Hanaikusa

Inoue Mao plays the role of Mineko, a young maiko (apprentice geisha) in the Gion district of Kyoto. The story is loosely based on the autobiography of the famous retired geisha Mineko Iwasaki (who was one of the sources for Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha). Iwasaki is also involved in the drama by personally coaching Inoue in the ways of the geisha, and training the cast to speak the unique Gion dialect.

Stars: Inoue Mao (Hana Yori Dango 1&2, First Kiss), Nakamura Toru, Hazuki Riona
Thoughts: Oooh, this sounds really interesting, and stars the cutie Mao. I love all things history, and so this really appeals to me.

Ten to Sen

Based on Matsumoto Seicho’s classic mystery novel of the same name, the story centers on a senior detective who is determined to find the truth behind an apparent double suicide.

Stars: Beat Takeshi, Uchiyama Rina, Takahashi Katsunori
Thoughts: I’m not a huge mystery fan, so this one doesn’t grab me.

Ganges Gawa de Butterfly

Teruko, a third year university student, comes across as a forthright and sunny girl but is in truth a rather timid person. She’s also the sort who easily gets carried away and does things impetuously only to regret her actions later. Influenced by her older brother who has taken to wandering the world, Teruko too hopes to make her own journey one day but she lacks the courage, content to live the life of a normal university student … However, she’s also plagued with the insecurity of having done nothing she can be proud of in her lifetime, and mustering all her courage embarks on a solo trip to India … While in India, she meets a fellow backpacker, Shingo. Teruko first regards Shingo as a frivolous person but as his encouraging words clear her hesitation and touches her, she falls in love with him. Then, Teruko plans to head to Bodh Gaya to see India’s biggest festival but Shingo…

Stars: Nagasawa Masami (Proposal Daisakusen, Dragon Zakura, Touch), Tsukamoto Takashi (Gokusen, Stand Up!), Ishibashi Renji
Thoughts: For some reason this grabs me. I’ll probably watch this one.
Airs: 2007-Oct-05 and 2007-Oct-06

Glass no Kiba

Based on a true story of a probation officer dealing with reforming youngsters.

Stars: Takahata Atsuko, Renbutsu Misako, Hiraizumi Sei (Ushi ni Negai wo: Love & Farm).
Thoughts: Not my cup of tea.
Airs: 2007-Oct-6

Kaikyo

Hasegawa Kyoko stars in the international love story, involving a Japanese woman and a Korean man who meet in Busan at the end of World War II. They fall in love, but circumstances force them to live in their respective countries. Though separated by distance, they choose not to give up on their love.

Stars: Hasegawa Kyoko (Dragon Zakura), Mashima Hidekazu, Kamikawa Takaya (Hana Kimi)
Thoughts: I’m a bit of a sucker for a good love story, and history, but I don’t think I’ll be waiting by the tv for this one. It’s a maybe.

Kodoku no Utagoe

Uchiyama plays a female detective seeking a serial killer committing a string of bizarre murders. At the same time, she has to confront her own traumatic past.

Stars: Uchiyama Rina, Fukushi Seiji (Nodame Cantabile), Yamamoto Taro
Thoughts: Again, not really my cup of tea, although “traumatic past” does sound interesting.
Airs: 2007-Nov-11

Watch out for part two of the tanpatsus coming out this summer! All information is from Drama Wiki!

Rate Masami: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Where do I know her from?
Mainly from Dragon Zakura and Proposal Daisakusen. I also have the movie “Touch” but I haven’t watched it yet.

My Opinion:
Masami seems to be a very good actor. I can see how she has matured in her acting from Dragon Zakura to Proposal Daisakusen. She portrays a lot through her facial expressions which I think is fantastic. She is also very beautiful, still quite young and has a strong career ahead of her.

TV Shows:
Last Friends (2008)
Ganges Gawa de Butterfly (2007)
Proposal Daisakusen (2007)
Dragon Zakura (2005)

Movies:
Sono Toki wa Kare ni Yoroshiku (2007)
Nada Sou Sou (2006)
Touch (2005)