Official Website
www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/draftking
Twitter
twitter.com/drama_wowow
Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 8 April 2023
Episodes
10
Network
WOWOW
Synopsis
Gohara Aura, a scout for the popular professional baseball team Yokohama Bay Golds, is caustic and self righteous but generally regarded as a hotshot. With an extraordinary eye for talent, he flies around the country in search of hidden talent to pick the Draft King – the No. 1 among baseball players chosen for this year’s draft. Kamiki Ryosuke, a former professional player who is now a rookie scout, and the members of the scout division led by the empathetic Shimobe Rikuo engage in a heated discussion with Gohara in their efforts to strengthen the team. While Kamiki focuses on Tojo Daiki, the ace pitcher from Hanasaki Tokumaru High School, Gohara insists that he should acquire the unremarkable backup pitcher Katsuragi Yasuo instead. Everyone is baffled by his advice. But Gohara explains that it is important to predict a player’s final form. Meanwhile, Gohara’s arch-enemy Busujima Ryuji, a veteran scout for the Osaka White Tigers feared for his nickname “Viper”, would do anything to accomplish his goals. He is also fired up to secure talented players and makes a secret move. Can Gohara and his colleagues find a diamond in the rough and pick the Draft King? But a scout’s job is not just to find the talents but also to accompany them in their lives and to share their conflicts and worries.
Characters
Muro Tsuyoshi as Gohara Aura
A scout for the Yokohama Bay Golds. Despite his self righteous attitude and sharp tongue, he has spotted several diamonds in the rough and is considered a remarkable scout.
Miyazawa Hio as Kamiki Ryosuke
A rookie scout for the Yokohama Bay Golds. He joined the Yokohama Bay Golds after graduating from high school but was never fielded. He retired as a player and became a scout, and engages players from his perspective as a former professional player.
Denden as Shimobe Rikuo
The head of the Yokohama Bay Golds’s scout division. He is an empathetic person who recognises Gohara Aura’s ability despite being manipulated by him.
Ibu Masato as Busujima Ryuji
A veteran scout for the Osaka White Tigers. Nicknamed Viper, he is Gohara Aura’s nemesis. He uses all sorts of methods that are barely within the rules in order to acquire players.
Sakata Masanobu as Tsutsui Takashi
The general manager of the Yokohama Bay Golds. He is the one who will decide on the plan for acquiring players based on the presentations from the members of the scout division. He plays a big role in the draw at the draft meeting.
Fujima Sawako as Mishima Hitomi
A freelance writer. She does not have a good opinion of Gohara Aura after a past interview with him and Abiru Kazunari. She warns Kamiki Ryosuke not to become a scout like Gohara.
Otaka Akira as Sasaki Tatsuo
The coach of Hanasaki Tokumaru High School’s baseball team. While he leads the regular schools that compete in the National High School Baseball Championship, he takes a certain approach when appointing players.
Machida Keita as Abiru Kazunari
A member of Manda Motors’ baseball team. He is a talented player who is good enough to compete professionally but has intentionally continued playing for a non-professional team. He was previous courted to join the Yokohama Bay Golds but rejected them. Kamiki Ryosuke makes another attempt this time.
Tanaka Yoji as Inomata Shigeru
The coach of Manda Motors’ baseball team. He had some disputes with Gohara Aura and Shimobe Rikuo over his player Abiru Kazunari in the past. He also treats Kamiki Ryosuke coldly each time the latter comes to the training ground.
Original Work
Draft King by Kuromatsu Tetsuro
Scriptwriter
Suzuki Kenichi (Mikoku wa Utau, Akutou, Bye Bye Blackbird)
Directors
Yamamoto Toru, Yoshikawa Yuta
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