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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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.