I checked, and I've been doing this "drama season" thing since 2011. That's a lot of time.
This season too, nothing super exciting, but there are few things that intrigue me. As always, I hope to be surprised (it happened, this fall!)
Which are your picks for this winter?
This season too, nothing super exciting, but there are few things that intrigue me. As always, I hope to be surprised (it happened, this fall!)
Tokyo Tarareba Musume
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Trailer
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 18 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Series, Hotel Concierge, Gokusen Series)
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Eikura Nana, Oshima Yuko, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Hiraoka Yuta, Ishikawa Ren, Kaneda Akio, Tanaka Kei, Suzuki Ryohei
Synopsis: 30-year-old Kamata Rinko (Yoshitaka Yuriko) is single and a struggling scriptwriter. She has no boyfriend and keeps having night outs at drinking spots with her girlfriends Yamakawa Kaori (Eikura Nana) and Torii Koyuki (Oshima Yuko). “If I become beautiful, a better guy will appear!” “If we grow to like each other, we can get married!” They will not stop talking about these hypothetical questions. Then a younger, handsome, golden-haired guy suddenly utters, “These “what if” women!” and the trio have to face the harsh reality that they are no longer girls. Rinko enters her 30s while still immature, seeking happiness and struggling with romance and work.
The seasonal bullshit about single women in their 30s that think they HAVE to find a husband or else they're worth nothing. It's a very stupid thing, it feels absurd to me, but I understand that's the way of thinking in Japan. Also, I think they have to do, every season, at least one drama that "pushes" women to get married, have kids etc. Like a public service announcement, but in the form of a drama. It's stupid, but still. The point is that I've watched many of these dramas, and I've liked most of them. They're usually fun and with that kind of romance that I enjoy.
Moreover, even if I'm not a big fan of Yoshitaka Yuriko (I don't think she's bad, but I don't really like her acting... and her way of talking, that really annoys me), but I love the rest of the cast.
Quartet (2017)
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Trailer
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 17 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Sakamoto Yuji (Woman, Saikou no Rikon, Mother)
Cast: Matsu Takako, Mitsushima Hikari, Takahashi Issei, Matsuda Ryuhei, Yoshioka Riho, Tomizawa Takeshi, Yagi Akiko, Mummy-D, Motai Masako
Synopsis: One day, four people in their 30s happen to meet – Maki Maki (Matsu Takako), a first violinist; Sebuki Suzume (Mitsushima Hikari), a cellist; Iemori Yutaka (Takahashi Issei), a violist; and Beppu Tsukasa (Matsuda Ryuhei), a second violinist. They have not fulfilled their dreams nor reached the peak of their lives but have stopped before a gentle slope. The four of them form a quartet and end up spending one winter in beautiful Karuizawa. However, this “coincidence” hides a big secret.
I'm intrigued. Even without reading who the scriptwriter is, the traile reminds me already of "Saikou no Rikon", which I loved. I hope this one a) will get subbed, and b) won't disappoint me!
Ubai Ai, Fuyu
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Trailer
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 20 January 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu (Renai Dorama o Mouichido, Umareru)
Cast: Kurashina Kana, Miura Shohei, Otani Ryohei, Akimoto Sayaka, Mister Chin, Darenogare Akemi, Nishime Shun, Kimura Midoriko, Miyake Hiroki, Sakakibara Ikue, Mizuno Miki
Synopsis: Ikeuchi Hikaru (Kurashina Kana) works for a design company in Tokyo and has a fiancé Okugawa Kota (Miura Shohei). However, her life suddenly changes with the appearance of her ex-boyfriend Moriyama Shin (Otanin Ryohei). She had once loved him to death but he vanished all of a sudden after telling her that they are breaking up. The feelings that Hikaru has tried to suppress are rekindled when she is reunited with Shin, who is in Tokyo for three months, and her heart seeks him even though he is now married with a wife, Ran (Mizuno Miki). As this happens, Kota’s love and jealousy deepens and he gradually turns into someone he hates.
That poster really bothers me. There's something about it that makes it both funny and annoying.
Anyway... I'm trying it more for the cast than for the plot. It could be some intense love triangle/square, but I noted that when Jdramas try to be more... adult? Sexual? they tend to be quite awkward.
Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu
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Trailer
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 23 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Yamamura Yukiko (Kekkonshiki no Zenjitsu ni, Aru Hi Ahiru Bus), Kuramitsu Yasuko (Love Song)
Cast: Nishiuchi Mariya, Yamamura Ryuta, Sawamura Ikki, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Nakamura Anne, Sugimoto Tetta, Yamaga Kotoko, Kagimoto Akira, Kato Ryo, Kishii Yukino, Morita Kanro, Furutachi Kanji, Hayama Shono, Ishino Mako
Synopsis: Takanashi Asuka (Nishiuchi Mariya) is an office lady working for a big bank. She has a number of financial qualifications and is the most dedicated worker. Despite the trend to marry later today, Asuka’s dream is to get married and become a housewife. However, her boyfriend of five years proposed, then suddenly dumped her. So a depressed Asuka has to start looking for a marriage partner even though she does not have the time. She meets a handsome, popular TV announcer Nanami Ryu (Yamamura Ryuta) who is one of those rapidly increasing numbers of men who loathe marriage. He would be the ideal man for Asuka if he were not dead set against settling down. Although they eventually end up dating, they have a rocky path ahead of them...
Oh, look, another woman that wants to get married. And there's even a lovely man who hates marriage, how cute. Nothing original, but I could try it if it gets subbed, I like Nishiuchi Mariya, she's cute. The main guy looks cute too.
Kirawareru Yuuki
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Trailer
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 12 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Hope, Specialist, Tantei no Tantei)
Cast: Karina, Kato Shigeaki, Masu Takeshi, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Maruyama Tomomi, Sakurada Dori, Iitoyo Marie, Sagara Itsuki, Okazaki Sae, Judai Satoshi, Masana Bokuzo, Shiina Kippei
Synopsis: Ando Ranko (Karina) is an unpopular detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Eighth Section. A loner who has not assimilated into the organisation, she does not care how she is regarded, will not listen to the opinions of those around her and always acts on her beliefs. She also goes against the policies of her superiors and the task force, but personally does not feel that this is a bad thing. At the young age of 32, Ranko is the ace of Sakuradamon, having been instrumental in solving a series of difficult cases. However, many people in the male-dominated organisation do not think well of her attitude. She is partnered with a junior detective Aoyama Toshio (Kato Shigeaki), who has just been transferred. Unlike Ranko, Aoyama cares very much what other people think and does not want to be disliked. He downright grows to hate Ranko because she often acts on her own and pushes him around without any explanation.
I refuse to only watch dramas about love! So I picked this one too. Classic detective drama, and I like when the main character is a woman with a bad personality. I hope it's good ("Hope" was really nice, while I didn't manage to watch more than one episode of "Tantei no tantei").
Trailer
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 18 January 2017
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai Series, Hotel Concierge, Gokusen Series)
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Eikura Nana, Oshima Yuko, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Hiraoka Yuta, Ishikawa Ren, Kaneda Akio, Tanaka Kei, Suzuki Ryohei
Synopsis: 30-year-old Kamata Rinko (Yoshitaka Yuriko) is single and a struggling scriptwriter. She has no boyfriend and keeps having night outs at drinking spots with her girlfriends Yamakawa Kaori (Eikura Nana) and Torii Koyuki (Oshima Yuko). “If I become beautiful, a better guy will appear!” “If we grow to like each other, we can get married!” They will not stop talking about these hypothetical questions. Then a younger, handsome, golden-haired guy suddenly utters, “These “what if” women!” and the trio have to face the harsh reality that they are no longer girls. Rinko enters her 30s while still immature, seeking happiness and struggling with romance and work.
The seasonal bullshit about single women in their 30s that think they HAVE to find a husband or else they're worth nothing. It's a very stupid thing, it feels absurd to me, but I understand that's the way of thinking in Japan. Also, I think they have to do, every season, at least one drama that "pushes" women to get married, have kids etc. Like a public service announcement, but in the form of a drama. It's stupid, but still. The point is that I've watched many of these dramas, and I've liked most of them. They're usually fun and with that kind of romance that I enjoy.
Moreover, even if I'm not a big fan of Yoshitaka Yuriko (I don't think she's bad, but I don't really like her acting... and her way of talking, that really annoys me), but I love the rest of the cast.
Quartet (2017)
Trailer
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 17 January 2017
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Sakamoto Yuji (Woman, Saikou no Rikon, Mother)
Cast: Matsu Takako, Mitsushima Hikari, Takahashi Issei, Matsuda Ryuhei, Yoshioka Riho, Tomizawa Takeshi, Yagi Akiko, Mummy-D, Motai Masako
Synopsis: One day, four people in their 30s happen to meet – Maki Maki (Matsu Takako), a first violinist; Sebuki Suzume (Mitsushima Hikari), a cellist; Iemori Yutaka (Takahashi Issei), a violist; and Beppu Tsukasa (Matsuda Ryuhei), a second violinist. They have not fulfilled their dreams nor reached the peak of their lives but have stopped before a gentle slope. The four of them form a quartet and end up spending one winter in beautiful Karuizawa. However, this “coincidence” hides a big secret.
I'm intrigued. Even without reading who the scriptwriter is, the traile reminds me already of "Saikou no Rikon", which I loved. I hope this one a) will get subbed, and b) won't disappoint me!
Ubai Ai, Fuyu
Trailer
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 20 January 2017
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu (Renai Dorama o Mouichido, Umareru)
Cast: Kurashina Kana, Miura Shohei, Otani Ryohei, Akimoto Sayaka, Mister Chin, Darenogare Akemi, Nishime Shun, Kimura Midoriko, Miyake Hiroki, Sakakibara Ikue, Mizuno Miki
Synopsis: Ikeuchi Hikaru (Kurashina Kana) works for a design company in Tokyo and has a fiancé Okugawa Kota (Miura Shohei). However, her life suddenly changes with the appearance of her ex-boyfriend Moriyama Shin (Otanin Ryohei). She had once loved him to death but he vanished all of a sudden after telling her that they are breaking up. The feelings that Hikaru has tried to suppress are rekindled when she is reunited with Shin, who is in Tokyo for three months, and her heart seeks him even though he is now married with a wife, Ran (Mizuno Miki). As this happens, Kota’s love and jealousy deepens and he gradually turns into someone he hates.
That poster really bothers me. There's something about it that makes it both funny and annoying.
Anyway... I'm trying it more for the cast than for the plot. It could be some intense love triangle/square, but I noted that when Jdramas try to be more... adult? Sexual? they tend to be quite awkward.
Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu
Trailer
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 23 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriters: Yamamura Yukiko (Kekkonshiki no Zenjitsu ni, Aru Hi Ahiru Bus), Kuramitsu Yasuko (Love Song)
Cast: Nishiuchi Mariya, Yamamura Ryuta, Sawamura Ikki, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Nakamura Anne, Sugimoto Tetta, Yamaga Kotoko, Kagimoto Akira, Kato Ryo, Kishii Yukino, Morita Kanro, Furutachi Kanji, Hayama Shono, Ishino Mako
Synopsis: Takanashi Asuka (Nishiuchi Mariya) is an office lady working for a big bank. She has a number of financial qualifications and is the most dedicated worker. Despite the trend to marry later today, Asuka’s dream is to get married and become a housewife. However, her boyfriend of five years proposed, then suddenly dumped her. So a depressed Asuka has to start looking for a marriage partner even though she does not have the time. She meets a handsome, popular TV announcer Nanami Ryu (Yamamura Ryuta) who is one of those rapidly increasing numbers of men who loathe marriage. He would be the ideal man for Asuka if he were not dead set against settling down. Although they eventually end up dating, they have a rocky path ahead of them...
Oh, look, another woman that wants to get married. And there's even a lovely man who hates marriage, how cute. Nothing original, but I could try it if it gets subbed, I like Nishiuchi Mariya, she's cute. The main guy looks cute too.
Kirawareru Yuuki
Trailer
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 12 January 2017
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Tokunaga Yuichi (Hope, Specialist, Tantei no Tantei)
Cast: Karina, Kato Shigeaki, Masu Takeshi, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Maruyama Tomomi, Sakurada Dori, Iitoyo Marie, Sagara Itsuki, Okazaki Sae, Judai Satoshi, Masana Bokuzo, Shiina Kippei
Synopsis: Ando Ranko (Karina) is an unpopular detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Eighth Section. A loner who has not assimilated into the organisation, she does not care how she is regarded, will not listen to the opinions of those around her and always acts on her beliefs. She also goes against the policies of her superiors and the task force, but personally does not feel that this is a bad thing. At the young age of 32, Ranko is the ace of Sakuradamon, having been instrumental in solving a series of difficult cases. However, many people in the male-dominated organisation do not think well of her attitude. She is partnered with a junior detective Aoyama Toshio (Kato Shigeaki), who has just been transferred. Unlike Ranko, Aoyama cares very much what other people think and does not want to be disliked. He downright grows to hate Ranko because she often acts on her own and pushes him around without any explanation.
I refuse to only watch dramas about love! So I picked this one too. Classic detective drama, and I like when the main character is a woman with a bad personality. I hope it's good ("Hope" was really nice, while I didn't manage to watch more than one episode of "Tantei no tantei").
Which are your picks for this winter?