JapaneseeDrama

Kenji Sakaguchi saves Tokyo in drama special

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:15:00 +0000

Kenji Sakaguchi (34) will star in a drama special on Fuji TV, tentatively titled “Keiji Narusawa Ryo ~Shuu~.” The show is based on a popular series of police novels by author Shunichi Doba (46).

“Shuu” is the title of the sixth novel in the series, and it is said to be the best one. Altogether, the books have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Described by the media as a Japanese “Die Hard,” the drama is a mixture of action and suspense. Sakaguchi plays police detective Ryo Narusawa, fighting a series of terrorist bomb plots, racing against time to stop a mysterious criminal threatening to blow up the entire city of Tokyo.

Sakaguchi’s partner is a female cop played by Akiko Yada (31). Also appearing in the drama are Kenichi Endo (48), comedian Gori (37), YOU (45), Susumu Terajima (46), and Naoto Takenaka (53).

Filming starts early next month. The broadcast date has not been decided yet, but Fuji TV plans to air it sometime this year.

Not one of my favorite actors but this role fits him a little better as the acting range is limited.

Misaki Ito headed for motherhood

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:02:47 +0000

Actress and model Misaki Ito (32) is going to be a mother soon. It was learned on Monday that she is currently six months pregnant and is expected to give birth to her first child this summer.

Ito has been married since November to Yoshinori Enomoto (41), the head of pachinko machine maker Kyoraku Sangyo. They had been dating for about a year before that. They held their wedding in Hawaii, where they first met in November 2008 at the wedding of a friend.

Ito’s last work before going on maternity leave was a commercial for Shiseido that was shot last month. The commercial begins airing on television on April 9. Commenting on her plans after the baby is born, she indicated that she wants to continue acting, but she will make her decision based on factors such as her health.

Congratulations!! Always loved her smile and commitment to act well.

Shinya Shokudo

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:05:30 +0000

Title (romaji): Shinya Shokudo
Format: Renzoku
Episodes: 10
Genre: Comedy
Broadcast networks: TBS, MBS
Broadcast period: 2009-Oct-14 start
Air time: Friday 24:29 Theme song: Believe in Paradise by MAGIC PARTY

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.

Jin

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:26:48 +0000

Title (romaji): Jin
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Sci-fi, medical, jidaigeki
Broadcast network: TBS
Broadcast period: 2009-Oct-11 start
Air time: Sunday 21:00
Theme song: Aitakute Ima by MISIA

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.

Kumi Koda and Masahiro Nakai have split up?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:59:42 +0000

Back in 2007, pop star Kumi Koda (26) and SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai (37) were widely reported to be dating, though their agencies never officially commented on the rumor. Now, the magazine Josei Seven says that the two have broken up.

The magazine’s article included some comments by a friend of Koda, who explained that the couple separated before the start of this summer. The friend said that Koda had been worried because she and Nakai had not been seeing each other much. Also around that time, Koda suddenly replaced her mobile phone.

Naturally, Koda’s and Nakai’s agencies have not commented on the matter.

Not good, they have been together for a while now. Hope both are alright and moving on.

Live-action “Yamato” details revealed

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:55:12 +0000

The live-action “Space Battleship Yamato” movie had its cast publicly revealed on Friday, along with other new details about the project. The film is being directed by Takashi Yamazaki with a projected release date in December 2010.

As previously announced, SMAP member Takuya Kimura (36) will star as the protagonist Susumu Kodai, while Meisa Kuroki (21) has been confirmed as the replacement for Erika Sawajiri (23) in the role of Yuki Mori.

Two characters have been modified for the movie. Crew members Aihara and Dr. Sado have been changed into females, played by Maiko (24) and Reiko Takashima (45), respectively.

The other cast members revealed so far are Toshiro Yanagiba (as Shiro Sanada), Naoto Ogata (as Daisuke Shima), Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (as Hajime Saito), Shinichi Tsutsumi (as Mamoru Kodai), Isao Hashizume (as Heikuro Todo), Toshiyuki Nishida (as Hikozaemon Tokugawa), and Tsutomu Yamazaki (as Juzo Okita). The actor playing the antagonist Desslar has not yet been announced.

The CG-heavy film has an estimated budget of more than 2 billion yen. Filming will start later this month.

Look forward to it after the fiasco of recasting. My girl Meisa will do well in this film.

Oricon: best-looking in glasses

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 08:24:34 +0000

For the fourth year in a row, Oricon conducted a survey about celebrities who look best in glasses. A thousand men and women participated in the survey, which was completed last month. Comedy duo Ogiyahagi recaptured the #1 spot on the men’s list, pushing Masaharu Fukuyama back to #2. Korean actor Bae Yong Joon was #3. On the women’s list, comedienne Yasuko Mitsuura (of Oasiz) ranked #1, followed by Angela Aki and Rie Shibata.

Men: 1. Ogiyahagi 2. Masaharu Fukuyama 3. Bae Yong Joon 4. Shingo Fujimori (Oriental Radio) 5. Norito Yashima 6. Daisuke Miyagawa 7. Tamori 8. Yusuke Kamiji 9. Shohei Shofukutei 10. Kazuki Otake (Summers)

Women: 1. Yasuko Mitsuura (Oasiz) 2. Angela Aki 3. Rie Shibata 4. Yukie Nakama 5. Miho Takagi 6. Ami Tokito 7. Kaori Manabe 8. Keiko Kitagawa 9. Rie Kuwabata (Kuwabata Ohara) 10. Haruna Kondo (Harisenbon)

My picks- Men (Masaharu Fukuyama), Women: (Yukie Nakama)

Shido Nakamura, Meisa Kuroki dating?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:40:58 +0000

Sports Hochi reports that kabuki actor Shido Nakamura (37) and actress Meisa Kuroki (21) recently started dating. The unexpected couple met when they worked together in the play “Akai Shiro, Kuroi Suna” this past April.

Sources say that Nakamura began approaching Kuroki shortly after it was decided that they would be acting together. However, they reportedly started dating barely a month ago.

Since his divorce from Yuko Takeuchi (29) in February 2008, the media has reported rumors of Nakamura dating various women, including Sawa Suzuki (37) and a rekindled romance with Tomoe Shinohara (30). Nakamura remained silent about each of those rumors, but this time it seems that he has been openly telling his friends about Kuroki. They were also seen at a party looking happy while getting very close to each other.

In May 2008, Kuroki was reported to be dating a musician named KEN, but they appear to have broken up around July of this year.

Interesting pairing, my sweet Meisa looks way beyond her age but Shido? Hmm…personally don’t think it will go far, she is just but 21!

Yamapi dating model Kagami?

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:05:45 +0000

NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (24) is rumored to be in a relationship with fashion model Seira Kagami (22). They are said to have been dating for about three months.

Born to a Canadian father and Japanese mother, Kagami made her modeling debut at the age of 12. In 2001, she gained attention on television for her appearance in a Zexy commercial. Kagami also debuted as a singer in 2007 and has had five consecutive songs on top of the iTunes dance charts.

The couple reportedly were introduced to each other by a friend earlier this year, and it developed into romance before the summer. In July, Yamashita was seen attending a live performance by Kagami. Witnesses apparently saw the two of them together, looking happy.

Neither side has commented yet on the rumor.

Cute girl. He has a unique taste, good for him.

Kou Shibasaki leads star-studded cast in Koki Mitani drama

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:55:20 +0000

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Fuji TV has announced a major television drama special titled “Wagaya no Rekishi.” Playwright and director Koki Mitani provided the script for the drama, which will star Kou Shibasaki along with many other big names.

The story takes place between 1945 and 1964, chronicling the lives of the seven members of the fictional Yame family. Shibasaki plays one of five siblings, along with Jun Matsumoto (Arashi), Ryuta Sato, Maki Horikita, and Nana Eikura. Their parents are being played by Toshiyuki Nishida and Sumiko Fuji, while the rest of the cast includes Masami Nagasawa, Yo Oizumi, Yuki Amami, Tetsuji Tamayama, Koji Yamamoto, Sawa Suzuki, and Junji Takada.

“Wagaya no Rekishi” will air on three consecutive nights during spring 2010.

Looks like a solid epic Fuji drama.