Upcoming Summer Dramas 2009
Kareinaru Spy
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Saturdays, July 2009
Station: NTV
Cast: Nagase Tomoya
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/pre/thespy/
Nagase becomes a superspy in new drama ~ Tokyograph
Tomoya Nagase is starring in a new drama on NTV next season. The show, currently untitled, is described as a comedy revolving around a superspy character.
Nagase plays Kyosuke Yoroi, a swindler serving a 30-year sentence after being caught for more than a dozen cases of fraud. However, the government sees that Kyosuke's skills can be put to use, so it arranges for his release under the condition that he becomes a spy to help fight against terrorists. His character is a bit clumsy and gets easily carried away, but he also possesses athleticism and sex appeal.
Each episode will tell one story, with different guests appearing each week. As part of his spy work, Nagase will be dressing up in various disguises, such as a pilot, a doctor, and a Korean actor resembling Bae Yong Joon. He will also be equipped with an array of gadgets, such as a ring that turns into a pistol and a shoe that doubles as a cell phone.
With Nagase filling in the "James Bond" role, his spy team will also have a beautiful "Bond girl"-type character named Dorothy.
Ryoichi Kimizuka is in charge of the screenplay. NTV will start airing the series in July, putting it in the network's Saturday 9:00pm time slot.
Buzzer Beat Gakeppuchi no Hero
Time: From 9.00 p.m. Mondays, July 2009
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Kitagawa Keiko, Aibu Saki, Kanjiya Shihori, Mizubata Jun, Ito Hideaki
Yamapi, Keiko Kitagawa co-star in next "Getsu 9" drama ~ Tokyograph
NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita has the lead role in Fuji TV's upcoming Monday night drama series, tentatively titled "Buzzer Beat ~Gakeppuchi no Hero~." His female lead this time is actress Keiko Kitagawa, who graduated from Meiji University's School of Commerce one year after he did.
The love story has Yamashita playing a salaryman who belongs to his company's basketball team. Despite his appearance, he is completely weak under pressure when it comes to work and romance. Although he has a girlfriend (Saki Aibu), he falls in love with a spirited and cheerful woman who is unable to be straightforward (Kitagawa).
Shihori Kanjiya plays Kitagawa's friend, while Hideaki Ito serves as Yamashita's rival in love. Junpei Mizobata, Nobuaki Kaneko, Miki Maya, and Masaru Nagai are also part of the supporting cast.
Yamashita's only experience with basketball so far is in classes at school, so he is undergoing special training for two weeks. "Buzzer Beat" premieres in July.