Asian Drama

“Who is the last person you would like to see？” When junior high school teacher Sakuraba Ayako wakes up, she sees a man standing there. Calling himself a guide of this mysterious place that extends in front of them, he tells her that this is “goodbye’s other side”. As his words sink in, Ayako recalls that she has died. She lets slip that she had never thought she would die in this manner. Visitors to this other side can meet people of this world one last time within a 24-hour time period. Ayako immediately thinks of her son Yuta and husband Hirotaka. However, the guide says the ones she can meet are only those who still do not know about her death. Ayako goes to the house of her former teacher Ishibashi Nobuyoshi. She is greeted by his daughter Megumi, but Nobuyoshi passed away about two years ago…

Kaburagi Keiichi is arrested as a suspect in a murder case and sentenced to death. He escaped from prison during the transfer, but while fleeing, he rescues the people he meets in his hiding place from the predicament. And when the rescued people realize that Kaburagi is a wanted death row prisoner, they begin to wonder, "Is he really a murderer?"

Adapted from the novel "Shoutai" (正体) by Somei Tamehito.

A young male teacher who has been assigned to a high school as a part-time teacher is ridiculed as a "the teacher with only a face" and confuses the entire school while changing the students' outlook on life.

The 77th NHK Asadora is Chiritotechin. Location includes Fukui prefecture. This renzoku is about Wada Kiyomi (referred to as Kiyomi-B), a girl brought up in Fukui who moves to Osaka in search of her soul. In Osaka, Kiyomi-B becomes enchanted with rakugo, a Japanese traditional form of comic storytelling, and pursues a career in rakugo. In the summer of 1982, Kiyomi-B and her family move to Obama of Fukui, her father's hometown. Kiyomi-B's grandmother and uncle welcome the family, but Shotaro the grandfather does not allow Masanori to take over the Wakasa lacquer chopsticks making. One day, Kiyomi-B listens to rakugo at Shotaro's factory and becomes fond of it. Shotaro and Kiyomi-B become close through rakugo.

The novelist Shiraishi Kiyoshi (Yasuda Ken) receives a letter from a mother who has a son with a stuttering problem. She asks Shiraishi in the letter if he would encourage her son to not be daunted by his stuttering. Shiraishi thinks about his own childhood and decides to talk to his editor Nomura (Fuma Kikuchi) about writing his personal story. Muroi (Fukikoshi Mitsuru), an editor who is Shiraishi’s senior, picks up on his intentions. Shiraishi has had a stuttering problem since his youth, particularly the “ka” and “ta” columns of syllables and even stumbled over his own name. He transferred schools a number of times due to his father Kenichi’s (Mashima Hidekazu) work and was laughed at by classmates each time he introduced himself. The strain of transferring schools got to him in the first grade of elementary school. Even when Shiraishi was asked by his mother Yoko (Kanjiya Shihori) what present he would like for Christmas, he could not pronounce the name of the game he wanted because it started with the letter “gi”. Unable to convey his feelings to friends and family in words, Shiraishi wished for friends who could talk about anything. He mistook the hymn Kiyoshi Kono Yoru, better known as Silent Night in English, as Kiyoshiko no Yoru and the imaginary Kiyoshiko was his ideal friend. However, in reality, his Christmas became a day of miserable memories. He eventually wrote about the frustrations that he suffered in Kiyoshiko. Besides the title Kiyoshiko, Shiraishi also wrote about his exchanges with the lonely Occhan (Chihara Seiji) in Donguri no Kokoro, and about his decision to leave both his family and the university student (Fukuchi Momoko) who liked him, for further studies in Tokyo and his departure for the metropolis in Tokyo. Even though he still stutters as an adult, he has a pleasant life with his wife Saori (Nishida Naomi).

At Sasai Memorial Hospital, where a hospital is seen as the hospitality industry and patients are priority, its doctors plagued with all sorts of problems. Mano Chiaki, a young doctor, is stalked by a monster patient who persistently harasses her. Her trusted senior, Hamaguchi Yoko, has a cheerful personality and is liked by patients but worries about a huge medical lawsuit. Another fellow doctor keeps a certain distance from patients but still gets embroiled in a dispute. Will these doctors be able to find hope?

Tamura Shin is a young man who has been pursuing the mystery of the murder that his father, a police officer, caused and changed the fate of their family. Ever since his father’s arrest, Shin and his mother have been criticised by the public and had to live in hiding. One day, Shin is told by his beloved wife to try and give his father the benefit of the doubt, and he decides to meet his father who is in prison. However, when he heads to the old crime scene, he is shrouded by a sudden mist and ends up going back in time to the past. Shin finds himself in the year 1989 – right before the murder took place. The crime scene has become a snowy village. At this village, Shin sees the warm smiling faces of his own face. If he stops his father’s case, he will not lose his family. This spurs him to challenge the taboo of changing the past.

27-year-old IT manager Boku Sato works for a market survey company. One night, his boss Fujima was devastated over the disappearance of his family and damages some equipment. Sato, on the other hand, spills coffee over the servers causing them to lose their client's data. Due to the incident, he was demoted and was tasked to give out questionnaires at the Sendai station. Nobody was willing to participate in filling out the survey except Saki, a woman in a recruit suit with the word "shampoo" on her hand.

Another story is of Minako, a 27-year-old beautician. Kasumi introduces her to Manabu, her younger brother, but all Manabu ever does is call Minako on the phone. While she does enjoy their conversations, Minako finds it hard to take the next step and they never actually go out together. Kasumi tells Minako he intends to ask her to be his girlfriend if he wins the boxing match.

"Miss Sherlock" is set in modern day Tokyo and both lead characters are Japanese women – Dr. Wato Tachibana, a surgeon recently returned from a volunteer doctors’ mission in Syria and Sara Shelly Futaba, an investigation consultant to the police department who solves bizarre and difficult cases. Throughout the series, the pair solves mystery after mystery with Miss Sherlock’s extraordinary observation and reasoning skills.

(Source: IMDb)

Adapted from a collection of short stories and novels "Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Episodes: 8

Duration: 49 min.

Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Aired On: Friday

Ratings: 8.0

Energy-conservative high school student Houtarou Oreki ends up with more than he bargained for when he signs up for the Classics Club at his sister's behest—especially when he realizes how deep-rooted the club's history really is. Begrudgingly, Oreki is dragged into an investigation concerning the 45-year-old mystery that surrounds the club room. Accompanied by his fellow club members, the knowledgeable Satoshi Fukube, the stern but benign Mayaka Ibara, and the ever-curious Eru Chitanda, Oreki must combat deadlines and lack of information with resourcefulness and hidden talent, in order to not only find the truth buried beneath the dust of works created years before them, but of other small side cases as well.

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.

During the Sengoku period, the Ii family governs the Totomi region. Due to many past wars, there are no more male successors left to become a lord. Naotora Ii (Kou Shibasaki), the only daughter of the lord, now becomes a lord. She faces a difficult period. The constant love from her fiance, whom she became engaged with at a young age, helps her to keep moving forward.

Hayako Tatsuki (Nao Matsushita) is a single 34-years-old woman. She works as an elementary school teacher and she is generous to kids. Hayako likes to eat and drink. Her hobby is working out. She thinks she wants to marry someday, but she doesn't do anything to meet a man for marriage. Hayako is happy because she has a good relationship with her parents and she is surrounded by cute children at her school. Nevertheless, Hayako feels lonely at times. One day, she finds a a man’s picture hidden in the drawer of her living room. The man is a potential blind date for Hayako Tatsuki. Later, her father suddenly collapses and goes to the hospital. Hayako thinks about her parents as a couple who have trusted each other for such a long time. She begins to think seriously about marriage and struggles to marry.

Based on the serialised novel by Shinno Takeshi, Apoyan tells the story of the people behind every overseas trip. From the travel agents to the people working at the airport. Endo Keita works for JALPAK, and was based at the Head Office, in charge of the overseas packages' projects. One day, he was suddenly ordered to transfer to Narita Airport. It was a well-known fact within the company that the non-performers were sent to work the counters at Narita, where the duties of one were just to serve the incoming and outgoing travelers. This made Endo realise that the management probably sees him as useless, unable to contribute to the sales increase for the company. As he had joined the company with the sole desire to create tour packages, Endo became really depressed and started entertaining thoughts of leaving the company. On his first day at work in Narita, Endo is shocked by the persona of his manager, Imaizumi Toshio, who seems like a totally useless guy, smiling foolishly all the time. His staff are mostly women, and one of them, Morio Haruko is downright hostile to him. The only one who seems to show any kindness to him is Baba Hanae. Endo tries his best at his new role, hoping that he will soon be transferred back to his old job at the Head Office. From ?as long as the customers depart? to ?let the customers depart with a smile?, Endo slowly learns to be passionate about his new job, through helping all the customers resolve their troubles prior to their departure. --TBS

A group of high school students embark on their annual walk, which consists of the students walking 80 kilometers in 24 hours. During their outing, senior student Takako Koda (Mikako Tabe) strikes up the courage to befriend classmate You Nishiwaki (Takuya Ishida). The other students believe they may have feelings for each other...

The credit hogging police officer Yabe Kenzo in Trick now takes center stage. He saves the Japanese public from various evil doers not with his wit or his bravery, but with sheer stupid luck.

Matsushima Kenichiro is basically a straight guy because he hates dishonesty. He is an employee at a medium-sized building firm and works in design. However, he is inept when it comes to love. Kenichiro’s destiny changes after he meets Kurita Narumi, an audacious, self-centred impish female. He becomes serious about leading her back to the right path which she finds interesting. While getting pushed around by Narumi, who is the exact opposite of him, Kenichiro learns about her way of doing things and way of life. He is stimulated by her and gradually gets attracted to her... Before long, he starts to look at a new self and at the things he had believed were correct, maturing into a more upright man. --Jdrama Weblog

Kanbayashi Megumi (Kanjiya Shihori) is a freelance writer who has not had a boyfriend in five years. She will turn 30 in three months and starts to panic about marriage. One day, she is brought a proposal by a magazine editor whom she is on friendly terms with. It is a proposal about “trying to be hit on while eating” at restaurants suggested by single male candidates. Megumi spends the majority of her fees on eating out alone and has vast knowledge regarding restaurants. Thinking that she will not only be able to eat delicious meals for free, but also have a chance to meet men, Megumi readily agrees. If a man catches her fancy, she can even let herself be won over. Megumi begins to recruit men for the rather offensive sounding title, “Pick-up meals ~ Take me to a meal!”

Sakatsuki Shizuto is a mourner. He goes to scenes of accidents and mourns for the victims. Nagi Yukiyo, who killed her husband and served prison time, goes to the scene of the murder and meets Shizuto. She follows him from that time.

Other people that exists in their lives are Shizuto’s mother Junko who is terminally ill with cancer and waits for Shizuto’s return, his younger sister Mishio who is pregnant by her now ex-boyfriend and a magazine reporter who chases after Shizuto. The movie examines life and death, love and hate and sin and forgiveness through these characters. ~~ Based on the novel "Itamu Hito" by Tendo Arata.

Ohno plays the role of Tarui Shotaro, an ordinary guy who dreamed of becoming a hero when he was a child, but now gets by as a part-time worker. The unexpected story unfolds when one day, the daughter of a yakuza boss asks him to plan a make-believe kidnapping. Sato Ryuta plays Shotaro’s co-worker who helps him with the kidnapping. Kanjiya Shihori plays Satsuki, the eldest daughter of the Hanazono yakuza clan, while Narimiya Hiroki plays Satsuki’s college senpai who joined the Hanazono clan after graduation. Takahashi Katsumi plays the head of a rival organization who has fallen in love with Satsuki. Kitaoji Kinya plays Satsuki’s father and the head of the Hanazono clan.

Sakura Tsugumi, 28 years old. Nickname: Ofukou-san (The Unfortunate One). Anyone who comes in contact with her will meet with bad luck too. With her sister's upcoming nuptials, Tsugumi leaves home for Tokyo to find work, but mostly to avoid anything bad happening to her beloved family in the celebrations. Tsugumi tells herself, "I will be happy!" and in trying to make that come true, she starts working at "Anew", a new company founded by an optimistic young entrepreneur, Sakae Konosuke. At the welcome party held for her by her boss, it soon becomes apparent that her "jinx power" is still going strong... ~ NHK

Ryu Sasakura (Masaki Aiba) is a bartending prodigy who won a European cocktail contest. He got into an argument with his instructor and was fired. In a state of dejection he came back to his native country of Japan. He finds work again in Tokyo and also meets Miwa Kurushima. Meanwhike, Ryu Sasakura is able to listen to his customer's problems and help alleviate their worries with his special cocktail mixes.

Ando Natsu, whose dream is to become a patissiere, finds herself jobless after the shop owner’s sudden death. She goes to Tokyo in search of another job at a confectionery but the recruiting period has just ended and there are no available positions. This is when she makes her first encounter with the well-established Japanese confectionery "Mangetsudo". It is run by the veteran confectioner Umekichi, Takezo, and Mitsuko, and they happened to be looking for a part-time worker. A number of chance events follow and Natsu starts working at Mangetsudo. Although her job is to serve customers, Natsu becomes interested in the world of Japanese confection. Having only worked in cake shops, everything is new to her and she is gradually drawn into the deepness and profoundness of Japanese confection.

“Love makes people strong”... This is a love story of a timid basketball player and a strong-willed violinist reaching for their dreams. Naoki had had an impressive basketball career in his college days. Yet, his weakness towards pressure had been keeping him from playing up to his full potential since turning professional. On the other hand, Riko is a freshly graduated violinist, who had not been able to get opportunity to turn professional. One day, Riko encounters Naoki practicing in a park behind her house. Riko cheers up Naoki by telling him that she will be his first fan.

“Love makes people strong”... This is a love story of a timid basketball player and a strong-willed violinist reaching for their dreams. Naoki had had an impressive basketball career in his college days. Yet, his weakness towards pressure had been keeping him from playing up to his full potential since turning professional. On the other hand, Riko is a freshly graduated violinist, who had not been able to get opportunity to turn professional. One day, Riko encounters Naoki practicing in a park behind her house. Riko cheers up Naoki by telling him that she will be his first fan.

Kamimori Mikijiro is a junior samurai and is absconded by two people. After escaping his pursuers he wanders around the northern provinces for three years. He ends up in Edo's red-light district Yoshiwara. There are a variety of incidents in Yoshiwara which Shiro is trying to solve. Kamimori is hired as a bouncer at an establishment where NVL women teach reading, writing, and prostitute themselves. The two people from Kamimori's past re-emerge in Yoshiwara.

It is the Spring of 1814. The restaurant "Tsuru-ka" is gaining much popularity after its chef, Mio, won the prestigious cooking competition. One day, the owner of "Tsuru-ka", Taneichi, employed young Fuki to be the attendant for customers' shoes. Mio could fully empathize with young Fuki, who was an orphan and yet was courageous enough to survive on her own. Around the same time, the famous novelist Seiemon started coming to "Tsuru-ka". Even though Seiemon criticized Mio's cooking each time, he always returned to the restaurant daily. Remembering the words spoken by the samurais that had last seen Komatsubara, "Tokei no Ma", Mio was very tempted to ask Seiemon the meaning of the words! Meantime, "Tsuru-ka"'s rival restaurant, "Toryuro" was always serving food that was similar to Mio's latest creation. Even before Mio had a chance to offer them on "Tsuru-ka"'s menu. It happened repeatedly, which left Mio puzzled and troubled by it all. To add to her worries, Mio heard from Mataji that her dear childhood friend, Noe, who is one of the top oiran (prostitutes) in Yoshiwara (red-light district of Edo), was injured while trying to protect another prostitute from being slashed by a patron. Mio's despair at not having been able to help Noe escape her fate at Yoshiwara all those years ago threatened to overwhelm her completely. Especially since her fellow housemate, O-Ryo's son was stricken by the life-threatening measles at the same time...

Beautiful Noriko Miki works at a cosmetic company. One day, Noriko is murdered. People begin to suspect that her co-worker Miki Jono might have killed her. Television begins to cover this story. A TV reporter interviews Miki Shirono's colleagues, family, and people from her hometown. Rumors turn into fear. Is she really a wicked woman? ~~ Based on the novel "Shiro Yuki Hime Satsujin Jiken" by Kanae Minato.

In Edo of the early 1800's, Mio (Kitagawa Keiko) is foretold that while she will live a life of trials and tribulations, there will always be a blue sky waiting for her beyond the clouds. As she tries to find a path for herself amongst the highly competitive world of chefs, she comes to learn first-hand just how many trials and tribulations she will have to endure. Still, with the help of those around her, Mio won't give up searching for her own flavor...

Masayoshi Hayakawa (Joe Odagiri) was once a popular member of rock band "Out of Justice," but after the breakup of the band 13 years ago Masayoshi Hayakawa's life has become a mess. He drinks alcohol a lot now and does a live 30 minute radio show in the early mornings, while occasionally attending fan meetings.

One day, Masayoshi Hayakawa meets two young girls, and a young boy, all in middle school, and learns that he is the father of the girls. He begins to take care of the girls and boy, but has to hide their existence from his management office, who are just looking for an excuse to drop him from his contract. Through the children, Masayoshi Hayakawa is able to grow as a person and mature.

Usami Kei is a salaryman who has risen in status due to his engagement with Mei, the wealthy daughter of his company's president. Shortly after she breaks off the engagement, a power failure leaves him stuck in the elevator of his apartment building. Trapped with him are three others living on the same floor - Airu, a trilingual interpreter, Ojiro, a model photographer, and Masato, a psychiatrist. While waiting, their conversation hits upon their love lives and the question of whether there is truly only one fated partner for everyone. As a result, they decide to try "shuffling" their relationships with each other.

Based on the hit South Korean movie, My Sassy Girl, the character backgrounds and plot details will be changed for the drama. While the protagonists in the original film were college students, this time the pair will be a marine biology professor, Masaki Saburo, and Takami Riko, an aspiring writer

A high school girl, Wara, looks cheerful, but she conceals darkness deep in her mind. On a sudden impulse, she nearly climbs over a fence on the hospital roof, when an unacquainted boy, called Dino, persuades her otherwise. Concerned about troubled Wara, Dino puts a bandage on the fence. Wara feels comforted by his act, and comes up with an idea to form "Hotai Club" (Bandage Club).

The Club asks people to post their bruising experiences on the site, then the Club applies a bandage to the damaged part or the place, and a digital photograph is sent back to the original poster. Wara started the Club with Dino and other friends. Club members each have their own problems, but they are gradually freed from their worries through the activities of the Club.