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SMAP to sing theme song of NHK morning drama “Umechan-sensei”
Posted on February 15, 2012 by tokyograph
SMAP will provide the theme song for NHK’s next morning drama, “Umechan-sensei” (starring actress Horikita Maki). This will be the first time ever that a Johnny's group has sung the theme song for an NHK Asadora.
Producer Iwatani Kanako explained that it has been 20 years since SMAP’s debut, and during that time SMAP has been a leading force in Japan’s entertainment world. Because their voices have brought smiling faces to countless fans, she felt confident that they would be able to help people start off each day with a smile.
SMAP’s new song was written specifically for the drama, and it is described as a positive and encouraging song titled “Sakasama no Sora.” The song was written by Aso Tetsuro and composed and arranged by Kanno Yoko.
As announced last year, “Umechan-sensei” stars Horikita as a young woman trying to become a local doctor just after the end of World War II. The series will begin airing on April 2nd.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kaku Kento to star in “Clover” drama adaptation
Posted on February 15, 2012 by tokyograph
Earlier this month, it was announced that Hirakawa Tetsuhiro’s manga “Clover” is getting a live-action drama adaptation. The main cast has now been revealed, and young actor Kaku Kento (22) will be taking on role of the protagonist Hayato.
The story depicts the daily lives of three high school delinquents (Hayato, Tomoki, and Kenji) who renew their childhood friendship after Hayato returns to his hometown after a long time away. The three of them occasionally fight and get into trouble, but their friendship helps them overcome various obstacles.
Kaku plays Hayato, who is strong in fighting. Miura Takahiro and Suzunosuke have been cast as Tomoki and Kenji, respectively. Rising actress Arimura Kasumi plays a smart classmate named Akiyama Yui whose character is completely different outside of school.
Irie Yu, the director of the movie “SR: Saitama no Rapper,” will be in charge of the drama. This is his first time directing a television series.
TV Tokyo will broadcast “Clover” on Friday nights at 12:12am, starting on April 13.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Tanimura Mitsuki to star in drama series “Taburakashi”
Posted on February 15, 2012 by tokyograph
Actress Tanimura Mitsuki (21) has been given the lead role in a new drama series called “Taburakashi ~Daikou Joyuugyou Maki~.” This will be Tanimura’s first time starring in a drama series on commercial broadcast television.
The drama will air in NTV’s “Thursday Mystery Theater” time slot (11:58pm-12:38am). The story is based on “Taburakashi,” a novel by Yasuda Io that won the 23rd Shosetsu Subaru New Writers Award.
Tanimura plays Maki, a young woman who came to Tokyo with dreams of becoming an actress. However, the theatrical troupe she belonged to disbanded, and she has meanwhile become burdened with 6 million yen worth of debt. She begins working as a stand-in actress, playing everything from a corpse to a ghost to a newlywed. The show even includes a sexier and more adult look for Tanimura.
Yamamoto Koji and Danta Yasunori have also been cast. Takahashi Yu will sing the show’s theme song, “Sepia.”
“Taburakashi” begins airing on April 5th.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takei Emi to play two characters in new “W no Higeki” drama adaptation
Posted on February 16, 2012 by tokyograph
Takei Emi (18) will take on a dual role in a new drama series called “W no Higeki.” This will be Takei’s first time starring in a drama during golden time (7:00pm-10:00pm), meaning even further exposure for the up-and-coming young actress.
“W no Higeki” is an adaptation of a novel by Natsuki Shizuko, which was first published in 1982. It was turned into a theatrical movie in 1984, then got two separate drama adaptations in 2001 and 2010.
The new version of the story will have Takei playing two different characters. One is Mako, the daughter of a major business conglomerate. She has always lived in comfort, and as a result, she yearns to finally grasp life with her own hands. The other character is Satsuki, a show pub dancer who lives a solitary and destitute life in a corner of the city and who desires money and power. Although the characters and setting are different from the original, the drama appears to follow the same concept of two women who exchange lives, leading to various tragic events for both of them.
“W no Higeki” will air on Thursdays at 9:00pm, starting this April.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nakayama Miho, Sato Koichi co-star as lovers in drama special
Posted on February 16, 2012 by tokyograph
Actress Nakayama Miho (41), also known by the nickname “Miporin,” will act in her first television drama since 10 years ago. She will co-star with actor Sato Koichi (51) in a drama special tentatively titled “Shuchakueki ~Twilight Express no Koi~.”
Nakayama was one of the more popular actresses of the 1980s and 1990s, but she has not had a television drama role since the series “Home & Away” in late 2002. After that, she put her show business career in Japan on hold and moved to France after marrying writer Tsuji Hitonari. In 2009, she made her comeback as an actress in the movie “Sayonara Itsuka,” based on a novel by Tsuji.
The drama is set on the Twilight Express, Japan’s longest overnight train service, which runs approximately 22 hours between Osaka and Sapporo. Nakayama and Sato play Chie and Keisuke, two lovers who have decided to part ways at the end of the journey. Chie already has a family but has been carrying on a passionate, secret affair with Keisuke. The story mainly takes place in their suite room on the train.
The drama was filmed aboard the actual Twilight Express with cooperation from the JR West company, which operates the train service.
TBS will broadcast the special on March 20 at 9:00pm.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Sato Ryuta stars as cosmetic surgeon in “Cleopatra na Onnatachi”
Posted on February 16, 2012 by tokyograph
NTV has announced a new drama series for this spring titled “Cleopatra na Onnatachi,” starring actor Sato Ryuta (31). The show will also feature actresses Inamori Izumi (39) and Kitano Kie (20).
The story is described as a human drama set at a cosmetic surgery clinic. Unlike his usual enthusiastic characters, Sato plays a young surgeon named Kishi Minetaro, who speaks little, acts uncouthly, and dislikes women. Inamori plays a very capable surgeon, while Kitano plays a cheerful young nurse. Other cast members include Ayano Go, Miura Shohei, and Yo Kimiko.
Oishi Shizuka (“Second Virgin,” “Mitsu no Aji”) is in charge of the screenplay.
NTV has scheduled the series for Wednesday nights at 10:00pm, beginning in April.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Okada Masaki to star in “Mirai Nikki” drama adaptation
Posted on February 16, 2012 by tokyograph
In April, Fuji TV is bringing back its Saturday night drama time slot (11:10pm-11:55pm). The first new show will be an adaptation of Esuno Sakae’s popular manga “Mirai Nikki” (“Future Diary”), titled “Mirai Nikki -ANOTHER:WORLD-.” Actor Okada Masaki (22) will star.
“Mirai Nikki” was serialized in Weekly Shonen Ace from 2006 to 2011. It was released in 12 tankoubon volumes, which have had more than 4 million copies printed. The story was also turned into a video game in 2010, an anime series in 2011, and a novel earlier this month.
The drama will use an original story that differs from the manga, revolving around 12 people who obtain a “future diary,” which allows them write down “predictions” of the future that will come true. However, they are all part of a game of survival, in which they must use their diaries to try to kill each other and be the last one remaining, earning a place on the “God’s seat.”
Okada plays Hoshino Arata, a lazy college student who doesn’t believe in spending effort or working toward the future. One day, he gets a diary (the “future diary”) on his mobile phone, and he becomes involved in the game of survival.
The screenplay is being written by Watanabe Yusuke, who worked on the “20th Century Boys” and “GANTZ” movies.
Additional cast members and details will be revealed at a later date. Broadcast is scheduled to start in April.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kora Kengo to star in drama series adaptation of “Crime and Punishment” manga
Posted on February 18, 2012 by tokyograph
Details have been released regarding the planned live-action adaptation of Ochiai Naoyuki’s manga “Tsumi to Batsu: A Falsified Romance.” Actor Kora Kengo (24) will star, with a supporting cast that includes actress Mizukawa Asami (28).
“Tsumi to Batsu: A Falsified Romance” is a manga inspired by the literary classic “Crime and Punishment” (known as “Tsumi to Batsu” in Japanese) by Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. While the original novel revolved around a young man who struggles with himself after killing a pawnbroker, Ochiai’s manga tells the story of a college dropout and hikikomori (shut-in) who plans to kill a high school girl leading an enjo-kousai (compensated dating) group.
Kora plays the role of Tachi Miroku, a dropout and hikikomori who is aiming to become a writer. He lost his father to suicide, while his mother and older sister have high expectations for his future. He ends up deciding to murder a heartless young girl named Baba Hikaru (played by Hashimoto Ai), who is the leader of an enjo-kousai group.
The heroine of the drama will be the character Ameya Echika, played by Mizukawa. Other characters include the public prosecutor Goi Kurodo (Ibu Masato), the money courier Mikoshiba Haruka (Sometani Shota), and the mysterious man Sudo Kai (Tanaka Tetsushi).
The drama series will air on Sundays at 10:00pm on the satellite broadcasting channel WOWOW, beginning April 29. A total of 6 episodes are planned, and the first one will air for free.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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EXILE’s KEIJI, TETSUYA co-star in mobile drama
Posted on February 18, 2012 by tokyograph
EXILE members KEIJI (32) and TETSUYA (31) will co-star in a mobile phone drama on the BeeTV service, titled “Kimi to Boku to no Yakusoku.” This is the first time that either of them has had a starring role in a drama.
The story revolves around three childhood friends, exploring the themes of friendship, love, and perseverance. KEIJI plays a man named Shuji, who gave up his pro baseball dreams due to shoulder pains and now transitions from job to job. TETSUYA, on the other hand, plays Yohei, who is striving toward his dream of becoming a designer and opening a shop. Actress Renbutsu Misako plays Sako, who works a part-time job at a design-related company.
Hirata Mitsuru, Takizawa Saori, and Hakamada Yoshihiko have also been cast. Filming started in early February, and BeeTV will begin rele |
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SMAP’s Kusanagi Tsuyoshi to play doctor in Fuji TV drama series
Posted on February 19, 2012 by tokyograph
SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (37) has been chosen to star in a Fuji TV drama series titled “37-sai de Isha ni Natta Boku ~Kenshui Junjo Monogatari~.” The drama is based on the story of a man who changes jobs and becomes a doctor at the age of 37.
The model for the story is a doctor named Kawafuchi Keiichi (52). After graduating from Tokyo University, he spent some time making a living off of pachinko and worked various jobs before becoming a hikikomori (shut-in) for a year. At the age of 30, he decided to enter the medical school at Kyoto University, and he finally became an intern at a university hospital at the age of 37.
Kawafuchi wrote an essay-like novel about his experiences in 2002 that sold roughly 100,000 copies. His follow-up book, “Furikaeru na Doctor,” was released in 2011 and is being used as the basis for the drama.
For Kusanagi, this will be his first time playing a doctor in a television drama. His character used to work at a food maker before he quit and entered medical school at the age of 30.
Fuji TV will broadcast the series on Tuesday nights at 10:00pm, starting this April.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Ohno Satoshi, Aiba Masaki to star in separate mystery dramas this spring
Posted on February 21, 2012 by tokyograph
Two Arashi members will be starring in separate television dramas this spring. Ohno Satoshi (31) will occupy Fuji TV’s Monday 9:00pm time slot with “Kagi no Kakatta Heya,” while Aiba Masaki (29) will take over NTV’s Saturday 9:00pm time slot with “Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri.” Both shows will be mystery dramas.
For Ohno, this will be his first time starring in a drama series on Fuji TV, not to mention his first in the network flagship “Getsu 9? (Monday 9:00pm) time slot. That time slot is currently occupied by “Lucky Seven,” which stars fellow Arashi member Matsumoto Jun (28). This will be the first time that Arashi members have starred in back-to-back “Getsu 9? dramas.
“Kagi no Kakatta Heya” is based on a novel by author Kishi Yusuke. Ohno plays an employee of a major security company who has to unravel various incidents. The series falls under the “locked room” mystery genre, in which crimes are committed under seemingly impossible circumstances (such as within a room with no apparent means of escape). Ohno’s character has an obsession with studying keys and locks, giving him an advantage in solving each mystery.
“Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri,” on the other hand, is based on a popular novel series by Akagawa Jiro. Also known in English as “Calico Cat Holmes,” the series has had dozens of books released, with a total of more than 26 million copies in print.
Aiba plays Katayama Yoshitaro, the son of a famous police detective. He followed his father’s dying wish and became a detective as well, but with his inability to look at blood and his fears of heights, ghosts, and women, he failed to succeed in his work. But one day, he meets a Calico cat named Holmes who can understand human speech and has extraordinary powers of deduction. The two form a duo, working together to solve difficult cases.
Both “Kagi no Kakatta Heya” and “Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri” will begin airing in April.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“LIAR GAME” movie gets spinoff drama starring Ashida Mana
Posted on February 23, 2012 by tokyograph
The second “LIAR GAME” movie will get a spinoff television drama on Fuji TV. Titled “Alice in Liar Game,” the spinoff will focus on the past of the character Alice, who is being played by child actress Ashida Mana (7).
As previously announced, the new “LIAR GAME” movie stars Matsuda Shota as the brilliant swindler Akiyama Shinichi and Tabe Mikako as a new heroine named Shinomiya Yu. Yu gets involved in a high-stakes game of deception (known as the Liar Game), and Akiyama must help her. Esumi Makiko plays Omega, a member of the Liar Game organization, which has revived the game with the goal of getting revenge against Akiyama for the previous game.
Ashida’s character Alice, another member of the organization, is close to Omega, and she is in charge of everything regarding the new game, including the game’s structure, the player selection, and the traps used against the players.
The spinoff drama will shed light on the relationship between Omega and Alice, as well as how Alice’s life came to be.
Fuji TV will broadcast the spinoff on four consecutive nights, March 5-8. The movie opens in theaters on March 3.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“LIAR GAME” movie gets spinoff drama starring Ashida Mana
Posted on February 23, 2012 by tokyograph
The second “LIAR GAME” movie will get a spinoff television drama on Fuji TV. Titled “Alice in Liar Game,” the spinoff will focus on the past of the character Alice, who is being played by child actress Ashida Mana (7).
As previously announced, the new “LIAR GAME” movie stars Matsuda Shota as the brilliant swindler Akiyama Shinichi and Tabe Mikako as a new heroine named Shinomiya Yu. Yu gets involved in a high-stakes game of deception (known as the Liar Game), and Akiyama must help her. Esumi Makiko plays Omega, a member of the Liar Game organization, which has revived the game with the goal of getting revenge against Akiyama for the previous game.
Ashida’s character Alice, another member of the organization, is close to Omega, and she is in charge of everything regarding the new game, including the game’s structure, the player selection, and the traps used against the players.
The spinoff drama will shed light on the relationship between Omega and Alice, as well as how Alice’s life came to be.
Fuji TV will broadcast the spinoff on four consecutive nights, March 5-8. The movie opens in theaters on March 3.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Gainax teams up with director Yamashita Nobuhiro to produce first live-action drama
Posted on February 23, 2012 by tokyograph
Animation studio Gainax has announced that it is producing its first live-action television drama, set to begin airing this April. Yamashita Nobuhiro (“Linda Linda Linda,” “My Back Page”) will direct.
The drama is titled “EA's Rock” and is described as a hero comedy show. The story is set at the Shooting Bar EA in Kichijoji, Tokyo, a bar which features an airsoft shooting range. The five main characters are the “Kankaku Senshi Gokan Five,” a team of heroes who once protected the Earth’s peace. However, the need for their hero work has been rapidly decreasing, and the only one still left as a hero is the 45-year-old Akai (Gokan Red), who has had a hero career of 25 years. While working as a bartender at the bar, which is run by the former Gokan Blue, he continues his task of protecting the Earth’s peace, albeit in minor ways. In addition, the 17-year-old Momoka, the former Gokan Peach, begins working part-time at the bar as a waitress.
Actor Yamamoto Hiroshi will star as Akai, while actress Shiina Kotone will play the heroine as Momoka. Other cast members include Moto Fuyuki, Hyuuga Jo, Yamamoto Takeshi, Kobayashi Kinako, Uno Shohei, and Nozaki Yoshimi.
The series is scheduled for 13 15-minute episodes. It will be broadcast on the “Tomeihan Net 6? UHF channels (TV Saitama, Chiba TV, TV Kanagawa, Mie TV, KBS, SUN-TV) in a late night time slot, though the broadcast dates and times vary among the channels.
An official Nico Nico Douga channel has also launched, and it will feature comments from the cast and staff, making-of footage, and more.
Source: Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takenouchi Yutaka to star in drama series “Mou Ichido Kimi ni, Propose”
Posted on February 24, 2012 by tokyograph
Actor Takenouchi Yutaka (41) will star in a drama series on TBS this spring, titled “Mou Ichido Kimi ni, Propose.” The show is described as a love story involving a wife who has partly lost her memory and her husband who tries to reconstruct their relationship.
Takenouchi plays Miyamoto Haru, who works as a mechanic at an automobile repair shop. He married his wife Kanako, a librarian, after dating for a year. In their fourth year of marriage, they have no children, but everything seems to be going smoothly. One day, Kanako suffers from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She successfully undergoes surgery, but she loses only her memories with Haru. Reeling from shock, Haru becomes aware again of just how important Kanako is to him, and he resolves to fall in love all over again with her and try to rebuild their relationship from scratch. However, the challenge is whether he can reach her heart once again.
The casting for Kanako and the other characters has not yet been announced, but the show’s website indicates a big-name cast.
The series will premiere in April, airing weekly in TBS’s Frday 10:00pm time slot.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Toda Erika to play lawyer in Ohno Satoshi’s new drama
Posted on February 27, 2012 by tokyograph
Actress Toda Erika (23) has been cast as the heroine in Fuji TV’s next Monday night drama series, “Kagi no Kakatta Heya.” The mystery drama was just announced last week, with Arashi’s Ohno Satoshi (31) in the starring role.
Toda will play a pure, straightforward, and beautiful lawyer named Junko. The drama’s story unfolds after she requests the cooperation of Ohno’s character Kei, a security company employee who has an obsession with studying locks and security, which he uses to solve seemingly impossible crimes that happened within locked rooms.
This will be Toda’s first time playing a lawyer, as well as her first time acting with Ohno. However, this is not her first time in Fuji TV’s “Getsu 9″ time slot, as she previously appeared in “Code Blue” (2008 and 2010) and in last year’s “Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta.”
“Kagi no Kakatta Heya” begins in April. The broadcast date of the first episode has not yet been announced.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nishikido Ryo to star as himself in drama series “Papa wa Idol”
Posted on February 27, 2012 by tokyograph
 
Kanjani8 member Nishikido Ryo (27) is confirmed to star in a new drama series on TBS this spring. Tentatively titled “Papa wa Idol,” the show will have Nishikido playing himself.
“Papa wa Idol” is a remake of the 1987 drama series “Mama wa Idol,” which starred singer and actress Nakayama Miho (41) as herself. In this version, Nishikido naturally plays the part of Nishikido Ryo, a member of Kanjani8. One day, he meets a single mother of three children, and he suddenly falls in love and gets married. Yuka (31) will play the part of the mother.
The series will also have various other members of Kanjani8 appearing as themselves. 9nine member Kawashima Umika (17) will play the part of the oldest daughter.
There are plans to have the show tied in with TBS news shows, magazines, and other media.
“Papa wa Idol” will air on Thursdays at 9:00pm, beginning this April.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Amami Yuki, Ishida Yuriko in musical drama “Kaeru no Oujo-sama”
Posted on February 27, 2012 by tokyograph
Fuji TV has announced another drama series for this spring, titled “Kaeru no Oujo-sama.” Actress Amami Yuki (44) will take on the lead role as a legendary musical star.
The “musical drama” will revolve around a stage musical star (Amami) who was active in Japan but attempted to find success on Broadway. Unable to gain a foothold there, she receives a request from back home to revive a “mama-san” chorus group that is on the verge of falling apart. The drama will reportedly include lots of singing and dancing scenes, somewhat similar to the hit American TV series “Glee.” Each episode is expected to feature performances of one or two famous songs, from pop hits like THE BOOM’s “Kaze ni Naritai” and Kome Kome CLUB’s “Roman Hikou” to enka and kayokyoku.
Amami has plenty of experience as a musical star in real life, having been a top star for the Takarazuka Revue between 1987 and 1995. However, this will be her first time playing the role of a musical star in a television drama.
Ishida Yuriko (42) has been cast as a housewife who is at odds with Amami.
“Kaeru no Oujo-sama” will air on Thursdays at 10:00pm, starting on April 12.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Detective Conan” drama to return with special episode
Posted on February 29, 2012 by tokyograph
The live-action “Detective Conan” television series is returning with a special episode this spring. Mizobata Junpei (22) will reprise his role as the protagonist Kudo Shinichi, and Kutsuna Shiori (19) will also return as Mori Ran.
The new special is titled “Kudo Shinichi: Kyoto Shinsengumi Satsujin Jiken.” The story revolves around two locked room mysteries, one taking place in an airplane and the other on the set of a movie.
Matsuzaka Tori, Okamoto Rei, Usuda Asami, Sato Aiko, Nakamura Shunsuke, Kojima Kazuya, Itoda Jun, and Dante Carver will also appear in the drama.
NTV will broadcast the special on April 12.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Akimoto Yasushi creates new drama series with Johnny’s Jr. and AKB48 members
Posted on February 29, 2012 by tokyograph
NTV has announced a new drama series starring 6 members of Johnny's Jr. and 6 members of AKB48. The drama is titled “Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou” and is an original story created by AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi.
The premise for the youthful, comedic drama involves two high schools merging together. One is the “baka” side, full of nothing but stupid yankees, while the other is the “cattleya” side, full of beautiful and intelligent young ladies. According to the show’s website, the school apparently has three rules: no dating, no exchanging mobile phone e-mail addresses, and having to sleep early and wake up early.
The Johnny’s Jr. members appearing in the drama are Morimoto Shintaro, Matsumura Hokuto, Kyomoto Taiga, Tanaka Juri, Lewis Jesse, and Kochi Yugo.
The AKB48 members are mostly from Team 4: Shimazaki Haruka, Oba Mina, Nagao Mariya, Kobayashi Marina, Shimada Haruka, and Nakamura Mariko.
NTV will broadcast the show on Saturday nights at 12:50am, beginning April 14.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 18-3-2012 09:55 PM
