Mizobata Junpei denies being an item with Katase Nana

Mizobata Junpei released a statement via his official website on 6 August in response to recent reports about him being in a relationship with Katase Nana. The two of them had met through working in NTV's Spring 2013 drama "35-sai no Koukousei" and were first reported to have gone on a date at an izakaya in July the same year but the two of them had denied it then. Reports of their relationship resurfaced again in August this year.

Mizobata commented that Katase is a valued senior in his acting career and they are very close friends. However, he denied being an item with her and stressed that he would like to concentrate on his work for now. As such, the recent reports about them dating with marriage in mind etc were baseless and untrue. Mizobata also apologised for the worry and inconveniences caused as a result of these reports about his personal life.

Source: Sponichi

Spring 2013 drama ratings ranking

Here is the ranking of the spring 2013 dramas based on their average ratings at the end of the season:

1) Galileo (FujiTV) - 19.85%
2) Last Cinderella (FujiTV) - 15.16%
3) 35-sai no Koukousei (NTV) - 13.10%
4) Kazoku Game (FujiTV) - 12.96%
5) Sora tobu Kouhoushitsu (TBS) - 12.55%
6) Keiji 110kg (TV Asahi) - 12.06%
7) Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji (TV Asahi) - 11.76%
8) Kasukana Kanojo (FujiTV) - 11.51%
9) Iryu Sousa (TV Asahi) - 11.48%
10) TAKE FIVE (TBS) - 10.07%
11) Kakusho ~ Keishicho Sousa 3ka (TBS) - 9.90%
12) Sennyuu Tantei Tokage (TBS) - 9.86%
13) Otenki Oneesan (TV Asahi) - 9.84%
14) Kamo, Kyoto e Iku (FujiTV) - 9.80%
15) Kumo no Kaidan (NTV) - 9.25%
16) Machigawarechatta Otoko (FujiTV) 6.10%

"Last Cinderella" grabs top spot in Internet viewing ranking for spring 2013 dramas

Japan Brand Strategy released the results of the top 15 spring 2013 dramas which had the most page views and downloads from their respective TV stations' websites between 1 April and 9 June:

1) Last Cinderella (FujiTV)  / 766,000 unique viewers / 9.987 million page views

2) Galileo (FujiTV)  / 529,000 unique viewers / 3.989 million page views

3) Sora tobu Kouhoushitsu (TBS) / 461,000 unique viewers / 9.898 million page views

4) Kazoku Game (FujiTV) / 460,000 unique viewers / 3.605 million page views

5) Kumo no Kaidan (NTV) / 407,000 unique viewers / 3.95 million page views

6) 35-sai no Koukousei (NTV)  / 333,000 unique viewers / 3.199 million page views

7) TAKE FIVE (TBS) / 264,000 unique viewers / 2.26 million page views

8) Kasukana Kanojo (FujiTV) / 218,000 unique viewers / 1.772 million page views

9) Kamo, Kyoto e Iku (FujiTV) / 185,000 unique viewers / 1.249 million page views

10) Oteni Oneesan (TV Asahi) / 165,000 unique viewers / 807,000 page views

11) Sennyuu Tantei Tokage (TBS) / 157,000 unique viewers / 1.278 million page views

12) Doubles ~ Futari no Keiji (TV Asahi) / 133,000 unique viewers / 507,000 page views

13) Iryu Sousa (TV Asahi) / 77,000 unique viewers / 383,000 page views

14) Kakusho ~ Keishicho Sousa Sanka (TBS) / 72,000 unique viewers / 477,000 page views

15) Keiji 110kg (TV Asahi) / 60,000 unique viewers / 266,000 page views

Looking at what we have here, it seems like Last Cinderella has a very strong following and these viewers don't actually watch the drama during the first broadcast but rather choose to download it to view at their own free time. In the TV ratings world, Galileo reigns supreme but interest in the drama seems to be low because it only had 3 million plus of page views compared to No.1 and No.3 which have about 9 million. These results seem to show that what's popular on TV may not be what netizens prefer to watch. What comments do you have about these results?

Source: Sponichi / Japan Brand Strategy

Preview of "35-sai no Koukousei" - Spring 2013

Title: 35-sai no Koukousei
Official website: here
Broadcast by: NTV
Timeslot: Saturdays 9pm
O.A. Start Date: 13 April 2013
Theme song: Flower Song by EXILE
Cast: Yonekura Ryoko, Mizobata Junpei, Katase Nana, Masu Takeshi, Aiba Hiroki, Tonesaku Toshihide, Kumabe Youhei, Yokoyama Megumi, Enoki Takaaki, Hirose Alice, Mizuno Erina, Miyazaki Karen, Watari Tetsuya

Production press conference of "35-sai no Koukousei"

The production press conference of NTV's spring 2013 drama "35-sai no Koukousei" was held on 7 April at its Shiodome HQ which was attended by cast members such as Yonekura Ryoko, Mizobata Junpei, Katase Nana, Miyazaki Karen, Mizuno Erina and Hirose Alice. The drama will begin its run from 13 April at 9pm on Saturdays but the first episode will air at 9.20pm. Yonekura plays the role of a 35-year-old woman named Baba Ayako who starts to attend a public high school and solves the problems facing the school and its students and teachers e.g. bullying and refusal to attend school. Yonekura commented that there were lots of issues which she did not know had existed before she took on this drama and these are issues which matter a lot to those who are affected by them. She also stressed that this drama is not just for students but for everyone to understand these issues.

In the first episode which features bullying from an elite group of students, Yonekura recounted how these students were described in the script and just imagining being subjected to such treatment would have easily caused anyone to break down. As such, she praised the acting skills of Hirose who plays the role of the bullied student for conveying the hopelessness and fear her character feels.

On the other hand, Mizobata who plays Yonekura's form teacher commented that it is a weird feeling to be her teacher. In addition, he was worried if he would look like a teacher since his real age is not that far from those who play his students in this drama.

Source: Sponichi

EXILE to sing theme song for "35-sai no Koukousei"

EXILE will be singing the theme song for NTV's spring 2013 drama "35-sai no Koukousei" which stars Yonekura Ryoko and will begin its run from 13 April at 9pm on Saturdays. The song titled "Flower Song" is written by the group's vocalist ATSUSHI. The release date for the song is still undecided.

ATSUSHI commented that the song is meant to describe the darkness within the hearts of senior high school students and how they are affected by the school caste trend. He described everyone as flowers and how they would come to bloom in various colours when spring comes with the hope that it would encourage people to think more positively and try their best to shine in their own way.

Source: Yomiuri Hochi

Watari Tetsuya to appear in NTV spring 2013 drama "35-sai no Koukousei"

Watari Tetsuya will work together with Yonekura Ryoko again in the NTV spring drama "35-sai no Koukousei" which begins its run from 13 April at 9pm on Saturdays. The two of them last acted together in the 2008 drama "Koori no Hana" but did not have many scenes together. Last year, they met for a meal through a mutual friend and talked about wanting to work together again if given the opportunity.

Watari will play Asada Yukinobu, the superintendent of schools, who fires principals who are seen to be worthless and incapable and has a nickname Kaiser. He is the only one who knows about Baba Ayako's (Yonekura) past, why she has to enter high school again at the age of 35 and also offers some much-needed advice to Baba when she tries to solve the problems in school. Watari began his filming on 26 March.

Source: Nikkansports

Yonekura Ryoko's image in "35-sai no Koukousei"; further cast announcements

Yonekura Ryoko's image in her upcoming NTV spring 2013 drama "35-sai no Koukousei" (35-year-old high school student) was revealed to the press on 12 March. The drama begins its run from 13 April at 9pm on Saturdays. Yonekura plays a mysterious woman who attends high school at the age of 35 and solves problems in the classroom. Yonekura commented that when she was in senior high school, that was when loose socks began to gain popularity and she feels nostalgic about wearing a school uniform this time. Co-star announcements were also made today with Mizobata Junpei and Katase Nana joining the lineup.

Source: Sanspo