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

Official site

Synopsis

One day, Nakajo Kana, who sees Fujimoto Makoto lingering on the train platform, wonders whether the strange man intends to commit suicide. Tasaki Shota, who also happens to be present at the same train platform, senses danger at the same time too and the two of them thrust Fujimoto away. “I wasn’t thinking of suicide,” Fujimoto indignantly declares but Kana and Shota have met by a curious turn of fate. They part ways there but Kana, for some reason, weighs on Shota’s mind and he runs out of the station and after her. He loses sight of Kana that day but coincidentally meets her again at a cafeteria and they gradually grow closer. –Jdrama Weblog

Main Cast

Production Credits

Screenwriters: Yamada Taichi
Producers: Osabe Sosuke , Higuchi Toru
Directors: Tajima Daisuke (ep1-2), Tanimura Masaki
Music: Kaida Shogo

Preview

Interesting love story that tests Nakama Yuki’s dramatic role in television. Coming off a good stint at <Gokusen 3>, critics were saying it is her brand name that drew the top ratings. She has an interesting effect on viewers and I tend to agree, would love to see this series purely based on this dramatic premise.

Also am eager to be introduced to the lead actor Kase Ryo who is really a movie actor who won several awards in the past 2 years. Am eager to see how good he is on the small screen.

Yamada Taichi sinseh, the writer is an experienced and intriguing dramatic television writer, although his previous works were not much of a hit but he certainly has a large following, am really keen to see how this series unfold in terms of storyline and dialogue.

After 1 Episode

An extremely strong introduction with the hook right up front within the first 3 minutes followed by a nice setup of the 2 lead characters… The second hook came towards the end of the episode and I finally felt an instant liking to Yamada Taichi’s writing style. This drama has pieces of a movie I had in mind to develop and I think it will develop quite well. So far so good. I feel this drama will go over 13 in rating.

Review

To watch online, go here.