Autumn dramas will start one after another from October. Before the broadcast, MANTAN editorial staff will pick out their favorite works based on their own opinion and prejudice. We will explain the highlights and points of interest. (First of two parts)
◇"Monster" (Kansai TV/Fuji TV, Monday 10pm)
The drama that was most recommended by people was the "Monster" (starting October 14th, 15 minutes extended for the first episode), which is the "Monday 10" (Monday 10pm) drama on the Kansai TV/Fuji TV network.
This is a unique legal entertainment drama in which Shuri, who is starring in a primetime drama for the first time, plays the mysterious monster lawyer Ryoko Kannami, who is not bound by "common sense" and faces her opponents by "eliminating emotions", and faces various problems unique to the Reiwa era where the law sometimes does not keep up, and faces court battles as if it were a game. The script is written by Atsuko Hashibe, who wrote the "Boku Series trilogy" including "Boku no Ikiru Michi" (Kansai TV/Fuji TV). Jesse from the popular group SixTONES, Shohei Uno, Kei Otozuki, Tsubasa Nakagawa, YOU, and Arata Furuta will also appear.
Points to look out for include "Shuri, who gave a great performance in the morning drama 'Boogie Woogie,' plays the lead role as a lawyer. The script is written by a skilled writer, Hashibe, so I'm hoping she'll be amazing if she fits the role" (woman in her 50s, N), "Shuri, who changes her impression completely with each work, such as 'Boogie Woogie' and 'Black Pean,' will play the role of an 'enigmatic monster lawyer,' so expectations are high to see what kind of performance she will give. The supporting actors, such as Jesse, YOU, Arata Furuta, and Shohei Uno, are also very unique, and the script was written by Hashibe, who is good at describing characters' feelings, so it looks like it will be an interesting courtroom drama to enjoy" (woman in her 30s, S).
Furthermore, some people were also paying attention to legal dramas, saying, "Kantele's 'Monday 10pm' dramas seem to consistently produce high-quality dramas. After two medical dramas, 'Unmet' and 'Mountain Doctor,' this is a legal drama. Like medical dramas, legal dramas don't seem to miss the mark, and with the star being Shuri, who is a skilled actress, I think we can enjoy a courtroom drama or a reversal drama that's worth watching." (Y, male, 50s) There were also voices pointing out that legal dramas are attracting attention.
◇ "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" (TBS, Sunday 9pm)
The next most popular show was the TBS Sunday Theatre "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" (Sunday 9pm).
"Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" is a grand story of love, friendship, and family spanning 70 years, set in Hashima (Battleship Island), Nagasaki Prefecture, which has flourished due to the coal industry since 1955, and modern-day Tokyo. A timeless human love entertainment that depicts the postwar reconstruction and high economic growth era, "a time when there was nothing but dreams and was full of energy," and the modern era, "a time when at first glance there seems to be everything but young people cannot have dreams."
Kamiki Ryunosuke stars in two roles, the protagonist Teppei, who lives on Hashima Island in the 1950s, and Reo, a host living in modern-day Tokyo. The screenplay is by Nogi Akiko, the director is Tsukahara Ayuko, and the producer is Arai Junko, the team behind "Unnatural," "MIU404," and the movie "The Last Mile."
As points of interest, some people commented, "I want to see how they portray Hashima (Gunkanjima) from the postwar reconstruction period to the high economic growth period, and get a feel for the atmosphere of the times when Japan was at its peak. I'm also looking forward to seeing Kamiki Ryunosuke's double role as a hit contractor" (woman in her 40s, N), "I'm interested in Kamiki Ryunosuke's blonde host role and Sada Masashi's role as the priest. I'd like to see how the female trio Nogi Akiko, Tsukahara Ayuko, and Arai Junko portray the characters on Sunday Theater. They seem confident in the beauty of the images, as they filmed on location in Nagasaki" (woman in her 40s, H).
◇"Munou no Taka" (TV Asahi, Friday 11:15pm)
Also recommended by many people is TV Asahi's "Munou no Taka" (Friday 11:15pm, excluding some areas, starts October 11th).
"Muno no Taka" is a live-action adaptation of the manga of the same name by Hanzaki Asami, which is currently being serialized in the manga magazine "Kiss" (Kodansha), starring Nanao. It is a "super laid-back work comedy" that depicts the refreshing way of life of Takano Tsumeko (Nanao), a shockingly incompetent new employee who looks super competent but can't even make copies or start up a computer. It is produced by Kijima Sari, a producer known for the "Ossan's Love" series (2016-2024). In addition to Nanao, Shiono Akihisa, Iura Arata, Kudo Asuka, Sato Honami, and Doi Shiori also appear.
Among the points of interest were, "Nanao, who has an image of being a "good worker," plays an incompetent newbie. I'm looking forward to seeing how she plays this woman with such a huge gap between her personality and her personality. I'm also looking forward to seeing Nanao's work outfit, who has an amazing figure!" (woman in her 40s, M), "The seemingly perfect Nanao plays an incompetent office lady who can't even make a copy. This is a work comedy brought to you by Kijima Producer of Ossan's Love. The casting, which seems to have been influenced by NHK, with Iura Arata, Shiono Akihisa, and Doi Shiori, is also interesting. It's a work that you can watch casually, and is perfect for a Friday night" (man in his 20s, Z).
◇"Wingman" (TV Tokyo, Tuesday midnight 12:30 and others)
A unique "oshi" drama is the live-action adaptation of the popular manga "Wingman" (TV Tokyo, Tuesday midnight 12:30).
"Wingman" is the serial debut of Masakazu Katsura, who is known for "Video Girl Ai" and "I"s." It is a manga of the same name that was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha) from 1983 to 1985. The story is about a high school student, special effects otaku, Hirono Kenta, who gets his hands on a "Dream Notebook" that makes whatever he writes come true, and gains the power to transform into his own hero, "Wingman," for five minutes. For the drama adaptation, Sakamoto Koichi, a leading figure in special effects action, will serve as director and action director, and Fujioka Makino will star. It will start airing on TV Tokyo's "Drama Choose!" (Tuesdays at 12:30 a.m.) from October 22nd (on TV Osaka, it will start airing every Friday at 2:40 a.m. from October 25th).
As for points of interest, some commented, "I'm looking forward to seeing how it will be adapted into a live-action film in the Reiwa era. I'm also excited to see the heroic performance of Fujioka Makino, the son of Kamen Rider Hongo Takeshi (Fujioka Hiroshi)" (woman in her 50s, N) and "I wonder how much of the hero action, weapons and special moves from the original manga that I was obsessed with as a child will be portrayed in live-action. To be honest, I don't care about the content or storyline, I just want to see 'Winnare Winnardo' and 'Delta End'!" (man in his 50s, Y).
