"Drama Week" summarizes the main drama news of the week. This week (May 2-8), the highlights included Yuki Kura taking on his first leading role in an NHK drama, "One Day Her Panties Appeared," airing on May 31, and Mayu Hotta appearing with blonde mushroom haircut and a nose piercing in "Izumi Kyoka Doesn't Stay Silent."
On May 2nd, a new character relationship chart for the NHK Asadora drama series "Kaze,Kaoru " (NHK General, Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM, etc.), starring Ai Mikami and Juri Kosaka , was released on the drama's official website. The new chart added the name of Burns (Emma Howard), a teacher at the "Umeoka Girls' School Nursing Training Center" where Rin Ichinose (Mikami) and Naomi Oya (Uesaka) study. Burns is a teacher who arrived from Scotland at the end of episode 25 (aired May 1st). The episode ended with her appearing before Rin, Naomi, and the other seven first-year students of the training center and telling them in English to "stand up straight." In the preview for the sixth week, "The Classroom of Heavenly Tears," released after the episode, she attracted attention with her appearance hinting at a "Spartan teacher."
On the 3rd, the 17th episode of the NHK Taiga drama " BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" (NHK General, Sundays at 8pm, etc.), starring actor Nakano Taiga, titled "The Fall of Odani Castle," aired, and viewers were buzzing about the cause of death of a character who exited the scene just nine minutes into the episode. The character who exited was Takeda Shingen (Takashima Masanobu). Urged by Yoshiaki (Onoe Ukon), Shingen raised an army and defeated Ieyasu (Kohei Matsushita). He also narrowly avoided the poisoned rice balls that Nobunaga (Shun Oguri Shun) had prepared, as a retainer who stole and ate them died right before his eyes. Shingen confirmed his victory, saying, "Heaven is on my side. This battle is our victory," but the next day he suddenly died after choking on mochi (rice cake). On social media, comments such as "What?! Is that how it's going to end?!", "What? He's already out?", "Huh? Huh? Is that how Takeda Shingen died?", and "Shingen's time is already over lol" were posted.
On the 3rd, the fourth episode of the TBS Sunday drama "GIFT" (Sundays at 9pm), starring actor Shinichi Tsutsumi, was broadcast. The connection between magazine journalist Hitoka Kiriyama (Kasumi Arimura) and Keijiro Asatani (Kyohei Honda), who has joined the "Blaze Bulls," was revealed, making a big impact on viewers. Hitoka's father, Hideo (So Yamanaka), had been involved in a traffic accident in the past. As a result of the accident, the transportation company he ran went bankrupt. He blames himself for taking away the victim's future and has been depressed, but it was revealed that the victim was Keijiro, and it caused a stir on social media with comments such as "What a shocking revelation" and "I never thought that Hitoka's father and Keijiro's accidents would coincide."
On the 4th, actress and model Mayu Hotta posted a photo of herself with a drastically changed look, sporting blonde hair and a mushroom cut, on her Instagram account (@mayuhotta). Hotta appeared in the drama "Izumi Kyoka wa Damararanai" which aired on NHK General on the same day, playing the role of Nishion Mika, a rookie manga artist. The photo was of her in character, and she appealed to viewers with "Please watch it~" and added, "My first ever nose piercing." Comments included: "What!! I didn't recognize you at all," "I didn't recognize you as Mayu-chan. I have high expectations for Mayu-chan's acting ability, as she can play any role. I can't wait~," "Blonde bob! Nose piercing! What a fresh look!!," "Mayu-chan looks great even with a nose piercing, as expected," and "The nose piercing is cute."
On the 5th, the fifth episode of the Tuesday drama "Toki Sude ni Osushi!?" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm), starring actress Hiromi Nagasaku, aired, and Eriko Sato made a guest appearance as Atsuko, the mother of Aoto Mori (Soma Santoki). Social media was buzzing with comments such as, "I was so excited to see Satoeri after so long," "Satoeri's character was great lol," "Satoeri's character was good. I want to see more," "Satoeri looked great and suited the role so well," and "Casting Satoeri was a really good idea."
On the 8th, it was announced that "One Day Her Panties...", a work by Kato Yobi that won the Grand Prize at the 49th Creative Television Drama Awards, co-sponsored by the Japan Broadcasting Writers Association and NHK, will be adapted into a drama and broadcast on NHK General on May 31st at 11 PM. Yuki Kura will play the protagonist, Namiki Sota, who is seen as an eccentric person by those around him and has difficulty getting along with society. Kura is also making headlines for his role as Kuroda Kanbei in the NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）", and "One Day Her Panties..." marks his first leading role in an NHK drama.
