Drama Season: Spring 2024
After an incredibly dull spring season (I only watched Living no Matsunaga-san, which was predictably mediocre, and I'm watching Eye Love You which is... okay. I'm planning on starting the KudoKan one once it's all on Netflix though) I actually finally feel quite excited about some spring dramas!
9 Border
Preview
Start: April 19, 2024
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Watashi Kekkon Dekinainjanakute, Shinain Desu, Chugakusei Nikki, Tokyo Dokushin Danshi, Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo, Kikazaru Koi niha Riyuu ga Atte)
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Kinami Haruka, Hata Mei, Matsushita Kouhei, Inowaki Kai, Kido Taisei
Synopsis: Nana Oba (Kawaguchi Haruna) is the middle child among three sisters. She is 29 years old, single, and works hard at her job. She receives a promotion at her job to become the youngest assistant manager, but she feels anxious due to her friends getting married and having children. Her two sisters are 39 year old Mutsuki Narusawa (Kinami Haruka) and 19 year old Hatsumi Oba (Hata Mei). Mutsuki Narusawa works as a certified accountant. She is currently separated from her husband due to her husband's infidelity. Hatsumi Oba feels unease with people her age, who have their own life goals and pursue their goals. In order to comfort her feelings, she meets a man from a dating app.
One day, these 3 sisters face a big situation when their father suddenly goes missing. Due to that incident, they gather together.
(Source: AsianWiki)
This is the one I'm anticipating the most! The cast, the scriptwriter, the plot, the preview, everything about it is calling me and if it ends up not being good I'm going to be very sad lol. But I quite trust the scriptwriter, I liked each of her works among those I watched!
25 Ji, Akasaka de
Preview
Start: April 18, 2024
Screenwriter: Aso Kumiko (Oshi no Oujisama, Kanojo, Okarishimasu, Barakamon, 18-sai, Niizuma, Furin Shimasu)
Cast: Komagine Kiita, Niihara Taisuke
Synopsis: Yuki Shirasaki (Niihara Taisuke) is a rookie actor. He auditions for an important role in a BL drama that stars popular actor Asami Hayama (Komagine Kiita) and successfully gets cast. Yuki Shirasaki is worried and anxious about performing for the first time, but Asami Hayama suggests that they should pretend to be in a romantic relationship until filming for the drama series ends.
(Source: AsianWiki)
I'm quite wary of BLs dramas by now, since I can count on one hand those that I have truly enjoyed and not found downright bad or simply boring. BUT! There is something about this one that has me gagged lol. It could be the cast, the fake relationship trope, I don't know. I hope it's good!
Yakusoku: 16 Nen Me no Shinjitsu
Preview
Start: April 11, 2024
Screenwriter: Komine Hiroyuki (Kaseifu no Mitazono, Giver Taker)
Cast: Nakamura Anne, Yokoyama Yu, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Satsukawa Aimi, Morinaga Yuki, Oda Lisa
Synopsis: When Aoi Kiriyuu (Nakamura Anne) was a child, her mother died and her father then raised her alone in their suburban town. During the year 2008, a series of murders took place. One of the victims was the younger sister of a classmate that Aoi Kiriyuu liked. Aoi Kiriyuu was the person who found the body of her classmate's younger sister. Aoi Kiriyuu was so traumatized by the discovery that she lost some of her memories just before the incident. Making things worse, Aoi Kiriyuu’s father was arrested as the serial killer. With no one left around her, Aoi Kiriyuu left her hometown.
Now, 16 years later, Aoi Kiriyuu has become a detective. She returns to her hometown to prove her father's innocence, but another incident takes place. Detective Aoi Kiriyuu and her buddy detective Kei Kosaka (Yokoyama Yu) chases after the truth behind the case. She soon learns the hidden faces of her ex-classmates from her youth.
(Source: AsianWiki)
It should be a small town mystery, which is nice, but more than everything I miss seeing Yoko playing a dectective, I don't really care about anything else.
Re: Revenge - Yokubo no Hate ni
Preview
Start: April 11, 2024
Screenwriter: Nakamura Masatoshi (Suits Season 2, JK kara Yarinaosu Silver Plan, Tetsu Ota Michiko, 2 Man Kiro)
Cast: Akaso Eiji, Nishikido Ryo, Yoshine Kyoko, Mikami Ai, Sasano Takashi, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: Kaito Tendo (Akaso Eiji) is the son of the chairman of Tendo Memorial Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the nation. Due to a bad relationship with his father, he did not become a doctor. Kaito Tendo now works as a magazine reporter. He is busy with his job and he also about to propose to his girlfriend. One day, he then learns that his father got involved in an incident. He goes to his estranged father's hospital. Due to the incident, Kaito Tendo becomes to know his father’s true intentions and he remembers the precious promise made with his father in the past. Kaito Tendo learns of the various problems hidden in the hospital left by his father and of the power struggle about to take place for the chairman position. Kaito Tendo decides to fight against the power struggle to take back the precious things his father built and to protect the ones who he loves.
(Source: AsianWiki)
I'm so pumped about seeing Nishiki finally acting again that I barely read the plot tbh. Buuut revenge stuff in the hospital, nice cast, Stray Kids singing the theme song, Ryo who might be playing the villain. I'm down for it.
Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Inai 2024
Preview
Start: April 13, 2024
Screenwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Gokusen, Love Letter, Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Inai, Tokyo Tarareba Musume, Renai Mangaka, Koi Desu: Yankee-kun to Hakujou Garu)
Cast: Imada Mio, Yamamoto Koji, Kikuchi Rinko, Kamikawa Takaya, Iio Kazuki, Kaname Jun
Synopsis: Mai Hanasaki (Imada Mio) works as a teller for a branch of Tokyo Daiichi Bank. Suddenly, she gets transferred to the Tokyo Daiichi Bank's headquarter office. Her job is to fix problems that arise at its various local branch offices. Mai Hanasaki has the type of personality where, if she believes she is right, she cannot keep quiet about it or give up. At her new department, she sees many mistakes that takes place inside the bank, which she never noticed before.
(Source: AsianWiki)
This should be the remake (?) of the Japanese drama with the same title with Anne, which was fairly popular and I've been meaning to watch (and never did, like always). The previous drama isn't that old (it aired 10 years ago), but I guess that, dealing with the workplace environment etc, it's going to give it a more actual twist. I have no idea, I just like Imada Mio.
9 Border
Preview
Start: April 19, 2024
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Watashi Kekkon Dekinainjanakute, Shinain Desu, Chugakusei Nikki, Tokyo Dokushin Danshi, Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo, Kikazaru Koi niha Riyuu ga Atte)
Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Kinami Haruka, Hata Mei, Matsushita Kouhei, Inowaki Kai, Kido Taisei
Synopsis: Nana Oba (Kawaguchi Haruna) is the middle child among three sisters. She is 29 years old, single, and works hard at her job. She receives a promotion at her job to become the youngest assistant manager, but she feels anxious due to her friends getting married and having children. Her two sisters are 39 year old Mutsuki Narusawa (Kinami Haruka) and 19 year old Hatsumi Oba (Hata Mei). Mutsuki Narusawa works as a certified accountant. She is currently separated from her husband due to her husband's infidelity. Hatsumi Oba feels unease with people her age, who have their own life goals and pursue their goals. In order to comfort her feelings, she meets a man from a dating app.
One day, these 3 sisters face a big situation when their father suddenly goes missing. Due to that incident, they gather together.
(Source: AsianWiki)
This is the one I'm anticipating the most! The cast, the scriptwriter, the plot, the preview, everything about it is calling me and if it ends up not being good I'm going to be very sad lol. But I quite trust the scriptwriter, I liked each of her works among those I watched!
25 Ji, Akasaka de
Preview
Start: April 18, 2024
Screenwriter: Aso Kumiko (Oshi no Oujisama, Kanojo, Okarishimasu, Barakamon, 18-sai, Niizuma, Furin Shimasu)
Cast: Komagine Kiita, Niihara Taisuke
Synopsis: Yuki Shirasaki (Niihara Taisuke) is a rookie actor. He auditions for an important role in a BL drama that stars popular actor Asami Hayama (Komagine Kiita) and successfully gets cast. Yuki Shirasaki is worried and anxious about performing for the first time, but Asami Hayama suggests that they should pretend to be in a romantic relationship until filming for the drama series ends.
(Source: AsianWiki)
I'm quite wary of BLs dramas by now, since I can count on one hand those that I have truly enjoyed and not found downright bad or simply boring. BUT! There is something about this one that has me gagged lol. It could be the cast, the fake relationship trope, I don't know. I hope it's good!
Yakusoku: 16 Nen Me no Shinjitsu
Preview
Start: April 11, 2024
Screenwriter: Komine Hiroyuki (Kaseifu no Mitazono, Giver Taker)
Cast: Nakamura Anne, Yokoyama Yu, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Satsukawa Aimi, Morinaga Yuki, Oda Lisa
Synopsis: When Aoi Kiriyuu (Nakamura Anne) was a child, her mother died and her father then raised her alone in their suburban town. During the year 2008, a series of murders took place. One of the victims was the younger sister of a classmate that Aoi Kiriyuu liked. Aoi Kiriyuu was the person who found the body of her classmate's younger sister. Aoi Kiriyuu was so traumatized by the discovery that she lost some of her memories just before the incident. Making things worse, Aoi Kiriyuu’s father was arrested as the serial killer. With no one left around her, Aoi Kiriyuu left her hometown.
Now, 16 years later, Aoi Kiriyuu has become a detective. She returns to her hometown to prove her father's innocence, but another incident takes place. Detective Aoi Kiriyuu and her buddy detective Kei Kosaka (Yokoyama Yu) chases after the truth behind the case. She soon learns the hidden faces of her ex-classmates from her youth.
(Source: AsianWiki)
It should be a small town mystery, which is nice, but more than everything I miss seeing Yoko playing a dectective, I don't really care about anything else.
Re: Revenge - Yokubo no Hate ni
Preview
Start: April 11, 2024
Screenwriter: Nakamura Masatoshi (Suits Season 2, JK kara Yarinaosu Silver Plan, Tetsu Ota Michiko, 2 Man Kiro)
Cast: Akaso Eiji, Nishikido Ryo, Yoshine Kyoko, Mikami Ai, Sasano Takashi, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: Kaito Tendo (Akaso Eiji) is the son of the chairman of Tendo Memorial Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the nation. Due to a bad relationship with his father, he did not become a doctor. Kaito Tendo now works as a magazine reporter. He is busy with his job and he also about to propose to his girlfriend. One day, he then learns that his father got involved in an incident. He goes to his estranged father's hospital. Due to the incident, Kaito Tendo becomes to know his father’s true intentions and he remembers the precious promise made with his father in the past. Kaito Tendo learns of the various problems hidden in the hospital left by his father and of the power struggle about to take place for the chairman position. Kaito Tendo decides to fight against the power struggle to take back the precious things his father built and to protect the ones who he loves.
(Source: AsianWiki)
I'm so pumped about seeing Nishiki finally acting again that I barely read the plot tbh. Buuut revenge stuff in the hospital, nice cast, Stray Kids singing the theme song, Ryo who might be playing the villain. I'm down for it.
Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Inai 2024
Preview
Start: April 13, 2024
Screenwriter: Matsuda Yuko (Gokusen, Love Letter, Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Inai, Tokyo Tarareba Musume, Renai Mangaka, Koi Desu: Yankee-kun to Hakujou Garu)
Cast: Imada Mio, Yamamoto Koji, Kikuchi Rinko, Kamikawa Takaya, Iio Kazuki, Kaname Jun
Synopsis: Mai Hanasaki (Imada Mio) works as a teller for a branch of Tokyo Daiichi Bank. Suddenly, she gets transferred to the Tokyo Daiichi Bank's headquarter office. Her job is to fix problems that arise at its various local branch offices. Mai Hanasaki has the type of personality where, if she believes she is right, she cannot keep quiet about it or give up. At her new department, she sees many mistakes that takes place inside the bank, which she never noticed before.
(Source: AsianWiki)
This should be the remake (?) of the Japanese drama with the same title with Anne, which was fairly popular and I've been meaning to watch (and never did, like always). The previous drama isn't that old (it aired 10 years ago), but I guess that, dealing with the workplace environment etc, it's going to give it a more actual twist. I have no idea, I just like Imada Mio.