Winners of the 12th Confidence Award Drama Prize (Spring 2018)

Here are the winners of the 12th Confidence Award Drama Prize for the Spring 2018 season:

Best Drama: Ossans Love

Best Leading Actor: Dean Fujioka (Monte Cristo Haku Karei naru Fukushuu)

Best Leading Actress: Nagasawa Masami (Confidence Man JP)

Best Supporting Actor: Yoshida Kotaro (Ossans Love)

Best Supporting Actress: Kimura Tae (Anata niwa kaeru ie ga aru)

Best Script: Kosawa Ryota (Confidence Man JP)

Best Newcomer: Shuri (Black Pean)

Source: Confidence Award Drama Prize

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 21st & 22nd July 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Jurassic World - Fallen Kingdom (371)

2) Mirai no Mirai (367)

3) Gekijouban Pocket Monster Minna no Monogatari (364)

4) BLEACH (328)

5) Solo: A Star Wars Story (363)

6) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

7) Soratobu Taiya (330)

8) Nijiiro Days (317)

9) Sore ike! Anpanman Kagayake! Kurun to inochi no hoshi (208)

10) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

Source: Eiga.com

Top 10 celebrities appearing the most times in news for the first half of 2018 (Yahoo! Topics & LINE News)

This ranking lists the top 10 celebrities who appeared most in the news (Yahoo! Topics and LINE News only) between 1 Jan 2018 and 30 June 2018. Numbers in brackets indicate the number of times the celebrity appeared in the news:

1) Suda Masaki (154)

2) Hirose Suzu (130)

3) Katori Shingo / Beat Takeshi (126)

5) Matsumoto Hitoshi (124)

6) Sashihara Rino (115)

7) Amuro Namie (111)

8) Komuro Tetsuya / Nagasawa Masami (104)

10) Oguri Shun (102)

Source: Oricon

Oricon's most anticipated Summer 2018 dramas ranking

Oricon conducted a survey on 1,364 people from their teens to 50s between 15 June and 19 June where they chose which Summer 2018 they are looking forward to watch. Dramas which were not announced by the TV stations before 15 June were not included in this survey and only dramas from the private networks and NHK were considered as candidates in this list.

There are two rankings here i.e. the primetime (7pm to 10pm) and midnight categories (shown after 11pm). Numbers in brackets indicate the overall weighted score in terms of anticipated ratings, leading actor/actress, supporting cast and content which account for 20 marks each. As such, the maximum score a drama can get is 80. The asterisk indicates dramas which are based on novels/manga.

Preview of "GIVER Fukushuu no Zouyosha" - Summer 2018

Title: GIVER Fukushuu no Zouyosha GIVER 復讐の贈与者 (GIVER The donor of revenge)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 July 2018
Timeslot: Fridays 12.12am
Broadcast: TV Tokyo
Cast: Yoshizawa Ryo, Morikawa Aoi, Mizuhashi Kenji & Bokumoto Saki
Guest Lineup for the first 6 episodes: Yoshimura Kaito, Takahashi Tsutomu, Aoyagi Takaya, Itao Itsuji, Kawashima Umika, Kirishima Reika, Komai Ren, Sakurai Yuki, Tomite Ami, Nomaguchi Toru, Haruka

Preview of "Eerie Mienai Kao" - Summer 2018

Title: Eerie Mienai Kao イアリー見えない顔 (Eerie The Face Which Cannot Be Seen)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 4 August 2018
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 6
Original novel by: Maekawa Yutaka
Cast: Odagiri Jo, Naka Riisa, Kuroshima Yuina, Issey Ogata, Nakamura Ikuji, Yamanaka Sou, Makoto Tsubasa, Tanaka Youji, Yamada Anna, Nekoze Tsubaki, Kakei Toshio etc. 

Preview of "Futabasou no Yuujin" (Drama SP)

Title: Futabasou no Yuujin 双葉荘の友人 (Friend of Futaba Villa)
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 31 July 2018 4.15am
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Kawasaki Kuniharu (Winner of the 8th WOWOW Scenario Taisho)
Cast: Ichihara Hayato, Usuda Asami, Nakamura Tomoya, Hizuki Hana, Nakajima Tomoko, Nakahara Takeo & Yoshiyuki Kazuko

Review of "Rapurasu no Majo" (ラプラスの魔女 / Laplace's Witch)

Before I proceed, here's the usual disclaimer: whatever is written here are my personal comments. It is just my perspective and you are definitely entitled to have a different opinion from mine. And if you haven't watched this and don't want to see the spoilers ahead, please feel free to skip the review.

First of all, let me explain what the title means. The name "Rapurasu ラプラス" refers to the surname of French astronomer and mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace. The meaning of Laplace's Witch is actually the theory of casual determinism which states that every event is necessitated by antecedent events and conditions together with the laws of nature. It later became known as Laplace's Demon. And in this film, Hirose Suzu's character Uhara Madoka calls herself Rapurasu no Majo (Laplace's Witch) for some reason which will be explained as the story progresses.

Top 10 actors with the "boyfriend feel" (Modelpress)

Modelpress conducted a pretty interesting survey on 12,614 readers between 18 August and 25 August 2017 where the respondents chose the actor who they felt had the boyfriend feel i.e. kareshikan 彼氏感 in Japanese. By Modelpress' definition, kareshikan means that despite the fact that the actor is not actually the boyfriend of the respondent, his actions and expressions are like a true boyfriend and fuel the ladies' imagination and fantasies. As such, this is somewhat different from the usual ideal boyfriend rankings which have been done so far.

The number of votes received by each actor is indicated in brackets behind their names

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 14th & 15th July 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Jurassic World - Fallen Kingdom (371)

2) Gekijouban Pocket Monster Minna no Monogatari (364)

3) Solo: A Star Wars Story (363)

4) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

5) Soratobu Taiya (330)

6) Nijiiro Days (317)

7) Sore ike! Anpanman Kagayake! Kurun to inochi no hoshi (208)

8) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

9) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

10) Panku Samurai, Kirarete Soro (324)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Keiji Shichinin 4" - Summer 2018

Title: Keiji Shichinin 4 / 刑事7人 4 (7 Police Detectives)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 July 2018
Timeslot: Wednesdays 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Higashiyama Noriyuki, Tanabe Seiichi, Kurashina Kana, Shirasu Jin, Tsukamoto Takashi, Yoshida Kotaro, Kitaoji Kinya

Preview of "Iryu Sousa 5" - Summer 2018

Title: Iryu Sousa 5 遺留捜査 5 (Left-over items investigation)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 12 July 2018
Timeslot: Thursdays 8pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Theme Song: "Yasashii kaze ga fuitara" & "Chiisana Fuukei" by Oda Kazumasa
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Kuriyama Chiaki, Nagai Masaru, Miyazaki Karen, Kajiwara Zen, Komoto Masahiro, Toda Keiko

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 7th & 8th July 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Solo: A Star Wars Story (363)

2) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

3) Nijiiro Days (317)

4) Soratobu Taiya (330)

5) Sore ike! Anpanman Kagayake! Kurun to inochi no hoshi (208)

6) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

7) Panku Samurai, Kirarete Soro (324)

8) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

9) Wonder (247)

10) Deadpool 2 (363)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Himomen" - Summer 2018

Title: Himomen ヒモメン (Gigolo Man)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 28 July 2018
Timeslot: Saturdays 11:15pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Original manga by: Konoike Tsuyoshi
Theme Song: "Jesus" by Choutokkyu (Bullet Train)
Cast: Kubota Masataka, Kawaguchi Haruna, Katsuji Ryo, Okada Yui, Sato Hitomi, YOU, Kaneda Akio, Tahara Kanako, Minamoto Maho, Oohata Shieri

Preview of "dele" - Summer 2018

Title: dele ディーリー
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 27 July 2018
Timeslot: Fridays 11.15pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Yamada Takayuki, Suda Masaki and Asou Kumiko
Guest Lineup (in alphabetical order): Asahina Hideki, Ishibashi Shizuka, Eguchi Noriko, Ootsuka Akio, Komuai (Suiyoubi no Campanella), Takahashi Genichiro, Tsukamoto Shinya, Noda Yojiro, Hannya, Matsumoto Wakana, Mummy-D, Maro Akaji, Yajima Kenichi, Yamada Aina, Yo Kimiko & Watanabe Daichi (Kuroneko Chelsea)

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 30th June & 1st July 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Solo: A Star Wars Story (363)

2) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

3) Soratobu Taiya (330)

4) Sore ike! Anpanman Kagayake! Kurun to inochi no hoshi (208)

5) Panku Samurai, Kirarete Soro (324)

6) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

7) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

8) Wonder (247)

9) Deadpool 2 (363)

10) Yakiniku Dragon (162)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Hagetaka" - Summer 2018

Title: Hagetaka ハゲタカ (Vulture)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 19 July 2018
Timeslot: Thursdays 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Original novel by: Mayama Jin
Theme Song: "SINGLES" by Mr.Children
Cast: Ayano Go, Watabe Atsuro, Sawajiri Erika, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Kinami Haruka, Horiuchi Keiko, Sakura Emma, Sugimoto Tetta, Mitsuishi Ken, Kobayashi Kaoru

Preview of "Zero Ikkaku Senkin Game" - Summer 2018

Title: Zero Ikkaku Senkin Game ゼロ　一攫千金ゲーム (Zero Game of getting rich with a single stroke)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 15 July 2018
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Original manga by: Fukumoto Nobuyuki
Theme Song: "Ikiro" by NEWS
Cast: Kato Shigeaki (NEWS), Mamiya Shotaro, Koseki Yuuta, Kato Ryo, Okayama Amane, Sugino Yosuke, Kendo Kobayashi, Umezawa Tomio & Koike Eiko

Top 10 actresses who made a breakthrough in the first half of 2018 (Oricon)

The following survey was done by Oricon Monitor Research on 1,000 respondents from their teens to 50s between 16 June and 22 June where they chose which actress they felt had made a breakthrough in the first half of 2018. Nagano was the favourite among respondents from their 20s to 40s while Aoi Wakana was preferred by the teenagers and Kawaei Rina was the pick among those in their 50s:

1) Nagano Mei

2) Kawaei Rina

3) Hirose Arisu

4) Sugisaki Hana

5) Aoi Wakana

6) Hamabe Minami

7) Hashimoto Kanna

8) Imada Mio

9) Takahashi Maryjun

10) Nakajo Ayami

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Kono sekai no katasumi ni" - Summer 2018

Title: Kono sekai no katasumi ni この世界の片隅に (At the corner of this world)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 15 July 2018
Timeslot: Sundays 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original manga by: Kouno Fumiyo
Cast: Matsumoto Honoka, Matsuzaka Toori, Murakami Nijirou, Ito Sairi, Tsuchimura Kaho, Doronzu Ishimoto, Kubota Sayu, Arai Miu, Inagaki Kurumi, Nikaidou Fumi, Eikura Nana, Furutachi Yutaro, Ono Machiko, Kino Hana, Shiomi Sansei, Taguchi Tomorowo, Sendou Nobuko, Ito Ran & Miyamoto Nobuko

Preview of "Chia Dan" - Summer 2018

Title: Chia Dan チア＊ダン (Cheer Dance)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 July 2018
Timeslot: Fridays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original movie: Chia Dan Joshikousei ga chiadansu de zenbei seihashichatta honto no hanashi
Cast: Tsuchiya Tao, Ishii Anna, Sakuma Yui, Yamamoto Maika, Asahina Aya, Ootomo Karen, Yanai Yumena, Shida Sara, Shimizu Hiroya, Kizu Takumi, Honda Chikara, Moriya Kanna, Kihara Masatoshi, Takamura Kaito, Araki Yuuko, Takahashi Kazuya, Konno Mahiru, Matsumoto Wakana, Kinoshita Houka, Agawa Sawako, Odagiri Jo & Hirose Suzu (Guest appearance)

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 23rd & 24th June 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

2) Soratobu Taiya (330)

3) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

4) Deadpool 2 (363)

5) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

6) Wonder (247)

7) Yakiniku Dragon (162)

8) Owatta Hito (239)

9) Hitsuji to Hagane no Mori (318)

10) Maze Runner: The Death Cure (320)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Fuhatsudan ~ Black money wo ayatsuru otoko ~" - Spring 2018

Title: Fuhatsudan Black money wo ayatsuru otoko 不発弾 ~ ブラックマネーを操る男 ~ (Blind Shell ~ The man who manipulates black money ~)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 10 June 2018
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 6
Original novel by: Aiba Hideo
Cast: Shiina Kippei, Kuroki Meisa, Horibe Keisuke, Miura Takahiro, Iriyama Anna, Asaka Manato, David Ito, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Kasayama Shingo, Yamaguchi Miyako, Watanabe Tetsu, Tsukayama Masane, Takuma Shin, Harada Tomoyo & Okuda Eiji

Preview of "Kenkou de Bunkateki na Saiteigendo no Seikatsu" - Summer 2018

Title: Kenkou de Bunkateki na Saiteigendo no Seikatsu 健康で文化的な最低限度の生活 (A healthy and cultured life of the bare minimum)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 17 July 2018
Timeslot: Tuesdays 9pm
Broadcast by: Kansai TV / FujiTV
Original manga by: Kashiwagi Haruko
Theme Song: "Tomorrow" by AAA
Opening Theme Song: "Sunny" by Yasuda Rei
Cast: Yoshioka Riho, Iura Arata, Kawaei Rina, Yamada Yuki, Kozono Ryo, Minakami Kyoka, Azama Mew, Tani Maria, Suzuki Ameri, Uchiba Katsunori, Tokunaga Eri, Tanaka Kei, Endo Kenichi

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 16th & 17th June 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

2) Soratobu Taiya (330)

3) Deadpool 2 (363)

4) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

5) Wonder (247)

6) Maze Runner: The Death Cure (320)

7) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

8) Owatta Hito (239)

9) Hitsuji to Hagane no Mori (318)

10) Peter Rabbit (311)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Double Fantasy" - Spring 2018

Title: Double Fantasy ダブル・ファンタジー
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 16 June 2018
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 5
Original novel by: Murayama Yuka
Cast: Mizukawa Asami, Tanaka Kei, Majima Hidekazu, Yanagi Shuntaro, Shinohara Yukiko, Takigawa Yumi, Murakami Hiroaki, Makita Sports, Okayama Hajime, Ikeda Ryo, Awashima Zuimaro, Nagano Satomi

Preview of "Good Doctor" - Summer 2018

Title: Good Doctor グッドドクター
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 12 July 2018
Timeslot: Thursdays 10pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original drama by: KBS
Cast: Yamazaki Kento, Ueno Juri, Fujiki Naohito, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Nakamura Yuri, Hamano Kenta, Itao Itsuji & Emoto Akira

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 9th & 10th June 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Manbiki Kazoku (328)

2) Deadpool 2 (363)

3) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

4) Owatta Hito (239)

5) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

6) Hitsuji to Hagane no Mori (318)

7) Peter Rabbit (311)

8) OVER DRIVE (301)

9) Tsuma yo bara no you ni Kazoku wa tsurai yo III (336)

10) Koi wa ameagari no you ni (300)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Zettai Reido ~ Mizen Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa" - Summer 2018

Title: Zettai Reido ~ Mizen Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa 絶対零度 ~ 未然犯罪潜入捜査 (Absolute Zero ~ Crime Prevention Infiltration Investigation)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 9 July 2018
Timeslot: Mondays 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Theme Song: "Moshi kimi wo yurusetara" by Ieiri Leo
Cast: Sawamura Ikki, Yokoyama Yu, Honda Tsubasa, Emoto Tokio, Magy, Tanaka Michiko, Nakamura Ikuji, Hirata Mitsuru, Ito Atsushi, Ueto Aya (special appearance)

Preview of "Survival Wedding" - Summer 2018

Title: Survival Wedding サバイバルウェディング
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 July 2018
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Original novel by: Oohashi Kousuke
Theme Song: "Drama" by C&K
Cast: Haru, Yoshizawa Ryo, Takahashi Maryjun, Buruzon Chiemi, Maeno Tomoya, Ogoe Yuuki, Nao, Ishida Nicole, Tsuhiji Anna, Yamane Kazuma, Kazama Shunsuke, Sudo Risa, Nomaguchi Tooru, Namase Katsuhisa, Zaizen Naomi, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Iseya Yuusuke

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 2nd & 3rd June 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Deadpool 2 (363)

2) 50 Kaime no First Kiss (321)

3) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

4) Tsuma yo bara no you ni Kazoku wa tsurai yo III (336)

5) Peter Rabbit (311)

6) OVER DRIVE (301)

7) Koi wa ameagari no you ni (300)

8) Saraba Seishun, Saredo Seishun (167)

9) Yuuzai (200)

10) Nomitori Zamurai (326)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Takane no Hana" - Summer 2018

Title: Takane no Hana 高嶺の花 (A woman who is out of one's league)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 July 2018
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Scriptwriter: Nojima Shinji
Theme Song: "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley
Cast: Ishihara Satomi, Mineta Kazunobu, Yoshine Kyoko, Chiba Yuudai, Miura Takahiro, Fueki Yuuko, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Yoshida Uronta, Takahashi Hikaru, Nishihara Aki, Shoji Terue, Shoji Hanae, Masu Takeshi, Toake Yukiyo, Toda Naho & Kohinata Fumiyo

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 26th & 27th May 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Meitantei Conan Zero no shikkounin (360)

2) Tsuma yo bara no you ni Kazoku wa tsurai yo III (336)

3) Peter Rabbit (311)

4) Koi wa ameagari no you ni (300)

5) Yuuzai (200)

6) Avengers: Infinity War (362)

7) Nomitori Zamurai (326)

8) Rampage (339)

9) Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion - Emperor (79)

10) Rapurasu no Majo (322)

Source: Eiga.com

Winners of Nikkansports Dorama Grand Prix (Spring 2018)

There were 4,021 valid votes for this round of voting between 19th and 26th June where the top 5 for each category in each season would then be eligible as nominees for the annual awards.The numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received for the drama and/or actor/actress: