Okay, so I’ve just checked the Tokyograph preview, and sure enough, I missed quite a few of the upcoming dramas. I was using the dramawiki index of upcoming dramas when I did the first 2-part preview, and I don’t remember seeing these on there. Although ironically, I had already heard that some of these were coming out this season, and there are actually quite a few that I’m interested in. I just forgot about them when I didn’t see them on the dramawiki list. I’ll just use the summaries Tokyograph had on their previews page, since I’m too lazy to write anything semi-coherent for these dramas this early in the morning D=. So, let’s take a quick look.

Walkin’ Butterfly

 

 Genre: Comedy…?

Broadcast Company: TV Tokyo

Series Run: July 11-?

Synopsis and info: Chihiro Tamaki’s “Walkin’ Butterfly” manga series is getting the live-action treatment, with teen model Aoi Nakabeppu  as its star. She plays a young woman named Michiko, who has long had a complex about being too tall. While working as a pizza delivery girl, she gets sent to drop off an order at a fashion show, where she gets mistaken for a model. Now drawn into the world of fashion models, she has to overcome her height complex if she wants to become successful.

Impressions: I’ve been meaning (sort of…) to read the manga, but I never got around to it. So, I think I’ll actually check this one out. It sounds sort of like Lovely Complex meets Paradise Kiss, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed (I marathoned Paradise in one day XD). Not sure how those two shows would mix, but I guess I’ll be finding out. I will be doing a first impressions on the series- completely unsure whether I will actually follow the whole thing, though.

Here is Greenwood 

Genre: Comedy

Broadcast Company: Tokyo MX

Series Run: July 6-?

Synopsis and info: Yukie Nasu’s classic shojo manga “Here is Greenwood” has given life to this screen adaptation, which will air on independent stations across the country (with varying schedules). Set at the all-boys school Rokuto Academy, the story revolves around the inhabitants of the unusual Greenwood Dormitory and their misadventures. Hotch Potchi’s Yuki Izawa plays the protagonist Kazuya Hasukawa, a late arrival to the school. His first surprise comes when he discovers his roommate is Shun Kisaragi, who appears to be a girl…

Impressions: I’ve heard a bunch of things about this manga, and this drama sounds a lot like Hanakimi reversed (I never finished Hanakimi… it was too much manga wank…) here’s to hoping that it won’t be as ridiculous as Hanakimi. I check this one out if I feel like it. As of right now though, I don’t think I’ll be seeing to many gender-bending dramas. Seriously, gender-bending should stay in manga- it seems too wacky to be acted out in live-action. Maybe watching XD.

Natsukoi

 

Genre: Romance

Broadcast Company: TBS

Series Run: June 30-?

Synopsis and info: In this afternoon drama, talento Chiharu stars as a mother living in the Gunma prefecture with her husband (Toshimori Omi) and teenage daughter Natsuki (Mitsuki Takahata). One summer day, Chiharu is unexpectedly reunited with her first love (Yasuyuki Maekawa), leading to a complicated relationship. Meanwhile, young Natsuki has her own reunion with her first love.

Impressions: Wow, this one’s already started. It seems interesting enough, what with the parallel love lives of mother and child. It sounds like it could appeal to both young and middle-aged audiences alike. I may check this one out, seeing as its already aired.

Shiro to Kuro

 

Genre: Romance, Comedy?

Broadcast Company: Fuji TV

Series Run: June 30-?

Synopsis and info: Aki Nishihara is the star of this daytime series, titled “Shiro to Kuro” (“white and black”) to indicate two sides of love. She finds herself in a sort of love triangle with two brothers, opposite in personality. Katsuya Kobayashi is the “good” older brother, while Tomohito Sato (formerly known as Yuki Sato) plays the “bad” younger brother.

Impressions: Bleh. Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t think I can stand much more romance in my drama season this summer, but it sounds interesting. Just reading the summary, I start wondering who she’s going to choose in the end. Presumably, it would be the “Kuro” brother- because its always customary in J-dramas to disregard the kind lover and go instead for the guy that acts like a jerk and gives you the cold shoulder. I guess its Japanese nature to chase after unrequited love? Maybe watching. Again, this is already aired, so I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check it out, if only for first impressions.

Ehhh… so I’m really not up to writing anymore previews anymore. Not sure I want to do something this thorough next season, but hope you found this preview useful~  I will be updating the “To-Watch” Post soon.