Japanese dramas (テレビドラマ, terebi dorama, lit. television drama) are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of dramas including romance, comedies, detective stories, horror, and many others.

Japanese drama series are broadcasted in three-month long seasons, with new dramas airing each season. The majority of dramas are aired weekdays in the evenings around 9:00pm, 10:00pm, or even 11:00pm. Dramas shown in the morning or afternoon are generally broadcast on a daily basis, and episodes of the same drama can be aired every day for several months. The evening dramas, however, air weekly, and are usually 9 to 12 episodes long, though sometimes there will be an epilogue special made after the final episode if the drama has been a huge success.

Japanese television seasons are: Winter (January–March), Spring (April–June), Summer (July–September), and Autumn or Fall (October–December).

Around 40

• Genre: Human drama, comedy
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-11 to 2008-June-20

Synopsis

39-year-old Ogata Satoko is a highly capable psychiatrist who is single. She's forthright, a caring older sister and reliable in her job and in private. Her interests are staying in luxurious Japanese inns and watching stand-up comedy videos.

Satoko hasn't had a boyfriend in the past five years. Nevertheless, she derives satisfaction from work and isn't worried about her finances. Among her good friends that she hangs out with are 35-year-old Morimura Nao, her junior who proclaims that she won't marry, and 39-year-old Oikawa Sadao, her peer since high school. Satoko is happily enjoying the single life.

At an alumni reunion as everyone is on the verge of 40, Takeuchi Mizue, her good friend since high school who is now a full-time housewife, rushes Satoko into action. "If you want children, you should marry now" and "It's women's happiness", but both are lost on Satoko, who isn't convinced.

One day, Satoko attempts to cheer up Nao, who is downcast over a shocking incident, and goes to her favourite hot-spring inn. There she coincidentally encounters a breakup between a handsome but somewhat odd man, Okamura Keitaro, and his girlfriend...

Change

• Genre: Human drama, politics
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2008-May-12 to 2008-Jul-14

Synopsis

The story begins with the deaths of ruling party's Fukuoka legislator and his eldest son, his heir apparent, in an accident. It is decided that a by-election will be held, and Kanbayashi Masaichi, the leader of the ruling party, and secretary Miyama Rika conceive the idea of fielding the second son, Asakura Keita (played by Kimura Takuya) , who had been renounced by his father.

After Keita graduated from senior high school, he went on to a university in Nagano because he wanted to live in a place with beautiful stars, and eventually became an elementary school teacher over there. Well-liked by children and satisfied with his beloved star gazing, Keita has no interest in the world of politics. However, at Rika's persuasion and the pressure of his family, he reluctantly decides to announce his candidacy.

Upon returning to Fukuoka, Keita is given a hearty welcome by supporters. The election strategist, Nirasawa Katsutoshi, arrives there. He is guided by the notion "election is the only permitted legal war" and begins Keita's election campaign.

Gokusen season 3

• Genre: Comedy, School
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period:2008-Apr-19 to 2008-Jun

Synopsis

The story of a young, idealistic teacher who enters Shirokin Gakuen with hopes of making a difference in the students' lives. However, Yamaguchi Kumiko (Nakama Yukie) is in for a rude awakening when she finds that she will be the homeroom teacher of 3-D, the hardest class to maintain in the school. The students have multi-colored hair, sloppy uniforms, and show absolutely no respect to her. The leader of the class, Sawada Shin is lazy but bright and shows some interest in Yamaguchi when he notices that she is very different from other teachers. The students try to bully her to make her quit, but their attempts don't get them very far.

What the class and the rest of the school does not know is that Yamaguchi Kumiko is actually the 4th generation heir to the Ooedo Group, a notorious yakuza clan. Even though her family would like her to take the title of Ojou when her grandfather dies, they have accepted the fact that Yamaguchi would rather be a teacher.

Eventually, the students learn to respect their quirky teacher because of her devotion to them, and even give her a nickname: Yankumi.

Last Friends

• Genre: Friendship, human drama, gay/lesbian
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-10 to 2008-Jun-19
• Viewership rating: 17.7 (Kanto)

Synopsis

Last Friends tackles issues that afflict the current generation. Michiru's mother has brought a man back to their home and she is bullied at her workplace where she works as a beauty parlour assistant. She starts cohabiting with her boyfriend, a good young man who works at the Child Welfare Division and the only person who can give her emotional support, but ends up the victim of domestic violence and becomes fearful of love. The boyishly charming Ruka was a classmate of Michiru's in junior high school. She has performed brilliantly as a motocross racer and aims to win the national championship, but as the story progresses, a deep worry that she can neither confide in her parents or close friends grows evident. Takeru is a hair and makeup artist acquainted with Ruka. He is a good confidant to females due to his kindness and perceptiveness, and finds himself attracted to Ruka but has a phobia of sex as a result of a past trauma. The three of them become house mates and through their associations with others, gain the capacity to be positive about life.

Loss Time Life

• Genre: Varies
• Episodes: 9 plus two overtime eps
• Broadcast period: 2008-Feb-02 to 2008-Apr-19

Synopsis

What would you do if you knew that your time in life is ticking away by the minute? A mysterious "referee" appears in front of individuals in their dying moments while living their usual lives, and announces the exact amount of time they have left to live. Each individual must make a quick decision on how to best spend the time remaining before his or her time expires.

Ryokiteki na Kanojo (My Sassy Girl)

• Genre: Romance, comedy
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-20 to 2008-Jun-29
• Viewership rating: 8.1 (Kanto)

Synopsis

Based on the hit South Korean movie, My Sassy Girl, the character backgrounds and plot details will be changed for the drama. While the protagonists in the original film were college students, this time the pair will be a marine biology professor, Masaki Saburo, and Takami Riko, an aspiring writer.

Koshonin (The Negotiator)

• Genre: Detective mystery
• Episodes: 8
• Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-10 to 2008-Feb-28
• Viewership ratings: 13.5 (Kanto)

Synopsis

In a modern society in which violent crimes are on the rise, there is a team that tries to resolve cases without bloodshed. It is the metropolitan police's special team, known by the abbreviation SIT (Special Investigation Team). The SIT doesn't get into action after a case but heads to the site just as a crime is being committed. They are on the front-line of risky missions, facing off against criminals; tenaciously conducting negotiations with criminals. As a result of the rigid police hierarchy that can curb the conduct of negotiators, the SIT is also a male-dominated society controlled with strict discipline. There is one female negotiator, Usagi Reiko, who bravely fights at the frontline. She is isolated in the male world of the SIT but courageously fights against crime as well as her organisation.

RH Plus

• Genre: Horror, fantasy, action
• Episodes: 13
• Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-02 to 2008-Mar-26

Synopsis

This series follows the daily lives of 4 vampires that live together in a European-style building: Kiyoi (Takano Hassei) is the eldest who takes care of the others, Masakazu (Ojima Naoya) is a college student who gets information on criminal activities, and Ageha and Makoto (Tochihara Rakuto and Miura Yuu) both go to high-school (and tend to end up helping Masakazu whether they really want to or not). They fight against crime when the cops are unwilling or unable to do so. The series is based off of a shounen-ai manga published in B's Log. Whether you like shounen-ai or not, it hasn't been very obvious in this series and it may not be... the jury's still out on that.

Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi 2

• Also known as: Seven Female Lawyers
• Genre: Mystery
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-10 to 2008-Jun-19

Synopsis

Todo Maki, a rookie lawyer, joins a law office run by seven female attorneys who work to help women who have become victims of crime. Todo eagerly goes to work, but when her boss Sugimura Misako assigns her to a case, she discovers there is still much to learn about practicing law. Under the guidance of her six more experienced colleagues, she discovers what it means to be a lawyer.

Yukan Club

• Genre: School comedy
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-16 to 2007-Dec-18

Synopsis

Shochikubai Miroku (Akanishi Jin) is the son of a police commissioner (father) and also a traveller (mother). Miroku has lots of connections and is a very good fighter. His interest is his motorcycle.

Kikumasamune Seishiro (Yokoyuma Yu) is the rich son of a large hospital. He also fights as well as Miroku. He is a good fighter with smarts.

Bido Granmarie (Taguchi Junnosuke) is the son of a Swedish ambassador. He's also a playboy, dating many girls at once. Granmarie can't see himself going steady because he thinks the world can't handle it.

Kenbishi Yuri (Minami) is the rich daughter of a world-renowned president of the Kenbishi Business. She loves to indulge on eating. She's also a good fighter, but can never beat Seishiro.

Hakushika Noriko (Kashii Yu) is the daughter of a famous japanese painter (father) and her mother is from a tradition tea ceremony family. Her only hate is men and can get very violent when they touch her.

Kizakura Karen (Suzuki Emi) lives with her mother, a rich jewel dealer. Her dream is to marry into a rich family using her attractive body and style.

Together, they formed the Yukan Club, solving mysteries to pass time.

14 Sai no Haha (14 year Old Mother)

• Genre: Family
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2006-Oct-11 to 2006-Dec-20

Synopsis

Shida Mirai, the young actress of Jyoou no Kyoushitsu fame, plays an average junior high school student who becomes pregnant with her lover’s child. The drama will show her gradually maturing as the circumstances around her change

 

Ashita no Kita Yoshio

• Genre: Human drama
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-08 to 2008-Mar-18

Synopsis

Can a coward commit suicide?

Meet Kita Yoshio (Kohinata Fumiyo), a very unlucky man who has chosen his close friend’s death anniversary as his suicide date, which is 11 days away. The number 11 has been quite significant throughout his life: he was born on November 11th; his roll call number at school was #11; and 11 years ago, he and his wife, Mizuho, went through a divorce. Debt-laden and feeling unneeded to the world, he sells off all his belongings and plans for his death date. However, on the 1st day, he meets Yashiro Heita (Matsuda Ryuhei) as well as numerous other characters who will cause him to experience the most eventful 11 days of his life.

Abarenbo Mama (Wild Mom)

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-16 to 2007-Dec-18

Synopsis

22-year old Kawano Ayu (Ueto Aya) was brought up way out in the country. She's a rough-mannered tomboy. When she meets Tetsu (Oizumi Yo), a divorced beautician, the two fall in love and get married. Immediately after their happy new life begins, they are visited by a 5-year old boy, Yuki, who claims to be Tetsu's son. Ayu reluctantly becomes the boy's mother, but has no idea how to raise a child. What's more, at kindergarten, she must confront the elegant mothers of the neighborhood. Ayu's humorous life as a rookie mother begins.

Bengoshi no Kuzu (Scum of Lawyers)

• Genre: Mystery / Comedy
• Episodes: 12
• Broadcast period: 2006-Apr-13 to 2006-Jun-29

Synopsis

Toyokawa Etsushi and Ito Hideaki appear together for the first time in what is a never-before-seen lawyer-oriented drama. The original work by Iura Hideo, "Bengoshi no Kuzu," is currently being published by Big Comic Original. Our main character, Kuzu Motohito--aka "scum lawyer"--will do just about anything if it means he can win in court. Lawyers aren't on the side of justice! The law isn't meant to punish people, it's meant to save them! At least, that's this guy's secret motto. High school drop-out, lover of money and women, rude demeanor, and a vulgar mouth. This ridiculous excuse for a lawyer (played by Toyokawa Etsushi) has his first challenge in this comedy as the character Kuzu Motohito. And then there's Takeda Masami (played by Ito Hideaki) who works with Kuzu; Takeda Masami is a wet behind the ears lawyer who is touched by the very idea of justice. Takashima Reiko plays the capable female lawyer, Kato Tetsuko. "You'll laugh, you'll cry...a satisfying Legal Human Comedy that breaks through all the rules of the legal world."

Chibi Maruko-Chan

Cupid no Itazura

• Format: Renzoku
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2006-Oct-13 to 2006-Dec-22

Synopsis

A man who's still a virgin, has a very very rare disease which allows him to only have sex seven times in his life. After he has used up all the seven chances, he will never ever be able to have sex again for the rest of his life... and so far, he has wasted two times on 'self gratification'. Now he only has five times left, and he wants to choose carefully and save himself for that someone special...but at the same time he desperately wants to lose his virginity... Starring Kitagawa Hiromi, Takahashi Ryousuke, Akiyama Rina, Ogawa Nana, Okubo Mariko and more.

Dream again

• Genre: Sports/human drama
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-13 to 2007-Dec-15

Synopsis

This original series stars Takashi Sorimachi as the pro baseball player Shunsuke Ogi, who is forced to retire after a shoulder injury. He continues to train in hope of returning to the game, but a sudden accident leads to his death. God decides to give him a second chance, placing his soul into the body of another man - a wealthy fund company manager - but adjusting to his new life isn't easy...

Elite Yankee Saburo

• Format: Renzoku
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2007-Apr-13 to 2007-June-29

Synopsis

Based on the comedy manga by Abe Shuji, "Elite Yankee Saburo" tells the story of Ookochi Saburo (Ishiguro Hideo), a plain and shy boy entering high school. Unfortunately for him, his two older brothers had built a reputation as legendary troublemakers at that school. When Saburo arrives, he is immediately misunderstood and treated as an "elite yankee.

Garireo (Galilelo)

• Genre: Detective, mystery
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-15 to 2007-Dec-17

Synopsis

In "Galileo," Fukuyama Masaharu plays a genius physicist and university associate professor, Yukawa Manabu, who solves difficult mysteries. Affectionately known as Tantei Galileo ("Detective Galileo"), Yukawa is brilliant, an all-round sportsman, tall and handsome but eccentric. Yukawa's partner is a rookie cop, Utsumi Kaoru (Shibasaki Kou), a hot-blooded woman with a strong sense of justice.

Hanazakari No Kimitachi E (Hana Kimi)

• Title: 花ざかりの君たちへ
• Genre: High school romance comedy
• Episodes: 12
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-03 to 2007-Sept-18

Synopsis

The drama is based on the popular manga of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya, which has already been dramatized in Taiwan. Horikita plays the protagonist Ashiya Mizuki, a Japanese girl in the U.S. who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi (Oguri) compete in the high jump on television. She begins to idolize him, and decides to move to Japan to attend the same school as him. However, Izumi goes to an all-boys school, so Mizuki disguises herself as a boy to achieve her dream of being with her idol.

Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers)

• Title: 花より男子
• Genre: High school romance comedy
• Episodes: 12
• Broadcast period: 2005-Oct-21 to 2005-Dec-16

Synopsis

Makino Tsukushi (Inoue Mao) is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa (Matsumoto Jun), the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui (Oguri Shun) , the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro (Matsuda Shota), a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira (Abe Tsuyoshi) , a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4’s bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.

Makino hopes to pass her days quietly-- without drawing any attention to herself-- but one day, she stands up to Domyoji in defense of her friend. The next day, Makino gets the dreaded red notice. Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a “tough weed”. She declares war right back on the F4. Her resolve gets the attention of her crush Hanazawa Rui and oddly enough, rouses romantic feelings in her worst enemy, Domyoji Tsukasa.

The series is based on the Japanese shoujo manga "Hana Yori Dango" (Boys Before Flowers) by Kamio Yoko.

Hatachi no Koibito (20 year-old Lover)

• Genre: Romantic comedy
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-14 to 2007-Dec-16

Synopsis

Hatachi no Koibito tells the story of Inoue Keisuke (Akashiya Sanma), a married salaryman. At the age of 50, he begins thinking about his purpose in life. By chance, he encounters Sawada Yuri (Nagasawa Masami), a 20-year-old graphic design student full of hopes and dreams for the future. Because of her resemblance to his girlfriend from long ago, he finds his heart unexpectedly beating faster...

Jigoku no Sata mo Yome Shidai

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-05 to 2007-Sept-13

Synopsis

In this home comedy, Makiko Esumi stars as Makoto Tachibana, a manager of an omusubi cafe. One day, she meets Sanshiro (Ikki Sawamura), a secretary at a paper shredder company, and half a year later, they already decide to get married. But when Makoto meets Sanshiro's family, a battle begins between her and her mother-in-law (Yoko Nogiwa). Their conflict is rooted in the opposing ideals of "working woman" and "housewife," which has previously been explored in dramas such as "Double Kitchen" and "Triple Kitchen" (in which Esumi and Nogiwa played similar roles).

Joshi Deka!

• Genre: Detective drama
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-18 to 2007-Dec-20

Synopsis

Nakama Yuki plays an enthusiastic rookie cop whose only strong point is her marksmanship, while Izumi Pinko plays a veteran detective with the #1 arrest rate. The two work together to solve crimes, despite differences in their ways of thinking.

Jotei 女帝

• Genre: Drama
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-13 to 2007-Sept-14

Synopsis

Kato Rosa stars as Tachibana Ayaka, a young woman whose life has been ruined after she lost her boyfriend then her mother became gravely ill. Looking for revenge, she starts out as a hostess with the goal of rising to become the "empress" of the Osaka nightlife scene. Matsuda Shota plays a member of the underworld who becomes Ayaka's ally.

Karei-naru Ichizoku (Grand Tribe)

• Genre: Banking/economy, human drama, romance
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jan-14 to 2007-Mar-18

Synopsis

Originally a novel by Yamazaki Toyoko, and later a 1974 movie. The book depicts the conflicts within the Manpyo family, which is famous in Kansai's financial circles, amidst the tumultuous reorganisation of the financial industry of the late 1960s. Unlike the book, the eldest son, Teppei, and not the father, Daisuke, will be the central character of the drama.

This drama is set in the late 1960s decade of Japan. The main rivalry depicted in the story is between Manpyo Daisuke (Kitaoji Kinya), a powerful banker, and his eldest son, Manpyo Teppei (Kimura Takuya), the executive managing director of a steel firm. For some reasons, Daisuke seem to dislike his own son and as Teppei seems to find out the reason for Daisuke's hatred, his whole life is turned upside down with fatal consequences.

Katagoshi no Koibito

Liar Game

Life

• Genre: School drama
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jun-30 to 2007-Sept-15

Synopsis

Adapted from Keiko Suenobu's manga "LIFE," this drama delves into the dark side of high school life. The story focuses mainly on bullying, but the manga also touches on subjects such as self-mutilation, suicide, and rape. Kitano Kii stars as Ayumu Shiiba, one of the students bullied by a group of classmates led by Ayumu's former friend, Manami Anzai (Fukuda Saki)

Ichi Rittoru no Namida (One Litre of Tears)

• Genre: School, romance, health, family, human
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2005-Oct-11 to 2005-Dec-20

Synopsis

15-year-old Ikeuchi Aya (Sawajiri Erika) was an ordinary girl, the daughter of a family who works at a tofu shop, and a soon-to-be high schooler. However, odd things have been happening to Aya lately. She has been falling down often and walks strange. Her mother, Shioka, takes Aya to see the doctor, and he informs Shioka that Aya has spinocerebellar degeneration - a terrible disease where the cerebellum of the brain gradually deteriorates to the point where the victim cannot walk, speak, write,or eat. A cruel disease, as it does not affect the mind in the least. How will Aya react when told about her disease? And how will Aya live from now on?

Oishii Gohan - Kamakura Kasugai Kometen

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 8
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-25 to 2007-Dec-13

Synopsis

The show is set in a rice shop in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa. It is a home comedy about an obstinate but compassionate old man, Kasugai Ryuuhei (Watari Tetsuya), who runs an old rice shop, his optimistic daughter-in-law (Fujiwara Norika) and his eldest son (Tokushige Satoshi) who ends up working at his father's shop when he learns of his father's illness. It depicts how the estranged family rallies around when Kasugai is diagnosed with illness after years of being worn out by his stubbornness.

Oniyome Diary

• Genre: Home comedy
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2005-Oct-11 to 2005-Dec-20

Synopsis

Mizuki Arisa and Gori star as husband and wife in this TV adaptation of a popular Internet blog. Oniyome Nikki is a true account of the life of a husband who is abused daily by his wife. The drama will depict the exchanges between the couple - the misery and the (unintentionally) comic moments.

 

Oniyome Season 2

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2007-Apr-17 to 2007-June-26

Synopsis

Mizuki Arisa and Gori reprise their roles as husband and wife. Season 2 shifts the setting to a public bathhouse, but the conflict between a domineering wife and a timid, but scheming husband remains true to the Season 1.

Otoko no Kosodate

• Genre: Family drama
• Episodes: 8
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-26 to 2007-Dec-14

Synopsis

The show is described as a home comedy depicting the problems faced by a modern family. Takahashi Katsunori plays a third-rate magazine writer. As an irresponsible father, his reliable wife has always been in charge of the household and their three children. Unfortunately, she suddenly passes away, forcing him to deal with raising the kids for the first time in his life.

Papa to Musume no Nanokakan

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 7
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-01 to 2007-Aug-19

Synopsis

This home comedy tells the story of Kyoichiro (Tachi Hiroshi) and his teenage daughter Koume (Aragaki Yui). One day, the two ride a train together after visiting Kyoichiro's mother-in-law. He sees it as a chance to get to know his daughter better, but he ends up getting more than that - by some mysterious force, both Kyoichiro and Koume end up with their mind in the other's body! Unfortunately, they have no choice but to swap lives, pretending to be each other at school and work.

Proposal Daisakusen (Operation Love)

• Format: Renzoku
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2007-Apr-16 to 2007-June-25

Synopsis

Yamashita Tomohisa and Nagasawa Masami play a young man and woman who have been friends since elementary school. Yamashita's character, Iwase Ken, is obstinate and unskilled in love, but he fell long ago for the lively and cheerful woman, Yoshida Rei, played by Nagasawa. But Rei is about to get married to another man. While Ken and other friends from high-school attend the wedding ceremony, a fairy appears and sends Ken back in time, giving him a second chance to win the girl he loves.

Sasaki Fusai no Jingi Naki Tatakai

• Genre: Comedy, romance, law
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-20 to 2008-Mar-23

Synopsis

Sasaki Norimichi (Inagaki Goro) and his wife Ritsuko (Koyuki) are two lawyers with opposite personalities, who've been married for three years. However, their completely opposite personalities result in heated quarrels that lead them to the courtroom to settle a possible divorce, with the two representing themselves in an amusing legal battlefield.

Shota No Sushi 将太の寿司

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 17
• Broadcast period: 1996-Apr-19 to 1996-Sept-20

Synopsis

A comic-based comedy about the young and talented Shota (Kashiwabara Takashi) who set a goal of becoming the no. 1 sushi chef in Japan to save his father's sushi shop. To learn the art of making sushi, he became an apprentice at the famous Otori Sushi. Each episode sees him picking up a new skill, and going a step towards his goal. However, many obstacles stood in his way, including a harsh and cold senior who was jealous of his talent.

Swan no Baka

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 10
• Broadcast period: 2007-Oct-16 to 2007-Dec-18

Synopsis

Kamikawa Takaya takes the lead as Suwano Daisuke, a 40-year-old salaryman married to former co-worker Masumi (Tanaka Misako). Because his daughter is taking entrance exams, Daisuke is forced to live on only 30,000 yen a month. Narimiya Hiroki plays Kawase, an IT company manager who works in the same building as Suwano's office, while Gekidan Hitori plays a deputy manager of the building's cafe.

Tantei Gakuen Q (Detective School Q)

• Episodes: 11
• Genre: Mystery
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-3 to 2007-Sept-11

Synopsis

Notebooks that foretell deaths, numerous urban legends, and murders with no clues... a series of strange incidents occur, and people are lead into a deep labyrinth of mysteries. Five fledgling teen detectives of the Dan Detective Academy, which was founded by the legendary and renowned detective, Morihiko Dan, work together to solve such difficult cases. Stealthily at work behind the strange incidents is an evil crime syndicate called the "Meiosei". They are a group of intellectuals whohave long antagonized the Detective Academy run by Morihiko Dan. The five youngsters make their way forward a step at a time as they come face to face with death, clash with one another at times, reconcile, and deepen their friendship. This is a pop mystery drama series about youth friendship and adventure in the face of united efforts against dark forces. Starring Kamiki Ryunosuke, Shida Mirai, Yamada Ryosuke, Kaname Jun, Jinnai Takanori, Wakaba Katsumi and more.

Team Medical Dragon 医龍

• Episodes: 11
• Genre: Medical drama
• Broadcast period: 2006-Apr-13 to 2006-June-29

Synopsis

Ryutaro Asada (Sakaguchi Kenji) is enjoying his peaceful life in the countryside, when he is visited by Akira Kato (Inamori Izumi), assistant professor of the Faculty of Cardiac Surgery at Meishin University Medical Hospital.

Ryutaro is a genius surgeon who used to lead "Team Medical Dragon," a world-class NGO medical team. In harsh environments that lacked medicine and electricity, Ryutaro witnessed many lives pass away. At the same time, he saved many other lives, helping his matchless skill overwhelm other doctors.

As a female doctor, Akira managed to become an assistant professor. She has ambitions to be promoted to professor by succeeding in a surgery using the Batista technique — an extremely difficult type of heart surgery — and also by writing a paper on it. A year ago, Akira witnessed Ryutaro's skills when he was an NGO doctor. That's why she recruits him and asks him to use the Batista technique. Since Ryutaro's arrival, urgent patients who would have been abandoned in the past, are miraculously saved by the "hands of God."

Tokyo Tower

• Title: 東京タワー
• Episodes: 11
• Genre: Family drama
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jan-8 to 2007-Mar-19

Synopsis

Tokyo Tower focuses on the relationship between a woman (Tanaka Yuko) who is in fragile health and her grown son (Ooizumi You) who is trying to make a living as an artist in 1970's Tokyo. Also starring Hayami Mokomichi, Kashii Yu, Hirota Ryouhei and Ishiguro Ken.

Ushi ni Negai wo (Love & Farm)

• Genre: Comedy
• Episodes: 11
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-03 to 2007-Sep-11

Synopsis

Six agriculture students travel north to Hokkaido for first-hand training and experience in a farm setting. The story focuses not only on their daily life and their growth as young men and women, but also on the economic situation in the region, which received national attention earlier this year when the national government cut off aid to the struggling city of Yubari. Starring Tamayama Tetsuji, Koide Keisuke, Nakata Atsuhiko, Aibu Saki and more.

Watashitachi no Kyokasho

• Genre: Mystery, school, legal drama
• Episodes: 12
• Broadcast period: 2007-Apr-12 to 2007-June-28

Synopsis

Tamako (Kanno Miho), an elite lawyer with a promising future, works for a reputable law firm. She is recently given an opportunity to take a case involving a young child who has been bullied at a local elementary school. Fully aware of the difficulties uncovering the truth in cases involving schools, Tamako is reluctant to proceed with her new client. Tamako is romantically involved with one of her colleagues, Naoyuki (Tanihara Shosuke), and is hoping to further develop their relationship. However, Tamako's seemingly happy life comes to a sudden halt when she learns the news of an accident involving a young female high school student named Asuka (Shida Mirai). Asuka had apparently fallen from a classroom window on campus and suffered serious injuries. Tamako takes a strong interest in Asuka's case and immediately launches her own private investigation.