"Drama 1 Week" brings you the latest drama news from the past week. This week (January 3-9) featured topics such as Yo Oizumi starring in a drama based on a novel by Jun Ikeido (Bungeishunju), and Mr.Children performing the theme song for the TBS Sunday Theatre for the first time in 22 years. This article will be covered in two parts.
On January 4th, it was announced that Yo Oizumi will be starring in the drama series "Our Hakone Ekiden" (Nippon TV), based on the novel by Jun Ikeido (Bungeishunju). Oizumi will play Tokushige Ryo, the chief producer of the TV station in charge of the live broadcast of the Hakone Ekiden. The drama will air in October this year and will depict the challenges faced by the track and field team of Meisei Gakuin University, a veteran university that has missed out on the Hakone Ekiden for two consecutive years, as well as the behind-the-scenes story of Dainichi TV, which is responsible for the live broadcast of the Hakone Ekiden. The drama will be produced by Nippon TV, which has been broadcasting the Hakone Ekiden live since 1987, with the full cooperation of the Kanto Student Athletics Federation, which hosts the Hakone Ekiden.
On the 4th, it was revealed that DAIGO will be playing Saito Yoshitatsu in the 2026 NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!" (General TV, Sundays at 8 PM and other times), starring Nakano Taiga. He made a surprise appearance without prior notice in the first episode, "Two Monkeys," which aired that same day. This will be DAIGO's first appearance in a Taiga drama. "I felt like I was finally starring in a Taiga drama!" he said, expressing his joy in his own unique "DAI-speak." He also revealed, "I even practiced with my wife (Keiko Kitagawa), who told me, 'Do your best!'" Saito Yoshitatsu was a Sengoku daimyo of Mino Province. He was the eldest son of Saito Dosan, who became a daimyo from a vassal of the Toki clan. He became the head of the family, but came into conflict with his father and defeated him.
On the 4th, a public viewing event for "Toyotomi Brothers!" was held in Nagoya, with Nakano, who plays the main character Koichiro, and others appearing. Nakano said, "It's been several years since I received the offer, and finally the time has come for everyone across the country to see the first episode, so I'm really excited today." He continued, "I felt the enthusiasm of the audience on stage, and I was really happy that I felt like I was able to convey the warmth of the "Toyotomi Brothers!" that we've created. I'm feeling great that we can welcome this wonderful opening in Nagoya."
On the 5th, it was announced that Mr.Children's new song "Again" will be the theme song for the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Reboot" (Sundays at 9pm), starring Suzuki Ryohei, which will begin airing on January 18th. This will be the band's first theme song for a Sunday Theatre drama in 22 years, since "Sign" for "Orange Days" in April 2004. Mr.Children's Kazutoshi Sakurai commented, "I was drawn into the thrilling story, which kept unfolding, and I read the script with great interest. 'Tension,' 'Speed,' 'Sorrow and Strength,' and 'Hope.' I tried to express the important elements that make up this drama in the music. I don't know the ending yet, so I'm just looking forward to the broadcast."
On the 5th, the 66th episode of the NHK Asadora drama "Bakebake " (General TV, Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM and others), starring Akari Takaishi , aired, and viewers were captivated by the scene in which Toki (Takaishi) and Heaven ( Tommy Bastow) pledge their eternal love at Izumo Taisha Shrine. Heaven and Nishikori (Ryo Yoshizawa) travel to Izumo together. Heaven is excited to write about her memories of their trip to Izumo in her Japan travel journal. Then Toki, who is supposed to be in Matsue, appears. The next day, the three visit Izumo Taisha Shrine. The Snake and Frog (Asagaya Sisters) comment, "Heaven, you're the first Westerner allowed to visit the shrine," and "And then you two secretly pledged your eternal love, didn't you?" On social media, comments such as "Congratulations, Otoki-chan and Heaven-sensei!" and "The real Izumo Taisha Shrine is here in the first episode of the new year! A truly divine episode!!" were posted.
On the 5th, it was announced that My Hair is Bad will be performing the theme song for the TV Getsuku drama series "Detective-san, Your Backpack is Open" (Fridays at 11:15pm, excluding some regions), which will begin airing on January 9th. The theme song is their new song, "We Live Here." This marks the first time the band has written a song for a terrestrial TV drama. The drama stars Ryuhei Matsuda, and is a heartwarming mystery that Matsuda was involved in from the planning stage. Shiiki Tomohito, vocalist and guitarist for My Hair is Bad, said, "In the last line of this song, I wrote, 'Please stay healthy and live at your own pace.' I ended the song with these words, hoping that people would not give up, but would relax and take their time, striving to their heart's content."
On the 5th, an encore broadcast of the 2013 NHK Taiga drama "Yae no Sakura," starring Haruka Ayase, began on NHK BS. The drama will consist of 50 episodes and will air every Monday at 6:00 PM starting that day. "Yae no Sakura" depicts the life of Yae, nicknamed the "Joan of Arc of the late Edo period" for barricading herself in Tsuruga Castle in Aizu with 500 other women and fighting with guns during the Boshin War. The script was written by Mutsumi Yamamoto, and the theme music was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Hidetoshi Nishijima Nishijima plays Yae's brother, Kakuma, and Joe Odagiri plays Joe Odagiri. Other cast members include Hiroki Hasegawa, Tetsuji Tamayama, Go Ayano, Koji Kikkawa, Takashi Sorimachi, Toshiyuki Nishida, Kenji Furuya of Dragon Ash, Shun Shun Oguri, Meisa Kuroki, Ayame Goriki, and Shihori Kanjiya.
On the 6th, it was announced that Shuto Inomata of "timelesz" will be appearing in the drama series "Tokyo PD Metropolitan Police Department Public Relations Division 2" (Fuji TV, Tuesdays at 9 PM), starring Fukushi Sota, which will begin airing on January 13th. This will be Inomata's first time appearing in a prime-time drama. The drama is an original story that follows the Public Relations Division's activities behind the scenes of criminal investigations, through the protagonist, played by Fukushi, who is transferred from detective to public relations, and his colleagues. Inomata's character, Kawabata Reisuke, will appear in episodes 3 and 4. At first glance, he appears to be a good-looking young man, but in fact he is the culprit of a certain crime. As a sadistic criminal, he toyed with the detectives of the First Investigative Division. Additionally, cosplayer Enako will appear in episodes 3 and 4 as Kizaki Nanae, a victim caught up in a certain incident.
