The 2nd Dorama World Awards 2017 - Best Theme Song

From today onwards, I will be announcing the winners in the 7 categories of the 2nd Dorama World Awards 2017. To start the ball rolling, here are the final 5 of the Best Theme Song category and their rankings. Are your favourites in this list? How do you feel about the results? Feel free to leave your comments here!

No. 5 Family Song by Hoshino Gen (Kahogo no Kahoko) - 20 points

At No.5 is the theme song of "Kahogo no Kahoko" starring Takahata Mitsuki i.e. "Family Song" sung by Hoshino Gen. From the voting results, it appears that the voters of this song tended to choose the drama as their best drama and the lead couple in the various individual categories as well. Comparatively, this song from Hoshino might not have made such a huge impact as compared to "Koi" from the previous year thanks to the popularity of "Nigeru wa haji daga yaku ni tatsu" but its music video is definitely worth checking out for Hoshino's "new image" in a very pastel pink-themed background.

No. 4 Bouningen by RADWIMPS (Frankenstein no Koi) - 21 points

This song from RADWIMPS narrowly edged out Hoshino's song to grab the No.4 spot with just a point different. In terms of its results in other categories, the drama hardly made an impact other than a small number of votes in the Best Drama and Best Leading Actor categories which seemed to suggest that it was probably not as watched or as popular as the other offerings in 2017. Despite so, this theme song seemed to have captured some fans along the way perhaps partly due to RADWIMPS thus explaining why it still managed to grab a place in the top 5.

No.3 Nonfiction by Hirai Ken (Chiisana Kyojin) - 26 points

Personally, this is one of my favourites from last year. A good theme song can help to enhance the atmosphere of the drama and in this case, I really liked it when this song started playing towards the end of each episode. Not only the melody suits the mood of the drama, the lyrics are also very fitting for the story. If you are interested, I have the romaji lyrics posted here.
Judging from the results of this drama, it seems like a mixed bag because the drama did pretty well in some categories like Best Drama while hardly making an impression in others. Despite my initial reservations about this drama being a police version of "Hanzawa Naoki", it turned out to be better than I thought although I admit that there were some exaggerated parts. As such, it could be like the situation with the RADWIMPS song i.e. Hirai Ken's personal pull being a key factor in the song's popularity. Here is the music video of the song as hosted on Sony Music Taiwan's YouTube channel so it comes with Chinese subtitles.

No.2 Force by Superfly (Doctor X 5) - 80 points

The fight between No.1 and No.2 was very close especially if you consider the huge point difference between these two and the others in the top 5. Just like what happened in the 1st Dorama World Awards, it seemed like Doctor X fans were out in full force again to support this drama and all related personnel in the other categories. I am not sure if there is an open call somewhere online asking for fans to rally together but if you look at the pattern of voting, the passion that the fans have for this drama is very obvious. As such, this may not come as a huge surprise to those who had actively supported this theme song. In fact, this song looked like it was about to seize the crown again this year (the theme song for Doctor X 4 also sung by Superfly won this category in 2016) if not for a last-minute surge by the eventual No.1. For those who are interested in this song, check out its official music video here.


No.1 Otona no Okite by Doughnuts Hole (Quartet) - 87 points

I have to admit, I am very happy about this song winning this title considering how much I love this drama. However, I didn't think it would win especially when I saw the influx of votes for Doctor X so this turned out to be a pleasant surprise for me (at least). If you look at the voting pattern, the number of votes for Doctor X was higher but most of the voters for this song placed it as their No.1 thus pushing up its total score as a result.
Although the four main actors i.e. Matsu Takako, Matsuda Ryuhei, Takahashi Issei and Mitsushima Hikari were supposed to have sung this song, the guys' vocals didn't really stand out so it sounded more like a duet between Matsu and Mitsushima. I guess this was probably a better arrangement on the whole since the two of them are singers in the first place and have the vocals to hold up this song written by Shiina Ringo. Nonetheless, I would have loved to hear the guys sing distinct solo parts.
If you would like to read the romaji lyrics, you can see them here. There is a clip of the drama's ending credits featuring this song and you can download it from major online music platforms like iTunes and Amazon Play Music.

The 93rd Drama Academy Awards (Spring 2017) - Best Theme Song

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Bouningen - RADWIMPS (Frankenstein no Koi)
2) I'll be there - Arashi (Kizoku Tantei)
3) Senakagoshi no Chance - Kame to YamaP (Boku, Unmei no hito desu)

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) I'll be there - Arashi (Kizoku Tantei)
2) Senakagoshi no Chance - Kame to YamaP (Boku, Unmei no hito desu)
3) Destiny - CheNelle (Reverse)
4) PICK IT UP - Kis-My-Ft2 (Sakurako-san no ashimoto ni wa shitai ga umatteiru)
5) Bouningen - RADWIMPS (Frankenstein no Koi)

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Bouningen - RADWIMPS (Frankenstein no Koi)
2) Non Fiction - Hirai Ken (Chiisana Kyojin)
3) Senakagoshi no Chance - Kame to YamaP (Boku, Unmei no hito desu)
4) Destiny - CheNelle (Reverse)
5) I need your love - Beverly (CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan)

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Bouningen - RADWIMPS (Frankenstein no Koi)
2) CQCQ - Kamisama, Boku wa kizuiteshimatta (Anata no koto wa sorehodo)
3) Just You and I - Amuro Namie (Haha ni naru)
4) Non Fiction - Hirai Ken (Chiisana Kyojin) / Senakagoshi no Chance - Kame to YamaP (Boku, Unmei no hito desu)

Source: The Televison

The 93rd Drama Academy Awards (Spring 2017) - Best Supporting Actress

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Koike Eiko - Haha ni naru
2) Toda Erika - Reverse
3) Naka Riisa - Anata no koto wa sorehodo

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Nakayama Miho - Kizoku Tantei
2) Toda Erika - Reverse
3) Kimura Fumino - Boku, Unmei no hito desu
4) Takei Emi - Kizoku Tantei
5) Koike Eiko - Haha ni naru

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Koike Eiko - Haha ni naru
2) Toda Erika - Reverse
3) Naka Riisa - Anata no koto wa sorehodo
4) Araki Yuuko - CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan
5) Kimura Fumino - Boku, Unmei no hito desu

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Koike Eiko - Haha ni naru
2) Naka Riisa - Anata no koto wa sorehodo
3) Toda Erika - Reverse / Kimura Fumino - Boku, Unmei no hito desu / Nikaidou Fumi - Frankenstein no Koi

Source: The Televison

The 93rd Drama Academy Awards (Spring 2017) - Best Leading Actor

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Fujiwara Tatsuya - Reverse
2) Oguri Shun - CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan
3) Aiba Masaki - Kizoku Tantei

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Aiba Masaki - Kizoku Tantei
2) Fujiwara Tatsuya - Reverse
3) Kamenashi Kazuya - Boku, Unmei no hito desu
4) Oguri Shun - CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan
5) Ayano Go - Frankenstein no Koi

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Fujiwara Tatsuya - Reverse
2) Oguri Shun - CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan
3) Hasegawa Hiroki - Chiisana Kyojin
4) Kamenashi Kazuya - Boku, Unmei no hito desu
5) Matsushige Yutaka - Kodoku no Gurume Season 6

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Oguri Shun - CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan
2) Fujiwara Tatsuya - Reverse
3) Ayano Go - Frankenstein no Koi / Hasegawa Hiroki - Chiisana Kyojin
5) Baka Rhythm - Kakuu OL Nikki

Source: The Televison

The 93rd Drama Academy Awards (Spring 2017) - Best Drama

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Reverse (TBS)
2) CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan (FujiTV)
3) Kizoku Tantei (FujiTV)

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Kizoku Tantei (FujiTV)
2) Reverse (TBS)
3) Boku, Unmei no hito desu (NTV)
4) Frankenstein no Koi (NTV)
5) Haha ni naru (NTV)

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Reverse (TBS)
2) CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan (FujiTV)
3) Chiisana Kyojin (TBS)
4) Anata no koto wa sorehodo (TBS)
5) Haha ni naru (NTV)

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan (FujiTV)
2) Chiisana Kyojin (TBS)
3) Anata no koto wa sorehodo (TBS)
4) Reverse (TBS) / Frankenstein no Koi (NTV)

Source: The Television

Completion screening event of new movie "Mukoku"

The completion screening event of new movie "Mukoku" was held at Yomiuri Otemachi Hall on 15 May which was attended by the director Kumakiri Kazuyoshi and cast members Ayano Go, Murakami Nijiro, Maeda Atsuko, Fubuki Jun, Kobayashi Kaoru and Emoto Akira. The movie which is the first collaboration between Kumakiri and Ayano since the movie "Natsu no Owari" three years ago, will be screened in cinemas from 3 June.

The movie which is based on the same-titled novel by Akutagawa Award-winning writer Fujisawa Shu, features Ayano as Yatabe Kengo who holds the Godan rank in kendo but chooses to live a life filled with alcohol and works as a security guard at a train station's building due to an incident. One day, he happens to meet a senior high school student Hada Toru played by Murakami Nijiro who loves rap and is obsessed with writing rap lyrics. Kengo sees Toru's talent as a gifted kendo swordsman which inspires him to undergo training with the latter under a monk who holds the Hachidan where they later face off in the battle of destiny.

During the talk segment, the cast were asked on who they consider in their hearts to be their eternal rivals. Ayano who was the first to speak, jokingly cited his character Ken-san in the ongoing NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" as the eternal rival of Kengo in this movie. When it was Murakami's turn, he mentioned his parents i.e. actor Murakami Jun and singer UA as his eternal rivals since they are both working in the same industry. Upon hearing this, Ayano said that he regretted fooling around and giving such an embarrassing answer. Meanwhile, Maeda said that when she was in AKB48, the people around her created many "rivals" for her but she actually felt that these people are important to her and is thankful for their presence. Ayano then butted in to say that he suddenly realised that he was standing in the centre today (the most popular member in AKB48 gets to stand in the centre) and apologised for "robbing" her of the centre position which she used to hog.

In order to prepare for the filming, Ayano went through two months of kendo and muscle training and even abstained from alcohol. As such, he was able to use his frustration built up over the period in a positive way during the filming. Maeda chipped in to praise her co-star for looking very cool during the kendo match scene. Murakami then revealed that he sprained his finger during their fight sequence and he was surprised by how quickly Ayano reacted by shouting for ice packs to be given to him once the scene was completed.

Sources: Sanspo / Nikkansports / Oricon / Eiga.com

Top 10 Spring 2017 dramas with the highest satisfaction rating up to 2 May 2017 (Oricon)

Oricon conducts a survey on a pool of 690 monitor researchers nationwide after the broadcast of each drama episode where the respondents are asked to rate the episodes based on criteria such as the drama itself, lead actors/actresses, supporting cast, image quality, lines, music, artistic direction, story direction, time spent watching the episode, how much it is talked about on Twitter. The maximum points achievable is 100 and the results in brackets below indicate the average score based on the episodes shown up to 2 May 2017:

1) CRISIS Kouan Kido Sousatai Tokusouhan (87.8)

2) Kodoku no Gurume Season 6 (87.3)

3) Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu 2 (84.5)

4) Reverse (82.7)

5) Boku, Unmei no hito desu (81)

6) Chiisana Kyojin (69.3)

7) Tsuribaka Nisshi Season 2 Shinnyuu Shain Hamasaki Densuke (69)

8) Haha ni naru (66.7)

9) Frankenstein no Koi (63.5)

10) Onna Joushu Naotora (61.5)

Source: Oricon

Arai Hirofumi to sing in NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi"

Arai Hirofumi will be singing in the NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" starring Ayano Go which will begin its run from 23 April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot. The first episode will be shown from 10pm.

In the drama, Arai plays the role of Amakusa Junpei who is a radio DJ and hosts a radio show where he tries to give solutions to his listeners who have problems. The monster (Ayano) who has been living in a forest for 120 years learns the rules and practices of the human world through this radio show. Arai will be singing the theme song of his radio show titled "Amakusa Song" which will be featured in the drama. The lyrics were written by Oomori Sumio who is the scriptwriter of the drama and the melody was composed by Sakita Hajime. This is not Arai's first attempt at singing an insert song in a drama as his "debut single" was "Gorilla Pan no Uta" in the 2015 NTV drama "Do Konjo Gaeru". With regard to his new song, Arai said that it will be as good, if not better than his previous song.

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Frankenstein no Koi" - Spring 2017

Title: Frankenstein no Koi フランケンシュタインの恋 (Frankenstein's Love)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 23 April 2017
Timeslot: Sundays 10.30pm (first episode at 10pm)
Broadcast by: NTV
Theme song: "Bouningen" by RADWIMPS
Insert song: "Shiawase no Uta" by Uru
Cast: Ayano Go, Nikaidou Fumi, Yagira Yuuya, Kawaei Rina, Shinohara Atsushi, Hayama Shono, Kino Hana, Kuroda Daisuke, Morioka Ryu, Mizusawa Erena, Ohnishi Ayaka, Tajima Yumika, Nakamura Mukau, Nagaoka Tasuku, Arai Hirofumi, Yamauchi Takaya, Mitsuishi Ken & Emoto Tasuku

NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" to show its prologue in animated format

The prologue of NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" starring Ayano Go which will begin its run from 23 April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot (first episode from 10pm) will be shown in animated format which makes it the first NTV drama to be broadcast in this manner. The 1 min 59 sec clip is available for viewing via NTV's YouTube channel from 1 April but region restrictions apply if you are outside of Japan.

In the prologue, it describes how the lonely monster created by a professor gets resurrected when he gets hit by lightning while in the mountains and how he lived inside the forest for 120 years all alone as he can't be around human beings. The animation was done by Okawara Ryo who has award-winning works such as "Animal Dance" and "Sora no Tamago" under his belt while the BGM was produced by Sakita Hajime.

Sources: Sponichi / Oricon

Supporting cast lineup of NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" announced

The supporting cast lineup of NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" has been announced. The drama which begins its run from April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot, is based on an original script by Oomori Sumio and features Ayano as a monster created by the famous Dr. Frankenstein 100 years ago who has an appearance similar to human beings, eternal life and a gentle heart. He falls in love with a young woman Tsugaru-san (Nikaidou Fumi) but things between them are fraught with difficulties as he has an unspeakable secret as he cannot be touched by human beings. Much as he desires to come into contact with human beings, he is scared of being hurt. Although he wants to love, he is scared of being disliked.

Arai Hirofumi will be playing a reporter who appears on a radio show which the monster loves to listen to and advises the latter on his romance problems. Mitsushi Ken will be playing Inaba Keijiro, the father of the monster's friend Inaba Seiya (Yagira Yuuya) who is also the monster's rival in love while Emoto Akira will play Professor Tsurumaru Toshifumi who teaches Tsugaru and Inaba at the university and is interested in using the monster's cells to prolong the lives of human beings and create a world where nobody dies.

Source: Oricon

Kawaei Rina to appear in NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi"

Kawaei Rina will be appearing in the upcoming NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" starring Ayano Go which will begin its run from April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot. The drama which is based on an original script by Oomori Sumio, features Ayano as a monster created by the famous Dr. Frankenstein 100 years ago who has an appearance similar to human beings, eternal life and a gentle heart. He falls in love with a young woman Tsugaru  (Nikaidou Fumi) but things between them are fraught with difficulties as he has an unspeakable secret as he cannot be touched by human beings. Much as he desires to come into contact with human beings, he is scared of being hurt. Although he wants to love, he is scared of being disliked. Yagira Yuuya will play the role of Inaba Seiya who belongs to the same research lab as Tsugaru in the university and is in love with her. While living with the monster, Inaba helps him with a lot of things and the two gradually form a friendship. However, Inaba can't help but make comparisons between him and the monster who he sees as a fake human being and experiences a rollercoaster of emotions as he grapples with jealousy and the urge to do bad things to the monster.

Kawaei plays the role of Murozono Mikoto who used to be a juvenile delinquent and came from an unhappy family. After she left home, she was taken in by Inaba's father Keijiro and becomes a carpenter. She behaves like a man most of the time but is actually putting on a pretense to protect herself and kind at heart. Mikoto is also in love with Inaba who only has eyes for Tsugaru.

With regard to having to play a former juvenile delinquent, Kawaei revealed that she didn't resist the idea as she used to be very rebellious when she was in junior high and was told off for speaking crudely at that time although she was a bit shocked when she saw her character setting. As such, she was very excited about the fantasy and romance elements in the story after reading the script. She had worked with Ayano before in a movie which will be shown at cinemas from September and looks upon Nikaidou as her idol so she is nervous and happy about working with them and the rest of her co-stars.

Sources: Yomiuri Hochi / Sponichi / Oricon

Yagira Yuuya to appear in NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi"

Yagira Yuuya will be appearing in the upcoming NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" starring Ayano Go which will begin its run from April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot. The drama which is based on an original script by Oomori Sumio, features Ayano as a monster created by the famous Dr. Frankenstein 100 years ago who has an appearance similar to human beings, eternal life and a gentle heart. He falls in love with a young woman Tsugaru-san (Nikaidou Fumi) but things between them are fraught with difficulties as he has an unspeakable secret as he cannot be touched by human beings. Much as he desires to come into contact with human beings, he is scared of being hurt. Although he wants to love, he is scared of being disliked.

Yagira will play the role of Inaba who belongs to the same research lab as Tsugaru in the university and is in love with her. While living with the monster, Inaba helps him with a lot of things and the two gradually form a friendship. However, Inaba can't help but make comparisons between him and the monster who he sees as a fake human being and experiences a rollercoaster of emotions as he grapples with jealousy and the urge to do bad things to the monster. Yagira commented that he is honoured and happy to be able to work with Ayano and his seniors in this drama and hopes to be able to convey human nature with a dash of humour through his acting.

Source: Oricon

Nikaidou Fumi to play the heroine in NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi"

Nikaidou Fumi will be playing the heroine Tsugaru Tsugumi in the upcoming NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" starring Ayano Go which will begin its run from April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot. This will be her first collaboration with Ayano.

The drama which is based on an original script by Oomori Sumio, features Ayano as a monster created by the famous Dr. Frankenstein 100 years ago who has an appearance similar to human beings, eternal life and a gentle heart. He falls in love with a young woman Tsugaru but things between them are fraught with difficulties as he has an unspeakable secret as he cannot be touched by human beings. Much as he desires to come into contact with human beings, he is scared of being hurt. Although he wants to love, he is scared of being disliked.

When she first heard about this drama, the first thing which came to her mind was the famous movie "Edward Scissorhands" so she is excited about dealing with a monster where there are many unknowns about him. With regard to her chracter Tsugaru, she is a student at the agriculture faculty in an university who does research on bacteria but has been in poor health since she was a child so there were several close shaves with death in the past. As such, Tsugaru's personality is somewhat cold at times but she gets drawn to the monster played by Ayano without realising his identity.

Source: Oricon

Ayano Go to star in new NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi"

Ayano Go will be starring in the new NTV Spring 2017 drama "Frankenstein no Koi" (Frankenstein's Love) which will begin its run from April in the Sundays 10.30pm timeslot. The drama which is based on an original script by Oomori Sumio, features Ayano as a monster created by the famous Dr. Frankenstein 100 years ago who has an appearance similar to human beings, eternal life and a gentle heart. He falls in love with a young woman Tsugaru-san but things between them are fraught with difficulties as he has an unspeakable secret as he cannot be touched by human beings. Much as he desires to come into contact with human beings, he is scared of being hurt. Although he wants to love, he is scared of being disliked.

This drama will be his first leading role in a NTV drama and it will also be his first time playing a monster. As there will be scenes where the monster has to transform itself, Ayano will have to put on special makeup which he hopes that the viewers will be able to accept. As for playing a monster in this love story, he doesn't feel strange about it but did express surprise when he first read the script. Even though he will be a monster, he won't be a frightening one but instead will be an adorable one who will meet, know and interact with human beings.

Filming will begin in March.

Sources: Sanspo / Yomiuri Hochi / Oricon