Top 10 favourite heroines from NHK morning dramas (Oricon)

Oricon conducted a survey on 1,000 men and women in their teens to 50s where they chose their No.1 favourite heroine from NHK's morning dramas. The figures in brackets represent the percentage of votes received by the actresses:

1) Nounen Rena / Non  - Ama-chan (20.9%)

2) Haru - Asa ga kita (11.2%)

3) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko (10.2%)

4) Kuninaka Ryoko - Chura-san (6.8%)

5) An - Gochisousan (6.1%)

6) Horikita Maki - Ume-chan Sensei (5.2%)

7) Tsuchiya Tao - Mare (3.6%)

8) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan (3.2%)

9) Yoshitaka Yuriko - Hanako to Anne (3.1%)

10) Yoshine Kyoko - Beppin-san (2.4%)

Source: Oricon

Nikkansports Drama Grand Prix 2014 - Best Supporting Actress

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received:

1) Kimura Fumino - Zeni no Sensou (370)

2) Kiritani Mirei - Shinigami-kun (325)

3) Fukada Kyoko - Second Love (241)

4) Nakama Yukie - Hanako to Anne (226)

5) Kitagawa Keiko - HERO 2 (199)

6) Yoshida Yo - HERO 2 (182)

7) Mitsushima Hikari - Gomen ne Seishun! (178)

8) Oshima Yuko - Zeni no Sensou (166)

9) Kichise Michiko - Hirugao (67)

10) Maki Youko - MOZU (63)

Source: Nikkansports

Nikkansports Drama Grand Prix 2014 - Best Leading Actress

Nikkansports is announcing the winners for their Drama Grand Prix 2014 daily from today and the first announcement is for Best Leading Actress.

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of valid votes received for the actor/actress/drama:

Best Leading Actress
1) Ayase Haruka - Kyouwa Kaisha Yasumimasu (341)

2) Yonekura Ryoko - Doctor X (293)

3) Charlotte Kate Fox - Massan (280)

4) Yoshitaka Yuriko - Hanako to Anne (164)

5) Ueno Juri - Arisu no Toge (149)

6) An - Hanasaki Mai ga damatte inai (146)

7) An - Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~ (128)

8) Koizumi Kyoko - Zoku Saigo kara nibanme no koi (126)

9) Nakatani Miki - Ghost Writer (123)

10) Eikura Nana - N no tame ni (120)

Source: Nikkansports

Winners of the Tokyo Drama Award 2014

*In order to qualify for entry into the Tokyo Drama Award 2014 contenders list, the drama must have been shown between July 2013 and June 2014.

Best Drama Series Grand Prix Award: Hanzawa Naoki (TBS)

Excellence Awards for Drama Series:
- Gochisousan (NHK)
- Woman (NTV)
- BORDER (TV Asahi)
- MOZU Season 1 (TBS) and Season 2 (WOWOW)
- First Class (FujiTV)

Best Drama SP Grand Prix Award: Yamada Taichi Drama SP "Toki wa Tachidomaranai" (TV Asahi)

Excellence Awards for Drama SPs:
- Ashio kara kita Onna (NHK)
- 24 Jikan TV Drama SP "Kyou no Hi wa Sayonara" (NTV)
- Saikou no Rikon Special 2014 (FujiTV)
- Drama W "Chicken Race" (WOWOW)

Local Drama Award
- Daruma-san ga waratta (NHK Kochi)
- Lady Lady ~ Toilet de naita koto, arimasuka? (Chukyo TV)

Best Leading Actor: Sakai Masato (Hanzawa Naoki)
Best Leading Actress: Mitsushima Hikari (Woman)
Best Supporting Actor: Yoshida Kotaro (Hanako to Anne & MOZU Season 1)
Best Supporting Actress: Ishihara Satomi (Shitsuren Chocolatier)
Best Scriptwriter: Okada Yoshikazu (Zoku Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi)
Best Directing: Fukuzawa Katsuo (Hanzawa Naoki)

Special Awards:
The three leads of "Sanbiki no Ossaan" - Kitaoji Kinya, Izumiya Shigeru, Shiga Kotaro
Kitakyushu Film Commission for assisting in the filming of "MOZU"

Overseas Dramas Awards:
You Who Came From The Stars (South Korea)
Tukang Bubur Naik Haji The Series (Indonesia)
Thong Neua Kao (Thailand)

Source: Model Press

Arashi & Yoshitaka Yuriko as hosts for the 65th NHK Kouhaku Utagassen

NHK announced on 10 October that Arashi and Yoshitaka Yuriko will be the hosts for the White Team and Red Team respectively in the 65th Kouhaku Utagassen while the main host will be its own announcer Udo Yumiko. This will be Arashi's 5th consecutive as the White Team's host while Yoshitaka is making her first appearance as the Red Team's host, following the success of the morning drama "Hanako to Anne" in which she was the heroine. The programme will be shown on New Year's Eve from 7.15pm to 11.45pm.

With regard to their 5th consecutive year as being hosts, Arashi's Aiba Masaki commented that it was something they never imagined but it will be a good way to end their 15th anniversary celebration this year. When asked if Arashi will be singing the final song for the night, Sakurai Sho said that it doesn't matter which order they appear in the programme as long as they put up a memorable performance. As for Yoshitaka, she commented that it was brave of NHK to choose her as the host and said that she was very shocked when she was told about the decision and wondered if they are taking too much of a risk. Nonetheless, she called upon the viewers not to switch the channel even if they find that she is making mistakes and hopes to show everyone a different and more mature side of her.

Source: Sanspo 1 / Sanspo 2 / Sanspo 3

Top 30 most memorable NHK morning drama heroines - Nikkan Taishu

This is a poll conducted by Nikkan Taishu on 300 of its readers on the memorable NHK morning drama heroines over the years. Somehow, the source does not mention who are in the 15th, 18th, 25th, 27th and 28th positions so if you happen to know or see an alternative source which has the information, please let me know so that I can update this list:

1) Matsushima Nanako - Himawari (1996)

2) Yamaguchi Tomoko - Jun-chan no Ouenka (1989)

3) Tanaka Yuko - Oshin (1983)

4) Ishihara Satomi - Teru Teru Kazoku (2003)

5) Suzuki Kyoka - Kimi no Na wa (1991)

6) Yoshitaka Yuriko - Hanako to Anne (2014)

7) Matsushita Nao - Gegege no Nyobo (2010)

8) Kuninaka Ryoko - Chura-san (2001)

9) Sawaguchi Yasuko - Mio Tsukushi (1985)

10) Horikita Maki - Ume-chan Sensei (2012) / Nounen Rena - Ama-chan (2013)

11) Takeuchi Yuko - Asuka (1999)

12) Higuchi Kanako - Romance (1984)

13) Ono Machiko - Carnation (2011)

14) Ishida Hikari - Hirari (1992)

16) An - Gochisousan (2014)

17) Otake Shinobu - Mizuiro no Toki (1975)

19) Junjou Kirari - Miyazaki Aoi (2006)

21) Yasuda Narumi - Haru yo, Koi (1994)

22) Natsuna - Jun to Ai (2012)

23) Kurashina Kana - Welkame (2009)

24) Inoue Mao - Ohisama (2011)

26) Kanjiya Shihori - Chiritotechin (2007)

29) Miyaji Mao - Manten (2002)

30) Tabata Tomoko - Watashi no Aozora (2000)

Source: Nikkan Taishu

Nikkansports Dorama Grand Prix - Spring 2014

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received:

Best Drama
1) Shinigami-kun (853)
2) Roosevelt Game (144)
3) Gunshi Kanbee (132)
4) Hanasaki Mai ga damatte inai (129)
5) BORDER (116)


Best Leading Actor
1) Ohno Satoshi - Shinigami-kun (873)
2) Okada Junichi - Gunshi Kanbee (209)
3) Oguri Shun - BORDER (167)
4) Nishijima Hidetoshi - MOZU (161)
5) Karasawa Toshiaki - Roosevelt Game (152)

Best Leading Actress
1) An - Hanasaki Mai ga damatte inai (487)
2) Ueno Juri - Arisu no Toge (351)
3) Yoshitaka Yuriko - Hanako to Anne (307)
4) Koizumi Kyoko - Zoku Saigo kara nibanme no Koi (256)
5) Nakatani Miki - Gunshi Kanbee (214)

Best Supporting Actor
1) Suda Masaki - Shinigami-kun (576)
2) Kamikawa Takaya - Hanasaki Mai ga damatte inai (206)
3) Shibata Kyohei - Gunshi Kanbee (126)
4) Eguchi Yosuke - Roosevelt Game (85)
5) Miura Tomokazu - Gokuaku Ganbo (72)

Best Supporting Actress
1) Kiritani Mirei - Shinigami-kun (609)
2) Nakama Yukie - Hanako to Anne (205)
3) Kiritani Mirei - Gunshi Kanbee (134)
4) Maki Yoko - MOZU (121)
5) Dan Rei - Roosevelt Game (85)

Source: Nikkansports

Filming wraps up for NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne"

The filming for NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne" finally ended on 26 August at a studio in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where the cast met the press to share their thoughts about the drama. Yoshitaka Yuriko who plays the heroine Muraoka Hanako reflected that she will look back upon the 10-month filming period lovingly and is so touched about completing the drama that she was at a loss for words. Co-star Nakama Yukie who plays Hanako's best friend Renko was also at the ceremony and commented that thanks to everyone's hard work, they managed to produce such a brilliant drama.

"Hanako to Anne" is a drama based on the life of Muraoka Hanako who translated "Anne of Green Gables". The drama has enjoyed high ratings throughout its run with its peak up till 25 August at 22.6% when Renko eloped with her lover. The last episode will be shown on 27 September and the next drama to be aired in the same timeslot will be "Massan".

Source: Sanspo

Top 10 highest-rated single episode ratings for dramas shown in the first half of 2014 (Oricon)

1) Gochisousan - NHK - 13 March 2014 (Episode 136) - 25.3%

2) Hanako to Anne - NHK - 9 May 2014 / 26 May 2014 (Episodes 35 and 49) - 24.8%

3) Aibou New Year SP & Aibou season 12 2-hour finale SP - TV Asahi - 1st Jan 2014 / 19 Mar 2014 - 19.6%

4) Gunshi Kanbee - NHK - 5 Jan 2014 - Episode 1 - 18.9%
S Saigo no Keisatsukan - TBS - 12 Jan 2014 - Episode 1 - 18.9%

6) Hanasaki Mai ga damatte inai - NTV - 18 Jun 2014 - Final Episode - 18.3%

7) Roosevelt Game - TBS - 22 Jun 2014 - Final Episode - 17.6%

8) Kaseifu wa Mita! - TV Asahi - 2 Mar 2014 - 17.4%

9) BORDER - TV Asahi - 22 May 2014 - Episode 7 - 16.7%

10) Kinkyuu Toshirabeshitsu - TV Asahi - 23 Jan 2014 - Episode 3 - 16.1%
Specialist 2 - TV Asahi - 8 Mar 2014 - 16.1%

Source: Oricon

"Hanako to Anne" gets off to a good start with 21.8%

NHK's new morning drama "Hanako to Anne" got off to a good start on 31 March with a rating of 21.8% in the Kanto region which places it in the No.2 spot among morning dramas over the past 10 years. This drama is also the third in a row which secured a debut rating of above 20%. The first place with the highest debut rating is held by "Gochisousan" which made its debut at 22.0%.

"Hanako to Anne" features Yoshitaka Yuriko as the lead chracter Muraoka Hanako. At the moment, the childhood version of the character is played by a child actor so Yoshitaka will make her first appearance from the episode shown on 14 April.

Source: Sanspo

NHK morning drama handover ceremony - from "Gochisousan" to "Hanako to Anne"

The NHK morning drama handover ceremony was held at Midoriyama Studio in Yokoyama on 18 March where An, the lead of current morning drama "Gochisousan", presented strawberries and flowers to Yoshitaka Yuriko, the lead of upcoming morning drama "Hanako to Anne". On the other hand, Yoshitaka gave a book cover made of deer leather and the original novel of her drama to An. The latter drama will be shown from 31st March onwards.

An and Yoshitaka had last worked together in the movie "Manatsu no Houteishiki" and became close friends. An commented that she has lots of confidence that Yoshitaka being a bright and cheerful person, will be able to complete her 10-month long filming which will last till August this year with ease. In return, Yoshitaka said that she remembered when An first started her filming for "Gochisousan", she was amazed that An had 5 or 6 volumes of the script in her bag all the time so Yoshitaka said that she is a bit intimidated by the fact that she has to go through so many volumes of the script now.

Source: Sanspo

Preview of "Hanako to Anne" - NHK morning drama

Title: Hanako to Anne (Hanako and Anne)
Official website: here
Broadcast by: NHK
O.A. Start Date: 31 March 2014
Theme song: Nijiiro by Ayaka
Narrator: Miwa Akihiro
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Nakama Yukie, Suzuki Ryohei, Ihara Tsuyoshi, Muroi Shigeru, Kaku Kento, Kuroki Haru, Tsuchiya Tao, Kubota Masataka, Matsumoto Akiko, Cunning Takeyama, Nakajima Ayumu, Yoshida Kotaro, Asada Miyoko, Tomosaka Rie, Fujimoto Takahiro, Takanashi Rin

Press conference of NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne"

The press conference of NHK's new morning drama "Hanako to Anne" was held on 3 March at NHK's headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo which was attended by cast members such as Yoshitaka Yuriko, Ihara Tsuyoshi and Muroi Shigeru. The drama will begin its run from 31 March and be shown via NHK from Mondays to Saturdays at 8am. Filming began from November and has been going on for about four months by now.

Yoshitaka admitted that she was not used to the filming at first but has gradually grasped the pace and tries to think positive every day in order to cope with the filming. As for Ihara who plays Yoshitaka's father in the drama, he commented that as the filming went on, he started to view her as his daughter and would be ready to protect her for bad men if they approach. Muroi Shigeru who plays Yoshitaka's mother, also spoke of how they've gotten closer during this time and even expressed confidence that she will be invited to Yoshitaka's actual wedding when the day comes.

Source: Sanspo

Kuroki Haru wins "Best Actress" award at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival

Kuroki Haru won the Best Actress award in the 64th Berlin International Film Festival with her performance in the Yamada Yoji film "Chiisai Ouchi" which is currently showing in Japan. This makes Kuroki the youngest Japanese winner of this award and the first to get this in 4 years since Terajima Shinobu got the same in 2010 through the film "Caterpillar". Kuroki commented that she almost wanted to jump up in joy when her name was called and thanked the director, crew and co-stars for producing such a great movie which resulted in her win. Despite this being Kuroki's first participation in an international film festival, she still managed to get the top prize thus she promised that she will continue to work hard and let everyone see more of her acting.

Kuroki will be next seen in the NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne" as the heroine Hanako's (Yoshitaka Yuriko) younger sister Kayo. The drama will begin its run from 31 March.

Source: Yomiuri Hochi

Ayaka to sing the theme song for NHK's new morning drama "Hanako to Anne"

Ayaka will be singing the theme song "Nijiiro" (Rainbow colour) for the new NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne" starring Yoshitaka Yuriko which begins its run from 31 March. The song was written by Ayaka with the theme of the drama in mind and she hopes that it will become popular enough that everyone can at least hum it.

"Hanako to Anne" features the heroine Muraoka Hanako (Yoshitaka) who was born in Kofu and attended a female's school in Tokyo before she went through the Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII and later completed the Japanese translation of famous English novel "Anne of Green Gables".

Source: Sanspo

Nakama Yukie to play the best friend of Yoshitaka Yuriko in NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne"

Nakama Yukie will be taking the role of Yoshitaka Yuriko's best friend when they work for the first time in the NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne" starting its run from 31 March 2014. The rest of the co-stars including Ihara Takeshi, Muroi Shigeru and Suzuki Ryohei were also revealed through a press conference held at NHK's HQ on 18 September. Yoshitaka commented that she isn't someone who is on her best behaviour all the time nor does she pay attention to manners so she felt that she might be a burden to NHK who selected her to play the lead role in a morning drama. However, she still hopes to do her best in return for their faith in her.

Source: Sanspo

Yoshitaka Yuriko chosen as lead of first half of 2014's NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne"

NHK held a press conference on 25 June at its headquarters in Shibuya where it announced that Yoshitaka Yuriko is going to be the lead for "Hanako to Anne", its morning drama for the first half of 2014. The script of the drama will be written by Nakazono Miho.

Yoshitaka will play the role of Muraoka Hanako, the Japanese translator of Anne of Green Gables, in the drama which depicts her turbulent life during the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods. Muraoka was actually born to a poor family in Yamanashi Prefecture before she attended school with the rich and royalty and later became a translator after the war. When told that she had been selected for the role, Yoshitaka admitted that she was worried that she might not be good enough to do it and said that she was very nervous at the beginning of the press conference. The media asked Yoshitaka why she thought that she was unsuitable and she replied that her face probably doesn't suit the image of morning dramas. However, her grandmother is a big fan of the morning dramas so she felt that it would be a good thing to do for her grandmother.

Source: Nikkansports