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Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kim Tae Hee to co-star in Fuji TV drama series (Updated)
Posted on August 24, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor Nishijima Hidetoshi (40) and Korean actress Kim Tae Hee (31) will co-star in a Fuji TV drama series this fall, titled “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi.” This will be Kim’s first appearance and first lead role in a Japanese television series.
Nishijima has starred in drama specials and in NHK drama series before, but he has never had a lead role in a full-length series on one of the commercial TV networks.
The story will be a romantic comedy about a top Korean actress (played by Kim) and a dull 40-year-old part-time security guard (played by Nishijima) who is assigned under a 99-day contract as her bodyguard while she is in Japan. Kim’s role will require her to speak Japanese lines for the first time.
Fuji TV will broadcast “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi” on Sunday nights at 9:00pm. The series is set to premiere in October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Two more works by “Kokuhaku” author getting adaptations
Posted on September 1, 2011 by tokyograph
After the big success of last year’s thriller “Kokuhaku,” adaptations of Minato Kanae’s novels appear to be in high demand. Two more adaptations were announced this week, one a theatrical film starring Yoshinaga Sayuri and directed by Sakamoto Junji and the other a television drama directed by Kurosawa Kiyoshi.
The first is titled “Kita no Kanariatachi” and is based on the second story from Minato’s “Oufuku Shokan,” which was published last year. The original was titled “Nijunengo no Shukudai” (“Homework 20 Years Later”).
Yoshinaga plays a former teacher at a small elementary school for the Rebun and Rishiri Islands in northernmost Japan, who was forced to leave the region after a tragic incident involving 6 students said to have miraculously beautiful voices. The teacher, who lost her husband in that incident, returns 20 years later to meet with her former students.
Filming will be divided into two parts, one on location in the Rebun and Rishiri Islands in midwinter and the other during the early summer of 2012. Theatrical release is planned for fall 2012 at the earliest.
An audition will be held this month for the parts of the students.
Before that, WOWOW will broadcast an adaptation of Minato’s “Shokuzai” in January, as part of its “Renzoku Drama W” time slot. The story contains a similar premise to “Kokuhaku” and “Kita no Kanariatachi,” revolving around an elementary school murder incident that happened 15 years in the past. The mother of the murdered student blames the 4 students who apparently witnessed the culprit but can’t remember the face. Even after entering adulthood, they are still being pressed to atone for the incident.
In addition to directing, Kurosawa is handling the screenplay. The cast has not yet been announced.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Marumo no Okite” special to air on October 9
Posted on September 2, 2011 by tokyograph
The hit drama series “Marumo no Okite” is returning for a 2-hour special episode next month. Naturally, child stars Ashida Mana (7) and Suzuki Fuku (7) will reprise their roles as Kaoru and Tomoki, along with actor Abe Sadao (41) as Marumo.
“Marumo no Okite” aired on Fuji TV this past spring and averaged a 15.8% rating, with the final episode scoring 23.9%. The show’s theme song “Maru Maru Mori Mori!” – sung by Ashida and Suzuki – has also been in the Top 10 charts for 14 consecutive weeks.
According to Sports Nippon, the story is set during the children’s summer vacation, and the three main characters take a trip to a vineyard run by Marumo’s college underclassman. There, Kaoru and Tomoki meet another child around the same age and resolve a conflict between the child’s parents.
The episode will air on October 9th, starting at 9:00pm.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kamiki Ryunosuke stars in new Kudokan drama series
Posted on September 6, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor Kamiki Ryunosuke (18) will be the star of a drama series for the first time since “Tantei Gakuen Q” in 2007. This time, he will play a working student supporting his family in a story written by popular screenwriter Kudo Kankuro (“Tiger and Dragon,” “Kisarazu Cat's Eye”).
Titled “11 Nin mo Iru!,” the drama is a heartrending but comedic story about a family consisting of a jobless father, a domestic mother, and eight children with different personalities. As the title suggests, the family also has a mysterious “11th member.”
Kamiki plays the eldest son Kazuo, a high school student who helps support the family through part time jobs serving at a gas station and doing newspaper delivery. He clashes with his father (Tanabe Seiichi), an artsy photographer with no real earning power. Mitsuura Yasuko plays the part of an obedient wife, while Kato Seishiro plays the shy youngest child who can see a ghost (the “11th member”) but doesn’t tell the rest of the family.
It is also reported that Hoshino Gen, the guitarist of the band SAKEROCK, will have a regularly appearing role as the younger brother of Tanabe Seiichi.
The show will air on TV Asahi on Friday nights at 11:15pm, starting in October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kora Kengo stars in drama about Banei horse racing
Posted on September 6, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor Kora Kengo (23) will star in a 2-part drama series on NHK next year, titled “Daichi no Fanfare.” The drama is being produced by NHK Sapporo and will air in the Hokkaido area first on February 17 and 24, followed by broadcasts in March throughout the rest of NHK’s national network.
The story revolves around Banei Keiba, a form of draft horse racing that is currently only held in the city of Obihiro, Hokkaido. In Banei racing, jockeys ride on iron sleds pulled by the horses.
Kora plays a rookie rider named Kitamura Shunpei, while Terawaki Yasufumi plays a top-class jockey who encourages him. Terawaki currently plays Kora’s father-in-law in the morning drama series “Ohisama.”
The screenplay is being written by Yamamoto Mutsumi, who handled last year’s “Gegege no Nyoubou” and is doing the 2013 taiga drama “Yae no Sakura.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Sakuraba Nanami to play Kim Tae Hee’s “rival” in “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi”
Posted on September 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Sakuraba Nanami (18) has been added to the cast of the Fuji TV drama series “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi,” which will air this fall. She will be playing the “rival” of lead actress Kim Tae Hee (31), who is starring in the series with actor Nishijima Hidetoshi (40).
It was already revealed that the story is a romantic comedy about a part-time security guard who becomes the bodyguard for a top Korean actress while she is in Japan. Nishijima plays the bodyguard Kohei, whose only interest is astronomy, while Kim naturally plays the actress Han Yoo Na.
Sakuraba has been cast as Kohei’s niece, a high school student who dreams of becoming a dancer but constantly has to deal with taking of her younger siblings in place of her absentee mother. While getting no recognition for her dancing, she becomes jealous of Yoo Na and begins interfering with the romance between her and Kohei.
“Boku to Star no 99 Nichi” premieres in a Sunday night time slot this October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Matsuzaka Tori to star in drama adaptation of mobile game “Kaito Royale”
Posted on September 8, 2011 by tokyograph
Mobage’s highly popular social mobile game “Kaito Royale” is being adapted as a live-action television drama with an original story, starring actor Matsuzaka Tori (22). The show will also feature actor Fukushi Seiji (28) and actress Omasa Aya (20).
The game “Kaito Royale” reportedly has more than 10 million players and has already been adapted as a manga and a novel. In the game, each player controls a group of thieves, each categorized as one of three types: Intelligent, Macho, or Sexy. Using those thieves, the player must complete various missions to earn treasures, and players can also battle against or cooperate with other players.
In the “Kaito Royale” drama series, Matsuzaka will play the “chief” of his group, who is an Intelligent type. Omasa will play the Sexy type, and Fukushi will play the “Skill” type, an original character created for the show. These three thieves have lost their memories except for the past year, so they are working under the direction of a mysterious woman in order to regain their memories. There are also plans for the Macho type to appear, though the casting has not yet been announced.
“Kaito Royale” will air on TBS as the first show in the late night “Friday Drama NEO” time slot, which is replacing the “Friday Break” time slot. The series will premiere around the end of October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Watashi no Host-chan” mobile game gets late night drama series
Posted on September 9, 2011 by tokyograph
The mobile game “Watashi no Host-chan” is being turned into a television drama series next season. Officially titled “Watashi no Host-chan ~Shichinin no Host~,” the show will be the first drama produced and directed by television writer Suzuki Osamu, who is better known for working on many popular shows such as “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!” and ”SMAP x SMAP.”
According to Suzuki, the drama will also incorporate variety show and documentary elements, providing a glimpse into the actual world of host clubs. The story is set in a host club in the Kabukicho neighborhood of Shinjuku, called Club Vanilla. While the club’s five excellent hosts are fiercely competing for the top, two new hosts are suddenly added to the mix. With their different personalities, the seven hosts work their hardest to become the shop’s number one.
The show’s cast, who were chosen through audition, are said to all be good-looking men who could pass for real hosts.
The series will air on TV Asahi on Tuesday nights at 1:51am, starting October 4.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kaneko Nobuaki, Watabe Gota, Hayashi Kento join Saito Takumi in “QP”
Posted on September 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Additional cast members have been revealed for the drama series “QP,” which was first announced at the end of last month. Lead actor Saito Takumi is being joined by a supporting cast that features Kaneko Nobuaki, Watabe Gota, Hayashi Kento, and many others.
As previously announced, “QP” is an adaptation of the manga of the same name by “CROWS” author Takahashi Hiroshi. Saito plays Azuma Ryo, the boss of a gang known as the Tenrokai. Hayashi plays Misaki Hajime, a man who had to give up his dream of becoming a champion boxer and who shows up at the Tenrokai’s door due to his admiration for Ryo. Taguchi Tomorowo serves as Hajime’s “big brother” within the gang.
Kaneko and Watabe play Tom and Jerry, a professional hitman duo from the Kansai area. EXILE member KENCHI plays Mario, a Brazilian-Italian member of the Tenrokai, while Kubota Masataka plays an informant named Eiji.
The head of the rival Yokomizo gang is being played by Shiina Kippei, with Watanabe Dai as his right hand man. Yabe Kyosuke plays the head of another gang.
“QP” premieres on October 5.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Horikita Maki’s supporting cast in “Umechan-sensei” revealed
Posted on September 13, 2011 by tokyograph
On Tuesday, NHK held a press conference to reveal additional cast members for the 2012 spring-summer morning drama series “Umechan-sensei.” The show was announced this past June with actress Horikita Maki (22) as the lead.
Set in Tokyo in 1945 just after the end of World War II, the story revolves around Shimomura Umeko, the youngest of three children of a university hospital doctor. Despite being overshadowed by her older brother and sister, she resolves to become a local doctor.
Takahashi Katsumi (50) and Minami Kaho (47) will play the parents of the Shimomura family, while Mimura (27) and Koide Keisuke (27) will play her Umeko’s older siblings. Matsuzaka Tori (22) has been cast as Umeko’s childhood friend Nobuo.
The cast also features Baisho Mitsuko (64) as Umeko’s grandmother, Tsurumi Shingo (46) as Umeko’s uncle, and Kataoka Tsurutaro as Nobuo’s father. Rakugo artist Hayashiya Shozo (48) will be in charge of the narration.
“Umechan-sensei” starts on April 2, 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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SKE48's Matsui Rena transforms into gal fashion model for mobile drama
Posted on September 15, 2011 by tokyograph
SKE48 member Matsui Rena (20) will star in a mobile drama series titled “Oshare ni Koishita Cinderella ~Okarie ga Yume wo Kanaeru Made~.” She will take on a “gal” look for her character, who is modeled after gal fashion model and blogger Matsuoka Rie (known as Okarie).
Okarie herself is in charge of the styling for the outfits that Matsui wears in the drama. As the drama’s episodes are released, Okarie will appear in a separate show called “Okarie no Kore You Check?” that introduces and explains the fashion in the drama.
The drama is described as a “Cinderella story” about a young woman in love with fashion who works gradually her way up to achieve her fashion dreams.
Matsui’s supporting cast includes Saito Shota, Konno Narumi, Haru, Takahashi Hitomi, Ukaji Takashi, comedian Ishizuka Yoshiyuki, Yamazaki Shigenori, Ito Yuko, Nishimura Kazuhiko, and Kokusho Sayuri.
Lee Toshio (“Detroit Metal City”) is directing.
Mobile service BeeTV will release a total 14 10-minute episodes starting on October 1, with new episodes on Wednesdays.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Ueda Tatsuya, Tsukamoto Takashi, Suda Masaki join “Runaway” cast
Posted on September 18, 2011 by tokyograph
In July, it was announced that actor Ichihara Hayato will star in an action drama series called “Runaway ~Aisuru Kimi no Tame ni~” on TBS this fall. More cast members have been revealed, including Ueda Tatsuya (KAT-TUN), Tsukamoto Takashi, and Suda Masaki.
The story revolves around four men imprisoned on false charges. Ichihara plays a man sentenced to 6 years for murder. During his time in prison, his girlfriend (Fukuda Saki) gives birth to their daughter who has a heart illness, and when he finds out that his daughter’s life is in danger, he decides to break free from prison along with the other three men.
The three other escapees are played by Tsukamoto, Ueda, and Suda. Tsukamoto is a former yakuza sentenced to 10 years for murder. Ueda is a former host sentenced to 4 years on drug charges. Suda is the youngest of the group, a former motorcycle delivery man serving 3 years for similar drug charges.
“Runaway” will air on Thursday nights at 9:00pm, starting in October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Matsuyuki Yasuko to star in drama based on latest novel by “Kokuhaku” author
Posted on September 19, 2011 by tokyograph
It was recently announced that two works by author Minato Kanae (“Kokuhaku”) are getting live-action adaptations. Today, yet another one has been announced, based on her newest novel before the book has even been released.
Titled “Kyogu,” the novel is scheduled for release next month on October 7th. TV Asahi will air a drama special with the same title sometime this winter, starring actresses Matsuyuki Yasuko and Ryo. The drama will be directed by award-winning movie director Wakamatsu Setsuro (“Shizumanu Taiyo”).
Matsuyuki plays Yoko, a mother of a 5-year-old boy. She wins a new writer’s prize for a children’s picture book she wrote, based on the memories of her close friend Harumi (Ryo). Both of them were abandoned by their parents at a young age and raised in an orphanage.
Meanwhile, Yoko’s husband (Sawamura Ikki), a local politician, is suspected of receiving illegal campaign contributions, so his mother (Shirakawa Yumi) and his head supporter (Kishibe Ittoku) are desperate to push Yoko to popularity. The reluctant Yoko receives some encouragement from Harumi, but one day her son Yuta is suddenly kidnapped. She receives a letter demanding her to “reveal the truth” if she wants Yuta back safely. Unable to contact the police for help, she turns to Harumi for help.
The cast also includes Ishida Ayumi, Tabata Tomoko, Ichikawa Yui, Tanimura Mitsuki, Nishimura Masahiko, Azusa Mikihisa, Nogiwa Yoko, Nagura Jun, and Ashina Sei.
Before the drama is broadcast this winter, TV Asahi is releasing a spinoff drama titled “Mou Hitotsu no Kyogu” through the show’s official website. Set in an orphanage, the 7-episode story stars Duncan as a staff worker. The first episode was made available today.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yakusho Koji, Nakagoshi Noriko in drama special “Shoshu”
Posted on September 20, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor Yakusho Koji (55) is starring in a TBS drama special titled “Shoshu” (“Early Autumn”), airing next month. The drama is directed by Harada Masato and is based on the novel “Kooreru Ki” by the late author Inoue Yasushi.
Yakusho recently starred in the movie “Waga Haha no Ki,” which was also directed by Harada and was adapted from another of Inoue’s novels. That film is set for release in Japan in 2012, but it already won a special jury prize at the Montreal World Film Festival last month.
In “Shoshu,” Yakusho plays a 59-year-old man whose wife has passed away and whose daughter has married. While battling feelings of loneliness, he meets a mysterious 27-year-old woman played by Nakagoshi Noriko, and an unexpected romance ensues despite their vast age difference. Iwamatsu Ryo and Fujimura Shiho have also been cast.
The style of the drama is said to be somewhat of an homage to Ozu Yasujiro’s classic films such as “Banshun” (“Late Spring”).
TBS will broadcast “Shoshu” on October 8, in a 2-hour time slot starting at 3:00pm.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Hirosue Ryoko to play ghost in Kudokan’s “11 Nin mo Iru!”
Posted on September 21, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Hirosue Ryoko has been added to the cast of the upcoming drama series “11 Nin mo Iru!,” which was announced earlier this month. This will be her first time to appear in a drama written by popular screenwriter Kudo Kankuro.
“11 Nin mo Iru!” is a comedic home drama about the Sanada family, consisting of a jobless father (Tanabe Seiichi), a domestic mother (Mitsuura Yasuko), and 8 children. Kamiki Ryunosuke stars as the eldest son, who helps support the family through his part-time jobs. Kato Seishiro plays the youngest child Saigo, who is the only one who can see the “11th member of the family” – a ghost named Megumi.
Hirosue plays the part of Megumi, a former stripper who was also the former wife of Minoru (Tanabe) before she passed away at the age of 30. She was the real mother of all of the Sanada children besides Saigo. Unlike the Sanada family’s current mother – whose name is also Megumi, but written differently – she loves to drink, acts wildly, and is full of pride. Now as a ghost, she tries to get involved in the family’s matters using Saigo as her proxy, leading to comical results.
It has also been announced that the show’s theme song will be “Bicycle,” a new tune by rock band NICO Touches the Walls.
“11 Nin mo Iru!” premieres on October 21st.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Mitani Koki working on drama special with “Suteki na Kanashibari” cast
Posted on September 24, 2011 by tokyograph
To celebrate the upcoming release of his latest movie “Suteki na Kanashibari,” director Mitani Koki (50) is working on a drama special for Fuji TV titled “Suteki na Kakushidori ~Kanzen Muketsu no Concierge~.” The drama will feature the same star-studded cast as the movie, but with a completely different story and characters.
While the movie is about a third-rate lawyer (Fukatsu Eri) stuck with a difficult murder case, the drama is about a hotel concierge (Fukatsu) who has to deal with a variety of odd guests. Mitani previously directed “The Uchoten Hotel,” which was also set in a hotel.
Like “Suteki na Kanashibari,” the cast includes Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Nishida Toshiyuki, Abe Hiroshi, Takeuchi Yuko, Asano Tadanobu, and Nakai Kiichi. Mitani himself will make an appearance as a movie director.
Filming will take place in early October. Fuji TV plans to broadcast the drama on November 5, one week after the theatrical release of “Suteki na Kanashibari” on October 29.
Fuji TV also plans to broadcast Mitani’s previous film “The Magic Hour” on October 29 and “Furuhata Ninzaburo Final 1-3” on October 8, 15, and 22.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Aragaki Yui to star in “Ranma 1/2" live-action special
Posted on September 26, 2011 by tokyograph
The classic manga “Ranma 1/2” is being turned into a live-action drama special this December, starring actress Aragaki Yui (23). The drama will be an original story with Tendo Akane as the main character. The part of Saotome Ranma will be played by actor Kaku Kento (22) and Natsuna (22).
Originally written by Takahashi Rumiko and published by Shogakukan between 1987 and 1996, the manga has had more than 53 million copies printed. The comic has also been adapted as an anime series and has spawned several video games.
In the drama special, Aragaki plays Akane, who is determined to protect the longevity of the Tendo dojo. However, one day her father Soun suddenly declares that the dojo’s successor must be male. This rules out Akane’s intended partner Ranma, who suffers from a curse that turns him into a girl whenever he is splashed with cold water. In order to remove the curse and inherit the dojo, Ranma seeks out a secret hot spring, but he encounters a mysterious enemy.
The announced cast also features Hasegawa Kyoko as Tendo Kasumi, Tanihara Shosuke as Ono Tofu, Furuta Arata as Saotome Genma, and Namase Katsuhisa as Tendo Soun. The casting for the other characters has not yet been revealed.
NTV will broadcast the 2-hour drama sometime in December.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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2PM’s Taecyeon gets first regular role in Japanese drama series
Posted on September 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Taecyeon (22), a member of the Korean group 2PM, has been given his first regular role in a Japanese drama series. He will play a mysterious character in Fuji TV’s “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi,” which stars Kim Tae Hee (31) and Nishijima Hidetoshi (40).
The drama is a love comedy about a top Korean actress named Han Yoo Na (Kim) who comes to Japan, and Namiki Kohei, the man assigned to be her personal bodyguard (Nishijima). Taecyeon’s character is described as a man who has had to give up on his dreams, and he carries a big secret that ends up affecting both Yoo Na and Kohei.
It was already announced this month that Sakuraba Nanami will play Kohei’s niece. Kaname Jun has also been added to the cast as a paparazzi.
Taecyeon has previously appeared in Korean dramas, and he was a guest in an episode of the Japanese drama “BOSS” this past spring when the members of 2PM appeared as themselves.
“Boku to Star no 99 Nichi” premieres on October 23.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Ninomiya Kazunari, “Freeter, Ie wo Kau” win Tokyo Drama Awards
Posted on September 29, 2011 by tokyograph
A partial list of winners for the 2011 Tokyo Drama Awards has been announced. Fuji TV’s “Freeter, Ie wo Kau” has been chosen to receive the Grand Prix in the Series Drama category, and Arashi’s Ninomiya Kazunari has earned Best Performance by an Actor for his role in that show.
Best Performance by an Actress is going to Suzuki Kyoka for “Second Virgin” (NHK) and Ashida Mana for “Marumo no Okite” (Fuji TV). In the Single Drama category, TBS’s “99-nen no Ai ~Japanese Americans~” has been chosen for the Grand Prix.
The complete awards will be presented during the International Drama Festival on October 24-25, which is part of the annual Japan International Contents Festival (CoFesta).
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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“Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari” ends after 21 years and 500 episodes
Posted on October 1, 2011 by tokyograph
TBS’s long-running drama series “Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari” ended its run on Thursday last week. According to data from Video Research, Ltd., the show’s finale had ratings of 22.2% in the Kanto area and 20.3% in the Kansai area.
The drama, which depicts the lives of the Okakura household and the families of the five Okakura daughters, first started in 1990. There have been 10 series in all, each lasting a year, with last Thursday’s episode officially being the 500th and final episode in the show’s 21-year history.
“Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari” has consistently been one of the highest rated dramas during its entire run. Over the 500 episodes, the show had an average viewership rating of 20.6% in the Kanto region.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 13-9-2011 12:57 PM
