On January 17th, it was announced that Yoshinaga Fumi�s manga 'Ooku' will receive two live-action adaptations: it'll be picked up for a movie once again, and will also have a TV drama for the first time.

Set in the world where the roles of men and women are switched, this drama (titled �Ooku (Arikoto - Iemitsu Hen)�), will be broadcasted via TBS starting in October. The 2010 film with Ninomiya Kazunari and Shibasaki Koh only covered the first volumes with Mizuno Yunoshin and Tokugawa Yoshimune. However, this drama is said to cover volumes two to four of the manga.

Actor Sakai Masato was revealed to have accepted two roles for these upcoming works. Sakai's first role will be in the drama, where he will play 'Arikoto', while actress Tabe Mikako plays 'Tokugawa Iemitsu'.

The movie, or �Ooku (Emonnosuke � Tsunayoshi Hen)�, will immediately follow the last episode of the drama and will begin playing in theaters on December 22nd. This film will be based on volumes four through six of the manga. Sakai will play Emonnosuke as well as Arikoto, while actress Kanno Miho will play Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.

Director Kaneko Fuminori will take on the role as the director of this franchise once again, and the script will be written by Kamiyama Yumiko.

The rest of the cast will be announced in July.

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Source & Images: natalie