Synopsis

Set in a small restaurant in the corner of a shopping district. The unusual eatery is only open after midnight, and its standard menu consists of just a single choice. However, the customers still come for the amusing chatter and the proprietor’s willingness to cook any dish that they request. This drama depicts the lives of the restaurant’s patrons, including a yakuza, an unsuccessful actor, a group of office ladies, a newspaper delivery boy, and a stripper. –Tokyograph

Production Credits

Original writing (manga): Shinya Shokudo by Abe Yaro (????)
Screenwriters: Manabe Katsuhiko (????), Mukai Kosuke (????), Oikawa Takuro (????)
Producers: Moriya Takeshi, Tosaka Takuma (????)
Directors: Matsuoka Joji (????), Yamashita Nobuhiro (????), Oikawa Takuro (????)
Narration: Kobayashi Kaoru

After 1 Episode

I came across this drama accidentally on Dramacrazy and was immediately hooked. The premise, direction, song, set design, lighting, camera angles and mix of characters were utterly impressive. The drama is an adaptation of a manga and I bet you the manga is actually more entertaining.

I have not teared so much in one episode for a long time, strong storyline per episode, with very good direction. This drama is a gem, highly recommend it.

Synopsis

The story follows a brain surgeon named, Minakata Jin, who has spent the last two years in anguish, as his fiancee lies in a vegetative state after an operation he performed. One day, he faints at the hospital and awakens to find himself transported back in time to the Edo period. He is soon attacked by a samurai, but he escapes with the help of a man named Kyotaro. Kyotaro suffers a serious injury to the head while trying to protect him, but Jin manages to save his life despite a lack of proper medical equipment. Because of that, Kyotaro’s sister Saki begins taking an interest in Jin and becomes his assistant. Meanwhile, Jin is determined to find a way back to the present. –Tokyograph

Cast

Production Credits

Original writing (manga): Jin by Murakami Motoka
Screenwriter: Morishita Yoshiko
Producers: Ishimaru Akihiko, Tsuru Masaaki
Directors: Hirakawa Yuichiro, Yamamuro Daisuke, Kawashima Ryutaro (?????)
Music: Takami Yu (???), Nagaoka Seiki (????)

After 1 Episode

I am not so into period dramas from Japan especially the really serious ones, however the premise of time travel in Jin intrigues me as I have not a drama like this that came out from Japan in recent years.

The first episode is captivating with a great plot line that hooks a true drama fan. The production quality and budget is clearly sizable and the cast has 2 of my favorite actors (Miki Nakantani and Osawa Takao). The screen writer and producer combo did Mr. Brain recently, I look forward it. And btw, the song by MISIA is incredible. I think it will do about 17-18 range.

Synopsis

Ryuzaki Shinji who possesses a “God Hand”, the power to heal wounds and illnesses just by touching the patient, is in fact a dark introvert who does not reveal his true self to others. Aoi Ryosuke who possesses the “Demon’s Hand”, the power to kill a person just by touching him, is as kind and pure as an angel. When the demon meets the God, a fatal battle begins…

Detective Hasebe Nagisa gets caught by the criminals during a deep cover operation. Ryosuke, a man she does not even know comes to save her and she witnesses his “Demon’s Hand” in action. Thereafter she discovers by coincidence the existence of Shinji’s “God Hand” and brings the two together. Little did she know that this would cause great disorder to the world and even to her own life… –TBS

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriters: Aoki Mao (????) (ep1-2), Kobayashi Yuji (????) (ep1)
Producers: Mishiro Shinichi, Nasuda Jun, Matsubara Hiroshi
Directors: Kato Arata (ep1-2), Imai Natsuki (ep3)
Music: Izutsu Akio (????)

After 1 Episode
I believe this drama is spun out or adapted from a manga. Very interesting premise pitting 2 handsome leads with God with Demon hands head to head. Very much intrigue in episode 1 where the setting of the drama is revealed, it gives the audience a great hook.

The casting is pretty superb actually, and Takizawa Hideaki and Nishikido Ryo, the male leads are brilliantly cast and my girl Mizukawa Asami looks extremely alluring in this drama and is probably her coming out drama that propels her to a strong supporting to lead stardom.

Pretty sticky drama to follow, you will enjoy the human drama in it.

Synopsis

Tsubasa Hikoichi is a yakuza underling who runs a loan shark operation in Roppongi. Hikoichi is brutal and efficient, and has no compunction about cheating the weak and poor out of their hard-earned money. When Hikoichi’s boss dies, his replacement, Takayama Gensuke, wants the young hood to prepare himself for an executive position, and orders Hikoichi, along with other subordinate bosses, to get a job in an elderly care facility. Suffice it to say, the position isn’t what Hikoichi expected it to be… –The Japan Times

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Furuya Osho (????)
Producer: Makino Tadashi (???)
Directors: Nishitani Hiroshi (ep1), Ishikawa Junichi (????) (ep2-3), Goto Hiroyuki
Music: Kono Shin, Takami Yu (???)

After 1 Episode

With the backdrop of Kusunagi’s drunken “incident” recently, this drama should achieve a certain kind of hype and awareness. To be frank, the premise of the drama is a typical Japanese styled “mash ups” pitting the Yakuza together with the silver hair genre where inevitably from the get go, it already sounds intriguing. Additionally, Kusunagi’s past roles has been usually touching and uplifting, this drama should be the same and it was.

Interesting turn of events where a group of “next leaders” of a Yakuza clan was to work as helpers at a nursing home. A touching story ensues that connects them with one particular resident.

And yes Meisa is alluring and the little boy (son of a Commercial elder care businesswoman) is oh so cute, rest of the cast is still forgettable at the moment.  An enjoyable drama thus far, you will enjoy it.

Official site

Synopsis

Tsukumo Ryusuke is neuroscientist working for the National Research Institute of Police Science (part of the National Police Agency). He is generally incapable of reading the atmosphere of a situation, but when it comes to science, he is well respected. Whenever something catches his interest, he thoroughly sticks to it and never gives up, chasing down the criminals with certainty. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Makita Mitsuharu
Producers: Ishimaru Akihiko, Iyoda Hidenori
Directors: Fukuzawa Katsuo, Hirakawa Yuichiro, Yamamuro Daisuke
Music: Kanno Yugo

Preview

A much anticipated drama this year with TBS and Kimura Takuya with a structure that is similar to Kiina and Galileo with science and crime sleuthing with some comedic elements thrown in. With Kimutaku at the helm and top supporting casts in some episodes with the writer who previously did Trick 1 & 3, this should be a great Spring drama hit.

My rating prediction on average will be about 22.

After 1 Episode

A very entertaining first episode with the transformation of Kimutaku’s character from a Male Host to a Neuroscientist (that mystery has yet to be cleared up). The mystery solving structure on an episodic basis is pretty classic, but the comedic element is more impressive than I thought partly because of Kimutaku’s ability to bring it up a notch in comedic scenes. The supporting cast is good but forgettable, with Ayase Haruka well casted, bringing her “innocent” and clumsy personality on screen, indeed she fills that role very well. Additionally, there seems to be 1 or more side plots that may be revealed at the last couple of episodes, this format is something I prefer in episodic endings, will see how that pans out.

This drama opens up a new science for the lay man, something that most people can relate and definitely learn from. Now I can tell how a person is lying just by looking at them…ahem

Overall so far, a pretty addictive drama with very interesting scientific nuggets one can pick up and learn from. Nice touch, lets hope they keep up the quality.

My rating guess on average still remains.

Review

I will keep future reviews Twitter short

Story/Plot: For this season, Mr. Brain is by far the top few dramas, it edges out Boss IMHO. Great murder mysteries in each episode that ties in with a neurological example. However, the ending comes a little short and was predictable. It did not explain his demise in the first episode, hence I assume Mr. Brain 2 will either be scheduled in 2010 or an upcoming SP will arrive very soon.

Cast: All in all, a good ensemble, most are forgettable, a few standouts, for e.g. the janitor girl, and the female boss. Pretty hard for anyone to outshine Kimutaku or complement him. Ayase Haruka san fits her role well but needs more experience to get to be on a complementary par.

Rating: Overall great ride, addicitive and informative. Kimura Takuya with his long locks is charming and funny. Ending needs a brush up.

JapaneseeDrama Rating: 4/5

To watch online, go here

Synopsis

This series revolves around a group of peculiar detectives in a new division created to fight against an increase in atrocious crimes. Osawa Eriko is a beautiful career woman who has just returned from training in the U.S. and is appointed as the “boss” of this division. But despite her intelligence and capabilities, she can never understand a man’s heart, so she remains unable to find a husband. In fact, her assignment in the U.S. was really a demotion after she ruined her career track over a man. So why was she chosen as the boss of the new division? Even though the detectives are talented, they all have some kind of issue or flaw, and they are considered to be the “problem children” of the police force. In the end, the division’s true purpose is just to isolate these problematic detectives. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Hayashi Hiroshi (???)
Producers: Murase Ken (???), Misao Reiko (????)
Directors: Mitsuno Michio, Ishii Yusuke (????)
Music: Hayashi Yuki, Sawano Hiroyuki (????), Wada Takashi (????)

Preview

The truth is this drama came out from no where at least for me (was not aware of it). The casting was a shock for me as it gathered a few top actors who by themselves can carry a drama on their own. I believe the time frame of the release has a few competitors to edge out for ratings and hence the superb casting.

Yet another detective/police styled episodic crime solving drama with a disfunctional team of misfits coming together to overcome each of their personal challenges + working together to solve crimes, the drama oozes typical Japanese detective drama cliche with a slight twist but I think it will have decent ratings due to the strength of the cast.

My rating prediction on average will be about 17.

After 1 Episode

The first episode is entertaining but could be better. The plot of the first episode is well crafted with a strong twist and hook in the beginning plus a relatively good but yet predictable ending. Not so much wow factor at the moment, but I believe the quality of the drama will trend upwards along the weeks.

Amami Yuki is great as usual but personally I think her range has limits, not the best looking 40 year old actor around but somehow does have her own appeal in Japan. Yutaka is my boy, he looks good in this drama, limited scenes in the first episode, but I know he will have more scenes coming up. Tamaya Tetsuji is one of my favorites ever since I saw him early on in his career, he has a couple of leads in dramas before but somehow he chose the wrong scripts, he will go far as long as his manager makes the right choice for him, I am still bullish for him as an actor breaking out further into the film industry. And finally my home girl Toda Erika, grown more sensual now with her new hairdo, look forward to more scenes from her. The rest of the cast is at the moment still forgettable, will see if there others who shine along the way.

The cast is superbly put together with each of their characters blending in well gradually.

My rating guess on average still remains.

Review

Story/Plot: Boss is a pretty straight forward Police Drama focusing on Countermeasures and Criminal Profiling. Every episode has small twists at the end that makes the drama move, special guest stars thrown in cannot hurt either. The ending is pretty good but not superb.

Cast: Solid casting as I have mentioned before, even stronger guest stars.

Rating: Overall an enjoyable ride, not much stickiness to it with a good solid ending, again not exceptional ending but a good end to an interesting piece of work.

JapaneseeDrama Rating: 4/5

To watch online, go here

Synopsis

Former yakuza Haruo is finally released from prison after completing his sentence. With nine years worth of prison gratuities in hand, he stops at a restaurant to enjoy a good meal, but all of his money ends up being stolen. With nothing left, he spends the night at a net cafe, and he manages to look up his old friend from his yakuza days. When Haruo visits the next day, he learns that his old girlfriend Mariko was living with another man, but later died of illness. Haruo, who had committed murder 9 years earlier to earn the money for Mariko’s medical treatment, is shocked and angered. He decides to track down that other man, who runs a bakery with his wife and daughter Sachi. Haruo later runs into Sachi at the park, but he has yet to find out the truth about her. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Ozaki Masaya
Producers: Ando Kazuhisa (????), Yoshijo Hideki (????), Tojo Yuji (????), Ito Tatsuya (????), Asai Chizu (????)
Directors: Miyake Yoshishige, Komatsu Takashi (????), Ueda Hisashi (???)
Music: Nakanishi Kyo

Preview

An interesting down and out man rebuilding his life back after a prison sentence with an interesting plot surrounding his ex girlfriend and a possible little girl (his daughter?). A nice mix of cast characters with Abe Hiroshi and my personal favorite Yoshitaka Yuriko (kawaii). Not an easy script to write but nonetheless I think Ozaki san will be able to pull this drama off. My guess for the ratings will be in the range of 13-14. I look forward to it.

After 1 Episode

Without Hiroshi (one of my favorite quirky actors- not much of a range but has an appeal) and Yuriko, this drama is mediocre at best. The first episode sets up quite of a bit about his past, his discovery that his former gf passed on and his encounter with her daughter. Now, Hiroshi Abe is usually great in family comedies and even dramas, but as this drama goes along the plot has to thicken more than what we see on the surface and the child actress Nozomi-chan has to outperform Hiroshi, so far she is doing  a great job at it.

My revised guess for the avg rating is about 11.

Review

Will review after watching it in full.

To watch online, go here

Theme song: ChaNge the WoRLd by MiChi (MP3 Download here)

Official site

Synopsis

Haruse Kiina is the head of a special investigation unit within nicknamed “Beppan” which deals with perplexing cases. She draws on her exceptional memory and powers of observation to solve mysterious cases involving romantic love and family love, and gets so absorbed in the pursuit of these cases that she forgets to eat or sleep til she solves the mystery.

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Yoshida Tomoko
Producers: Kato Masatoshi, Koizumi Mamoru
Director: Inomata Ryuichi
Music: Kanno Yugo

Preview

A police solving mystery drama, kind of like a mash up between Galileo and Hataraki Man with Kanno Miho leading and shouldering the drama with very complex real life police cases. This should be a pretty entertaining ride bringing back the writer from Hataraki Man and Loss Time Life. Not an easy script to write but nonetheless I like the premise and will likely be in the range of 14-15 in terms of ratings. I look forward to it.

After 1 Episode

Again, an episodic mystery police drama where Kanno Miho tackles complicated or “off the path” cases. No doubt, it is a little different from past detective series with strong research and realistic facts and applied science. However, the writing is a little corny at times with the direction and flow between scenes a little dry. Hope to see how this series develop, so far I think VOICE is much stronger in terms of writing. Ganbate ne. My revised guess for the avg rating is about 11-12.

Review

Will review after watching it in full.

To watch online, go here

Main theme: Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire (MP3 Download here)

Insert song: Eternal Flame by The Bangles (MP3 Download here)

(http://www.tbs.co.jp/loveshuffle)

Synopsis

Usami Kei is a manager at an IT company who breaks off his engagement to Mei, the president’s daughter. Later at his apartment, a power failure leaves him trapped in an elevator with three other residents: Ojiro, Airu and Masato. While waiting, their conversation hits upon the question of whether there is truly only one fated partner for everyone. As a result, they decide to run an experiment by “shuffling” their relationships with one another. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Nojima Shinji
Producer: Ito Kazuhiro
Directors: Doi Nobuhiro, Yamamuro Daisuke

Preview

This should be a pretty good romantic drama with a lighted hearted twist to the plot, it is written by one of my favorite script writers Shinji Nojima who most recently wrote and won an award for <The Flower Shop Without Roses> in 2008.

- Interesting plot in the setting to hook viewers’ interest, penned by Shinji Nojima, with experienced directors especially Yamamuro san (director of <Tomorrow> and <Rondo>)

- Good and attractive casting (with Tamashi Hiroshi from <Nodame> fame to Karina with her great work on <Daisuki>, Matsuda Shota, and cutie Yoshitaka Yuriko who I think is given alot of opportunities to shine, am eager to see how well she does in this drama)

Looking forward to watching it. Should be a rating of between 11-13.

After 1 Episode

The introduction or characters and the eventual hook in the elevator is pretty good but not extremely well written, the ultimate motivation is not clearly and deeply conveyed but the mix of characters are interesting but not explosively hooking me to continue Ep 2. Having said that there is some brilliance in the setup and I do think as we watch along, the story will become more powerful as Nojima san’s works are usually. I am eager to see how this series develops, am and always will be a fan of his work. My revised guess for the avg rating is about 11-12.

Review

Will review after watching it in full.

To watch online, go here

Some more videos

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Official site

Synopsis

The story revolves around a group of five medical students enrolled in a seminar on forensic pathology. Kaji Daiki noted for his keen perception and strong intuition, along with the other students work on uncovering the mysteries of the corpses they examine. –Tokyograph

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Kaneko Shigeki
Producers: Takiyama Madoka, Higashi Yasuyuki
Directors: Narita Takeshi, Matsuyama Hiroaki, Ishii Yusuke
Music: Yoshikawa Kei

Preview

I am a fan of Eita and increasing Ishihara Satomi and am eager to see more of Ikuta Toma and how wide his range can be. Forensic related mysteries are usually pretty attractive in terms of mass following from dramas in the US or HK and I think with Kaneko san penning the script (bringing back the producer+writer team of <Proposal Daisakusen>) it should be a pretty interesting drama to watch. My prediction is around 13-15 average rating.

After First Episode

Wow! An extremely good first episode, a great job at setting up the characters, bringing out the powerful meaning of the term “Voice” in this story. Characters are an eclectic mix, but Eita is definitely setup as the lead, with Ikuta Toma looking good and getting more serious in the role. The supporting cast is pretty interesting, with a hook to each of them making you establish a connection with them fast. It is an episodic mystery solving structure but my feeling is there will be a larger mystery solved at the end. Very good beginning, I think they might surpass 15 if the quality of mid episodes are equally good.

Review

Will review after watching it in full.

To watch online, go here

More Promo Videos