JUJU to sing the ending theme song for new movie "Inori no maku ga orirutoki"

JUJU will be singing the ending theme song for new movie "Inori no maku ga orirutoki" starring Abe Hiroshi which will be shown in cinemas from 27 January 2018. The movie which is based on the same-titled novel by Higashino Keigo, also features Matsushima Nanako, Mizobata Junpei, Tanaka Rena, Shunputei Shota, Otoo Takuma, Iitoyo Marie, Kohinata Fumio, Ito Ran, Oikawa Mitsuhiro and Yamazaki Tsutomu in its cast. 

Preview of "Nemuri no Mori"

Title: Nemuri no Mori
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 2 January 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original novel by: Higashino Keigo
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Ishihara Satomi, Otozuki Kei, Kinami Haruka, Otani Eiko, Miyao Shuntaro, Takezai Terunosuke, Kato Toranosuke, Uchida Asahi, Triendl Reina, Emi Kurara, Matsuo Takashi, Nadao Tatsuo, Hira Takehiro, Horiuchi Keiko, Kusamura Reiko, Emoto Akira, Yamazaki Tsutomu

Ishihara Satomi to play the heroine of drama SP "Shinzanmono Kaga Kyoichiro Nemuri no Mori"

Ishihara Satomi will take on the heroine role in the TBS drama SP "Shinzanmono Kaga Kyoichiro Nemuri no Mori" starring Abe Hiroshi which is due to be shown on 2 January 2014 at 9pm. She plays the role of a talented ballerina Mio who is the best friend of the suspect involved in a murder case. Despite having learnt ballet for two years during her primary school days, Ishihara had to undergo formal training by professional ballet dancer Kumakawa Tetsuya whose ballet company "K Ballet Company" is also taking part in this drama SP. Ishihara is due to take part in the ballet performances in the SP e.g. playing Black Swan in "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty".

With regard to the training, Ishihara commented that it was very tough but fun. She found the last scene of the SP especially memorable. Her co-star Abe also praised Ishihara for taking on such a difficult role and described her as a reliable partner to work with.

Source: Mantan Web

Abe Hiroshi to be back in Shinzanmono drama SP during New Year 2014

Abe Hiroshi will be back in the latest drama SP of the Shinzanmono series which will be shown during New Year 2014 via TBS. The drama SP titled "Nemuri no mori ~ Shinzanmono SP" (O.A. date undecided) is based on Higashino Keigo's bestselling novel and will be set during a period way before Abe's characer Kaga Kyoichiro was posted to the Nihonbashi Police Station in the 2010 drama series. In the SP, he will be investigating a murder case which involves a ballet troupe. Famous ballet dancer Kumakawa Tetsuya's ballet company "K Ballet Company" will be providing full support in the form of their dancers, choreography, music, stage art, costumes and live performances being featured in the SP. K Ballet Company dancers such as Miyao Shuntaro and Masuko Yamato will also be acting in the drama SP as members of the ballet troupe. As for the heroine who plays a ballet dancer, it will be announced at a later date.

Source: Yomiuri Hochi

14th Nikkansports Dorama Grand Prix

Figures indicate number of votes. Frankly speaking, I'm amazed at the results. This seems to be more of a popularity ranking rather than reflective of the actual quality of acting and production. The Television's award would likely give an entirely different picture of the spring 2010 season.

Best Drama
1) Sunao ni Narenakute / FujiTV / 5578
2) Kaibutsu-kun / NTV / 3297
3) IRIS / TBS / 1320 - Note that this is a Korean drama produced by KBS and shown on Japan's TBS
4) Mother / NTV / 1220
5) Tsuki no Koibito / FujiTV / 624

Best Leading Actor
1) Ohno Satoshi / Kaibutsu-kun / 3824
2) Eita / Sunao ni Narenakute / 3197
3) Lee Byung-hun / IRIS / 2112
4) Fukuyama Masaharu / Ryomaden / 1696
5) Abe Hiroshi / Shinzanmono / 1043

Best Leading Actress
1) Matsuyuki Yasuko / Mother / 4303
2) Ueno Juri / Sunao ni Narenakute / 3829
3) Kim Tae-hui / IRIS / 2395
4) Matsushita Nao / Gegege no Nyobo / 1461
5) Ueto Aya / Zettai Reido / 1171

Best Supporting Actor
1) Jejung / Sunao ni Narenakute / 7018
2) Matsuoka Masahiro / Kaibutsu-kun / 1739
3) Kagawa Teruyuki / Ryomaden / 783
4) Mukai Osamu / Gegege no Nyobo / 727
5) Matsuda Shota / Tsuki no Koibito / 665

Best Supporting Actress
1) Ashida Mana / Mother / 2234
2) Inamori Izumi / Kaibutsu-kun / 2231
3) Seki Megumi / Sunao ni Narenakute / 2069
4) Kim So-yeon / IRIS / 1804
5) Shinohara Ryoko / Tsuki no Koibito / 1464

Spring 2010 Drama Preview - Shinzanmono 新参者 (The Newcomer)

Title: Shinzanmono (The Newcomer)
O.A. Start Date: 18 April 2010
Timeslot: Sundays, 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original novel by: Higashino Keigo
Theme song: Machi Monogatari (Story of the Street) by Yamashita Tatsuro
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Kuroki Meisa, Mukai Osamu, Mizobata Junpei, Kimura Yuichi, Izumiya Shigeru, Sasano Takashi, Harada Mieko, Miura Tomokazu, Kagawa Teruyuki, Ichihara Etsuko, Kobayashi Takashi, An
Official website: here

Story:

Shinzanmono ~ a newcomer to an organisation or neighbourhood

Kaga Kyoichiro (Abe Hiroshi) is a police detective who has just been transferred from the Nerima Police Station to Nihonbashi Police Station. He has solved numerous difficult cases and has a keen eye on detail. In order to know the Ningyo-cho neighbourhood well, he walks around the area while attracting attention as a newcomer.

At the start of his stint, a murder occurs. Mitsui Mineko (Harada Mieko) was also a newcomer to the Nihonbashi area as she had just moved in alone to an apartment. However, there is something mysterious about her death as she had shifted house with a hidden agenda...

The police discovers a namecard of Takura Shinichi (Kagawa Teruyuki), a salesman, who's known for being a nice and hardworking person. However, he has no alibi to prove his innocence during the 30 minutes when Mineko was supposedly killed. In addition, a family selling senbei in the neighbourhood shopping street becomes the key to solving the mystery surrounding Mineko's murder.