Natsuzora
Date: From 8.00 a.m., Mondays – Saturdays, April 2019
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Omori Sumio (Frankenstein no Koi, Seirei no Moribito Series, Nezumi Edo o Hashiru Series)
Cast: Hirose Suzu, Okada Masaki, Kusakari Masao, Matsushima Nanako, Fujiki Naohito, Kiyohara Sho, Fukuchi Momoko, Kobayashi Takashi, Oto Takuma, Yasuda Ken, Takahata Atsuko, Yamada Yuki, Yoshizawa Ryo, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Kobayashi Ayako, Sendo Nobuko, Hirao Nanaka, Tomita Miu, Inukai Atsuhiro, Emoto Tasuku, Nakahara Takeo, Kitano Kii
Synopsis: 9-year-old Okuhara Natsu lost her parents in the war and was separated from her older brother Saitaro (Okada Masaki) and younger sister Chiharu. In the summer of 1946, she is taken to Tokachi in Hokkaido by her adoptive father Shibata Takeo (Fujiki Naohito) who was her father’s comrade in arms. The Shibatas who are dairy farmers from the Hokuriku region. As Natsu helps out with dairy farming, she regains her cheerfulness. She begins to learn about the spirit of the settlers and the importance of life from Shibata’s father-in-law Taiju (Kusakari Masao), a first-generation immigrant to Hokkaido. In elementary school, Natsu is introduced to animated films, which had become popular in America at that time, by a youth called Yamada Tenyo (Yoshizawa Ryo). She is moved by this dreamlike world. Under the influence of Tenyo who aspires to be an artist, Natsu (Hirose Suzu) hopes to get a job where she can draw. However, Shibata wants her to marry his only son Teruo (Kiyohara Sho) and take over the farm. At this point, Natsu is informed that her brother is working in Tokyo. The day when she leaves draws near … …
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Takane to Hana*NEW*
Date: From 18 March 2019
Station: Fuji on Demand
Scriptwriters: Takeda Juri (Juken no Cinderella, Rikon Bengoshi), Nishikori Iyo, Yamamoto Nana
Original Work: Takane to Hana by Shiwasu Yuki
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Takasugi Mahiro, Takeuchi Aisa
Synopsis: Saibara Takane (Takasugi Mahiro), the scion of the Takaba Group, has the perfect looks and perfect career but is a snob. One day, he is introduced to Nonomura Hana (Takeuchi Aisa), an ordinary high school student 10 years his junior, at an arranged marriage meeting. Disguised as her older sister who refused to meet him, Hana intends to end things amicably. However, she is so infuriated with Takane’s haughty attitude and insulting words that she shouts defiantly at him and leaves. Takane is intrigued by Hana who is unaffected by his appearance and status while Hana accepts the match to bring him to his knees. As the two of them trade barbs, and run hot and cold, glimpses of pure love can be seen.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/takanetohana
Yasuragi no Toki ~ Michi
Date: April 2019
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Kuramoto Sou (Yasuragi no Sato, Kaze no Garden, Haikei Chichiue-sama)
Cast: Yachigusa Kaoru, Seino Nana, Ishizaka Koji, Asaoka Ruriko, Kaga Mariko, Mickey Curtis, Yamamoto Kei, Kamijo Tsunehiko, Fuji Tatsuya, Nadaka Tatsuo, Kusakari Tamiyo, Fubuki Jun, Itaya Yuka, Kazama Shunsuke, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Miyata Toshiya, Kishimoto Kayoko, Hashizume Isao, Yanagiba Toshiro (guest star)
Synopsis: Kikumura Sakae (Ishizaka Koji) begins writing a script based on the late “princess” Kujo Setsuko (Seino Nana/Yachigusa Kaoru) from his recollection of a script set in a mountain village in Yamanashi Prefecture about a couple who lived through the Showa and Heisei periods, that was rejected in the past.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/yasuraginotoki
Mushikago no Jomae
Date: March 2019
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriters: Shimizu Masashi (Otoko Meshi), Kodera Kazuhisa (Shinjuku Seven)
Original Work: Mushikago no Jomae by Narita Ryogo
Genre: Action suspense
Cast: Suzuki Hiroki, Kiyohara Sho, Uno Shohei, Kuroda Daisuke, Ikeda Akana, Hagiwara Minori, Sadamoto Fuma, Matsumoto Ukyo, Suzuki Shinsuke, Yamanaka Takashi, Murakami Wataru, Izawa Yuki, Akazawa Tomoru, Niina Motohiro, Chiba Masako, Tanigawa Shoichiro, Kobayashi Ryuju
Synopsis: A religious cult called Mushikago no Niwa that secretly developed hidden human potential existed in the past. However, one such person, whose potential was unleashed, rose in rebellion. After the cult was destroyed, the members dispersed and only the rumour of a vast fortune on the cult grounds is whispered in the underworld. Nanami (Kiyohara Sho) is a go-between and trades information with people of the underworld. One day, he meets Kagoroku (Suzuki Hiroki) who happens to be there when he is in a tough spot in a secret deal. The two of them eventually team up to solve all sorts of issues. They get involved in a fight between the former Mushikago no Niwa members that went through human experiments and the people of the underworld over the assets and mystery of the cult.
Website: www.mushikago-pj.net
Dying Eye
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 16 March 2019
Station: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Yoshida Noriko (Kataomoi, Chushingura no Koi, Manmakoto)
Original Work: Dying Eye by Higashino Keigo
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Miura Haruma, Takahashi Maryjun
Synopsis: One night, Amemura Shinsuke (Miura Haruma), a bartender at a Nishi Azabu bar in Tokyo, is attacked by a male stranger and loses a part of his memories. However, he soon learns that he caused the death of a woman called Kishinaka Minae in a traffic accident one and a half years ago. And the man who came to attack him and later committed suicide, was her husband Reiji. For some reason, Shinsuke is frequently advised by the people around him that it is better not to recall bad things. He begins to have misgivings about the truth of the accident. Then when Shinsuke returns to the bar on one rainy night, Ruriko (Takahashi Maryjun), a woman in mourning clothes and of unwordly beauty, shows up all of a sudden. From the time of her appearance, Shinsuke descends into a world of madness and anguish. Does she truly exist or is she a figment of imagination conjured by a guilty conscience?
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/dyingeye
Shudan Sasen!
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, April 2019
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Izumi Yoshihiro (Todome no Kiss, Aogeba Toutoshi, Death Note)
Original Work: Shudan Sasen! & Shinsouban Ginkou Shitenchou by Ebato Tetsuo
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Kagawa Teruyuki
Synopsis: Banker Kataoka Hiroshi (Fukuyama Masaharu) is receives a promotion to branch manager before his 50th birthday. However, his joy is doused once he learns that he is taking up a post at the bank’s Kamata branch which is slated to wind up business. He is told that he does not need to put in hard work since the closure of the branch has been decided, and he is promised preferential treatment by senior management. When the branch is closed without a hitch, he will return to headquarters. Kataoka is uncomfortable with being told not to work hard for the first time in his life. However, he cannot bring himself to say the same to the unsuspecting employees at the branch. He is conflicted about his position and as he sees their efforts, he begins to wonder whether he should leave things as they are.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/program/nichi201904
Zekkyou
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 24 March 2019
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Ikeda Natsuko (Shin Hannin, Miyazawa Kenji no Shokutaku, Algernon ni Hanabata o (2015))
Original Work: Zekkyou by Hamanaka Aki
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Ono Machiko
Synopsis: Suzuki Yoko (Ono Machiko) is an ordinary woman who grew up in a typical family. She was not loved by her mother who doted on her talented younger brother, and she concealed that loneliness as she worked as an office lady. However, Yoko’s life took a turn for the worse after her father disappeared one day. She was forsaken by society and turned to killing people for insurance money in order to survive.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/zekkyo
Saka no Tochuu no Ie
Date: Spring 2019
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Hanzai Shokogun Series, Rakuen, Copyface)
Original Work: Saka no Tochuu no Ie by Kakuta Mitsuyo
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Shibasaki Kou
Synopsis: Yamazaki Risako (Shibasaki Kou) lives with her husband and 3-year-old daughter Fumika. One day, she receives a notification from the court that she has been selected as an alternate member of the jury for a shocking criminal case. The defendant in the case is Ando Mizuho, a full-time housewife who is the same age as Risako. She is on trial for causing the death of her 8-month-old daughter by dropping her into the bathtub. As a mother herself, Risako feels repulsed that Mizuho killed her own child. However, after the trial opens, Mizuho’s circumstances remind Risako of her own past and she soon becomes confused with the chaotic feelings that have lain dormant in her.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/sakaie
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