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

Hachimitsu to Clover's drama to be shown from Jan 08!

Narumi Riko (15) will star in the drama version of "Hachimitsu to Clover" which is to be shown via FujiTV from Jan 2008. The manga has accumulated sales of 8.13 million copies and depicts the lives of 5 art university students.

Narumi will play Hanamoto Hagumi, who's a freshman despite her being only a Year 3 junior high student in real life. As for the role of Takemoto Yuuta who is holding a torch for Hagumi, he will be played by Ikuta Toma (23).

"Hachimitsu to Clover" was serialised in the manga magazine, "Chorus" and its 10-volumes boast of a sales figure of 8.13 million copies. The manga was made into an anime and shown in the midnight slot during 2005 and 2006 while a movie starring Aoi Yu was made in July 06.

The manga's author, Umino Chika saw a poster of Narumi acting as a genius pianist in the movie, "Jindou", thus decided to get the latter to star in the drama version. Filming will begin at the end of this month.

As for the remaining three main roles i.e. Morita Shinobu, Yamada Ayumi and Mayama Takumi, FujiTV has mentioned that casting for these characters are still in progress.

After a long absence, I'm back with posting this piece of news about Hachikuro! This is only momentary because I'm very busy with work and studies so I can't post as frequently as I want.

Well, as a fan of the manga and anime, I have high hopes for the drama version. In addition, I like Narumi and Ikuta so I'm looking forward to see how they will perform. My only concern is that Narumi has always been cast in headstrong, stubborn and cool roles so how she shows Hagu's insecure, sensitive and pure character would be a big challenge to her acting skills. Likewise for Ikuta, he's been playing comical or happy-go-lucky roles most of the time so I wonder how he will pull off playing Takemoto.

However, my main concern is the casting for the rest of the roles especially Morita who's my No.1 favourite character. It's definitely not easy to play Morita who's hiding his true self under his eccentric and wild cover. Personally, I feel that Iseya Yuusuke wasn't that competent in showing the sentimental side of Morita although he had that artistic flair. Maybe it was his image in the movie which really got on my nerves. Likewise for Mayama and Yamada or even the important supporting characters like Hanamoto-sensei, Rika-san or even Miwako-san and Nomiya, I'm really worried about who they will choose. This could be crucial to the success of the series.

As for the scope of the drama, it is not mentioned in the article but I guess 11 episodes or so would not be sufficient to cover the 10 volumes. Maybe they will follow what Nodame Cantabile is doing i.e. follow-up with a drama SP at the end of the series? However, since Hachikuro is already done with its manga, they might just produce a full sequel unlike Nodame which is still in progress...