Showing posts with label Toto Nee-chan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toto Nee-chan. Show all posts

Monday, April 01, 2019

Key ratings highlights for NHK morning drama "Manpuku"

Although I have not been posting anything about drama ratings in recent years, I think that it's only right for me to share these key highlights in Manpuku's ratings for the past 6 months especially as it is the very first morning drama which I managed to complete in real time. Be prepared for more Manpuku-related posts in the days to come especially my review of this drama!

- Manpuku started airing from 1 October 2018 and ended its run on 30 March 2019 with 151 episodes.

- The average rating for the Kanto region was 21.4% while it was 19.5% in the Kansai region. Compared to the drama preceding it i.e. Hanbun Aoi which got an average of 21.1% in the Kanto region, Manpuku did better.

- The first episode registered a rating of 23.8% and 20.4% in the Kanto and Kansai regions respectively. This was the highest debut episode rating so far in the asadora history.

- The last episode got an average rating of 22.1% and 22.4% in the Kanto and Kansai regions respectively. Figures of the Kanto region for the last week were 22.7% -> 22.0% -> 21.8% -> 20.6% -> 21.3% -> 22.1%.

- The highest single episode rating for the Kanto region was the first episode while for the Kansai region, it was the last episode.

- Here are the average ratings for the five dramas preceding Manpuku (first figure is for Kanto while the second figure is for Kansai):
"Hanbun, Aoi" - 21.1% / 19.3%
"Warotenka" - 20.1% /  19.6%
"Hiyokko" - 20.4% / 20.3%
"Beppin-san" - 20.3% / 20.2%
"Toto Nee-chan" - 22.8% /  20.4%

- Ever since "Asa ga kita" in 2015, this is the 7th consecutive asadora which has registered an average rating of above 20%. Manpuku's average rating was higher than the 6 dramas preceding it, with the sole exceptions being "Toto Nee-chan" (22.8%) and "Asa ga kita" (23.5%).

- The ratings trend: Manpuku started off very well in its first episode and maintained an average rating of above 20% up till the 13th week before the New Year break. The only episodes when it went below 20% was on 4th and 5th January i.e. straight after the New Year break. It returned to the 20s region from the 15th week all the way to the end of its run.

Sources: Oricon / Sponichi

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

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

Monday, May 08, 2017

The 20th Nikkansports Drama Grand Prix for the 2016 fiscal year - Best Drama

Note that the 2016 fiscal year includes the Spring 2016, Summer 2016, Autumn 2016 and Winter 2017 seasons. Numbers presented below are in the following order: number of votes from women / number of votes from men / grand total. To see a breakdown of the votes by age groups, please visit the link provided at the end of this post.

Top 10 for the best drama:

1) Sekai ichi muzukashii koi (1619 + 60 = 1679)

2) 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi (888 + 80 = 968)

3) Uso no Sensou (199 + 59 = 258)

4) A LIFE ~ Itoshiki Hito ~ (181 + 51 = 232)

5) Nigeru wa haji daga yaku ni tatsu (71 + 148 = 219)

6) Sanadamaru (38 + 128 = 166)

7) Doctor X 4 ~ Gekai Daimon Michiko ~ (28 + 72 = 100)

8) Shihei - DEATH CASH - (53 + 29 = 82)

9) Aibou season 15 (8 + 63 = 71)

10) Toto Nee-chan (21 + 46 = 67)

Source: Nikkansports

Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Top 30 TV programmes with the highest ratings in 2016 (Video Research)

This ranking released by Video Research is a list of the top 30 TV programmes shown in 2016 with the highest ratings and includes news, variety shows, dramas and sports matches' broadcasts.

Figures in brackets indicate the ratings for the programme concerned:

1) The 67th NHK Kouhaku Utagassen Part 2 - 31 December (40.2%)

2) The 67th NHK Kouhaku Utagassen Part 1 - 31 December (35.1%)

3) SMAP x SMAP - 18 January (31.2%)

4) Shouten - 29 May (28.1%)

5) The 92nd Tokyo Hakone Daigaku Ekiden - 2 January (28.0%)

6) The 92nd Tokyo Hakone Daigaku Ekiden - 3 January (27.8%)

7) Asa ga kita (last episode) - 2 April (27.0%)

8) FIFA Club World Cup Final: Real Madrid vs. Kashima Antlers - 18 December (26.8%)

9) Toto Nee-chan - 17 August (25.9%)

10) 24 Jikan Terebi 39 Ai wa chikyuu wo sukuu PART 10 - 28 August (25.8%)

11) 2016 Pro Baseball Nihon Series: Hiroshima vs. Nippon Ham Match 6 - 29 October (25.1%)

12) NHK News Ohayou Nihon Metropolitan Area - 5 February (24.9%)

13) Doctor X 4 Gekai Daimon Michiko - 27 October (24.3%)

14) NHK News - 22 August (24.1%)

15) Oosumo Hatsubasho Senshuraku - 24 January / Nakai Masahiro no Kinyoubi no Smile tachi e - 13 May (24.0%)

17) Rio de Janeiro Olympics - 21 August (23.7%)

18) Rio de Janeiro Olympics Opening Ceremony - 6 August (23.6%)

19) 24 Jikan Terebi 39 Ai wa chikyuu wo sukuu PART 9 - 28 August (23.2%)

20) Dugout - 29 October (22.9%)

21) Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016 - 14 August / NHK News 7 - 20 August (22.6%)

23) NHK News Kisho Jouhou - 21 August (22.4%)

24) Sekai no hate made itte Q! - 13 November / Beppin-san - 22 December (22.2%)

26) Doctor X Daimon Michiko SP - 3 July / Rio Janeiro Olympics - 7 August (22.0%)

28) 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia-Asia area last qualifier: Japan vs. Saudi Arabia - 15 November / NHK News - 22 November (21.8%)

30) NHK News Watch 9 - 16 May (21.5%)

Source: Nikkansports

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Top 30 dramas with the highest single-episode ranking in 2016 (Video Research)

The following is the list of top 30 dramas and SPs shown between 28 December 2015 and 25 December 2016 with the highest single-episode rating as announced by Video Research. Numbers in brackets indicate the ratings for that particular episode:

1) Asa ga kita [last episode] - 2 April 2016 (27.0%)

2) Toto Nee-chan - 17 August 2016 (25.9%)

3) Doctor X 4 Gekai Daimon Michiko - 27 October 2016 (24.3%)

4) Beppin-san - 7 December 2016 (22.1%)

5) Doctor X Gekai Daimon Michiko SP - 3 July 2016 (22.0%)

6) Nigeru wa haji daga yaku ni tatsu [last episode] - 20 December 2016 (20.8%)

7) 24 Jikan Terebi Drama SP Moumoku no Yoshinori-sensei Hikari wo ushinatte kokoro ga mieta - 27 August 2016 (20.5%)

8) Sanadamaru - 17 January 2016 (20.1%)

9) 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi - 24 April 2016 & 19 June 2016 (19.1%)

10) Specialist - 14 January 2016 (17.1%)

11) Aibou season 14 Ganjitsu SP - 1 January 2016 (16.7%)

12) Sekai ichi muzukashii koi [last episode] - 15 June 2016 (16.0%)

13) Aibou season 15 [first episode] - 12 October 2016 (15.5%)

14) Kaitou Yamaneko - 16 January 2016 (14.3%)

15) Keishicho Sousa Ikka Kyuugakari [first episode] - 6 April 2016 (13.9%)

16) Kasouken no Onna - 24 November 2016 (13.7%)

17) Kasouken no Onna Shogatsu SP - 3 January 2016 (13.6%)

18) Jimi ni sugoi! Kouetsu Girl Kouno Etsuko - 9 November 2016 & 30 November 2016  / Suna no Tou ~ Shirisugita Rinjin ~ [last episode] - 16 December 2016 (13.2%)

20) Doyou Wide Gekijou Jiken 17 - 4 June 2016 / IQ246 Karei naru Jikenbo - 16 October 2016 (13.1%)

22) Ie uru onna [last episode] - 19 September 2016 / Wataru sekken wa oni bakari - 19 September 2016 (13.0%)

24) Good Partner - 21 April 2016 (12.9%)

25) Yo ni mo kimyou na monogatari Spring 2016 SP - 28 May 2016 (12.8%)

26) Omiya-san SP - 13 February 2016 (12.7%)

27) Keishicho Sousa Ikkacho [last episode] - 23 June 2016 (12.3%)

28) Izu Kaigan Satsujin Route - 6 February 2016 / Kansakan Hanyuu Souichi Doku Habu to yobareru otoko - 5 March 2016 / Tensai Bakabon Kazoku no Kizuna - 11 March / Aogeba Totoshi [last episode] - 11 September (12.2%)

Source: Sponichi

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Takahata Mitsuki & Sakaguchi Kentaro deny dating rumours

Takahata Mitsuki and Sakaguchi Kentaro are rumoured to be dating as reported on 29 November. The two of them worked together in two dramas this year i.e. NHK's morning drama "Toto Nee-chan" and FujiTV Winter 2016's "Itsuka kono koi wo omoi dashite kitto naite shimau" and were said to have started dating at least six months ago.

When asked about the news, Takahata's agency denied that they are an item and said that they are merely friends. Sakaguchi's agency also echoed the same and stated that she is just one of his close friends.

Sources: Nikkansports 1 / Nikkansports 2 / Oricon

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The 90th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2016) - Best Theme Song

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Hanataba wo kimi ni - Utada Hikaru (Toto Nee-chan)
2) Koi wo shiranai kimi e - NEWS (Toki wo kakeru shoujo)
3) Comet - Spitz (HOPE ~ Kitai zero no shinnyu shain)


Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Koi wo shiranai kimi e - NEWS (Toki wo kakeru shoujo)
2) Comet - Spitz (HOPE ~ Kitai zero no shinnyu shain)
3) Kin no Ai, Gin no Ai - SKE48 (Shihei)
4) Hanataba wo kimi ni - Utada Hikaru (Toto Nee-chan)
5) Oni - CreepHyp (Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta)

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Hanataba wo kimi ni - Utada Hikaru (Toto Nee-chan)
2) Oni - CreepHyp (Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta)
3) Koi wo shiranai kimi e - NEWS (Toki wo kakeru shoujo) / Aria - BUMP OF CHICKEN (Aogeba Totoshi)
5) Sekai ni wa ai shika nai - Keyakizaka46 (Tokuyama Daigorou wo dare ga koroshita ka?

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Hanataba wo kimi ni - Utada Hikaru (Toto Nee-chan)
2) Onna wa dakarete ayu ni naru - Sakamoto Fuyumi (Kami no shita wo motsu otoko)
3) Bara no you ni saite sakura no you ni chitte - Matsuda Seiko (Seiseisuru hodo, Aishiteru) / Riyuu - Makihara Noriyuki (Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu)
5) Comet - Spitz (HOPE ~ Kitai zero no shinnyu shain) / Aria - BUMP OF CHICKEN (Aogeba Totoshi) / Hidarimune - Sakura Shimeji (Koe Koi)

Source: The Televison

The 90th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2016) - Best Supporting Actor

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Karasawa Toshiaki - Toto Nee-chan
2) Inoo Kei - Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta
3) Takizawa Hideaki - Seiseisuru hodo, Aishiteru

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Inoo Kei - Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta
2) Yokoyama Yu - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako
3) Endo Kenichi - HOPE ~ Kitai zero no shinnyu shain ~
4) Totsugi Shigeyuki - Shihei
5) Kato Shigeaki - Toki wo kakeru shoujo

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Karasawa Toshiaki - Toto Nee-chan
2) Takizawa Hideaki - Seiseisuru hodo, Aishiteru
3) Murakami Nijiro - Aogeba Totoshi / Nakamura Toru - Ie uru onna
5) Yamazaki Kento - Suki na hito ga iru koto

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Karasawa Toshiaki - Toto Nee-chan
2) Inoo Kei - Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta
3) Takizawa Hideaki - Seiseisuru hodo, Aishiteru / Nishijima Hidetoshi - Toto Nee-chan
5) Hayashi Kento - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako / Eguchi Yosuke - Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu

Source: The Televison

The 90th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2016) - Best Leading Actress

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Kitagawa Keiko - Ie uru onna
2) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan
3) Haru - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Kitagawa Keiko - Ie uru onna
2) Haru - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako
3) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan
4) Matsui Jurina - Shihei
5) Kiritani Mirei - Suki na hito ga iru koto

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan
2) Kitagawa Keiko - Ie uru onna
3) Haru - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako
4) Ono Machiko - Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu
5) Keyakizaka46 - Tokuyama Daigorou wo dare ga koroshita ka?

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Kitagawa Keiko - Ie uru onna
2) Ono Machiko - Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu
3) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan
4) Haru - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako
5) Kuroshima Yuina - Toki wo kakeru shoujo / Takei Emi - Seiseisuru hodo, Aishiteru / Matsushima Nanako - Eigyou Buchou Kira Natsuko

Source: The Televison

The 90th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2016) - Best Drama

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Ie uru onna (NTV)
2) Toto Nee-chan (NHK)
3) Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta (NTV)

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) HOPE ~ Kitai zero no shinnyu shain ~ (FujiTV)
2) Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta (NTV)
3) Shihei (TBS)
4) ON Ijou Hansai Sousakan Toudou Hinako (FujiTV)
5) Toki wo kakeru shoujo (NTV)

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Toto Nee-chan (NHK)
2) Ie uru onna (NTV)
3) ON Ijou Hansai Sousakan Toudou Hinako (FujiTV)
4) Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta (NTV) / Aogeba Totoshi (TBS)

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Ie uru onna (NTV)
2) Toto Nee-chan (NHK)
3) Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu (TV Asahi)
4) Soshite, Dare mo inakunatta (NTV)
5) Otokomeshi (TV Tokyo)

Source: The Television

Sunday, October 02, 2016

Winners of the 20th Nikkansports Dorama Grand Prix (Summer 2016)

The numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received:

Best Drama
1) Sanadamaru - NHK (232)
2) Toto Nee-chan - NHK (165)
3) Ie uru Onna - NTV (156)
4) Aogeba Totoshi - TBS (94)
5) Shihei - DEATH CASH - TBS (89)

Best Leading Actor
1) Sakai Masato - Sanadamaru (389)
2) Terao Akira - Aogeba Totoshi (249)
3) Fujiwara Tatsuya - Soshite, dare mo inakunatta (163)
4) Higashiyama Noriyuki - Keiji Shichinin 2 (100)
5) Nakajima Yuto - HOPE ~ Kitai Zero no Shinnyuu Shain ~ (97)

Best Leading Actress
1) Kitagawa Keiko - Ie uru Onna (277)
2) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan (243)
3) Haru - ON Ijou Hanzai Sousakan Toudou Hinako (106)
4) Matsui Jurina - Shihei - DEATH CASH - (97)
5) Kiritani Mirei - Suki na hito ga iru koto (70)

Best Supporting Actor
1) Ooizumi Yo - Sanadamaru (199)
2) Karasawa Toshiaki - Toto Nee-chan (133)
3) Kohinata Fumio - Sanadamaru (83)
4) Totsugi Shigeyuki - Shihei - DEATH CASH - (78)
5) Nakamura Tooru - Ie uru Onna (72)

Best Supporting Actress
1) Nagasawa Masami - Sanadamaru (145)
2) Kimura Tae - Toto Nee-chan (122)
3) Tabe Mikako - Aogeba Totoshi (86)
4) Imoto Ayako - Ie uru Onna (84)
5) Takeuchi Yuko - Sanadamaru (70)

Source: Nikkansports

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Handover ceremony for NHK morning dramas "Toto Nee-chan" & "Beppin-san"

The handover ceremony for NHK morning dramas "Toto Nee-chan" and "Beppin-san" was held on 20 September at NHK Osaka where the lead of the current drama i.e. Takahata Mitsuki passed over a silver baton to Yoshine Kyoko who stars in the latter that will begin its run from 3 October. Since Japan won a silver medal in the 4x100m relay in this year's Olympics, it was then decided that the ceremony would feature a passing-of-baton segment between the two female leads for the first time.

During the exchange of presents segment, Takahata gave Yoshine a fountain pen while the latter gave her a book cover which bears an embroidery design since her character in the morning drama is good at sewing. Yoshine expressed her happiness in receiving the pen which she can use to write on her script and letters for the important people in her life. As for Takahata, she was pleased to be given such a practical gift which bears her name and said that she will be able to use it immediately when she receives her next script. As Takahata had experience working with NHK Osaka when she appeared in the 2013 morning drama "Gochisousan", she advised Yoshine to be prepared for difficulties during the filming period and rely on the Osaka staff if need be so that she can perform to her fullest potential. Since Takahata has experience working with the Tokyo and Osaka staff, she also advised Yoshine to go around with her fellow co-stars to have fun since the actors will have to stay in Osaka together for the filming as compared to in Tokyo when everyone goes home after work.

The last episode of "Toto Nee-chan" will be shown on 1 October.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sponichi / Oricon

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Spin-off drama SP of NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan" to be shown in November

The spin-off drama SP of NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan" will be shown on 19 November at 7pm via BS Premium. The drama SP which is titled "Toto Nee-chan Mou Hitotsu no Monogatari Fukusuke Ningyo no Himitsu" (Another Story The Secret of the Fukusuke doll), will be set in the pre-war era at the food catering shop "Moritaya" and focus on the family of Morita Soukichi (Pierre Taki), Teruyo (Hiraiwa Kami), their eldest daughter Tomie (Kawaei Rina) and her husband Hasegawa (Hamano Kenta). After the war, Hasegawa and Tomie return to the Morita household with their son Matsukichi and catch up with one another about their current situations. However, Tomie seems to be troubled over something as she had heard from Mariko (Sagara Itsuki) that she had seen someone resembling Hasegawa in Ginza. As such, Tomie is wondering if Hasegawa has cheated on her and tries to find out the truth. In the end, she ends up stumbling upon the secret behind Moritaya's guardian god "Fukusuke Ningyo" and the past of the late Matsu (Akino Yoko). Co-stars also include Ando Tamae, Niizuma Seiko, Kondo Koen and Sugisaki Hana.

The script of the drama SP will be written by Okazaki Satoko and reviewed by Nishida Masafumi who is the scriptwriter of "Toto Nee-chan".

Source: Oricon

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Filming wraps up for NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan"

The filming for NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan" was concluded on 25 August where cast members Takahata Mitsuki, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kimura Tae, Sagara Itsuki and Sugisaki Hana attended the press conference. Since the filming began on 9 November, the cast had spent the last 10 months together working on this drama. When presented with a bouquet of flowers by her co-stars during the press conference, Takahata commented in tears that she felt that the filming would never come to an end and there were many challenges during this period but she was helped by her co-stars and crew. She also expressed her gratitude to be able to act in this drama. When asked about the toughest thing she experienced during the filming, she said that the number of lines was so many that she felt that her brain was about to burst. On the last day of the filming, Takahata had to film a scene where she met her late father (Nishijima) in her dream. As it has been some time since they met, Takahata said that she was nervous about their meeting. As for Nishijima, he said that he felt the same too and had skipped his lines during the filming.

The last episode will be shown on 1 October.

Sources: Sponichi / Nikkansports / Sanspo

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Summary of drama-related events and broadcasts affected by the Kumamoto earthquake

Here is a summary of the drama-related events and broadcasts affected by the Kumamoto earthquake to date. More announcements (if any) will be made known via the blog's Facebook page and Twitter.

It is indeed unfortunate that such a devastating disaster has happened and we hope for the best for those affected by it. In the meantime, we should be patient and understanding about these changes in the broadcast schedule since it's natural that the media coverage will focus on the disaster and that it's probably not the best time now to be engaging in promotional activities for the dramas. 

To go ahead with the broadcast or not is not a very easy decision to make. Considering that the dramas have to be shown within the three-month window period, rescheduling can be difficult and may also result in the reduction in the number of episodes just to ensure that the drama finishes its run on time. That can affect the quality of the whole production. Likewise, the pre-booked advertisement slots need to be adjusted. Given that all attention is focused on the news coverage nowadays, ratings of the drama will be affected too. Perhaps that is why some TV stations choose not to go ahead for the pilot episode broadcast since a low figure in the first episode does not look good.

- TV Asahi drama "Keishicho Sousa Ikkacho" starring Naito Takashi which was in the midst of its 2-hour pilot episode broadcast on 14 April was interrupted at 9.26pm when the earthquake took place and the TV station switched to an emergency broadcast. Although the episode was slated to be shown  again at 2.30pm on 16 April, the second earthquake took place in the early morning thus the broadcast was cancelled. The re-broadcast's date has been confirmed to be at 2.04pm on 18 April.

- The screening event and press conference for TV Tokyo's Spring 2016 drama "Doctor Chousahan ~ Iryou Jikou no Yami wo Abake ~" starring Tanihara Shosuke was scheduled to take place on 16 April but has been cancelled.

- NTV Spring 2016 drama "Omukae Desu" starring Fukushi Sota and Tsuchiya Tao had its pilot episode broadcast on 16 April postponed. Promotional activities on other NTV programmes on the previous day were also cancelled.

- Matsumoto Jun's live appearances on some TBS programmes today to promote his new drama "99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi" from 15 to 17 April had been cancelled. Broadcast of the first episode on the 17th is not affected. The production press conference on 16 April was cancelled.

- First episode of TBS Spring 2016 drama "Watashi kekkon dekinainjanakute, shinain desu" went ahead as scheduled on 14 April. However, "live" promotional appearances on other TBS programmes on the same day had been cancelled.

- The first episode of "Hayako-sensei, Kekkon surutte hontou desuka?" will be postponed to next Thursday 21st April from its initial start date of 14th April.

- The 12th episode of NHK morning drama "Toto Neechan" scheduled on 16 April has been postponed to tomorrow i.e. 18 April at the usual timeslot.

- The production press conference for FujiTV's "Boku no Yabai Tsuma" was supposed to take place on 15 April but was cancelled. There are no plans to hold this again.

- The second episode of NTV's "Doctor Car" starring Gouriki Ayame which was scheduled to be shown on 14 April has been postponed to 21 April.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Utada Hikaru to make her comeback with the theme song for NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan"

Utada Hikaru who has been taking a break from her music career since December 2010, will be making her comeback with the theme song for NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan" starring Takahata Mitsuki which begins its run from 4 April. This will be the first theme song which Utada is writing for a NHK drama and the title of the song is undecided yet. With the release of this song, Utada's record company said that this will mark her return to singing.

Utada suspended her music activities since December 2010 and got married to an Italian in 2014 before giving birth to their first son last July. The producer of the drama revealed that it took a bit of courage to approach Utada for this offer but he was glad that she agreed to take it on after some consideration.

Source: Nikkansports / Sanspo

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Press conference and cast announcement for NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan"

The production press conference of new NHK morning drama "Toto Nee-chan" was held on 6 November which was attended by the lead Takahata Mitsuki, Sugisaki Hana, Sagara Itsuki, Daichi Mao, Kimura Tae, Kataoka Tsurutaro, Mukai Osamu, Ohno Takuro, Akino Yoko, Pierre Taki, Hiraiwa Kami, Kawaei Rina, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Abe Junko and Katagiri Hairi. The drama which is due to begin its run from April 2015, features Takahata as the heroine Kohashi Tsuneko who takes care of her mother and younger sisters on behalf of her father who had passed away and depicts her life through the pre-war days to the Showa era. Nishijima Hidetoshi plays Tsuneko's father while Mukai will be Tsuneko's uncle Tetsuro who doesn't have a fixed job but tries to help out his elder brother's family as there is no man in their household. Kimura will play Tsuneko's mother while Daichi who is acting in a morning drama for the first time, will be her grandmother. The landlords of Tsuneko's family will be played by Taki and Hiraiwa who already act as a married couple in the "Febreeze" CM. while their daughter will be played by former AKB48 member Kawaei who is also acting in a morning drama for the first time.

Source: Sponichi