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Posted by HPriest TH STAFF Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Prime Time Drama Preview � Summer 2013

TH STAFF
tokyohive
The upcoming summer season for dramas is just around the corner. During the break between the seasons is the time that networks promote their upcoming dramas as much as they can in order to attract as many viewers as possible for their season premieres.

What happens after that depends on how viewers experience the framework consisting of the story, the acting, and the pacing. Is the story compelling enough to make you want to watch the next episode? Is the acting convincing enough to draw you into the world it's trying to create? Is the presentation of the characters and the story dragging too much or maybe even feeling a bit rushed?

Before the actual premiere, there are several components that greatly influence the hype, and consequently, the rating of the first episode. Just try to ask yourself why you are looking forward to a particular drama. Do you like the cast? Do you like the premise that's known so far? Did you like the original novel/manga and are curious about the live-action adaption? The drama announcements usually are made within one or two months before the actual season and therefore it's easy to get lost within this vast amount of information. This is why we decided to offer you a nice overview of the upcoming prime time dramas along with short teasers (if available) that could help you learn more about the upcoming dramas and maybe already put some of them on your imaginary must-see or ignore list.

Please note that all of the information is only based on the information that is currently known (as of July 2nd) and that taiga drama, midnight and late-night dramas as well as dramas that premiered during spring 2013 and dramas of premium/pay-tv networks are not included in this preview.

Check out the Prime Time Drama Preview for the Summer Season 2013 below!

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Monday
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Namonaki Doku

Title: ?????
Start: July 8th / Time: 20:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Miyabe Miyuki - 'Dareka Somebody' & 'Namonaki Doku'
Script: Kamiyama Yumiko ('Ooku', 'Utsukushii Rinjin')
Cast: Koizumi Kotaro, Fukada Kyoko, Maya Miki, Kuninaka Ryoko, Minamisawa Nao, Sugisaki Hana, Eguchi Noriko, Muro Tsuyoshi, Takahashi Mitsuomi, and more

The third drama adaptation of Miyabe Miyuki in this time slot after 'Stepfather Step' and 'Perfect Blue'. Her 'Sugimura Saburo' series follows a family-oriented and gentle company employee who has to investigate an incident like a detective to dig up the truth.

"Sugimura Saburo" (Koizumi) works in the PR department of his father-in-law's company. Saburo gets the task from his father-in-law to help a young woman named "Kajita Riko" (Minamisawa). She is trying to write about the life of her late father "Kajita Nobuo" (Hirata Mitsuru), his father-in-law's chauffeur, who died in a hit-and-run accident. However, Kajita's oldest daughter "Satomi" (Fukada) is against the publishing of her father's biography, because she knows that their father has a shadowy past. He is intrigued to investigate deeper and soon becomes suspicious if it all really was just an accident.

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SUMMER NUDE

Title: SUMMER NUDE
Start: July 8th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Script: Kaneko Shigeki ('Proposal Daisakusen', 'VOICE')
Theme Song: Yamashita Tomohisa - "SUMMER NUDE'13"
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Karina, Toda Erika, Nagasawa Masami, Katsuji Ryo, Kubota Masataka, Sato Shori, Yamamoto Mizuki, Chiba Yudai, and more

Fuji TV is going for a love story again for their "getsu-9" time slot. A drama perfect for the summer season with a lot of cheerful and bright images mixed with heartrending moments. It's set at a beach hut during midsummer and features a love triangle between the three main characters.

"Mikuriya Asahi" (Yamashita) is a not very successful photographer who works in a small seaside town. He takes a picture just at the right moment and captures the broken heart of "Chiyohara Natsuki" (Karina), who just got ditched by her fianc�, on camera. Asahi still can't forget about his ex-girlfriend (Nagasawa) who left him 3 years ago too and becomes interested in Natsuki, since they both are in a similar situation. Natsuki is actually a manager and chef of a famous Italian restaurant in Tokyo, but she decides to spend the whole summer at a beach hut run by Asahi's old schoolfriend. "Taniyama Hanae" (Toda), who has been in love with Asahi since high school, also happens to be there at the hut.


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Tuesday
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Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji 5

Title: ????24?
Start: July 9th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Script: Iino Yoko
Theme Song: DREAMS COME TRUE - "Sa, Kane Wo Narase"
Cast: Matsushima Nanako, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Tokito Saburo, Kazama Shunsuke, Ashina Sei, Haru, Kashiwabara Shuji, Kojima Kazuya, Okamoto Rei, and more

'Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji' is set at an emergency ward and follows a team of doctors as they try to save as many lives as possible. This time the main cast will be slightly different due to the sudden withdrawal of actor Eguchi Yosuke, who had been portraying "Shindo Issei" since the first season.

The plot of the new season focuses on "Kojima Kaede" (Matsushima), who has become the chief of the medical staff of the emergency and critical care center at a university hospital. She has difficulties gathering a team of doctors around her and still lacks the confidence to be a leader, yet has to work under the pressure of the expectations of a university hospital. The only member of her team is emergency doctor "Honjo Masaharu" (Sasaki), but one day the organ transplant specialist "Natsume Mamoru" (Tokito) decides to become an emergency doctor and joins her team. This season is going to depict Kaede's struggles as a doctor, medical chief and as a woman.

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Starman ~ Kono Hoshi no Koi

Title: ????????????
Start: July 9th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Script: Okada Yoshikazu ('Ohisama', 'Churasan', 'Nakuna, Harachan')
Theme Song: YUKI - "STARMANN"
Cast: Hirosue Ryoko, Fukushi Sota, Koike Eiko, Arimura Kasumi, Ishii Masanori, Yamada Yuki, Honda Daisuke, Muramatsu Toshifumi, Moto Fuyuki, and more

'Starman' is a romantic drama about a single-mother that is met with a lot of anticipation. It features Tsutsumi Yukihiko ("Keizoku", "TRICK", "SPEC") as the director and Okada Yoshikazu as the writer. Moreover the viewers can look forward to Hirosue's first starring role in a serial drama since 'Mokuyou no Kaidan' 17 years ago.

The drama revolves around "Uno Sawako" (Hirosue), a strong-minded single mother who raises her three sons. Her husband left her because of her rough personality. One day, a young man (Fukushi) who has lost his memory suddenly shows up in front of her, and she falls in love with him at first sight. Sawako then decides to have him live with her as the father of her three sons.

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Gekiryuu ~ Watashi wo Oboete Imasuka?

Title: ?????????????
Start: June 25th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: NHK
Original: Shibata Yoshiki - 'Gekiryuu'
Script: Yoshida Noriko ('Naniwa Shonen Tanteidan', 'Himitsu')
Theme Song: GLAY - "DARK RIVER"
Cast: Tanaka Rena, Kuninaka Ryoko, Tomosaka Rie, Kiritani Kenta, Yamamoto Koji, and more

"Do you remember me?" - A 15-year-old girl suddenly went missing during a school trip. 20 years later, five of her former classmates receive a mysterious mail with this question from said girl.

Those five people are now 35 years old and live normal lives with normal jobs and a family. There is an editor, a detective, a housewife, an author, and a bank employee. However, they all went through some difficult times in their lives - a lost manuscript that caused a huge uproar, housewife prostitution, possession of drugs, a murder case, and a persistent stalker. Once they receive this mail from their former classmate, they happen to stumble from one inexplicable incident into another again. Soon they find out the shocking truth behind all this.

Check the official website for preview clips!


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Wednesday
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Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9 Gakari 8

Title: ???????9?
Start: July 10th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Script: Fukasawa Masaki, Tokunaga Tomihiko, Manabe Chiaki, and Takigawa Akiyo
Cast: Watase Tsunehiko, Inohara Yoshihiko, Hada Michiko, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Taguchi Hiromasa, Hara Sachie, Nakagoshi Noriko, and more

The seven police investigators with their great individuality return for another season!

Check the official website for preview clips!

-


Woman

Title: Woman
Start: July 3rd / Time: 22:00 / Channel: NTV
Script: Sakamoto Yuji ('Mother', 'Saikou no Rikon')
Theme Song: androp - "Voice"
Cast: Mitsushima Hikari, Tanaka Yuko, Oguri Shun, Tanimura Mitsuki, Nikaido Fumi, Miura Takahiro, Usuda Asami, Takahashi Issei, and more

A human drama about a single mother who puts her life on the line for her two children. The writer, director and staff from the award-winning drama 'Mother' are back to deliver another deeply touching tale between a mother and their children.

"Aoyagi Koharu" (Mitsushima) is a very emotional woman with an abundant power of imagination. She marries the man she loves (Oguri), a venturesome mountain climber, when she is 20 years old and later gives birth to two children. Her husband settles down and they experience a brief moment of happiness as a family. However, her husband dies in an unforeseen accident and Koharu is left alone with her two very young children. She doesn't have much money and finds herself in a desperate situation, but her children give her the strength to keep on living and to challenge all difficulties head-on.

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Shomuni 2013

Title: ????2013
Start: July 10th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Script: Ushio Kentaro ('TAKE FIVE')
Theme Song: Serena - "Pink no Dangan"
Cast: Esumi Makiko, Becky, Honda Tsubasa, Ando Sakura, Mori Kanna, Horiuchi Keiko, Miura Shohei, Katase Nana, Suzuki Kosuke, Yasuda Ken, and more

This summer Fuji TV is going to bring back the popular and exciting office lady (OL) drama 'Shomuni' with a new season in 10 years.

An incident causes the unparalleled OL "Tsuboi Chinatsu" (Esumi) to return to the Administration Section 2 of "Manpan Corporation" and to put it back in shape. There she has to deal with her new colleagues played by an all-new cast, which might be able to add something new and interesting to turn this into a great comedy again.


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Thursday
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Kyoto Chiken no Onna 9

Title: ??????
Start: July 18th / Time: 20:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Script: Nishioka Takuya, Iwashita Yuko, and Nabae Yukiko
Cast: Natori Yuko, Terajima Susumu, Masuoka Toru, Osugi Ren, Kanie Keizo, and more

The 9th season of the very popular drama about a female public prosecutor named "Tsurumaru Aya" (Natori) in Kyoto who proves that the instinct of a housewife can be the most powerful weapon to settle all kind of cases.

This season, Aya's daughter "Rin" (Wakisawa Kana) gets married and leaves the house, but she soon gets replaced by "Narimasu's" (Terajima) daughter "Tomoko" who comes home from America. The new addition to the series will be played by Maeda Aki.

Check the official website for preview clips!

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DOCTORS 2 ~ Saikyo no Meii

Title: DOCTORS2 ?????
Start: July 11th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Script: Fukuda Yasushi ('GALILEO', 'CHANGE', 'UMIZARU' series)
Theme Song: B'z - "Utopia"
Cast: Sawamura Ikki, Takashima Masanobu, Higa Manami, Ito Ran, Nogiwa Yoko, and more

The brilliant surgeon "Sagara Kosuke" (Sawamura) returns for another season and continues to fight against the system even if that means resorting to rough methods.

In the first season, Sagara managed to reform the corrupt Dogami General Hospital by force and was able to get many of his new colleagues back on the right path of good doctors. Now the hospital is facing the question who is going to become the successor of hospital director "Dogami Tamaki" (Nogiwa). Her nephew "Moriyama" (Takashima) has the best chances, which eventually leads to a confrontation with Sagara. All the other doctors and nurses get dragged into this confrontation. Will Sagara be able to advance towards his goal of forming his ideal hospital?

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Pin to Kona

Title: ?????
Start: July 18th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Shimaki Ako - 'Pin to Kona'
Script: Takahashi Maki ('Itsuka Hi no Ataru Basho de')
Cast: Tamamori Yuta, Nakayama Yuma, Kawashima Umika, Matsumura Hokuto, Jesse, Yoshikura Aoi, Yamamoto Koji, Takashima Masahiro, Maeda Noriko, and more

A romantic youth drama set in the world of kabuki, which is based on a best-selling shojo manga of the same name by Shimaki Ako.

"Kawamura Kyonosuke" (Tamamori) is born into a noble Kabumi family, yet he is inept and uninterested in living up to the name of his family. "Chiba Ayame" (Kawashima) is a school girl who loves kabuki. One day, Kyonosuke's poor performance makes her so angry that she throws him over her shoulder in best judo style and asks for a refund. Kyonosuke falls for her straightforward personality, but Ayame is already in love with "Sawayama Ichiya" (Nakayama). The latter is born in a family that has no connection to Kabuki, yet he wants to climb up to the top using just his ability. Jealousy rouses Kyonosuke's passion for the art and his love for Ayame.

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Oh, My Dad!!

Title: Oh, My Dad!!
Start: July 11th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Script: Adachi Naoko ('Rich Man, Poor Woman')
Theme Song: GReeeeN! - "Itoshi Kimi e"
Cast: Oda Yuji, Tanaka Kanau, Hasegawa Kyoko, Yashima Norito, Suzuki Anju, and more

Nothing is impossible for a father! Right? - Amidst all those summer dramas about single mothers, Oda Yuji decided to challenge his first role as a father in this heartwarming comedy. Moreover it's the role of a pretty much homeless single father! The role of the son is played by Tanaka Kanau from the drama 'PRICELESS' who seems to get casted as a homeless child pretty often.
v "Shinkai Genichi" (Oda) once used to be a high profile scientist, but nowadays it seems impossible for him to regain this glory. However, he still continues to sacrifice everything for his dream. His wife "Sayoko" (Suzuki) is fed up of being neglected and runs out on him, leaving him with their 5-yea-old son, "Kota". Genichi lacks the self-awareness of a father and the ability to earn a living. His wife used to raise their son all by herself, so he is pretty clueless about everything. Things get even worse when Genichi can't pay the rent and they get kicked out of their apartment.

Check the official website for preview clips! (Japanese IP/Proxy only!)


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Friday
-


Naruyouni Narusa

Title: ?????????
Start: July 12th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: TBS
Script: Hashida Sugako ('Oshin', 'Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari')
Cast: Tachi Hiroshi, Asano Atsuko, Shida Mirai, Yasuda Shota, Konno Mahiru, Ikeda Tsutomu, Ota Ari, Mikami Kensei, and more

A new family drama from veteran Hashida Sugako that depicts a "pseudo modern family" with some comedic elements. The drama features two great actors with Tachi Hiroshi and Asano Atsuko, who haven't been working together since 2005.

"Nagashima Daigo" (Tachi) is looking forward to a more comfortable life with his 3 sons married and moved out of the house, and an early retirement just around the corner. However, things become more complicated again when his wife "Aya" (Asano) suddenly suggests opening a restaurant inside their house. Before he knows, and in spite of their sons opposition, Aya sets up the opening of the restaurant and gathers 3 young people as employees. With nowhere else to go, they move into the vacant rooms of the three sons, which eventually causes them to develop bonds with the Nagashimas and become a "pseudo family".

-


Keibuho Yabe Kenzo 2

Title: ????????2
Start: July 5th / Time: 23:15 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Script: Fukuda Takuro and Takayama Naoya
Cast: Namase Katsuhisa, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Hatakeyama Rina, Aijima Kazuyuki, Satoi Kenta, Kyo Nobuo, Mifune Mika, Mister Chin, and more

"Which one of you is the criminal!?" - The second season of the 'TRICK' spin-off drama featuring police officer "Yabe Kenzo" (Namase) as the protagonist, which means more dubious reasoning that miraculously leads to the settlement of many difficult cases.

In the second season, Yabe meets the daughter of the Superintendent General. Her name is "Mirai" (Hatakeyama) and she is an incredibly intelligent young girl who tells Yabe about her father's affair in return for being able to participate in an investigation. Yabe wants to use her information to threat the Superintendent in order to get a promotion, but instead the Superintendent now only gives him the cases with the most atrocious crimes with the hope that he might get killed in the line of duty. He soon finds himself in the middle of dealing with full-blown terrorists, preventing assassination plots against foreign VIPs and other major incidents.


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Saturday
-


Saito-san 2

Title: ?????
Start: July 13th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: NTV
Original: Oda Yua - 'Saito-san'
Script: Tsuchida Hideo ('Tokyo Tower')
Cast: Mizuki Alisa, Kiritani Mirei, Tanabe Seiichi, Seto Koji, Nekoze Tsubaki, Otoo Takuma, Hashimoto Ryo, Tamamoto Fumito, Tanihata Kanato, and more

The protagonist "Saito-san" (Mizuki), a mother of a son, hates to do wrong, and carries out justice. Her straight talk isolates her from other mothers, but the show itself received much support from the viewers as its average viewer rating was 15.6%, and reached 19.6% for the final episode.

The previous drama was set at a kindergarten, but the sequel will be set 5 years later at an elementary school. In the sequel, Saito-san will move to a new town, and meet new people and also face various new "enemies".

Check the official website for preview clips! (Japanese IP/Proxy only!)

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Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo

Title: ?????7????
Start: August 10th / Time: 23:10 / Channel: FUJI TV
Original: Yoshikawa Miki - 'Yamada-kun to Shichinin no Majo'
Script: Ogawa Makoto
Cast: Nishiuchi Mariya, Yamamoto Yusuke, and more

A romantic "kiss comedy" based on a very popular shonen manga of the same name. It revolves around seven witches with special abilities that can be activated with a kiss and the biggest troublemaker on campus.

"Yamada Ryu" (Yamamoto) is a former delinquent and the biggest troublemaker of the school. He has to improve his grades or else he will have to repeat a year, which is why he gets in contact with the school's brightest student, "Shiraishi Urara" (Nishiuchi). One day they suddenly swap bodies and it turns out that Urara is a witch with the ability to swap bodies just by kissing another person. Later Ryu and Urara find out there are actually 7 witches with similar "kiss abilities" and so they team up to find out who they are.

No teaser yet, but check out Nishiuchi's personal announcement below!


-
Sunday
-


Hanzawa Naoki

Title: ????
Start: July 7th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Ikeido Jun - 'Oretachi Bubble Nyuukou-gumi' & 'Oretachi Hana no Bubble-gumi''
Script: Yatsu Hiroyuki ('Dr. Irabu Ichiro')
Cast: Sakai Masato, Ueto Aya, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Kataoka Ainosuke, Takito Kenichi, Kagawa Teruyuki, Shofukutei Tsurube, Kitaoji Kinya, and more

It's the first time for Sakai and Ueto to co-star in a drama in 10 years. The original is said to be very interesting and director Fukuzawa Katsuo ('Nankyoku Tairiku', 'MR. BRAIN') knows how to create an entertaining drama. It seems like it got all the right elements for another great TBS Sunday drama.

Sakai plays an unconventional and charming banker named "Hanzawa Naoki" who gets employed by a major bank during the period of an economic bubble in Japan. The story portrays his ups and downs as a banker and vividly depicts the difficult lives full of trouble and suffering of the generation that entered this line of work during the economic bubble. Hanzawa can drive all of his enemies inside and outside the bank into a corner. He isn't afraid of speaking up against his superiors and bravely fights against the system. In front of his subordinates and his family he always only shows his very kind side. Ueto plays Naoki's bright and eloquent wife "Hana".

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