Woot, part two! The only reason I decided to do this part now… is basically because I have nothing better to do, and what better way to keep myself awake for no reason then blog about upcoming dramas? The new summer anime that have been revealed thus far doesn’t seem too promising, so I’m glad there’s still some drama to fill my summer days XD. I’ve got a crapload to cover, so lets just cut to the chase, shall we?

Lotto 6 de San-oku Ni-senman En Ateta Otoko

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: TV Asahi

Series Run: July 4-?

Synopsis and info: Your typical lower-middle-class Japanese salaryman Satoru Tachibana is working his ass off at an advertising firm under a younger boss, for a meager salary. With a vicious pachinko habit, a recent divorce, and no savings, the desperate Tachibana enters the lottery in hopes of winning enough money for child support. He later discovers that his ticket won the jackpot, turning him into a millionaire overnight. This drama stars popular actor Takachi Soramichi as its protagonist, Satoru Tachibana.

Impressions: wow… interesting premise. I’d say my interest in this one is about… 50%. I mean, as far as I can tell this isn’t based on a manga, so it probably won’t be that wacky… but then again, we’re talking about J-drama and “overnight millionaires” here. Anything’s possible. I don’t know. I may give this one a try, but its pretty low on my “to watch” list for now. Ehhh… I guess I’m not in the mood for writing much at the moment.  

Maou

Genre: Crime

Broadcast Company: TBS

Series Run: July 4-September

Synopsis and info: One of the most anticipated dramas this season, “Maou” is a remake of the popular 2007 Korean drama “Mawang”. The story revolves around a vengeful lawyer who seeks revenge against his relatives. This drama will boast some budding actors from Johnny’s Entertainment, including Ohno Satoshi as the lead character, member of popular J-pop group ARASHI (this will be his first regular appearance in a drama as well as his first lead role) as well as Ikuta Toma (Hanakimi ~Ikimen Paradise~) as a detective who investigates a series of murders.

Impressions: there sure has been a whole lot of ype about this series in JE fandom. I can understand that, after all, Ohno is finally landing himself a role in a drama! And a lead role, at that. That’s pretty impressive. But because everyone’s been pimping this drama so much, I’m starting to wonder if I really want to see it or not. The set up seems interesting, and I may just see it for the whole crime-solving aspect… because I’m a sucker for detective drama. But then again, I’m really not sure whether to see this as a “horror” drama or just a plain dective drama. Ugh, I suppose I’ll have to give it a shot. So its a yes for now, at least for the first couple of episodes. Whee~

Dageki Tenshi Ruri

Genre: Action, suspense

Broadcast Company: TV Asahi

Series Run: July 25-?

Synopsis and info: DTR follows the adventures of Ruri, a seemingly ordinary girl who one day discovers that she possesses an awesome power generated by her anger. With this power, she defeats bad guys. This drama is an adaptation of Yasuhito Yamamoto’s manga, which was originally serialized in Young Jump from 1998 to 2000. Actress Rei Kikukawa stars as the angry heroine, Ruri

Impressions: Bleh. I’m pretty sure, that being a manga adaptation, it will be just as ridiculous as it sounds. No. Definitely no. Not watching this one. I mean, a girl who beats up bad guys using her bitch power? Uh. Yeah, sounds like a female version of Dragon Ball Z. No go.

Kagero no Tsuji 2

Genre: Historical

Broadcast Comapany: NHK

Series Run: ?

Synopsis and info: Well, here’s the summary of the first season according to NHK: “A story about a gifted swordsman who faces with various troubles brought to him with strong sense of justice and genuine sympathy to commoners. Sakazaki Iwane is a ronin who spends idle days in Edo. Until a few months ago, he was a promising son and successor to a powerful family in Bungo. He has came back to Edo, where he lived for a while for swordplay training with his two best friends, after a tragedy in the three’s home domain—both of the two friends died, one of them killed by Iwane by command of the domain lord’s chief retainer. Iwane left his home for Edo, leaving behind his fiancée, a sister of the friend he killed. Eventually, Iwane detects the conspiracy behind the deaths of the two friends and struggles to reform his domain.” I’m assuming all original cast members will be returning for this season, although I have yet to confirm that. Expect Yamamoto Koji back as the lead for the second season, and hopefully the rest of the cast as well.

Impressions: Well, you see, when I don’t bother writing a summary for the drama myself, its most likely because I have no intention whatsoever in seeing it, as it is with this drama. Although I have no doubt that this is a good drama for those who have followed it through season 1, I have yet to see an episode of the original series, and with a crap load of AP history homework piled up for me to do this summer, I don’t think I can handle much more. Not watching.

Koizora

Genre: Romance

Broacast Company: TBS

Series Run: August 2nd-?

Synopsis and info: based on an enormously popular “cellular” novel by the same name, “Koizora” tells the story of two teenagers drawn together by a lost cellphone. After talking for months on the phone, Mika, a typical high school girl, falls for the carefree, silver-haired Hiro, shortly after their first, face-to-face meeting at school. However, the new couple’s love is challenged by a series of unbelievably tragic events, and the two young lovers find themselves struggling to decide whether to leave one another or to hold on. This heartwarming story (apparently based on the experiences of the author, “Mika”) was originally adapted into a movie in 2007, and enjoyed enormous success. This season, the same production team that brought us Koizora the movie reunites to create the drama version of this much loved story. This drama will feature a completely different cast from the movie, showcasing the talents of some young, undiscovered actors and actresses including Mizusawa Elena as the female lead, Mika, and Seto Koji as Hiro. Other confirmed cast members are Miura Shohei and Kishitani Goro.

Impressions: Gahhhh! Definitely watching this~ as I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, I have recently watched the movie version of Koizora and will be writing a review of it. Although I must admit that the movie wasn’t as stellar as some made it out to be, I saw alot of potential in expanding its storyline into a drama format. Its a story that has so much to tell, but was given so little time to tell it. Although I am sad that the movie cast will not be returning, I can’t say I’m not pleased with the casting thus far. Let’s hope that these budding actors can put on a performance that’s as pretty to look at as their faces. Okay, bad simile… er. Let’s hope they can actually act~ hehe. Anyway, I’ll absolutely be catching this one. Yes, yes, and yes~!

Yasuko no Kenji

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: NTV

Series Run: July-?

Synopsis and info: former gang-leader Kenji has now turned away from a life of violence and now works as a shoujo manga artist to support his younger sister and himself. However, when he takes off his glasses, he reverts to his violent nature in order to protect his sister from danger. The drama also follows the story of Kenji’s sister, Yasuko, who falls in love with the dashing Jun Tsubaki. It just happens that Jun’s older sister, Erika, is also a former-gang-leader, who now runs a flower shop. Back in the day, Erika used to be in love with Kenji. This drama is based off of a manga by artist Aruko, originally serialized in Bessatsu Margret in 2006-2007. J-pop band TOKIO’s Masahiro Matsuoka will be starring in his drama as Kenji, with Tabe Mikako co-starring as Yasuko. Also, Okura Tadayoshi will be playing the handsome Jun, while Hirosue Sayaka will play Erika.

Impressions: None of these manga adaptations are appealing to me this season. All of them seem to have too much potential for a ridiculous amount of wank, which I’m not quite in the mood for. I’m almost tempted to say yes, because I sort of am attracted to the “former gang-leader” aspect of it, but really, I think this is just another predictable (if slightly wacky and ridiculous) romantic comedy to fill the timeslots. Meh. Probably a no, but mayble I’ll check it out eventually. Don’t count on it though.

  33pun Tantei

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: Fuji TV

Series Run: August 2nd-?

Synopsis and info: Popular actor Domoto Tsuyoshi returns to the drama scene with this drama, playing a dim-witted sleuth who always accuses the wrong person of crimes, while the audience will be able to pick out the real culprit immediately. Each episode will last exactly 33 minutes, not counting commercial time, hence its name, which can be translated as “33 minute detective”

Impressions: This actually sounds like a lot of fun. I could use a little stupid now and then in my woefully uneventful summer. I think I’ll be checking this one out just for the laughs. Watching, probably. Yup, feeling really beat now. Just one more drama to go and this preview is finished~ lets get this over with!

Tomorrow

Genre: Medical drama

Broadcast Company: TBS

Series Run: July 6-?

Synopsis and info: a municipal government worker returns to his career as a surgeon after deciding to help out a local hospital on the verge of bankruptcy. Takenouchi Yutaka plays the lead role, while Kano Miho co-stars as a fellow nurse.

Impressions: Well, its a medical drama. I didn’t bother to find anything but the bare minimum of info for this drama… and well, I remember randomly watching a trailer for thsi drama a few weeks back, and it wasn’t too appealing. I remember only the disturbing image of a CG heart beating against a blank background. Ugh. Ew. I’m sorry, not watching.

It’s…. done. I have no energy for eloquence at the moment. Okay, so I still have to figure out exactly what I’ve said I’d watch this season, and hopeful I’ll post that up by tomorrow. Hoepfully. But now that the whole preview’s over, why not let me know what you think? What’s on top of your list this season?

P.S: pictures will be added as soon as my computer stops being constipated. D=

-Lycoris

[EDIT]- All available promo pictures are up. Enjoy~