Idaten ~ Tokyo Olympic-banashi
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, 6 January 2019
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Kudo Kankuro (Yutori desu ga Nani ka, Gomenne Seishun! Gokuaku Ganbo)
Genre: Sports
Cast: Nakamura Kankuro, Abe Sadao, Ayase Haruka, Ikuta Toma, Sugisaki Hana, Nagayama Kento, Katsuji Ryo, Takenouchi Yutaka, Nakamura Shido, Charlotte Kate Fox, Furutachi Kanji, Pierre Taki, Sugimoto Tetta, Otake Shinobu, Yakusho Koji, Beat Takeshi, Moriyama Mirai, Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hashimoto Ai, Mineta Kazunobu, Kawaei Rina, Matsuo Suzuki, Taguchi Tomorow, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Satoi Kenta, Takahashi Yo, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Shiraishi Kayoko, Ikenami Shino, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Kondo Koen, Takei So, Yamamoto Mizuki, Hiraizumi Sei, Inoue Hajime, Hoshino Gen, Matsuzaka Tori, Matsushige Yutaka, Koizumi Kyoko, Iwamatsu Ryo, Nagashima Toshiyuki, Emoto Tokio, Okata Hisako, Bengal, Negishi Toshie
Synopsis: Traces Japan’s history with the Olympic games and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for viewers before Tokyo hosts the event again in 2020. The first half tells the story of marathon runner Kanakuri Shiso (Nakamura Kankuro), who became one of the first Japanese nationals to participate in the Olympics in Stockholm in 1912. The second half features Tabata Masaji (Abe Sadao), the coach who laid the foundations of Japanese swimming and helped bring the games to Tokyo for the first time in 1964.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/idaten
Trace ~ Kasouken no Otoko
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 7 January 2019
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Aizawa Tomoko (Hito wa Mita Me ga 100%, Kagi no Kakatta Heya Series, Onna to Otoko no Nettai)
Original Work: Trace ~ Kasouken Houi Kenkyuuin no Tsuisou by Koga Kei
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Araki Yuko, Yamazaki Shigenori, Okazaki Sae, Yamoto Yuma, Yamaya Kasumi, Kato Toranosuke, Koyuki, Toyama Toshiya, Sasai Eisuke, Chihara Junior, Funakoshi Eiichiro
Synopsis: Mano Reiji (Nishikido Ryo) is a forensic researcher with a dark past. He only believes in the objective truth obtained through lab results. He will relentlessly rebut even detectives, find the shards of truth buried in darkness, and reveal the thoughts and regrets of dead victims, which will lead him to solve difficult cases.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/trace_drama
Yotsuba Ginko Harashima Hiromi ga Monomousu! ~ Kono Onna ni Kakerou
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Mondays, 21 January 2019
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Nishida Masafumi (Totone-chan, Nobunaga Concerto, Jiken Keiji Totori Series)
Original Work: Kono Onna ni Kakerou by Shu Ryoka
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Maki Yoko, Maruyama Ryuhei, Tsukamoto Takashi, Miyake Hiroki, Terawaki Yasufumi, Furuya Ikkou, Yanagiba Toshiro, Katagiri Hairi, Hayashi Yasufumi, Yajima Kenichi, Kinoshita Houka, Morinaga Yuki
Synopsis: Harashima Hiromi (Maki Yoko) had worked at the headquarters of Yotsuba Bank since she joined the metropolitan bank straight out of college. However, she has a very strong sense of justice and caused an incident three years ago. This resulted in her secondment to an affiliate company. This time, Hiromi is selected to head the Corporate Sales Division at the Taito branch as part of Yotsuba Bank’s project on women who excel, and ordered to turn around the struggling bank branch. As a bank employee who puts customers first, she works on reorganising the bank branch with bold ideas and energy.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/harashimahiromi
Joker x Face
Date: From 12.55 a.m., Tuesdays, 15 January 2019
Station: Fuji on Demand
Scriptwriter: Tamada Shinya
Cast: Matsumoto Honoka, Matsuo Satoru, Sudo Ren, Nagao Mariya (guest star), Komatsu Toshimasa (guest star), Umezawa Masayo (guest star), Maruyama Tomomi (guest star), Ito Yumi (guest star)
Synopsis: Rugawa (Matsumoto Honoka) is a mysterious beauty who runs a video streaming channel called Joker and rakes in money through videos posted on the site. She talks Yanagi (Matsuo Satoru), a middle-aged man who has been laid off and in financial difficulties, into joining her. He finds himself becoming her accomplice in video production. Joker distributes videos which infiltrate troubles that border on crimes. These include as the realities of idols who play the pure and innocent type, scams involving phone calls targeting old women who are easily deceived, and “sakura business” based on matchmaking apps. Many viewers get excited by the clever traps that Rugawa lays. She has no reservations about exposing her subjects as if she is the voice of netizens. What is her motive?
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/JOKERFACE
Setsuyaku Rock
Date: From 1.59 a.m., Tuesdays, 22 January 2019
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Mori Hayashi (Himo Men, Saki Series, Nou ni Sumaho ga Umerareta!)
Original Work: Setsuyaku Rock by Okubo Hiromi
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ueda Tatsuya, Shigeoka Daiki, Fujii Mina, Ayaka Wilson, Ukaji Takashi
Synopsis: 30-year-old Matsumoto Takao (Ueda Tatsuya) is a salaryman who loves rock. He has been dumped by Oguro Makiko (Fujii Mina), his girlfriend of three years, because he has no savings and has a habit of squandering money. He resists with the argument that economising and savings is not rock. However, he decides to try economising in order to win her back, and realises at some point a surprising connection between the two. Then he catches a handsome guy Inaba Kota (Shigeoka Daiki), who is a savings maniac, getting close to Makiko.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/setsuyakurock
Gosaigyou
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 22 January 2019
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Seki Erika (Kekkon Aite wa Chusen de, Ima kara Anata o Kyohaku Shimasu, Hello Harinezumi)
Original Work: Gosaigyou by Kurokawa Hiroyuki
Genre: Romance, suspense
Cast: Kimura Yoshino, Takahashi Katsunori, Kimura Tae, Hayama Shono, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Shinoda Mariko, Hirayama Yusuke, Tanaka Michiko, Komoto Junichi, Hamada Mari, Toyota Maho, Izumiya Shigeru, Ihara Tsuyoshi
Synopsis: An expert in the business of being a second wife, Takeuchi Sayoko (Kimura Yoshino) seduces wealthy old men and marries them for inheritance. Kashiwagi Toru (Takahashi Katsunori) owns a matchmaking agency, but is actually the mastermind behind the scenes who has several women who make a livelihood from this business. Nakase Tomomi (Kimura Tae), the daughter of one the men targeted by Sayoko, rushes over after her father is taken to the hospital. She is informed for the first time that Sayoko is his second wife. Suspicious about the situation, Tomomi asks private investigator Honda Yoshinori (Ihara Tsuyoshi) to investigate Sayoko and stop her stepmother from taking all of her father’s assets. He closes in on the secret between Sayoko and Kashiwagi and drives them into a corner.
Website: www.ktv.jp/gosaigyo
Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 15 January 2019
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Yoshizawa Tomoko (Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita, Anata no Koto wa Sorehodo, Damena Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai)
Original Work: Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi by Mochida Aki
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Fukada Kyoko, Nagayama Kento, Yokohama Ryusei, Nakamura Tomoya, Takahashi Yo, Yoshikawa Ai, Nagata Takato, Horike Kazuki, Sakurai Keisuke, Wakabayashi Takuya, Kato Konatsu, Kurosaki Reina, Ishimaru Kenjiro, Tsurumi Shingo, Adachi Yumi, Minagawa Sarutoki, Namase Katsuhisa, Dan Fumi
Synopsis: Harumi Junko (Fukada Kyoko) is a cram school teacher who has nothing going right for her. She failed the entrance exams for Tokyo University, failed in job hunting and also failed in dating even after signing up with an online matchmaking service. Then three different men show up in Junko’s life – her handsome and capable cousin Yakumo Masashi (Nagayama Kento); pink-haired delinquent high school student Yuri Kyohei (Yokohama Ryusei) and ex-classmate Yamashita Kazuma (Nakamura Tomoya) who is Kyohei’s form teacher. With their appearance, Junko begins a battle to get her life on track.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/hajikoi_tbs
Related: Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi Teaser
Atarashii Ousama
Date: From 11.56 p.m., 8 January 2019 (season 1), From 12.26 am, 18 January 2019 (season 2)
Network: TBS & Paravi
Scriptwriter: Yamaguchi Masatoshi (Yareta Kamo Iinkai, Yamikin Ushijima-kun Series)
Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Sugino Yosuke, Takeda Rena, Natsuna, Izumi Rika, Ashina Sei, Mao, Nonami Maho, Ishiguro Ken, Aijima Kazuyuki, Moro Morooka, Yamanaka Takashi, Nakamaru Shinsho, Tsurumi Shingo, Megumi, Takahashi Maryjun, Koseki Yuta, Yashima Norito, Kagawa Teruyuki
Synopsis: Akiba (Fujiwara Tatsuya), a businessman who has distanced himself from the power of money and possession, is trying to find new value. Ecchu (Kagawa Teruyuki), the representative of a fund, has an insatiable appetite for money, material things and women. He instigates Akiba, scheming to profit from the acquisition of one major Japanese corporation and media outlet after another. These two men who have lived with contrasting lives with completely different values, clash over the acquisition of Chuo TV, a major television network in Tokyo.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/atarashiiosama
Preview: Atarashii Ousama CM
Yube wa Otanoshimi deshita ne
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 9 January 2019
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Fukihara Kota (Final Fantasy XIV Hikari no Otousan, Koe Girl)
Original Work: Yube wa Otanoshimi deshita ne by Kindaichi Renjuro
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Honda Tsubasa, Okayama Amane, Miyano Mamoru, Kakei Miwako, Yutaro, Ano, Inaba Yu, Ashina Sei
Synopsis: Satsuki Takumi (Okayama Amane), is a geek who plays the role of Powder, a female character in the online game Dragon Quest X. He is good friends with Goro, a male character. One day, he invites Goro to share an apartment with him in an unexpected turn of events. That is when he discovers that Goro is actually female. Her name is Okamoto Miyako (Honda Tsubasa). The two of them begin to share a room in the real world.
Website: www.mbs.jp/yutano
Ie Uru Onna no Gyakushu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 January 2019
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Contrail, Second Love, Kazokugari)
Cast: Kitagawa Keiko, Matsuda Shota, Kudo Asuka, Imoto Ayako, Suzuki Hiroki, Honda Chikara, Kusakawa Takuya, Nagai Mijika, Chiba Yudai, Usuda Asami, Kajihara Zen, Nakamura Toru, Okae Kumiko (guest star), Kato Ryo (guest star), Izumi Pinko (guest star), Ikeda Tetsuhiro (guest star), Sato Hitomi (guest star)
Synopsis: Legendary real estate agent Sagenya Machi (Kitagawa Keiko) boasts that there is no house that she cannot sell if it falls into her hands. She solves all sorts of customer problems and sells houses while she is at it. She recently proposed to Yashiro Hajime (Nakamura Toru) and the two of them have become husband and wife.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/ieuru_gyakushu
Related: Ie Uru Onna
Sasurai Onsen ~ Endo Kenichi
Date: From 1.35 a.m., Thursdays, 17 January 2019
Station: TV Tokyo & Paravi
Scriptwriter: Tanaka Shinichi (Fuhatsudan, Keishichou Ikimono-gakari, Shachoushitsu no Fuyu)
Cast: Endo Kenichi
Synopsis: Endo Kenichi (Endo Kenichi) is rumoured to have announced his retirement from acting. Staff head somewhere to uncover the truth, only to see a shocking sight. Endo has concealed his identity and been working at little-known as well as famous hot springs in various regions across the country as a male attendant. He pokes his nose into the affairs of the imperfect beauties he encounters there and runs around trying to solve their problems. However, he loses his heart to them and gets involved in trivial incidents. Why on earth is he doing this?
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/sasuraionsen
Keiji Zero
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 10 January 2019
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Todayama Masashi (Ishi Tsubute, Specialist Series, Kasouken no Onna Seasons 12 – 18)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Sawamura Ikki, Takimoto Miori, Terajima Susumu, Yokoyama Daisuke, Nekoze Tsubaki, Watanabe Ikkei, Zaizen Naomi, Takeda Tetsuya
Synopsis: Detective Tokiya Rekihiko (Sawamura Ikki) belongs to the Kyoto Prefectural Police’s First Investigation Division. He was once an outstanding detective. However, he completely lost his memories of the 20 years right after he became a detective, due to an incident. Although Tokiya can remember his life and daily routine, he has no recollection of anything related to work and crimes. All that remains are his five senses and insight. Now that he is back to “zero”, Tokiya applies unexpected approaches to solve cases. Rookie detective Sasou Tomoka (Takimoto Miori), who is partnered with Tokiya, admired him before he lost his memories and remembers all the reports of the cases he that handled. She unexpectedly has to share in his secret and prevent the people around them from discovering that he has lost his memories.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/keiji-0
Haken Uranaishi Ataru
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 17 January 2019
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Yukawa Kazuhiko (Kahogo no Kahoko, Hajimemashite Aishitemasu, Kaseifu no Mita)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Sugisaki Hana, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Shida Mirai, Mamiya Shotaro, Shison Jun, Nonami Maho, Itaya Yuka, Wakamura Mayumi, Oikawa Mitsuhiro
Synopsis: Despite calls for work reform, long working hours and operational inefficiency, which are the real problems of working people, still persist. In fact, many continue to be bogged down by interpersonal relationships and how to deal with work. A new saviour offers working people hope for the future. She is Matoba Ataru (Sugisaki Hana), a temporary employee at the events company, Sincere Events. Although she always smiles as she works, Ataru has the special ability to see all sorts of things including people’s worries and earliest memories. She uses this ability to solve the troubles of the full-time employees (Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Shida Mirai, Mamiya Shotaro, Shison Jun, Nonami Maho, Itaya Yuka) around her.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ataru
Scandal Senmon Bengoshi QUEEN
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 10 January 2019
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuramitsu Yasuko (Keiji Yugami, Totsuzen desu ga Ashita Kekkon Shimasu, Love Song)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Mizukawa Asami, Nakagawa Taishi, Izumi Rika, Bakarhythm, Saito Yuki, Baba Fumika (guest star), Nakamura Yurika (guest star), Akiyama Yuzuki (guest star), Ihara Rikka (guest star)
Synopsis: Himi Ko (Takeuchi Yuko) is a lawyer who specialises in crisis management along with fellow colleagues Yoda Chie (Mizukawa Asami) and Fujieda Shuji (Nakagawa Taishi). Her clients come from all walks of life including politics, entertainment and sports. A talented troubleshooter who saves clients in social predicaments 99% of the time, Ko is a skilled spin doctor who will turn even lies into the truth when it is necessary.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/QUEEN
Preview: Scandal Senmon Bengoshi QUEEN CM
Jinsei ga Tanoshikunaru Shiawase no Housoku
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 10 January 2019
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Takei Aya (Eerie Mienai Kao, Sousa Kaigi wa Living de!, Juken no Cinderella)
Original Work: Choudo Ii Busu no Susume by Yamazaki Kei
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Natsuna, Takahashi Maryjun, Kobayashi Kinako, Yamazaki Kei, Wada Takuma, Sano Hinako, Oshinari Shugo, Ito Shuko, Tokui Yu, Tayama Ryosei
Synopsis: Nakagawa Ayaka (Natsuna), Kihara Riko (Takahashi Maryjun) and Minamoto Yoshie (Kobayashi Kinako) work for a trading company’s general affairs department. They are all struggling with life in some way. Ayaka is terrible at expressing herself. Riko is inflexible while Yoshie has a defiant attitude. One day, a fairy (Yamazaki Kei) of the “right kind of ugly” appears before the three of them who receive a jolt of sobering reality about themselves. She tells them that their lives are full of mistakes. “Women who acknowledge that they are ugly, can stand at the starting line of happiness for the first time”. They follow her teachings in the hopes of gaining happiness and start rigorous training to become just the “right kind of ugly”.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/shiawasenohousoku
Kioku Sousa ~ Shinjuku Higashi-sho Jiken File
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 18 January 2019
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Sakurai Takeharu (Kasouken no Onna Seasons 12 – 18, Kami no Shita o Motsu Otoko, Yamegoku)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Kitaoji Kinya, Kazama Shunsuke, Kamishiraishi Mone, Uchida Asahi, Matsumoto Taishi, Katsuno Hiroshi, Takuma Shin, Ishiguro Hideo, Yo Kimiko
Synopsis: One year ago, Onizuka Ichiro (Kitaoji Kinya), a detective of Shinjuku Higashi Police Precinct’s First Investigation Section, was stabbed by a criminal on his final case before retirement, and lost the function of his two legs. Although he is confined to a wheelchair, he is reemployed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and assigned to Shinjuku Higashi Police Precinct again as the head of its Judicial Section. Onizuka relies on his memories of the Showa and Heisei periods to investigate “untouched cases”. His subordinate is Toyama Saki (Kamishiraishi Mone), and Kami Keitaro (Kazama Shunsuke) is sent from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division to be a police officer at the precinct.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kiokusousa
I”s
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Fridays, 21 December 2018
Station: BS Sky Perfect
Scriptwriters: Kataoka Sho (Tokyo Alien Brothers), Fukuhara Kota (Koe Girl!, 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi Series, Final Fantasy XIV Hikari no Otousan)
Original Work: I”s by Katsura Masakazu
Genre: Romance
Cast: Okayama Amane, Shiraishi Sei, Shibata Kyoka, Hagiwara Minori, Kato Konatsu, Ijima Ku, Ogoe Yuki, Tomita Keisuke, Mizuishi Atom, Sudo Kanoko, Fuse Eri, Araki Makoto, Makino Usa, Nakayama Tatsuya, Takezai Terunosuke, Fukuyama Shota, Arai Atsushi, Adachi Yumi, Ukaji Takashi, Horibe Keisuke
Synopsis: Seto Kazuki (Okayama Amane), a second year high school student, has liked his classmate Yoshizuki Iori (Shiraishi Sei) since the first year. Then the two of them become committee members of the welcome party for freshmen. When Kazuki gradually opens up to Iori, his childhood friend Akiba Itsuki (Shibata Kyoka) shows up all of a sudden. Kazuki finally confesses his feelings for Iori on Christmas Eve in their third year and they begin dating. After failing the university entrance exam, Kazuki starts living alone. He gets close to Aso Aiko (Kato Konatsu) who lives next door and resembles Iori. They are attracted to each other as they wait for their significant other whom they are unable to meet. Even so, the one that Kazuki loves is Iori. However, he considers sacrificing his own feelings for her sake. At that moment, he receives a video message from Itsuki … …
Website: www.bs-sptv.com/is
Preview: I”s CM
Maison de Police
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 11 January 2019
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Monte Cristo Haku, Kizoku Tantei, Boku no Yabai Tsuma)
Original Work: Maison de Police by Kato Miaki
Genre: Detective
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Nishida Naomi, Ryusei Ryo, Kimura Ryo, Toda Masahiro, Kohinata Fumiyo, Noguchi Goro, Kadono Takuzo, Kondo Masaomi
Synopsis: Makino Hiyori (Takahata Mitsuki), a rookie detective at Yanagimachi Kita Police Precinct, has her prayers answered when she is assigned to the Criminal Affairs Division in her second year. One day, a video of a person being burnt alive within the jurisdiction of the precinct is uploaded onto a website. The investigation task force believes this is the act of a copycat criminal mimicking a murder which took place five years ago. Bursting with enthusiasm, Hiyori visits Maison de Police, a shared house in an upscale residential area, to hear from former detective Natsume Soichiro (Nishijima Hidetoshi) who was in charge of this case called the Death Dance. Only retired police officers live in this old Western-style home. That is how Hiyori begins a strange investigation meeting with Takahira Atsuhiko (Kohinata Fumiyo), Todo Masato (Noguchi Goro), Sakota Tamotsu (Kadono Takuzo) and Date Aritsugu (Kondo Masaomi). Despite their longsightedness, back problems and high blood pressure, their investigation skills are top notch. Hiyori pursues the case with these idiosyncratic old men but … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/maison_de_police
Preview: Maison de Police CM
Tokusatsu Gagaga*NEW*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 18 January 2019
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Tanabe Shigenori (Kangoku no Ohimesama, Rental no Koi, Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu!)
Original Work: Tokusatsu Gagaga by Tanba Niwa
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Koshiba Fuka, Kurashina Kana, Kinami Haruka, Morinaga Yuki, Honda Takafumi, Takeda Rena, Uchiyama Mikoto, Terada Kokoro, Takeuchi Manabu, Matsushita Yuki
Synopsis: Nakamura Kano (Koshiba Fuka) is an office lady who works for a trading company. She is a closet otaku who loves special effects shows very much. Her mother (Matsushita Yuki) likes feminine things and hates special effects shows. Naturally, Kano keeps the fact that she is a closet otaku a secret from her mother as well as her workplace colleagues. Kano gets into all sorts of scraps daily. When she is wondering what to do, her mind will switch to special effects mode all of a sudden. Special effects heroes that only she can see, will appear and she is encouraged by their words to weather a series. Kano meets new friends and forms friendships.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/nagoya/gagaga
Watashi no Ojisan ~ Wataoji
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 11 January 2019
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Kishimoto Ayuka (Kenkou de Bunkatekina Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu, Love or Not)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Okada Yui, Endo Kenichi, Shirota Yu, Kote Shinya, Tozuka Junki, Tamada Shiori, Aoki Sayaka, Tanabe Seiichi
Synopsis: Ichinose Hikari (Okada Yui) is desperate. She has not been able to secure a job and has been dumped by her boyfriend who had promised marriage. She finally gets a job as an assistant director at a production company of a famous variety programme, Genkai Max ~ Anata mo Kimi mo Yattemi!!!, at very punishing locations. One day, a middle-aged man (Endo Kenichi), who proclaims himself a sprite, appears in front of Hikari all of a sudden. He is a jovial man with a dreadful personality and makes scathing comments. From that day on, this sprite whom she can only see, begins following her about all the time. At first, Hikari considers him a stalker. But as he gripes freely, voicing her own thoughts and true feelings (naturally no one is able to hear them), she gradually starts to feel invigorated by his presence.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/wataoji
Fruits Takkyubin
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 12 January 2019
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Nemoto Nonji (Ten Tenhodori no Kaidanji, Izakaya Fuji, Gin to Kin)
Original Work: Fruits Takkyubin by Suzuki Yoshio
Cast: Hamada Gaku, Naka Riisa, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Maeno Tomoya, Hara Fukiko, Matsuo Suzuki, Tokunaga Eri, Yamashita Rio, Kitahara Rie, Uchiyama Rina, Narumi Riko, Urajinuno, Uchida Chika, Kakei Miwako, Nakamura Yuri, Matsumoto Wakana, Matsuoka Izumi, Abe Junko
Synopsis: The company that Sakita Shinichi (Hamada Gaku) worked at in Tokyo goes bankrupt. He also gets kicked out of company housing and has no choice but to return to his hometown in a provincial city. He meets Misuji (Matsuo Suzuki), a scary-looking man of many mysteries, at a ramen shop that he used to frequent. Misuji encourages Sakita to help him with his work. Sakita goes with the flow and accepts. But this job is to be the store manager of the call girl for hire business, Fruits Takkyubin, that Misuji owns!?
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/fruits
Mikazuki
Date: From 8.15 p.m., Saturdays, 26 January 2019
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Mizuhashi Fumie (Haha ni Naru, Hayami-sensei Kekkon Surutte Hontou desu ka?, Sharehouse no Koibito)
Original Work: Mikazuki by Mori Eto
Cast: Takahashi Issei, Nagasaku Hiromi, Kudo Asuka, Omasa Aya, Dan Mitsu, Kurokawa Mei, Fubuki Jun
Synopsis: Oshima Goro (Takahashi Issei), a janitor of an elementary school, becomes a gifted teacher who teaches children that have fallen behind even though he has no licence. Single mother Akasaka Chiaki (Nagasaku Hiromi) opposes formal education in schools during the war and sees the potential in a school to give coaching for a free, well-rounded education. The two of them become a couple both at work and at home, and create new history in the industry in this story depicting a family’s 50 years, set against the backdrop of the Showa to Heisei era.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/mikaduki
Miki Clinic de Kanpai o
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 12 January 2019
Station: BS TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Masaike Yosuke (Ten Tenhodori no Kaidanji , Miss Sherlock, Massage Tantei Joe), Kato Takuya
Original Work: Miki Clinic de Kanpai o by Chinen Mikito
Genre: Medical
Cast: Miura Takahiro, Ando Masanobu, Yamashita Mizuki, Matsumoto Marika, Yanagi Shuntaro, Itagaki Rihito, Usuda Asami, Takenaka Naoto, Shinagawa Toru
Synopsis: Tsukumo Katsumi (Miura Takahiro) is a surgeon who lost his job after causing the death of a patient in a medical mishap. He comes to work for Miki Clinic on the recommendation of Professor Mimori whom he studied under. The clinic’s director Miki Shoichiro (Ando Masanobu) opened the practice for VIPs who want to receive medical treatment in secret. Tsukumo tries to get accustomed to his new workplace but discovers another side to Miki Clinic. It will do everything possible to fulfil any request, based on the belief that if the anxieties and major concerns of patients are solved, their emotions will stablise and they can to focus on their treatment. Together with the other doctors of the clinic, Tsukumo takes on patients’ off-the-wall requests.
Website: www.bs-tvtokyo.co.jp/mikiclinic
Nusumareta Kao ~ Miatari Sousahan
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 5 January 2019
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Adachi Shin (Sabori Man Kantaro, Itsuka Tiffany de Choushoku o)
Original Work: Nusumareta Kao by Hada Keisuke
Genre: Detective
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Uchida Rio, Machida Keita, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Ito Ayumi, Maruyama Tomomi, Yamazaki Shigenori, Sakou Yoshi, Tomochika, Nakamura Yuri, Mashima Hidekazu
Synopsis: Shirato Takamasa (Tamaki Hiroshi) works for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Liaison Division. He is an investigator who relies only on faces to capture wanted fugitives. One day, Shirato sees an unlikely face in the crowd. It is that of Sunami Toru (Shibukawa Kiyohiko), a senior detective who died mysteriously four years ago. He was an outstanding detective as a investigator and a man whom Shirato admired. Just when Shirato is about to dismiss this as an illusion, he hears baffling rumours about Sunami. As Shirato investigates the case, both the Public Security Division and the Chinese mafia get into action and his life gets targeted before he realises it. In addition, his girlfriend Chiharu’s (Ito Ayumi) cryptic behaviour starts to raise his suspicions … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/kao
Preview: Nusumareta Kao CM
Innocence Enzai Bengoshi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 19 January 2019
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Furuya Kazunao (Hagetaka (2018), Ashita no Yakusoku, Sumika Sumire)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Sakaguchi Kentaro, Kawaguchi Haruna, Shuri, Koichi Mantaro, Masana Bokuzo, Akaso Eiji, Sugimoto Tetta, Shiga Kotaro, Ichikawa Mikako, Fujiki Naohito, Kusakari Masao
Synopsis: Kurokawa Taku (Sakaguchi Kentaro) is a young lawyer who secures the cooperation of journalists and scientists including Akiu Kyoichiro (Fujiki Naohito) to figure out cases of false charges and exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted by the Japanese courts.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/innocence
Preview: Innocence Teaser
Sore o Ai to Machigaeru kara
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 9 February 2019
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Maki Iwone, Arai Yuka (Kimi wa Petto (2017), Watashi no Uchi ni wa Nanimo Nai, Tokyo Sentimental)
Original Work: Sore o Ai to Machigaeru kara by Inoue Areno
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Inamori Izumi, Suzuki Kosuke, Naka Riisa, Ando Masanobu, Watanabe Daichi, LiLiCo, Megumi
Synopsis: Ito Kaya (Inamori Izumi) is a full-time housewife and has been happily married to her husband Tadashi (Suzuki Kosuke) for 15 years. However, they have not had sex for a long time. One morning, Kaya asks if he has a lover, and learns that he knows that she has a lover too. In fact, Kaya has been having an affair with manga artist Seiichiro (Ando Masanobu). Meanwhile, she finds out that the chiropractor at chiropractic clinic that she goes to, is her husband’s lover. Through an unexpected turn of events, they all end up becoming acquainted. What will happen to this four-sided relationship between the troubled couple and their lovers?
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/soreai
Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 19 January 2019
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Ozaki Masaya (Signal, Chinmoku Houtei, Otona Joshi)
Original Work: Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu by Aoki Kotomi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Nomura Shuhei, Sakurai Hinako, Miyazawa Hio, Sato Kanta, Baba Fumika, Matsui Airi, Yahagi Honoka, Kizu Takumi, Tomita Kentaro, Fukumoto Riko, Korenaga Hitomi, Matobu Sei, Kojima Kazuya, Ishida Hikari, Namase Katsuhisa
Synopsis: Kakinouchi Takuma (Nomura Shuhei), a high school student, suffers from a heart ailment and has been in and out of hospital. He and childhood friend Taneda Mayu (Sakurai Hinako) promised that they would marry each other when they were kids. However, Takuma later learns that he will not be able to live to be 20, and decides to distance himself from Mayu so that he will not cause her grief.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/bokukimi
Omoshiro Nankyoku Ryorinin
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Sundays, 13 January 2019
Station: BS Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Saijo Mitsutoshi (Oh My Jump!)
Original Work: Omoshiro Nankyoku Ryorinin by Nishimura Jun
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Hamano Kenta, Makita Sports, Tanaka Yoji, Hida Yasuhito, Yamanaka Takashi, Fukuyama Shodai, Iwasaki Udai
Synopsis: The Japanese 38th South Pole research expedition team are at the Dome base. Located 1,000 km away from the main Showa base at an altitude of 3,800 m, it is called the most inhospitable place on earth with an average temperature of -54 deg Celsius. No living thing or even a virus can survive in such an environment. Three of the seven-member expedition team are researchers and the remaining four are support personnel. However, they are common men who have to live together in the confined space of the Dome base for one year. The only joy they can speak of is the time when everyone eats delicious food. There is little else except starkness, oppressiveness, stress, anxiety, apprehension of living in such extreme conditions with nowhere to escape to and no one to rely on besides fellow team members.
Website: www.bs-tvtokyo.co.jp/official/nankyoku
Preview: Omoshiro Nankyoku Ryorinin CM
Perfect Crime
Date: From 2.30 a.m., Sundays, 20 January 2019
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Yamaoka Junpei (Daisy Luck, Seigi no Se, Zenigata Keibu Series), Izawa Rie
Original Work: Perfect Crime by Ririo
Genre: Romance
Cast: Triendl Reina, Sakurada Dori, Ochiai Motoki, Nagao Mariya, Ito Yumi, Kita Yoko, Mashima Hidekazu
Synopsis: Maeshima Kaori (Triendl Reina), an interior designer, is respected in her company but has been carrying on a secret affair with her boss Fuyuki (Mashima Hidekazu) for years. However, it is a doomed romance. Fuyuki is a married man and there is no hope for a future with him, but Kaori is content to let it be and hides her pain. One day, Shinonome Haruto (Sakurada Dori) appears in front of Kaori. He is a young designer who was just transferred from the New York branch office. Kaori’s indiscreet interlude with Fuyuki was witnessed by Haruto at the office. Meanwhile, Kaori and Haruto end up working together as partners at work. Her destiny begins to change as a result of her meeting Haruto and she unknowingly falls into a trap.
Website: www.asahi.co.jp/perfect_crime
The Good Wife
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 13 January 2019
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Hanzai Shokogun Series, Rakuen, Copyface)
Original Work: The Good Wife by CBS Studios
Genre: Legal
Cast: Tokiwa Takako, Koizumi Kotaro, Mizuhara Kiko, Kitamura Takumi, Nakabayashi Taiki, Suenaga Miyu, Takito Kenichi, Takabayashi Yukiko, Kobayashi Kika, Ando Miyu, Hakata Hanamaru, Aibu Saki, Kaku Chikako, Yoshida Kotaro, Karasawa Toshiaki, Takeda Tetsuya (guest star), Izumisawa Yuki (guest star), Nomaguchi Toru (guest star), Ito Saori (guest star), Inomoto Takafumi (guest star), Hashizume Isao (guest star), Matsumoto Kio (guest star), Kimoto Takehiro (guest star)
Synopsis: Hasumi Kyoko (Tokiwa Takako) quit being a lawyer to support her husband Soichiro (Karasawa Toshiaki) and raise their children (Kobayashi Kika, Ando Miyu) as a full-time housewife. But one day, her husband who now heads the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, is suddenly arrested on suspicion of corruption, and a sex scandal with a news journalist Toyama Aki (Aibu Saki) also comes to light. Kyoko decides to resume her career as a lawyer to protect her children. With the help of Tada Masahiro (Koizumi Kotaro), who was doing a legal apprenticeship at the same time that she was, Kyoko is hired on probation at the law firm that he jointly runs with Kamiyama Yoshie (Kaku Chikako). However, she has to contend not only with public scrutiny as the betrayed wife, but also a 16-year void as a lawyer and fight against the odds every day. Nevertheless, she holds strong convictions and even turns her own weaknesses to her advantage and thrives.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/the_good_wife2019
Preview: The Good Wife Introduction
Monroe ga Shinda Hi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 6 January 2019
Station: NHK
Scriptwriters: Okada Yoshikazu (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni, Shiro to Kiiro, Hiyokko), Watanabe Mako (Cheerdan, Pretty ga Oosugiru, Seisei Suru Hodo Aishiteru)
Original Work: Monroe ga Shinda Hi by Koike Mariko
Genre: Love suspense
Cast: Suzuki Kyoka, Aso Yumi, Satsukawa Aimi, Negishi Toshie, Uzaki Ryudo, Kusakari Masao
Synopsis: Yukimura Kyoko’s (Suzuki Kyoka) husband died of illness and she lives alone in a town next to Karuizawa. She is the caretaker of a museum to the writer Harashima Fujio but there are few visitors and she spends her days peacefully. One day, Kyoko develops symptoms of a panic attack while shopping and is encourage by her friend Yasuyo to consult a psychiatrist at Hanaore Clinic. The doctor who examines her is Takahashi Tomoyuki (Kusakari Masao). He is a doctor in public practice at a hospital in Yokohama, but he does consultations at Hanaore Clinic’s psychiatry department in the later half of the week. Takahashi says he was Marilyn Monroe’s exclusive psychiatrist. As Kyoko talks to him, she feels comforted. The two of them are drawn to each other and Kyoko eventually invites Takahashi to her house. She feels blissful in her relationship with him. However, Kyoko has no way of knowing that there is an emotionally unstable woman waiting for Takahashi who has returned to Yokohama. Then one day, a surprising thing happens to Kyoko and Takahashi. What will happen to their romance?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/pd/monroe
Kokou no Mesu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 13 January 2019
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Last Chance, Akira to Akira, Shizumanu Taiyo)
Original Work: Kokou no Mesu ~ Gekai Toma Tetsuhiko by Ogane Toshihiko
Genre: Medical
Cast: Takizawa Hideaki, Nakamura Toru, Kudo Asuka, Yamamoto Mizuki, Ishimaru Kanji, Nagatsuka Kyozo, Miyakawa Ichirota, Kimura Midoriko, Riju Go, Miura Masaki, Kondo Koen, Musaka Naomasa, Honda Hirotaro
Synopsis: Toma Tetsuhiko (Takizawa Hideaki), a surgeon who studied in the US, takes up a position at a private hospital in the countryside of Kansai in the late 1980s – a time when organ transplants were still illegal. He takes on difficult surgeries and saves the lives of patients with impressive skills, driven by the conviction that the level of medical care given in the countryside should be on par with university hospitals. In order to save the lives of many patients, Toma also appeals for liver transplants which he learned in the US, and meets a like-minded doctor (Nakamura Toru) who is working on making liver transplants a reality. However, to protect themselves, hospitals will not carry out liver transplants which come with significant risks. The principle of absolute authority and the medical system which strongly adheres to long-standing practices, also get in their way … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/kokou
3-nen A-gumi ~ Ima kara Minna-san wa, Hitojichi desu
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 6 January 2019
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Muto Shogo (Kaito Yamaneko, Wakamonotachi (2014), Kazoku Game)
Genre: School mystery
Cast: Suda Masaki, Nagano Mei, Hagiwara Riku, Akita Shiori, Sakumoto Takara, Wakabayashi Kaoru, Katayose Ryota, Tomita Miu, Suzuki Jin, Kawaei Rina, Furukawa Tsuyoshi, Kamishiraishi Moka, Mochizuki Ayumu, Shinjo Yume, Moriyama Aki, Tsukimiya Himena, Mifune Kaito, Hotta Mayu, Imai Yuki, Hibi Mikoto, Wakabayashi Jiei, Imada Mio, Tobita Hikari, Ohara Yuno, Kamio Fuju, Yokota Mayu, Nishimoto Ginjiro, Mori Nana, Takao Yuki, Fukuhara Haruka, Yanai Yumena, Hotta Akane, Buffalo GoroA, Kamio Yu, Bengal, Tanabe Seiichi, Shiina Kippei
Synopsis: With 10 days to go before their graduation ceremony, high school life was supposed to come to a peaceful end for the 29 students (Nagano Mei, Hagiwara Riku, Akita Shiori, Sakumoto Takara, Wakabayashi Kaoru, Katayose Ryota, Tomita Miu, Suzuki Jin, Kawaei Rina, Furukawa Tsuyoshi, Kamishiraishi Moka, Mochizuki Ayumu, Shinjo Yume, Moriyama Aki, Tsukimiya Himena, Mifune Kaito, Hotta Mayu, Imai Yuki, Hibi Mikoto, Wakabayashi Jiei, Imada Mio, Tobita Hikari, Ohara Yuno, Kamio Fuju, Yokota Mayu, Nishimoto Ginjiro, Mori Nana, Takao Yuki, Fukuhara Haruka, Yanai Yumena) of Class 3A. However, on this day, the sound of an explosion reverberates, startling them. Form teacher Hiiragi Ibuki (Suda Masaki) gathers the students and tells them this, “All of you are now my hostages”. With these words, their relationship transforms from teacher and students to criminal and hostages. They begin their final class from this moment. It is about the truth of the death of a student who lost his life several months earlier. A star student who left this world all of a sudden without leaving a suicide note or saying anything. Taken hostage by their teacher, the students now have to confront the truth that they had been avoiding.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/3A10
Preview: 3-nen A-gumi CM
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