The 94th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2017) - Best Leading Actress

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko
2) Takahata Mitsuki - Kahogo no Kahoko
3) Takei Emi - Kurokawa no Techou

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Takahata Mitsuki - Kahogo no Kahoko
2) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko
3) Takei Emi - Kurokawa no Techou
4) Watanabe Naomi - Kanna-san!
5) Shida Mirai - Utsubokazura no Yume

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko
2) Takahata Mitsuki - Kahogo no Kahoko
3) Takei Emi - Kurokawa no Techou
4) Watanabe Naomi - Kanna-san!
5) Shida Mirai - Utsubokazura no Yume

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko
2) Takei Emi - Kurokawa no Techou
3) Takahata Mitsuki - Kahogo no Kahoko
4) Watanabe Naomi - Kanna-san!
5) Hirao Nanaka - Ecchan

Source: The Television

Winners of Nikkansports Sports Drama Grand Prix (Summer 2017)

There were 1,846 valid responses for this voting and numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received for the drama or actor/actress:

Best Drama
1) Code Blue 3 (1,069)
2) Hiyokko (161)
3) Onna Joshu Naotora (92)
4) Gomen, Aishiteru (78)
5) Uchi no otto wa shigoto ga dekinai (69)

Best Leading Actor
1) Yamashita Tomohisa - Code Blue 3 (1,086)
2) Nagase Tomoya - Gomen, Aishiteru (136)
3) Nishikido Ryo - Uchi no otto wa shigoto ga dekinai (90)
4) Kamikawa Takaya - Iryu Sousa 4 (68)
5) Higashiyama Noriyuki - Keiji Shichinin 3 (62)

Best Leading Actress
1) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko (426)
2) Takahata Mitsuki - Kahogo no Kahoko (355)
3) Takei Emi - Kurokawa no Techou (309)
4) Shibasaki Kou - Onna Joshu Naotora (251)
5) Watanabe Naomi - Kanna-san! (152)

Best Supporting Actor
1) Asari Yousuke - Code Blue 3 (797)
2) Takahashi Issei - Onna Joshu Naotora (150)
3) Takeuchi Ryoma - Kahogo no Kahoko (101)
4) Sawamura Ikki - Hiyokko (84)
5) Shiina Kippei - Code Blue 3 (61)

Best Supporting Actress
1) Aragaki Yui - Code Blue 3 (650)
2) Toda Erika - Code Blue 3 (303)
3) Higa Manami - Code Blue 3 (97)
4) Kimura Yoshino - Hiyokko (91)
5) Miyamoto Nobuko - Hiyokko (72)

Source: Nikkansports

Kato Masaya to be the guest star in Ep 3 of TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!"

Kato Masaya will be the guest star in Ep 3 of TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" which will be shown on 1 August. He will be playing the role of Nick Nanba who is a charismatic and mysterious figure in the fashion industry. Nanba used to be the chief editor of an international magazine and a perfectionist who had also worked with various fashion brands to create popular products. For some reason, he takes an interest in Kanna (Watanabe Naomi) and it is not known if he will be an ally or enemy of hers.

Kato who will be appearing in flashy clothing such as a pink scarf and sunglasses, revealed that his character is supposed to be able to speak multiple languages due to his career in various countries so he hoped to be able to show the character's key traits through his acting. He also hoped that viewers will enjoy watching his performance in this drama. As for working with Watanabe for the first time, he praised her for being very expressive in terms of body language and is eager to find out how the relationship between Nanba and Kanna will develop in future.

Source: Oricon

Production press conference of TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!"

The production press conference of TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" was held on 13 July which was attended by cast members Watanabe Naomi, Kaname Jun, Kudo Asuka, Triendl Reina, Kawahara Eito and Saito Yuki. The drama begins its run from 18 July in the Tuesdays 10pm timeslot.

The drama is based on the same-titled manga by Fukaya Kahoru serialised in manga magazine "YOU" between 2001 and 2007 and features Watanabe as a fashion designer Kanna. Although she has a handsome husband Rei (Kaname), Kanna discovers that he is having an affair and she also has to cope with her difficult mother-in-law (Saito). At work, she is bullied by her unreasonable boss. Despite these daily challenges in life, Kanna tries her best to live positively for the sake of her beloved son Reon (Kawahara).

Watanabe commented even though her onscreen husband Rei is a scumbag for cheating on her, Kanna can't bring herself to hate him. In response, Kaname said that he is prepared to be disliked by the female viewers when he took on this role because Rei has three very much-hated traits in men i.e. having an affair, having a mother complex and being indecisive. As such, he joked that he has to watch his back when he goes out in case people take out their dislike for Rei on him.

As for landing her first leading role in a drama, Watanabe said that to be able to stand in the middle of the stage with her co-stars makes her very happy although she is well aware of the pressure and responsibility that comes with it. As such, she hopes to be able to do her best with everyone in Team Kanna even as she may be lacking in some areas.

With regard to child actor Kawahara who plays her son, Watanabe said that he may look like a pampered child at times but when it's time for the filming, she is impressed by how well and professionally he acts and feels like she can't match up to him even though he's just three years old. Saito also revealed that Kawahara would keep looking for Watanabe whenever she's not around as if they are really mother-and-son. Kawahara was visibly nervous on stage and gave short answers most of the time until he was asked about what he liked about Kanna-san i.e. Watanabe. He then answered that he likes her big size and how she eats a lot which made Watanabe exclaim that he must have been taught to say those answers.

As for Saito who plays a grandmother for the first time, she said that she is enjoying the filming with her daughter-in-law who looks like a cute walking doll, a handsome son and a cute grandson. Although the story is supposed to be a comedy, her character says a lot of lines with malice even though she herself may not be doing it on purpose.

Kudo who plays a kindergarten teacher, was praised by Watanabe for being very attentive to the children while filming in this hot weather and getting along well with them like a real teacher. Kudo explained that as he is the eldest in the family with 1 younger brother and 3 younger sisters, he is used to interacting with children as he sees them like his siblings when they were much younger. However, kids at the age of three or four tend to be quite a handful so it's also tough at times to deal with them.

Sources: Oricon / Sponichi 1 / Sponichi 2 / Sponichi 3

AI & Watanabe Naomi to sing the theme song for TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!"

AI and Watanabe Naomi will be singing the theme song for TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" starring Watanabe which will be shown from 18 July in the Tuesdays 10pm timeslot. The song titled "Kira Kira feat. Kanna" was written by AI with the intention of singing with Watanabe after the drama's producer approached AI with the offer after she and Watanabe performed together on stage for the first time in May this year. AI described the theme song as a support song for both men and women to continue fighting on and not give up when faced with difficulties.

The drama is based on the same-titled manga by Fukaya Kahoru serialised in manga magazine "YOU" between 2001 and 2007 and features Watanabe as a fashion designer Kanna. Although she has a handsome husband Rei, Kanna discovers that he is having an affair and she also has to cope with her difficult mother-in-law. At work, she is bullied by her unreasonable boss. Despite these daily challenges in life, Kanna tries her best to live positively for the sake of her beloved son Reon.

Source: Eiga.com

New dramas starting in July 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 July. 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 July 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!

Yuusha Yoshihiko to Akuryou no Kagi / 勇者ヨシヒコと悪霊の鍵 (Brave "YOSHIHIKO" And The Demon's Key)
Autumn 2012 drama from TV Tokyo
Cast: Yamada Takayuki, Takuma Shin, Kinami Haruka, Muro Tsuyoshi, Okamoto Azusa, Sato Jirou
Start Date: 12 July 2017
Timeslot: Check website for the airtimes

Hanazakari no kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise 2011 ~ / 花ざかりの君たちへ ~ イケメンパラダイス 2011 ~ (HANA-KIMI 2011)
Summer 2011 drama from FujiTV
Cast: Maeda Atsuko, Nakamura Aoi, Miura Shohei, Kiriyama Ren, Yamada Shintaro, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Tokuyama Hidenori, Sato Yuuki
Start Date: 18 July 2017
Timeslot: Tuesdays 9pm

Kanna-san! / カンナさーん! (Ms. Kanna!)
Summer 2017 drama from TBS
Cast: Watanabe Naomi, Kaname Jun, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Kudo Asuka, Triendl Reina, Jirou, Kawahara Eito, Toyama Toshiya, Asaka Mayumi
Start Date: 23 July 2017
Timeslot: Sundays 8pm

Code Blue - Doctor Heli Kinkyuu Kyuumei - The Third Season / コード・ブルー　ドクターヘリ緊急救命 The Third Season (Code Blue - 3rd Season)
Summer 2017 drama from FujiTV
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Higa Manami, Asari Yousuke, Arioka Daiki, Narita Ryo, Araki Yuuko, Baba Fumika, Terajima Susumu, Sugimoto Tetta, Ryou, Ando Masanobu, Shiina Kippei
Start Date: 23 July 2017
Timeslot: Sundays 9pm

Yowamushi Pedaru / 弱虫ペダル (Yowamushi Pedal)
Summer 2017 drama from NTV / Sky Perfect TV
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Higa Manami, Asari Yousuke, Arioka Daiki, Narita Ryo, Araki Yuuko, Baba Fumika, Terajima Susumu, Sugimoto Tetta, Ryou, Ando Masanobu, Shiina Kippei
Start Date: 27 July 2017
Timeslot: Check website for the airtimes

Summer Nude (Summer Nude)
Summer 2013 drama from FujiTV
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Karina, Toda Erika, Katsuji Ryo, Kubota Masataka, Sato Shouri, Yamamoto Mizuki, Chiba Yuudai, Hashimoto Nanami (Nogizaka 46), Nakajo Ayami, Nagasawa Masami, Saiki Shigeru, Itaya Yuka, Takahashi Katsunori
Start Date: 24 July 2017
Timeslot: Mondays 9pm

Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~ / デート ~ 恋とはどんなものかしら ~ (Dating - What's it like to be in love?)
Winter 2015 drama from FujiTV
Cast: An, Hasegawa Hiroki, Kuninaka Ryoko, Nakajima Yuto (Hey! Say! Jump!), Matsuo Satoru, Wakui Emi, Fubuki Jun, Matsushige Yutaka
Start Date: 27 July 2017
Timeslot: Thursdays 9pm

Team Batista 2 General Rouge no Gaisen / チームバチスタ2 ジェネラル・ルージュの凱旋 (TEAM BATISTA 2-The Triumphant General Rouge-)
Spring 2010 drama from FujiTV
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Nakamura Tooru, Kato Ai, Kinoshita Takayuki, Asami Reina, Natori Yuko, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Shiraishi Miho, Nishijima Hidetoshi
Start Date: 27 July 2017
Timeslot: Check website for the airtimes

Preview of "Kanna-san!" - Summer 2017

Title: Kanna-san! カンナさーん！
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 18 July 2017
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original manga by: Fukaya Kahoru
Theme Song: Kira Kira feat. Kanna by AI
Cast: Watanabe Naomi, Kaname Jun, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Kudo Asuka, Triendl Reina, Jirou, Kawahara Eito, Toyama Toshiya, Asaka Mayumi, Saito Yuki, Sato Ryuta (first episode's guest) etc.

Kudo Asuka to appear in TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!"

Kudo Asuka will be appearing in the TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" starring Watanabe Naomi which will begin its run from 18 July in the Tuesdays 10pm timeslot. The drama is based on the same-titled manga by Fukaya Kahoru serialised in manga magazine "YOU" between 2001 and 2007 and features Watanabe as a fashion designer Kanna. Although she has a handsome husband Rei, Kanna discovers that he is having an affair and she also has to cope with her difficult mother-in-law. At work, she is bullied by her unreasonable boss. Despite these daily challenges in life, Kanna tries her best to live positively for the sake of her beloved son Reon.

Kudo plays the role of Aota Sousuke who is a handsome teacher at the nursery where Reon goes to and very popular with his students and their parents. He is a good confidante of Kanna who gives her the strength and encouragement she needs.

It was announced that Jiro of the comedic Sissonne who is Watanabe's senior, will be playing the role of Katagiri Yuta who is a colleague of Kanna's husband Rei (Kaname Jun) and admires the latter like an elder brother.

Source: Oricon

Cast members from TBS Summer 2017 dramas to appear in "Sekiguchi Hiroshi no Tokyo Friend Park July 2017 SP"

The cast members from the three TBS Summer 2017 dramas will be appearing as guests in the upcoming "Sekiguchi Hiroshi no Tokyo Friend Park July 2017 Drama Assembly SP" to be shown via TBS on 3 July. A total of 12 actors (4 from each drama) will be participating in the game show which will feature 7 games i.e. "Wall Crash", "Quiz! Body & Brain", "Flash Saurus", "Never Wipe Out", "Hyper Hockey", "Deli Soba" and "Fool On The Hill".

Here is the list of actors who will be appearing on the show:

From "Gomen, Aishiteru" - Nagase Tomoya, Yoshioka Riho, Sakaguchi Kentaro & Ootake Shinobu
From "Kanna-san!" - Watanabe Naomi, Kaname Jun, Kudo Asuka & Saito Yuki
From "Hello Harinezumi" - Eita, Fukada Kyoko, Morita Go & Nakaoka Souichi

Source: Oricon

Supporting cast line-up of TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" announced

The supporting cast line-up of TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" starring Watanabe Naomi has been announced. The drama is based on the same-titled manga by Fukaya Kahoru serialised in manga magazine "YOU" between 2001 and 2007 and features Watanabe as a fashion designer Kanna. Although she has a handsome husband Rei, Kanna discovers that he is having an affair and she also has to cope with her difficult mother-in-law. At work, she is bullied by her unreasonable boss. Despite these daily challenges in life, Kanna tries her best to live positively for the sake of her beloved son Reon.

Saito Yuki will play Kanna's mother-in-law Suzuki Ryuko who pretends to be naive but has a scathing tongue while Kaname Jun will play Kanna's cheating husband Rei. Yamaguchi Sayaka will play Kataoka Mika who is Kanna's senior at work and child actor Kawahara Eito will play Reon. Triendl Reina will play Sakaigawa Shoko who is Kanna's colleague. Asaka Mayumi will play Morikawa Yoshie who is the principal of the kindergarten which Reon attends while Reon's grandfather Tetsuzo will be played by Toyama Toshiya.

Sources: Nikkansports / My Navi News / Eiga.com / Oricon

Watanabe Naomi to star in new TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!"

Watanabe Naomi will be starring in the new TBS Summer 2017 drama "Kanna-san!" which will begin its run from July in the Tuesdays 10pm timeslot. This is the first time she is taking on a leading role in a primetime slot drama.

The drama is based on the same-titled manga by Fukaya Kahoru serialised in manga magazine "YOU" between 2001 and 2007 and features Watanabe as a fashion designer Kanna. Although she has a handsome husband Rei, Kanna discovers that he is having an affair and she also has to cope with her difficult mother-in-law. At work, she is bullied by her unreasonable boss. Despite these daily challenges in life, Kanna tries her best to live positively for the sake of her beloved son Reon.

Watanabe commented that she was surprised to see how Kanna looked so much like herself when she read the manga especially how the latter does not let her physical appearance stand in the way of her desire to become fashionable and live her desired lifestyle. This made her wonder if the author created the story with her in mind. However, Watanabe said that Kanna probably packs 5 times more power than she actually has so she will try her best to play this character well.

Sources: Sponichi / Oricon / Eiga.com