Inpei Sousa
Shitsuren Chocolatier
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 13 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Adachi Naoko (Oh! My Dad, Rich Man, Poor Woman, Taisetsuna Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshietekureta)
Original Work: Shitsuren Chocolatier by Mizushiro Setona
Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Ishihara Satomi, Mizukawa Asami, Mizobata Junpei, Mizuhara Kiko, Arimura Kasumi, Sato Ryuta, Takenaka Naoto, Kato Shigeaki
Synopsis: 20-year-old Koyurugi Sota (Matsumoto Jun) who attends a confectionary school fell in love at first sight with his senior Takahashi Saeko (Ishihara Satomi) during high school days. Like a wish come true, he is in a relationship with her now. After a lot of effort, they started dating right before Christmas. However, Saeko says she cannot meet Sota on Valentine’s Day which they should have commemorated together. He manages to see her on the eve of Valentine’s Day, but she will not accept the chocolates he has made for her with all his heart, knowing that she loves them. In addition, he is even told that she did not mean to date him. However, the single-minded Sota is not discouraged. Resolving to become a chocolatier to make Saeko pay attention to him again, he goes over to France alone. After training for five years, he returns to Japan and converts his father’s (Takenaka Naoto) patisserie Tokio to Chocolate La Vie. Saeko has married another man by this time. Even so, Sota does not give up. Because she loves the chocolates from the chocolatier Ricdor, he initially views the owner and chef Rokudo Seinosuke (Sato Ryuta) as his rival. However, he gets fascinated by the unique way in which Rokudo looks at the world and makes him his goal. On the other hand, Sota meets a model Kato Erena (Mizuhara Kiko) who also has a one-sided love for another man. They identify with each other due to their similar circumstances, get physically involved and become sex friends.
Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/chocolatier
Fukuie Keibuho no Aisatsu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Masaoka Kenichiro (Run 60), Ushio Kentaro (Shomuni 2013, Take Five)
Original Work: Fukuie Keibuho no Aisatsu by Okura Takahiro
Cast: Dan Rei, Inagaki Goro, Emoto Tokio, Sorimachi Takashi (guest star)
Synopsis: Assistant Inspector Fukuie (Dan Rei) does not look like an assistant inspector but once she starts an investigation, she takes no notice of anyone as she searches for the key to find out the truth. She does not care for the hierarchical relationship of the organisation or career advancement. If she has doubts, she will not listen to her superior and will persist in investigating to the end. Fukuie’s boss Inspector Ishimatsu (Inagaki Goro) is completely different from her. He places importance on the organisation and discipline, is rigid and strait-laced. Ever since Fukuie became his subordinate, his pride has been in tatters because she loves to disregard his instructions and investigate on her own even though this eventually results in success and he gets credit for her achievements. His principle is to investigate using orthodox methods, but the results that Fukuie delivers goes against this and makes him feel ashamed.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/fukuie
Kami no Tsuki
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 7 January 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Furueru Ushi, Nemureru Mori no Jukujo, Magma)
Original Work: Kami no Tsuki by Kakuta Mitsuyo
Cast: Harada Tomoyo, Mizuno Maki, Nishida Naomi, Mickey Curtis, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Fuji Manami, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: Umezawa Rinka (Harada Tomoyo) lives with her husband Masafumi (Mitsuishi Ken). They do not have children, and she starts working part-time at Wakaba Bank. As a liaison officer, she goes round to customers and gains the trust of lonely old people like Nago Tamae (Fuji Manami) through her willingness to help with household chores. Among them is Hirabayashi Kozo (Mickey Curtis), a local landowner infatuated with Rinka. One day, Rinka is called to the Hirabayashi household where she meets Hirabayashi’s grandson Kota (Mitshishima Shinnosuke) who has come to borrow money from him. Two years later, Rinka embezzles 100 million yen in cash which she has been holding for customers and flees abroad. As Okazaki Yuko (Mizuno Maki) and Nakajo Aki (Nishida Naomi), Rinka’s friends from high school days, retrace the incident Rinka caused, they are forced to confront the darkness in each of their hearts.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama10/kaminotsuki
Team Batista Season 4 ~ Radenmeikyuu
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 7 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Goto Noriko (Goen Hunter, Team Batista Series, Toshi Densetsu Series)
Original Work: Radenmeikyuu by Kaido Takeru
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Nakamura Toru, Kuriyama Chiaki, Katono Taiko, Yamazaki Kento, Aitsuki Akiko, Takuma Takayuki, Hidari Tokie, Mizuno Miki, Yanagiba Toshiro, Nishijima Hidetoshi (guest star)
Synopsis: The Sakuranomiya family runs the district hospital Hekisuiin which is primarily involved in end-of-life care but also conducts autopsies on bodies in the vicinity when the cause of death is unknown. Hospital director Sakuranomiya Iwao (Yanagiba Toshiro) has earned the immense trust of his patients. One day, a radiologist quietly disappears along with an autopsy imaging … … What does the radiologist intend to expose about the family? What secret is Sakuranomiya and his daughters Sayuri (Mizuno Miki) and Sumire (Kuriyama Chiaki) trying to hide from Taguchi Kohei (Ito Atsushi) and Shiratori Keisuke (Nakamura Toru)?
Website: www.ktv.jp/raden
Related: Team Batista 3 ~ Ariadne no Dangan
Ashita, Mama ga Inai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 15 January 2014
Station: NTV
Cast: Suzuki Rio, Ashida Mana, Miura Shohei, Kimura Fumino, Shirota Yu, Suzuki Sawa
Synopsis: Maki’s mother commits assault and Maki (Suzuki Rio) is temporarily placed in the children’s orphanage, Kogamo no Ie. Post (Ashida Mana) is a young girl who reigns as the leader at Kodomo no Ie. While she has lost her parents, she is remarkably strong, resilient and positive. There is also Piami and Bonbi who respect Post. These girls, who each have different backgrounds, do not appear sad and seem quite indifferent. When asked for the reason for the queer nicknames they call each other, Post replies that they have cast away everything they received from their parents including their pasts as well as their names. Even if they constantly think about their parents, there will be no happiness. She advises Maki to leave the past behind. Bravado is the only weapon to protect themselves in this harsh, cold world. However, Maki believes that her mother will come to get her.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/ashitamama
Boku no Ita Jikan
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hashibe Atsuko (Osozaki no Himawari, Freeter, Ie o Kau, Boku Series)
Cast: Miura Haruma, Tabe Mikako, Saito Takumi, Kazama Shunsuke, Yamamoto Mizuki, Nomura Shuhei, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Asada Miyoko, Harada Mieko, Koichi Mantaro
Synopsis: Fourth year university student Sawada Takuto (Miura Haruma) is having a tough time looking for a job. The eldest son of the director of a mid-sized general hospital, his parents (Koichi Mantaro, Harada Mieko) had expected him to become a doctor, but began to focus their hopes on his younger brother Rikuto (Nomura Shuhei) at some stage during his junior high school years. Although Takuto is popular and is good at befriending females, he has no confidence that he will be loved and avoids deep emotional involvement with anyone. One day, he is informed that he does not have long to live because he is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons which provide voluntary movements and muscle power. Muscles gradually atrophy and breathing difficulties develop. Without an artificial respirator, it will eventually result in death. Takuto, who had given vague thought to his goals in life, starts to explore what is left of his life and live with a positive attitude.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/bokunoitajikan
Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2014
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (Pandora Series, 14-sai no Haha, Shiroi Kyoto)
Cast: Amami Yuki, Tanaka Tetsushi, Hayami Mokomichi, Suzuki Kosuke, Sasai Eisuke, Kusakari Masao, Denden, Osugi Ren, Kohinata Fumiyo
Synopsis: Makabe Yukiko (Amami Yuki) is a female detective who worked her way up the ranks to be the first female head of one of the sections of the elite Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division and steered the police to crack many brutal crimes. However, she is held fully responsible for the failure of negotiations in a bus hijacking and is assigned to the Emergency Investigation Response Team, which goes by the name of Kintori and is the First Investigative Division’s team of interrogation experts. Surrounded by idiosyncratic veteran interrogators (Tanaka Tetsushi, Denden, Osugi Ren, Kohinata Fumiyo), she pursues the truth hidden behind cases as she plays mind and word games with tough criminals.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kintori
Dr DMAT
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Anbuki Ichiro (Shirato Osamu no Jikenbo), Yoshizawa Tomoko (Kuro no Onna Kyoushi, Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio, Karyuu no Utage)
Original Work: Dr DMAT ~ Gareki no Shita no Hippocrates by Takano Hiroshi and Kikuchi Akio
Cast: Okura Tadayoshi, Kato Ai, Takimoto Miori, Ichikawa Mikako, Sato Jiro, Hosshan, Takaki Yuya, Aso Yumi, Ishiguro Ken, Kunimura Jun
Synopsis: The Disaster Medical Assistance Team, known as DMAT, was established in response to the lessons learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. First launched in Tokyo in 2004 and then deployed to other prefectural and city governments, it is a team of specialists that responds to major catastrophes and accidents such as a big earthquakes or airplane and train crashes. They are not full-time staff but have been volunteered by the persons in charge of designated hospitals. DMAT has to work under the restrictive conditions of disaster sites which are not properly equipped. There are times when they have to prioritise the lives to save, and provide improvised medical treatments in some other instances. A split second’s hesitation can mean the life or death of a person. Yakumo Hibiki (Okura Tadayoshi) works at Tokyo’s Arisugawa General Hospital. He was with the emergency room until a year ago but transferred to the department of internal medicine after the shock of being unable to save his younger sister (Takimoto Miori), who was admitted because of an accident. She then slipped into a coma. However, the newly-appointed hospital director (Kunimura Jun) nominates Yakumo to be a member of DMAT.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/DrDMAT
Iryu 4 Team Medical Dragon
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hamada Hideya (Last Hope, Zettai Reido, Last Report), Hikawa Kayo (Kyuumei Byoto 24-ji Season 5, Higashino Keigo Mysteries)
Cast: Sakaguchi Kenji, Inamori Izumi, Koike Teppei, Abe Sadao, Kimura Midoriko, Emoto Tasuku, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Natsuki Mari, Kishibe Ittoku, Hira Mikijiro, Takahashi Katsunori
Synopsis: Big corporations and trading companies are buying out hospitals overseas or are building new hospitals to get into foreign countries in an attempt to earn foreign money through healthcare for wealthy individuals. On the other hand in Japan, the administration of mid-sized hospitals which shoulder medical treatment for the rural areas is badly off. This is compounded by the shortage of doctors. The successive closure of the most essential hospitals to patients make many people anxious. Amidst this harsh reality, Asada Ryutaro (Sakaguchi Kenji) and Team Dragon regroup in order to create the ideal hospital and get into action. But there are numerous obstacles that stand in their way including the business consultant Okamura Tadashi (Takahashi Katsunori). Okamura has been chosen one of the world’s 100 influential businessmen in connection to the many hospitals he has reorganised in the US. He has teamed up with Noguchi Takeo (Kishibe Ittoku) to try to promote a project which will provide high quality Japanese medical treatment to India. Japanese doctors are key for him to penetrate the market and he wants to recruit Team Dragon. However, they are not moved by money or prestige. So he tries all sorts of measures in an attempt to win them over.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/iryu4
Related: Iryu 3 Team Medical Dragon
Isharyou Bengoshi ~ Anata no Namida, Okane ni Kaemashou
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2014
Station: NTV
Cast: Tanaka Naoki, Yada Akiko (guest star), Watanabe Naomi, Yamada Nana, Miho Jun
Synopsis: Hakamada Yukio (Tanaka Naoki) is a competent, mysterious lawyer who only handles settlement cases because of past experiences. Although his scathing words get on clients’ nerves, his primary consideration is their welfare. His philosophy that “love is something that can never be bought with money. But if a client is able to have genuine resolve, I’ll certainly get the compensation and give the push for a fresh start” is the basis for the problems that he solves one after another.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/hakamada
Tenchuu ~ Yami no Shiokinin
Date: From 7.57 p.m., Fridays, 24 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Motoko (Tsuki no Koibito), Nezu Rika (Detarame Hero, Zettai Kareshi, Life)
Cast: Ono Yuriko, Izumi Pinko, Kyomoto Masaki, Yanagisawa Shingo, Mitsuya Yuji, Takezai Terunosuke, Shimada Kyusaku, Aoi Wakana, Nogi Ryosuke, Shiraishi Miho, Matobu Sei (guest star)
Synopsis: An enigmatic beauty (Ono Yuriko) with a big scar on her back suddenly appears in a town in modern day Japan. Her name is Sana. Although she has extraordinary strength due to some special training she has undergone, she has built an emotional barrier and both her past and true identity remain complete mysteries. Murata Masako (Izumi Pinko), who comes across Sana in the town, helps her and lets her stay at her place. Learning of Sana’s special ability, Masako uses her in an attempt to solve cases where police intervention is difficult such as domestic violence and bank remittance fraud. Masako has a reason for her distrust of the police and for being unable to turn her back on people who are suffering. In fact, 24 years ago, Masako’s daughter 17-year-old Yukari went missing but the police did a poor investigation and the case went unsolved. Sana is completely in despair and her heart is closed, but as she starts to settle the issues that run rampant in modern society on the orders of Masako, she slowly finds the answers to where she came from and why she is here. She also begins to regain her will to live through sincere rapport with people … … Evil will thrive for as long as there are betrayals, lies and people in this world. This is because people’s desires are the true face of evil.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/tenchu
Yoru no Sensei
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 17 January 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Hayashi Koji (Boss Series, Iryu Team Medical Dragon Series, Code Blue Series)
Cast: Mizuki Arisa, Renbutsu Misako, Tanaka Kei, Omasa Aya, Takahashi Issei, Shinkawa Yua, Yamamoto Maika, Shimizu Kurumi, Okayama Amane, Taki Yukari, Ebara Yuka, Orimoto Junkichi, Mitsuishi Ken, Yashiba Toshihiro, Nakahara Takeo, Horiuchi Keiko, Okura Koji, Sasano Takashi, Yamamoto Koji
Synopsis: Yoruno Sakura (Mizuki Arisa) has become a rookie teacher at a part-time high school after going through numerous setbacks and being the proprietress of a bar. She is the type of person who is diligent in everything, but encountered failures in life over and over due to bad luck and her tactlessness. Even so, she did not let it get her down and lived with a positive attitude. Although she is overly friendly, insensitive, sloppy and irresponsible, she is a kind person who is instinctively quick to detect and to help people who have dreams. A teacher at 38, she encounters part-time students (Renbutsu Misako, Yamamoto Koji, Tanaka Kei, Horiuchi Keiko, Okura Koji, Takahashi Issei, Sasano Takashi) of various ages and in the same situation as her. She changes their lives a little and is herself reborn too.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/yorusen
Watashi no Kiraina Tantei
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 17 January 2014
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yuichi (Tenma-san ga Yuku, Kodomo Keisatsu, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series)
Original Work: Watashi no Kirai Tantei by Higashigawa Tokuya
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Goriki Ayame
Synopsis: Ninomiya Akemi (Goriki Ayame) is a university student and huge mystery buff. She puts the private eye Ukai Morio (Tamaki Hiroshi) up in the building she owns at cheap rental, and takes every opportunity to try to get herself involved in his cases. Ukai runs a private investigation agency with a questionable signboard which reads "Welcome Trouble!" Because murder cases are not profitable, he solely focuses on investigating infidelity and searching for the lost dogs and cats of celebrities. That is until his agency moves to Akemi's building and he gets mixed up with her. He now finds himself repeatedly hauled into murder investigations by Akemi.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kirainatantei
Nazo no Tenkousei
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2014
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Iwai Shunji (Bandage, Hana to Alice)
Original Work: Nazo no Tenkousei by Mayumura Taku
Cast: Nakamura Aoi, Hongo Kanata, Sakurai Minami, Mickey Curtis, Kyono Kotomi, Saiki Shigeru, Hamada Mari, Takano Hiroyuki, Kanayama Kazuhiko, Miyazato Shun, Uno Narumi, Hayama Shono, Usui Masahiro, Hinoi Asuka, Tozuka Junki, Shiina Kotone, Lily, Sugisaki Hana, Nakano Yuta, Kawahara Sabu
Synopsis: Iwata Koichi (Nakamura Aoi) and Kagawa Midori (Sakurai Minami) are second-year students at Tozaiyama High School. One day, while coming home from school, they discover a shooting star rising up in the sky. The next day, Midori sees a shining figure in school and everyone on the school grounds starts talking about a ghost. At that point, a mysterious transfer student called Yamazawa Norio (Hongo Kanata) suddenly arrives at the school and moves in to live next door to Koichi. Strange things begin to happen frequently around Koichi whenever Norio appears. The reason and objective of Norio’s arrival in this world is gradually revealed.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/nazono_tenkosei
Senryokugai Sousakan
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2014
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kokami Shoji (Kazoku Kashimasu)
Original Work: Senryokugai Sousakan Hime Deka Umizuki Chinami by Nitadori Kei
Cast: Takei Emi, TAKAHIRO, Yashima Norito, Tokushige Satoshi, Hamada Mari, Nomaguchi Toru, Kinoshita Takayuki, Tezuka Toru, Shibuya Kento, Mizusawa Erena, Kitagawa Hiromi, Koyabu Kazutoyo, Ibuki Goro, YOU, Sano Shiro, Sekine Tsutomu, Emoto Akira
Synopsis: The beautiful mystery buff Umizuki Chinami (Takei Emi) and career elite has been assigned to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division as a rookie detective. However, on her first day of work, she is told that she is not in their future plans. Chinami ends up partnered with the handsome detective Shitara Kyosuke (TAKAHIRO) who has a black belt in karate. The First Investigative Division’s ace, Kyosuke had a promising future until he winds up having the blundering Chinami as his partner. Even though the two of them are scolded by veteran detectives and made to feel like a burden, this curious duo confront and solve difficult cases, and save Japan.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/senryokugai/
Lost Days
Date: From 11.10 p.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2014
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokuo Koji (Hard Nuts, Soumatou Kabushiki Gaisha), Kato Kohei (Orthros no Inu, Yume o Kanaeru Zou, Yo nimo Kimyouna Monogatari)
Cast: Seto Koji, Ishibashi Anna, Triendl Reina, Yoshizawa Ryo, Kojima Fujiko, Miyoshi Ayaka, Kiriyama Ren
Synopsis: A group of university students who belong to the same tennis club, Shino Yuta (Seto Koji), Sakurada Miki (Ishibashi Anna), Sasaki Rinka (Triendl Reina), Takano Natsu (Yoshizawa Ryo), Fueki Mana (Kojima Fujiko), Tachibana Satsuki (Miyoshi Ayaka) and Sakurada Wataru (Kiriyama Ren), go on a graduation trip to a cottage in the mountains in winter. Although the seven members seem to be good friends, each of them actually has secrets which they cannot tell anyone about; hidden feelings of love and jealousy. Yuta, the cool and brilliant president of the club, is attracted to the sociable and trusting Miki, and intends to tell her about his feelings on this trip, but things do not work out the way he wants. Miki is dating Yuta’s good friend, the free-spirited Natsu and is so into him that she is blind to her surroundings. The seven friends have conflicting positions and when love starts to go down the tubes, a murder occurs like a bolt from the blue. Amid the fear and doubt, hidden emotions begin to come into the open through exchanges which probe each other’s intentions.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/lostdays
Giga Tokyo Toy Box
Date: From 11.55 p.m., Saturdays, 4 January 2014
Station: TV Tokyo
Original Work: Giga Tokyo Toy Box by Ume
Cast: Adachi Rika, Kaname Jun, Uno Misako, Fukushi Seiji, Kitagawa Hiromi, Cho Tamiyasu, Kikuta Daisuke, Kishi Asuka, Hashimoto Manami, Shiho
Synopsis: Momoda Momo (Adachi Rika) dreams of becoming a game creator but her quest for a job ends in repeated failure. At the last minute, she is employed by Studio G3 as a trainee game planner. A troublemaker who boasts that while she lacks the skills, she has the spunk, vivacity and spirit of gaming, Momo starts to cause new trouble at Studio G3. Besides the conflicts, frustrations and growth that Momo experiences through game creation, Studio G3 finds itself at odds with the young female president (Shiho) of an up-and-coming game company as well as faced with Sensui Izuru’s (Fukushi Seiji) grand scheme.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/dai_tokyo_toybox
Related: Tokyo Toybox
Shark
Date: From 12.50 p.m., Sundays, 12 January 2014
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kuwamura Sayaka (Bad Boys, Mirai Nikki)
Cast: Hirano Sho, Yamashita Rio, Hamada Takahiro, Matsumura Hokuto, Fujii Ryusei, Iwamoto Hikaru, Kamiyama Tomohiro, Mano Erina, Ujiki Tsuyoshi, Okada Koki
Synopsis: The five-member band Shark wants to change the world with their music and dreams of making its major debut. Led by Kurata Mizuki (Hirano Sho), the cocky, slightly silly vocalist who has a lot of potential, they struggle but take baby steps forward on what is certainly not an easy path. Their sights are set on their major debut even if they may be seized by a hopeless sense of loss and despair. They will not give up because of fellow members. A charismatic presence in the indie world, Shark is on the verge of debuting with Wonder Records. However, tragedy assails them when Mizuki dies in an accident … …
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/shark
Gunshi Kanbei
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, 5 January 2014
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Lady Joker, Suitei Yuuzai, Marks no Yama)
Cast: Okada Junichi, Nakatani Miki, Eguchi Yosuke, Tanihara Shosuke, Kataoka Tsurutaro, Kuroki Hitomi, Shibata Kohei, Takenaka Naoto, Matsuzaka Toori, Kiritani Mirei, Minamisawa Nao, Yoshimoto Miyu, Uchida Yuki, Ryu Raita, Takaoka Saki, Tanaka Kei, Shunputei Koasa, Hayami Mokomichi, Takahashi Issei, Tsukamoto Takashi, Nagai Masaru, Shiomi Sansei, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Tanaka Tetsushi, Kaneko Nobuaki, Hamada Gaku, Toda Naho, Masuoka Toru, Sakai Wakana, Bito Isao, Kondo Yoshimasa, Katsuno Hiroshi, Pierre Taki, Bessho Tetsuya, Tsurumi Shingo, Yamaji Kazuhiro, Mashima Hidekazu, Jinnai Takanori
Synopsis: The ancestors of Kuroda Kanbei (Okada Junichi) were samurai of Omi province but the family arrived in Himeji during his grandfather’s generation after wandering about. Kanbei’s father Mototaka (Shibata Kohei) was given a post as the chief retainer of the local ruling family, the Koderas of Harima. At 22, Kanbei married Kushihashi Teru (Nakatani Miki) in a political union arranged by Kodera Masamoto (Kataoka Tsurutaro), the lord of Gochaku Castle. He was given the post as chief retainer at the same time he became head of the family. Kanbei was quick to notice Oda Nobunaga’s (Eguchi Yosuke) potential and was so trusted that he was like a younger brother to Hashiba Hideyoshi (later known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi) (Takenaka Naoto). When his lord betrayed the Odas, Kanbei fell into a trap in an attempt to persuade him and was locked away in prison for more than a year. After Kanbei’s release from prison, he cut ties with the Koderas and became Hideyoshi’s strategist. He was the first to learn of the Honnoji Incident, brought about Hideyoshi’s swift response to Oda’s death at the hands of Akechi Mitsuhide (Shunputei Koasa) and projected Hideyoshi as the one who would rule over the whole country. As they got closer to the reunification of Japan, Kanbei learned that Hideyoshi was wary of the man who would aim to be the next ruler. At the young age of 44, he gave the reigns of the family to his son Nagamasa (Matsuzaka Toori) and simply went into retirement. After that, he took the tonsure and the name Josui. At the Battle of Sekigahara, Kanbei led a troop of wandering samurai to storm Kyushu in his last crucial duel but the outcome of Sekigahara was decided in half a day through Nagamasa’s efforts and that ended his dream of ruling over the whole country. After the battle, Kanbei refused all rewards. He led a quiet life in Chikuzen province (present day Fukuoka prefecture) which had been offered by his son, and passed away at the age of 59.
Website: www9.nhk.or.jp/kanbe
S ~ Saigo no Keikan
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 12 January 2014
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Furuya Kazunao (Kasukana Kanojo, 37-sai de Isha ni Natta Boku, Shiawase ni Narou)
Original Work: S ~ Saigo no Keikan by Komori Yoichi
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Ayano Go, Fukuishi Kazue, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Takahashi Tsutomu, Hirayama Yusuke, Honda Hirotaro, Asaka Mayumi, Sugawara Daikichi, Tsuchiya Anna, Takashima Masahiro, Kondo Masaomi (guest star), Omori Nao
Synopsis: The National Police Safety Rescue, or NPS is the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s special assault team which possesses both the mobility of the Special Unit (SAT) as well as the investigative skills of the Special Investigations Team (SIT), and is tasked with bringing criminals into custody alive. This small elite team is a new approach to fighting against heinous crimes. Kamikura Ichigo (Mukai Osamu) retired from the life of a professional boxer and became a police officer after that. In his second year working as a uniformed police officer, an incident leads to him being scouted by the NPS. Armed with excellent reflexes, explosive power and punches honed through boxing, Kamikura is a close combat specialist who is good at getting control over his opponents using barefists. On the other hand, Soga Iori (Ayano Go) is a member of the SAT. Described as superhuman, he prides himself in his sharpshooting and is the SAT’s best sniper. Soga was once assigned to a police precinct because he had aspirations to become a detective. Before long, he arrested three robbers and attracted attention as one of the promising newcomers. He is cool and collected, has great concentration, endurance, perception as well as combat ability; the embodiment of the SAT’s ideal male.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/S-saigonokeikan-
Hanasaki Ashita
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 5 January 2014
Station: NHK BS Premium
Scriptwriter: Nishiogi Yumie (Ando Lloyd, Honjitsu wa Taian Nari, SPEC Series)
Cast: Koike Eiko, Yamada Yu, Takeda Kohei, Hoshino Mari, Suruga Taro, Yanagishita Tomo, Mashima Hidekazu, Watabiki Katsuhiko, Natsuki Mari
Synopsis: The Hanasakis are a family of five siblings (Mashima Hidekazu, Yamada Yu, Takeda Kohei, Hoshino Mari) including 35-year-old Asa (Koike Eiko) who is the eldest girl. Each of them are facing challenges in their lives. At this moment, their 60-year-old mother Fuuko (Natsuki Mari) who had once abandoned them, returns from Italy and comes back to the Hanasakis for the first time in 20 years. Fuuko is merry, lively, a big eater and braggart. Although she has huge rows with Asa, she uncovers the problems of her troubled children and it is her vitality that guides them toward new lives.
Website: -
