Write it as a dream, read it as a goal

This season seems boring, there's nothing that really interest me, I'va just selected a few titles that I'm going to try but... meh. I think I will use these months to catch up on old dramas I've never watched!

Zettai Reido Season 4 ~ Mizen Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa

Teaser
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 6 January 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hamada Hideya (Voice, Zettai Reido Series, Naomi to Kanako)
Cast: Sawamura Ikki, Yokoyama Yu, Honda Tsubasa, Mizuno Miki, Morinaga Yuki, Takasugi Mahiro, Uesugi Shuhei, Emoto Akira, Magy
Synopsis: Izawa Norito (Sawamura Ikki), whose wife and daughter were ruthlessly murdered, is the leader of the Mihan team. This team analyses big data such as the personal information on Japanese citizens – email and phone records, financial institutions’ deposit and withdrawal records – and surveillance camera footage nationwide. It then investigates dangerous people identified as future criminals and sets out to prevent such grave offences, primarily murders before these happen. One day, explosives are placed in multiple places including Shibuya, Shinjuku and Kasumigaseki, triggering the highest alert level. The Prime Minister’s official residence declares a state of emergency. As the Special Assault Team and the bomb disposal unit are mobilised, Odagiri Yui (Honda Tsubasa) and Yamauchi Toru (Yokoyama Yu) from the Mihan team join the investigation. While searching for the explosives, Yui enters a room and finds Izawa standing in front of a woman who has been shot dead. He is in tears and holding a gun in his hand. Yui is so shocked that she is unable to make a sound. Did Izawa cross the line as a detective and kill the woman because of his anger at the criminal? The story rewinds to several months before the incident takes place...

Putting this here because I'm currently watching (I mean, I'va watched 2 episodes) the 3rd season. Yeah I didn't watch the first two. Yeah I have started it because I needed a dose of Yoko in a suit.

10 no Himitsu

Teaser
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 January 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Goto Noriko (Innocent Days, Uso no Sensou, Kazoku no Katachi)
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Nakama Yukie, Naka Riisa, Matsumura Hokuto, Yamada Anna, Takashima Tsuyoshi, Hotta Akane, Kawamura Hana, Sano Shiro, Endo Yuya, Fujiwara Mitsuhiro, Yamano Umi, Natori Yuko, Watabe Atsuro
Synopsis: Shirakawa Keita (Mukai Osamu) is a building certification inspector who lives with his 14-year-old daughter Hitomi (Yamada Anna). After his wife Yukiko (Nakama Yukie) notified him that she was filing for divorce and walked out on them, Hitomi has been the only consideration in his life. Keita has established a relationship where he and Hitomi can talk about anything and Hitomi’s friends envy her. He is the ideal father that they want. Then one day, Keita receives a phone call. All the caller says is “I have your daughter. If you value her life, find your ex-wife.” As Keita searches for Hitomi, he not only learns about the secret behind his ex-wife’s glamorous lifestyle, he also ends up discovering that even the daughter whom he thought he knew everything about, has a secret...

It's here hoping that it's a good mystery drama and not a boring one. Also, hello Mukai Osamu.

Boku wa Doko kara

Teaser
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Izumi (Fujiko, Yume o Ataeru, Kanata no Ko)
Cast: Nakajima Yuto, Mamiya Shotaro, Kamishiraishi Moka, Otoo Takuma, Takahashi Tsutomu, Wakabayashi Gou, Kasamatsu Sho, Sudo Risa, Sendo Nobuko
Synopsis: Takeuchi Kaoru (Nakajima Yuto) is a young man aspiring to be a writer. He has the special ability to copy the thoughts of other people by transcribing text. He lives with his mother who suffers from dementia, while he concentrates on his manuscript. But Kaoru’s special ability is also a big obstacle which prevents him from writing his own distinctive work. He struggles with his dream and reality as he tries to take care of his mother. Then a tragedy happens when she gets into an accident. Kaoru can no longer find meaning in life, and even the cost of his mother’s hospitalisation is beyond him. Just as he sinks into despair, an ex-classmate Fujiwara Tomomi (Mamiya Shotaro) shows up. The youngest gang leader of Toguji-gumi, Tomomi offers Kaoru a handsome reward if he takes an examination for the son of some family and gets him into a top university. But Kaoru gets swept up by something unexpected right before he manages to succeed.

I saw it's getting subbed, so I'm going to try it in these days. It seems a bit weird but coud be good? We'll see.

synopsis credits: jdramaswordpress

Basically all the dramas I want to watch will be, obviously, delayed, but still, let's write the usual list!
In the meanwhile, I want to watch some old dramas I've never watched (last week I finished Buzzer Beat, now I have to decide wich one I want to start - probably Nodame Cantabile, or Pride).

Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, April 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Tokuo Koji (Ossan’s Love Series, Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita, Thrill Series)
Cast: Tabe Mikako, Seto Koji, Maeda Gordon, Takahashi Maryjun, Miyao Shuntaro, Hirayama Yusuke, Mizusawa Shingo, Okabe Dai, Wakatsuki Yumi, Iio Kazuki, Natsuko, Tomita Yasuko, Kusakari Tamiyo, Shuri, Omori Nao
Synopsis: Aihara Mei (Tabe Mikako), a young career woman who works as a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company, is more competent than anyone at work but has no energy for dreaded household chores. On the night of her 28th birthday, an unfamiliar middle-aged man called Shigino Nagisa (Omori Nao) wearing an apron shows up all of a sudden when she comes back home. He turns out to be a super housekeeper who perfectly handles all housework such as cooking, cleaning and washing. Although Mei hates the idea of having a male stranger in her house, she begins to find comfort and warmth in his presence. Meanwhile, she faces a strong rival Tadokoro Yuta (Seto Koji) at work. This is quite a predicament for Mei who is a high achiever and has never lost before. Despite her wariness, Tadokoro quickly gets close to her and she finds herself swayed both in work and romance because of him.

It could be stupid (and probably will be so) but I am expecting a nice rivals to lovers story between Tabe Mikako and Seto Koji *crosses fingers*
I mean, after watching the trailer I'm quite excited about this one!

MIU404

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, April 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Nogi Akiko (Kotaki Kyoudai to Shikuhakku, Unnatural, Juhan Shuttai)
Cast: Ayano Go, Hoshino Gen, Okada Kenshi, Hashimoto Jun, Watanabe Keisuke, Kanai Yuta, Namase Katsuhisa, Aso Kumiko, Hirano Fumi (guest star)
Synopsis: As part of workplace reforms at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the three mobile investigative units under the Criminal Investigations Department are expanded to four. Detective Shima Kazumi (Hoshino Gen) is called in to be a member of the newly established Mobile Investigative Unit 4 which is meant to help various divisions such as the First Investigative Division. However, no partner has been found due to a personnel issue. There is no choice but to summon Ibuki Ai (Ayano Go), a police officer at the Okutama police box who was initially eliminated as a candidate, and the two of them are ordered by the head of Mobile Investigative Unit 4 to team up. Shima is the type who trusts no one and grows uneasy about Ibuki. He gathers information about him but the more he checks up, the more perturbed he gets. The first day of duty for Mobile Investigative Unit 4 finally arrives. Shima forms a good impression of Ibuki who is surprisingly courteous when they meet for first time, but...

NOGI AKIKO I BELIEVE IN YOU.
Ayano Go often choose terrible dramas to work in, BUT! when he worked with Nogi Akiko, the sureme beauty of Soratobu Kouhoushitsu was born, so I am allowing myself to be excited.
Also, Actual Carebear Hoshino Gen.

Miman Keisatsu ~ Midnight Runner

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, April 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Yusuke (dele, Rental Kyuuseishu, ST Aka to Shiro no Sousa File)
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Hirano Sho, Kichise Michiko, Nakamura Yuri, Harada Taizo, Iseya Yusuke, Ohata Shieri, Hayama Shono, Takeuchi Aisa, Denya Erika, Akino Masakazu, Kodaira Daichi, Maki Yoko (guest star), Kamishiraishi Mone (guest star), Kato Masaya (guest star)
Synopsis: Honma Kai (Nakajima Kento) and Ichinose Jiro (Hirano Sho) are cadets at the police academy. Honma is the intellectual type who places emphasis on theory. A serious A-student born with excellent memory, he developed analytical skills at the academy and his skills at profiling began to blossom. He might seem like he does not care but he will not give up on people in need. On the other hand, Ichinose is the emotional and physical type. He is a fearless fighter whom even people with martial arts experience will dodge because of his boundless physical strength. Although his somewhat goofy way of speaking and thinking confuses the people around him, he is an honest, kind-hearted guy who will be the first to help when anyone who is in trouble. What the two of them lack practical experience, they make up with the knowledge obtained through lessons at the academy as well as their youth and enthusiasm. They become the best buddies who make up for each other’s deficiencies.

Confession time: I have a soft spot for both these kids. Kento because of all the Sexy bullshit (bless him), Hirano Sho because he and his fellow members look all, to me, like really dumb, weird, good kids. I watched them on Shiyagare promoting the drama, and I love the dynamics, they're so funny.
Anyway! I'm okay with the plot too, I remember I wanted to watch the original Korean movie (of course I never did because I'm extra slow, esp. with movies).

Unsung Cinderella ~ Byouin Yakuzaishi no Shohousen

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, April 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Kingdom, Banjo no Himawari, Grand Maison Tokyo)
Cast: Ishihara Satomi, Nishino Nanase, Kiyohara Sho, Sakurai Yuki, Inowaki Kai, Kanazawa Miho, Maya Miki, Sakoda Takaya, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Denden, Tanaka Kei, Usuda Asami, Rokkaku Shinji, Hoshi Moeka, Ando Miu (guest star), Nagase Riko (guest star), Iida Kisuke (guest star), Nishihara Aki (guest star)
Synopsis: Aoi Midori (Ishihara Satomi) has been a pharmacist for eight years. She believes it is essential for a pharmacist to know a patient because medication will affect a patient’s life. Although she wants to save as many patients as possible, she ends up getting too involved and spending time on them. She is reprimanded by other pharmacists to be more effective at work. However, Midori sincerely engages with each patient in the hope of helping them regain the everyday life that they had taken for granted.

I'm not that much of a fan of dramas that focus on the medical profession (I loved Black Pean because it was all about the drama and the hot Tokai sensei), but lately Satomi hardly disappoints me, so I'm having faith in her once again.

Ryu no Michi ~ Futatsu Kao no Fukushuusha

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, April 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Saka no Tochuu no Ie, The Good Wife, Hanzai Shokogun Series)
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Takahashi Issei, Matsumoto Honoka, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Nao, Konno Hiroki, Watanabe Kunito, Saigo Teruhiko (guest star), Matsumoto Marika, Saito Yuki, Endo Kenichi
Synopsis: Shortly after the twin brothers, Ryuichi (Tamaki Hiroshi) and Ryuji (Takahashi Issei), were abandoned at birth by their biological parents, they were adopted by the Yoshies, a couple who ran a small transportation company. After that, their adoptive parents had a daughter Misa (Matsumoto Honoka) and the family of five got along well. However, when the two brothers turned 15, their parents were subjected to hostilities by a transportation company led by Kirishima Genpei (Endo Kenichi) who had been expanding his business nationwide. They were saddled with debt and ended up taking their own lives. Seeing the despicable and ruthless way in which Kirishima drove their parents into a corner, Ryuichi and Ryuji vowed revenge on this man. Seven years later, Ryuichi fakes his own death. Then he takes someone else’s identity, becomes a different person after plastic surgery, and starts to get involved in the underworld. Meanwhile, Ryuji goes back to using his surname at birth and joins the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism which oversees transportation companies. The fact that Ryuichi is alive is a secret between the two brothers and they begin their revenge.

Yeah I want to watch it for the main leads, ask no more questions.

I'm on the fence about Hanzawa Naoki: I enjoyed the first season, but, honestly, it's quite heavy and hard to understand XD so I don't know.
Tokyo Love Story is the remake of a super popular old drama, and I have yet to decide if I want to watch first the original or this one.
Finally, if in these weeks I manage to catch up on the first season of Suits and I actually like it, I may watch the second season.

Luckily for me, there aren't many titles I'm interested in, since I'm in the middle of watching the postponed spring dramas (and I'm already behind on them, ha!).

Oya Baka Seishun Hakusho

Preview
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 2 August 2020
Network: NTV
Scriptwriters: Fukuda Yuichi (Kyou kara Ore wa!!, Super Salaryman Saenai-shi, Yuusha Yoshihiko Series), Anabuki Ichiro (Chou no Rikigaku, Dr DMAT)
Cast: Muro Tsuyoshi, Nagano Mei, Nakagawa Taishi, Imada Mio, Tozuka Junki, Ono Karin, Taniguchi Shota, Nomaguchi Toru, Hamada Megumi, Aragaki Yui, Kaku Kento (guest star), Ito Kentaro (guest star), Seino Nana (guest star), Sato Jiro (guest star), Nakano Taiga (guest star), Yamoto Yuma (guest star), Suzuki Nobuyuki (guest star), Isomura Hayato (guest star), Wakatsuki Yumi (guest star), Jiro (guest star), Hasegawa Shinobu (guest star)
Synopsis: 40-year-old Obika Taro (Muro Tsuyoshi) is a single father and a novelist. After his wife Sachiko (Aragaki Yui) died from an illness, he raised their daughter Sakura (Nagano Mei) alone. Father and daughter get along well. Sakura is his precious daughter and has led a sheltered life. Since she only attended all girls’ schools, Obika worries excessively about her entering a coed university and ends up enrolling in the same university. He begins to enjoy campus life for himself. He involves himself in the university’s activities such as seminars, interest groups, drinking sessions, matchmaking parties and cultural festivals, and enjoys his “youth” to the fullest.

It seems ADORABLE.

Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 August 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Eto Rin (Gisou Furin, Nodame Cantabile Series, Slow Dance)
Cast: Hamabe Minami, Yokohama Ryusei, Takasugi Mahiro, Kishii Yukino, Wada Soko, Okabe Takashi, Maehara Ko, Kusano Taisei, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Sudo Risa, Nakamura Yuri, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Sano Shiro, Mizuki Arisa
Synopsis: Hanaoka Nao’s mother Yuriko (Nakamura Yuri) is a single parent and a live-in confectioner at Kogetsuan, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop of long standing. That is how Nao meets Takatsuki Tsubaki, the 6-year-old son of the owner of Kogetsuan, and they become each other’s first loves. However, Tsubaki’s father (Suzuki Nobuyuki) is stabbed to death by someone. Nao’s mother is arrested as the suspect based on Tsubaki’s statement. Nao is kicked out while her mother passes away while under interrogation. Now daughter of a murder suspect and son of the victim, Nao and Tsubaki separate with ill feelings for each other. More than 15 years later, Nao (Hamabe Minami) and Tsubaki (Yokohama Ryusei) are reunited at a competition on Japanese confectionery. Tsubaki takes an interest in Nao’s creations and asks her to marry him at their first meeting without realising that she is his childhood friend. Nao hides her true identity and decides to get into Kogetsuan through her marriage to Tsubaki in order to prove her mother’s innocence. Little does she know that all sorts of adverse circumstances lie in wait. Despite being made sport of by cruel fate, Nao and Tsubaki are drawn to each other. What is the truth of the case 15 years ago?

Okay, it could be too overly dramatic (Kdrama style), and in that case I might drop it. I hope it's interesting enough.

sourde: jdramaswordpress

It's been a while since I'va watched so many on air dramas at the same time, and by "a while" I mean "years". But I'm not finding it a hassle, because I'm enjoying all of them.

MIU404
Ok, let's start with a bang.
I am obsessed with this drama. I check the subber's page every day even if they've just released a new episode. I can't wait to watch another episode but at the same time I don't want it to end! That's the level of my madness.
It's a detective drama, and the single cases are nice, I got emotional several times.
But! It's a drama written by Nogi Akiko, that saint woman, so, OF COURSE, the characters are spectacular and I love them.

The characters played by Ayano Go and Hoshino Gen are absolutely beautiful, I watch an episode in 1 hour instead of 45 minutes because I keep replaying their scenes. Their chemistry is amazing and they're just so. well. written! Ayano Go has this tendency to hurt my feelings choosing often terrible dramas, but when he works with Nogi Akiko? A marvel is born.
Also, we only got to see a litle about the other pair, Jimba-san and Kokonoe, but still? Perfect. That generation gap *chef kiss*
Last but not least, Suda freaking Masaki being the final boss or something like that. Thank you God.

Miman Keisatsu
My feelings about this drama:

That's it, that's the drama.
Another detective drama about some students of a Police Academy solving crimes and blah blah blah I don't care, the 2 main characters are two adorable dumbasses and I adore them.
It doesn't help that Nakajima Kento and Hirano Sho are actually two really weird kids and I have enjoyed a lot the promos they've done for the drama.

Watashi no Kaisefu, Nagisa-san
I have to say that I don't care that much about the job of the main character, even if the co-workers are ok. The selling point is the super precious Nagisa-san, the nice protagonist (I still don't understand if I like the way she dresses or not --> important) and the guy played by Seto Koji, who seems perfect but I suppose he his like Aihara (super messy), and I think that when we will find out it's going to be fun.
I'm still unsure of where I want the story to go: do I ship Aihara with Seto Koji or with Nagisa-san? Or Nagisa-san is more like a mother-figure? It's a mystery.

Unsung Cinderella
It's nice, well written, well acted, and the stories of the patients are very touching.
I'm not that invested in the characters, but maybe it's because I'm only on ep. 3. I recognize it'a good drama, it would have probably stood out more in another season, in this one there are too many dramas that suits my taste more.

Oyabaka Seishun Hakusho
If I think critically about this drama, the father-daughter relationship, especially the way Gataro is so overly protective and obsessed with his daughter, to the point of interfering so much with her life is... disturbing. Toxic. Problematic.
If I shut down my brain and just sit down and watch the drama, Gataro is still annoying, sometimes, but overall is an enjoyable watch. I hope it will develope like Kahogo no Kahoko, with Sakura becoming more and more independent and making her dad understand that she's her own person and an adult. I think it's going to be like that, but I'm still crossing my fingers because you never know XD

Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru
First of all, it's all very aesthetically pleasing. All the traditional clothes, the house, the sweets.
I've only watched 2 episodes and I think it's going to be quite dramatic (not in the sense that there will be tragedies, but just... drama XD), but so far I'm liking it. Yokohama Ryusei's character is the classic cold man with emotional issues who does kabe-dons all the time and I am weak.

First of all: I am Late.
Second: the dramas I've watched this spring/summer pleased me so much that I don't have great expectation for this season, but! fingers crossed as always.

Goku Shufudo

Preview
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 11 October 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Uda Manabu (Oshii Keiji, Tantei ga Hayasugiru, 99.9% Keiji Senmon Bengoshi Series)
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Kawaguchi Haruna, Shison Jun, Furukawa Yuta, Tamashiro Tina, Megumi, Yasui Junpei, Tanaka Michiko, Shiratori Tamaki, Nakagawa Daisuke, Kataoka Hisamichi, Mizuhashi Kenji, Honda Chikara, Niitsu Chise, Hashimoto Jun, Takito Kenichi, Inamori Izumi, Takenaka Naoto
Synopsis: Nicknamed Immortal Dragon, Tatsu (Tamaki Hiroshi) was a legend of the underworld until he chose to leave the yakuza, get married to Miku (Kawaguchi Haruna) and concentrate on being a househusband. However, he still continues to have the fierce look and the behaviour of a yakuza which often terrifies the people around him even though he is oblivious to it. Despite Tatsu’s appearance, he is a loving and endearing househusband who refreshingly fixes problems.

It seems super dumb (AND there's Tamaki Hiroshi), I'm actually quite excited and I hope it will give me a good laugh!

Kikenna Venus

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 11 October 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Unsung Cinderella, Grand Maison Tokyo, Banjo no Himawari)
Cast: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Yoshitaka Yuriko, Dean Fujioka, Sometani Shota, Nakamura Anne, Hotta Mayu, Yuki Kousei, Aso Yumi, Sakai Maki, Aran Kei, Taguchi Hiromasa, Ikeuchi Mansaku, Kurita Yoshihiro, Kurihara Hideo, Saito Yuki, Toda Keiko, Kohinata Fumiyo
Synopsis: Teshima Hakuro (Tsumabuki Satoshi) is a veterinarian and deputy director of a veterinary hospital. After his father passed away when he was 5 years old, his mother Teiko (Saito Yuki) remarried Yagami Yasuharu (Kurihara Hideo), the son of the distinguished Yagami family. Although Hakuro became a member of the family, he felt small unlike his young brother Akito (Sometani Shota) who was a Yagami by birth. Because of that, he chose to cut ties once his mother died. One day, an enigmatic beauty Yagami Kaede (Yoshitaka Yuriko), who claims to be his younger brother’s wife shows up without warning and he is told that his younger brother has disappeared. Hakuro searches for Akito’s whereabouts together with this woman. He ends up getting entangled in the Yagami family’s struggle over a 3 billion yen inheritance as he finds himself gradually attracted to Kaede’s charms.

The good thing is that this drama is based on a Keigo Higashino's novel, so I hope in a good and interesting plot. It could be a nice family mystery. The poster and everything reminds me of the movies Knives Out, but... I'm aware we are talking about different things. Still, I'm getting a good vibe.

35-sai no Shojo

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 10 October 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Yukawa Kazuhiko (Douki no Sakura, Kahogo no Kahoko, Marumaruzuma)
Cast: Shibasaki Kou, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Hashimoto Ai, Tanaka Tetsushi, Tomita Yasuko, Ryusei Ryo, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Otomo Karen, Suzuki Honami
Synopsis: In 1995, 10-year-old Imamura Nozomi had a freak accident and went into a long coma. Her family (Tanaka Tetsushi, Suzuki Honami, Hashimoto Ai) fell apart and her first love Hirose Yuto (Sakaguchi Kentaro) gave up his dream. Each of them live lonely lives in the present. Only her mother believed that she would miraculously come back from the dead and kept watch over her. After 25 years, Nozomi (Shibasaki Kou), regains consciousness in 2020. While her body is that of a 35-year-old, she still behaves like a 10-year-old child. Nozomi is bewildered by the world that has changed completely but she lives in the future. To hide his lack of confidence, Yuto protects himself by being critical of other people and behaving condescendingly. But when he meets Nozomi again, he begins to re-examine his life and develops feelings for her again…

I'm not the biggest fan of this kind of plot, with people with the mind of a X years old in a body of Y years old; I don't know, I find it an overused concept and the romance could be very awkward. I'm still going to try it because it could be good anyway.

Ane-chan no Koibito

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 27 October 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Okada Yoshikazu (Soshite Ikiru, Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni, Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi Series)
Cast: Arimura Kasumi, Hayashi Kento, Nao, Takahashi Kaito, Yatsui Ichiro, Hyuga Wataru, Anami Atsuko, Nasu Yuto, Sumi Masanori, Isaka Ikumi, Minamide Ryoka, Nishikawa Zui, Wakui Emi, Mitsuishi Ken, Konno Mahiru, Koike Eiko, Fujiki Naohito
Synopsis: 27-year-old Adachi Momoko (Arimura Kasumi) is an employee of a home centre where she has worked for nine years. Her parents died in an accident when she was in the third year of high school. A cheerful, positive and slightly rough person, she has been the main pillar of her family, raising her three younger brothers Kazuki (Takahashi Kaito), Yuki (Hyuga Wataru) and Tomoki (Minamide Ryoka). One day, Momoko falls in love with Yoshioka Manato (Hayashi Kento), a colleague whom she happened to meet at the workplace, and her daily life changes significantly. However, this guy with a nice smile has some emotional scars and a secret … … Their families, colleagues and friends get entangled in this romance between the couple who are somewhat innocent and awkward despite their age.

I know very little about this drama, since I still haven't found a CM/preview/etc. But I'm intrigued by it being a family drama with (I hope) a lot of romance between various characters.

Talio Fukushuu Daikou no Futari

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 9 October 2020
Station: NHK
Scriptwriters: Makita Mitsuharu (White Lab, Hard Nuts, Trick Series), Takimoto Tomoyuki (dele, Tenshi to Akuma), Watanabe Yusuke (Miman Keisatsu, dele, Rental Kyuseishu), Tokunaga Tomihiko (Keiji 7-nin Series, Beshari Gurashi, dele)
Cast: Hamabe Minami, Okada Masaki, Endo Kenichi, Shiraishi Ito (guest star), Miura Ryosuke (guest star), Ito Ayumi (guest star), Takehara Pistol (guest star), Miura Masaki (guest star), Furukawa Rin (guest star)
Synopsis: Shirasawa Mami (Hamabe Minami) made use of the preliminary qualifying exam system to become a lawyer at the age of 20 and got a job at a major law firm. Despite her good knowledge of the law, she does not get cases because she is inexperienced and stubborn. One day, Mami is put in charge of a troublesome case that a senior lawyer dropped. The client Watanuki Eriko (Shiraishi Ito) was sexually assaulted by Zaitsu Hiroki (Miura Ryosuke), the son of the owner of a large construction company but he was able to distort the truth with money and power. An impatient Eriko had searched the internet and decided to ask a man who acts as a agent for revenge to retaliate. However, he seemed shady and showed no sign of taking action even after she paid him money. Convinced that Eriko has been cheated, Mami makes her lure him out in order to deal with him with the law. This man is a swindler called Kuroiwa Kensuke (Okada Masaki). Mami and Kuroiwa unexpectedly team up to take revenge on Eriko’s attacker.

For some reason, I really dislike the poster.
Anyway, I'm not that sure about this one, I have the feeling it's going to be boring but it's based on literally NOTHING.

30-sai made Dotei da to Mahotsukai ni Narerurashii

Preview
Date: From 1.00 a.m., Fridays, 9 October 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Yoshida Erika (Heaven? Gokuraku Restaurant, Hana Nochi Hare, Dansui!), Okazaki Satoko (Kaseifu no Mitazono Seasons 3 – 4)
Cast: Akaso Eiji, Asaka Kodai, Yutaro, Kusakawa Takuya, Sato Ryo, Suzunosuke, Machida Keita
Synopsis: There is an urban legend that a person who is still a virgin at 30 will have magical powers. That legend comes true for Adachi Kiyoshi (Akaso Eiji) who has remained a virgin at the age of 30. He gains the power to read people’s minds when he touches them. Adachi initially does not know what to do with this totally useless power. However, he happens to read the mind of his colleague Kurosawa Yuichi (Machida Keita) who is the most handsome guy in the company and the sales department’s best performer. Kurosawa’s mind is full of romantic feelings for Adachi. Adachi cannot believe Kurosawa likes him and is bewildered by Kurosawa’s thoughts that he can hear each time he touches him. However, Kurosawa has no way of knowing that he has been found out. He continues his efforts to appeal to Adachi. Will he succeed in his love?

I have ZERO expectation about this, but you know, I'm always going to try a mlm drama

30-SAI MADE DOTEI DA TO MAHOTSUKAI NI NARERURASHII
Me, before starting this drama: yeah I’m going to try and watch it for science, but it’s probably going to be the usual BL bullshit Japan likes to give us blah blah blah
Me, an utter FOOL, from the 3rd ep onwards: KUROSAWA BEST BOY I LOVE HIM SO MUCH OH MY GOD KURODACHI NEW ETERNAL SHIP DEARL LORD GIVE ME THE STRENGHT
I am nothing but a clown.
I am obsessed with this drama and this ship more than I can express with words.
Before getting ridiculous about the main characters, let me say that this drama is, simply, like a very good, self-indulgent fanfiction about your otp. The plot is simple, the reading-minds thing is convenient and helps the plot moving forward, but, at the same time, I didn’t feel they abused it: it helped the protagonist, Adachi, connect more with the people around him, but he didn’t use it all the time.
More important, it’s a romantic story with 2 guys, however!! Their gender wasn’t the focus? I mean, they could have been a man and a woman and the story would have been exactly the same, and this is what I wanted and what I wasn’t expecting! Not the usual, dramatic last episodes where one decides that he wants kids, a “normal” family, that he wants to abide to society rules, to meet his parents’ expectations etc etc. No, the “dramatic” part in the last 2 episodes, the problem that arises between the two, makes sense and I found it was well put together. It wasn’t there just because there needs to be some climax near the end.
And this part was the one where I felt near Adachi the most. Yeah, for all the drama he’s a cute introvert who doesn’t really know how to interact with people (how not to emphasize with that lol), but towards the end? When he’s afraid to lose the magic because he feels that, without it, he’s an empty person who can't bond with other people? I felt that. I felt that so much and I wanted to hug him.
And Kurosawa. Oh, Kurosawa. I love him. I LOVE him. So kind, considerate, empathetic, sweet, selfless, loving, but at the same time somehow insecure about his own worth and afraid of showing his true self, and, when it comes to Adachi, a ridiculous loser. The poem in the bus? What an adorable dumbass, oh my God.
So, that’s it. I have been refreshing the subber’s page more times than I am willing to admit and rewatched each episode at least one time. I adore it, it was such a nice surprise.
2019 gave me The Untamed, and 2020 gave me this (and MIU404, God I love that drama so much). Not the same kind of love story, but, still, I am obsessed and one step away from buying Keita Machida’s photobook.

35-SAI NO SHOUJO
I don’t know what I was expecting from this drama, but it wasn’t this. I know I was sceptical, but, man, I was wrong.
Bittersweet, deep, moving. Almost every episode made me cry at least a little.
It’s about life and the people we love, about how often we live without thinking about the time passing, about we often “lose” precious time fighting or holding grudges, when we could have done better things, tell the people we love how precious they are and cherish the time with them. Nevertheless, the fights, the petty grudges are part of life too, and we can’t erase them, can’t avoid them.
Nozomi lost 25 years of her life in a coma, and when she wakes up, you feel so sad for her, because there are a lot of experiences that she’ll never be able to live, because she’s a 10-year-old girl trapped in a 35-year-old woman’s body, because, after 20 years, the world has changed, her family has broken apart, those who were her friends are now disenchanted adults. And I thought she would stay that way for all the drama, but she grows up, mentally, episode by episode, so we witness her becoming a teenager, a young woman, until reaching her real age. And all these phases were portrayed in a perfect way.
At the beginning I didn’t like her family and how they behaved, it was like they weren’t happy she woke up. But little by little, both we and Nozomi understand that in 20 years those people have lived, things have changed, and that’s normal, that’s how life is. Like Nozomi’s family can’t fully understand how she feels about the time she has lost, in the same way Nozomi can’t really understand them, because she hasn’t lived those 20 years, she matured, yes, she grew up in the span of a few months, but hasn’t REALLY lived.
I don’t know how to explain it and I’m probably not making any sense. Anyway, it was a beautiful drama and I did not expect it.

GOKUSHUFUDO
It was, probably, even more fun and stupid than I thought before starting. But still, it is one of those cases where yeah, everyone is ridiculous and over the top and you laugh a lot, but it’s never too much.
When there’s the danger of a somewhat serious moment, boom, something silly happens. And, at the same time, the message gets across anyway, about the importance of family and friends. It was both ridiculous and heart-warming? I don’t know.
And the last episode still destroyed me a little? Even though I kinda knew that something silly would happen, like always, I still cried lol. Also, the very ending was quite fitting for this year (I suppose it was intentional) and it made me cry once again.

NEECHAN NO KOIBITO
This was the only drama, this fall, that didn’t impress me that much. It was ok and I understand that some people might love it and find it heart-warming, but not me.
It was just... a “feel-good drama”, full of good people that love each other, good feelings and positive emotions all around, some characters had some sad experiences or hardships in the past, but we get to know them in a point in their lives where they have somehow moved on (Manato being the only exception). It was hard to emphasize with them, it was supposed to warm my heart but I found it a bit artificial, even cold. Everyone was too good, too perfect. Meh.
I get that some people could even need this kind of drama, in this period, but still, it wasn’t for me.
And it was probably a good thing that I binge-watched it once it was over, because, if I’d watched it one episode a week, I would have dropped it, because it was boring (in fact, I did a bit of skimming).

I’m still in the middle of Kikenna Venus because the subber did until the 5th episode. It seems ok, there’s a bit of mystery but nothing ground-breaking. Yoshitaka Yuriko’s character is unsufferable and suits perfectly her annoying way of talking.
Before winter season starts, I want to watch most of Suits 2, but dear lord, it’s 15 episodes long.

The fact that I come from a fairly good drama year makes me tremble in fear thinking about 2021, but oh well, there are still some titles I'm interested in!

Ore no Ie no Hanashi

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 22 January 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kudo Kankuro (Kangoku no Ohimesama, Yutori desu ga Nani ka Series, Gomen ne Seishun!)
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Toda Erika, Nagayama Kento, Eguchi Noriko, Inowaki Kai, Hamura Jinsei, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Miyake Hiroki, Hiraiwa Kami, Akiyama Ryuji, Kiritani Kenta, Nishida Toshiyuki
Synopsis: Nicknamed Blizzard Ju, professional wrestler Miyama Juichi (Nagase Tomoya) used to belong to a large professional wrestling group and even became the Puerto Rico Champion. However, he now scrapes by with a small group due to his injuries and age. One day, he receives a phone call informing him that his father Jusaburo (Nishida Toshiyuki) is in a critical condition. Juichi’s father is the 27th generation head of the Miyama family. A practitioner of Noh which is an important intangible cultural asset, he is also a living national treasure and has over 10,000 disciples across the country. Although Juichi was expected to follow in Jusaburo’s footsteps, he rebelled. After he left home, they did not communicate for more than 20 years. When Juichi visits his father, Jusaburo declares that he is engaged to his female caregiver Shida Sakura (Toda Erika) and intends to leave all his fortune to her. Juichi retires from pro wrestling and returns to his family home to help care for his father.

Kudo Kankuro is known for his great, hilarious dramas (Gomen ne Seishun I miss you), plus Nagase and a great cast in general, I'm really excited for this one!

Shitteru Wife

Preview
Date: From 10.00 pm., Thursdays, 7 January 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hashibe Atsuko (Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekiteiru, Freeter Ie o Kau, Boku no Ikiru Michi Series)
Cast: Okura Tadayoshi, Hirose Alice, Matsushita Kohei, Kawaei Rina, Morita Kanro, Suezawa Seiya, Sano Hinako, Ando Nico, Magy, Nekoze Tsubaki, Okayama Hajime, Takimoto Miori, Katahira Nagisa, Namase Katsuhisa
Synopsis: Kenzaki Motoharu (Okura Tadayoshi) works at a bank. He has been married to Mio (Hirose Alice) for five years and they have two children. At work, he is taken to task about improving his performance by his boss and when he comes back home exhausted, he gets yelled at by Mio. He feels small every day. Back in university, Motoharu was Mio’s home tutor. He found her cheerful, cute and feisty and was drawn to her. They got married and at first, they were head over heels in love. But now he is scared of her outbursts. Motoharu wonders why his colleagues seem happily married but he is the only unlucky one. That is when he happens to meet Egawa Sayaka (Takimoto Miori), a junior in university who was every male student’s dream girl. He regrets his choice. Then one day, a 500 yen coin that Motoharu received from a man who spoke to him on the street causes him to suddenly travel back in time to his university days. If he goes back to the past and changes his choice, will changing his wife also transform his life?

Man realizes that his wife, after getting married and, you know, seeing her in her daily life, is not the young sweetheart but a person who gets mad and have downpoints! Shocking! That's why you should live together for some time before getting married, Japanese people :)
So, when he gets the chance to go back in time, he has the brilliant idea to go for another girl he knew in the past. And I'm quite sure that woman, too, will be a normal person and not a perfect robot :)
I've already had enough with this man's bullshit, but still, it could be fun and I want to see Ohkura being mistreated for 10 episodes.

Kakenai!? ~ Kyakuhonka Yoshimaru Keisuke Sujigaki no Nai Seikatsu

Preview
Date: From 11.30 p.m., Saturdays, 16 January 2021
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors ~ Saikyou no Meii Series, Good Partner, Galileo Series)
Cast: Ikuta Toma, Kichise Michiko, Kikuchi Fuma, Ono Takehiko, Umezawa Masayo, Yamada Anna, Yunho, Hamano Kenta, Okada Masaki (guest star), Nagai Mijika, Koike Teppei, Kitamura Yukiya
Synopsis: Yoshimaru Keisuke (Ikuta Toma) has liked watching television dramas since he was a child and wanted to become a scriptwriter. However, he was not successful in competitions. He eventually gave up on his dream and found a job at a real estate company. That is how he met Nami (Kichise Michiko), a single mother who was searching for an apartment. They fell in love and got married. Nami won a newcomer of the year award for a novel that she wrote while she was pregnant and became a popular writer. This reignited Keisuke’s forgotten dream. When he was 32, he finally won a competition. He quit his job to concentrate on writing scripts but he barely had projects and ended up taking care of the children (Yamada Anna, Yunho) and housework. Five years later, he has not made progress as a scriptwriter, and yet he is somehow content with his current life. One day, Keisuke suddenly gets the chance of a lifetime to write the screenplay for a prime time drama series after the main scriptwriter pulls out without warning. Although Nami worries whether Keisuke will be able to write well, she grows more supportive as she watches him try to do his best.

I'm quite excited about this one too. Toma being a kinda weak, unsuccessfull man, with a supportive, fullfilled woman, but he's a man who still tries to do his best.

Tengoku to Jigoku ~ Saikona Futari

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 17 January 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Morishita Yoshiko (Dakara Watashi wa Oshimashita, Gibo to Musume no Blues Series, Tenno no Ryoriban)
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Takahashi Issei, Emoto Tasuku, Mizobata Junpei, Nakamura Yuri, Sakoda Takaya, Hayashi Yasufumi, Nomaguchi Toru, Yoshimi Kazutoyo, Baba Toru, Tani Kyosuke, Kishii Yukino, Kiba Katsumi, Kitamura Kazuki
Synopsis: 35-year-old Mochizuki Ayako (Ayase Haruka) is a detective who is a hard working, righteous and ambitious. She is the type who irks bosses and the people around her with her personality and focus on how things “should be done”. One day, she finds evidence proving that a man is a suspect in a murder case. It is her big chance to arrest him. Unfortunately Ayako swops bodies with Hidaka Haruto (Takahashi Issei), a chemistry researcher and shrewd entrepreneur, whose smart, nice guy persona belies his true psychotic, murderous nature. Ayako lives with the easygoing Watanabe Riku (Emoto Tasuku) who survives on part-time work and is a complete leech. Even so, he is the only one that she can lean on. Will he be able to detect the changes in Ayako? Furthermore, Ayako has to contend with a senior detective Kawahara Mitsuo (Kitamura Kazuki) who can be called her nemesis. He is very capable and will do anything in order to get results. Now that Ayako and Hidaka have switched places, they are filled with anxiety every day over the possibility of a momentary error of judgement as their status, personality, use of words and behaviour are complete opposites. Over time, their values are shaken to the core. They are also in for an unanticipated truth and romance.

The swapping bodies theme always has the potential to intrigue me, and this drama looks promising. Also, Takahashi Issei is such a good actor, I always try to watch his works.

Oh! My Boss! Koi wa Bessatsu de

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 12 January 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Tanabe Shigenori (Meitantei Akechi Goro, Tokusatsu Gagaga, In Hand)
Cast: Kamishiraishi Mone, Nanao, Tamamori Yuta, Mamiya Shotaro, Kubota Sayu, Miki, Akiyama Yuzuki, Ota Yuri, Takahashi Maryjun, Nadagi Takashi, Hashizume Jun, Yamanouchi Suzu, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Takahashi Hitomi, Kurashina Kana, Santamaria Yusuke
Synopsis: Like her name Nami suggests, Suzuki Nami (Kamishiraishi Mone) wants ordinary happiness – work and romance in moderation. She was born and grew up in a town in the countryside and has no particular dreams or things that she wants to do. Following after a childhood friend Kenya who is her crush and lives in Tokyo, Nami ends up getting a job in a big publishing company. However, she is assigned not to the equipment management department but to a fashion magazine’s editorial department instead. She finds herself caught in a hellish life under the very capable, caustic and cold Horai Reiko (Nanao) who is the youngest chief editor to date. However, as Nami observes the way Reiko works, her own attitude towards doing her job begins to change. In addition, she unexpectedly makes the acquaintance of the handsome photographer Junnosuke (Tamamori Yuta), who is the son of a wealthy family, and gets an outrageous suggestion from him. Nami would have been fine with a decent job and romance but she discovers what is truly important to her and starts to have dreams and live positively.

A bit ala Devil Wears Prada but it seems nice. Also Nanao in this kind of role? Yes perfect.

Uchi no Musume wa, Kareshi ga Dekinai!!

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 13 January 2021
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kitagawa Eriko (Hanbun Aoi, Orange Days, Sora kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi)
Cast: Kanno Miho, Hamabe Minami, Okada Kenshi, Kawakami Yohei, Arita Teppei, Sawamura Ikki, Fukuhara Haruka, Nakagawa Daisuke, Higashi Keisuke, Daichi Nobunaga, Nagami Rea, Nakamura Masatoshi
Synopsis: Minase Aoi (Kanno Miho) is a single mother in her 40s who is called the queen of romance novels. She recently bought an apartment and now lives with her daughter. Her 20-year-old daughter Sora (Hamabe Minami) cannot get a boyfriend and in Aoi’s opinion, the reason is obviously because she is hardcore manga fan. Aoi frets that her daughter is too immersed in the world of manga and will never leave the house. Sora wants to be in love but with the constant stream of new mangas being published, she has to prepare to cosplay at comic conventions. Life as a fan is rather busy. She is more worried about her mother who is girlish and reckless despite her age. Since her mother does not know much about the ways of the world, she feels that she cannot leave her like this. Then something prompts both Aoi and her daughter to have their romances.

Every year Japan gives us these marriage-propaganda-dramas, and most of the time I fall into the trap and actually like them. I hope it's light and fun and doesn't put that much emphasison the fact that a single woman is worthless :):):):)

Ok, so, I don’t know if:
a) Japan is making better dramas
b) I’m getting better at choosing what to watch
c) My standards are getting lower
Because we have another season where I liked basically everything I watched (and I watched a lot of things AND I liked some of them A LOT). It’s a good thing, but it also means that now I fear every new season, because it can’t always go well.

Let’s start because there’s a lot to talk about (and most of it will be me rambling).

Shitteru Wife
Let’s start with this because, well, I have a lot to say.
First, sometimes, not often, I write down notes while watching certain dramas, because I have a lot to say about each episode (from time to time I re-read the ones about Nagi no Oitoma and drown once again in my feels for Shinji/Takahashi Issei), and of course I did it for this one, because I needed to rant ALL THE TIME; seriously, those notes are me getting annoyed at the main character, rambling about women’s condition, marriage, Ohkura’s handsome face etc etc.
Anyway. They want us to believe that this drama is about destiny, about the fact that no matter what you do and what decisions you make, if you’re destined to be with someone, you will, one way or another. In my humble opinion, the real message of the story was DON’T GET MARRIED. Or, at least, if you REALLY want to get married, especially if you’re a woman, don’t give up on your dreams and aspirations, because you’ll end up sad and frustrated, and every little obstacle or problem in your life and/or in your marriage will seem insurmountable.
Because that’s exactly what happened in this drama.
Motoharu (we’ll talk about him in a bit because oh boy) isn’t satisfied with his marriage, his wife is a “monster” (or so he says) just because she’s angry that he doesn’t help AT ALL with the house and the kids and doesn’t care about her and her family, so he gets back in time and marries his college sweetheart blah blah blah. And in this new life he created, of course, he meets Mio, his past wife.
So, Mio, now that she’s not married, is happy, serene, positive even if she has to take care of her sick mother. She never loses her smile because guess what? She’s quite satisfied with her life, she made the choices she wanted, continued her studies and got the job she wanted. She didn’t get stuck at home with 2 kids and an unhelpful husband. Look at her, all smiles, Motoharu is, of course, shocked. “Oh Mio was able to smile????”. Dumbass.
On the contrary, his current wife, Sayaka, in her “past life”, was from a rich family but also an affirmed musician, and she seemed like a nice, smiley girl. Now that she’s married, of course she couldn’t become a renowned musician because guess what? She has to stay home and cook dinner and dress prettily and kiss her husband on the cheek. I’M SO MAD. And we’ll see all the ugly aspects of her character emerge little by little.
Of course I know that there can be happy marriages even if the woman “sacrifices” herself and stays home. The real problem is the husband, that dumbass, man-child Motoharu. Self-centered, stupid, oblivious, egoistic, childish Motoharu.
This guy cares only about himself, and maybe about his friends. His family? Who cares. Even when he gets back in time and changes his life, he screws everything anyway, and not because of destiny, but because he doesn’t understand how to be a decent human being with his wife. It doesn’t matter who you marry if you keep thinking only about yourself.
We spend 10 EPISODES like that. Getting mad at this man who only at the end understands he’s a horrible person that should just not get married.
THAT BEING SAID, the last episode made me cry a little lol. Because once Motoharu really opens his eyes and makes certain decisions, I actually felt sad for him XD
And I really, really liked the ending and how they decided to write the final episode.
So, it was a good watch, even if I was mad most of the time!

He handsome but dumbass

Oh my Boss!!
This is what I want from a love comedy: multiple love lines, guys not being douches and ladies supporting each other even when “rivals in love”.
For some time, I couldn’t feel much empathy with Nami, the main character, but I have to say that I really appreciated how she grew up during the drama, from a person who just wants a “normal”, quiet, predictable life, to one in love with her job and with a dream. There was the exact opposite message of Shitteru Wife lol: before thinking about love and getting married, get to really know yourself, realize what it is that you want to do, and go that way. Love will come, love can wait.
And I loved everyone who surrounded her.
Junnosuke? For once, a male lead/main love interest who is not an asshole or a tsundere! I supported him from minute one.

A good boy ‘til the end

The problem is that I wanted HIM

to be happy too. The not-so-much-tsundere that stole my (ours) heart.

Another problem? The spin-off, who made me root for THEM

What to do, what to do.
How beautiful is a love comedy where you don’t dislike any character so that you ship everybody with everybody? I love it.
But. The real protagonist, the jewel of this drama. Was HER.

Look at her she's gorgeous and I'm crying.
I think we all agree that Nanao was born to play Reiko, but! What a wonderful character? So capable, so cool, so beautiful, and yet with her insecurities and absolutely adorable when in love.
I love her so much and I want to be like her in every way possible.

Uchi no Musume wa Kareshi ga Dekinai
Dear lord, this one.
It didn’t start off in the best way, because the opening scene, and the whole 1st episode tbh, was quite weird. In general, there were some weird scenes during all the show, but more at the beginning.
But I understood I would get invested in it right near the end of the first episode, when Sakura throws an edamame right to Hikaru’s face. In that moment I KNEW that I would have loved their relationship, and so it was.
Irino Hikaru is one of the best jdrama boys ever and my heart ached for him everytime he appeared on screen.

always protect the Best Boy

But, honestly, there were so many good characters. Gon-chan? His father? SALLY? I'm sobbing I love them.
It’s a drama where maybe you don’t instantly love all the characters, but you get to know them little by little, especially through the relationships they create (or that exist already but get stronger) with each other. I really liked how, in the end, all of them were connected.
Also how misleading is the title? They mention that the daughter has no boyfriend once at the beginning and then… one more time maybe? The drama was NOT about her finding a boyfriend (thank God)

They heal my heart

Ore no Ie no Hanashi
What the fuck.
What the FUCK.
(I’m writing this right after having finished the last episode and it shows).
I wasn’t expecting to suffer this much I thought this was going to be FUN.
And, to be fair, it was fun, because Kudo Kankuro has this way of writing comedy that’s very clever. It was witty and I laughed a lot. But! I cried a lot too? Of course because it talks about a prodigal son coming back home to take care of his father who’s developing dementia, which is… sad. But also because, I don’t know, I loved everybody and they made me cry. And the final episode killed me.
Other than that, well, it’s just a very well done drama, both the writing and the acting were perfect. If you want to watch only one drama from this season, I suggest you watch this one.

Tengoku to Jigoku
I decided to binge watch it once it was over and it was probably the best decision because I finished it in a couple of days since I needed to know how it would end.
It was a… really well written drama, clever but still, at the end, emotional.The swapping-bodies thing can be tricky, especially if it involves a man and a woman, and it would have probably been not that good if they choose 2 lesser actors than Takahashi Issei and Ayase Haruka, they were both so good!
They created a good mystery with, at least for me, a satisfying ending. Takahashi Issei’s character was yes a psycho etc etc, but they let us intend since the first episodes that there was more in him, he was an interesting character that made me want to know more about him, his past and his reason (or if he had any reason at all).
And I can’t watch anything with Issei, because then I remember how much I like him and get obsessed all over again.
Look at me, jumping from one crush to another. Don’t mind me.

to be protected even if a psychopath serial killer

Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou
This was… ok? A bit less than ok. A drama about a bar where customers go and get their problems solved thanks to cocktails and canned food blah blah who cares I only watched it because of Keita Machida. Who was really handsome, but reminded me of Aiba dressed as a bartender first in his drama and, more recently, in some Shiyagare episode, and, honestly, no one can compare.
Anyway, the idea was ok but not well executed: it would have been better if they didn’t focus so much on the various customers, and instead dedicated more time at the 3 protagonists’ stories.

In the end I dropped Kakenai because the first episode bored me a bit but also made me anxious. If I read around that it was really good I might go back to it later.
If I have time (well, with this neverending lockdown I should have it), before next season I want to try Nijiiro no Karute because I read that a lot of people loved it.

Alternative title: I won't have time to watch all this.
Also, there are A LOT of romantic comedies. A little too many, if you ask me, but still I want to try them all.

Nemesis

Preview
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 11 April 2021
Network: NTV
Scriptwriters: Kataoka Sho (Machida-kun no Sekai, Tokyo Alien Brothers, I”s), Irie Yu
Cast: Hirose Suzu, Sakurai Sho, Eguchi Yosuke, Katsuji Ryo, Nakamura Aoi, Tomita Miu, Hashimoto Kanna, Mishima Ayona, Nakamura Toru, Maki Yoko, Ishiguro Ken, Yamazaki Hirona, Oshima Yuko (guest star), Ueda Tatsuya (guest star)
Synopsis: Kazama Naoki (Sakurai Sho) is a crack detective at the private investigation firm Nemesis in Yokohama. He has a brilliant mind like Sherlock Holmes and solves every difficult case. But the true detective is actually his talented assistant Mikami Anna (Hirose Suzu). The two of them, who make quite an odd duo, are searching for Anna’s father Hajime (Nakamura Toru). He is a scientist and went missing all of a sudden. Together with Kurita Kazuaki (Eguchi Yosuke), the owner of Nemesis who is Hajime’s good friend, Anna and Kazama seek clues to his disappearance. As they take on one puzzling trick-ridden case after another, they seem to find a hint related to her father each time that brings about a new riddle. Then they learn that the key to solving the mystery of his disappearance is a 20-year-old incident that has been buried in darkness. What Anna does not yet realise is that both Kazama and Kurita are connected to this incident …

Do I even need to explain myself?
I am THRILLED to see Sho playing a silly detective.

Koi wa Deep ni

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 14 April 2021
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Tokuo Koji (Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san, Miss Jikocho, Ossan’s Love)
Cast: Ishihara Satomi, Ayano Go, Imada Mio, Watanabe Keisuke, Fujimori Shingo, Takahashi Tsutomu, Kakei Miwako, Mizusawa Shingo, Fukuyama Shodai, Matsukuma Tsurumatsu, Hashimoto Jun, Otani Ryohei, Kaga Takeshi
Synopsis: Nagisa Mio (Ishihara Satomi), an oceanographer at Shibaura University of Marine Science and Technology, is very interested in fishes and loves the sea. Despite her cheerful smile and kind, good-natured personality, she is reticent about her family and past. Hasuda Rintaro (Ayano Go), the second of three sons (Otani Ryohei, Watanabe Keisuke) of a wealthy family, is feared by the people around him as he comes across as someone who is hard to approach. But beneath that armour is a young man with a pure heart and no airs. He has returned to Japan due to his father’s (Kaga Takeshi) poor health and is put in charge of a marine resort development project. While Mio wants to protect the ocean and opposes the resort’s development, Rintaro is staking his life on it. These two people who seem as if they live in different worlds, meet each other over the project and eventually fall in love. However, theirs is a forbidden romance because Mio has a secret that will shock everyone.

Do I even need to explain myself - part 2.
Ayano Go. In a love comedy after 100 years. Being uncomfortable in every single photo and video promotion I've seen.
AND there's Satomi too.

Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 20 April 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo, Chugakusei Nikki, Boku no Tsuma to Kekkon Shite Kudasai)
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Yokohama Ryusei, Matsuyama Ryuhei, Nakamura Anne, Mukai Osamu, Natsukawa Yui, Yamashita Mizuki, Takahashi Fumiya, Kimoto Yuki, Io Kazuki, Akapen Takigawa
Synopsis: 26-year-old Mashiba Kurumi (Kawaguchi Haruna) is in charge of public relations at el Arco Iris, an interior goods company that is popular with young people. She works hard every day, overstretching herself for the sake of the company, its fans and her CEO Hayama Shogo (Mukai Osamu) whom she secretly likes. However, she is so busy that she forgets to renew the contract for her apartment and ends up getting kicked out. Fortunately, Kurumi is helped by Saotome Koko (Natsukawa Yui), a popular 50-year-old food stylist who is her only female friend. She arrives at Koko’s apartment in Omotesando expecting to lead the high life in a fancy condominium but finds out that she has to share the place with Koko and three strangers. They are 26-year-old Fujino Shun (Yokohama Ryusei), a minimalist and a chef who runs a bar from his food truck only whenever he likes; 36-year-old Terai Haruto (Matsuyama Ryuhei), an online counsellor who is Shun’s second cousin; and 33-year-old Hase Ayaka (Nakamura Anne), an aspiring artist who does part-time deliveries for an upscale supermarket nearby. There are frequent problems due to the different mindsets and preferences of the five roommates. While Kurumi has always been conscious of other people’s opinions, her values begin to change as she spends time with the carefree Shun who stays true to himself, and the two of them rapidly grow close …

It's weird, because I'm afraid I won't like this, but with no reason at all.
Maybe it's the CM that doesn't appeal to me? The color palette? I don't know there isn't a real explanation, since I like both the cast and the scriptwriter. Maybe it's all that pink, or seeing Yokohama Ryusei in this kind of role, or Maru's hair color.
Who knows.

Konto ga Hajimaru

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 17 April 2021
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Shigeki (Ore no Hanashi wa Nagai, Momikeshite Fuyu Series, Boku Unmei no Hito desu)
Cast: Suda Masaki, Arimura Kasumi, Kamiki Ryunosuke, Nakano Taiga, Furukawa Kotone, Suzuki Kosuke, Matsuda Yuki, Asumi Rio, Ono Rina, Yonekura Reia
Synopsis: Takaiwa Haruto (Suda Masaki), Asabuki Shunta (Kamiki Ryunosuke) and Minowa Junpei (Nakano Taiga) are a struggling comedy trio. They have decided to give up on their dream and break up. Nakahama Rihoko (Arimura Kasumi) drops out of a top company that she worked at for several years and seems to become like an empty shell while her younger sister Tsumugi (Furukawa Kotone) uses the excuse of supporting Rihoko to aimlessly work in the nightlife district. The five of them in the latter half of their 20s are pointed out as “big failures” by everyone. But maybe this is the big lead up to glittering futures?

I'm making no sense once again, because I have a feeling that either I won't like it and find it boring, or I'll love it.
But with a cast like this, I must try it.

Ichikei no Karasu

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 5 April 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hamada Hideya (Zettai Reido Series, Naomi to Kanako, Haretsu)
Directors: Tanaka Ryo, Hoshino Kazunari, Moriwaki Tomonobu, Namiki Michiko
Cast: Takenouchi Yutaka, Kuroki Haru, Arata Mackenyu, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Sakurai Yuki, Nakamura Baijaku, Masu Takeshi, Mizutani Kaho, Kusakari Tamiyo, Kohinata Fumiyo, Hagiwara Riku (guest star), Katsumura Masanobu (guest star), Maeda Atsuko (guest star)
Synopsis: Iruma Michio (Takenouchi Yutaka) is a devil-may-care, unorthodox criminal judge at the Tokyo District Court’s First Criminal Investigations Department. He used to be a lawyer and was deeply involved in a past case that was behind his transformation into a judge. Iruma personally inspects crime scenes to prevent a miscarriage of justice and bring the truth to light. Although his demeanour is far from the image of a stuffy judge, he is feared by lawyers as well as prosecutors because he is not bound by obligations, prejudices and preconceptions and has an inquiring mind. On the other hand, the judge Sakama Chizuru (Kuroki Haru) is the complete opposite of Iruma. A graduate of Tokyo University’s Faculty of Law, she is an elite among elites. She has been transferred to the First Criminal Investigations Department to reform it due to the unbelievably small number of cases that have been closed. This is the equivalent of a company in the red to the extent of going bankrupt. As someone who takes great pride in maintaining public order by handling cases accurately and promptly, Chizuru cannot understand Iruma’s style which frustrates her to no end. However, when she realises that Iruma believes in treating a case as an individual’s life, she is faced with the question, “What can a judge do aside from issuing a ruling?”

I have a good feeling about this!
Weird judge and serious judge with a supportive team of colleagues, it could be really good.

Renai Mangaka

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 8 April 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Seigi no Se, Tokyo Tarareba Musume Series, Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Series)
Cast: Suzuki Ryohei, Yoshioka Riho, Maeda Gordon, Iwata Ryusei, Konishi Sakurako, Inaba Yu, Shiraishi Shunya, Matsudai Koya, Okudaira Daiken, Ryusei Ryo, Kinami Haruka, Kataoka Ainosuke
Synopsis: Talented but eccentric manga writer Karibe Seiichiro (Suzuki Ryohei) has never made an appearance. He hides his identity behind a female pen name and his private life is shrouded in mystery. He is not good at socialising, barely goes out and cannot understand regular people. He continues to write a series which has been a big hit without any assistant. One day, Seiichiro winds up adopting his younger brother’s orphan Ren and his solitary life is disturbed. Kuon Aiko (Yoshioka Riho), a girl around 30 who has no dreams, boyfriend and work, is at the funeral service for her first love Jun (Iwata Ryusei). She has an electrifying encounter with Seiichiro, who is the elder brother of her first love, when he makes a preposterous request, “Have a romance with me.” This sham is meant as material for his manga. Aiko develops a tumultuous relationship of tragicomic starts and stops with Seiichiro and they cross swords but …

At first, from the synopsis and the poster, I wasn't interested, but the CM changed my mind because it seems a lot of fun!

Rikokatsu

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 16 April 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Izumisawa Yoko (Guilty, Akuma no Bengonin, Dairenai)
Cast: Kitagawa Keiko, Nagayama Eita, Takahashi Mitsuomi, Shirasu Jin, Ono Ito, Tanabe Momoko, Nakata Kurumi, Matsunaga Tenma, Nakayama Masei, Matsukawa Akari, Sugawara Takuma, Ikeda Dai, Yoshida Ryoya, Shibata Yuki, Natsuno Kotoko, Hiraiwa Kami, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Sakou Yoshi, Mitsuishi Kotono, Sano Shiro, Takeda Rena (guest star)
Synopsis: Mizuguchi Saki (Kitagawa Keiko) is an outstanding fashion magazine editor who grew up in a modern and liberal family (Mitsuishi Kotono, Sano Shiro). She meets Obara Koichi (Nagayama Eita) who is the ace of the Air Rescue Wing of the Air Self Defence Force. He grew up in a strict military family (Miyazaki Yoshiko, Sakou Yoshi) and is the classic straight-laced guy. Although Saki and Koichi are polar opposites, the two of them quickly get married without dating, believing that they would start a happy life as newly weds after a lavish wedding ceremony. However, as they begin living together in the same house, their different lifestyles and values result in differences in opinions and huge fights. Saki and Koichi soon decide to get a divorce. But the couple have difficulty breaking the news of their decision to their families, colleagues and friends who celebrated their marriage and looked forward to the future. They thus start activities behind the scenes to prepare for their divorce.

At first I was like "yeah I'll try it for the cast" but this one too seems fun.

Omameda Towako to 3-nin no Moto Otto

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 13 April 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Sakamoto Yuji (anone, Quartet, Saikou no Rikon Series)
Cast: Matsu Takako, Okada Masaki, Kakuta Akihiro, Matsuda Ryuhei, Ichikawa Mikako, Takahashi Maryjun, Yuge Tomohisa, Hirano Kinari, Hoshi Moeka, Raiku, Toyoshima Hana, Ishibashi Shizuka, Ishibashi Natsumi, Takiuchi Kumi, Kondo Yoshimasa, Iwamatsu Ryo
Synopsis: Omameda Towako (Matsu Takako) has just become the CEO of Shirokuma Housing, a construction company. Although she is thrice divorced, there is nothing particularly strange or erratic about her. She loves clothes, is cheerful, playful, a little impatient and in some ways feigns ignorance. Towako lives with her daughter Uta (Toyoshima Hana) whom she had with her first husband Tanaka Hassaku (Matsuda Ryuhei), the owner and waiter of a restaurant in Oku Shibuya, Tokyo. Her second husband Sato Kataro (Kakuta Akihiro) is a famous fashion photographer who still has a thing for her but is narrow-minded. Her third husband Nakamura Shinshin (Okada Masaki) is a top lawyer and legal adviser to Shirokuma Housing with an argumentative and cynical nature. Towako is still swayed by her three ex-husbands to this day and this brings trouble as everyone apparently loves and also hates her. Will the four of them be able to find happiness?

I like this idea of a woman doing her own things and her 3 ex-husbands still gravitating around her for some reason.
I suppose it's going to be weird, but I hope a good kind of weird like Quartet or Saikou no Rikon.

Like I said, too many things. I'm probably not going to watch them all right away but save some for the end of spring season. I still have to decide which one may be good to binge watch.
I know there's Yoko's drama too, but as of now I honestly don't care about the plot. Sorry, blond Yoko.

Better title: Trash Season.

Kanojo wa Kirei datta

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 6 July 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Shimizu Yukako (Watashi Teiji de Kaerimasu, Poison Daughter Holy Mother, Reverse), Miura Kisa (Guilty, Watashi Danna Share Shiteta, Shiyakusho)
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Koshiba Fuka, Akaso Eiji, Sakuma Yui, Takahashi Yuto, Uzaki Misato, Sogawa Ayana, Murase Sae, Yamada Momoko, LiLiCo, Kimura Yuichi, Sugawara Daikichi, Honda Chikara, Katase Nana
Synopsis: Handsome Hasebe Sosuke (Nakajima Kento) looks nothing like the ugly and fat boy who was bullied when he was a child. He is now the creative director and deputy editor of the Japanese-language edition of The Most, a fashion magazine which is sold in 30 countries. Although he is capable, he often arouses resentment for being harsh to editorial department staff. Sosuke transfers from the magazine’s New York headquarters and makes a date with his first love Sato Ai (Koshiba Fuka) after returning to Japan for the first time in 16 years. Ai was a pretty A-student who became his first friend but her looks changed as she grew up and she lost confidence. She has been unemployed after the company she worked for went bankrupt and gets hired by a publishing company’s general affairs department. Sosuke and Ai are unexpectedly reunited at The Most, when she ends up being assigned to work at its editorial department for three months. However, he does not realise that Ai is his first love and she keeps her identity from him.

It's the remake of a very well loved Korean drama, so I'm expecting a lot of dynamics I don't like (baby boy was ugly when he was little just because he ws fat, poor girl who doesn't curate her appearance and so is considered ugly, rich and handsome guy who falls for her because she's OH SO SPECIAL AND CLUMSY AND SWEET, love triangle between said girl, rich and douche guy, and Good Guy), but I still hope they will somewhat adapt the drama to Japanese standards.
At the same time, I have the feeling I could like it? I'm not making any sense, I know.
And the little promotion videos Kenty and Eiji are doing are making me DYING, I like their interactions.

Boku no Satsui ga Koi o Shita

Preview
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 4 July 2021
Station: NTV
Scriptwriters: Tokunaga Yuichi (Lupin no Musume Series, Keiji Zero, Good Doctor), Miura Kisa (Guilty, Watashi Danna o Share Shiteta, Shiyakusho)
Cast: Nakagawa Taishi, Araki Yuko, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Tanaka Minami, Nakao Akira, Mizuno Miki, Fujiki Naohito
Synopsis: Onotora Shu (Nakagawa Taishi) does not know that his foster father Joichiro (Fujiki Naohito) is a legendary professional killer. However, his daily life dramatically changes after Joichiro’s death, which was treated as an accident, is determined to be murder. Shu decides to take over the family business and become a hitman in order to avenge his foster father. He is well prepared when he approaches the mysterious and immensely popular manga writer Narumiya Mitsuki (Araki Yuko) who is his assassination target. She does not yet know that she actually has a “big secret” that will later cause huge ripples and shake the other characters. Despite his physical abilities as a hitman, Shu is not able to kill Mitsuki because of his terrible timing, no matter how he tries. On the contrary, he ends up protecting her as danger approaches. Mitsuki is gradually attracted to Shu because of his protection. The two of them who should not fall in love, have an unlikely romance.

This one has the word "trash" written all over it, I'm honestly excited.
A dumbass hitman? I like it.

Hakozume Tatakau! Kouban Joshi

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 7 July 2021
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Nemoto Nonji (Kansatsui Asagao Series, Fruits Takuhaibin, Oh My Jump!)
Cast: Toda Erika, Nagano Mei, Miura Shohei, Yamada Yuki, Nishino Nanase, Hirayama Yusuke, Chihara Seiji, Muro Tsuyoshi
Synopsis: 20-year-old rookie police officer Kawai Mai (Nagano Mei) works hard at a police box and feels both physically and mentally drained. She has never felt appreciated even though she supposedly works for the sake of the area’s residents. In addition, she does not find working at a police box rewarding. Mai is about to hand in her resignation when she meets 30-year-old Fuji Seiko (Toda Erika), the former ace detective of the Criminal Investigations Division. Seiko is said to have been forced to transfer to the police box for harassing a subordinate at work but … … This encounter between Mai and Seiko will significantly change their lives as they are suddenly paired up. This odd pair struggle to help and support each other in cases, routine duties and romance?! And Seiko’s true reason for coming to the police box is revealed.

I only care about Muro Tsuyoshi and the fact that is going to be reunited with his fictional wife and daughter.

Promise Cinderella

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 13 July 2021
Station: TBS
Genre: Love comedy
Original Work: Promise Cinderella by Tachibana Oreko
Scriptwriter: Furuya Kazunao (Gyoretsu no Megumi, Innocence Enzai Bengoshi, Sumika Sumire)
Directors: Murakami Shosuke, Tsuzuchi Junichi
Cast: Nikaido Fumi, Maeda Gordon, Matsui Rena, Inowaki Kai, Matsumura Sayuri, Sakai Koharu, Takahashi Katsumi, Tomochika, Moriya Kanna, Kaneko Nobuaki, Mita Yoshiko (guest star), Iwata Takanori
Synopsis: Katsuragi Hayame (Nikaido Fumi), an ordinary housewife around 30, is suddenly told by her husband Masahiro (Inowaki Kai) that he wants a divorce because he has another woman. Reeling from this news, she impulsively storms out of the house. But she gets pickpocketed and ends up penniless and virtually homeless. Then a handsome and rich male high school student Kataoka Issei (Maeda Gordon) that Hayame met by chance, proposes to give her a place to sleep if she plays a game. She is forced to participate in a reality game to pay debt that she has been saddled with. Hayame has an aversion to relying on people but she stays at a mansion as she devotes herself to games such as humiliating the main character at a party for the wealthy to earn 200,000 yen. Hayame’s first love Seigo (Iwata Takanori), who is Issei’s older brother and the young fifth-generation owner of the high-end traditional Japanese inn Katoka, also shows up.

More trash, but it could be fun.
Are we going to see another romance beween an adult and a, high schooler? Probably, but I sure hope not.

Oshi no Oujisama

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 15 July 2021
Network: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Aso Kumiko (Lunch Gokon Tantei, Gosaigyo, Yami no Banshosha Series), Date-san (Ojisama to Neko, 40-man km Kanata no Koi, Toki o Kakeru Band)
Cast: Higa Manami, Watanabe Keisuke, Dean Fujioka, Shiraishi Sei, Tokunaga Eri, Seto Toshiki, Sano Hinako, Tani Kyosuke, Fujiwara Taiyu, Funakoshi Eiichiro
Synopsis: 36-year-old Hidaka Izumi (Higa Manami) is the CEO of Pegasus Inc, a startup which creates dating games for females. While working at an insurance company, Izumi was addicted to such games and moved to work for a game company. After that, she started Pegasus Inc. Its first game called Love My Pegasus became an unprecedented huge hit when it was released and she was hailed as an up-and-coming businesswoman. In this game, players fall in love with the character Kent-sama who was created based on Izumi’s ideals. In her private life, Izumi has not been in a relationship for years. Since the success of Love My Pegasus, she has been racking her brain for the production of the next game. One night, a weary Izumi is walking home after having one too many drinks when a man literally falls from the sky all of a sudden. Although she is taken aback, she gets a bigger surprise after taking a look at his face. This man is a dead-ringer for Kent-sama in Love My Pegasus. He is 23-year-old Igarashi Wataru (Watanabe Keisuke) who seems like a prince who had swooped down to earth when he had actually been running away from debt collectors. Only his looks match her ideals. Wataru is rude, uncultured and lethargic. Despite her disappointment, Izumi decides to change his life and develop him into the ideal guy as a result of an unexpected turn of events

I haven't seen any preview, but somehow it's giving me nice vibes (it's seems trashy, of course).

Given

Date: 17 July 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Miki Koichiro (Yowamushi Pedal, Tokyo Sentimental, Tokyo Love Story)
Cast: Suzuki Jin, Sanari, Inowaki Kai, Yanagi Shuntaro, Yagi Arisa, Okuno So, Onodera Akira, Inaba Yu
Synopsis: Tightly clutching his Gibson guitar, Mafuyu Satou steps out of his dark apartment to begin another day of his high school life. While taking a nap in a quiet spot on the gymnasium staircase, he has a chance encounter with fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, who berates him for letting his guitar's strings rust and break. Noticing Uenoyama's knowledge of the instrument, Satou pleads for him to fix it and to teach him how to play. Uenoyama eventually agrees and invites him to sit in on a jam session with his two band mates: bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.
Satou's voice is strikingly beautiful, filling Uenoyama with the determination to make Satou the lead singer of the band. Though reticent at first, Satou takes the offer after an emotional meeting with an old friend. With the support of his new friends, Satou must not only learn how to play guitar, but also come to terms with the mysterious circumstances that led him to be its owner.

I am terrified, because I ADORE Given, and I'm 100% sure they won't do it justice.
First of all because it's going to have 6 episodes and they're not enough to cover even the anime arc.
Then, I can't with the actor they choose for Akihiko and Haruki I JUST CAN'T I'M SORRY.
Anyway, my expectations are zero.
Probably it's not even going to get subbed and MAYBE IT'S BETTER THAT WAY.

#Kazoku Boshuu Shimasu

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 9 July 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Magy (Mukai no Bazuru Kazoku, Kanna-san, Rinshou Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri Series)
Cast: Shigeoka Daiki, Kimura Fumino, Nakano Taiga, Kishii Yukino, Sato Haruto, Miyazaki Ririsa, Miura Kira
Synopsis: Akagi Shunpei (Shigeoka Daiki) just became a single father three months ago due to some circumstances. While struggling to bring up his 5-year-old son Haru (Sato Haruto), he happens to meet his childhood friend Osanai Sosuke (Nakano Taiga) again. Shunpei gets tangled up in an offbeat invitation with the hashtag #lookingforfamily that Sosuke posts on social media. Sosuke had been thinking about earning rental income in order to rebuild Nijiya, the old okonomiyaki shop where he works, by turning the empty second floor into a communal living space. Shunpei does not believe anyone will respond to this invitation. However, as a result of this #lookingforfamily social media post, he meets single mother Momota Rei (Kimura Fumino) who is an elementary school teacher and singer-songwriter Yokose Meiku (Kishii Yukino) who has a son (Miura Kira). The four adults and three children start living under the same roof.

May be cute, may be boring, who knows.

I haven't watched everything that was on my list (plus one title I got interested in later on), but in the last 2 weeks or so I managed to finish most of what I wanted to watch, I'm satisfied.
We are going from worst to best, I warn you.
Also, today I can't seem to know English, so bear with me, I'm Tired.

Koi wa Deep ni
Let's start with this one, let's get it out of the way.
AAAAAAH WHAT A WASTE.
Such poor writing, poor characters developement, poor everything! A lot of the time I felt like watching a Korean drama, and not in a good sense. I just couldn't understand why the characters did what they did, which were their reasons, why they changed their minds all the time about that damn underwater thing they wanted to build (Lord knows I didn't care one bit about the main plot), they were just doing random things.
How the Hasuda Trust hasn't gone bankrupt already is beyond me, since it was run by people who made decisions based on how they woke up that morning. There was nothing logical. Ooooh and Rintaro's older brother? Did you get why he was so damnmad all the time?? Yeah ok for their mother but come on it makes no sense. And why all of a sudden, at some point, he's not mad anymore?? I don't know, it was all so shallow.
And don't let me start about Mio's story because nothing was explained, we just have some hints but nothing more.
It's a waste because Ayano and Satomi were SO DAMN GOOD, they had great chemistry and basically all the drama on their shoulders. We could have had so much more.
Ayano always does this, damn him. He acts in some wonderful thing, I fall in love all over again, and then sbam! He choose a crap project. Stop playing with my heart, man.
At least I have many screenshoots of him looking handsome. The OST was pretty nice too.

We could have had it aaaaaaall

Renai Mangaka
It was really cute. Full of cliches but in a good way.
The first episodes didn't convince me, it was a bit weird and I couldn't see where they were going, but then! The main characters' relationship somewhat develops and I loved them and their banters. There were 2 suuuuper werid characters too, I loved them (Karen sensei let me live).

They Cute

Ichikei no Karasu
We're arrived into the Real Quality section.
This was really good. All the characters had a purpose, were likable and I loved them ;_; From a legal point of view it was a bit surreal, but what do I know about Japanese Law (let me say, though, that the fact that apparently in Japan you can become a judge even with just a high school diploma and experience as a lawyer makes me cry, because here it's one of the hardest thing ever).
It gave me some 99.9 vibes, because of the trio weird man/strict woman that softens/older man who fights the corruption in the legal system. It wasn't as fun and crazy as 99.9, though (which is good, it makes it different), the cases in each episode were also pretty moving.

An older and less crazy Miyama sensei

Rikokatsu

Man, what a story, WHAT A COUPLE.
Two people get married after 2 or 3 months of dating, of course things will go bad. But in tis case? They decide to divorce after just ONE DAY. They haven't even slept together yet. They kissed only at the wedding ceremony. Bless them. Not only that, their respective parents decide to divorce too. The wonderful thing is that nothing of this seems forced, they all have perfectly good reasons to divorce, and to do everything else they do in the drama.
The first episode you'll want to just punch Koichi in the face, but after that? The most precious man. Him and Saki were truly wonderful together T_T At some point they became frustrating because they decided to make important decisions without talking to each other, but I still love them.

;_; ♥

Kikazaru Koi niwa Riyuu ga Atte

I don't think I have the words to properly explain why I loved this drama so much (and today my English is terrible, so it's worse than usual).
It was very aesthetically pleasing (it's not a good reason, but still): pretty sceneries, prettu colours, pretty lights, pretty clothes, pretty things, pretty people. And food. And a gorgeous dog.
I loved the themes it talked about, and they way it did it; it was about finding your own place in the world, finding your dream and fighting for it, about not being afraid of changes. Social medias had an important part in it (Kurumi, the main character, is an influencer and manages the social media of the company she works with) in a way I had not seen yet in Jdramas, it was interesting and very "actual".
The romantic relationships developed in such a natural, beautiful way, it was wonderful ♥ There was some kind of love triangle (but really, not really), but one where the 3 people involved respected, loved and supported each other so much, you rarely see something like that.
And the main couple, oh God. I love them. I LOVE them. Such a supportive, healthy relatonship ;_; They were adorable.
(I've never seen Yokoyama Ryusei playing this kind of character, it was refreshing and I love him a little. Also, Mukai Osamu is so fine, damn).

PROTECT THEM AT ALL COSTS

It's time (actually, it's even late, since some of these have already started). From last season I managed to watch maybe... 3 dramas? And I don't think this fall will be much different, but still! Let's make thie usual list. Mayba one day I'll have the time to go back to all the unwatched dramas (I probably won't).

Wadake no Otokotachi

Preview
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 22 October 2021
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Ano Toki Kisu Shite Okeba, Koisuru Hahatachi, Dairenai)
Cast: Aiba Masaki, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Danta Yasunori, Koike Eiko, Ishikawa Ren, Komakine Ryusuke, Okabe Takashi, Miyazawa Miho, Yunho
Synopsis: The company that 37-year-old Wada Yu (Aiba Masaki) worked at for the past 15 years suddenly went bankrupt due to the COVID-19 outbreak. He now makes a living as a deliveryman for a delivery service. While making deliveries one day, he is unexpectedly reunited with his grandfather Kan (Danta Yasunori) after 20 years. His stepfather Shuhei (Sasaki Kuranosuke), who happened to be present, proposes that the three of them live together. Yu’s late mother Rie (Koike Eiko) remarried Shuhei when Yu was 10 years old. But as a general producer at a TV station, Shuhei was busy day and night. Yu had to handle most of the things at home and grew up to be good at all housework. Father and son have actually been estranged since Yu moved out after graduating from university and getting a job. As the three men begin living under the same roof, Yu continues with his delivery job and takes charge of all the household chores. One day, at a university friend’s recommendation, Yu begins to work as a reporter for an online news site...

No explanations needed. Just Aiba Masaki.
(and his Sexy Dad).

Super Rich

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 14 October 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Mizoi Eiichi Davis (Iyasaretai Otoko, Kansatsui Asagao Season 1)
Cast: Eguchi Noriko, Akaso Eiji, Machida Keita, Kanno Rio, Itagaki Mizuki, Kashima Riku, Nonomura Hanano, Kayashima Mizuki, Yamoto Yuma, Shida Mirai, Nakamura Yuri, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Miho Jun, Furuta Arata, Matsushima Nanako
Synopsis: Hyoga Mamoru (Eguchi Noriko), the CEO of an e-book start-up called Three Star Books, lives only for work. Born into a wealthy family, she has never experienced financial difficulties. Mamoru believes that money can solve anything and works hard every day to make more profit. While she is recognised for her entrepreneurship, she has built an emotional wall due to her loneliness and sadness over the deaths of her parents when she was a child. She has been starved of love despite having all the money. The only person she trusts is Ichinose Ryo (Totsugi Shigeyuki) whom she met during her university days. They started Three Star Books and still work together. The start-up is her life but she starts to face a series of crises that rock the company’s management as she works on growing the business. Mamoru has a shocking encounter with Haruno Yu (Akaso Eiji), a vocational school student who applied to be an intern at Three Star Books in a bid to change his life. He has a loving family, that includes his parents (Miho Jun) and a younger sister Mako (Kayashima Mizuki), but their financial situation has not been good for many years. Like the warmth of spring, Yu’s smile and friendliness begins to thaw Mamoru’s heart which is frozen like ice because she has been so swamped with work.

Not me screaming nonstop since they revealed that both Akaso Eiji and Machida Keita would be in this.
Listen, I'm so excited that I was THIS close to put them before Aiba.
(the drama seems good, too).

Kieta Hatsukoi

Preview
Date: From 11.30 p.m., Saturdays, 9 October 2021
Network: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Tokyo MER, Unsung Cinderella, Grand Maison Tokyo)
Cast: Michieda Shunsuke, Meguro Ren, Fukumoto Riko, Suzuki Jin, Tanabe Seiichi
Synopsis: Aoki (Michieda Shunsuke) is a cheerful and lively high school student with a crush on his female classmate Hashimoto (Fukumoto Riko) who sits next to him. One day, he borrows an eraser from her but gets a big shock after noticing the name of a male classmate “Ida-kun ♡” (Meguro Ren) has been written on the eraser. He wonders if this will act like a charm that will make love come true when the name of the love interest is written. A flustered Aoki accidentally drops the eraser. But it is picked up by Ida who sees “Ida-kun ♡” written on it and gets the wrong idea that Aoki might like him. Although Aoki wants to set things right with Ida, he is also not at liberty to reveal Hashimoto’s feelings. His first impulse is to lie that the eraser belongs to him. Despite his best intentions, that mere remark creates a further misunderstanding which leads to an unexpected romance and friendship.

People on twitter are going CRAZY over this.
I just hope that every BL (is this even classified ad BL? I know nothing, I'm just assuming things) drama from now on will just take on the legacy of Cherry Magic.

Saiai

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 15 October 2021
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Okudera Sawako (Kawa no Hotori de, Watashi Teiji de Kaerimasu, Reverse), Shimizu Yukako (Kanojo wa Kirei datta, Watashi Teiji de Kaerimasu, Reverse)
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Matsushita Kohei, Tanaka Minami, Sakuma Yui, Takahashi Fumiya, Okuno Eita, Yakushimaru Hiroko (guest star), Mitsuishi Ken, Sakou Yoshi, Tsuda Kenjiro, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Iura Arata
Synopsis: Sanada Rio (Yoshitaka Yuriko) assumed the position of President of Sanada Wellness, an affiliate of Sanada Holdings that her mother Azusa (Yakushimaru Hiroko) runs, after studying pharmacy at a Tokyo university. She becomes the focus of public attention when she is chosen as a CEO in her 30s who is changing the world. Back in 2006, there was a missing persons case at some rural town where Rio spent her youth. 15 years later, someone connected to this case appears before her, setting the case that should have been sealed off along with the memories at that time in motion again. Rio finds herself a material witness in a string of murder cases in the present that is tied to the disappearance in the past. A detective Miyazaki Daiki (Matsushita Kohei) who is her first love pursues the truth while a lawyer Kase Kenichiro (Iura Arata) tries to protect her by all means.

I think the last time I watched a nice suspence drama was... spring? This actually seems nice, I just need Yoshitaka Yuriko to play a character I don't end up to hate (because I'm pretty sure her character is the reason I can't bring myself to finish Kikenna Venus).

Avalanche

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Mondays, 18 October 2021
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters:–
Cast: Ayano Go, Fukushi Sota, Chiba Yudai, Takahashi Maryjun, Tanaka Yoji, Riju Go, Hotta Akane, Watabe Atsuro (guest star), Kimura Yoshino
Synopsis: Habu Seiichi (Ayano Go) is a member of an outlaw group, Avalanche. Moral hazard has long runs rampant not only among bureaucrats and the people with wealth and power in big corporations but also the general public in the country. How will this crazy and mysterious group sweep the entire country and change it?

I don't trust Ayano Go but I also love him deeply, so I'm destined to suffer. If it gets subbed, I would like to try it, in the hope it's not boring.

When I say "super short" I mean it.
In alphabetical order because I'm too tired to think about anything else ✨

Avalanche
Ayano I love u so much.
Seems like he chose again a nice project (I don't get how he chooses things, I swear. Beautiful dramas next to atrocities).

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Honestly, I don't really watch Kdramas anymore, there are just few things that spark my interest. I think this one is the 1st I watch this year, but I read only good things about it and got curious.
I'm absolutely loving it ;_; It heals my heart ;_;
Seems like the main actor is a piece of shit, but they revealed it when I had already started watching the drama, so I'm not dropping it.

Kieta Hatsukoi
BABIES. ALL OF THEM.
It's adorable and I'm hurting. The first 2 episodes put the biggest smile on my face, then the pain started with the 3rd one. Still, adorable.

Koi Desu: Yankee-kun to Hakujou Garu
I'm a clown because this wasn't on my list, but I read few comments saying it was really good and OH MY GOD GO AND WATCH IT.
I cried watching the 1st episode because it was too adorable, and almost did while watching the 2nd one.
It's SO GOOD. She is a little heart and he is best boy material ;_;

Super Rich
The drama itself seems nice but. I have a problem.
I can't seem to separate the characters Machida Keita and Akaso Eiji play from KuroDachi, and it's affecting a bit my watching experience (both in a good and in a bad way). But I love them, Your Honor.
Needless to say, after the 1st episode I spent a Friday night rewatching all Cherry Magic.

Happy New Year!
Let's start another year of me making this list and not respecting it, either because I don't have time to watch everything, or because I read that a drama I didn't consider is super good and start watching that one instead of the ones I wrote here. ANYWAY, I thought I didn't find many interesting dramas (which is true, I'm not hyped for most of them), but I still managed to pick too many titles.

Tonari no Chikara

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 20 January 2022
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Yukawa Kazuhiko (35-sai no Shojo, Douki no Sakura, Kahogo no Kahoko)
Directors: Yukawa Kazuhiko
Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Ueto Aya, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Emi Kurara, Sonim, Shimizu Hiroya, Nagao Kento, Katsuji Ryo (guest star), Shukugawa Atom, Asano Kazuyuki, Fubuki Jun
Synopsis: Nakagoshi Chikara (Matsumoto Jun) is married to Akari (Ueto Aya) and has two young children. He calls himself a novelist but he usually ghost writes essays for prominent figures. While he has more consideration and love for fellow humans than anybody else around, whatever he does is in half measure. Seeing a happy person makes Chikara a little happy, and a sad person makes him a little sad. When he sees someone who seems to be in trouble, he cannot help but get worried. After agonising over what he should do, he would always end up calling out to the person. Despite Chikara’s ability to listen attentively to people’s stories, he hears too many of them and winds up feeling troubled instead. He wishes to save people and pacify those around him but he typically gets involved in their problems in a half-baked fashion. When he finds out that there are problems that cannot be solved easily, he is always flustered and worried. Chikara tackles the concerns of residents living in the same apartment building and they gradually become one community with strong ties.

Easily the one I have the most interest in. Yeah, because of Jun playing a crazy, sulky, weird and adorable Blueberry.
Plus, the scriptwriter wrote a few dramas that I really enojoyed.

Muchaburi ~ Watashi ga Shachou ni Naru Nante

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 January 2022
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Mako (100 Million Yen no Sayonara, Akutotachi wa Senri o Hashiru)
Directors: Inomata Ryuichi, Matsuda Shota, Kayama Shunsuke
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Shison Jun, Matsuda Shota, Kaho, Yuka, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Kasamatsu Sho, Yamada Maho, Oshinari Shugo, Jinbo Satoshi, Tsubokura Yoshiyuki, Katayama Yuki, Sakamoto Keisuke, Matsuoka Kodai
Synopsis: 30-year-old Takanashi Hinako (Takahata Mitsuki) is the personal secretary of Asami Hiroto (Matsuda Shota), the handsome, charismatic CEO of a startup that has been growing at a furious pace. She has worked for him for four years and it is routine for her to get a slew of unreasonable demands from this man who operates on instinct. Because of this, there has never been a peaceful day for her. Hinako has not had a boyfriend in six years or time to think about her future. All she can do at the end of each day is let out a long sigh with a beer in one hand and rail that there is no way this is a job worth doing. However, Hinako gets the most unreasonable request from Asami out of the blue when she is appointed to be the CEO of a subsidiary. Moreover, there is a “a hint of love” in the air as she finds herself caught in the middle of two men with very different personalities – her charismatic boss and impertinent younger subordinate Taiga Ryo (Shison Jun). But both of them are problematic. How will her romance develop?

I haven't been able to find a video yet, so I'm mostly intrigued by the plot and the cast. I hope there's no love triangle (or that is a good one).

Shimbun Kisha

Preview
Date: From 13 January 2022
Network: Netflix
Scriptwriters: Yamada Yoshitatsu (Zenra Kantoku Season 1, Denei Shojo Series, Nou ni Sumaho ga Umerareta!), Kodera Kazuhisa (Piple, Mushikago no Jomae, Shinjuku Seven), Fujii Michihito
Director: Fujii Michihito
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Ayano Go, Yokohama Ryusei, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Terajima Shinobu, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Taguchi Tomorow, Okura Koji, Tanaka Tetsuji, Hagiwara Masato, Emoto Tokio, Tsuchimura Kaho, Ono Karin, Hashimoto Jun, Denden, Santamaria Yusuke, Sano Shiro
Synopsis: Known as the maverick of news media, Tohto Shimbun journalist Matsuda Anna (Yonekura Ryoko) defiantly seeks the truth regarding the government’s falsified official documents and strives to expose issues in modern Japanese society. Murakami Shinichi (Ayano Go), a young, elite bureaucrat, presses ahead with his duties while university student Kinoshita Ryo hunts for a job and has neither interest nor knowledge of politics. The destinies of these three people who live in different worlds, begin to intertwine in the wake of a scoop that shocks the nation.

I... relatively care about the plot, I have to be honest. I mean, it could be really good and I could like the story a lot, but I'm mostly hyped because of the cast and because it's on Netflix.

Fight Song

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 11 January 2022
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Okada Yoshikazu (Nijiiro no Karute, Nee-chan no Koibito, Soshite Ikiru)
Directors: Okamoto Shingo, Ishii Yasuharu, Murao Yoshiaki
Cast: Kiyohara Kaya, Mamiya Shota, Kikuchi Fuma, Higashi Keisuke, Fujiwara Sakura, Wakabayashi Jiei, Kubozuka Airu, Riko, Kuriyama Chiaki, Hashimoto Jun, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Inamori Izumi
Synopsis: Cheerful and tenacious Kisara Hanae (Kiyohara Kaya) grew up in an orphanage and aspires to represent Japan in karate. However, her dream is suddenly cut short. After losing everything, Hanae’s life hits rock bottom and she has been wearily getting through each day. Hanae has an encounter with Ashida Haruki (Mamiya Shota), the composer of the song that she always listens to before her matches. But Ashida turns out to be a down-and-out one-hit wonder. Hanae has been devoted to karate all this while and never been in love while Ashida is on the verge of being fired since he cannot write good songs without understanding people’s hearts. The two of them unexpectedly join hands and take a crack at a fake yet real romance. Hanae’s flirtatious childhood friend Natsukawa Shingo (Kikuchi Fuma) who has always liked her gets involved and this soon develops into a love triangle. But she has a “secret” that she cannot tell anyone and decides this will be the last love of her life.

It could be cute, but Fuma's face in the poster gives me the chill. But! Who am I to say no to Mamiya Shotaro?

Gossip #Kanojo ga Shiritai Hontou no OO

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 6 January 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Seki Erika (Gosaigyou, Shinmai Shimai no Futari Gohan, Career), Hashimoto Natsu, Aotsuka Miho (Janai Hou no Kanojo, Kono Koi Atatamemasu ka, Yowamushi Pedal Series)
Director: Ishikawa Junichi
Cast: Kuroki Haru, Mizobata Junpei, Nomura Shuhei, Nomaguchi Toru, Ishii Anna, Kanichiro, Ichinose Hayate, Uzaki Misato, Otsuru Gitan, Ryou, Ando Masanobu, Namase Katsuhisa
Synopsis: Kanfuru News, an online news site run by a major publisher, is in danger of closure. Under its chief editor Yamada Reiji (Namase Katsuhisa) who has a laissez faire approach, the all-male editorial staff have only been publishing articles that are copied and pasted from other companies’ news, blog posts and comments. At this juncture, something triggers Seko Ririko’s (Kuroki Haru) transfer from the accounting department to the editorial team as a new member in order to save the business. She cannot read the situation and has no empathy. However, she is willing to do what it takes to increase the page views which is the mission she has been given. In the process of gathering information and posting articles for this purpose, Ririko slowly begins to find significance in her work in online news that she had thought unnecessary in the world. As the men around her come in touch with her straightforward working style and extremely awkward and innocent side, they grow to like her. And she also grows through her interactions with them.

I wasn't going to add this, but then I watched the preview and got interested, damn me. It could easily be one of those dramas where you grow really fond of all the characters.

Kei x Yaku

Preview
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 13 January 2022
Station: NTV
Scriptwriters: Sakai Masaaki (Red Eyes, Yakubyougami Series, Zettai Reido Seasons 1 – 2), Kanome Keiko (Gohoubi Gohan, Hot Mama, Haburashi Onna Tomodachi), Miura Hayato (Scandal Senmon Bengoshi, Keishichou Ikimono-gakari, Shachoushitsu no Fuyu)
Directors: Hatano Takafumi, Shiraishi Tatsuya, Kurakata Masatoshi, Hidaka Takashi
Cast: Inukai Atsuhiro, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Tokui Yoshimi, Hagiwara Minori, Maehara Ko, Matsuomoto Toshio, Yoshimura Kaito, Kuriyama Chiaki (guest star), Itao Itsuji
Synopsis: 28-year-old Kunishita Ichiro (Suzuki Nobuyuki), an investigator at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Safety Bureau, has not been able to come to terms with the quick closure of a missing persons case that he was investigating three years ago and continues to bargain for a resumption. But he is ordered on a completely different mission by his boss who wants him to carry out secret surveillance on Hanabusa Shiro (Inukai Atsuhiro), the young boss of a designated organised crime group. A man of many mysteries, Hanabusa had been a part-time worker until three years ago when he infiltrated the group for a certain purpose and got to the top in remarkable speed. Hanabusa does not fear death and lives for the moment. In the course of getting close to Hanabusa for his mission, Kunishita learns a startling truth. He and Hanabusa decide to form a fake lovers’ pact in order to hide their collaboration. As they secretly investigate a case that has been shrouded in darkness, they get dragged into a huge conspiracy that will gradually shake the country and is also tied to their own destinies.

Will this finally be a BL drama that is bad?? Because since Cherry Magic I've only watched good ones and I'm worried.

Itoshii Uso, Yasashii Yami

Preview
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 14 January 2022
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Ushio Kentaro (No Side Game, Black Pean, Chiisana Kyojin)
Director: Kinoshita Naomi
Cast: Haru, Hayashi Kento, Mizobata Junpei, Motokariya Yuika, Kurokawa Tomoka, Shinkawa Yua, Matsumura Sayuri, Tokushige Satoshi
Synopsis: Imai Mio (Haru) made her debut as a manga artist three years earlier. However, she did not gain much popularity and now works as a manga assistant with no bright future in sight. One day, 14 years after her junior high school graduation, a class reunion is held out of the blue. This is where she meets her first love Amemiya Shoichi (Hayashi Kento) again. The cool and handsome Shoichi excelled in his studies and sports and was like a perfect prince to all the female students back then. He is now the CEO of an IT company and still as popular with the ladies. Mio had thought that her feelings for him were one sided but this class reunion results in his active pursuit of her. Then of all things, members among the group of six good friends (Mizobata Junpei, Motokariya Yuika, Kurokawa Tomoka, Shinkawa Yua) who attended the event get caught up in incidents and start to die one after another. Each of them are hiding something shockingly dark which triggers endless lies and an unstoppable, tingling love-hate tragedy.

I'm not the biggest fan of Haru, but this season there's a lot of romance and this has at least a bit of suspance too (and seems nice).

Like I said, too many titles.

I am starting to forget what I have watched this fall, so maybe it's time to write the usual (?) recap post.
There are a few things aired in winter too, since it's already the end of January /facepalm
There will probably be typos and/or grammatical horrors, bear with me.

Kieta Hatsukoi
They are BABIES and they are ADORABLE.
There's really nothing much to say, it's an adorable little drama, I'm still shocked that we're getting good BL content and even more shocked that two young JE boys (one who literally debuted with the theme song of this drama) are playing these roles (I know that it's all about money, marketing etc, but STILL).
Ah, now we're all Meguro Ren's fans, right? RIGHT? (the Johnny's Festival didn't help, thank God I don't have it in me to stan new groups... at the moment).

Super Rich
Oh well, that was disappointing.
It wasn't BAD, I watched it without issues, but... I don't know, I wasn't impressed.
I liked the fact that it covered more years, to follow the vicissitudes of the company and the growth (in theory, at least) of the characters. But... I didn't care about any of it XD Following the company things was just frustrating, because it was run by incompetent people and we are supposed to feel sorry for them when they're betrayed by others.
And the characters... no one of them was likeable? They all had some nice moments, but most of the time were various degrees of unsufferable. I mean, you cast Machida Keita and Akaso Eiji in the same drama (and the promoting team knew EXACTLY what they were doing, because they pushed on them so much XD) but with these characters??? Keita's character was annoying most of the time, Eiji's was better but just because he has the sweetest smile in the universe and I kinda forgive him anything. Anyway, every time they were together on screen, my mind started transforming the drama into an enemies-to-lovers where they discard Mamoru and fell for each other (fanfictions writers WHERE ARE YOU - I don't think I'm able to write anything anymore so I have to rely on others).

Wadake no Otokotachi
WHAT A SURPRISE. I honestly expected something a bit boring and wanted to watch it only for Aiba, even though I was sure he would play the usual so-good-he's-dumb character. But! It was so good???
There are fun moments that are somehow absurd but never too much, the family banters, the whiny grandpa, overall the relationship between the 3 Wada men is the best thing of the drama. But there's so much more, it's a very present-day drama, with Covid, the growth of net news, how TV and papers are reacting to this new market and what does it mean to write news, to be a journalist. There's family, a bit of romance (weird, always weird, no one is normal in this drama) and politics. There's also Aiba being all soft and pretty.
I loved his Yu. At first he may seem that nice guy who never stands for himself and let other people do anything they want with him, but he's so much more. He's a gentle soul who's always ready to help others and doesn't like conflicts, he starts off with no ambitions, he thinks he'll never conclude anything relevant in his life, and he's okay with it; but then, with his new job and living with his relatives he starts to expand his horizon, to think he can/wants to something. And yeah, he's nice and often naive, but never stupid and when the moment come he's ready to stand on his feet and to make even difficoult choices to not betray his own values.
Honestly, one of the best Aiba's drama and character, I liked it a lot.

Saiai
This drama was generally really well liked and I see why, it didn't blow my mind but I still really enjoyed it.
Fun thing is that after the first 5 minutes I was getting some familiar vibes, I checket and, like I suspected, the scripwriter is the same of N no Tame ni and Yaku Kanransha; the vibe is similar but the dramas are still different, which is good. Saiai didn't emotionally involve me as much as N no Tame ni, and the mystery wasn't that much compelling, but it was still a good and emotional one, even if I understood who the main culprit was around the 8th or 9th episode, so it wasn't that shocking.
Anyway, it was really good.

Avalanche
Again, nothing much to say, it was just really good.
The concept isn't the most original one, Japan periodically do these things about the corruption of politics/police forces etc. and a group of vigilantes/outcasts that wnat to expose it. Crisis with Oguri Shun comes to my mind, but Avalanche was particularly enjoyable because of the development of the characters, we care about them and there are some really emotional moments. Both writing and acting were good, even Fukushi Sota was nice? I mean, boy is pretty but not the best actor, but it's true that a good script and a good director can really do the difference.
I love Ayano Go as always, he's so good ;_;

Utsukushii Kare
This was totally random. I wasn't really interested, but I saw people on twitter liking it and I ended up watching it in one sit.
It isn't the best drama I've ever watched, but considering the fact that I was expecting nothing but trash and problematic shit, it went well. I mean, the first episode is bad and I still think that some stuff is a little toxic, but overall it wasn't bad.

Shinbun Kinsha/The Journalist
This one is a winter drama, but all the episodes were released on Netflix so I have already watched it (it was also only 6 episodes long).
Had this been a western show, it would have had a lot of success, I'm pretty sure of it.
Once again, it's about the corruption and wrongdoing of political figures, there are some amazing characters (and amazing actors) and I think making only 6 episodes was a wise choice, because they managed to tell everything with a nice pace.
Can I write again that I love Ayano Go?

I also watched two Specials aired this winter: Dekinai Futari, which is a nice, short, romance drama, and 99.9, which reminded me once again how much I love this series. It makes my head hurt (especially when I start to sub it ;_;) but I love it, it's clever, crazy and perfect. I can't wait for the movie even though it will really be the last Miyama's adventure ;_;
I'm also in the middle of Koi Desu because only the first 6 episodes have been subbed so far, but I'm loving it ♥

Maybe I'm late because many of these already started or will start imminently, but considering that I have finished only one drama from the previous season... I'm late in general, I think.
Winter season was pretty dull, but I have my hopes up for this one!
(yeah I want to watch too many things, yeah I won't be able to do it)

My Family

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 10 April 2022
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Tokyo MER, Kikenna Venus, Grand Maison Tokyo)
Cast: Ninomiya Kazunari, Tabe Mikako, Kaku Kento, Takahashi Maryjun, Otomo Kohei, Kanno Misuzu, Sakoda Takaya, Yamada Kinuo, Watanabe Kunito, Fujima Sawako, Oshima Miyu, Nasu Yuto, Matsumoto Koshiro, Tomizawa Takeshi, Hamada Gaku, Tamaki Hiroshi
Synopsis: Narusawa Haruto (Ninomiya Kazunari), the CEO of a game company, is the darling of the moment. He has a house in Shonan in Kamakura where he lives with his wife Michiru (Tabe Mikako), a celebrity of sorts with over 10,000 followers on social media. The couple have a daughter who attends elementary school. While there is a sense of something complicated between Haruto and Michiru, he seems to have it all. That is until tragedy strikes when their daughter is kidnapped. The desperate situation puts their family ties to the test. They face a number of trials with the loss of their most precious child. Haruto and Michiru eventually realise that the only way to get her back is not through the police but to join hands to fight against the kidnappers. Will the two of them be able to get their daughter back safely and have a happy ending?

Yeah Neen's presence is a big factor, but it really seems good.
Will it actually come to Disney+ worldwide? A woman can only hope.

Yangotonaki Ichizoku

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 14 April 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Kamimori Marie (Kono Koi Atatamemasu ka, Kioku, Love Song), Aotsuka Miho (Gossip, Janai Hou no Kanojo, Kono Koi Atatamemasu ka, Yowamushi Pedal Series)
Cast: Tsuchiya Tao, Matsushita Kohei, Onoe Matsuya, Matsumoto Wakana, Watanabe Keisuke, Matsuomoto Kiyo, Baba Fumika, Sasaki Nozomi, Ishino Mako, Baisho Mitsuko, Kimura Tae, Ishibashi Ryo
Synopsis: Shinohara Sato (Tsuchiya Tao) grew up in a working class neighbourhood and runs an eatery with her mother Yoshie (Ishino Mako). She is a cheerful and steely young woman whom regular customers are fond of. She has been dating Miyama Kenta (Matsushita Kohei), the second son of a distinguished old family that runs a real estate business and has vast assets. Since he was a child, Kenta abhorred his authoritarian father Keiichi (Ishibashi Ryo) and the family’s customs. He left home during his student days, and eventually got a job with a company unrelated to the family. Keiichi and his wife Kumi (Kimura Tae) are strongly against a union between their son and Sato due to the disparity in status. Believing in the honest and unpretentious Kenta, Sato elopes with him and registers their marriage at the same time. At first, she cannot accept many of the family’s outdated customs that are characteristic of high society. However, she learns of Kenta’s desire to turn the Miyamas into a normal family where no one gets hurt and sacrificed for the family’s sake and there are no battles between relatives, and decides to enter the family. The true nature of the magnificent family that everyone envies is gradually revealed by Sato.

Everybody is excited about this, mostly because of the 2 leads, and I get it.
I already know she will get mistreated by evil relatives and I'll get mad, but I PRAY FOR THE ROMANCE.

Waru (2022) ~ Hataraku no ga Kakko Warui Nante Dare ga Itta?

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 13 April 2022
Station: NTV
Scriptwriters: Goto Noriko (Kazoku no Katachi, Zeni no Sensou, Team Batista Series), Matsushima Ruriko (Ie Uru Onna no Gyakushu)
Cast: Imada Mio, Eguchi Noriko, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Takahashi Fumiya, Mukai Osamu, Shida Mirai (guest star), Ishida Hikari (guest star), Aramaki Yoshihiko (guest star), Wada Masanari (guest star)
Synopsis: Despite graduating from a third-rate university with even worse grades, Tanaka Maririn (Imada Mio) is lucky enough to be a new employee at a major IT company. However, she gets assigned to its equipment management division where Minegishi Yuki (Eguchi Noriko) works. Minegishi’s past is a mystery but she notices Maririn’s potential. Her words asking Maririn if she does not want to advance in her career, completely changes Maririn’s life at the company. There is a reason why Minegishi is guiding her. While the incapable but upbeat Maririn runs into workplace problems that employees in each division face, she moves up from the lowest rung with her innate cheerfulness and Minegishi’s rather shrewd advice. Maririn is working hard as she wants to get close to a senior colleague Ono Tadashi (Suzuki Nobuyuki) whom she fell in love with at first sight but whose name she does not even know.

I love all these dramas lately with young women in love with Mukai Osamu (and him never being the final love interest), I easily relate to them.
Anyway it looks fun and has a nice cast!
(but I feel bad for her for that ugly hair)

Invisible

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 15 April 2022
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Izumi Yoshihiro (Alibi Kuzushi Uketamawarimasu, Shudan Sasen!, Todome no Kiss)
Cast: Takahashi Issei, Shibasaki Kou, Arioka Daiki, Hotta Akane, Tani Kyosuke, Itagaki Rihito, Ono Ito, Sakou Yoshi, Nishimura Motoki, Yuki Moe, Tanaka Makoto, Murai Ryota, Harada Taizo, Kiritani Kenta
Synopsis: Detective Shimura Takafumi (Takahashi Issei) belongs to the Special Investigation Unit which investigates unsolved cases that happen within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s jurisdiction. He used to be in charge of investigating cases on the First Investigation Division’s front line. However, his zeal for arresting criminals was particularly strong among the detectives of the division and the extremes he would go to in investigations led to his demotion. He is considered dangerous by the people around him in certain situations and his sense of justice is close to an obsessiveness. Shimura ends up having to work with Kiriko (Shibasaki Kou), a crime coordinator who is the representative of “evil” so to speak. Called “Invisible” because she is known only to a group of people within the police organisation and no one has seen her real image, Kiriko dominates the underworld and brokers deals for violent criminals. One day, she suddenly offers to help the police arrest criminals. Her only condition is that she wants to work with Shimura. She is privy to information on criminals that the police has yet to grasp and seems to hold the key to solving a lot of the unsolved cases that Shimura is pursuing. What is her motive for getting close to him?

I mean.
Look at those two.
From the preview, the drama seems pretty cool too but. Look at them.

Ore no Kawaii wa Mousugu Shouhi Kigen!?

Preview
Date: From 11.30 p.m., Saturdays, 16 April 2022
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Tanabe Shigenori (Oh! My Boss!, In Hand, Tokusatsu Gagaga)
Cast: Yamada Ryosuke, Yoshine Kyoko, Ohashi Kazuya, Nishida Naomi, Furuta Arata
Synopsis: 29-year-old Maruya Kosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) works for a beer company’s sales department. Since he was a child, he has been popular with people due to his charming features and friendly personality. With his cuteness as his greatest weapon, he is at the top of his game at work and has never had a problem having a girlfriend. Just before he turns 30, Kosuke is confronted with something shocking. That is, his cuteness has an expiry date. Before this, everything used to go well once he unleashed his killer smile. But he starts facing difficulties in both work and romance, and his life goes downhill. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Sanada Izumi (Yoshine Kyoko) has considered herself to be a secondary character in life as a result of a childhood experience. She works for the same beer company in a research job at the product development department which does not require much involvement with people. However, she gets transferred to the sales department of all places and ends up being paired with Kosuke. Kosuke’s killer smile has no effect on Izumi who has stayed away from romance with the stubborn thought that she will never be chosen by someone. She easily ignores him but...

Many years ago I used to really dislike Yamada, for absolutely no reason, but he's actually a pretty good actor and a nice dude. It's a random info, I know.
Anyway, I see a lot of potential, him used to have his way with people and her not giving a fuck.

Motokare no Yuigonjou

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 11 April 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Sugihara Noriaki (Mamagoto, Mega Bank Saishuu Kessen)
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Oizumi Yo, Ikuta Toma, Sekimizu Nagisa, Manda Hisako, Kaname Jun, Fueki Yuko, Satoi Kenta, Sasano Takashi, Nomaguchi Toru, Mori Kanna
Synopsis: Beautiful, stylish Kenmochi Reiko (Ayase Haruka) works for one of the country’s top law firms. Although everyone regards her as a very outstanding lawyer, she has made enemies for stopping at nothing to win. She merely boasts that she is honest about her desire for money. One day, her bonus gets cut after a client accuses her of extortion. Feeling indignant about the way she has been treated, Reiko blusters that she is going to quit and takes a brief leave of absence. With time to spare, she sends emails at random to acquaintances. The only person who replies is an ex-boyfriend Morikawa Eiji (Ikuta Toma) whom she had only dated for six months when they were in university. But the email response contains shocking news of his death. The sender is a mysterious man called Shinoda Keitaro (Oizumi Yo). What is even more surprising is Eiji’s strange will that bequeaths his huge fortune to the person who killed him. However, it is the inheritance and not the fact that he died that sways Reiko. She comes up with a plan to make Shinoda the “murderer” and conspires to split the fortune equally with him but...

I'm not THAT excited about this one, but I can recognize it will be good and I will most probably like it!

Koi Nante, Honki de Yatte Dousuru no?

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Mondays, 18 April 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Asano Taeko (Digital Tattoo, Tasogare Ryuuseigun, Gomen Ai Shiteru)
Cast: Hirose Alice, Matsumura Hokuto, Nishino Nanase, Iitoyo Marie, Okayama Amane, Ono Karin, Ando Nico, Osada Seiya, Makino Rika, Miura Ryota, Tozuka Junki, Mikata Ryosuke, Akira 100%, Furukawa Yuta, Kashii Yu, Fujiki Naohito
Synopsis: Sakurazawa Jun (Hirose Alice), the young chief designer of a company that manufactures Western tableware, has a fulfilling life in Tokyo and has no wish for it to be disrupted. At 27, she has no experience in romance or men and insists that she does not want to waste her feelings and time on something as uncertain as love. There is actually a reason why she is adamant about it. Nagamine Shuma (Matsumura Hokuto), an apprentice chef and waiter at a French bistro, is strikingly handsome and also has a gentle smile and way with words that captures female hearts. His philosophy regarding love is to live in the moment and he is not serious about relationships. However, he seems to be concealing the emptiness inside him. An encounter between Jun and Shuma, who both think that they do not need true love, starts to bring about changes in each of them when he takes an interest in her for some reason... in this story of six men and women who find the greatest love of their lives.

I mean, from the preview it seems a really spicy thing but also really awkward so I don't know??? I want to try it.

I don't know if they count as spring dramas since they've already started in the beginning of March, but I'm watching Shizuka-chan to Papa and it's really sweet ;_; and I'm debating whether to start Hiru, but only because Sakaguchi Kentaro looks really sexy in the poster and because Akaso Eiji best boy.

I have to say it, I'm not feeling this season. Part of the reason is that this spring has been a snooze-fest, for dramas, except for Waru, which I loved (but it's partially my fault too, since I decided to wait for Invisible and My Family to finish and binge-watch them... and I still haven't done it lol. It also seems like I've slept on some good titles like Nanba something and the Kimutaku one, I want to try them both).
Anyway, I'm going to be pretty selective this time, because of time, long watchlist etc etc, you know the drill (not counting the BLs tbh, because they start airing earlier/later than the others and because I'm ending up watching them all for science).

Old Rookie

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 26 June 2022
Station: TBS
Genre: Sports
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Kakenai?!, Good Partner, Doctors Series)
Cast: Ayano Go, Yoshine Kyoko, Nakagawa Taishi, Okazaki Sae, Masuda Takahisa, Inagaki Kurumi, Izutani Rana, Takahashi Katsumi, Eikura Nana, Sorimachi Takashi
Synopsis: Shinmachi Ryotaro (Ayano Go) is a professional soccer player who devoted his life to the sport and even represented his country. However, an injury caused his performance to slump. After this, he played for the J3 League. But he is suddenly forced to retire as a soccer player and hit with the reality that he has no skills besides soccer. And at the age of 37, it is rather late for Ryotaro to join the workforce. As his two daughters Izumi and Meisa (Inagaki Kurumi, Izutani Rana) are proud of him for being a soccer player, he cannot break the news to them just yet until he can tell them about his second career. Ryotaro comes across a sports management company Victory headed by Takayanagi Masashi (Sorimachi Takashi) and decides to work in this line on account of his wholehearted love and respect for sports even though it involves working behind the scene as a representative and manager of athletes. Even so, he still has difficulty coming to terms with his retirement. It is not easy to change jobs at 37 and he also faces a big hurdle at work. Will Ryotaro choose soccer or his new life?

I'm always, always scared of Ayano Go, because he has the ability to pick such shit projects that I can't bring myself to watch them. This one is a sport drama, he seems super cute, the cast is good, in the 1st episode there's a hot Yokohama Ryusei... I REALLY hope it's good, Ayano, please.

Junai Dissonance

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 14 July 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Romance
Scriptwriters: Tamada Shinya (Anonymous, Densetsu no Okaasan, Joker x Face), Obayashi Rieko (Rabu Kome no Okite, Edo Moiselle, Nodoka no Niwa), Kuramitsu Yasuko (Ukiwa, Alive, Scandal Senmon Bengoshi Queen)
Cast: Nakajima Yuto, Yoshikawa Ai, Higa Manami, Takahashi Yuto, Kakei Miwako, Wada Masato, Hata Mei, Fujiwara Taiyu, Jinbo Satoshi, Tezuka Toru, Mashima Hidekazu, Tomita Yasuko, Mitsuishi Ken, Sato Ryuta
Synopsis: Nitta Masaki (Nakajima Yuto) arrives at a high school as a music teacher to replace its former teacher Kosaka Yukino (Kakei Miwako) whose disappearance has caused an upheaval. The night before his first day of work, Masaki was playing the piano at the school’s music room when he encountered a student Izumi Sae (Yoshikawa Ai). He becomes the assistant form teacher of her class. Masaki appears to be a fine young man who understands students but he is actually a calculating person with an inferiority complex from being compared to his older brother all his life. The missing person case soon brings Masaki and Sae closer to together. Although he begins to realise that he has developed special feelings for her at some point, he refuses to acknowledge that what he feels is love. Meanwhile, Sae has no doubt that she loves him. The two of them eventually part ways without facing up to their true feelings. However five years later, they unexpectedly meet each other again. Sae is an adult now and there does not seem to be any obstacles between them except for one thing. Masaki has a wife. What Masaki and Sae had before was a pure love that never crossed the line. Their reunion creates a dissonance that gradually strains their relationships with the people around them and starts to head toward ruin.

Mh. I'm tired of teachers falling in love with their students, but it seems that the story takes place few years later when she's an adult.
Let's hope it's good? I like Nakajima Yuto a lot, I want the drama to be good.

Ishiko to Haneo ~ Sonna Koto de Uttaemasu?

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 8 July 2022
Station: TBS
Genre: Legal
Scriptwriter: Nishida Masafumi (Totone-chan, Jikken Keiji Totori)
Cast: Arimura Kasumi, Nakamura Tomoya, Akaso Eiji, Oideyasu Oda, Sada Masashi, Koseki Yuta (guest star)
Synopsis: Called Ishiko because she is obstinate, 28-year-old Ishida Shoko (Arimura Kasumi) graduated at the top of her class at Tokyo University’s law faculty but has failed the bar exam four times. Although she tells the people around her that it is not that she cannot become a lawyer but that she ought not to, Ishiko gave up on the bar exam out of fear that she would fail again. She has been working as a paralegal at her father Ushio Wataro’s (Sada Masashi) law firm. 34-year-old Haneoka Yoshio (Nakamura Tomoya), a high school graduate who dropped out of university in the US after six months and spent several years wandering around the country, passed the bar exam on his first try thanks to his photographic memory. He professes to be Haneo with a personality as light as a feather and brands himself an unconventional talented lawyer. In reality, he lacks the ability to respond to situations and his train of thought grinds to a halt when the unexpected happens. The two of them with their own inferiority complexes are thrown together when Haneo makes the acquaintance of Ishiko’s father and comes to the law firm.

Listen, I have a Feeling about this drama. More specifically, I feel (more like I hope) like this couple could have crazy good dynamics. Finger crossed!

Teppachi

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 6 July 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Honda Takaaki (Lion no Oyatsu, Gekikarado, Rental Nanmo Shinai Hito), Seki Erika (Gossip, Gosaigyou, Shinmai Shimai no Futari Gohan), Morohashi Hayato
Cast: Machida Keita, Sano Hayato, Shiraishi Mai, Kitamura Kazuki, Sato Kanta, Tokito Yuki, Ichinose Hayate, Sakaguchi Ryotaro, Ikeda Eikichi, Fujioka Maito, Kudo Asuka, Kiriyama Ren, Kubota Yuki, Yuki Kosei, Mizusawa Rintaro
Synopsis: During his high school days, Kokusho Hiroshi (Machida Keita) was the rugby club’s ace who attracted national attention. However, he sustained injuries owing to his self-centred and aggressive style of playing. He was criticised by his teammates and remained isolated until he stepped aside. After graduating from high school, he lived a carefree life without a regular job. Then one day, he has a brush with the law because of a fight that gets him sacked from his job at a construction site and evicted from the apartment that he had been living in for falling behind on the payment of his rent. Hiroshi is at his wits end when a man calls out that he will introduce the perfect job that comes with a fully equipped dorm and three meals a day for someone like him who is proud of his physical strength. It is to work for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force which defends the country’s peace and security. “With a name like that, weren’t you born to become a member of the Self-Defense Force?” Hiroshi initially refuses but makes a half-hearted decision to become a trainee. Despite the gruelling training, this turns out to be his true calling.

Seems like in the 1st episode Machida Keita has a lil ponytail.
Yes, this is me being selective.
I expect nothing from this drama, I'll probably watch it very fast and only for the pretty.

Bonus titles: Unicorn ni Notte, but I've heard that the 1st episode was nothing much, so we'll see in the future, and the one with Haru and Mamiya Shotaro, which I'd watch only for Mamiya because it seems boring :D So, as of now, these two aren't on my list, but as always I'll keep my eyes open.

I come from another dull drama season (the only one I actually enjoyed was Ishiko to Haneo, and it was mostly for the characters and their relatioships) so I'm starting to think that my radar is having some problems. This fall there's nothing I'm really excited about but as always I managed to put together a list of things I'm going to try!

First Love Hatsukoi

Preview
Date: From 24 November 2022
Network: Netflix
Scriptwriter: Kanchiku Yuri
Director: Kanchiku Yuri
Cast: Mitsushima Hikari, Sato Takeru, Kaho, Minami, Nakao Akiyoshi, Araki Towa, Aoi Yamada, Hamada Gaku, Mukai Osamu, Iura Arata, Koizumi Kyoko
Synopsis: A couple meet their first love in the late 1990’s, grow up in the 2000’s, and ultimately lead up to the present day as they discover what had made their relationship unforgettable even though more than 20 years have passed. Noguchi Yae (Mitsushima Hikari) wants to be a flight attendant but is thwarted by fate due to an unexpected accident. Namiki Harumichi (Sato Takeru) became a pilot with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force but is no longer pursuing that career path.

The trailer gave me The Feels.

The Travel Nurse

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 20 October 2022
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Nakazono Miho (Doctor X Series, 7-nin no Hisho, Haken no Hinkaku Series)
Directors: Kanai Hiro, Katayama Osamu, Yamada Hayato
Cast: Okada Masaki, Nakai Kiichi, Nanao, Adachi Yumi, Tsunematsu Yuri, Izumisawa Yuki, Miyamoto Mayu, Noro Kayo, Iketani Nobue, Yoshida Ulongta, Maehara Mizuki, Yanagiba Toshiro, Asada Miyoko, Terajima Shinobu, Matsudaira Ken
Synopsis: Nasuda Ayumi (Okada Masaki) is a young travel nurse who gives a bad first impression. In fact, he had been an excellent nurse practitioner in the US. He has qualifications to carry out certain medical procedures and assist doctors in surgeries. However, some circumstances trigger his return to Japan where nurse practitioners are relatively unknown and nurses are still expected to do what doctors order. Ayumi ends up working at Amano General Medical Centre where he encounters a mysterious, legendary nurse Kuki Shizuka (Nakai Kiichi) who will become his partner. Shizuka cleans “quietly” just like his name suggests and gets mistaken for a cleaner by the hospital staff including Ayumi. But he is actually a super nurse with boggling skills. Although Shizuka does not defy doctors and is too soft, when it comes to the crunch, he would boldly take decisive action with scathing words. He is quite a “liar” and has a huge secret? With their respective skills and philosophies, Ayumi and Shizuka are different types of unsung nurses who repulse each other but also collaborate to slowly bring about changes in not only the patients but also the healthcare professionals around them.

I miss Black Pean.
Anyway, this is maybe the drama I'm most intrigued by this fall, but so far I think no one plan to sub it so... we'll see.

silent

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 6 October 2022
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Ubukata Miku
Director: Kazama Hiroki
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Meguro Ren, Suzuka Oji, Sakurada Hiyori, Itagaki Rihito, Kaho, Kazama Shunsuke, Shinohara Ryoko
Synopsis: Eight years ago Aoba Tsumugi (Kawaguchi Haruna) broke up with her boyfriend whom she wanted to love for the rest of her life. It started in the autumn of the second year of high school when she found herself attracted to a voice she happened to hear at the morning assembly. Sakura So (Meguro Ren) stole her heart as he read an essay on stage and Tsumugi realised she was gradually getting interested in him. They became classmates in their third year and grew closer through mutual friends. Tsumugi and So began to date and their relationship deepened because of their common love of music. But one day after their graduation, So disappeared after suddenly telling her it was over without giving her any reason. In the present day, Tsumugi has started to move on with life. However, she coincidentally sees So in a crowd which makes her aware of him once again. Wanting to meet So to talk things out, Tsumugi begins searching for him. That is when she unexpectedly learns that he has practically lost his hearing due to the early onset of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss which makes it increasingly difficult for him to hear...

Ok. I'm absolutely NOT in the mood for something like this, and in general I'm afraid it's not my cup of tea (of course this is based on nothing but the preview), but I see people going FERAL about the 1st episode (it's only because of Meme? who knows), if I can I'll watch it today and see it for myself.

Jitenshaya-san no Takahashi-kun

Date: From 12.30 a.m., Fridays, November 2022
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Kitagawa Ayako (Tokyo Love Story (2020), Onna Kudoki Meshi Series, Watashi ni XX Shinasai!)
Directors: Ota Yu, Yaegashi Fuga, Yamashita Hisayoshi
Cast: Suzuki Nobuyuki, Uchida Rio
Synopsis: Hanno Tomoko (Uchida Rio), a reserved 30-year-old woman from Tokyo, currently lives alone in Gifu while she works for a company. Known as Panko, she is uncomfortable socialising with people and has a hard time expressing her opinions clearly. She also agonises about the subtle sexual harassment she has been subjected to by her boss and her struggle to turn down invitations from her colleagues. One day, Tomoko meets Takahashi Ryohei (Suzuki Nobuyuki) when she stops at a nearby bicycle shop for help after discovering that the bicycle chain has come off her bicycle. He runs the bicycle shop and is handsome, but has the appearance of a delinquent. Tomoko feels fearful of the slightly forceful Ryohei but gradually becomes attracted to him.

This is only me having a crush on Suzuki Nobuyuki playing the delinquent-with-a-heart-of-gold.

Kurosagi (2022)

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 21 October 2022
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Solomon no Gishou, Influence, Saka no Tochuu no Ie)
Directors: Tanaka Kenta, Ishii Yasuharu, Hirano Shunichi
Cast: Hirano Sho, Kuroshima Yuina, Inowaki Kai, Nakamura Yuri, Uno Shohei, Tokito Yuki, Yamamoto Koji, Bando Yajuro, Funanoshi Eiichiro (guest star), Miura Tomokazu
Synopsis: When Kurosaki Koshiro (Hirano Sho) was 15 years old, his father became a victim of fraud and tried to kill the entire family including himself. As the only one who survived, he decides to take revenge, choosing to become a “kurosagi” who swindles other swindlers. Kurosaki targets professional swindlers known as “shirosagi” who cheat people like his father and steal their money. He seems to be a friendly, ordinary young man who treats everyone equally. But he leads a lonely life, trusting and relying on no one as a result of his past. Believing that the law does not protect people, Kurosaki channels his fury and makes it his purpose in life to rid the world of “shirosagi” in order to get to Mikimoto, the one who conned his father, someday.

Kurosagi has been around for decades and I only know discover its plot. I'm more interested in Hirano Sho than the plot but oh well (and then I complain that I can't find good dramas anymore... look at my priorities when I choose what to watch lmao).

Here I am, las late as always and extremely uninspired from this season. Maybe it's because the two fall dramas I watched - silent and First Love - were extremely beautiful (and I'll watch Elpis and The Travel Nurse as soon as I can, I still have expectations for them!), but maybe it's just because there's nothing that is really appealing to me.
As always, though, a short list of the things I might chek out!

Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 17 January 2023
Station: TBS
Genre: Romance
Scriptwriter: Kitagawa Eriko (Long Vacation, Beautiful Life, Orange Days, Hanbun Aoi, Uchi no Musume wa, Kareshi ga Dekinai!!)
Cast: Hirose Suzu, Nagase Ren, Matsumoto Wakana, Tanabe Momoko, Ihara Rikka, Uchida Rio, Sakurai Kaito
Synopsis: Asagi Soramame (Hirose Suzu) grew up in a remote countryside of Kyushu, Japan. She is an energetic and bright person. She followed her fiancé, who was also a childhood friend, to Tokyo. She had a fateful and shocking encounter with a man named Umino Oto (Nagase Ren), but they assumed they would never meet again. Now, 23-year-old Asagi Soramame meets Umino Oto again at a boarding house where they both live. Asagi Soramame has also found an interest in fashion. Meanwhile, after graduating from a university, Umino Oto decided to pursue a career in music. His parents were not happy with his decision. He tries to become successful as a composer by creating music on his laptop, but he hasn't gotten any attention from the recording company that he is signed with. He is close to giving up on his dream. He works part-time at a cafe to help pay his bills. By meeting Asagi Soramame, 23-year-old Umino Oto is able to pursue his dream again. They fall in love with each other and encourage each other to achieve their dreams.

Maybe this is the only one I'm actually waiting for, the story sounds good, the promotional images are gorgeous, and the scriptwriter has written so many good and famous dramas!

Brush Up Life

Preview
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 8 January 2023
Station: NTV
Genre: Comedy, Life
Scriptwriter: Bakarhythm (Sutekina Sen Taxi, Kuroi 10-nin no Onna, Satsui no Michinori, )
Cast: Ando Sakura, Kaho, Kinami Haruka, Matsuzaka Tori, Sometani Shota, Tanaka Naoki, Shida Mirai,
Synopsis: A comedy focusing on Kondo Asami (Ando Sakura), a 33-year-old single woman who lives with her parents and works at the local city hall, and suddenly finds herself starting her life over from scratch. It happens out of a sudden and Asami finds herself on a bed in an obstetrics and gynecology clinic, where she meets her young parents and begins her life all over again.

Idk there's something about this drama that pulls me in a little.

Megami no Kyoushitsu ~ Legal no Seishun Hakusho

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 9 January 2023
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Legal suspense
Scriptwriters: Okita Haruka (Unicorn ni Notte, Night Doctor, Radiation House Series), Kanda Yu (Kyoso no Bannin, Itoshii Uso Yasashii Yami, Radiation House Series)
Cast: Kitagawa Keiko, Yamada Yuki, Minami Sara, Takahashi Fumiya, Maeda Oshiro, Maeda Kentaro, Kawamura Hana, Sato Hitomi, Miyano Mamoru, Kosakai Kazuki, Onoe Matsuya
Synopsis: Hiiragi Shizuku (Kitagawa Keiko), a judge, is sent to Seinan University’s law faculty as a temporary instructor. This is where she meets the teacher Aoi Jin and five law school students and she sees them aiming only for the short term – the bar exam. The teachers are interested in nothing else but teaching students about the bar exam while the students just want to prepare for the exam while taking courses where they can get academic credits easily. As a judge, Shizuku devotes time to each case, carrying out her duties with the conviction that a person cannot be a good lawyer without understanding people. To train the students who will be responsible for the administration of justice so that they will become fine young talent, she places emphasis in looking out for the reasons behind people’s actions during her lessons. When students enter the legal profession and handle actual cases, they will face the law and people. That is why Shizuku wants to inculcate the importance of understanding and trying to get to know people. She gives Aoi and the students, who have precisely the opposite values, an awareness that is not found in law textbooks.

Could be nice, could be useless and overly sugar-coated. But I have a soft spot for idealistic characters shaping the next generation, so I hope it's nice.
(maybe I'm mostly trying it for Takahashi Fumiya, maybe not)

Hoshi Furu Yoru ni

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 17 January 2023
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Romance
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Shiranakute Ii Koto, Ie Uru Onna Series, Dairenai)
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Kitamura Takumi, Chiba Yudai, Nekoze Tsubaki, Nagai Mijika, Nakamura Riho, Kiryu Sakura, Komagine Kiita, Wakabayashi Takuya, Miyazawa Miho, Doronz Ishimoto, Terasawa Hideya, Mitsuishi Ken, Mizuno Miki, Dean Fujioka
Synopsis: 35-year-old gynaecologist Yukimiya Suzu (Yoshitaka Yuriko) works at a hospital in a peaceful seaside town. While she helps to bring new life into the world, she is emotionally worn out in this constrictive and suffocating society, and cannot be vulnerable to anyone. Suzu studied hard to become a doctor and as a result of working for money and status, she not only lost the friends who fought with her, but also the enthusiasm and dreams she once had. She learned that society is not always on the side of those who are right and she will only get fatigued if she fights. Suzu decides to go camping alone to take a breather. As she drinks alcohol and looks up at the starry sky, Hiiragi Issei (Kitamura Takumi) wordlessly moves towards her and takes a series of photos with his camera. Then he kisses her without warning. The next morning, when Suzu wakes up, the young man conveys something to her with hand gestures and leaves. This episode would become a irreplaceable fated encounter for each of them. Issei lives in a world with no sound. He has many interests, friends all over the world and follows his heart’s desires. Although Issei is 10 years her junior, and strangely overbearing and immature at times, he has a glow that cannot be missed. As Suzu interacts with him, her heart is gradually set free.

I can't seem to find the link to the preview I've watched - now they're all region blocked, at least for my country - BUT! I remember Yoshitaka Yuriko's voice in it was UNBEARABLE, why does she keep choosing dramas that I might be interested in??? I even quite like how she acts, but her voiceeeee uggghhhhh.

Dai Byoin Senkyo

Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 14 January 2023
Station: NTV
Genre: Thriller
Scriptwriter: Teppei Fukuda (In Hand, Pandora no Kajitsu: Kagaku Hanzai Sousa File Season 1)
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Higa Manami, Yoshida Honoka, Sonim, Shirasu Jin, Miyamoto Mayu, Gunpee
Synopsis: Saburo Musashi (Sho Sakurai) is a detective and he is on an administrative leave. He is estranged from his wife Yuko Musashi (Manami Higa). She is a cardiac surgeon at a hospital. One day, an armed group, who are all masked, takes over the hospital. The doctors, including Yuko Musashi, hospital staff, and patients are held hostage by the group. Saburo Musashi goes up against the armed group to rescue the hostages.

Putting this here for Sho and Sho only because I love him and I miss his silly face.

Romance? For spring? Groundbreaking. (semicit.)
Later than usual because I had some troubles with my pc (literally destroyed it by pouring half a litre of water on it).
I honestly feel sorry about all the dramas I'm going to watch in the near future, because I've recently watched Nanba MG5 and nothing will compare to it for a loooong time.
Still, here's my picks from this spring lineup!

Watashi no Oyome-kun

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 April 2023
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hashimoto Natsu (Octo, Gossip)
Directors: Kamiya Kaede, Joho Hidenori, Mito Yusuke
Cast: Haru, Takasugi Mahiro, Maeda Kentaro, Nimura Sawa, Hiccorohee, Ito Masayuki, Saeki Daichi, Takezai Terunosuke, Furukawa Yuta, Ukaji Takashi, Tomita Yasuko, Nakamura Aoi
Synopsis: Hayami Honoka (Haru) works in the sales department of a large home appliance manufacturer. She has not only been number 1 in sales for five consecutive terms, but also won the Outstanding Employee Award. Although Honoka is considered everyone’s ideal bride and a perfect person, she has been hiding the fact that she lives in a dirty home because she is slovenly. Yamamoto Chihiro (Takasugi Mahiro), a junior in the same department, greatly admires Honoka’s competence at work. Having had to help his busy mother with the housework together with his siblings from a young age, he has absolute confidence in his skills at household chores. One thing leads to another and Chihiro unwittingly learns the truth about Honoka. Soon he is over at Honoka’s house often enough that she gets him to move in with her!?

For some reason, I have quite a lot of faith in this one.
I don't know, I'm not the biggest Haru fan, but both her and Takasugi Mahiro seem to fit their roles so well?? And it seems cute (the fact that this boy has monopolized my attention in every work I've seen him in, even if he wasn't the main lead, has nothing to do with anything I say).
Also, I always appreciate seeing women completely unable to "fit" into their assigned role of angel in the house (I do not appreciate, however, how this is always seen as shocking or weird. Same for a man who can take care of the house and likes it).

Kashi Mashi Meshi

Preview
Date: From 11.06 p.m., Mondays, 10 April 2023
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Tamada Shinya (Junai Dissonance, Anonymous, Densetsu no Okaasan), Imanishi Yuko (Shoumonai Bokura no Renairon, Sabishii Oka de Kari o Suru, Hoshi kara Kita Anata)
Directors: Matsumoto Kana, Fukuda Momoko
Cast: Maeda Atsuko, Narumi Riko, Shiono Akihisa, Kura Yuki, Wakabayashi Takuya, Kudo Ayano, Watabe Atsuro
Synopsis: Three people close to 30 meet again for the first time since graduating from art college when a former classmate takes his own life. Despite their own troubles in life, they get together regularly for lively meals at home and in the process of doing so, they eventually start living together. Oda Chiharu (Maeda Atsuko) quit her design job at the company of her dreams after being bullied by her boss. Nakamura Seiko (Narumi Riko) is a career woman with a strong desire to get married because of her old-fashioned family. But her fiance, who works in the same department, suddenly breaks off their engagement. Amagai Eiji (Shiono Akihisa) was the boyfriend of their classmate who committed suicide. He used to be a designer at an advertising agency but since his transfer to sales, he no longer knows what he wants to do. He is a gay man but has yet to tell his parents.

Such comforting, heart-warming vibes :')
Slice-of-lifedrama with people discussing their problems and worries in front of a meal? I could be down for that.

unknown

Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 18 April 2023
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Tokuo Koji (Roppongi Class, Koi wa Deep ni, Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san)
Directors: Ruto Toichiro, Kanai Hiro
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Tanaka Kei, Machida Keita, Kote Shinya, First Summer Uika, Inoue Yuki, Sota Ryosuke, Osada Seiya, Niiro Shinya, Ishikawa Zen, Sako Yoshi, Kino Hana, Aso Kumiko, Yoshida Kotaro
Synopsis: Yamihara Kokoro (Takahata Mitsuki), a journalist for a weekly magazine, and Asada Toramatsu (Tanaka Kei), a police officer working at a police box, have been dating for a year and pledged to love each other. As Kokoro’s 30th birthday approaches, both of them start thinking of marriage but neither can summon the courage to tell their grave secrets. They live in a pretty peaceful town but three serial murder cases in the neighbourhood actually remain unsolved. These cases are regarded as serial murders because all the victims were killed using the same method and their bodies drained of blood. Five years have gone by without any clues related to the killer. Now that people’s memories have begun to fade, tragedy strikes once again. Toramatsu wears a thoughtful expression for some reason after he sees the body of the new victim at the crime scene. Then Kokoro has mixed feelings about her editor in chief’s talk of creating a special feature on these bizarre crimes. The worse part is that the tragedy does not end with this murder and the town residents whom Kokoro and Toramatsu are on good terms with get caught in one case after another.

For a good 80%, it's in this list for the promising cast.
I'm not in the mood for suspance but who knows, if it gets subbed I might watch it later this year.
P.S. Machida Keita I miss your stupidly handsome face.

Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 18 April 2023
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Kuramitsu Yasuko (PICU, Imawa no Kuni no Arisu Season 1, Alive), Seki Hisayo (Iribito, Pandora no Kajitsu)
Directors: Tsuboi Toshio, Izumi Masahide, Miyazaki Moeka
Cast: Hashimoto Kana, Yamada Ryosuke, Bando Ryota, Nagao Kento, Morinaga Yuki, Kobayashi Kinako, Wakatsuki Yumi, Miura Ryota, Kobayashi Ryoko, Fukuda Yumi, Kohinata Yuka, Tanaka Hinari, Takahashi Kanaru, Miyazaki Ririsa, Tsukaji Muga, Riju Go, Ryou, Matsushima Nananko
Synopsis: Rookie wedding planner Haneda Ayaka (Hashimoto Kana) just joined La Blanche wedding hall. She has always been popular because of her incomparable beauty. But she gets put off by guys who only look at appearances, and has hardly ever been in love. Ayaka’s life has also been nothing but trouble as she is often misunderstood and envied for her beauty by those around her. Her parents (Ryou, Tsukaji Muga) run a small kamaboko shop. As the eldest of five children, she had to earn her own school fees in order to help out her family. One day, Ayaka suddenly gets a marriage proposal from Nitta Togo (Yamada Ryosuke) which becomes a turning point in her life. Togo is the autocratic CEO of La Blanche and the successor of a large company, Nitta Holdings. He has neither had problems with women nor truly been in love before. Ayaka chooses marriage to protect her family while Togo chooses marriage to turn around the struggling wedding hall. A married life full of calculations begins.

I was completely bought by the preview, the 2 leads seem sooo dislikable lmao I kinda hate them.
It could be fun.

Sorette Pakuri Janai desu ka?

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 April 2023
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Ushio Kentaro (Kyoso no Bannin, Itoshii Uso, Black Pean)
Directors: Nakajima Satoru, Uchida Hidemi
Cast: Yoshine Kyoko, Shigeoka Daiki, Tokiwa Takako, Watanabe Daichi, Fukuchi Momoko, Asakura Aki, Toyoda Yudai, Suwa Masashi, Takahashi Tsutomu, Aijima Kazuyuki, Akai Hidekazu, Nomaguchi Toru, Tomosaka Rie, Tanabe Seiichi
Synopsis: Fujisaki Aki (Yoshine Kyoko) is an employee at beverage maker Tsukiyono’s drink development department but ends up being assigned to work involving intellectual property. When an important patent related to a beverage under development gets stolen by a rival company, Aki is suspected of leaking information. She teams up with Kitawaki Masami (Shigeoka Daiki), an intellectual property lawyer who comes from headquarters to investigate this incident at Tsukiyono. But they get off to a rocky start since Aki knows nothing about intellectual property while Kitawaki makes no compromises in business. She is emotional, looks at people’s strengths and cares about the reasons. However, Kitawaki is rational, looks at people’s weaknesses and only cares about the rules and outcomes. The two of them have to fight together to regain the stolen patent from the rival company.

It's going to be weird seeing Daiki playing a role where he's not smiling all the time, but well we'll try.
Could be fun or veeery boring.

Keiji to Kenji, Tokidoki Hanji

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 13 April 2023
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors Saikyo no Meii Series, Good Partner, Hero Series)
Directors: Motohashi Keita, Kinoshita Naomi
Cast: Kiritani Kenta, Higa Manami, Isomura Hayato, Nakamura Anne, Okazaki Sae, Nagai Mijika, Nishimura Motoki, Furuta Arata, Ito Atsushi, Kichise Michiko, Kitamura Yukiya
Synopsis: Nakaido Gota (Kiritani Kenta) is a former high school physical education teacher who now works at the Minatomirai Police Precinct’s Criminal Affairs Division in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Wanting to eradicate the bad people who lead students astray, he quit teaching and changed jobs. Nakaido is currently a sergeant and wants to get a promotion, but he is not good at studying so he obsesses about his accomplishments, that is, arresting criminals. He likes nothing better than to be thanked by victims for catching criminals. What stands in the way of a mid-career detective like Nakaido is a prosecution team (Nakamura Ann, Kitamura Yukiya) with the country’s best brains who declare that the law is everything, and life experience and empathy have no part in bringing someone to justice. A self-centred judge (Kichise Michiko) will also join the battle. Going from warrant → arrest → prosecution → indictment → warrant → trial is not easy. In the process of doing so, people with completely different academic backgrounds, status, income, qualifications, investigation approaches who would never have mingled, interact and clash head-on.

Got into the list at the last minute, but it seems fun?

I come from a season where I overall liked what I watched, but nothing really stood out, so I hope this time it'll go better!

Manatsu no Cinderella

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 10 July 2023
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Romance
Scriptwriter: Shito Sayaka
Cast: Mori Nana, Mamiya Shotaro, Kamio Fuju, Yoshikawa Ai, Hagiwara Riku, Shirahama Aran, Nimura Sawa, Mizukami Koshi, Morisaki Win, Sakurai Yuki (guest star), Yamaguchi Tomomitsu, Onishi Riku
Synopsis: Aoi Natsumi (Mori Nana), a cheerful, spirited stand-up paddle surfing instructor, was born and grew up by the seaside. She enjoys hanging out with her two girlfriends Airi and Risa (Yoshikawa Ai, Nimura Sawa), has a kind heart and puts her family (Yamaguchi Tomomitsu, Onishi Riku) first. Mizushima Kento (Mamiya Shotaro) who graduated from a top university and works for a major architecture firm in Tokyo, is like the model student. He wanted to be a marine biologist but went along with his parents’ expectations because his father is a famous architect. However, his feelings start to change after a chance encounter with Natsumi in summer.

A nice summer romance with a great cast, I'm quite excited about this one! I think I won't be able to watch it as it airs because I read it's going to be on Viki after it ends. Still, it has the potential to be sooo good.

Trillion Game

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 14 July 2023
Station: TBS
Genre: Corporate
Scriptwriter: Habara Daisuke (Chimudondon, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, Godan)
Director: Murao Yoshiaki
Cast: Meguro Ren, Sano Hayato, Imada Mio, Fukumoto Riko, Takezai Terunosuke, Kikkawa Koji, Kunimura Jun
Synopsis: With his exceptional communication skills and ability to win the hearts and minds of people, Tennoji Haru (Meguro Ren) is popular with men and women of all ages. He appears to be an easygoing person but is actually a calculative, dangerous and tremendously ambitious man who will not stop at bad things. Haru abruptly withdraws midway through a ceremony for prospective employees by the long-established Dragon Bank, the country’s largest IT company led by Kokuryu Kazuma (Kunimura Jun). Together with his former junior high school classmate Taira Manabu (Sano Hayato), a computer geek with remarkable programming skills who failed to get a job at Dragon Bank, they set up a company called Trillion Game without any start-up capital or business plan. Scheming to swallow up Dragon Bank and earn a trillion dollars which will allow them to obtain everything in the world, Haru and Manabu seek out talent necessary for the company’s growth. Despite the obstacles thrown in their way by the well-capitalised Dragon Bank, they bounce back using their wits, bluffs and proven skills.

I'm goin to be completely honest, I don't really care about the story itself BUT the trailer got me a little excited for no reason other than Meme.
As the drama above, I won't watch it immediately because it's going to be on Netflix.

Kocchi Muite yo, Mukai-kun

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 July 2023
Station: NTV
Genre: Romance
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Mako (Muchaburi!: Watashi ga Shachou ni Naru nante, Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo, Monro ga Shinda Hi)
Directors: Kusano Shogo, Shigeyama Yoshinori
Cast: Akaso Eiji, Ikuta Erika, Okayama Amane, Fujiwara Sakura, Moriwaki Kenji, Naito Shuichiro, Uechi Haruna, Iwai Kenshiro, Wakabayashi Jiei, Zaizen Naomi, Ichihara Hayato, Haru, Tanabe Momoko (guest star), Kumada Rinka (guest star)
Synopsis: 33-year-old Mukai Satoru (Akaso Eiji) is a capable employee of a t-shirt manufacturer in Tokyo. Despite his good looks and personality which naturally draws people to him, he has not had a girlfriend or been in a romantic relationship in 10 years. Satoru suddenly becomes conscious of his single status when his friend becomes a father and his younger sister (Fujiwara Sakura) gets married. Thinking that he has more leeway in his work now, he should be able to have a new romance if he wants to. Even though he is friendly with many women, Satoru’s all-out attempt to find love for the first time in a long while fails miserably. Could his thinking and the thinking of the women he knows be out of sync? Could his methods be wrong? His determination to find love, leads him on a quest to figure out his mistakes.

It could be good or veeeery cringe, but I'm not opposed to see a man realizing he doesn't understand shit about women and being kind of a loser, especially a cute one like Eiji.

Hayabusa Shobodan

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 13 July 2023
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Mystery
Scriptwriter: Kosaka Takafumi (Mahiru no Akuma, Genkai Danchi, Mutsuu)
Directors: Tsunehiro Jota, Yamamoto Daisuke
Cast: Nakamura Tomoya, Kawaguchi Haruna, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Furukawa Yuta, Okabe Takashi, Kajihara Zen, Hashimoto Jun, Yamamoto Koji, Namase Katsuhisa, Maro Akaji, Muraoka Nozomi, Kobayashi Ryoko, Fukuda Tenkyu, Ichinose Wataru, Kaneda Akio, Owada Baku
Synopsis: Mystery writer Mishima Taro (Nakamura Tomoya) won the Akechi Shogoro Prize five years ago. However, he is currently in a slump. He has lost confidence after a reduction in the first-run print each time he releases a new book as well as the harsh online reviews of his work. One day, Taro visits the Hayabusa district, a mountainous settlement, to determine the state of the house that he had inherited from his late father. He is captivated by the lush nature of his father’s hometown and decides to move to this area. Just when he thought that he would be able to live a peaceful life free from the stress of the city, he gets embroiled in a series of arson cases after, joining the local volunteer firefighting team (Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Okabe Takashi, Kajihara Zen, Hashimoto Jun, Namase Katsuhisa) to protect Hayabusa, and even encounters mysterious incidents including the suspicious deaths of residents. As Taro begins to search for the truth, what emerges is a huge conspiracy lurking in the village.

It's probably not my thing, but I'm putting this here nonetheless to remember it exists. This kind of mystery dramas have the potential to be very boring and dragging, it depends much on the pace and, well, japanese dramas/movies have a lot of good traits but pacing is not often one of them.
I might binge it once it's completed.

Keibuho Daimajin

Preview
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 7 July 2023
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Suspense
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Lupin no Musume Series, Good Doctor, Kirawareru Yuuki)
Director: Miike Takashi
Cast: Ikuta Toma, Tsuchiya Tao, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Shishido Kavka, Hamano Kenta, Narumi Riko, Kiriyama Ren, Baba Toru, Wakamatsu Chikara, Yashiba Toshihiro, Deai Masayuki, Fujisawa Ema, Matsudaira Ken, Takuma Shin, Kataoka Tsurutaro, Takahashi Katsunori, Mukai Osamu
Synopsis: Daiba Jin (Ikuta Toma), the ace of the Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigation Division, is so strong that he is nicknamed “Daimajin” as a pun on his name. A passionate man with a strong sense of justice, Daimajin rushes to a crime scene faster than anyone else. But he has a dark secret. That is, he killed a criminal who could never be punished by law. This matter comes to the attention of the brilliant and heartless Senior Superintendent Hirayasu Saimon (Mukai Osamu) uses his knowledge to half compel Daimajin into working as his “slave”. Daimajin is transferred to a special investigations team led by Hirayasu. He has to follow Hirayasu’s instructions and secretly get rid of criminals that the police cannot get their hands on. However, he ends up venturing into a dark side of the police organisation and nation that should never be touched.

Again, I'm not sure I care about this, but the cast? Miike Takashi being the director? Also, the fact that I haven't seen something with Toma in, I don't know, years? I'm going to try it.

source: jdramaswordpress

I pubblicly announce that my drama radar is becoming worse by the day, since this summer the best drama I've watched was one I wasn't even considering (Vivant) and the one I was the most excited about (Manatsu no Cinderella) was absolute trash. Will this fall be different? Who knows.

Kyou Kara Hitman

Preview
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 27 October 2023
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Okura (Sumu Sumu Series), Yamaura Masahiro (Hotel Next Door, Two Weeks, Miss Devil)
Directors: Kimura Hisashi, Nakamae Yuji, Katayama Osamu
Cast: Aiba Masaaki, Yamamoto Maika, Motokariya Yuika, Honda Chikara, Kakei Toshio, Katsumura Masanobu
Synopsis: Inaba Tokichi (Aiba Masaaki), an ordinary officer worker at a food manufacturer, is no match for his wife. One day, he happens to meet a remarkable hitman called Nichou who suddenly orders Inaba to kill his target and save his woman. And if Inaba fails to do so, he says he will kill Inaba and his family. As a result, Inaba has to lead a double life in order to protect his wife and children.

Cat out of the bag, this is probably going to be BAD but I don't care because I miss Aiba terribly.

Gekokujo Kyuji

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 15 October 2023
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Okudera Satoko (Saiai, Kawa no Hotori de, Watashi Teiji de Kaerimasu)
Directors: Tsukahara Ayuko, Yamamura Daisuke, Hamano Daiki
Cast: Suzuki Ryohei, Kuroki Haru, Igawa Haruka, Namase Katsuhisa, Asumi Rio, Yamashita Mizuki, Kyon, Matsudaira Ken, Koizumi Kotaro, Kohinata Fumiyo
Synopsis: Nagumo Shuji (Suzuki Ryohei) is in his third year as a social studies teacher at Etsuzan High School in Mie Prefecture. He had played baseball all the way through university but had to stop after he sustained an injury. After dropping out of university, he worked as a sports trainer but he could not give up his dream of being a teacher. Nagumo went back to university at the age of 32, and became a teacher. When the grandson of a local landowner joins in Etsuzan High School, Nagumo is put in charge of the weak baseball club that is on the verge of being closed and his daily life completely changes.

I'm a ROOKIES fangirl (now I want to rewatch it) and I can only pray this is going to be as good. Or just... good. That would be enough. I'm really interested in this one and even with my defective radar I have a good feeling about it!

One Day ~ Seiya no kara Sawagi

Preview
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 9 October 2023
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Keibuho Daimajin, Lupin no Musume Series, Good Doctor)
Director: Suzuki Masayuki
Cast: Nakatani Miki, Ninomiya Kazunari, Osawa Takao, Nakagawa Taishi, Matsumoto Wakana, Nakamura Anne, Fukumoto Riko, Kote Shinya, Kato Ryo, Omizu Yosuke, Maruyama Tomomi, Kajihara Zen, Sakurai Yuki, Inowaki Kai, Imai Eiji, Kurihara Hideo, Eguchi Yosuke, Sato Koichi
Synopsis: At midnight on Christmas eve, Suguroji Seiji (Ninomiya Kazunari) wakes up in a corner of Yamashita wharf in Yokohama to find a dead man lying right in front of him with a gunshot to the head. But he cannot recall what happened and only faintly remembers that he had an appointment with an important person. Seiji comes under suspicion and turns into a fugitive wanted by the police. Following his hazy memories, he tries to find clues about the murder. At the same time, the stubborn and aloof chef Tachiaoi Tokio (Osawa Takao) is busy with dinner preparations. His much-loved restaurant in Yokohama’s Kannai neighbourhood is fully booked. Many fans come from far away for the secret sauce that has been passed down from the first generation some 80 years ago. After his wife died, he believed he would never love anyone again. But he fell in love for a moment. On Christmas eve, a male stranger suddenly breaks into his restaurant. At that moment, TV Yokohama newscaster Kurauchi Kikyo (Nakatani Miki) goes straight to the crime scene. She had been hosting her own news programme for 10 years and pursuing her ideals in reporting, but is unexpectedly informed about the programme’s cancellation and her transfer to a cooking show. Kikyo cannot bring herself to accept this cold dose of reality after sacrificing everything and goes after this final case. The lives of these three people who are seemingly unconnected start to intersect...

I don't know if it's me, but Nino has started appearing in dramas with no notice. Like, who knew he was going to be on Vivant before he appeared on screen? And this one too, the news was so sudden? Maybe it's just me.
Anyway, I'm not sure I care but... Neen. Given that I started watching Vivant for him and ended up loving it, let's hope for an encore.

Toki o Kakeruna, Koibitotachi

Preview
Date: From 11.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 10 October 2023
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Ueda Makoto (Maho no Rinobe, Grappler Baki wa BL dewa nai ka to Kangaetsuzuketa Otome no Kiroku, Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku)
Director: Yamagishi Santa
Cast: Yoshioka Riho, Nagayama Eita, Ito Marika, Nishigaki Sho, Tanaka Makoto, Natsuko, Ishida Gota, Jiro
Synopsis: Tokiwa Megu (Yoshioka Riho), an art director working at an advertising agency, lives in the Reiwa era. She is well-liked by her juniors and is very good at making sense at work. However, when it comes to romance, she always cannot bring herself to cross the line. Megu meets Iura Kakeru (Nagayama Eita), a time patrol member, who has travelled here from the future, and receives a special mission to clamp down on time travellers together. Illegal time travel is a huge offence as the danger is that it can change history. Even so, Megu is moved by lovers who try to live for love. In fact, Megu and Kakeru were once lovers. He came from the 23rd century on a time patrol and met Megu who was in university. But theirs was a forbidden romance. Her memories were erased according to the rules governing time travel. Kakeru’s feelings have grown and now he has come back to see Megu who does not remember him at all. Having always put her own romance on the back burner, Megu decides to fiercely fight to make her own love come true this time.

This could be the weirdest and the best thing of the year at the same time. Once again, I have a nice feeling about this, I think it's going to be heartwarming.

Ichiban Sukina Hana

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 12 October 2023
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Ubukata Miku (silent)
Director: Takano Mai
Cast: Tabe Mikako, Matsushita Kohei, Kamio Fuju, Imada Mio, Saito Asuka, Shiratori Tamaki, Kurokawa Soya, Tanabe Momoko, Izumisawa Yuki, Usuda Asami, Nakano Taiga
Synopsis: Ushio Yukue (Tabe Mikako) came to Tokyo from Niigata Prefecture. She lives with her younger sister Konomi (Saito Asuka) and has been working as a teacher at a cram school. Since her childhood, she worked hard in everything – studies, sports and personal relationships – but she learned that she is disliked for putting in effort. She has not been able to voice her true feelings to female friends due to the uncomfortable experiences she has had. Yukue had just one friend. A a boy from her school day whom she could candidly say anything to. It never developed into a romantic relationship but he was the only person with whom she did not have to try too hard. Then one day, he told her that they could no longer meet and their friendship came to an abrupt end. Yukue unexpectedly meets Haruki Tsubaki (Matsushita Kohei), Sato Momiji (Kamio Fuju) and Miyuki Yoyo (Imada Mio) who are not only of different ages but also have very different circumstances and mindsets.

I have to confess that I have the most mindblowing crush on Matsushita Kohei. I REALLY like him a lot. Anyway. Strangers with different lives/backgrounds/etc meeting, becoming friends, falling in love etc etc? Yes.

My Second Aoharu

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 17 October 2023
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kitagawa Ayako (Tokyo Love Story (2020), Watashi ni XX Shinasai!, Onna Kudoki Meshi Series)
Directors: Aoyama Takahiro, Yamamoto Takeyoshi, Izumi Masahide
Cast: Hirose Alice, Michieda Shunsuke, Ihara Rikka, Iinuma Ai, Mizusawa Rintaro, Yanai Yumena, Hamao Noritaka, Imoto Ayaka, Ando Masanobu
Synopsis: Shiratama Sayako (Alice Hirose) has never had much good luck. She lacks academic credentials and money. Wanting to study architecture, she tried to take the university entrance exam but failed. Since then, she has had the mentality that life should not be like this. At the point she wonders if she should brace herself to continue scraping by in life, she is already a 30-year-old at rock bottom more than she had imagined. One day, Sayako happens to meet a university student Ogasawara Taku (Michieda Shunsuke). When she pours her heart out to him that her life could have been different had she gone to university at that time, he declares that it is not too late to be a university student now. Motivated by his words, Sayako decides to go after the architectural designer dream that she had once given up on and enter the university that she wanted to go to. After studying very hard, she passes the exam and meets Taku who is now her senior in the same faculty. Now that they have met again, will their relationship stop at friendship or progress to romance?

Oooh this has the potential to be so cute and fun. I like the "older" person starting over by enrolling in college narrative, it could be nice!

Fermat no Ryori

Preview
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 20 October 2023
Station: TBS
Scriptwriters: Watanabe Yusuke (Dr Chocolate, Shinigami-san Series, Talio), Miura Kisa (Ikukyu Deka, Kanojo wa Kirei datta, Guilty)
Directors: Ishii Yasuharu, Hirano Shunichi, Ouchi Maiko
Cast: Takahashi Fumiya, Shison Jun, Koshiba Fuka, Itagaki Rihito, Shiraishi Sei, Kubota Sayu, Asai Daichi, Igashira Manami, Kida Keisuke, Jua, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Miyazawa Ema, Yagi Alissa, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Ukaji Takashi, Takahashi Mitsuomi, Nakamura Toru
Synopsis: Kitada Gaku (Takahashi Fumiya) was fascinated by mathematics from a young age. Although he excelled in his studies, particularly mathematics, and aspired to become a mathematician, he faced setbacks. That is also when Gaku meets a mysterious and charismatic chef Asakura Kai (Shison Jun) who discovers his culinary talent. The owner of the two star restaurant K in Tokyo, Asakura is youngest chef to ever receive such recognition. Gaku soon joins Asakura’s restaurant where he works hard with talented chefs from all around the world and applies mathematical concepts to the challenge of cooking. Asakura guides him in the culinary world and he develops at amazing speed. He seems to have a scheme to make use of Gaku to accomplish what he wants...

Ok. I don't think I care, but the main cast is very good looking so I'm going to try it.

Help. This season is completely uninspiring AND the usual site that makes a list of all the seasonal dramas (so, my main source for these posts) has closed down.
Listed a few titles but ugh, this time was hard tbh.

Living no Matsunaga-san

Preview
Start: January 9th 2024
Station: Fuji TV
Screenwriter: Tanabe Shigenori (Oh! My Boss! Koi wa Bessatsu de, Konin Todoke ni Han wo Oshita dake desu ga, Ore no Kawaii wa Mousugu Shohikigen!?)
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Takahashi Hikaru, Mukai Koji, Fujiwara Taiyu, Fujiwara Taiyu
Synopsis: Due to family circumstances, high school student Miko Sonoda is forced to live at her uncle's boarding house. However, before she can arrive there, Miko is already met with a bad omen: while trying to find the place, she suspects that someone is following her! When her uncle comes to her rescue, the assumed stalker happens to be one of his tenants, leaving Miko embarrassed on her first day.
Miko learns that she will be living with five unique adults, including the accused man. Additionally, it turns out that he is Jun Matsunaga, a 29-year-old designer who seems to lose his temper easily. Having made such a humiliating first impression, Miko believes that only a miserable life awaits her. But in the presence of Jun, she comes to realize that living with adults is not so difficult after all—and there may even be enough room for romance.
(Source: MyAnimeList)

I'm honestly tired of seeing love stories between high schoolers and adults, but the manga is very popular so I suppose (hope) the story is good.

Kimi ga Kokoro wo Kuretakara

Preview
Start: January 8th, 2024
Station: Fuji TV
Screenwriter: Uyama Keisuke (Switch Girl!!, Nobunaga Concerto, Zettai Reido Season 3)
Cast: Nagano Mei, Yamada Yuki, Saitoh Takumi, Matsumoto Wakana, Shirasu Jin, Degushi Natsuki
Synopsis: When Aihara Ame was a high school student in Nagasaki, she wasn’t confident in herself due to her past. Asano Taiyo was a student attending the same school as Aihara Ame. He was the only person who talked to her brightly. With him, she was able to see her life positively for the first time in her life. She had feelings for him. After her graduation, she went to Tokyo to fulfill her dream of becoming a patissier without telling Asano Taiyo about her feelings for him.
After 8 years, she returns to Nagasaki. One day, she meets Asano Taiyo, whom she has never forgotten, and is elated to see him again. An accident soon occurs, and Aihara Ame falls into deep despair. A man appears in front of her and introduces himself as a guide from the afterlife. He tells her that if she gives her heart to him, he will make a miracle for her.
Meanwhile, Asano Taiyo is a bright person. His family has operated a fireworks shop for generations in Nagasaki. His dream is to become a fireworks expert and succeed his father in their family business. Even though he is a bright and honest person, he didn't tell Aihara Ame about his feelings for her when they were together. He meets Aihara Ame, whom he has never forgotten, again for the first time in 8 years.
(Source: AsianWiki)

This could either make me cry or bore me to death, but I read the 1st episode got positive reactions so I'm hoping I'll be able to enjoy it!

Kesenai "Watashi": Fukushu no Rensa

Preview
Start: January 6th, 2024
Station: NTV
Screenwriter: Shinobu Kuroda (manga), Natsume Karasuma
Cast: Shida Sara, Hongo Kanata, Yoshimoto Miyu, Katayama Yuki, Kohinata Yuka, Yoshimura Sojiro
Synopsis: An entertaining revenge drama follows Haibara Shoko, an ordinary high school girl who vows revenge after all of her family and friends are taken from her. Shoko, an ordinary high school girl, became an internet celebrity after she appeared in beauty streamer Tokumichi Hitoshi's video. However, her classmates, who are jealous of her success, lure her into a trap and film her being assaulted. As a result, the video goes viral and is spread across the internet - making her a target of hate.
To make matters worse, after her home address is revealed and her house is set on fire, she loses her parents as a result. And yet still, the digital tattoo remains on the internet. Suffering emotional scars, she ended up being taken in by her grandmother, where she lived a rough life. 10 years on, just as Shoko is deciding to end her life, she happens to see her former happy classmates on TV. At that moment, she vows instead to take revenge on them, and Tokumichi, regretful that he could not help in the past, lends her his support as her partner in revenge.
(Source: Drama-Otaku)

Okay this deals with some pretty heavy stuff (in a decent way, hopefully) and sounds like an okay revenge drama. I don't think I'm in the mood to watch it immediately, but it could be something I'll enjoy binge-watching once it's completed.

Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji

Preview
Start: January 13, 2024
Station: TV Asahi
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Stand Up!!, Arigatou, Okan, Helter Skelter, Watashi Kekkon Dekinainjanakute, Shinain Desu, Chugakusei Nikki, Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo, Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte, Tang, Mitaraike, Enjou Suru)
Cast: Iwamoto Hikaru, Shiraishi Mai, Fujiwara Joichiro, Yoshitani Ayako, Konno Hiroki, Ono Takehiko, Matsushita Yuki, Mizobata Junpei, Oriyama Nao
Synopsis: Kitazawa Tatsunosuke works as an elite bodyguard for a small bodyguard protection company. He is the ace of the company, with excellent athletic abilities, and is always able to see two or three steps ahead of a situation. When he takes action, he usually manages to stay calm and collected with his judgment. His father, who was a police officer, was stabbed to death.
Tatsunosuke, who is currently trying to pursue the killer, receives a request from the law firm to protect a new client. The client happens to be Kishimura Rika, a lawyer who is potentially being targeted due to a grudge against her in regard to a case she was in charge of. Because of this, she has to be under strict security 24 hours a day. Tatsunosuke, who is serious and stoic in nature, is largely inflexible and, naturally, not a good match for Rika, who hates being restricted. However, as they start to live together, their feelings toward each other begin to change.
(Source: Drama-Otaku)

Honestly, I was going to put this one on the list mostly because it sounded a light thing to watch, even if a little cringey maybe. But then I saw who the scriptwriter was and my hopes actually got up a little because she wrote many dramas I truly enjoyed and many others I'm interested in watching sooner or later.

And that's it. I MIGHT try Mars if I read good things about it, but I'm not really interested actually.

After an incredibly dull spring season (I only watched Living no Matsunaga-san, which was predictably mediocre, and I'm watching Eye Love You which is... okay. I'm planning on starting the KudoKan one once it's all on Netflix though) I actually finally feel quite excited about some spring dramas!

9 Border

Preview
Start: April 19, 2024
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Watashi Kekkon Dekinainjanakute, Shinain Desu, Chugakusei Nikki, Tokyo Dokushin Danshi, Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo, Kikazaru Koi niha Riyuu ga Atte)

Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Kinami Haruka, Hata Mei, Matsushita Kouhei, Inowaki Kai, Kido Taisei

Synopsis: Nana Oba (Kawaguchi Haruna) is the middle child among three sisters. She is 29 years old, single, and works hard at her job. She receives a promotion at her job to become the youngest assistant manager, but she feels anxious due to her friends getting married and having children. Her two sisters are 39 year old Mutsuki Narusawa (Kinami Haruka) and 19 year old Hatsumi Oba (Hata Mei). Mutsuki Narusawa works as a certified accountant. She is currently separated from her husband due to her husband's infidelity. Hatsumi Oba feels unease with people her age, who have their own life goals and pursue their goals. In order to comfort her feelings, she meets a man from a dating app.

One day, these 3 sisters face a big situation when their father suddenly goes missing. Due to that incident, they gather together.
(Source: AsianWiki)

This is the one I'm anticipating the most! The cast, the scriptwriter, the plot, the preview, everything about it is calling me and if it ends up not being good I'm going to be very sad lol. But I quite trust the scriptwriter, I liked each of her works among those I watched!

25 Ji, Akasaka de

Preview
Start: April 18, 2024
Screenwriter: Aso Kumiko (Oshi no Oujisama, Kanojo, Okarishimasu, Barakamon, 18-sai, Niizuma, Furin Shimasu)
Cast: Komagine Kiita, Niihara Taisuke
Synopsis: Yuki Shirasaki (Niihara Taisuke) is a rookie actor. He auditions for an important role in a BL drama that stars popular actor Asami Hayama (Komagine Kiita) and successfully gets cast. Yuki Shirasaki is worried and anxious about performing for the first time, but Asami Hayama suggests that they should pretend to be in a romantic relationship until filming for the drama series ends.

(Source: AsianWiki)

I'm quite wary of BLs dramas by now, since I can count on one hand those that I have truly enjoyed and not found downright bad or simply boring. BUT! There is something about this one that has me gagged lol. It could be the cast, the fake relationship trope, I don't know. I hope it's good!

Yakusoku: 16 Nen Me no Shinjitsu

Preview
Start: April 11, 2024
Screenwriter: Komine Hiroyuki (Kaseifu no Mitazono, Giver Taker)

Cast: Nakamura Anne, Yokoyama Yu, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Satsukawa Aimi, Morinaga Yuki, Oda Lisa
Synopsis: When Aoi Kiriyuu (Nakamura Anne) was a child, her mother died and her father then raised her alone in their suburban town. During the year 2008, a series of murders took place. One of the victims was the younger sister of a classmate that Aoi Kiriyuu liked. Aoi Kiriyuu was the person who found the body of her classmate's younger sister. Aoi Kiriyuu was so traumatized by the discovery that she lost some of her memories just before the incident. Making things worse, Aoi Kiriyuu’s father was arrested as the serial killer. With no one left around her, Aoi Kiriyuu left her hometown.
Now, 16 years later, Aoi Kiriyuu has become a detective. She returns to her hometown to prove her father's innocence, but another incident takes place. Detective Aoi Kiriyuu and her buddy detective Kei Kosaka (Yokoyama Yu) chases after the truth behind the case. She soon learns the hidden faces of her ex-classmates from her youth.
(Source: AsianWiki)

It should be a small town mystery, which is nice, but more than everything I miss seeing Yoko playing a dectective, I don't really care about anything else.

Re: Revenge - Yokubo no Hate ni

Preview
Start: April 11, 2024
Screenwriter: Nakamura Masatoshi (Suits Season 2, JK kara Yarinaosu Silver Plan, Tetsu Ota Michiko, 2 Man Kiro)

Cast: Akaso Eiji, Nishikido Ryo, Yoshine Kyoko, Mikami Ai, Sasano Takashi, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: Kaito Tendo (Akaso Eiji) is the son of the chairman of Tendo Memorial Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the nation. Due to a bad relationship with his father, he did not become a doctor. Kaito Tendo now works as a magazine reporter. He is busy with his job and he also about to propose to his girlfriend. One day, he then learns that his father got involved in an incident. He goes to his estranged father's hospital. Due to the incident, Kaito Tendo becomes to know his father’s true intentions and he remembers the precious promise made with his father in the past. Kaito Tendo learns of the various problems hidden in the hospital left by his father and of the power struggle about to take place for the chairman position. Kaito Tendo decides to fight against the power struggle to take back the precious things his father built and to protect the ones who he loves.
(Source: AsianWiki)

I'm so pumped about seeing Nishiki finally acting again that I barely read the plot tbh. Buuut revenge stuff in the hospital, nice cast, Stray Kids singing the theme song, Ryo who might be playing the villain. I'm down for it.

Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Inai 2024

Preview
Start: April 13, 2024
Screenwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Gokusen, Love Letter, Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Inai, Tokyo Tarareba Musume, Renai Mangaka, Koi Desu: Yankee-kun to Hakujou Garu)
Cast: Imada Mio, Yamamoto Koji, Kikuchi Rinko, Kamikawa Takaya, Iio Kazuki, Kaname Jun
Synopsis: Mai Hanasaki (Imada Mio) works as a teller for a branch of Tokyo Daiichi Bank. Suddenly, she gets transferred to the Tokyo Daiichi Bank's headquarter office. Her job is to fix problems that arise at its various local branch offices. Mai Hanasaki has the type of personality where, if she believes she is right, she cannot keep quiet about it or give up. At her new department, she sees many mistakes that takes place inside the bank, which she never noticed before.
(Source: AsianWiki)

This should be the remake (?) of the Japanese drama with the same title with Anne, which was fairly popular and I've been meaning to watch (and never did, like always). The previous drama isn't that old (it aired 10 years ago), but I guess that, dealing with the workplace environment etc, it's going to give it a more actual twist. I have no idea, I just like Imada Mio.

Incredible but true, I've watched 3 out of the 5 spring dramas I listed in my post (plus 1122, and I def need to start Unmet soon because I read it's really good) and overall I liked them? I really enjoyed 9 Border and 1122, Re:Revenge had its highs and lows (but its main value was seeing Ryo acting in a full drama again 🥹) and Yakusoku was the weakest one (I found it a bit boring and found it hard to connect with the story) but overall okay.

Black Pean 2

Preview
Start: July 7, 2024
Screenwriter: Moriguchi Yusuke
Cast: Ninomiya Kazunari, Takeuchi Ryoma, Aoi Wakana, Koizumi Kotaro
Synopsis: Set six years after Tokai Seishiro leaves Tojo University, the plot revolves around Amagi Yukihiko, a world-renowned genius surgeon who excels in manipulating people and money. Amagi is the only doctor who can do the direct anastomosis technique, but because he wants a deposit of half his assets, other doctors refer to him as "The Devil".

To be completely honest, I could stop my list here. You have no idea how much I love Black Pean and how hyped I am for this new season! I don't know how to feel about the new main character (but I'm glad it's still Neen) and the new writer/director, but I have nothing but faith! I CAN'T WAIT.

Hidamari ga Kikoeru

Preview
Start: June 26, 2024
Screenwriter: Kawasaki Izumi (Jimi ni Sugoi! Koetsu Garu Kono Etsuko, The Legacy of Dr. Death: Black File, Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai VS Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko, Tanshin Hanabi)
Cast: Nakazawa Motoki, Kobayashi Toranosuke, Usa Takuma, Natsuki Omi
Synopsis: Due to his hearing disability, Sugihara Kohei is often misunderstood and has trouble integrating into life on campus; as such, he keeps his distance. That all changes when he meets the outspoken and cheerful Sagawa Taichi. He comforts Kohei and assures him that his hearing loss is not his fault. Taichi's kind words cut through Kōhei 's usual defense mechanisms and open his heart. Now, they are more than friends and less than lovers. Even so, this relationship changes Kohei forever.

I've always meant to read the mange because I know it's very well-loved, but never ended up doing so for one reason or another, so I'll just try to watch the live action instead! I hope it'll be nice 🙏

Saionji-san wa Kaji wo Shinai

Preview
Start: July 9, 2024
Screenwriter: Miyamoto Takeshi (Fullmetal Alchemist 1-2-3), Yamashita Subaru (Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san, Minato Shouji Coin Laundry, Eye Love You)
Cast: Matsumoto Wakana, Matsumura Hokuto, Kurata Ema, Fujii Takashi, Hamada Mari
Synopsis: Saionji, a housework-application employee who doesn't do housework, is enjoying the freedom of single life she's finally obtained after 38 years! However, she meets Kusumi, a genius engineer from Silicon Valley. The strange younger man has a big "secret"! This is a story of love and family, where Saionji-san, who has no housekeeping skills, takes on the challenge

It seems fun and I like Matsumoto Wakana, but maybe I just want to see papa-Hokuto.

Umi no Hajimari

Preview
Start: July 1, 2024
Screenwriter: Ubukata Miku (Silent, Ichiban Sukina Hana)
Cast: Meguro Ren, Izutani Rana, Arimura Kasumi, Otake Shinobu, Riju Go, Ikematsu Sosuke, Furukawa Kotone, Kido Taisei, Hayashi Yasufumi, Nishida Naomi
Synopsis: Tsukioka Natsu is 28 years old and single. He works for a printing company in Tokyo. One day, Tsukioka Natsu hears that Nagumo Mizuki died. They were in a romantic relationship when they attended the same university. They broke up after Nagumo Mizuki suddenly told him that she wanted to end their relationship, and she disappeared afterwards. He didn't hear anything about her for the past 7 years after their breakup. Tsukioka Natsu attends Nagumo Mizuki’s funeral, where he meets a young child named Umi. He is surprised to learn that Umi is Mizuki Nagumo’s daughter. Nagumo Mizuki’s mother talks to him and tells him that Umi is his daughter.

One more single father!! Reading the synopsis and who the screenwriter is, I just know this is going to cause me pain.

Warau Matryoshka

Preview
Start: June 28, 2024
Screenwriter: Izumi Yoshihiro (Hanayome to Papa, Rookies, Nankyoku Tairiku, Death Note, Aogeba Toutoshi, Todome no Kiss, Invisible)
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Mizukawa Asami, Tamayama Tetsuji
Synopsis: Seike Ichiro is a popular, 43 year old politician. He has gained popularity for his impressive smile and liberal speech and behavior. He is expected to be a future prime minster candidate. He has a secretary, Suzuki Toshiya, who carefully works to guide him to the prime minister position. They look like a perfect match as a politician and his secretary, but Reporter Michiura Kanae feels something is off about the relationship of these two. She begins to investigate their past and notices the mysterious deaths that have followed Seike Ichiro during his rise in politics. Her own father's death, who was also a reporter, is somehow connected to the politician's past.

Putting this here mostly because of Sho, but I don't know it could be good? The trailer wasn't bad at all and the screenwriter wrote a lot of things I liked.

I'll probably end up watching Tokyo Swindlers as well because it's going to be on Netflix, but these are the titles I'm mostly interested in this time!

source: mydramalist

Drama Season: Winter 2020

Drama Season: Spring 2020

Drama Season: Summer 2020

Talk about current dramas AKA me being hysterical about MIU404

Drama Season: Fall 2020

Fall Dramas aka Picture me Surprised

Drama Season: Winter 2021

Winter dramas - another good season I'm shocked

Drama Season: Spring 2021

Drama Season: Summer 2021

Spring dramas I've watched and Why I Can't Trust Ayano Go

Drama Season: Fall 2021

super short post about the dramas I'm watching (I FEEL ATTACKED)

Drama Season: Winter 2022

Things I have watched in these last months

Drama Season: Spring 2022

Drama Season: Summer 2022

Drama Season: Fall 2022

Drama Season: Winter 2023

Drama Season: Spring 2023

Drama Season: Summer 2023

Drama Season: Fall 2023

Drama Season: Winter 2024

Drama Season: Spring 2024

Drama Season: Summer 2024