizukawa Asami co-starred in Kamoshirenai Joyutachi. So did Kuroki Meisa, Sasaki Nozomi and Toda Erika in Renai Aru Aru. On the other hand, young upcoming actors and actresses Arimura Kasumi, Kubota Masataka, Higashide Masahiro, Narumi Riko, Yamazaki Kento made up the ensemble cast of Eien no Bokura Sea Side Blue. “There have recently been cutbacks in drama series slots as a result of a slump in viewership ratings. Actors have less work. Because of this, it’s easy to bring in an A-lister even for a minor special drama. The point is, the actors of leading role material aren’t busy,” said a TV production company insider about the drama specials and upcoming ones featuring “impressive” casts. TBS had five drama series spots in prime time until March. It will be reduced to three by September. Fuji TV scrapped its Tuesday 9 pm drama in March and it is rumoured that it will take another slot off, which will leave it with two prime time dramas. Even NHK which doesn’t have to care so much about viewership ratings is reviewing its Saturday 10 pm drama. The slot sunk to the 2.0% range with 64 (Rokuyon) in May. But if one looks at the viewership ratings of the recent special dramas, it isn’t a pretty sight too with Kamoshirenai Joyutachi, Renai Aru Aru and Eien no Bokura Sea Side Blue managing 6.0 – 8.0%. A few years ago, most of such drama specials could be assured of double digit ratings. At this rate, drama series probably won’t be the only ones getting the cut. If drama specials end up being reduced with the cutback in drama series slots, the insider predicts a migration of leading actors from TV to areas such as the stage for survival. Actors and actresses that have mostly been active on TV will face a tough time.

Official Website
www.ntv.co.jp/hanasakimai

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 July 2015

Station
NTV

Story
Over a year has passed since Hanasaki Mai and Soma Ken of Tokyo Daiichi Bank were made partners and started to solve various problems that occur at the bank branches nationwide. On the other hand, Shindo Takeshi, their nemesis, has been promoted to managing director and is increasingly consolidating his power within the bank as a candidate to be the next bank president. Mai and Soma travel all around the country and make every effort for the sake of the vulnerable in spite of this. One day, the two of them are ordered to inspect the Nihonbashi branch onsite. An investment trust problem has occurred and customers are trying to sue the bank. A customer, Morozumi Hiroshi, the president of Morozumi Industries, invested 30 million yen in the investment trust and just after he terminated the contract half a year later, he had made a loss of 3 million yen on his principal. However, Morozumi says when he bought into the trust, Kitahara Yuri from the Client Relations Division had explained that the “principal is guaranteed” and he “would not suffer a loss”. Mai and Soma hear from Yuri who insists that she did not say that the principal is guaranteed. But Mai feels something is wrong with Yuri’s excessively impassive attitude. The branch manager, Hashizume Toichi, who belongs to Shindo’s faction, turns a deaf ear. “It is just an accusation. He is vexed by his loss and has only come to find fault.” Mai and Soma head to Morozumi Industries to hear Morozumi’s story. However, Morozumi is furious with the bank’s response and has already submitted a written complaint to the effect that he will sue Tokyo Daiichi Bank. Meanwhile, Mai meets Matsuki Keisuke, a staff of the Loans Division, on a visit to the Gotanda branch. While struggling to collaborate with them and solve a problem, Matsuki becomes attracted to the way Mai works and her personality. However, Mai, who is obtuse to love, is slow in realising his feelings.

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriters
Matsuda Yuko (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai, Piece)
Umeda Mika (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai, Ghost Mama Sousasen)
Yokota Rie (Soko o Nantoka Series, Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai)

Original Work
Fushouji by Ikeido Jun

Episodes
#1: “With All Due Respect!” The Thrilling Heroine’s Comeback!!

Related Posts:

• Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Season 2 CM
• Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Season 1

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/risk_no_kamisama

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 July 2015

Station
Fuji TV

Story
Saigyoji Satoshi is a legendary risk management specialist involved in American corporate and government-linked risk management. He has solved numerous problems such as information leaks and recalls. These skills have won the confidence of Sakate Mitsuki, the president of Japan’s largest trading company Sunrise Corporation, and Saigyoji is brought in to head the Crisis Management Office in order to handle potential problems and scandals. He returns to Japan after a long absence. Around that time, Sunrise Corporation’s joint development of “Life”, a next generation battery which uses new materials, with Ikushima Electric has been attracting worldwide attention. The person in charge of this development is Kagari Kaori, the head of the Electronics Department who has been with Sunrise Corporation for 10 years. Sunrise Corporation and Ikushima Electric establish a new company, Life Power Co. Ikushima Toru, Ikushima Electric’s managing director, assumes the post of company president, and even Kaori is chosen to be the board director in charge of product development. One night, Kaori attends a workshop for young employees
Sunrise Corporation’s senior managing director Shirakawa Seiichiro. Tachibana Yuka, the head of the Public Relations Department, as well as Harada Kiyoshi, the head of the Medical Products Department, who is also Kaori’s boyfriend, and others are also there. On this occasion, Shirakawa discloses that the president has set up a Crisis Management Office and headhunted Saigyoji, who is called the “god of risk” within the industry. Then, an unexpected incident occurs. They receive a complaint about a self-propelled vacuum cleaner with a built-in “Life” battery caught fire in a home and a child suffered burns. Ikushima tells Kaori that malicious claims against manufacturers are unavoidable. But this develops into a series of incidents and recall problems. As a result of this, Kaori loses in the rat race and transfers to the Crisis Management Office where she has to work under Saigyoji.

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriter
Hashimoto Hiroshi (Leaders, Unmei no Hito)

Episodes
#1: A Crisis is A Chance … The Appearance of an Enigmatic Saviour

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• Risk no Kamisama CM

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/tantei/

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 July 2015

Station
Fuji TV

Story
Sasaki Rena is training hard with a male trainer at the training hall of the private investigation firm, Suma Research, which Suma Yasuomi heads as the company president. She is the only investigator of the newly established Anti-Investigator Department which examines and questions unscrupulous investigators. But one day, a newcomer, Minemori Kotoha, is brought over by Suma. He orders Kotoha to be Rena’s assistant, but Rena declares that she is fine on her own. At that moment, Bando Shiro, a section manager, asks a man seated with his arms crossed over his chest to investigate an incident while detectives including Kubozuka Yuma are gathered in the First Investigative Division’s meeting room. This man is the investigator, Abiru Yoshinori. The first time Rena visited Suma’s mid-sized firm was three years ago. Her beloved younger sister, Sakura, a third-year high school student, was brutally murdered by a stalker two years earlier. Learning that the criminal had used an investigator to obtain information on Sakura, Rena decided that she would also master the skills of an investigator in order to find that investigator. After completing two years of rigorous training at a training school run by Suma Research, Suma appointed Rena for the job of the anti-investigator. Burning with vengeance, Rena became an investigator. The very thing she detests. Kotoha was not successful in job hunting and has joined the firm without really thinking anything about it. As she tries to feel her way around, she embarks on an investigation of a blackmail case by a rogue investigator with Rena and quickly sees Rena’s violence with a target. However, what awaits is a dangerous assignment beyond her imagination.

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriter
Tokunaga Yuichi (Suikyuu Yankees, Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo, Keiji 110 kg Series)

Original Work
Tantei no Tantei by Matsuoka Keisuke

Episodes
#1: The Female Investigator who Lives for Revenge

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• Tantei no Tantei CM

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.tbs.co.jp/375namida

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 9 July 2015

Station
TBS

Story
Sugisaki Momoko is a new childminder with ‘Little Snow’, which provides a home care service for sick children. It is a job where she goes to the house of a child who cannot be entrusted to the nursery school because of illness such as fever, and looks after the child on behalf of the parent(s). Momoko used to be a nursery school teacher, but had the bitter experience of being asked to leave the nursery school in one year because her awkward smiles led to communication problems with parents. On this day, she receives instructions from her boss, Asahina Motoharu, and looks after a child alone for the first time as a childminder to sick children. Momoko visits the home of a single mother, Mori Satomi. When Satomi opens the door dressed in a nice suit, Momoko sees that things are strewn all over the floor. It is a house of junk. Satomi’s son, Kaito, appears in worn-out clothes that is in contrast to Satomi’s. Momoko cannot help the urge to put in a word to Satomi for her rude treatment of her sick son. But Little Snow’s three principles of caring for a sick child which was hammered into her by company president, Yanagi Chikara, flashes through her mind. “1) Don’t pay attention to the child; 2) don’t scold; and 3) don’t impose your own values.” Momoko bites back her words with effort. But she is still concerned about Satomi who is wrapped up in her work and not very attentive to Kaito. Springing into action, Momoko cleans up the house for a busy Satomi. However, what awaits her that night is a complaint when she gets back. She is given a pep talk by Yanagi who tells her, “What you have done is unnecessary”, and admonished by a senior childminder, Seki Megumi. “Once a childminder comes to the house, the mother goes out. We’re like the devil to the child.” The next day, Momoko goes to Shinohara Kensuke’s house for her next job. Shinohara Kensuke’s wife, Kumiko, left home one week earlier and he is surly. His son, Kenta, appears from behind his back crying for his mother. Meanwhile, Momoko’s mother, Fumiko, and elder brother, Yuki, are planning to summon Momoko who left home six years ago and cut ties. Then, Momoko has to visit Satomi’s house again and faces her greatest crisis … … She will encounter all sorts of families at the places she is sent to. But with the support and the occasional help of her colleagues and best friend, Ono Yumika, she soon starts to face up to work, romance, family and friendship, and grow ups.

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriter
Umeda Mika (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Season 1, Ghost Mama Sousasen)

Original Work
37.5 deg no Namida by Shiina Chika

Episodes
#1: Unfit Mother!? Is it a Crime to Leave a Sick Child and Go to Work? … The Story of a Childminder for Sick Children

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• 37.5°C no Namida CM

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.tv-asahi.co.jp/age

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 July 2015

Station
TV Asahi

Story
Yoshii Emiri is a new employee of a top general trading company, Teito Corporation. She had no choice but to give up her dream of obtaining an MBA in America as a consequence of the failure of her family business. However, she joined Teito Corporation with the lofty aspiration and motivation to use her abilities to become a member of the board. She is not assigned to the frontline Textile Department as she had hoped, but to the General Affairs Department, the old guard which only pays lip service to “female employment”. She must wear uniform and comes under the administrative staff to the department manager or lower. Emiri is stunned to be treated as a jack of all trades within the company, from changing light bulbs to placing orders for name cards. Even so, she does what she is told properly for the sake of repaying her family’s debts. The problem is interpersonal relationships beyond her duties. Emiri does not even drink the coffee which they have to pay 500 yen each month and always skips lunches as well as gatherings with the office ladies. She ends up being marked “not a team player” by the female staff. On the other hand, the male staff give Emiri preferential treatment. That said, she is only needed for her youth and beauty such as appearing on the front cover of the company brochure and entertaining clients, and is not given proper work. Everything she possesses becomes a target of harassment. However, the older office ladies get increasingly jealous of her rather than understanding her feelings. Vicious bullying begins. Emiri is given a hard time simply because of her youth and beauty. Although she endures this the whole time, she soon reaches the limit of her patience. Deciding to rebel against the old-fashioned company, she fights against age discrimination and bullying with logic.

Characters
Coming soon!

Scriptwriter
Uchidate Makiko (Byakkotai, Toshishita no Otoko)

Original Work
Age Harassment by Uchidate Makiko

Episodes
#1: Long Nails are going to be Driven In!! Abusive Boss vs Queen of General Affairs

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• Age Harassment CM

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.ntv.co.jp/dokonjyo

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 July 2015

Station
NTV

Story
Hiroshi is without a job and aimless even though he has turned 30. He and Pyonkichi, the flat-faced frog stuck to his t-shirt, are buddies. The two of them met 16 years earlier when Hiroshi was a junior high school student. Pyonkichi, a normal tree frog, was crushed beneath Hiroshi who took a tumble in a park, and attached itself to Hiroshi’s t-shirt. It could talk and possessed more human-like feelings than a human being. This was the birth of Pyonkichi, the flat-faced frog. From then on, the hot-blooded Hiroshi and gutsy Pyonkichi got along well as best friends. However, the present Hiroshi has become a useless guy and turns a deaf ear despite Pyonkichi’s pep talks. Hiroshi’s quarrels with Pyonkichi has grown frequent and he wears the t-shirt with Pyonkichi on it a lot less. Both Pyonkichi and Hiroshi’s mother worry about Hiroshi. Hiroshi’s rival and former leader of the naughty boys in the neighbourhood, Goriraimo, has become the company president of a bread factory and is about to run for the local ward assembly. Hiroshi increasing gets fed up with his unappealing self. But Goro, his junior, still idolises him. In the midst of this, Hiroshi is reunited with his first love, Kyoko-chan. She had married and left the town, but has come back after her divorce. Hiroshi is delighted to see her again. However, Kyoko-chan is like a different person with a cold and heartless attitude. In addition, he detects something unusual in Pyonkichi. Hiroshi attempts to get back his former plucky self for their sakes.

Characters
Matsuyama Kenichi as Hiroshi
He once got through life with guts together with Pyonkichi. But now that he is about to turn 30, he is an aimless, useless guy who does not even have a regular job. Some changes in Pyonkichi and Kyoko-chan prompts him to make the decision to make a fresh start in life.

Mitsushima Hikari as (voice of) Pyonkichi
A frog that attached itself to Hiroshi’s t-shirt when a flustered Hiroshi tumbled and crushed him 16 years ago. He has lived as a flat-faced frog. He clashes with Hiroshi over everything with his characteristic gutsiness and supports Hiroshi. Something unusual happens to him.

Maeda Atsuko as Kyoko-chan
Hiroshi’s junior high school classmate and the girl he adores forever. She is divorced and has come back to the town where she was born and grew up. But she is no longer the cheerful and kind Kyoko-chan of the past, and has become an unfeeling, businesslike person maybe because of the painful experience she has been through.

Katsuji Ryo as Goro
A junior who has idolised the useless Hiroshi since junior high school days. He has now become a fine police officer because of his chivalry and will poke his nose into Hiroshi’s business whenever he has a spare moment.

Arai Hirofumi as Goriraimo
Hiroshi’s classmate during junior high school and a former leader of the naughty boys in the neighbourhood. He is Hiroshi’s better in fights and quick wits. He is now the young company president of a bread factory. He opposes Hiroshi at every opportunity and has a scary face, but he actually has a good heart.

Yakushimaru Hiroko as Hiroshi’s Mother
A reassuring, gentle mother who raised Hiroshi and Pyonkichi single-handedly. She works at Goriraimo’s bread factory and is actually the person with the most guts.

Scriptwriter
Okada Yoshikazu (Kokoro ga Pokitto ne, Nakuna Hara-chan)

Original Work
Dokonjo Gaeru by Yoshizawa

Episodes
#1: Useless Guy and Flat-faced Frog Go on a Rampage

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• Dokonjo Gaeru CM

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