Asian Drama

Sanpuu Minami is a popular shojo manga artist who is believed by many to be a woman. In actuality, though, his real identity is Eichizen Gotaro, a single father with two children. One day, he receives a notification from the court that he has been appointed as a prosecutor's office examiner. With the deadline for his manga approaching, he requests a withdrawal but this is declined due to a lack of special circumstances.

He joins 11 other people randomly selected from ordinary Japanese citizens, who each have unique personalities and give off the impression that they would like to get this over and done with. At first, Gotaro has a negative attitude towards the Prosecution Review Board, but as he gets closer to the thoughts of those behind the case, he starts to appreciate how important this job is.

(Source: Drama-Otaku)

Episodes: 10

Duration: 54 min.

Airs On: Friday

A story about a group of young people from various educational backgrounds and environments, who fatefully meet at the sea in the middle of summer, and grow up together as they confront with their complex feelings and bottled-up emotions.

Kumiko, who works in the sales department at an advertising agency, unexpectedly inherits “MAJEST”, a host club in Kabukicho on the brink of collapse. She decides to revive the host club to its full glory, while working alongside a quirky ensemble of male hosts.

Kumiko, who works in the sales department at an advertising agency, unexpectedly inherits “MAJEST”, a host club in Kabukicho on the brink of collapse. She decides to revive the host club to its full glory, while working alongside a quirky ensemble of male hosts.

Set in Kumamoto, one year after Iruma Michio was transferred out of “Ichikei”. Whilst Michio is busy vigorously conducting trials at the Kumamoto District Court 2nd Branch, a case of grievous bodily harm arises, revolving around a young man named Suwa Haruto who intervened in a gang fight and is in critical condition. The suspect, Uchida Wataru, pleads guilty to the charges, and on the surface, it appears to be a cut and dry case that will result in a suspended sentence. However, as the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that Wataru initially denied the charges during his police interrogation. Sensing there is more to the story and doubting the suspects’ guilt, Michio activates his authority and begins his own investigation.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Komazawa Yoshio, the head judge of “Ichikei”, is deliberating over a personal injury case between employees of the large company "Hoshizumi Holdings." The employees belonged to factions of the next company president candidates, and the case resembles a war by proxy. The parties involved, Oyabu Shigeyuki and Shimazu Natsuko only care about ending the trial as quickly as possible, which makes Komazawa even more irritated.

From these two completely unrelated cases, an unexpected connection arises. When things finally come to trial, what dreadful heartbreak and deep darkness is hidden at the center of these cases?

(Source: Japan Program Catalog)

Adapted from the manga "Ichikei no Karasu" (イチケイのカラス) by Asami Rito (浅見理都).

Episodes: 1

Two years after Iruma Michio left first criminal court ("Ichikei") of the Tokyo District Court, he now works as a judge at Setouchi in Okayama Prefecture. He currently has an injury case involving Japan's youngest ever Minister of Defense.

Meanwhile, Sakama Chizuru works as a lawyer, following the system of judges' gain other work experience. She is currently working on a case involving a large local company. Her case is located in a neighboring town from where Iruma Michio works. Their two cases seem totally unrelated, but a secret is revealed between the two cases.

Adapted from the manga "Ichikei no Karasu" (イチケイのカラス) by Asami Rito (浅見理都).

Asahi is a 23-year-old boy who attracts everyone around him with his innocent smile, words and talent. Chatani Kashiko is a 35-year-old working for a small advertising agency and is someone who has low self-esteem. Meanwhile, Sato Wataru is an expressive woman and works as a backstage actress in a small theatre company run by her boyfriend, who sometimes uses her as a ghostwriter. Kashiko and Wataru used to be best friends in high school and unexpectedly reunite through Asahi.

Asahi is a 23-year-old boy who attracts everyone around him with his innocent smile, words and talent. Chatani Kashiko is a 35-year-old working for a small advertising agency and is someone who has low self-esteem. Meanwhile, Sato Wataru is an expressive woman and works as a backstage actress in a small theatre company run by her boyfriend, who sometimes uses her as a ghostwriter. Kashiko and Wataru used to be best friends in high school and unexpectedly reunite through Asahi.

Urashima Eiji is a university student and his father is a serial murderer. One day, he realises that he is suffering from a dual personality disorder and worries that his other personality may have committed murder. This leads him to begin investigations to find out the truth.

Adapted from the manga series "Shinai naru Boku e Satsui wo Komete "by Inoryu Hajime (Story) and Ito Shota (Art).

Hana, the daughter of psychotherapy director Kubo Shiro, suffered a traffic accident with her mother and sister, leaving her legs badly hurt, her mother in a vegetative state, and her sister suffering from a severe burn on her face. Yotsui Jun, a high school student, appears in front of Hana, he is investigating the cause of her mother's loss of mind. Hana gradually communicates with Jun, but one day Shiro suddenly returns home with her mother who has awakened from her vegetative state after 5 years. Shiro rejoices at the family reunion after a long time, saying, "A miracle has happened," but Hana feels uncomfortable. "She's not my mom."

Meet Tanaka Maririn, just graduated from college and beginning her life in the workforce… at the bottommost rung. She’s not expected to know much (and she doesn’t) and she’s not expected to last long, but few at first are aware that not only does she have an upbeat attitude, but a sarcastic streak a mile long and a fearlessness to match with it. Sometimes she wears slacks instead of a skirt. She WILL succeed, and she WILL find that handsome man she saw only briefly on her first day of work after her orientation. Don’t even think you can stop her…

Meet Tanaka Maririn, just graduated from college and beginning her life in the workforce… at the bottommost rung. She’s not expected to know much (and she doesn’t) and she’s not expected to last long, but few at first are aware that not only does she have an upbeat attitude, but a sarcastic streak a mile long and a fearlessness to match with it. Sometimes she wears slacks instead of a skirt. She WILL succeed, and she WILL find that handsome man she saw only briefly on her first day of work after her orientation.

Don’t even think you can stop her…

Won the 15th Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 1991 (tied with Kachou Shima Kousaku).

Haruto Asakura falls in love with hairdresser Misaki Ariake and asks her out. Watching Misaki Ariake work hard to achieve what she wants, Haruto Asakura, who almost gave up his dream to become a photographer, begins to pursue his dream again, but Misaki Ariake is diagnosed with a disease that ages her 10x faster than normal.

Adapted from the novel "My Lover, Like Cherry Blossoms" (桜のような僕の恋人) by Uyama Keisuke (宇山 佳佑).

Sagara Ryosuke is an ordinary salaryman and he works for a mid-size shipping company. He is a good natured person. His family consists of his wife Maho, high school student daughter and elementary school student son. Maho works part-time at a supermarket. They are a happy family, but, Maho and their two children suddenly disappear. There are no clues about their disappearance. Ryosuke gets the attention of the media and public. He tries to find the truth behind his family's disappearance with the help of his subordinate Ninomiya Mizuho at work.

Shinichi Tsuda, a Naoki Prize winning author, is working to publish his newest story. It revolves around Tsuyama, a driver for a call girl business in Toyama Prefecture, who comes across a mysterious counterfeit bill and has his life targeted by underworld kingpin Kurata. Is his story fact or fiction? His editor, Nahomi Torikai, decides to verify whether his latest work is mere fiction based on real-life experiences. She looks into a family that vanished, a post office worker who went missing, a shady load of cash, the whereabouts of the doves, and the fateful encounter from that night... A series of shocking facts are revealed from Tsuda’s stories. Why did the counterfeit money end up in Tsuda’s hands? What is the “ending” that Tsuda wished to portray?

Adapted from a novel of the same name.

Kie is a full-time housewife who has lived a life like fresh water. However, one day, her husband's affair was suddenly discovered, and she left with a divorce notice and lost communication. Kie, who was shocked and angry, found the room of her husband's affair partner and boarded, but it was not the woman of the affair partner... but a young man, Kenta who was his boyfriend. It was discovered that Kenta was having an affair with her...

Iruma Michio is a devil-may-care, unorthodox criminal judge at the Tokyo District Court’s first criminal court. He used to be a lawyer and was deeply involved in a past case that was behind his transformation into a judge. Iruma personally inspects crime scenes to prevent a miscarriage of justice and bring the truth to light. Although his demeanour is far from the image of a stuff judge, he is feared by lawyers as well as prosecutors because he is not bound by obligations, prejudices and preconceptions and has an inquiring mind that probes cases thoroughly. On the other hand, the judge Sakama Chizuru is the complete opposite of Iruma. A graduate of Tokyo University’s Faculty of Law, she is an elite among elites. She has been transferred to the first criminal court to reform it due to the unbelievably small number of cases that are closed. This is the equivalent of a company in the red to the extent of going bankrupt. As someone who takes great pride in maintaining public order by handling cases accurately and promptly, Chizuru cannot understand Iruma’s style which frustrates her to no end. However, when she realises that Iruma believes in treating a case as an individual’s life, she is faced with the question, “What can a judge do aside from issuing a ruling?”

The story begins shortly after the finale episode of the 2018 drama, and then moves to 2020, two years later.

In the summer of the third year of high school, guided by an answering machine message from the past left on a mobile phone, Sakura Umi meets and falls in love with Harukawa Masahiro, the most problematic child in school. The two quickly shorten the distance, but when the truth of the timeless answering machine is revealed, the shocking past of Umi emerges.

Adapted from the novel with the same name by Yukako Kabei.

Kosuke Mikado, who works at a bookstore, has been suffering from a peculiar constitution that ghosts can see from an early age. One day, Kosuke was invited by a exorcist, Rihito Hiyakawa, who came to the bookstore and decided to work with him. The two men, who were requested by the detective Hanzawa to investigate the serial murder case that occurred a year ago, eventually found a body, but the body was cursed. While searching for the truth, they often hear the voice of the murderer who committed suicide...

Adapted from the manga by Yamashita Tomoko.

For the past eight years, Midori Aoi has worked as a hospital pharmacist. She believes pharmacists need to know about the daily lives of their patients. Despite some criticism, she remains steadfast in this belief, continuing to spend more time with her patients than other pharmacists.

Makino Satoshi is a genius classical guitarist. One day, he meets journalist Komine Yoko. They become attracted to each other, but Komine Yoko has a fiancé.

Yaeko Kogure is a 27-year-old OL. She informs her company that she will resign to get married. Her fiance then informs her that he is in love with another woman and he breaks off their engagement. Yaeko Kogure now doesn't have a job or a boyfriend. While crying, she hears "Air on the G String" playing live in a shopping mall. The song inspires her to enroll in a violin class for adults. There, she meets university student Rihito Kase and housewife Yukie Kitagawa. Yaeko Kogure becomes attracted to Rihito Kase.

Endo Ai is an office lady and she is about to turn 30-years-old. She has enjoyed posting about herself on social media, but she has grown tired of that. One day, she happens to see underground idol Kurimoto Hana perform live. Ai is touched by her, who is not good at performing, but eager at what she is doing.

While walking their shiba dogs, 3 middle-aged men meet at the park everyday. They do not know each other's names. They keep their distance, but chat about whatever is on their minds.

Yamazaki Risako lives with her husband Yoichiro and 3-year-old daughter Fumika. One day, she receives a notification from the court that she has been selected as an alternate member of the jury for a shocking criminal case. The defendant in the case is Ando Mizuho, a full-time housewife who is the same age as Risako. She is on trial for causing the death of her 8-month-old daughter by dropping her into the bathtub. As a mother herself, Risako feels repulsed that Mizuho killed her own child. However, after the trial opens, Mizuho’s circumstances remind Risako of her own past and she soon becomes confused with the chaotic feelings that have lain dormant in her.

Ishibashi Taro is 38-years-old, single and works for a big bank. Miyoshi Reiya is 37 years old, divorced and works as a dentist. Iwakura Kazuhiko is 45-years-old, single and works as a lawyer. These three men are close friends and they enjoy their lives as single men, but they begin to think about marriage.

Noriko Takanori is 33 years old. Due to some case which she had in the past, she has an absolute sense of justice. She does not allow herself to do wrong or commit crimes. After she got pregnant, Noriko Takanori became a housewife.

Noriko Takanori meets again her 4 friends from high school: Yumiko Nishiyama, Riho Williams, Reika Ishimori and Kazuki Imamura. Her four friends all lead their own separate lives. Due to meeting Noriko Takanori again, their lives begin to change.

Based on novel "Zettai Seigi" by Rikako Akiyoshi.

Noriko Takanori is 33 years old. Due to some case which she had in the past, she has an absolute sense of justice. She does not allow herself to do wrong or commit crimes. After she got pregnant, Noriko Takanori became a housewife.

Noriko Takanori meets again her 4 friends from high school: Yumiko Nishiyama, Riho Williams, Reika Ishimori and Kazuki Imamura. Her four friends all lead their own separate lives. Due to meeting Noriko Takanori again, their lives begin to change.

Based on novel "Zettai Seigi" by Rikako Akiyoshi.

Asami Inaba is a temporary worker at a company. One day, her boyfriend leaves his smartphone in a taxi. Since then, mysterious things take place around her like her credit card bill having charges she did not place. She gets involved in a big case.

Wrongfully imprisoned for 15 years despite his innocence, a man manages to eventually escape his demise and makes a thrilling return as a fresh new character—unbeknownst to everyone from his past, who believe he is dead. This is a drama about a man whose remaining passion is for vengeance against those who stripped away all the good things in his life for their own gain. Through elaborate maneuvers and clever entrapments, he sets into motion a unique revenge plot in which his enemies' inner demons and come to the surface to wreak havoc on their carefully cultivated success, all built upon their betrayals and past sins. As he seeks to force their ugly secrets into the the light, he seeks to reconcile his belief that justice is worth the destruction it can bring. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo.

Dako is a con woman. She stays at a suite in a luxury hotel and schemes to take money from vicious wealthy people like yakuza bosses and evil businessmen. She works with Boku-chan and Richard. Boku-chan is a sincere and timid young con man. Richard is a veteran con man.

Dako is able to master knowledge from various professions in a short period of time and disguises herself as someone working in that field. Along with Boku-chan and Richard, they carry their plans using fantastic teamwork.

In a society in which justice is awfully subjective, and the possibility of finding the truth is so complicated, detective Yugami simply chases after the facts of various cases. He will casually approach potential suspects and talk to them in order to attain new information. All he is looking for are the facts. He feels that there is no point in following the rules, nor trying to read the atmospheres of the environment he's in. For him, resorting to unique and illegal investigations is not out of the ordinary. To assist him, he also has a sidekick, Torao Hanyu, who's a serious detective with a completely different personality. For Yugami, he simply wants to arrest as many criminals as possible through his illegal investigation style, so Torao's existence becomes a bother for him. Two detectives with absolutely nothing in common, somehow try to combine their skills in order to combat the enemies of society.

Snack bar owner and her regular patron tell 11 different stories about the worst day in the lives of people in their neighborhood of Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. One of those instances involve a Tokyo politician being kidnapped during an S&M session. ~~ 11 screenwriters contribute 11 different stories with different casts under the theme of “The worst day of their life.”

It is Tokyo in 1935. 10-year-old Yanagi Etsuko is a young girl who loves songs. Her father Kantaro, a struggling lyricist, still cannot forget her late mother and wastes his life away. Seeing her father like this, Etsuko begins a search for Kantaro’s second bride and the new partner who will be her mother. Her first target is her teacher Muraoka Masako whom she eggs on to land a date with her father. However, it does not go very well. The next person who catches her attention is a salesgirl Ikebe Kyoko whom she met at a department store. Etsuko is drawn to Kyoko’s simplicity and gradually begins to love her as if she were her own mother. However, at that moment, Kantaro’s elder sister Tsuruyo pursues the subject of an arranged introduction with Kusakabe Kaoru, the incredibly beautiful daughter of a bank owner who is a shareholder in her husband’s company.

Based on the novel "Ecchan" by Shishi Bunroku.

Manami is targeted by vampires on her 22nd birthday and K, who possesses tremendous power, tries to save her in a raging battle. On that day, young men and women are invited to Hotel Requiem where a huge nationwide matchmaking convention is being held by the mysterious Yamada. He lives and runs this ornately beautiful, palatial hotel with a bizarre empress and Elizabeth Báthory. Then Yamada suddenly declares to the gathered crowd that tomorrow will be the apocalypse and only the people inside this hotel will be saved.

When Shoutarou Tatewaki first meets Sakurako Kujou, he knows his life will never be the same. Initially believing her to be responsible for a disappearance in the neighborhood, he later learns of her true talent: analyzing bone specimens. Sakurako has quite the collection of reconstructed animal bones, but she wishes she had more of the human variety, much to the chagrin of those around her. Soon, Shoutarou begins accompanying the eccentric osteologist on the many different unsolved cases she comes across—usually in the form of decomposing bodies. But with so many incidents happening around them, could there be a larger mystery at work in their lives?

Sakurako-san no Ashimoto ni wa Shitai ga Umatteiru is a story of two unlikely partners, each showing in their own way that bones can tell how one died, but only people can tell how they lived.

Ogikubo, Hachimanyama, Chitose Funabashi, Futako Tamagawa, Kaminoge, and Denen Choufu... Loop line 8 travels along these six towns. Despite the short distance, it is necessary to change trains and take a circuitous route. There are women living in each of these towns who waver over love that has not turned out as they wish such as one-sided love, domestic violence, and affairs. Like “neighbors” who have to go a long way around, their relationships are loosely connected. They are somehow only able to see each other’s appearances maybe because of the nature of these relationships and then wonder why things are not going well for them personally. They worry and compare with others but still wish to look ahead.

Adapted from the 2015 novel "Kanjou 8-go Sen" by Hatano.

After Sugihara Oto’s mother passed away when she was young, she was raised by adoptive parents in the Hokkaido countryside. Although she gave up having dreams, she lives cheerfully and bravely. But she is troubled by her adoptive parents attempts to force her into a marriage with a wealthy man 20 years her senior to save the family from poverty. Soda Ren lost his parents early and was brought up in the great outdoors in Fukushima by his grandfather. However, his grandfather gets swindled and Ren leaves for Tokyo in order to earn money to recover the farmland. He dreams that he will be able to live with his grandfather some day, but reality is harsh. By coincidence, Oto heads to Tokyo too. This is the story of love and growth of six young people from the rural areas who gather in Tokyo.

Having lost her beloved father at an early age, Yuri lives with her mother and younger brother. Yuri's mother meets a new man, but they are deeply in debt and forced to leave their home. Yuri is then forced to take a job as a call girl to support her brother. One day Yuri's brother becomes ill but since Yuri has to work, she unwillingly leaves him at home. When she returns, she finds him dead in the bathtub. Her heart is scarred with regret and she suffers with a pain that will never go away. After some time has passed, Mayu, a colleague of Yuri's, tells her about a mysterious mobile app that is rumored to enable its user to talk to the dead. Yet, it comes with a warning: Never reply if the dead soul says, "I want to see you." Because she blames herself for her brother's death and will do anything to tell him how sorry she is, Yuri downloads the app and reaches out to her dead brother. Meanwhile, the app's users begin to die.