FujiTV to show reruns of past SMAP dramas and movies before the end of 2016

To commemorate SMAP's 25th anniversary since their CD debut, FujiTV will be showing reruns of past dramas and movies featuring the SMAP members between 19 November and 28 December. The feature titled "SMAP Graffitti" will show the following dramas series, SPs and movie. Numbers in brackets indicate the year when the drama/SP/movie was first shown:

HERO (2014)
Starring Kimura Takuya
Broadcast dates: 23rd to 25th November, 28th November to 2nd December and 5th to 9th December
Timing: 3.50pm to 4.50pm

Boku to Kanojo to Kanojo no Ikiru Michi (2004)
Starring Kusanagi Tsuyoshi
Broadcast dates: 12th to 16th December, 20th to 22nd December and 26th to 28th December
Timing: 3.50pm to 4.50pm (28th December's timing is 3.55pm to 5.45pm)

Issenchouen no Mishirokin (2015)
Starring Katori Shingo
Broadcast date: 19 November
Timing: 3.05pm to 5pm

Shin Naniwa Kinyudo (2015)
Starring Nakai Masahiro
Broadcast: 26 November
Timing: 3.05pm to 5pm

Kindaichi Kousuke Yatsuhakamura (2004)
Starring Inagaki Goro
Broadcast: 3 December
Timing: 3pm to 5pm

Boku ga boku de aru tame ni (1997)
Starring SMAP
Broadcast: 10 December
Timing: 3.05pm to 5pm
　　
Furuhata Ninzaburo vs SMAP (1999)
Starring SMAP
Broadcast: 17 December
Timing: 2.05pm to 5pm

Yo ni mo kimyou na monogatari SMAP no Tokubetsuhen (2001)
Starring SMAP
Broadcast: 24 December
Timing: 3pm to 5.30pm

Gekijouban HERO (2015)
Starring Kimura Takuya
Broadcast: 10 December
Timing: 9pm to 11.20pm

Source: Oricon

"Furuhata Ninzaburo" to be released in Blu-ray format to mark its 20th anniversary

The hit TV drama series "Furuhata Ninzaburo" will be released as a Blu-ray DVD box set on 30 May to mark its 20th anniversary since its first broadcast in 1994. The box set titled "Furuhata Ninzaburo COMPLETE Blu-ray BOX will be sold at 53,200 yen each and contains the three drama series shown in 1994, 1996 and 1999 as well as 8 drama SPs shown after the series ended.

Source: Sanspo

SMAP in first live drama SP sequel of "Furuhata Ninzaburo VS SMAP"

SMAP did a live drama SP in the form of a sequel of their 1999 drama SP "Furuhata Ninzaburo" which was shown during "SMAP GO! GO!", the 55th anniversary special programme for FujiTV. (Note: the broadcast was on 30 Sep) This was the first time that SMAP was doing a live drama together and it had been 14 years since the five of them acted in the same drama. The script of this sequel was written by Mitani Koki who was participating in the Ninzaburo series for the first time.

The story follows the ending of the 1999 drama SP where SMAP played murderers sent to prison to serve their sentences and describes their lives behind bars. When they finally get a chance to break out of prison, the five of them deliberate over whether to go ahead. The cast members will only involve SMAP and Toda Keiko so Tamura Masakazu who played Furuhata Ninzaburo will not be appearing in this live drama.

Source: Sponichi