Ahhh, summer is just around the corner (or, where I live, its pretty much here already), and I’m just about ready to kick back and enjoy some much needed j-drama supplements. I’ve been meaning to watch dramas all year, but somehow I have only managed to finish a handful of series during the past few seasons. It may be a bit early for a summer preview, but I think I’ll go ahead anyway. Now that school is finally out of the way, I think I can sneak some time between SAT Prep to get some drama-watching done at last. Yay~ Here we go!

Ando Natsu

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: TBS

Series Run: July-September

Synopsis and info:Ando Natsu tells the story of a young woman striving to become a pastry chef. This drama was based on a manga by Yuji Nishi and Terry Yamamoto by the same name. Its manga counterpart is currently being serialized in Big Comic, and has sold over 700,000 toukubans (independently published manga volumes). This live-action adaptation will star Shihori Kanjiya as its protagonist, along with Jun Kunimura, who will play Kanjiya’s mentor, and Toshimori Omi. The series is scheduled to premiere on July 7th. (Tokyograph)

Impressions: Well, this looks like a season regular. There’s always a drama based off a manga- they appear every season without fail. As for this, well, it a simplistic manga plot a la Ichi Pound no Fukuin. Doesn’t really spark my interest, but I may just take a peek come July. Perhaps if I can find a trailer of this somewhere to get a better idea of the story it would help, but as of the moment this drama is pretty low on my “to-watch” list.

Taiyo no Umi no Kyoshitsu

Genre: School Drama

Broadcast Company: Fuji TV

Series run: July-?

Synopsis and info: TnUnK follows the adventures of a well-meaning but somewhat dim-witted teacher attempts to guide a group of senior students at a Shonan prep-school. This drama will star budding actress Keiko Kitagawa (Mop Girl) alongside popular actor Yuji Oda. Other confirmed cast members include Okada Misaki, Kitano Kii (LIFE), and Hamada Gaku.   

Impressions: Wow, for a series with such a mouthful of a name, it sure doesn’t sound like it has a lot to offer. Reminds me a lot of GTO, and just about every other teacher-student drama ever produced, what with the “stupid” teacher trying to “guide” his students. But I’ve always been a sucker for school dramas (give me Gokusen I, II, and III, and I’ll watch them all XD), so I may as well check this out. It doesn’t sound promising, but who knows? It may just to be out to be alright. And the fact that Yuji Oda (photo above) looks pretty damn hot is always a plus XDD.

Shibatora

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: Fuji TV

Series Run: July-September

Synopsis and info: Based on a manga by the same name by Tadashi Aji and Masahi Asaki, Shibatora revolves around an unusually young-looking named Taketora Shibata (dubbed Shibatora) who regularly uses his deceiving appearance to help him resolve problems in the many juvenile delinquent cases.  This drama stars fresh-faced actor Teppei Koike (Lovely Complex Movie) as Shibatora, while Suzuka Ohgo plays the heroine. Also featured are Miki Maya, who portrays a former genius hacker, Daisuke Miyagawa, and Taku Suzuki. Broadcast is officially scheduled to begin on July 8th.     

Impressions: This series actually sounds like a lot of fun! It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Teppei drama, and god, he looks oh-so-cute in the drama promotion picture (?). The idea of Teppei as a cop is hilarious in and of it self, if you ask me, so I’m definitely tuning in for a few laughs. Count me in on this one.

Monster Parent 

Genre: Law

Broadcast Company: Fuji TV

Series Run: July 1st-?

Synopsis: The tokyograph description of this drama reads, “a lawyer dispatched to the board of education to resolve problems between schools and the so-called ‘monster parents.” This supposedly refers to parents who forcefully demand too highly of their children. The protagonist ”is intelligent and fashionable, but she struggles with the assignment as her expertise is originally in business law.”. The drama boasts Yonekura Ryoko as its female lead, and also features Hiraoka Yuto and Sasaki Kuranosuke in its cast.

Impressions: Well, this drama certainly sounds… interesting. The “Monster Parents” certainly isn’t a novel concept in Jdramas, but the idea of a “lawyer” coming forward to confront these cases is somewhat intriguing. I think the bizarreness of this series may just be its selling point. I’ll have a look at this, I think. Am I the only one that found the synopsis for this series in the least bit strange? XD.

Gakko ja Oshierarenai!

Genre: School, Comedy

Broadcast Company: NTV

Series Run: July 15-?

Synopsis: Due to severe declines in enrollment, a private all-girls school admits its first male students. The first five males feel as if they have entered paradise, but concerned teacher Mai Aida decides to help them adjust to the school by creating a social club and inviting five girls to join. These ten adolescents thus become the focus of this drama, which is a story of teenage love. Fukada Kyoko portrays Mai Aida in this drama, co-starring alongside Tanihara Shosuke.

Impressions: Wow. I really don’t know what to say about this one. On one hand, I think it could be really interesting. On the other hand, it may just turn out to be a live-action harem, which is something I’d really like to avoid. The romance factor that is hinted at in the synopsis sort of appeals to me though. I’m still really undecided on this drama. None of it particularly jumps out at me at all, so I’m not that enthusiastic about it, but hey, why not give it a chance. Maybe I’ll catch an episode or two when it comes out. Not promising any blogging though.

Gonzo: Densentsu no Keiji

Genre: Police, Detective

Broadcast Company: TV Asahi

Series Run: July-?

Synopsis: According to Tokyograph, the term “Gonzo” is used to refer to a policeman who has the ability and experience, but is unable to do the job. Kuroki, once an excellent cop, became an unmotivated accounting clerk after a traumatic experience that left him with post-traumatic stress disorder. But one day, a case finally arises to bring back the detective in him. Masaaki Uchino has been confirmed to play Kuroki, and his will actually be the actor’s first police detective role. Michikata Matsui also appears in this drama as a fellow cop who looks down on Kuroki, while Yuika Motokariya portrays a female detective at Kuroki’s police station. Other cast members also include Nene Otsuka, who plays a psychiatrist helping Kuroki with his mental illness, as well as Issei Takahashi and Katsuhiko Watabiki.

Impressions: Er, this sounds like housewives’ fare. I don’t recognize any of the names on that cast list (not that really is a deciding factor  at all…) and frankly, even though this set up sounds interesting enough, I don’t think I’ll be catching this one at all. I don’t usually enjoy police dramas that much, and this one simply sounds very… mature. And boring. And god, it doesn’t take a genius to guess that the “female police officer” will be Uchino’s love interest in this drama. Can we get any more obvious than that? For some reason, everything about that synopsis just… turns me off. Maybe trailers will change mind, but for now it’s a definite no. It’s weird how I write more for my “rejected” dramas then the ones that I’ll be watching under impressions XDD. Perhaps its because I always feel more of a need to justify something I don’t like then something I like.

Seigi no Mikata

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: NTV

Series Run: July 9-?

Synopsis and info: Yoko is a young fifteen-year-old who is constantly tormented by her malicious older sister Makiko, a government office worker who graduated from a very prestigious university. However, despite her unkind ways, Makiko’s actions always end up somehow benefiting the lives of those around her. Thus, many praised her as the “ally of justice”. This drama is yet another manga-based drama in the summer lineup, and its manga counterpart is currently being serialized in Shueisha’s monthly magazine, Chorus. SnM casts popular young actress Mirai Shida (14 sai no haha) as Yoko, and Yu Yamada as her older sister Makiko. Also appearing in this drama will be Shiro Sano and Yoshiko Tanaka, who will portray the parents of the two sisters.  

Impressions: Well, this is a must-see for me. I’ve been a fan of Mirai Shida ever since 14SnH (the first drama I saw her in, as a matter of fact,), so I’m looking forward to see if she has progressed in her acting in this new drama. Also, the premise sounds very interesting, although the brief synopsis I found doesn’t give me much of an idea of which direction the story will take. I like the idea of semi-realism (er, the following may or may not make sense) that the set up has to it- somehow, Makiko is being very malicious and very kind at the same time. I wonder, is she intentionally being kind or being mean? Or both? This premise makes me think that everything will be very “subjective” in this drama. For example, looking at Makiko’s actions from Yoko’s point of view and then viewing it from someone else’s point of view, and basically “seeing both sides of the story”. Okay, I feel like I seriously am making no sense at all anymore. I need to learn to express myself properly. Anyway, this is definitely one of my highly-anticipated dramas.

Otome no Punch

Genre: Boxing

Broadcast Company: NHK

Series Run: June 19-?

Synopsis and info: From what I could gather… its about a woman. Boxing. Sorry, that’s about it. I have no idea what this drama is supposed to be, but er… I’m guessing its like Ichi Pound without the love interest (or reverse love interest? Who knows?). I found a few pictures of the same actress on Google, so I’m assuming the picture you see above is in fact the protagonist. I guess I really do have to wait a while for this one. Yet it’s the one drama (thus far) that will be airing during June.

Impressions: Uh… I won’t be watching this one.

Cat Street

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: NHK

Series Run: August-? *confirmed source

Synopsis and info: An adaptation of a manga series by the same name, Cat Street tells the tale of a sixteen-year-old former child-actress who stopped acting after a traumatic experience. She shut herself away for society for years, until she enters a school of “stray cats”, or outsiders, like herself. Originally created by manga-ka Yoko Kamio (author of the famous Hana Yori Dango, a manga series which has also spawned not one, but two into a highly successful drama series, and which also has a highly anticipated live-action movie release this season). Although Kamio-Sensei ceased working on this manga, it has been announced that she will be drawing a short piece called Matsuri Special in Shueisha’s Jump Square Manga magazine to celebrate the release of the drama in May.

Impressions: Wow, we certainly have no shortage of manga series this season! I’ll have to count up the number of manga-based dramas when I get to the end of this list. Well, as for the drama itself- I’m actually looking forward to it. Although I have no info concerning who will be playing in it as of yet, I will scour the internet until I do, because it certainly sounds like quite an interesting storyline. Child star trauma? Wow, isn’t that a novel concept. Nonetheless, I haven’t seen many dramas that actually deal with the “bad” side of the entertainment business in a serious manner, and I’m wondering how this series will be going about it. Of course, I realize this is a manga adaptation, so I also expect excessive amounts of wank. It’s coming in quite late in the summer lineup though, which is probably why I can only scrounge up so much info on it at the moment. I’m looking forward to it!

Sono Otoko, Fuku Shocho 2

Genre: Crime

Broadcast Company: TV Asahi

Series Run: July 3-?

Synopsis and info: A sequel to the previous series “Sono Otoko Fuku Shocho” that during the last summer season, Sono Otoko is a crime mystery drama starring Eiichiro Funakoshi. Many returning cast members from the previous drama include Misato Tanaka, Takashi Ukaji, Koji Matoba, and Hisako Manda.

Impressions: Since I haven’t even watched the first series, I definitely will not be watching this one. Definitely a no go for me.

Yotsu no Uso

Genre: ?

Broadcast Company: TV Asahi

Series Run: ?

Synopsis and info: YnU revolves around four women in their 40’s. After an accident, hidden secrets between the foursome come to light. Shifumi, played by Nagasaku Hiromi, is an attractive woman who stole her friend’s boyfriend in school and married him despite criticism from others. However, she is currently divorced and is in a relationship with a younger man. The other three women are Shifumi’s former classmates: a housewife, a workaholic doctor, and an adulterous wife named Minami. These three female leads are played by actresses Terajima Shinobu, Takeshima Reiko, and Hada Michiko.

Impressions: definitely housewives’ fare. Although it sounds somewhat intriguing, I think I’ve had enough of mystery dramas for now. Probably not checking this one out.

Code Blue

Genre: Medical Drama

Broadcast Company: Fuji TV

Series Run: July 3-?

Synopsis and info: Code Blue’s concept was based on Japan’s proposal to use helicopters equipped with medical facilities in order to rush doctors to patients in need as fast as possible. Last June, a bill was passed to encourage the widespread adoption of this helicopter system. In this drama, popular J-pop idol and actor Yamashita Tomohisa (Nobuta wo Produce, Proposal Daisasuken) stars as a flight-doctor-in-training who rushes to the aid of emergency patients. Other well-known young actresses Aragaki Yui (Koizora 2007), Toda Erika and Asari Yosuke co-star as fellow trainee-doctors.

Impressions: wow, this drama seems to be all the buzz in the JE fandom. But Yamapi, Gakky and Erika, all in the same drama? It seems all too good to be true. Given the huge amount of “idol-actor appeal” this drama has, I’m pretty worried that it will have very little to no coherent plot. Besides, the whole premise of the drama already makes it sound episodic. Basically, we’re going to be watching Yamapi, Gakky, Erika and Asari look pretty while saving lives in a helicopter. Woot. Lets hope there’s something more to the plot here, because the whole “rushing in to save to day” routine will get old, fast. I guess this drama is supposed to have more of a “commercial” purpose than anything else- to promote the use of medical helicopters, right? Get Japanese youth to support the bill? This drama will probably be more interesting to watch from a Japanese perspective, knowing that a similar system of medical aid will be implemented in the near future. Never the less, I shall check this drama out just for the heck of it. I don’t have very high hopes for it though.

Phew! that is it for Drama Preview Part 1~ look forward to part 2, there’s still a lot in store for the summer lineup this year! Please keep in mind that most of the information on this post is subject to change, so check back regularly for updates. Also, trailers, and series’ that are currently missing promotion pictures, etc. will have them added as soon as possible.