New dramas starting in May 2017 on Waku Waku Japan

For those who have access to the cable TV channel Waku Waku Japan, do check out these new dramas beginning their runs here in May. Note that the start dates and timeslots are based on the channel's Singapore website so this may differ depending on the country you are in. I am only listing those dramas which are being shown for the first time on this channel so re-runs happening within May are not mentioned here.

Titles in brackets are the translated titles in English as listed by Waku Waku Japan on their website so you may need to rely on this to check your local TV schedule. You can also access the dramas' respective pages through the hyperlinks in the titles.

Have fun watching these dramas this month!

Team Batista no Eikou チームバチスタの栄光 (Glory of Team Batista)
Autumn 2008 drama from Kansai TV
First drama in the Team Batista series
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Nakamura Tooru, Shirota Yu, Tsurumi Shingo, Hayashi Ryuuzou, Natori Yuuko, Miyagawa Daisuke, Shaku Yumiko, Ihara Tsuyoshi
Start Date: 5 May 2017
Timeslot: Wednesdays 9pm (first episode starts at 10.30pm)

Hachimitsu to Clover ハチミツとクローバー (Honey and Clover)
Winter 2008 drama from FujiTV
Drama version of the hit manga by Umino Chika
Cast: Narumi Riko, Ikuta Toma, Harada Natsuki, Mukai Osamu, Narimiya Hiroki, Takizawa Saori, Kimura Yuichi, Matsushige Yutaka, Takahashi Hitomi, Nagano Satomi, Maekawa Yasuyuki, Kashiwabara Takashi, Izumiya Shigeru, Murakami Jun, Seto Asaka
Start Date: 8 May 2017
Timeslot: Mondays 9pm

S - Saigo no Keisatsukan - S -最後の警官- (S The Last Policeman)
Winter 2014 drama from TBS
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Oomori Nao, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Takahashi Tsutomu, Aragaki Yui, Fuse Eri, Asakura Erika, Ayano Go, Takashima Masahiro, Motomiya Yasukaze, Hirayama Yusuke, Fuchikami Yasushi, Fukiishi Kazue, Tsuchiya Anna, Odagiri Jo etc.
Start Date: 10 May 2017
Timeslot: Wednesdays 9pm

Ooku 大奥 2003 (Ooku -The Inner Palace-)
Spring 2003 drama from FujiTV
First drama in the Ooku series
Cast: Kanno Miho, Asano Yuuko, Ikewaki Chizuru, Adachi Yumi, Harada Ryuji, Kitamura Kazuki, Katsurayama Shingo, Okada Yoshinori, Kimura Tae, Washio Machiko, Yamaguchi Kaori, Kubota Maki, Mizukawa Asami, Kinoshita Houka, Nogiwa Yoko etc.
Start Date: 11 May 2017
Timeslot: Thursdays 9pm

Fragile フラジャイル (FRAGILE)
Winter 2016 drama from FujiTV
Based on the original manga by Kusamizu Bin and Megumi Saburo
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Takei Emi, Nomura Shuhei, Koyuki, Tsuda Kanji, Matsui Rena, Kitaoji Kinya
Start Date: 12 May 2017
Timeslot: Fridays 9pm

Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro 勇者ヨシヒコと魔王の城 (Brave "YOSHIHIKO" And The Great Satan's Castle)

Summer 2011 drama from TV Tokyo
First part of the Yuusha Yoshihiko drama series
Cast: Yamada Takayuki, Takuma Shin, Kinami Haruka, Muro Tsuyoshi, Okamoto Azusa, Satou Jirou, Nakao Ryuusei
Start Date: 14 May 2017
Timeslot: Sundays 3pm

The 88th Drama Academy Awards (Winter 2016) - Best Leading Actor

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Koura Kengo - Itsuka kono koi wo omoi dashite kitto naite shimau
2) Kamenashi Kazuya - Kaitou Yamaneko
3) Katori Shingo - Kazoku no Katachi

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Kamenashi Kazuya - Kaitou Yamaneko
2) Katori Shingo - Kazoku no Katachi
3) Kusanagi Tsuyoshi - Specialist
4) Kubota Masataka - MARS ~ Tada, Kimi wo aishiteru ~
5) Fujigaya Taisuke - MARS ~ Tada, Kimi wo aishiteru ~

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Koura Kengo - Itsuka kono koi wo omoi dashite kitto naite shimau
2) Kamenashi Kazuya - Kaitou Yamaneko
3) Kusanagi Tsuyoshi - Specialist
4) Nagase Tomoya - Fragile
5) Endo Kenichi - Otousan to yobasete

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Nagase Tomoya - Fragile
2) Yoshida Kotaro - Tokyo Sentimental
3) Watabe Atsuro - Otousan to yobasete
4) Katori Shingo - Kazoku no Katachi / Kusanagi Tsuyoshi - Specialist / Endo Kenichi - Otousan to yobasete

Source: The Televison

The 3rd Confidence Award for Dramas - Winter 2016

Best Drama: Itsuka kono koi wo omoi dashite kitto naite shimau (FujiTV)

Best Leading Actor: Nagase Tomoya (Fragile)

Best Leading Actress: N.A.
Apparently, the judges couldn't decide on who among the three actresses to choose as the winner so they decided to forgo this award. The three who remained in the final round of selection were Hirosue Ryoko (Naomi to Kanako), Kiritani Mirei (Sumi ka Sumire) and Fukada Kyoko (Dame na watashi ni koishite kudasai).

Best Supporting Actor: Sato Ryuta (Naomi to Kanako)

Best Supporting Actress: Naka Riisa (Nigeru Onna)

Best Script: Sakamoto Yuji (Itsuka kono koi wo omoi dashite kitto naite shimau)

Best Newcomer: Nishijima Takahiro (Itsuka kono koi wo omoi dashite kitto naite shimau)

Source: Confidence Award

Winners of the 19th Nikkansports Dorama Grand Prix (Winter 2016)

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received:

Best Drama
1) Kaitou Yamaneko - NTV (503)
2) Dame na watashi ni koishite kudasai - TBS (353)
3) Asa ga kita - NHK (299)
4) Specialist - TV Asahi (223)
5) Sanadamaru - NHK (156)

Best Leading Actor
1) Kamenashi Kazuya - Kaitou Yamaneko (544)
2) Tamaki Hiroshi - Asa ga kita (373)
3) Kusanagi Tsuyoshi - Specialist (222)
4) Nagase Tomoya - Fragile (184)
5) Sakai Masato - Sanadamaru (167)

Best Leading Actress
1) Haru - Asa ga kita (572)
2) Fukada Kyoko - Dame na watashi ni koishite kudasai (542)
3) Ueno Juri - Kazoku no Katachi (166)
4) Horikita Maki - Higanbana ~ Keishicho Sousa Nanaka (156)
5) Arimura Kasumi - Itsuka kono koi wo omoidashite kitto naite shimau (151)

Best Supporting Actor
1) Narimiya Hiroki - Kaitou Yamaneko (351)
2) Dean Fujioka - Dame na watashi ni koishite kudasai (305)
3) Dean Fujioka - Asa ga kita (263)
4) Kusakari Masao - Sanadamaru (227)
5) Sasaki Kuranosuke - Kaitou Yamaneko / Nishida Toshiyuki - Kazoku no Katachi (122)

Best Supporting Actress
1) Hirose Suzu - Kaitou Yamaneko (395)
2) Nonami Maho - Dame na watashi ni koishite kudasai (195)
3) Minami Kaho - Specialist (181)
4) Koshida Fuuka - Asa ga kita (129)
5) Nagasawa Masami - Sanadamaru (101)

Source: Nikkansports

Screening event of FujiTV Winter 2016 drama "Fragile"

The completion screening event of FujiTV Winter 2016 drama "Fragile" was held on 5 Jan which was attended by the cast members Nagase Tomoya, Takei Emi, Koyuki, Nomura Shuhei and Kitaoji Kinya. The drama which will be shown from 13 January 2016 in the Wednesdays 10pm timeslot, features Nagase as an obstinate pathologist who does not conform to rules and Takei plays his colleague who suffers due to his unpredictable behaviour. With regard to their first collaboration, Takei said that her impression of Nagase is that he's like a young man who behaves as he thinks. On the other hand, Nagase said that since his character is always bullying Takei's, he thinks that she's cute whenever she gets bullied so he can't help but try to tease her at times.

Koyuki who is making her return to acting after giving birth to her third child, will play a surgeon for the first time. When asked about whether she has any difficulties playing this character, she revealed that as she had gone to nursing school before, the medical jargon and technical skills used during the filming were easier to understand than if she had no prior experience.

Source: Sponichi

Preview of "Fragile" - Winter 2016

Title: Fragile フラジャイル
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 January 2016
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Original manga by: Kusamitsu Bin & Megumi Saburo
Theme Song: fragile by TOKIO
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Takei Emi, Nomura Shuhei, Koyuki, Kitaoji Kinya

TOKIO to sing the theme song for FujITV Winter 2016 drama "Fragile"

TOKIO will be singing the theme song for the FujiTV Winter 2016 drama "Fragile" which stars the band's vocalist Nagase Tomoya. The drama will begin its run from 13 January in the Wednesdays 10pm timeslot while the single also titled "fragile" will be released in February next year. Nagase will play the lead character Kishi Kyoichiro who is a stubborn pathologist and doesn't think twice about talking harshly to others. After reading the original manga and script, Nagase wrote the song and used the image of the falling sakura to describe life. Usually when people hear the word "fragile", it refers to breakable stuff but he wants to use it to represent the vulnerability of people's hearts. This is the third song written by him which has been selected to be a drama theme song.

Source: Sanspo