"Drama Week" brings you the latest drama news from the past week. This time (February 21st to 27th), the topics covered include Takumi Kitamura's lead role in the Fuji TV Getsuku drama "Sabakan, Uchuu Iku" (Mackerel Can Goes to Space), and Honda Kyoya's appearance in the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "GIFT," starring Shinichi Tsutsumi. The two-part series will cover these topics.
On February 25th, it was announced that Sawamura Kazuki will serve as chief director for the drama series "Wednesday, Please Embrace My Husband" (TV Tokyo, Wednesdays at 12:30 AM), which begins airing on April 1st. While Sawamura has experience directing short dramas, this is his first time directing a drama series. One day, Kobuki Yoko, who was dating Kamisu Fumiyuki, the first boyfriend she'd ever had in her 29 years of life, receives a shocking confession from him: "My wife has found out. She wants to see you." Yoko visits Kamisu's wife, Rei, to apologize, but Rei suggests, "Would you please continue to have an affair with Fumiyuki every Wednesday?" This is an infidelity love suspense drama depicting a strange love triangle between Yoko, who continues her "official affair," Rei, whose true feelings are unclear, and Kamisu, who cannot stop cheating.
On the 26th of the same month, it was announced that Kato Seishiro will be starring in his first terrestrial drama series, "Before You Get the Death Penalty" (Thursdays 11:59 PM), which will air on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV in April. Just as the death sentence of Okuma Shiori, the perpetrator of the "serial murders of teachers" that shocked the world, is about to be carried out, part-time worker Kotaro (Kato) travels back in time with his friends seven years into the past. There, Kotaro and his friends encounter a murderer they should never have met. Shiori, a wanted fugitive from the past, pleads her innocence, telling Kotaro and his friends, "I didn't kill anyone," but... this is the story.
On the 26th of the same month, Fuji TV's drama "Uegaki Delusional Life Plan," starring Uegaki Kotaro and Ayame Goriki as themselves, was exclusively streamed on the station's streaming service, FOD, from 8:00 PM on February 27th. This is Uegaki's first drama appearance and first lead role. The fake documentary-style romance drama begins with the premise that the two are dating, and depicts the everyday lives of the couple in a way that will make you laugh. It consists of two episodes. Uegaki joined the company in April 2024. From his first year, he became a hot topic, with people saying, "He's such a dignified presence despite being a newbie!" He currently serves as the Caster for "Mezamashi Doyoubi," as well as hosting "Mezamashi TV" and "Kamaimachi." He is also active as a live horse racing commentator.
On the 26th of the same month, it was announced that Emma Miyazawa will star in the TV Tokyo drama series "Is It Bad to Be a Woman Who Doesn't Give Birth? DINKs' Totsuki Tooka" (Mondays, 11:06 PM), which begins on March 30th. This will be Miyazawa's first lead role in a drama series, and she will play the protagonist, who had chosen to live a childless life but is shaken by an unexpected pregnancy. Kanazawa Asa (Miyazawa), a freelance hairdresser who dreams of one day opening her own salon, chooses to have a childless life with her husband Tetsuya (Asaka Kodai) after marrying, working together due to a brutal past dominated by toxic parents. However, due to a "trap" set by Tetsuya, she ends up carrying an unwanted life. Asa struggles with the collapse of ideals and reality, pressure from society, and the ultimate dilemma of whether to give birth or not.
On the 26th of the same month, it was announced that Honda Kyouya will be appearing in the April TBS Sunday Theatre drama "GIFT" (Sundays at 9pm), starring Shinichi Tsutsumi. This will be Honda's first Sunday Theatre appearance. He will play Asatani Keijiro, a man who behaves badly in high school and ends up in a wheelchair after a motorcycle accident. It was also announced that Hosoda Yoshihiko, Wan Marui, Koshiyama Keitatsu, Rintaro Hachimura, Yasu-san from the comedy duo "Zun", Mizuma Ron, Tomite Ami, and comedian Novo Semon Nabe will also appear as players on the wheelchair rugby team, the Bulls.
On the 26th of the same month, it was announced that the new season of the popular gourmet documentary drama "The Kodoku no Gourmet Season 11" (TV Tokyo), starring Yutaka Matsushige, would begin airing at 12:12 AM on April 3rd. This will be the first new season in approximately three and a half years since "Season 10" aired in October 2022. Matsushige commented on the production of the new season, "The series has reached 10 episodes, and after the spin-off "Each Kodoku no Gourmet," the feature film " The Kodoku no Gourmet" was released last year. While this is the ideal time for me to leave, due to various circumstances, I will continue on. Accept your fate without resisting it. Eat all the food that is placed in front of you. This is also life. Or rather, this is what life was meant to be... I'm doing Season 11."
On the 26th of the same month, it was announced that Snow Man would be performing the theme song for the TV Asahi drama series "If I Fall in Love with the Terminator" (Saturdays at 11 PM, starting April 4th), starring member Ryota Miyadate Ryota, and that their new song would be used. The song is titled "SAVE YOUR HEART." The song expresses the strong determination and impulse that the drama evokes, "I came here to protect the people I love." Miyadate commented, "The lyrics are filled with the meaning of thinking from the heart and protecting with all your might, and the dance choreography also uses heart symbols. I think the song is quite bold for a theme song for a romantic comedy. I hope you'll look forward to it."
On the 27th of the same month, it was revealed that Takumi Kitamura will be starring in the Fuji TV Getsuku drama "Sabakan Goes to Space" (Mondays at 9pm), which will start on April 13th. The original coming-of-age story is based on the true story of students at a fisheries high school in Fukui Prefecture who take on the big dream of "developing space food." This will be the first time a school drama has aired in the Getsuku slot in 15 years, since "Everything You Need to Know, I Taught You" in January 2011. This is Kitamura's first lead role in a terrestrial TV drama series. He plays the main character, a rookie high school teacher, who grows as he supports and accompanies his students in their dreams. Filming took place in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, where the high school that actually developed space food is located.
