First episode satisfaction ranking for Summer 2016 dramas (TV Watcher)

This is the ranking compiled by TV Watcher where respondents were asked to give scores to the first episodes of the Summer 2016 dramas. The full score is 5 while anything above 3.7 is considered high satisfaction. Numbers in brackets indicate the score for the drama concerned:

1) Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta - NTV (3.88)

2) Keiji Shichinin 2 - TV Asahi (3.71)

3) Aogeba Totoshi - TBS / HOPE ~ Kitai Zero no Shinnyuu Shain - FujiTV (3.61)

5) Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko - FujiTV (3.59)

6) ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako - FujiTV (3.53)

7) Ie uru onna - NTV (3.52)

8) Suki na hito ga iru koto - FujiTV (3.42)

9) Toki wo kakeru shoujo - NTV (3.35)

10) Yassan ~ Tsukiji Hatsu! Oishii Jikenbo ~ - TV Tokyo (3.33)

11) Onnatachi no tokusou zensen - TV Asahi (3.32)

12) Seiseisuru hodo, Aishiteru - TBS (3.20)

13) Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu - TV Asahi (3.18)

14) Kami no shita wo motsu otoko - TBS (2.81)

Source: TV Watcher

Preview of "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko" - Summer 2016

Title: Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko 営業部長吉良奈津子 (Sales director Kira Natsuko)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 21 July 2016
Timeslot; Thursdays 10pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Theme Song: Cheer Up! The Summer by Yamashita Tatsuro
Cast: Matsushima Nanako, Matsuda Ryuhei, DAIGO, Okada Yoshinori, Nakamura An, Adachi Rika, Shirasu Jin, Takagi Wataru, Ito Ayumi, Itao Itsuji, Matsubara Chieko, Ishimaru Kanji, Harada Taizo

Production press conference & screening event of FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko"

The production press conference and completion screening event of FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko" was held on 14 July which was attended by Matsushima Nanako, Harada Taizo, Matsuda Ryuhei, DAIGO, Ito Ayumi, Itao Itsuji, Ishimaru Kanji and child actor Takahashi Konosuke. The drama which begins its run from 21 July in the Thursdays 10pm timeslot, features Matsushima as the lead character Kira Natsuko who used to be a capable CM director but took 3 years off work for marriage and childbirth. Upon returning to work, she finds that she is not able to go back to her previous job in the creative department and is assigned the post of being the director of the sales development department. While coping with the problems that crop up at work, she has to manage her family commitments.

Matsushima who is also a mother of two, revealed that she switches to her working mode when travelling to work and putting makeup and costumes for her characters. Even though she may be concerned about her children at times, she tries to concentrate at work when it's time to do so and revert to her role as a mother once the filming ends. Matsushima praised her young co-star Takahashi for being very adorable and endearing as he would tell her many times daily how much he likes her. As such, it feels as if she has a young lover on set so it's making the filming process more enjoyable for her. When Takahashi was asked during the event what he likes about Matsushima, he said that it is because she is beautiful which led Harada who plays Matsushima's husband to chip in and said that he feels the same way too.

In the drama, there is a flashback scene which describes how Kira Natsuko met her husband so he had to carry her in his arms when she fainted due to heatstroke. Matsushima commented that she never expected to be carried in this way at her age. In response, Harada revealed that Matsushima had rejected the idea at first but he asked to go ahead with it so they were able to film that scene in the end. Harada also commented that he was so thrilled about acting with Matsushima for the first time

DAIGO who is acting in a FujiTV drama for the first time, said that as he has to play a serious character this time, he will have to stop making jokes as he usually does. He also revealed that he gave copies of his wedding song titled "KSK" to his co-stars but was met with surprise responses from Matsushima who asked him what "KSK" is and Matsuda who didn't realise that DAIGO had released a CD. As such, DAIGO said that he needs to work harder as a musician so that more people would know about him.

Sources: Oricon / Yomiuri Hochi / Sponichi

Yamashita Tatsuro to sing the theme song for FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko"

Yamashita Tatsuro will be singing the theme song for FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko" which will begin its run from 21 July in the Thursdays 10pm timeslot. This is the first time in 20 years that Yamashita has sung a theme song for a drama starring Matsushima Nanako since her breakthrough role in the NHK morning drama "Himawari" in 1996 which featured the theme song "DREAMING GIRL".

The new song "CHEER UP! THE SUMMER" written by Yamashita specially for the drama will be released in September and his first single release in 3 years. Yamashita commented that the song is a summer tune for adults and he's happy to be writing a theme song for Matsushima's drama. Matsushima also commented that she was thankful for Yamashita's song which is a perfect match for summer and will make the drama more exciting for viewers

The chief producer Makino said that the refreshing feel of Yamashita's vocals and Matsushima's screen presence are a perfect match so he praised this collaboration to be the best this summer. He also hopes that this song will become an encouragement to all women like Kira Natsuko who refuse to bow down to difficulties they face in their lives.

Source: Oricon

Further cast announcements for FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko"

FujiTV announced the cast list of their Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko" on 12 June. The drama which features Matsushima Nanako as Kira Natsuko, a mother who returns to work after her 3-year maternity break. Neptune's Harada Taizo will play Kira's husband Kotaro who is very supportive of her but their relationship undergoes changes due to her work while Ito Ayumi plays their babysister who tries to seduce him. Upon hearing that he is to play Matsushima's husband, Harada admitted that he was grinning about it and is looking forward to working with her for the first time. Other co-stars include DAIGO, Okada Yoshinori and Nakamura An who play the members of Kira's sales development department and Matsubara Chieko who plays Kira's mother-in-law.

Source: Sanspo 1 / Sanspo 2

Matsuda Ryuhei to appear in FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko"

Matsuda Ryuhei will be appearing in the FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko" starring Matsushima Nanako which will begin its run from July in the Thursdays 10pm timeslot. This will be Matsuda's first time working with Matsushima and his first drama in three years since 2013's "Ama-chan".

Matsuda plays the role of Takagi Keisuke, a creative director who used to work under the heroine Kira Natsuko (Matsushima) when he was first starting out in this line. At that time, Kira used to treat Takagi very harshly and gave him a very hard time. Just before Kira turned 40, she got married and took a maternity break of three years before returning to work as the sales director. Upon her return, Takagi finds himself clashing with his former boss especially as he finds her attitude of trying to deal with things in her old ways extremely old-fashioned and annoying. On the other hand, as Takagi is already a popular and well-known creative director now, he also wants to show Kira how he has improved over the years and is no longer the fumbling newbie he used to be. Matsuda commented that he's looking forward to the start of the filming and will ensure that he eats and sleeps well during this period so as to stay in tip-top condition.

Source: Oricon

Matsushima Nanako to star in FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko"

Matsushima Nanako will be starring in the FujiTV Summer 2016 drama "Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko" (Sales Director Kira Natsuko) which will be shown from July in the Thursdays 10pm timeslot. This is her first drama series since 2013's "Kyuumei Byoutou 24 Ji Series 5". The script will be written by Inoue Yumiko who is known for dramas such as "Hirugao" and "Lucky Seven SP".

Matsushima plays the role of Kira Natsuko who got married and gave birth to her child just before she turned 40 years old and used to be a popular creative director at an advertising agency. After taking a three-year break from the workplace, she returns to work as the director of the sales department and has to struggle with juggling work and family commitments while coping with subordinates who she can't get along with. As a result of hiring a babysitter to take care of her child, her relationship with her husband suffers as a result.

In reality, Matsushima has 2 daughters who are 12 and 8 years old respectively and is also balancing work with family. With regard to her character, Matsushima commented that this drama has come at a timely juncture since it reflects the current social situation where many woman return to work after giving birth. She hopes that her character will be an encouragement to all women especially the working mothers.

Filming will begin in early June.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Sponichi