Sunday, October 6, 2013 
The upcoming fall season for dramas is just around the corner. During the break between the seasons it is time for the networks to 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 feels 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 October 6th) and that taiga drama, midnight and late-night dramas as well as dramas that premiered during summer 2013 and dramas of premium/pay-TV networks are not included in this preview.
Check out the Prime Time Drama Preview for the Fall Season 2013 below!
Start: October 7th / Time: 20:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Yakumaru Gaku - 'Keiji no Manazashi'
Cast: Shiina Kippei, Kaname Jun, Ono Yuriko, Kitamura Yukiya, Matsushige Yutaka, and more
Shiina Kippei plays a man who changes his job from judicial officer at juvenile detention center to a police detective. At the age of 40, he takes on the challenge of becoming a rookie detective. His past job allows him to give the criminals a kind and - if needed - stern look ('manazashi'). He doesn't just care about the victims, but also wants to discover the root of the wrongdoing and help the (young) criminals find the way back on the right path. The story is set in Higashi-Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
Start: October 14th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Theme Song: Irie Leo - "Taiyou no Megami"
Cast: Matsuda Shota, Takei Emi, Fujiwara Norika, Fukushi Sota, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Ueno Yukio, Tsuchiya Yuichi, Toda Erika, Terajima Susumu, Aso Yumi, and more
A human drama about a doctor who starts working on a medical boat that plies between the many small islands that don't have a local doctor and hospital in the Seto Inland Sea. It focuses on the interaction between the protagonist and the various islanders with their diverse medical and other problems. It's Matsuda Shota's first starring role in a getsu-9 drama. Takei Emi plays a nurse on the ship. The drama is written by Tokunaga Yuichi ('Densha Otoko'), who was inspired by the actual medical ship "Saiseimaru" that helps the islanders with medical care in this region, and directed by Nakae Isamu ('Hitotsu Yane no Shita', 'Pride').
The protagonist is a doctor with top-class skills who starts working on a medical ship. However, he doesn't take this job too serious and loves to hit on all the women on the islands. He often visit them under the pretense of a medical examination, although he is only there for personal reasons and to help them with their (medical) problems. His behavior is quite irritating for the nurse (Takei) who dislikes everything that can't be explained by logic.
Start: October 15th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Theme Song: Kaho - "every hero"
Cast: Horikita Maki, Aibu Saki, Saito Takumi, Sakuraba Nanami, Nanao, Mamiya Shotaro, Koyanagi Yu, Fujii Ryusei, Shounozaki Ken, Fujisawa Ema, Ishikura Saburo, Negishi Toshie, Iwaki Koichi, and more
Horikita Maki plays a female pilot cadet in her first Fuji TV drama in 4 years. Thanks to the full cooperation of ANA (All Nippon Airways), the production team has been able to use various actual locations within the company that are usually restricted to the public eye. The whole cast got their custom-tailored uniforms and were given in-depth information in order to make this drama look and feel as detailed and realistic as possible. Moreover the cooperation opened doors to multiple overseas filming locations.
The protagonist is an ordinary girl whose parents run a Japanese tavern. She fails to find a real job and gives the pilot exam a try, since she has nothing to lose anyway, and soon gets charmed by the idea to be able to fly in the sky. The drama focuses on the interaction between the new cadets and their instructors. Aibu Saki plays a female cadet that soon emerges as a natural-born leader of the group. Saito Takumi plays an elite pilot and instructor.
Start: October 8th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Original: Amano Shoko - 'Yorozu Uranai Dokoro ~ Onmyoya' Series
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Kurashina Kana, Chinen Yuri, Kashiwagi Yuki, Suruga Taro, Sugi Ryotaro, Minamino Yoko, and more
A drama adaptation of Amano Shoko's popular novel series. Set in Kitaku-Ouji, Tokyo - the story follows a fake eccentric fortune teller (Nishikido Ryo) who runs an own shop. Chinen Yuri plays a student who works part-time at the shop and Kurashina Kana his worried homeroom teacher. The script is handled by hit-maker Kuroiwa Tsutomu ('Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de', 'Strawberry Night').
The protagonist (Nishikido) used to be a number-one host and therefore knows very well how to converse with others, especially women. He begins working as a fortune teller and makes use of his skills to get to the bottom and to find the solution of his customers' problems. One day a problem student (Chinen) and his mother visit him and while the mother immediately believes that he's the real deal, the son gets angry at his vague statements and throws a tantrum at his shop. In order to make up for the damage, he now has to work for him as a part-timer.
Start: October 16th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Narimiya Hiroki, Suzuki Anju, Matobu Sei, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Otani Ryosuke, Yamanaka Takashi, Rokkaku Seiji, Yamanishi Atsushi, Ishizaka Koji, and more
The second season with Narimiya Hiroki by the side of Mizutani Yutaka and the 12th season in total, the popular 'Aibou' series is about to offer long-time fans and new viewers exciting new cases every Wednesday this fall. We are going to find out more about the young detective while the two of them deepen their relationship with each case. Both actors had plenty of time to study each other in the first season. A third feature-length film in the main 'Aibou' series is also already slated for next year's Golden Week.
Start: October 2nd / Time: 22:00 / Channel: NTV
Original: Tontani Takashi & Suzuki Masakazu - 'Danda Rin 101'
Theme Song: Matsutoya Yumi - "Ima Dake wo Kimi Dake wo"
Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Matsuzaka Tori, Kazama Shunsuke, Mizuhashi Kenji, Triendl Reina, Sano Shiro, Kitamura Kazuki, and more
A drama about a hard-working woman and the strenuous effort of the labor standards inspectors. Takeuchi Yuko plays an unwavering labor standards inspector who does her best at fighting against illegal employment (black labor) and cruel work conditions. She changed into a short hairdo for the first time in 12 years in order to portray this role.
The protagonist goes from company to company in order to make sure they adhere to the Labor Standards Act. Protecting the laborers is her top priority. She doesn't yield to any pressure, has a very strong personality and a commanding presence. Before she used to be a normal worker herself, but her former employer decided to "get rid of the nuisance" and drove her off. At the labor standards office she had to hold her ground against her male colleagues (e.g. Matsuzaka Tori), while fighting against well-known problems in various companies such as unpaid overtime, lack of management, and power harassment.
Start: October 9th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Theme Song: RIPSLYME - "SLY"
Cast: Sakai Masato, Aragaki Yui, Okada Masaki, Koyuki, Taguchi Junnosuke, Satomi Kotaro, and more
The winner of multiple drama awards, lawyer comedy 'Legal High' is back with a 2nd season and a new script by Kosawa Ryota ('ALWAYS' trilogy), in which he once again serves seemingly dry themes related to the law as a sparkling comedy cocktail topped by an even more sparkling lead actor. Many regulars and a lot of new faces are going to give the new season a familiar yet fresh feeling.
This time the unbeaten eccentric lawyer (Sakai Masato) and his uptight assistant/debtor (Aragaki Yui) find themselves facing against a former elite public prosecutor (Okada Masaki) inside the courtroom. Unlike the protagonist, he isn't all about winning and rather aims for a mutual agreement of both parties.
Start: October 17th / Time: 20:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Wakamura Mayumi, Kazama Toru, Kaneda Akio, Saito Satoru, Okuda Erika, Osada Seiya, Sakimoto Hiromi, Tanaka Ken, and more
The 13th season of the very popular drama about the iconic female forensic scientist played by Sawaguchi Yasuko. This suspense series first aired in 1999 and depicts how the power of science can solve various of crimes. It features mystery, tension and an absolutely charming protagonist. This season she is backed up by many familiar faces as well as a new regular character played by Kaneda Akio.
Start: October 17th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Fujiki Naohito, Uchida Yuki, Endo Kenichi, Sasano Takashi, Kishibe Ittoku, Mita Yoshiko, Nishida Toshiyuki, and more
Yonekura Ryoko returns as the freelance surgeon Daimon Michiko. In the first season, we got to know her as a skilled surgeon who disliked the ties of obligation in the medical world and only works for a very high reward. The cool protagonist and intense story-telling became a hot topic last year and earned the drama a very high average rating of 19.1%.
For the new season the setting is moved from a branch hospital to the main hospital of the Teito Medical University. This allows for many new characters and more heated confrontations. Fujiki Naohito plays another cool surgeon who seems to be very interested in our protagonist.
Start: October 24th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Kakiya Miu - 'Otto no Kanojo'
Theme Song: Serena - "CHANGE!!"
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Suzuki Sawa, Suzuki Fuku, Tanabe Seiichi, Furukawa Yuki, Otomo Karen, Yanagisawa Shingo, Yamamura Momiji, Katahira Nagisa, and more
A comedic drama about a wife (Suzuki Sawa) who suspects her husband (Tanabe Seiichi) of having an affair and the female subordinate (Kawaguchi Haruna) of the husband, who happen to swap their bodies. Kawaguchi has to appear like a woman in her twenties while having the mind of a housewife in her forties. Suzuki has to act the other way around.
After the first confusion, both women decide to continue to live the lives of each other for the moment. The husband doesn't know about this strange occurrence and is more than bewildered about the completely different reactions from his "alleged girlfriend" and his wife. The family's son is played by popular child actor Suzuki Fuku.
Start: October 10th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kitagawa Keiko, Ito Hideaki, Fujigaya Taisuke, Renbutsu Misako, Nishihara Aki, and more
Right now, 34% of all men in their early thirties and 60% of all women in their late twenties are unmarried in Japan. This romantic comedy reflects this phage of life of both sexes with a funny story about a love triangle. Kusanagi Tsuyoshi plays a single man who lives affluently and feels that he doesn't need to get married anytime soon. It's an original story written by Sato Shimako ('Unfair The Answer') and directed by Takeuchi Hideki ('Nodame Cantabile', 'Thermae Romae').
The heroine (Kitagawa Keiko) is a woman who dreams of becoming a successful movie scriptwriter. She was already proposed to by various men, but she simply can't agree with the view of marriage of most men. She soon realizes that reality is harsh and that she has to give up of her dream. When she is about to return back to her hometown, she happens to meet the president of a movie company and movie producer (Kusanagi) who prefers to do all things in his own pace, and his younger brother (Ito Hideaki) who also works at the movie company and is stuck in the middle of a divorce.
Start: October 11th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Richard Woo & Kouno Kouji - "Kurokouchi"
Theme Song: TOKIO - "Honton Toko"
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Goriki Ayame, Kashii Yuu, Riju Go, Koichi Mantaro, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Kawamura Yosuke, Endo Kaname, Kawakita Mayuko, Watabe Atsuro, and more
TOKIO's Nagase Tomoya has to overturn his image for this role of a corrupted police detective. The central theme of the drama is one of the few huge unsettled crimes in the history of the Metropolitan Police Department. A large sum of 300,000,000 Yen was stolen in Tokyo in 1968, but no suspect was ever found due to the lack of eyewitnesses. The story is based on a bold hypothesis that influential people and the police are involved in this case. The drama explores this theory and follows Kurokouchi as he gets closer to the truth and the money.
The protagonist makes use of the weaknesses of statesmen to extort large sums of money from them. He doesn't just obtain money in an illegal way, but also illegally acquires most of the necessary information that help him solve various unsettled atrocious crimes. He fights poison with poison. Then he gets partnered up with an excellent female novice detective (Goriki Ayame) who is still very pure. While working on their first case together, she soon finds out about his collusive relationship with a politician and wants to report him, until she hears what kind of vital information was gathered from said relationship.
Start: October 11th / Time: 23:15 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Theme Song: Perfume - "Sweet Refrain"
Cast: Nagasawa Masami, Mizobata Junpei, Takenaka Naoto, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Okubo Kayoko, Ibu Masato, and more
Nagasawa Masami returns as a female detective who uses her wide knowledge of urban legends to solve various unsettled crimes. This time the protagonist of this mystery-comedy drama comes back from the US where she worked for the FBI and joins the newly created division in the Metropolitan Police Department called "Unscientific incident investigation unit ('UIU' for short)". Many of her former colleagues are also part of this new division. One new face is a female forensic scientist played by Okubo Kayoko.
Start: October 12th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: NTV
Original: Shoji Yukiya - 'Tokyo Bandwagon'
Cast: Kamenashi Kazuya, Tabe Mikako, Mimura, Kaneko Nobuaki, Taira Airi, Kaga Mariko, Hiraizumi Sei, Inohara Yoshihiko, Tamaki Koji, and more
KAT-TUN's Kamenashi Kazuya is back with his first drama in two years. 'Tokyo Bandwagon' is a family drama based on a novel by Shoji Yukiya that simply had to become a live-action series or movie someday according to many critics. The main focus of the drama is an eccentric family made up of four generations that live under one roof.
It's set in Shitamachi, Tokyo and portrays a big family that owns a long-established secondhand bookstore named "Tokyo Bandwagon". The protagonist (Kamenashi), a travel tour guide and his family solve various problems and incidents that happen around them. Kamenashi is backed up by a very strong cast that is going to bring this unique family to life.
Start: October 19th / Time: 23:10 / Channel: FUJI TV
Cast: AKIRA, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Uchiyama Rina, Nonami Maho, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Takashima Masanobu, Nakama Yukie, and more
A social drama that touches the topics of industrial espionage in modern-day Japan. AKIRA plays a man who works at a top-notch company that is a big name when it comes to developing new technology. Everything goes well in his life. He loves his job and he has a supportive, kind and beautiful wife that played by Nakama Yukie.
However, one day information about the company's new project gets leaked and his boss believes that it was him. He gets suspended from work. At the same time his father suddenly disappears from his workplace and his home gets broken into. Everything is rapidly getting snatched away from him.
Start: October 13th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TBS
Cast: Kimura Takuya, Shibasaki Kou, Oshima Yuko, Kiritani Kenta, Honda Tsubasa, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Jesse, Yamamoto Mizuki, Hiraoka Yuta, Natori Yuko, Endo Kenichi, and more
SMAP's Kimura Takuya plays the two roles of an ingenious physicist named "Matsushima Reiji" and a mysterious android named "Ando Roido" that came from 100 years in the future. Shibasaki Kou plays the physicist's fianc�e who is being protected by the android. Anno Hideaki and his prot�g� Tsurumaki Kazuya from the famed anime series 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' are reportedly the ones who fleshed out this unique concept for TBS. The script is handled by no other than Nishiogi Yumie, the mastermind behind 'SPEC' and 'Keizoku'.
The physicist finds out that someone is trying to kill him and his fianc�e because of theory he recently constructed. However, he isn't able to avoid his death and loses his life in a mysterious explosion on a plane one day in 2013. His fianc�e is still alive and grieving over his sudden death, but she doesn't know that he was murdered and that the killer is still out there and aiming for her next. All of a sudden an android appears from out of her desk's drawer and materializes to look exactly like her fianc�. Apparently he was sent from the future to protect her from the killer.
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 feels 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 October 6th) and that taiga drama, midnight and late-night dramas as well as dramas that premiered during summer 2013 and dramas of premium/pay-TV networks are not included in this preview.
Check out the Prime Time Drama Preview for the Fall Season 2013 below!
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Monday
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Keiji no Manazashi
Title: ???????Start: October 7th / Time: 20:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Yakumaru Gaku - 'Keiji no Manazashi'
Cast: Shiina Kippei, Kaname Jun, Ono Yuriko, Kitamura Yukiya, Matsushige Yutaka, and more
Shiina Kippei plays a man who changes his job from judicial officer at juvenile detention center to a police detective. At the age of 40, he takes on the challenge of becoming a rookie detective. His past job allows him to give the criminals a kind and - if needed - stern look ('manazashi'). He doesn't just care about the victims, but also wants to discover the root of the wrongdoing and help the (young) criminals find the way back on the right path. The story is set in Higashi-Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
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Umi no Ue no Shinryojo
Title: ???????Start: October 14th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Theme Song: Irie Leo - "Taiyou no Megami"
Cast: Matsuda Shota, Takei Emi, Fujiwara Norika, Fukushi Sota, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Ueno Yukio, Tsuchiya Yuichi, Toda Erika, Terajima Susumu, Aso Yumi, and more
A human drama about a doctor who starts working on a medical boat that plies between the many small islands that don't have a local doctor and hospital in the Seto Inland Sea. It focuses on the interaction between the protagonist and the various islanders with their diverse medical and other problems. It's Matsuda Shota's first starring role in a getsu-9 drama. Takei Emi plays a nurse on the ship. The drama is written by Tokunaga Yuichi ('Densha Otoko'), who was inspired by the actual medical ship "Saiseimaru" that helps the islanders with medical care in this region, and directed by Nakae Isamu ('Hitotsu Yane no Shita', 'Pride').
The protagonist is a doctor with top-class skills who starts working on a medical ship. However, he doesn't take this job too serious and loves to hit on all the women on the islands. He often visit them under the pretense of a medical examination, although he is only there for personal reasons and to help them with their (medical) problems. His behavior is quite irritating for the nurse (Takei) who dislikes everything that can't be explained by logic.
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Tuesday
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Miss Pilot
Title: ????????Start: October 15th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Theme Song: Kaho - "every hero"
Cast: Horikita Maki, Aibu Saki, Saito Takumi, Sakuraba Nanami, Nanao, Mamiya Shotaro, Koyanagi Yu, Fujii Ryusei, Shounozaki Ken, Fujisawa Ema, Ishikura Saburo, Negishi Toshie, Iwaki Koichi, and more
Horikita Maki plays a female pilot cadet in her first Fuji TV drama in 4 years. Thanks to the full cooperation of ANA (All Nippon Airways), the production team has been able to use various actual locations within the company that are usually restricted to the public eye. The whole cast got their custom-tailored uniforms and were given in-depth information in order to make this drama look and feel as detailed and realistic as possible. Moreover the cooperation opened doors to multiple overseas filming locations.
The protagonist is an ordinary girl whose parents run a Japanese tavern. She fails to find a real job and gives the pilot exam a try, since she has nothing to lose anyway, and soon gets charmed by the idea to be able to fly in the sky. The drama focuses on the interaction between the new cadets and their instructors. Aibu Saki plays a female cadet that soon emerges as a natural-born leader of the group. Saito Takumi plays an elite pilot and instructor.
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Yorozu Uranai Dokoro ~ Onmyoya e Yokoso
Title: ?????? ????????Start: October 8th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Original: Amano Shoko - 'Yorozu Uranai Dokoro ~ Onmyoya' Series
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Kurashina Kana, Chinen Yuri, Kashiwagi Yuki, Suruga Taro, Sugi Ryotaro, Minamino Yoko, and more
A drama adaptation of Amano Shoko's popular novel series. Set in Kitaku-Ouji, Tokyo - the story follows a fake eccentric fortune teller (Nishikido Ryo) who runs an own shop. Chinen Yuri plays a student who works part-time at the shop and Kurashina Kana his worried homeroom teacher. The script is handled by hit-maker Kuroiwa Tsutomu ('Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de', 'Strawberry Night').
The protagonist (Nishikido) used to be a number-one host and therefore knows very well how to converse with others, especially women. He begins working as a fortune teller and makes use of his skills to get to the bottom and to find the solution of his customers' problems. One day a problem student (Chinen) and his mother visit him and while the mother immediately believes that he's the real deal, the son gets angry at his vague statements and throws a tantrum at his shop. In order to make up for the damage, he now has to work for him as a part-timer.
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Wednesday
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Aibou Season 12
Title: ??season12Start: October 16th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Cast: Mizutani Yutaka, Narimiya Hiroki, Suzuki Anju, Matobu Sei, Kawahara Kazuhisa, Otani Ryosuke, Yamanaka Takashi, Rokkaku Seiji, Yamanishi Atsushi, Ishizaka Koji, and more
The second season with Narimiya Hiroki by the side of Mizutani Yutaka and the 12th season in total, the popular 'Aibou' series is about to offer long-time fans and new viewers exciting new cases every Wednesday this fall. We are going to find out more about the young detective while the two of them deepen their relationship with each case. Both actors had plenty of time to study each other in the first season. A third feature-length film in the main 'Aibou' series is also already slated for next year's Golden Week.
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Danda Rin - Rodo Kijun Kantokukan
Title: ?????????????Start: October 2nd / Time: 22:00 / Channel: NTV
Original: Tontani Takashi & Suzuki Masakazu - 'Danda Rin 101'
Theme Song: Matsutoya Yumi - "Ima Dake wo Kimi Dake wo"
Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Matsuzaka Tori, Kazama Shunsuke, Mizuhashi Kenji, Triendl Reina, Sano Shiro, Kitamura Kazuki, and more
A drama about a hard-working woman and the strenuous effort of the labor standards inspectors. Takeuchi Yuko plays an unwavering labor standards inspector who does her best at fighting against illegal employment (black labor) and cruel work conditions. She changed into a short hairdo for the first time in 12 years in order to portray this role.
The protagonist goes from company to company in order to make sure they adhere to the Labor Standards Act. Protecting the laborers is her top priority. She doesn't yield to any pressure, has a very strong personality and a commanding presence. Before she used to be a normal worker herself, but her former employer decided to "get rid of the nuisance" and drove her off. At the labor standards office she had to hold her ground against her male colleagues (e.g. Matsuzaka Tori), while fighting against well-known problems in various companies such as unpaid overtime, lack of management, and power harassment.
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Legal High 2
Title: ??????Start: October 9th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Theme Song: RIPSLYME - "SLY"
Cast: Sakai Masato, Aragaki Yui, Okada Masaki, Koyuki, Taguchi Junnosuke, Satomi Kotaro, and more
The winner of multiple drama awards, lawyer comedy 'Legal High' is back with a 2nd season and a new script by Kosawa Ryota ('ALWAYS' trilogy), in which he once again serves seemingly dry themes related to the law as a sparkling comedy cocktail topped by an even more sparkling lead actor. Many regulars and a lot of new faces are going to give the new season a familiar yet fresh feeling.
This time the unbeaten eccentric lawyer (Sakai Masato) and his uptight assistant/debtor (Aragaki Yui) find themselves facing against a former elite public prosecutor (Okada Masaki) inside the courtroom. Unlike the protagonist, he isn't all about winning and rather aims for a mutual agreement of both parties.
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Thursday
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Kasoken no Onna 13
Title: ?????Start: October 17th / Time: 20:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Wakamura Mayumi, Kazama Toru, Kaneda Akio, Saito Satoru, Okuda Erika, Osada Seiya, Sakimoto Hiromi, Tanaka Ken, and more
The 13th season of the very popular drama about the iconic female forensic scientist played by Sawaguchi Yasuko. This suspense series first aired in 1999 and depicts how the power of science can solve various of crimes. It features mystery, tension and an absolutely charming protagonist. This season she is backed up by many familiar faces as well as a new regular character played by Kaneda Akio.
Teaser: Official Website
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Doctor-X 2 ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko
Title: ????X??????????Start: October 17th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Fujiki Naohito, Uchida Yuki, Endo Kenichi, Sasano Takashi, Kishibe Ittoku, Mita Yoshiko, Nishida Toshiyuki, and more
Yonekura Ryoko returns as the freelance surgeon Daimon Michiko. In the first season, we got to know her as a skilled surgeon who disliked the ties of obligation in the medical world and only works for a very high reward. The cool protagonist and intense story-telling became a hot topic last year and earned the drama a very high average rating of 19.1%.
For the new season the setting is moved from a branch hospital to the main hospital of the Teito Medical University. This allows for many new characters and more heated confrontations. Fujiki Naohito plays another cool surgeon who seems to be very interested in our protagonist.
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Otto no Kanojo
Title: ?????? - Husband's LoverStart: October 24th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Kakiya Miu - 'Otto no Kanojo'
Theme Song: Serena - "CHANGE!!"
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Suzuki Sawa, Suzuki Fuku, Tanabe Seiichi, Furukawa Yuki, Otomo Karen, Yanagisawa Shingo, Yamamura Momiji, Katahira Nagisa, and more
A comedic drama about a wife (Suzuki Sawa) who suspects her husband (Tanabe Seiichi) of having an affair and the female subordinate (Kawaguchi Haruna) of the husband, who happen to swap their bodies. Kawaguchi has to appear like a woman in her twenties while having the mind of a housewife in her forties. Suzuki has to act the other way around.
After the first confusion, both women decide to continue to live the lives of each other for the moment. The husband doesn't know about this strange occurrence and is more than bewildered about the completely different reactions from his "alleged girlfriend" and his wife. The family's son is played by popular child actor Suzuki Fuku.
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Dokushin Kizoku
Title: ????Start: October 10th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: FUJI TV
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kitagawa Keiko, Ito Hideaki, Fujigaya Taisuke, Renbutsu Misako, Nishihara Aki, and more
Right now, 34% of all men in their early thirties and 60% of all women in their late twenties are unmarried in Japan. This romantic comedy reflects this phage of life of both sexes with a funny story about a love triangle. Kusanagi Tsuyoshi plays a single man who lives affluently and feels that he doesn't need to get married anytime soon. It's an original story written by Sato Shimako ('Unfair The Answer') and directed by Takeuchi Hideki ('Nodame Cantabile', 'Thermae Romae').
The heroine (Kitagawa Keiko) is a woman who dreams of becoming a successful movie scriptwriter. She was already proposed to by various men, but she simply can't agree with the view of marriage of most men. She soon realizes that reality is harsh and that she has to give up of her dream. When she is about to return back to her hometown, she happens to meet the president of a movie company and movie producer (Kusanagi) who prefers to do all things in his own pace, and his younger brother (Ito Hideaki) who also works at the movie company and is stuck in the middle of a divorce.
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Friday
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Kurokouchi
Title: ?????Start: October 11th / Time: 22:00 / Channel: TBS
Original: Richard Woo & Kouno Kouji - "Kurokouchi"
Theme Song: TOKIO - "Honton Toko"
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Goriki Ayame, Kashii Yuu, Riju Go, Koichi Mantaro, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Kawamura Yosuke, Endo Kaname, Kawakita Mayuko, Watabe Atsuro, and more
TOKIO's Nagase Tomoya has to overturn his image for this role of a corrupted police detective. The central theme of the drama is one of the few huge unsettled crimes in the history of the Metropolitan Police Department. A large sum of 300,000,000 Yen was stolen in Tokyo in 1968, but no suspect was ever found due to the lack of eyewitnesses. The story is based on a bold hypothesis that influential people and the police are involved in this case. The drama explores this theory and follows Kurokouchi as he gets closer to the truth and the money.
The protagonist makes use of the weaknesses of statesmen to extort large sums of money from them. He doesn't just obtain money in an illegal way, but also illegally acquires most of the necessary information that help him solve various unsettled atrocious crimes. He fights poison with poison. Then he gets partnered up with an excellent female novice detective (Goriki Ayame) who is still very pure. While working on their first case together, she soon finds out about his collusive relationship with a politician and wants to report him, until she hears what kind of vital information was gathered from said relationship.
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Toshi Densetsu no Onna 2
Title: ??????Start: October 11th / Time: 23:15 / Channel: TV ASAHI
Theme Song: Perfume - "Sweet Refrain"
Cast: Nagasawa Masami, Mizobata Junpei, Takenaka Naoto, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Okubo Kayoko, Ibu Masato, and more
Nagasawa Masami returns as a female detective who uses her wide knowledge of urban legends to solve various unsettled crimes. This time the protagonist of this mystery-comedy drama comes back from the US where she worked for the FBI and joins the newly created division in the Metropolitan Police Department called "Unscientific incident investigation unit ('UIU' for short)". Many of her former colleagues are also part of this new division. One new face is a female forensic scientist played by Okubo Kayoko.
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Saturday
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Tokyo Bandwagon ~ Shitamachi Daikazoku Monogatari
Title: ????????????????Start: October 12th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: NTV
Original: Shoji Yukiya - 'Tokyo Bandwagon'
Cast: Kamenashi Kazuya, Tabe Mikako, Mimura, Kaneko Nobuaki, Taira Airi, Kaga Mariko, Hiraizumi Sei, Inohara Yoshihiko, Tamaki Koji, and more
KAT-TUN's Kamenashi Kazuya is back with his first drama in two years. 'Tokyo Bandwagon' is a family drama based on a novel by Shoji Yukiya that simply had to become a live-action series or movie someday according to many critics. The main focus of the drama is an eccentric family made up of four generations that live under one roof.
It's set in Shitamachi, Tokyo and portrays a big family that owns a long-established secondhand bookstore named "Tokyo Bandwagon". The protagonist (Kamenashi), a travel tour guide and his family solve various problems and incidents that happen around them. Kamenashi is backed up by a very strong cast that is going to bring this unique family to life.
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Honey Trap
Title: ????????Start: October 19th / Time: 23:10 / Channel: FUJI TV
Cast: AKIRA, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Uchiyama Rina, Nonami Maho, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Takashima Masanobu, Nakama Yukie, and more
A social drama that touches the topics of industrial espionage in modern-day Japan. AKIRA plays a man who works at a top-notch company that is a big name when it comes to developing new technology. Everything goes well in his life. He loves his job and he has a supportive, kind and beautiful wife that played by Nakama Yukie.
However, one day information about the company's new project gets leaked and his boss believes that it was him. He gets suspended from work. At the same time his father suddenly disappears from his workplace and his home gets broken into. Everything is rapidly getting snatched away from him.
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Sunday
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Ando Roid ~A.I. knows LOVE?~
Title: ??????A?I?knowsLOVE??Start: October 13th / Time: 21:00 / Channel: TBS
Cast: Kimura Takuya, Shibasaki Kou, Oshima Yuko, Kiritani Kenta, Honda Tsubasa, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Jesse, Yamamoto Mizuki, Hiraoka Yuta, Natori Yuko, Endo Kenichi, and more
SMAP's Kimura Takuya plays the two roles of an ingenious physicist named "Matsushima Reiji" and a mysterious android named "Ando Roido" that came from 100 years in the future. Shibasaki Kou plays the physicist's fianc�e who is being protected by the android. Anno Hideaki and his prot�g� Tsurumaki Kazuya from the famed anime series 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' are reportedly the ones who fleshed out this unique concept for TBS. The script is handled by no other than Nishiogi Yumie, the mastermind behind 'SPEC' and 'Keizoku'.
The physicist finds out that someone is trying to kill him and his fianc�e because of theory he recently constructed. However, he isn't able to avoid his death and loses his life in a mysterious explosion on a plane one day in 2013. His fianc�e is still alive and grieving over his sudden death, but she doesn't know that he was murdered and that the killer is still out there and aiming for her next. All of a sudden an android appears from out of her desk's drawer and materializes to look exactly like her fianc�. Apparently he was sent from the future to protect her from the killer.
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