Official Website
www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/nanatsu
Broadcast
Saturdays, 9.00 – 10.00 p.m. from 13 July 2013
Station
NHK
Story
Harashima Manji is the fourth division manager in the Sales Department of the mid-sized electronics manufacturer Tokyo Kenden. He handles home-related products. Harashima’s performance is always poor, and he keeps getting told off by superiors at meetings. In contrast to the mediocre Harashima, first division manager Sakado Nobuhiko is acknowledged by everyone as the ace of the sales department. However, Sakado is suddenly accused of power harassment by Hakkaku Tamio who is mocked the First Division’s “eternal section chief”, and is forced out. Then, Harashima is appointed his successor. This baffling personnel change surprises Harashima but Sakado merely accepts his fate. Meanwhile, Harashima is asked by his superiors to source for a new supplier of screws for Tokyo Kenden’s products to replace the supplier Sakado had used because of concerns of credit risk. The moment Harashima sees a screw sample left behind by Sakado snap in a stress test, he senses that there is another side to Sakado’s sudden ouster. His attempt to find out the truth leads him to Tomei Tech which Sakado had been ordering parts from. This is where he comes across Hakkaku who warns that there would be no return to his present life once he learns what is here. Before long, Harashima realises that a deep darkness beyond his imagining has lodged itself in the company.
Characters
Higashiyama Noriyuki as Harashima Manji
The fourth division manager of Tokyo Kenden’s Sales Department which deals with home-related products. An ordinary, mild-mannered salaryman who loves his wife and child. Although he has not achieved good results, he is suddenly made the manager of the First Division one day, which is the toast of the Sales Department. His life as an ordinary salaryman changes dramatically after this. While he searches behind the scenes, he becomes aware of a great darkness which shrouds Tokyo Kenden and eventually even witnesses a scene while will decided the company’s destiny. He thinks that he has no particular merits in comparison to his late elder brother who had been brilliant.
Yoshida Kotaro as Hakkaku Tamio
The “eternal section chief” of the First Division of Tokyo Kenden’s Sales Department. A veteran employee who does not take work seriously or tries to hide his indifference to work. He is called “snoozing Hakkaku”. In neglecting of his duties, he frustrates the people around him. In truth, an incident at the company in the past drove him to despair and emptiness, and this soon comes to light.
Taguchi Junnosuke as Saeki Hiromitsu
A young sales representative who works for Harashima Manji. A person with whom Harashima can talk candidly. He used to belong to the Fourth Division but came to the First Division at the same time as Harashima’s move. After that, he becomes Harashima’s ally as he tries to investigate the company’s mystery.
Mashima Hidekazu as Sakado Nobuhiko
The first division manager of Tokyo Kenden’s Sales Department. He works furiously in order to achieve his quota. He has been getting outstanding results but is removed for allegedly abusing his power and harassing Hakkaku Tamio. He is a person deeply involved in the mystery surrounding Tokyo Kenden.
Horibe Keisuke as Kase Koki
A lawyer of an independent committee which is investigating Tokyo Kenden’s scandal. He questions related parties including Harashima Manji one by one for the truth.
Komoto Masahiro as Misawa Itsuro
The president of a screw manufacturer, Neji Roku. He has faith and pride in his own company’s which are made by skilled labour in the factory.
Toyohara Kosuke as Sano Kenichiro
The general manager for Tokyo Kenden’s Customer Division. He moved from a home appliance mass retailer to his present workplace. He is called the “in-house politician” and is a well-informed insider. He is dissatisfied with his current post, and is considering returning to the mainstream.
Ishibashi Ryo as Kitagawa Makoto
The manager of Tokyo Kenden’s Sales Department. A strict boss who scolds Harashima Manji, Sakado Nobuhiko and others harshly. He has been behind the growth of the company for a long time. When he was young, he worked hard to have the industry recognise Tokyo Kenden as a manufacturer. He is one of the important people who knows how the company has progressed.
Nagatsuka Kyozo as Miyano Kazuhiro
The president of Tokyo Kenden. He was not transferred from the parent company, Frontier, but worked his way up to the top from the manufacturing floor. He has strong faith in the Tokyo Kenden’s technology and product quality, and does not intend to let it remain a subsidiary although he keeps his desire for autonomy from Frontier to himself.
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