Mystery to Iu Nakare
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, January 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Mystery
Original Work: Mystery to Iu Nakare by Tamura Yumi
Scriptwriter: Aizawa Tomoko (Boku dake ga 17-sai no Sekai de, Trace, Kagi no Kakatta Heya Series)
Directors: Matsuyama Hiroaki, Shinada Shunsuke, Aizawa Hideyuki, Abe Hiroyuki
Cast: Suda Masaki, Ito Sairi
Synopsis: University student Kuno Totono (Suda Masaki) is the type who constantly questions what is taken for granted in society and develops his own theories based on his vast knowledge and unique set of values. One day in autumn, the police come to see him. His university schoolmate has been murdered at a park nearby and the police apparently regard Totono with suspicion. He is asked to come with them for questioning. In the interrogation room, the police are manipulated by Totono who tends to digress from the topic and poke at their contradictions. He even correctly guesses that one of them is troubled about not getting along with the wife and ends up giving advice. However, Totono’s fingerprints are eventually discovered on the murder weapon … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/mystery
Twitter: twitter.com/not_mystery_
Tonari no Chikara
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, January 2022
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Family comedy
Scriptwriter: Yukawa Kazuhiko (35-sai no Shojo, Douki no Sakura, Kahogo no Kahoko)
Directors: Yukawa Kazuhiko
Cast: Matsumoto Jun
Synopsis: Nakagoshi Chikara (Matsumoto Jun), a married father of two young children, calls himself a novelist but he usually ghost writes essays for prominent figures. While he has more consideration and love for fellow humans than anybody else around, whatever he does is in half measure. Seeing a happy person makes him a little happy, and a sad person makes him a little sad. When he sees someone who seems to be in trouble, he cannot help but get worried. After agonising over what he should do, he would always end up calling out to the person. Despite Chikara’s ability to listen attentively to people’s stories, he hears too many of them and winds up feeling troubled instead. He wishes to save people and pacify those around him but he typically gets involved in their problems in a half-baked fashion. When he finds out that there are problems that cannot be solved easily, he is always flustered and worried. Chikara tackles the concerns of residents living in the same apartment building and they gradually become one community with strong ties.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/tonarinotikara
Kamakura Dono no 13-nin
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, January – December 2022
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Mitani Koki (Sanadamaru, Shinsengumi!)
Genre: Period
Cast: Oguri Shun, Koike Eiko, Kataoka Ainosuke, Matsudaira Ken, Sato Jiro, Nakagawa Taishi, Koizumi Kotaro, Minami Sara, Nozoe Yoshihiro, Sugimoto Tetta, Yamamoto Koji, Yokota Eiji, Asano Kazuyuki, Miyazawa Ema, Anan Kenji, Bando Yajuro, Kaneko Daichi, Niiro Shinya, Sakoda Takaya, Kurihara Hideo, Suda Masaki, Kobayashi Takashi, Nakamura Shido, Miyazawa Rie, Oizumi Yo, Aoki Munetaka, Akimoto Sayaka, Yamazaki Hajime, Okamoto Nobuto
Synopsis: During the time of Taira Kiyomori (Matsudaira Ken), Hojo Yoshitoki (Oguri Shun) was merely the second son of a minor clan in Izu. However, the marriage of his older sister Masako (Koike Eiko) to Minamoto Yoritomo (Oizumi Yo), who had been exiled to Izu, sets the wheels of fate in motion. In 1180, Yoritomo unites the samurai from the Kanto region and leads a rebellion against the Taira. This is a huge, impulsive gamble for the Hojo clan. Through the political maneuvering of Yoshitoki who would become Yoritomo’s closest associate, the Taira clan is finally defeated. Yoritomo becomes the shogun, marking the start of the Kamakura shogunate. However, he dies mysteriously while at the height of power. Yoritomo’s two sons with Masako, the second shogun Yoriie (Kaneko Daichi) struggles to surpass his great father while the third shogun Sanetomo remains an “ornament” in an attempt to survive. The replacement of the shogun becomes a power game between Yoshitoki and the shogun’s retainers. As the uncle of the two shoguns, Yoshitoki controls the shogunate. When the Minamoto clan’s legitimate heirs die out, the Hojo clan rules the country. In the capital in Kyoto, Emperor Go Toba raises an army to suppress Yoshitoki. Gambling on the fate of the shogunate, Yoshitoki takes on what would be the last decisive battle. Yoritomo’s rule over the whole country was supported by a group of 13 vassals (Sato Jiro, Nozoe Yoshihiro, Yokota Eiji, Kurihara Hideo, Kobayashi Takashi, Nakamura Shido). Although intense infighting broke out after his death, Yoshitoki, who was the youngest among the 13, survived to the end and eventually gained power.
Website: –
Hakuoki
Date: From January 2021
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Period
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Otomeito by Idea Factory/Design Factory
Scriptwriter: Hokimoto Shinya (Keiji 7-nin Season 6, Tokumei Tantei Season 2)
Directors: Rokusha Masanobu, Nishikata Yuki
Cast: Sakiyama Tsubasa, Wakayanagi Kotoko, Yano Masato, Kanai Sonde,
Synopsis: During the tumultuous period towards the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, a young lady Yukimura Chizuru (Wakayanagi Kotoko) visits Kyoto from Edo in search of her missing father Tsunamichi. The rasetsu, who are humans that have turned into bloodthirsty monsters which commit unimaginably horrible deeds, and men of Shinsengumi who are led by Hijikata Toshizo (Sakiyama Tsubasa) show up in front of her. The Shinsengumi slay the rasetsu in an instant. However, the fate of Chizuru’s father is inextricably linked to both the rasetsu and the Shinsengumi. Chizuru eventually stays with the Shinsengumi as she searches for her father.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/hakuoki
Twitter: twitter.com/drama_wowow
Kamiki Ryunosuke no Satsukyuu*NEW*
Date: From 7 January 2022
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Omnibus
Scriptwriters: Inukai Kyoko (Onna Tomodachi, Boukyaku no Sachiko), Takada Ryo (Boku no Nee-chan, Iki o Hisomete, 60 Gohan Taisakushitsu), Shinohara Makoto (Arimura Kasumi no Satsukyu), Fujiki Mitsuhiko (Takeuchi Ryoma no Satsukyuu, Arimura Kasumi no Satsukyu, Byplayers Series), Takemura Takeshi (Kono Manga ga Sugoi, Yamada Takayuki no Tokyo-to Kita-ku Akabane), Tamada Shinya (400,000 km Kanata no Koi, Joker x Face), Amano Chihiro, Yamazaki Sahoko (Curry no Uta), Yamada Yuri
Directors: Zeze Takahisa, Morigaki Yukihiro, Miyake Sho, Amano Chihiro, Eda Yuka
Cast: Kamiki Ryunosuke
Synopsis: Kamiki Ryunosuke (Kamiki Ryunosuke) suddenly gets a break from filming dramas and movies. What will he do on his days off?
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/satsukyu3
Twitter: twitter.com/drama_wowow
Related: Takeuchi Ryoma no Satsukyuu
Jashin no Tenbin ~ Kouan Bunseki-han
Date: Beginning of 2022
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Crime suspense
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Jashin no Tenbin Kouan Bunseki-han & no Shinpan Keishichou Kouan Bunseki-han by Asami Kazushi
Scriptwriters: Anabuki Ichiro (Chou no Rikigaku, Dr DMAT, Gunshi Kanbei), Koyama Shota (Inochi Urimasu, Career, Ishitachi no Renai Jijou), Naruse Katsuo (Chiisana Kyojin, Kiraware Matsuko no Isshou)
Directors: Uchikata Akira, Yamamuro Daisuke, Yamamoto Daisuke
Cast: Aoki Munetaka, Matsuyuki Yasuko
Synopsis: A leading figure of the ruling political party is found murdered near the site of a bombing. The internal organs have been removed from the body, and scales with a heart and feathers placed on it has been left behind. Detective Takano Hideaki (Aoki Munetaka), who has just transferred to the Public Security Department, comes to carry out the initial investigation at the scene of this bizarre murder. He tries to work through the case with his deductive skills but gets brushed aside as the department has its own methods. Even within Japan’s police force, the Public Security Department has a strong elitist mentality as the guardian of public order. While gathering information is the basis of investigation for the police, the Public Security Department’s requirements are more precise and complicated. Takano also pursues the case using their investigation methods. But will he be able to get clues to solve the difficult case in a department where secretiveness is prevalent. This bizarre murder will eventually greatly rock the fates of the Public Security Department as well as Takano who came to the department to accomplish a certain purpose.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/jyashin
Twitter: twitter.com/drama_wowow
Related: Chou no Rikigaku ~ Satsujin Bunsekihan Season 3
DCU
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, January 2022
Station: TBS
Genre: Mystery
Scriptwriter: –
Directors: –
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Yokohama Ryusei, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Shuri, Takahashi Mitsuomi, Tosa Yuki, Shunputei Shota, Ichikawa Mikako
Synopsis: Japan is surrounded by the sea on all sides and has many rivers, lakes and water sites. Despite numerous cases where dead bodies are dumped or hidden in water, the rate at which these are solved is lower than cases that happen on land. This is because it is fraught with many dangers and difficulties. Niina Masayoshi (Abe Hiroshi) is the leader of the Deep Crime Unit, known as DCU. This new team of specialists formed by the Japan Coast Guard investigates underwater incidents and accidents. Their mission is to solve cases by diving not only into conventional seawater zones but also hazardous rivers and lakes across the country which are difficult for police investigations, in search of hidden evidence. Niina may disregard the rules but he never gives up on his pursuit of the truth. He will not tolerate the sea being soiled and the truth remaining unsolved. Together with the members of the DCU including Seno Haruki (Yokohama Ryusei), Niina dives underwater to solve all sorts of difficult cases and confronts the evil lurking beneath the surface.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/DCU_japan
Twitter: twitter.com/DCU_japan
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