Asian Drama

Hikuma Koichi, a former saxophone player who has turned his back on music due to the aftereffects of an accident, becomes the advisor of a small brass band at a run-down high school. He has to deal with problem students who have lost their dreams as well as the teachers’ opposition to a professional musician entering the classroom. The path is not easy for him. Even so, Hikuma rediscovers his dream, confronts the students head-on and starts to coach the band. Despite their bewilderment, the students begin to reciprocate his passion for music.

Budokan is an upbeat touching story that revolves around a fictional idol unit NEXT YOU struggling for a break in the industry and striving to perform at the famous Nippon Budokan–one of the most revered concert venues in Japan reserved only for the best performers. The story will cover various topics surrounding idol's career such as scandals, inner conflicts, romance, etc., giving a realistic glimpse to the idol world. Will the girls of NEXT YOU be able to eventually build up fame and shine on the grandest stage of Budokan?

~~ Based on a novel by Asai Ryo.

Budokan is an upbeat touching story that revolves around a fictional idol unit NEXT YOU struggling for a break in the industry and striving to perform at the famous Nippon Budokan–one of the most revered concert venues in Japan reserved only for the best performers. The story will cover various topics surrounding idol's career such as scandals, inner conflicts, romance, etc., giving a realistic glimpse to the idol world. Will the girls of NEXT YOU be able to eventually build up fame and shine on the grandest stage of Budokan?

~~ Based on a novel by Asai Ryo.

Drama special featuring two stories, starring Sawajiri Erika as 2 different Edo-era concubines, a different one in each episode.

In the first part, “Saikyo no Onna”, Erika will play “Omiyo”, one of Tokugawa Ienari’s concubines that rose through the ranks to reach a high level.

In the second part, “Higeki no Shimai”, she’ll play “Ume”, Tokugawa Ienari’s favorite concubine.

Mare is an elementary school student. She lives with her family in the city, but, right before her father goes bankrupt, they run away and settle down at a fishing village in Noto. The family rents a couple's home who run a salt pond. Mare's father starts a new business, but it also fails. Her mother supports the family by working at the salt pond. 8 years later, Mare, about to graduate from high school, decides to work for the Wajima local government. She wants to have a steady job, unlike her father. Her job is to support people who move to Noto.