Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Shibatora


* Title: シバトラ
* Title (romaji): Shibatora
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Comedy
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jul-08 to 2008-Sep
* Air time: Tuesday 21:00
* Theme song: Atarashii Hibi by Every Little Thing

Synopsis

The story follows a rookie cop named Taketora Shibata who, despite his childish looks of a middle-schooler, fights against juvenile crime and has the ability to see anything at a crime scene. Nevertheless, it's still a struggle to rise out of the ranks and become a real detective.

Cast

* Koike Teppei as Shibata Taketora
* Ohgo Suzuka as Hosho Mizuki
* Fujiki Naohito as Fujiki Kojiro
* Tsukaji Muga as Hakuto Shinsuke
* Sotaro (聡太郎) as Uzaki Tei
* Kawano Naoki as Kusunoki Yuji
* Daito Shunsuke as Kato Gakuto
* Miura Ryosuke as Kanazawa Takeshi
* Suenaga Haruka as Machida Rika
* Suzuki Ryohei as Mura Hiromi
* Kuranuki Masahiro as Mori Bunmei
* Miyagawa Daisuke (宮川大輔) as Shinjo Toru
* Uchida Shige (内田滋) as Nanbara Kantaro
* Minami Akina as Ayukawa Tamaki
* Matsuda Tamaki (松田珠希) as Manabe Yuna
* Konno Narumi as Miyagi Mei
* Maya Miki as Chiba Sakura

Guests

* Imada Koji as Kinoshita Mitsuo (ep1)
* Omiya Taro as Hosho Mitsuhiko (ep1)
* Tsubaki Takayuki as Iketani Noboru (椿隆之) (ep1)
* Yagami Ren as Urazawa (ep1)
* Nishiyama Sosuke as Mizumoto (ep1)
* Yamane Kazuma (山根和馬) as Takagi (ep1)
* Haru as Rumi (ep1)
* Suzuki Taku (鈴木拓) as Class 2-B Adviser (ep2-4)


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Friday, July 4, 2008

Maou


* Title: 魔王
* Title (romaji): Maou
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Suspense drama
* Episodes: TBA
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jul-04 to 2008-Sept
* Air time: Friday 22:00
* Theme song: truth by Arashi
* Related TV show: The Devil (KBS2, 2007)

Synopsis

This drama is a remake of the popular suspense drama The Devil that was aired in Korea last year. Ohno Satoshi will be playing the role of a two-faced lawyer, one of which is a kind hearted soul and the other who is plotting revenge, using his brilliant mind, on the person who killed his relative. On the other hand, Ikuta Toma will play the double lead role of the man, who has become a detective due to his dark past, who is pursuing the mysterious series of murders and fighting against the devil (maou).


Cast

* Ohno Satoshi as Naruse Ryo/Mannaka Tomoo
o Kouno Hiroki as young Tomoo (11 years ago)
* Ikuta Toma as Serizawa Naoto
o Kimura Haruki as young Naoto (11 years ago)
* Kobayashi Ryoko as Sakita Shiori
o Masuyama Kayano as young Shiori (11 years ago)
* Tanaka Kei as Kasai Hitoshi
o Uemura Yuto as young Hitoshi (11 years ago)
* Oshinari Shugo as Souda Mitsuru
o Honma Haruo as young Mitsuru (11 years ago)
* Waki Tomohiro as Ishimoto Yosuke
o Nakamura Ryunoshin (中村竜之慎) as young Yosuke (11 years ago)
* Uehara Misa as Takatsuka Kaoru
* Shinohara Mai as Nishina Eri
* Shimizu Yutaka (清水優) as Yamano Makoto
o Horimoto Takaya (堀本昴弥) as young Makoto
* Iida Kisuke as Ishihara Kanrikan
* Tonesaku Toshihide as Kurata Takashi
* Kichise Michiko as Serizawa Mari
* Gekidan Hitori as Serizawa Noriyoshi
* Miyake Yuji (三宅裕司) as Nakanishi Hiromichi
* Ishizaka Koji as Serizawa Eisaku
* Takeuchi Toshi (竹内寿) as Mannaka Hideo

Guests

* Ninomiya Kazunari as Kumada Masayoshi (ep1)
* Asaka Mayumi as Mannaka Yoshimi (ep1,2,4)
* Morishita Tetsuo as Kumada Takahiro (ep1,2)
* Kitaro as Hayashi Kunio (ep1,2)
* Okunuki Kaoru as Shintani Tae (ep2-)
* Oono Momoka (大野百花) as Shintani Sora (ep2-)
* Musaka Naomasa as Ikehata Takahiro (ep4-)
* Yuka as Naruse Makiko (ep4-)
* Tanino Outa (谷野欧太) as the real Naruse Ryo (ep5-)
* Shimada Kyusaku as Oosumi Kazuma (ep5-)

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Lotto 6 de San-oku Ni-senman En Ateta Otoko


* Title: ロト6で3億2千万円当てた男
* Title (romaji): Lotto 6 de San-oku Ni-senman En Ateta Otoko
* Also known as: The Man who Won 320 million Yen in Lotto 6
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Comedy
* Broadcast network: TV Asahi
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jul-04 to 2008-Sept
* Air time: Friday 21:00
* Theme song: My Fantasy by EXILE

Synopsis

Takashi Sorimachi stars as Satoru Tachibana, an advertising firm employee slaving away under a younger boss for a meager salary. With a pachinko habit, no savings, and no prospects of romance since his divorce, Tachibana is left wondering what the future holds for him. One day, he desperately enters a lottery, trying to make enough money to pay for his child support, but his sense of self-disgust kicks in. However, his curiosity gets the better of him, and he later discovers that the ticket is a winner, turning him into a millionaire overnight. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3349)

Cast

* Sorimachi Takashi as Tachibana Satoru
* Nakajima Tomoko as Yoshimura Mika
* Shibuya Takeru as Yoshimura Kenta
* Nishimura Masahiko as Yoshimura Hiroyuki
* Ozawa Maju as Kinoshita Ayano
* Manabe Kaori as Yasuoka Mayumi
* Sakura as Murakami Setsuko
* Toyohara Kosuke as Kakei Hisashi
* Izumiya Shigeru as Shinozaki Senmu
* Ishigaki Yuma as Satake Shuichi
* Degawa Tetsuro as Nakane Shinsuke
* Yamasaki Mami (山崎真実) as Kobayashi Sayaka
* Suzuki Kosuke as Sudo Ryosuke
* Sato Megumi as an office lady

Guests

* Ito Misaki (ep1)
* Nakamaru Shinsho (ep1)
* Oshima Yoko (ep1)
* Okamoto Nobuto (ep2)
* Yasoda Yuichi (八十田勇一) (ep2)
* Anan Kenji (ep4)


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Thursday, July 3, 2008

Code Blue


* Title: コード・ブルー
* Title (English): Code Blue
* Tagline: ドクターヘリ緊急救命 /Doctor Heli Kinkyuu Kyumei
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Medical drama
* Episodes: 11
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jul-03 to 2008-Sept-12
* Air time: Thursday 22:00
* Theme song: HANABI by Mr.Children

Synopsis

The drama's full title is "Code Blue: Doctor Heli Kinkyu Kyumei." The concept is based on Japan's proposal for an emergency medical service using helicopters to quickly reach those in need. A special bill was passed in June 2007 that should foster widespread adoption of the system. Yamashita stars as a young doctor-in-training, working under the guidance of an experienced "flight doctor" (Toshiro Yanagiba). Some scenes will be filmed with a real helicopter, adding to the show's tension. Credits: tokyograph


Cast

* Yamashita Tomohisa as Aizawa Kousaku (Flight doctor-in-training)
* Aragaki Yui as Shiraishi Megumi (Flight doctor-in-training)
* Toda Erika as Hiyama Mihoko (Flight doctor-in-training)
* Asari Yosuke as Fujikawa Kazuo (Flight doctor-in-training)
* Higa Manami Saejima Haruka (Flight nurse)
* Kodama Kiyoshi as Tadokoro Yoshiaki (Emergency Unit Chief, Special appearance)
* Katsumura Masanobu as Morimoto Tadashi (Flight Doctor)
* Ryo as Mitsui Kanna (Flight Doctor)
* Yanagiba Toshiro as Kuroda Shuji (Flight Doctor)
* Sugimoto Tetta as Saijo Susumu (Brain Surgeon)
* Terajima Susumu as Kaji Toshi (Pilot)
* Hiwatashi Shinji (樋渡真司) as Anzai Yasuyuki


Guests

* Kawashima Umika as Kuriyama Miki (ep1)
* Kunimoto Shoken (國本鍾建) as Komura (ep2)
* Ninomiya Hiroko (二宮弘子) as Nishiguchi Yae (ep2)
* Kurose Tomomi (黒瀬友美) as Yokota Eiko (ep2)
* Fukui Hiroaki as Ono Tadashi (ep2)
* Taira Chiharu (平良千春) (ep2)
* Okunuki Kaoru as Kuroda's ex-wife (ep3)
* Enjoji Aya as Motoyama Yukiko (ep3)
* Sato Akira (佐藤旭) as Motoyama Kunio(ep3)
* Torii Kaori (鳥居かほり) as Wakasugi Takako (ep3)
* Harumi Shiho (春海四方) as Shimada Yoji (ep3)
* Miura Akifumi (三浦アキフミ) as Kogura Yuki (ep3)
* Takayama Saki (高山紗希) as Yukimura Minami (ep3)
* Yabe Kenji (やべけんじ) as Onodera (ep3)
* Yamamoto Michiko (山本道子) as Fujikawa Shizuko (ep4)
* Ida Kunihiko as Miyamoto Shigeru (ep4)
* Kanai Yuta as Ida Toshio (ep4)
* Shima Kaori (島かおり) as Aizawa Kinue (ep5-6)


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Monday, May 12, 2008

CHANGE


* Title (English): CHANGE
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Human drama, politics
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership ratings: 21.7 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 2008-May-12 to 2008-Jul-14
* Air time: Monday 21:00
* Theme song: Miles Away by Madonna


Synopsis

The story begins with the deaths of ruling party's Fukuoka legislator and his eldest son, his heir apparent, in an accident. It is decided that a by-election will be held, and Kanbayashi Masaichi, the leader of the ruling party, and secretary Miyama Rika conceive the idea of fielding the second son, Asakura Keita, who had been renounced by his father.

After Keita graduated from senior high school, he went on to a university in Nagano because he wanted to live in a place with beautiful stars, and eventually became an elementary school teacher over there. Well-liked by children and satisfied with his beloved star gazing, Keita has no interest in the world of politics. However, at Rika's persuasion and the pressure of his family, he reluctantly decides to announce his candidacy.

Upon returning to Fukuoka, Keita is given a hearty welcome by supporters. The election strategist, Nirasawa Katsutoshi, arrives there. He is guided by the notion "election is the only permitted legal war" and begins Keita's election campaign. --jade_frost

Cast

* Kimura Takuya as Asakura Keita
* Fukatsu Eri as Miyama Rika
* Terao Akira as Kanbayashi Shouichi
* Kato Rosa as Miyamoto Hikaru
* Horiuchi Keiko (堀内敬子) as Tsukioka Rumiko
* Kazama Morio as Kondo Mitsuki
* Ito Shiro as Ukai Takehiko
* Nakamura Atsuo (中村敦夫) as Onoda Asao
* Koyama Shigeru (神山繁) as Nihei Sakae
* Ohbayashi Takeshi (大林丈史) as Kakiuchi Tatsuhiko
* Ishiguro Ken as Ubukata Tsuneo
* Fuji Sumiko as Asakura Takae
* Abe Hiroshi as Nirasawa Katsutoshi
* Nishimura Masahiko as Momosaka Tetsuya
* Hiraizumi Sei as Gunji Hideo
* Yajima Kenichi as Nishi Seiji
* Suzuki Kosuke as Akiyama Taro Kansuke
* Ohkura Koji as Danbara Dan

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Osen


* Title: おせん
* Title (romaji): Osen
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Food, comedy
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership ratings: 9.1 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: NTV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-22 to 2008-Jun-24
* Air time: Tuesday 22:00
* Theme songs:
o Opening theme: Odore by Micro (of Def Tech)
o Ending theme: Koi Uta - Koi Uta- by Tackey & Tsubasa


Synopsis

Handa Sen is the "okami" (proprietress) of a long-standing restaurant in one of the lower parts of Tokyo. Though she is normally airheaded and loves to drink, she has an impressive mastery of a wide range skills, from cooking to ceramics to calligraphy. While the drama follows various events surrounding the restaurant, one of the series' highlights is its illustration of Japanese food and culture. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2625)


Cast

* Aoi Yu as Handa Sen
* Uchi Hiroki as Ezaki Yoshio
* Sugimoto Tetta as Fujishiro Seiji
* Mukai Osamu as Tomekichi
* Suzuki Ranran as Teruko
* Kudo Risa as Fuyuko
* Morita Ayaka as Tamagoya
* Okumura Tomofumi as Kenta
* Takuma Takayuki as Hayashi Takashi
* Watanabe Ikkei as Chinpindo-san
* Yo Kimiko as Asai Shizu
* Yuki Saori as Handa Chiyo
* Matsukata Hiroki as Kinoshita Hideo

Guests

* Katagiri Hairi as Sakurai Michiko (ep1)
* Hankai Kazuaki as Minohachi (ep1)
* Yamanaka Hideki (山中秀樹) (ep1)
* Okada Yoshinori as Okamoto (ep2)
* Sato Hitomi Okamoto's wife (ep2)
* Nishimura Masahiko (ep3)
* Oizumi Yo as Daiba Kenji (ep4)
* Motai Masako as Choko (ep5)
* Sada Mayumi as Kana (ep5)
* Masu Takeshi as Goda Takeshi (ep5)
* Okamoto Kotaro (岡本光太郎) (ep5)
* Yoshida Riko as Yuri (ep5)
* Koizumi Kotaro as Sendo Tamotsu (ep6)
* Nakamoto Koji (仲本工事) as Noguchi (ep6)
* Umezawa Masayo as Okawara Fumi (ep6)
* Kobayashi Susumu (ep6)
* Kinoshita Yukina as Kaori (ep6)
* Muramatsu Toshifumi as Taisho (ep7)
* Ikezu Shoko as Momose Haru (ep7)
* Takagi Bu (高木ブー) as Makino Michio (ep8)
* Hirano Yasuyuki (平野靖幸) as Makino Hiroshi (ep8)
* Rokkaku Seiji as Fujiki Katsumi (ep8)
* Yabe Kyosuke (やべきょうすけ) as Nishida (ep8)
* Takigawa Ken (滝川健) as Kitagawa (ep8)
* Ibusuki Go (指宿豪) as Minami (ep8)
* Kato Masaya (ep9)
* Natsuyagi Isao (ep9)


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Monday, April 21, 2008

Ryokiteki na Kanojo


* Title: 猟奇的な彼女
* Title (romaji): Ryokiteki na Kanojo
* Also known as: My Sassy Girl
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Romance, comedy
* Viewership rating: 8.1 (Kanto)
* Episodes: 11
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-20 to 2008-Jun-29
* Air time: Sunday 21:00
* Theme song: Tsuyogari by Kome Kome Club

Synopsis

Based on the hit South Korean movie, My Sassy Girl, the character backgrounds and plot details will be changed for the drama. While the protagonists in the original film were college students, this time the pair will be a marine biology professor, Masaki Saburo, and Takami Riko, an aspiring writer. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2246)


Cast

* Kusanagi Tsuyoshi as Masaki Saburo
* Tanaka Rena as Takami Riko
* Matsushita Nao as Asakura Minami
* Suzuki Emi as Kisaragi Haruka
* Yamada Shintaro as Goto Moichi
* Oishi Mitsuki as Hayashida Wakaba
* Chino Yuko (千野裕子) as Yue Asami
* Kokubo Rie (小久保利恵) as Shimaki Yui
* Kosse Koichi (コッセこういち) as Sone Masashi
* Ichige Yoshie as Hayashida Satsuki
* Matsushima Nahomi as Yutenji Yuzuko
* Tanihara Shosuke as Kazushima Kensaku
* Kamikawa Takaya as Natsume Keisuke
* Ichikawa Somegoro as Nonomura Shunsuke

Guests

* Lee Wan"cameo"
* Jang Hyuk "cameo"
* Yana Nobuo (八名信夫) (ep1)
* Aki Takejo (あき竹城) (ep1)
* Ebisu Yoshikazu (ep1)
* Matsuzawa Kazuyuki (ep1)
* ROLLY (ep1)
* Tokuyama Masamori (徳山昌守) (ep1)
* Nakanishi Manabu (中西学) (ep1)
* Iwasa Mayuko (ep1)
* Kato Koki (ep1)
* Ono Atsuko (小野敦子) (ep1)
* Minowa Haruka (箕輪はるか) (ep3)
* Fukui Hiroaki (ep4)
* Iwao Nozomu (岩尾望) (ep4)
* Kanjiya Shihori (ep4-6)
* Sasaki Kuranosuke (ep4-6)
* Daito Shunsuke (ep6-9)
* Kanie Keizou (ep8-9,11)
* Umemiya Masako (ep8-9,11)
* Ikeuchi Hiroyuki (ep8-9)
* Asakura Aki (朝倉あき) (ep8-9)
* Tani Kei (ep10-11)
* Okamoto Rei (ep10)
* Okunuki Kaoru (ep10)
* Shinohara Mai as nurse (ep10)
* Karina (ep11)
* Yamada Meikyo (ep11)


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Sunday, April 20, 2008

ROOKIES


* Title: ルーキーズ
* Title (English): ROOKIES
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Sports drama
* Episodes: 11
* Viewership rating: 14.8 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-19 to 2008-Jul-26
* Air time: Saturday 20:00
* Theme song: Kiseki by GreeeeN

Synopsis

The story revolves around a high school teacher and coach that tries to reform delinquents by having them join the baseball team. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2483)


Cast

* Sato Ryuta as Kawato Koichi
* Ichihara Hayato as Aniya Keiichi
* Koide Keisuke as Mikoshiba Toru
* Shirota Yu as Shinjo Kei
* Nakao Akiyoshi as Sekikawa Shuta
* Takaoka Sousuke as Wakana Tomochika
* Kiritani Kenta as Hiratsuka Taira
* Sato Takeru as Okada Yuya
* Igarashi Shunji as Yufune Tetsuro
* Kawamura Yosuke as Hiyama Kiyooki
* Onoue Hiroyuki as Imaoka Shinobu
* Murakawa Eri as Yagi Toko
* Amano Hiroyuki as Kakefu Mitsuhide
* Asano Kazuyuki as Ikebe Shunsaku
* Fukiishi Kazue as Mayumi Rie
* Osugi Ren as Fujimura Akihiro
* Ibu Masato as Murayama Yoshio

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Friday, April 18, 2008

Puzzle


* Title: パズル
* Title (English): Puzzle
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Mystery, comedy
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership rating: 10.2 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: TV Asahi
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-18 to 2008-Jun-20
* Air time: Friday 21:00
* Theme song: Moon Crying by Koda Kumi

Synopsis

Misako Ayukawa, a woman in her 30s, is an English teacher with ironically poor English skills. She values herself over her students and money over love. She displays arrogance in front of her students, but acts pleasantly around everyone else. However, Ayukawa possesses a brilliant mind for solving puzzles. Motivated by the possibility of rewards and treasure, she ends up tackling various cases on the weekends along with 3 of her top students. -- Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2455)

Cast

* Ishihara Satomi as Ayukawa Misako
* Yamamoto Yusuke as Imamura Shinichi
* Kimura Ryo as Kanzaki Akira
* Nagayama Kento as Tsukamoto Yoshio
* Iwata Sayuri as Matsuo Yuko
* Sato Chiaki as Takamura Michiru
* Asakura Aki (朝倉あき) as Wada Hitomi
* Tsujimoto Hiromasa (辻本嘉真) as Nagatsuka Kenichi
* Kaneko Norihito as Daido Gorou
* Shiomi Sansei as Kamata Torahiko

Guests
Piece 1

* Igawa Hisashi as Aoyagi Ryuzaemon
* Saigo Teruhiko as Aoyagi Ryutarou
* Jinbo Satoshi as Aoyagi Ryujiro
* Oginome Keiko as Ooki Tokie
* Miyaji Masako as Aoyagi Kanae
* Yamashita Hiroko as Aoyagi Yoshimi
* Ide Rakkyo (井手らっきょ) as Ooki Atsuo

Piece 2

* Wakamura Mayumi as Miabe Kimiko
* Ikezu Shoko as Amano Hoshiko
* Otsuru Gitan (大鶴義丹) as Oosawa Takehiko
* Shirosaki Jin as Tamada Kazuhisa
* Kawahara Sabu as Tsuchida Shougorou
* Kitayama Masayasu (北山雅康) as Ishihara Keisuke
* Kubota Maki as Shimizu Eiko
* Kurobe Susumu as the shinto priest

Piece 3

* Ichikawa Kamejiro as Hashimoto Kenji
* Yajima Kenichi as Hasegawa Haruo
* Miho Jun as Kuroda Kumiko
* Nishio Mari as Hiroka Keiko
* Omiya Taro as Iwai Hiroshi
* Asakawa Chihiro (浅川稚広) as Kawakami Sachiko

Piece 4

* Kinomi Nana as Kurihara Wakaba
* Saito Yosuke as Chang Linpao
* Nakata Hirohisa (中田博久)as Narita Kouhei
* Morishita Yoshiyuki as Mizota Kenichi
* Rokkaku Shinji (六角慎司) as Okamura Shunsuke
* Sakamoto Makoto as Shimura Eiichi
* Fujimoto Shizuka as Koyama Maki
* Kato Ryo (加藤諒) as Shirashi Kenichi
* Nicholas Pettas as Michael Nicolsen

Piece 5

* Yamamoto Yoko (山本陽子) as Gondou Yayoi
* Sasano Takashi as Gondou Shouichirou
* Kawamata Shinobu (川俣しのぶ) as Gondou Eiko
* Ochi Shizuka as Fujishiro Chikako
* Shibuya Kotono as Hirota Rei
* Ono Atsuko (小野敦子) as Nakamura Ume
* Kusamura Reiko as Gondou Fuyu

Piece 6

* Minegishi Toru (峰岸徹) as Kitakata Shoichi
* Anan Kenji as Kanayama Junpei
* Hankai Kazuaki as Yamazaki Makoto
* Dan Jiro (団時朗) as Kurokawa Taizou
* Kobayashi Ayako as Kudou Natsuko
* Shoji Yusuke (少路勇介) as Nagata Toshikazu
* Iijima Popopo (飯島ぽぽぽ) as Mimura Toshio
* Nishida Natsumi (西田奈津美) as Nagata Maki
* Yamano Fumito (山野史人) as middle-aged detective

Piece 7

* Kazama Morio as Konjakute Sannosuke
* Shimizu Koji as Konjakute Ichinosuke
* Hamada Akira as Shinoda Kohei
* Nakanishi Ryota (中西良太) as Konjakute Yonnosuke
* Denden as Konjakute Ninosuke
* Suzuki Sachiko (鈴木早智子) as Ikemura Akiko
* Otake Koichi (大竹浩一) as Konjakute Shounosuke
* Katsura Fukudanji (桂福團治) as Konjakute Mannosuke

Piece 8

* Nakayama Shinobu as Andou Tsubaki
* Wakabayashi Shiho (若林志穂) as Matsumura Ruri
* Hakamada Yoshihiko as Takamine Kyoji
* Koichi Mantaro as Soga Nobuo
* Rokkaku Seiji as Nishino Shigeru
* Nishida Ken as Sumida Tohru

Piece 9

* Takahashi Kaori as Kobashi Kyoko
* Hayashi Yasufumi as Ichikawa Kitao
* Yasoda Yuichi (八十田勇一) as Onodera Seiji
* Ishizuka Yoshiyuki (石塚義之) as Kubota Shuichi
* Tanahashi Nuts (棚橋ナッツ) as Ooishi
* Yana Nobuo (八名信夫) as Yamagami Kijurou

Piece 10

* Sada Mayumi as Nishino Erika
* Tokui Yuu as Ishido Takehiko

Readmore »»

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Zettai Kareshi


* Title: 絶対彼氏。
* Title (romaji): Zettai Kareshi
* Also known as: Absolute Boyfriend
* Tagline: Kanzen Muketsu no Koibito Robot / The Completely Perfect Boyfriend Robot
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Romance, comedy
* Episodes: 11
* Viewership ratings: 13.2 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-15 to 2008-Jun-24
* Air time: Tuesday 21:00
* Theme song: Okaeri by ayaka


Synopsis

Robot maker, Kronos Heaven, finally develops "Night Tenjo", the perfect male humanoid programmed to be devoted and completely loyal to his lover. The company chooses temp worker Izawa Riko to take part in a 5-day free trial. At first, Riko only sees Night as a household appliance. But when she finds out how deep Night's devotion to herself is, Riko finds herself falling in love with him. Joining the love triangle is Asamoto Soshi, a distinguished young executive at her company who has feelings for her. --Fuji TV


Cast

* Hayami Mokomichi as Tenjo Night
* Mizushima Hiro as Asamoto Soshi
* Aibu Saki as Izawa Riiko
* Sasai Eisuke as Shirasagi Yuki
* Ueno Natsuhi as Ito Mika
* Satoi Kenta as Hirata Hajime
* Nekoze Tsubaki as Adachi Kyoko
* Komoto Maki as Sato Nozomi
* Kaji Masaki as Tanaka Yoichiro
* Yamada Meikyou as Asamoto Shiro
* Minemura Rie (峯村リエ) as Yoshioka Tetsuko
* Erena as Ono Chiho
* Sakuragi Ryosuke (桜木涼介) as Morikawa Yasushi
* Watanuki Shoichi (綿貫正市) as Dei Takeru
* Irie Jingi as Hayashi Kota
* Yamamoto Kei as Asamoto Kazushi
* Nakamura Shunsuke as Asamoto Masashi
* Sasaki Kuranosuke as Namikiri Gaku
* Maya Miki as Wakabayashi Fujiko

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Monday, April 14, 2008

Hokaben


* Title: ホカベン
* Title (romaji): Hokaben
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Law, human drama
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership rating: 8.1 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: NTV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-16 to 2008-Jun
* Air time: Wednesday 22:00
* Theme song: Namida wo Todokete by Tortoise Matsumoto

Synopsis

Domoto Akari is an idealistic lawyer who wants to "rescue the weak." She joins a large law office, though she is assigned to a lowly department whose only other member is her boss, who was transferred there after making a mistake during a case. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2536)


Cast

* Ueto Aya as Domoto Akari
* Kitamura Kazuki as Sugisaki Tadashi
* Kato Shigeaki as Katase Riichiro
* Toda Naho as Kuramoto Shiori
* Sasai Eisuke as Zaitsu Masato
* Nakayama Megumi as Yoshikawa Mizuho
* Ryo as Kudou Reiko
* Kato Kazuko as Domoto Miyoko
* Osugi Ren as Morioka Tetsuo

Guests

* Tomita Yasuko as Ikegami Ryoko (ep1,2)
* Sakata Masanobu (阪田マサノブ) as Ikegami Kazuhiko (ep1,2)
* Ishii Momoka (石井萌々果) as Ikegami Maki
* Ishimaru Kenjiro as Hamada Shinji (ep1,2)
* Mickey Curtis (ミッキー・カーチス) as Owner of restaurant (ep2)
* Sasaki Katsuhiko (佐々木勝彦) as President of company (ep2)
* Suzuki Sawa as Usami Chieko (ep3)
* Nakajima Kenko (中嶋けんこう) as Usami Takuo (ep3)
* Sato Yuki as Kawahara Tohru (ep3)
* Asaka Mayumi as Kawahara Tomoe (ep3)
* Tanaka Tetsushi as Osawa Hirofumi (ep3)
* Katsube Nobuyuki as President Urakawa (ep3)
* Takubo Issei as Prosecutor (ep3)
* Sunaga Kei as Judge (ep3)
* Ootomo Minami
* Endo Yuya (ep7)

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Gokusen 3


Season 3
* Viewership rating: 22.5 (Kanto)
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-19 to 2008-Jun
* Air time: Saturday 21:00
* Theme song: Niji by Aqua Timez
* Insert song: Oretachi no Seishun by Takaki Yuya



Cast

* Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko (Yankumi / Ojou / Kumichou) (Math Teacher/Class 3D adviser)
* Namase Katsuhisa as Sawatari Goro, Kyoto (School Vice Principal)
* Enami Kyoko as Akagi Ryoko (Board Chairman)
* Utsui Ken as Kuroda Ryuichiro (Kumiko's grandpa / 3rd Generation Oedo Yakuza Boss)
* Anan Kenji as Wakamatsu Hiro
* Kaneko Ken as Asakura Tetsu
* Uchiyama Shinji as Tatsukawa Minoru
* Ryogoku Hiroshi as Sugawara Makoto
* Takaki Yuya as Ogata Yamato
* Miura Haruma as Kazama Ren
* Ishiguro Hideo as Honjo Kengo
* Nakama Junta as Ichimura Rikiya
* Kiriyama Akito as Kuraki Satoru
* Miura Shohei as Kamiya Shunsuke
* Waki Tomohiro as "Kuma" / Kumai Teruo (Former student of Yankumi)
* Azuma Mikihisa as Baba Masayoshi (PE Teacher)
* Koizumi Kotaro as Natsume Seichi (School Doctor)
* Hirayama Aya as Takano Aoi (English Teacher)
* Hoshino Aki as Ayukawa Sakura (School Nurse)
* Sato Jiro as Yajima Hosaku (Japanese Classics Teacher)
* Sakigake Santaro (魁三太郎) as Hatoyama Yasuhiko (World History Teacher)
* Ishii Kota as Tsuruoka Keisuke (Physics Teacher)
* Ishihara Atsumi (石原あつ美) as Kumai Ami (Kumai Teruo's wife)
* Yamada Yu as Kazama Kaoruko (Kazama Ren's sister)

Class 3D

* Ito Ryusuke (伊藤竜翼) as Ashida Ryusuke
* Uefune Hiroto (上船弘人) as Ikeda Hiroto
* Kanno Atsumi (菅野篤海) as Ishibashi Atsumi
* Kido Yuya as Okuma Yuya
* Kujirai Kosuke (鯨井康介) as Ohira Kosuke
* Kobori Shinpei (小堀慎平) as Okada Shinpei
* Koyanagi Shin (小栁心) as Katayama Shin
* Shimizu Ryotaro (清水良太郎) as Katsura Ryotaro
* Chiba Keisuke (千葉恵佑) as Saito Keisuke
* Terada Shinya (寺田慎矢) as Suzuki Shinya
* Totani Kimito (戸谷公人) as Takahashi Kimito
* Nakayama Masei (中山麻聖) as Tanaka Masei
* Hamao Kyosuke (浜尾京介) as Terauchi Kyosuke
* Maeda Goki (前田公輝) as Hamaguchi Goki
* Mayama Akihiro as Gen Akihiro
* Maruo (まるお) as Hosokawa Maruo
* Yazaki Hiroshi (矢崎広) as Matsukata Hiroshi
* Yamada Ryohei (山田亮平) as Miki Ryohei
* Yuki Jutta (夕輝壽太) as Murayama Jutta
* Yuji (ユージ) as Yamamoto Yuji
* Wakaba Ryuya as Yoshida Ryuya
* Warabino Tomoya as Wakatsuki Tomoya

Guests

* Omiya Taro (ep1,4,11)
* Hojo Takahiro (ep3)
* Kaneda Akio (ep5)
* Shindo Gaku (ep5)
* Kusumi Kaoru (楠見薫) (ep5)
* Hirayama Keiko (平山慶子) (ep5)
* Mashita Yuuki (真下有紀) (ep5)
* Kojima Haruna (ep6)
* Masu Takeshi (ep6)
* Suzuki Hiromi (鈴木ひろみ) (ep6)
* Matsuda Satoshi (ep7,11)
* Fukuda Moe (福田萌) (ep7)
* Kudo Aya (工藤亜耶) (ep7)
* Miyazaki Yoshiko (ep8)
* Takiguchi Yukihiro (ep8)
* Shibuya Momoko (ep8)
* Yagami Ren (ep9)
* Nadaka Tatsuo (ep10)
* Tokoshima Yoshiko (ep10)
* Take Yutaka (武豊) (ep11)
* Aoki Sayaka (ep11)


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Saturday, April 12, 2008

Around 40


* Title: アラウンド40
* Title (English): Around 40
* Tagline: 注文の多いオンナたち / Chumon no Oi Onna-tachi / Demanding Women
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Human drama, comedy
* Episodes: 11
* Viewership rating: 14.6 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-11 to 2008-June-20
* Air time: Friday 22:00 - 22:54
* Theme song: Shiawase no Monosashi by Takeuchi Mariya


Synopsis

39-year-old Ogata Satoko is a highly capable psychiatrist who is single. She's forthright, a caring older sister and reliable in her job and in private. Her interests are staying in luxurious Japanese inns and watching stand-up comedy videos.

Satoko hasn't had a boyfriend in the past five years. Nevertheless, she derives satisfaction from work and isn't worried about her finances. Among her good friends that she hangs out with are 35-year-old Morimura Nao, her junior who proclaims that she won't marry, and 39-year-old Oikawa Sadao, her peer since high school. Satoko is happily enjoying the single life.

At an alumni reunion as everyone is on the verge of 40, Takeuchi Mizue, her good friend since high school who is now a full-time housewife, rushes Satoko into action. "If you want children, you should marry now" and "It's women's happiness", but both are lost on Satoko, who isn't convinced.

One day, Satoko attempts to cheer up Nao, who is downcast over a shocking incident, and goes to her favourite hot-spring inn. There she coincidentally encounters a breakup between a handsome but somewhat odd man, Okamura Keitaro, and his girlfriend...--jade_frost

Cast


* Amami Yuki as Ogata Satoko
* Fujiki Naohito as Okamura Keitaro
* Otsuka Nene as Morimura Nao
* Matsushita Yuki as Takeuchi Mizue
* Tsutsui Michitaka as Ohashi Sadao
* AKIRA as Ogata Tatsuya
* Sakura as Ogata Maki
* Matsumoto Runa as Ogata Ruka
* Hayashi Ryuzo as Ogata Tomoyasu
* Kaga Mariko as Yoshinaga Haruko
* Jinbo Satoshi as Takeuchi Akio
* Kimura Haruki as Takeuchi Yosuke
* Matsuo Takashi (松尾貴史) as Kawasaki Kengo
* Matsumoto Wakana as Katayama Haruka
* Hoshino Ryoko (星野涼子) as Uemura Asuka
* Hiei Yosuke (日栄洋祐) as Yajima
* Katagiri Hairi as Yanagihara Kazuko (Matchmaker)
* Kato Masaya as Kanasugi Kazuya
* Hashizume Jun as Kanbayashi Shozo
* Maruyama Tomomi as Shinjo Takafumi
* Oba Kumiko as Nakayama Michiko
* Kichise Michiko as Minami Yukari


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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Last Friends


Title: ラスト・フレンズ
Title (English): Last Friends
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Friendship, human drama
Episodes: 11
Broadcast network: Fuji TV
Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-10 to
Air time: Thursday 22:00
Official Theme Song: "Prisoner of Love" by Utada Hikaru

Synopsis
Last Friends tackles issues that afflict the current generation. Michiru's mother has brought a man back to their home and she is bullied at her workplace where she works as a beauty parlour assistant. She starts cohabiting with her boyfriend, a good young man who works at the Child Welfare Division and the only person who can give her emotional support, but ends up the victim of domestic violence and becomes fearful of love. The boyishly charming Ruka was a classmate of Michiru's in junior high school. She has performed brilliantly as a motocross racer and aims to win the national championship, but as the story progresses, a deep worry that she can neither confide in her parents or close friends grows evident. Takeru is a hair and makeup artist acquainted with Ruka. He is a good confidant to females due to his kindness and perceptiveness, and finds himself attracted to Ruka but has a phobia of sex as a result of a past trauma. The three of them become house mates and through their associations with others, gain the capacity to be positive about life.


Cast

* Nagasawa Masami as Aida Michiru
* Ueno Juri as Kishimoto Ruka
* Eita as Mizushima Takeru
* Nishikido Ryo as Oikawa Sosuke
* Mizukawa Asami as Takigawa Eri
* Yamazaki Shigenori as Ogura Tomohiko
* Nishihara Aki as Hiratsuka Reina
* Ranka Rea (蘭香レア) as Sanda Sayuri
* Hirano Sayaka (平野早香) as Okabe Mayumi
* Baisho Mitsuko as Aida Chinatsu

Production Credits

* Screenwriter: Asano Taeko
* Producer: Nakano Toshiyuki (中野利幸)
* Directors: Nishisaka Mizuki (西坂瑞城), Kato Hiromasa (加藤裕将)

official websites: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/lastfriends/index.html
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/lastfriends/another/index.html


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Friday, April 4, 2008

Attention Please SP 2008

2008 Special

* Viewership rating: 13.3%
* Broadcast date: 2008-Apr-3
* Air time: Thursday 21:30
* Theme song: "OH PRETTY WOMAN" by Kaela Kimura

Synopsis

The 2008 special takes place in Sydney, Australia.

Cast

* Ueto Aya as Misaki Yoko
* Aibu Saki as Wakamura Yayoi
* Otsuka Chihiro as Sekiyama Yuki
* Uehara Misa as Hirota Saori
* Fueki Yuko as Aso Kaoru
* Koizumi Kotaro as Tsutsumi Shusuke
* Ootomo Minami as Highashino Haruka
* Mano Yuko as Murayama Mizuho
* Tanaka Sogen (田中聡元) as Oki Mitsuya
* Koichi Mantaro as Watanabe Makoto
* Nishikido Ryo as Nakahara Shota
* Shimizu Yuki as Ueno Nanae
* Asano Kazuyuki as Wakamura Shozo
* Inoue Jun as Dazai Shinichiro
* Kohinata Fumiyo as Sakurada Shinya
* Maya Miki as Mikami Tamaki
* Watanabe Kenkichi as the captain
* Yatsu Isao as the taxi driver
* Koda Eri (幸田恵里) as the young cabin attendant
* Otani Eiko (大谷英子) as a trainee
* Hirano Yuki (平野由希) as a trainee
* Kitani Yumika (気谷ゆみか) as a trainee
* Ashida Yuka (芦田由夏) as the nurse
* Matsuzawa Arisa (松沢有紗) as a guide
* Miyauchi Junko (宮内順子) as a passenger
* Shibasaki Noboru (芝崎昇) as a passenger
* Kojima Yasushi (小島康志) as a passenger
* Kasagi Izumi (笠木泉) as a passenger
* Yanagino Yukinari (柳野幸成) as a passenger
* Miyamoto Kenichi (宮本賢一)
* Gow
* Mark Murdock


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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Proposal Daisakusen SP


* Title: 14年越しの恋に永遠を誓う瞬間は訪れますか?
* Title (romaji): 14nen-goshi no Koi ni Eien wo Chikau Shunkan wa Otozuremasu ka?
* Viewership ratings: 18.4
* Broadcast date: 2008-Mar-25
* Air time: Tuesday 21:00
* Theme song: Ashita Hareru Kana by Kuwata Keisuke


Synopsis

It has been 1 year since after hearing Ken's confession, Rei left Tada during their wedding ceremony. Although Ken and Rei knew how they felt for each other, they were still unable to take a step forward.

At the same time, Eri and Tsuru's wedding was about to go on in Hawaii, so Ken, Rei, Mikio, and the others went to the church on the beach. However, as the time slowly passed the time of the ceremony, it had yet to begin. While Tsuru desparately tries to cover this fact, everyone finds out that Eri is in fact missing. When he awoke this morning she had been missing, and only a hand written note was left behind saying that she "Doesn't know how Tsuru feels".

Ken cannot help but to remember what they had done 1 year before, in the midst of Eri's parents apologizing to the guests and Tsuru becoming depressed. As Ken profusely wishes for happiness for Tsuru, who can only think of Eri, the Fairy suddenly appears. Although the Fairy felt disappointed with Ken since the relationship between him and Rei hadn't progressed, the fairy, out of friendship, lets Ken slip back in time yet again! Ken tries his best to relay the information to Tsuru in regards to his future of having his bride run away but....!?


Cast

* Yamashita Tomohisa as Iwase Ken
* Nagasawa Masami as Yoshida Rei
* Eikura Nana as Oku Eri
* Hiraoka Yuta as Enokido Mikio
* Hamada Gaku as Tsurumi Hisashi
* Matsushige Yutaka as Itou Matsunori
* Konno Mahiru as Shibata Sachiko
* Watabe Gota as Socrates
* Miyazaki Yoshiko as Yoshida Reina
* Morimoto Leo as Yoshida Takanori
* Mikami Hiroshi as the Yosei/Fairy
* Fujiki Naohito as Tada Tetsuya
* Kikuchi Kenichiro as Nishio Tamotsu
* Sakai Toshiya as the taxidriver
* Kano Eiko (狩野英孝)
* Shinoe Keiko (しのへけい子)
* Nakazawa Junko
* Inamoto Yayoi (稲本弥生)
* Hamada Maki (浜田麻希)
* Fujikura Sachiko (藤倉幸子)
* Traore Issa (トラオレ・イッサ) as the marathon runner


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Monday, January 21, 2008

Sasaki Fusai no Jingi Naki Tatakai


* Title: 佐々木夫妻の仁義なき戦い
* Title (romaji): Sasaki Fusai no Jingi Naki Tatakai
* Title (English): The Sasaki Couple's Merciless Battle
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Comedy, romance, law
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership ratings: 10.9 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-20 to 2008-Mar-23
* Air time: Sunday 21:00
* Theme song: Sono Mama by SMAP

Synopsis

Sasaki Norimichi and his wife Ritsuko are two lawyers with opposite personalities, who've been married for three years. However, their completely opposite personalities result in heated quarrels that lead them to the courtroom to settle a possible divorce, with the two representing themselves in an amusing legal battlefield. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-1991)


Cast

* Inagaki Goro as Sasaki Norimichi
* Koyuki as Sasaki Ritsuko
* Koide Keisuke as Sakuraba Hajime
* Sakai Wakana as Suzuki Megumi
* Furuta Arata as Inoki Tetsuo
* Yamamoto Koji as Ogawa Shinji
* Sakurai Sachiko as Yoshida Sae
* Enami Kyoko as Sasaki Yutoko
* Nishimura Masahiko as Chouno Kiyoshi
* Fujita Makoto as Baba Keiichiro

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Friday, January 18, 2008

Daisuki!!


* Title: だいすき!!
* Title (romaji): Daisuki!!
* Also known as: I Love You!!
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Family, human drama
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership ratings: 11.5 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-17 to 2008-Mar-20
* Air time: Thursday 22:00
* Theme songs:
o Ending theme: Haruka by melody.
o Insert theme: Togirenai Ai no Message by Yayoi


Synopsis

Yuzu, a 23-year-old mentally disabled woman with the mind of an 8-year-old, falls in love with Sosuke, a man with a similar disability. After Sosuke is involved in a fatal accident, Yuzu discovers she is 5 months pregnant with his child. Though Yuzu is intent on having the child, her mother, Miyoko, is immediately against it. After her family comes to terms with her pregnancy, Yuzu eventually gives birth to her daughter, Himawari. With many odds against her, Yuzu does her best to care for the daughter she so dearly loves.


Cast

* Karina as Fukuhara Yuzu
* Sasaki Mao as Fukuhara Himawari (age 5)
o Matsumoto Runa as Fukuhara Himawari (age 2)
* Kishimoto Kayoko as Fukuhara Miyoko
* Hiraoka Yuta as Fukuhara Ren
* Konno Mahiru as Anzai Maki
* Yo Kimiko as Kachigawa Setsuko
* Fukuda Saki as Sawada Kotone
* Nakamura Shunsuke as Sawada Sosuke
* Usuda Asami as Fujikawa Natsume
* Ren Hulk as Okamoto Takuya
* Konno Narumi as Tanaka Momoka
* Aijima Kazuyuki as Tanaka Ichiro

Supporting Cast & Guests

* Kobayashi Kinako as Haruka (ep1-4,7-8,10)
* Kobayashi Miyuki (小林美幸) as Chihiro (ep1-4,7-8,10)
* Tanaka Takuma (田中琢磨) as Takuro (ep1-4,7-8,10)
* Nomura Shinji (野村信次) (ep1)
* Kubozono Junichi (窪園純一) (ep1)
* Tsuda Kenjiro (津田健次郎) (ep1)
* Terada Chinatsu (てらだちなつ) (ep1)
* Ishikawa Yuji (石川裕司) (ep1)
* Tanaka Keizo (田中啓三) (ep1)
* Ogata Naoya (尾形直哉) (ep1)
* Tanaka Koutaro as Sasaoka Toshiya (ep2-6)
* Ogawa Nana as Sanada Kaori (ep2-6)
* Mano Yuko as Hiromi (ep2-4,6)
* Hoshaku Yuka as Sanae (ep2-4,6)
* Izumi Kyoko (ep2)
* Onodera Akira as Fujikawa Keisuke (ep2,8)
* Otonashi Mikiko (音無美紀子) as Shimoyanagi (ep2,4-6)
* Megumi as Nomura Yoko (ep3-7,9-10)
* Haruta Junichi as Tokawa Kenjiro (ep3,9-10)
* Dohi Mio as Miyoko (土肥美緒) (ep3-4,6)
* Kaoda Kaohiko (顔田顔彦) as Nomura Yoshiki (ep3)
* Masuda Yuichi (増田雄一) as Horiguchi (ep3)
* Matsumoto Tamaki as young Yuzu (ep3,6)
* Sakurai Ryutaro (櫻井遼太郎) as young Ren (ep3)
* Okayama Hajime as Kawasaki (ep4)
* Honda Makoto (本田誠人) as toy store clerk (ep5)
* Mihara Iona (三原伊織奈) as Satoko (ep5)
* Kagami Takeomi (加賀美剛臣) (ep5)
* Ishida Taro as Encho (ep6)
* Inoue Ko (井上康) as Hiromi's husband (ep6)
* Shimozuka Kyohei (下塚恭平) as parlor employee (ep6)
* Mikami Ichiro (三上市朗) as Kawai (ep7,9-10)
* Mikami Satoshi (三上哲) as cake shop manager (ep7)
* Sakurai Hijiri (桜井聖) as employment agency worker (ep7)
* Ura Chiaki (浦ちあき) as high school girl (ep7)
* Takamoto Aya (高本彩) as high school girl (ep7)
* Mizuno Yukari (水野友加里) as Kano (ep8-10)
* Takahashi Mai as Hiroko (ep8-10)
* Oishi Keita (大石継太) as doctor (ep8)
* Okuyama Nana (奥山奈々) as nurse (ep8)
* Iida Kisuke as doctor (ep9)
* Matsuda Machiko (松田真知子) as Sachiko (ep9-10)
* Shimamura Mika (島邑みか) (ep9)
* Matsuda Machiko (松田真知子) as Ikeda Kyoko (ep10)
* Aoyama Masaru as Nakayama (ep10)
* Ikeda Kimiko (池田貴美子) (ep10)


Awards

* 56th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actress - Karina
* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Actress - Karina
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Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi


* Title: 鹿男あをによし
* Title (romaji): Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi
* Also known as: The Fantastic Deer-Man
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Human drama
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership ratings: 9.9 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-17 to 2008-Mar-20
* Air time: Thursday 22:00

Synopsis

Forced out of his research group after conflicts with his colleagues, Ogawa Takanobu takes up an offer to teach at a girls' high school in Nara. When taking roll call on the first day one of his students, Hotta Ito, sneaks into class late, claiming a bogus excuse--that she got a ticket after trying to park her deer in front of the train station. He makes immediate enemies with Hotta when he tells his superiors about her tardiness and attitude. In the following days, he begins to notice something unusual about Hotta, but he can't seem to put his finger on it.

With an odd group of colleagues who live together with him, Ogawa slowly accustoms to life in slow-paced Nara, where there seem to be as many deer as people. Walking through Nara Park one day, he begins to befriend the local deer population, feeding them rice wafers. After being confronted by a talking deer who commandeers him to prevent the destruction of Japan, he fails in his first mission and the talking deer exacts punishment--looking into the mirror the next day, he discovers he has turned into a deer from the shoulders up. Ogawa slowly begins to piece the puzzle together: the talking deer, the mysterious student, and a recent series of earthquakes that could spell doom for Japan...



Cast

* Tamaki Hiroshi as Ogawa Takanobu
* Ayase Haruka as Fujiwara Michiko
* Tabe Mikako as Hotta Ito
* Shibamoto Yuki as Nagaoka Yoshie
* Yamadera Koichi (山寺宏一) as the voice of the deer
* Sasaki Kuranosuke as Fukuhara Shigehisa
* Kodama Kiyoshi as Oharida Fumiaki
* Sasai Eisuke as Mizoguchi Akio
* Kimura Midoriko as Maemura Saori
* Sakai Toshiya as Natori Ryoichi
* Washio Machiko as Fukuhara Fusae
* Tayama Ryosei as Otsu Mamoru

Guests

* Fujii Mina (ep1-7,10)
* Kawabe Natsuki (川辺菜月) (ep1-10)
* Higashi Ayu (東亜優) (ep1-10)
* Miyata Sanae (宮田早苗) (ep1-6,8-9)
* Nomura Shoji (野村昇史) (ep1)
* Endo Tatsuo (遠藤たつお) (ep1)
* Tsubaki Mayumi (椿真由美) (ep1)
* Iwata Asahi (岩田朝日) (ep1)
* Kuramoto Hiraku (倉本発) (ep1)
* Otsuka Tomoya (大塚智哉) (ep1)
* Yokobori Ayumu (横堀渉) (ep1)
* Sasaki Mutsumi (佐々木睦) (ep1)
* Natsuyagi Isao (ep1)
* Otsuka Nene (ep1,10)
* Yamaguchi Sayaka (ep1)
* Shirai Akira (ep1)
* Totsugi Shigeyuki (ep1)
* Tezuka Toru (手塚とおる) (ep1)
* Yamazaki Kaido (山崎海童) (ep1)
* Ikeda Kioo (池田宜大) (ep1)
* Shibasaki Noboru (芝崎昇) (ep1)
* Yamaguchi Hiroko (山口ひろ子) (ep1)
* Shibata Masashi (ep1)
* Suzuki Shohei (鈴木昌平) (ep1)
* Suzuki Takano (鈴木貴乃) (ep1)
* Adachi Maki (安達牧) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Suzuki Rino (鈴木梨乃) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Tokuda Kimika (徳田公華) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Nishikawa Fuka (西川風花) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Hishiyama Haruka (菱山はるか) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Henmi Reina (辺見怜菜) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Horisawa Kazumi (堀澤かずみ) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Mizuta Moegi (水田萌木) (ep1-7,9-10)
* Egashira Yui (江頭由衣) (ep2-10)
* Takuma Takayuki (ep2-5)
* Matsukawa Shinya (松川真也) (ep2)
* Baba Yuki (馬場佑樹) (ep2)
* Kaneko Hiroshi (金子裕) (ep2)
* Inoue Natsuha (井上夏葉) (ep2)
* Takase Yukina (ep3-6,10)
* Musaka Naomasa (ep3)
* Oki Kanae (沖佳苗) (ep4-5)
* Takano Aruka (高野歩日) (ep4-5)
* Koyama Hironori (小山弘訓) (ep4-5)
* Yura Arisa (由良有里紗) (ep4-5)
* Yoshitani Ayako (吉谷彩子) (ep4-5)
* Omi Maiko (近江麻衣子) (ep4-5)
* Otsuka Tatsuya (大塚達矢) (ep6,10)
* Tarumoto Maoka (樽本真生夏) (ep6)
* Tahara Hiraku (田原拓) (ep6)
* Furuhata Mutsutoshi (古秦むつとし) (ep7)
* Toda Keiko (ep9-10)
* Ishii Masanori (ep9)
* Kao Osamu (花王おさむ) (ep9)
* Kawai Tsuto (川井つと) (ep10)

Awards

* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Drama
* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Actor - Tamaki Hiroshi
* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Supporting Actress - Ayase Haruka

Notes

* The original novel was nominated for a Naoki Prize in the summer of 2007.


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Sunday, January 13, 2008

1 Pound no Fukuin


* Title: 1ポンドの福音
* Title (romaji): 1 Pound no Fukuin
* Also known as: One-Pound Gospel
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Romance, comedy
* Episodes: 9
* Viewership ratings: 10.6 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: NTV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-12 to 2008-Mar-08
* Air time: Saturday 21:00
* Theme song: LIPS by KAT-TUN

Synopsis

Kosaku Hatanaka is a skilled boxer who turned pro at the age of 19, but he finds himself facing a string of defeats due to his inability to control his appetite, which always puts him in a heavier weight class. One day, due to excessive work out he collapses where he is found by Sister Angela, a naive fledgling nun and he immediately finds himself interested in her. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2010)


Cast

* Kamenashi Kazuya as Hatanaka Kosaku
* Kuroki Meisa as Sister Angela
* Kobayashi Satomi as Mukoda Seiko
* Okada Yoshinori as Ueda
* Yamada Ryosuke as Mukoda Katsumi
* Minamisawa Nao as Noriko
* Takahashi Issei as Ishizaka
* Mitsuishi Ken as Mitaka Hideo
* Motai Masako as Osamu Incho
* Ishiguro Hideo as Horiguchi
* Namioka Kazuki as Kojima
* Eguchi Noriko as Sister Milee
* Nakamura Kaori as Sister Grace
* Matsuzaka Sanae (松坂早苗)

Guest

* Tanaka Yoji as Onimaru Kappei (ep1)
* Ren Hulk as Oshiro (ep1)
* Bengal (ep1)
* Asami Reina (ep2)
* Fukui Hiroaki (ep2)
* Chinen Yuri (ep3)
* Nishiyama Sosuke (ep3)
* Kikawada Masaya (ep4)
* Fuwa Mansaku (ep7)
* Kiritani Kenta (ep7-8)
* Matsuzawa Ren (ep7-8)

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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Edison no Haha


* Title: エジソンの母
* Title (Romaji): Edison no Haha
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Human drama, comedy
* Episodes: 10
* Viewership ratings: 9.5 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: TBS
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-11 to 2008-Mar-14
* Air time: Friday 22:00
* Theme song: Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo by Superfly

Synopsis

The series focuses on Ayukawa Noriko, the teacher of a class of first-graders. One day, a boy named Kento transfers into her class from another school, where he was treated as a problem child. In reality, the inquisitive Kento actually displays potential as a prodigy, and it's up to Noriko to figure out how to handle him. The story draws inspiration from the childhood of famous inventor Thomas Edison, who was also considered a problem child by most adults around him. --Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2182)


Cast

* Ito Misaki as Ayukawa Noriko
* Sakai Maki as Aoi
* Tanihara Shosuke as Miho
* Shimizu Yuya (清水優哉) as Kento
* Sugita Kaoru as Mizuki
* Matsushita Yuki as Kagami
* Tanaka Yoji
* Hosoda Yoshihiko
* Ito Masayuki

Guests

* Yasuda Ken as adult Kento (ep1)
* Katagiri Hairi as Matsudaira Kiyomi (ep5,10)
* Nagae Hidekazu (ep7)
* Shinohara Mai as dental hygienist (ep9)

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Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Hachimitsu to Clover


* Title: ハチミツとクローバー
* Title (romaji): Hachimitsu to Clover
* Also known as: Honey and Clover
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Romance, friendship
* Episodes: 11
* Viewership ratings: 8.9 (Kanto)
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-08 to 2008-Mar-18
* Air time: Tuesday 21:00
* Theme song: Canvas by Hirai Ken
* Related TV shows: Honey and Clover

Synopsis Honey and Clover follows the lives of five college students and their love triangles -- Tokyograph (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2019)


Additional synopsis From the manga:

Yūta Takemoto, Takumi Mayama and Shinobu Morita are three young men who live in the same apartment complex and are students at an art college in Tokyo.

One day, one of the art professors, Shūji Hanamoto, introduces his cousin's daughter, Hagumi Hanamoto, who has come to live with him and is a first year at the art school. Upon introduction, Takemoto and Morita fall in love with her. Morita expresses his love for Hagu in ways that scare her, especially calling Hagu 'mousey' and constantly photographing her, while Takemoto hides his feelings and tries to be a friend to Hagu. Hagu herself, though initially timid and afraid of company, gradually warms up to the three.

The group also includes another female: Ayumi Yamada. She is a master of pottery, and is well known by her name "Tetsujin" (Iron Lady). When not at school or hanging out with friends from the college, she helps run the family liquor store. She is very popular with all the guys, whether they are from the shopping district the liquor store is in or the other male pottery students, but Mayama is the only man she is in love with.

Unfortunately, although Mayama considers Yamada a friend, he does not return Yamada's love and is busy chasing an older woman, Rika Harada. Rika runs an architecture studio which she used to run with her husband, Harada before he died in a car accident which also left Rika disabled. Rika Harada and Shūji were very close friends and roommates in college. Mayama is sent by Shūji to help Rika, who has a hard time taking care of herself and running her business.

The story follows these five characters in their love triangles, graduating from college, finding jobs, and learning more about themselves.

Cast

* Narumi Riko as Hanamoto Hagumi
* Ikuta Toma as Takemoto Yuta
* Harada Natsuki as Yamada Ayumi
* Mukai Osamu as Mayama Takumi
* Narimiya Hiroki as Morita Shinobu
* Takizawa Saori as Teshigawara Miwako
* Kimura Yuichi as Lohmeyer-senpai
* Matsushige Yutaka as Professor Shoda
* Maekawa Yasuyuki as Teranobori Yasuhiko
* Kashiwabara Takashi as Nomiya Takumi
* Izumiya Shigeru as Yamada Daigoro
* Murakami Jun as Hanamoto Shuji
* Seto Asaka as Harada Rika

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Saturday, January 5, 2008

Nodame Cantabile Shinshun Special in Europe


# Title: のだめカンタービレ 新春スペシャル IN ヨーロッパ
# Title (romaji): Nodame Cantabile Shinshun Special in Europe
# Episodes: 2
# Viewership ratings: 18.9 (1st), 21.0 (2nd)
# Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-04 and 2008-Jan-05
# Air time: Friday, Saturday 21:03
# Theme songs:
* Opening theme: Symphony No. 7 by Beethoven, arranged by Hattori Takayuki
* Ending theme: Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, arranged by Hattori Takayuki

Synopsis

This 2 night special takes off during their graduation, where Chiaki-senpai & Nodame left for Europe. The first special centered on Chiaki’s story, the story tells about Chiaki’s dream to be a conductor. Nodame on the other hand attended the conservatory to attain her dream to one-day play the piano for Chiaki. After her hard work, Nodame was given a chance to have a mini recital. During the recital, Chiaki saw her worth and realized that he cannot go on with out her.


* Ueno Juri as Noda Megumi aka Nodame
* Tamaki Hiroshi as Chiaki Shinichi
* Eita as Mine Ryutaro
* Mizukawa Asami as Miki Kiyora
* Koide Keisuke as Okuyama Masumi
* Wentz Eiji as Lantoine Frank
* Becky as Vishnyova Tanya
* Yamaguchi Sayaka as Namiki Yuko
* Giry Vincent (ジリ・ヴァンソン) as Jean Donnadieu
* Ishii Masanori as Katahira Hajime
* Fukushi Seiji as Kuroki Yasunori
* Takenaka Naoto as Franz Stresemann
* Kichise Michiko as Elize
* Yamada Yu as Son Rui (ep2)
* Ibu Masato as Mine Tatsumi
* Endo Yuya as Okochi Mamoru
* Kondo Koen (近藤公園) as Tamaki Keiji
* Sakamoto Makoto as Hashimoto Yohei
* Matsuoka Rinako as Suzuki Moe
* Matsuoka Emiko as Suzuki Kaoru
* Kimura Ryo as Takahashi Noriyuki
* Hashizume Ryo as Kimura Tomohito
* Sakurai Chizu as Aizawa Maiko
* Yamanaka Takashi as Iwai Kazushi
* Kobayashi Kinako as Kinjo Shizuka
* Fukada Aki as Inoue Yuki
* Kojima Tenten (小嶌天天)

* Namioka Kazuki as Katayama
* Mukai Osamu as Kikuchi Toru (ep1)
* Nukumizu Yoichi as Hara Hiroshi (ep1)
* Rosanna (ロザンナ) as the apartment manager (ep1)
* Zdenek Macal (ep1)
* Miura Ryosuke
* Deguchi Yumiko (出口結美子) (ep1)
* Mike Ziebach (マイク・ジーバク)
* Pavel Eret (パヴェル・エレット) (ep1)
* Katagiri Hairi as Son Rui's mother (ep2)
* Nekoze Tsubaki (ep2)
* Manuel Doncel (マヌエル・ドンセル) (ep2)
* Tominaga Ryohei (富永凌平) (ep2)
* Jonathan Head (ジョナサン・ヘッド) (ep2)
* Nakamaru Shion (中丸シオン) (ep2)
* Tsutsumi Masataka (堤匡孝) (ep2)
* Daniel Kahl (ep2)
* Panzetta Girolamo (パンツェッタ・ジローラモ) (ep2)
* Thane Camus (ep2)


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