twinklelie's weekend movie picks
Upcoming Jdramas: The Winter Season
A new year has begun and so will the winter Jdramas.
If you don't know which dramas will air this season, I invite you to read further. And if you do, well... you can read further as well hahaNotice before reading: I'm only giving a short summary :) You'll find more developed synopsis on the dramas' pages
So without further delay, here are the ones I selected:
Airs on: Saturdays
Starts: Jan 11
Type: Suspense
Seven university students from the same club decide to go on a graduation trip. On the surface, they seem to be good friends, but in reality, they all have grudges, hidden feelings...Then suddenly, a murder occurs... Between fear and doubt, hidden emotions begin to come into the open through exchanges which probe each other’s intentions.
Watch the trailer: hereI've been waiting for this one for quite a while, to be honest. And knowing it was written by the writers of Orthros no Inu and Hard Nut is making me looking forward to it more. I think, we can expect to have a great drama here.
Airs on: Fridays
Starts: Jan 17
Type: Mystery, Comedy
Starts: Jan 17
Type: Mystery, Comedy
Akemi Ninomiya is a hardcore mystery fan. Although she is only a college student, she is wealthy and owns a building. Private Detective Morio Ukai prefers tracking down lost pets for wealthy clients rather than murder cases which brings in little money. The duo join forces to solve various suspicious cases.
I've never been a huge fan of Japanese detective dramas. They practically all have the same kind of plot. I don't know yet if I'll watch it. I am a fan of Hiroshi Tamaki, though.
Watch the trailer: here
Airs on: Sundays
Starts: Jan 12
Type: Crime
Starts: Jan 12
Type: Crime
In this drama we'll follow two police officers from NPS (The National Police Safety Rescue,Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s special assault team which possesses both the mobility of the Special Unit (SAT) as well as the investigative skills of the Special Investigations Team (SIT), and is tasked with bringing criminals into custody alive.): Kamijura Ichigo and Soga Iori.
Another drama I'm eager to watch. Ayano Gou and Mukai Osamu in the same drama is something I've been looking forward to for along time. Plus, given the plot, looks like I won't get bored.
Watch the trailer: here
Airs on: Sundays
Starts: Jan 5
Type: Jidaigeki
Starts: Jan 5
Type: Jidaigeki
This year's NHK Taiga period will tell us the story of Kuroda Kanbei, a samurai who lived during the Sengoku Period (ca. 15th - 17th century). It'll tell us how he became Hideyoshi Toyotomi's right-hand man, marking the birth of Gunshi Kanbei.
Given the fact that I really enjoyed 2013's Taiga: Yae no Sakura, I'll give this one a shot. I was really surprised by the quality, and I hope to find the same quality in this one as well. Also if you like accuracy in historical dramas, I can tell you that NHK's taiga are really accurate, and if you're afraid of being completely lost with who is who, then don't. It's generally well explained.
Airs on: Wednesdays
Starts: Jan 8
Type: Melodrama
Starts: Jan 8
Type: Melodrama
This tells us the story of Sawada Takuto, a college student. One day, he is informed he does not have long to live because he is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease. Takuto then starts to explore what is left of his life and live with a positive attitude.
I'm not sure yet if I'll watch it or not. The story looks poignant for sure. And I believe that we'll get to see another side of Miura Haruma's acting.Watch the trailer: here
Airs on: Wednesdays
Starts: Jan 15
Type: Family
Starts: Jan 15
Type: Family
Here we're following four children placed in an orphanage: Maki, who was placed there after her mom got arrested and put in jail. Piami who plays the piano really well. Bombi who came from a very poor family. and Post, who is the leader of all the kids.
One day, an affluent family offered to foster Post. For a trial period, Post will be staying with the family, to check if they are well-suited. Although every kid at the home hopes to be adopted into a loving family, Maki is different as she wants to return to her mother's side.
This looks interesting for sure. When I watched the trailer, Ashida Mana gave me the creeps. (no kidding)Watch the trailer: here
Airs on: Saturdays
Starts: Jan 11
Type: Music
Starts: Jan 11
Type: Music
The five-member band SHARK wants to change the world with their music, and dreams of making their major debut. They struggle but take small steps forward on what is certainly not an easy path. Their sights are set even if it might feel hopeless sometimes, but because of their fellow members they will not give up. SHARK is on the verge of debuting, however, tragedy fall upon them when the vocalist dies in an accident.
The plots reminds me of Shut Up: Flower Boy Band. I guess we'll see when it airs.
Airs on: Fridays
Starts: Jan 17
Type: School
Starts: Jan 17
Type: School
Yoruno Sakura has become a rookie teacher at a part-time high school after going through numerous setbacks and being the proprietress of a bar. A teacher at 38, she encounters part-time students of various ages and in the same situation as her. She changes their lives a little and is herself reborn too.
Another genre of dramas I've lost interest in. I don't think I'll watch it.Watch the trailer: here
Airs on: Tuesdays
Starts: Jan 7
Type: Melodrama, Life
Starts: Jan 7
Type: Melodrama, Life
Rinka Umezawa is a housewife who pursues things that will bring her small happiness in life. Her husband Masabumi holds a stern belief that he will support his wife Rinka. The couple do not have children. Rinka begins to work part-time at a bank. She visits her clients' homes. Sometimes, she even helps her elderly clients with their house chores. This builds a strong level of trust with her clients. One day, she visits client Kojo Hirabayashi'. At his home, she meets his grandchild Kota who came to ask for money. Her encounter with Kota changes her. Soon, Rinka embezzles one hundred million yen from her bank and runs away. Two years later, Rinka's former high school friends Yuko Okazaki and Aki Nakaji trace her embezzlement case and face their own darkness.
Another drama that highly grabbed my interest. Let's hope it gets subbed.
Airs on: Mondays
Starts: Jan 13
Type: Romance,Comedy
Starts: Jan 13
Type: Romance,Comedy
Koyurugi Sota fell in love with Saeko, his senior in high school four years ago, and they finally started dating last Christmas. Since she loves chocolates, he has been practicing hard to make them. However, when he hands her a box of handmade chocolates the day before Valentine's, she breaks up with him...?
This will probably be this year's drama. It has the Jun in it and cute Satomi. Not sure yet if I'll watch it.
Airs on: Fridays
Starts: Jan 24
Type: Detective
Starts: Jan 24
Type: Detective
One day, Masako Murata finds a woman on the street. She decides to take her to her to her house.
The woman's name is Sana. She's a ninja that has arrived in present day Japan. She now follows Masako Murata as her new boss and attempts to eradicate evil that is rampant in modern society.
Ninjaaa!! Yes, I'm shallow and I'll watch it because it has ninjas in it.
Other dramas that might grab your interest:
- Yamikin Ushijima-kun Season 2: Detective drama
- Dark System - Koi no Ouza Ketteisen: About a boy who create a machine after his love interest was taken by a friend. With it he wants to alter reality and get the girl.
- Chi no Shio: About an archeologist who discovers something that overturns history.
- Isharyou Bengoshi ~ Anata no Namida, Okane ni Kaemashou: About a lawyer who accepts only a certain type of cases.
- Hanako to Anne: About the life of a translator.
- Hana Saku Ashita: Family drama.
- Nezumi, Edo wo Hashiru: The samurai version of Robin Hood.
- Emergency Interrogation Room: Yet another detective drama, which deals with a special interrogation team.
Now, let's hope that these dramas will find a very nice and dedicated subber
*fingers crossed*
