2024 Manga Adaptations (January - June)
The 9th Tokyo Drama Awards, part of International Drama Festival in TOKYO, was held on November 7 this year. Some of the best Japanese dramas were judged based on their quality and marketability in order to promote this aspect of Japanese culture on a global basis. Let's take a look at the winners!
TOKYO DRAMA AWARDS 2016
Asa ga Kita (Here Comes Asa) Best Drama Series
This is an epic historical drama of 150+ episodes set in the Edo period. It follows Asa, a remarkable woman, who had managed to open a coal mining company and then a life insurance company, before she established Japan’s first women’s university. Praised for its authentic portrayal of the Osaka setting and character development, this drama managed to have the highest average viewer rating in this century in the morning television drama series (23.5%).
Excellence Awards for Drama Series
Love That Makes You Cry is a love story between Oto and Ren who both lost their parents but meet by a twist of fate in Tokyo. Downtown Rocketis a business drama about Tsukuda Kohei, who dreams of developing a rocket engine but struggles to save his company from bankruptcy. This drama also won awards for Best Leading Actor and Best Producer.
The Never-Setting Sun is a military drama about the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan and the people who work there. On the other hand, Yutori Desu ga Nani ka is a slice-of-life drama about three young men born in 1987, their friendship, studies and love interests.
Tamiou is a hilarious comedy about a Prime Minister and his lazy son who suddenly switch bodies with each other and find themselves caught up in responsibilities they cannot understand.
Fishing Fool's Diaryis a comedy about a man who loves fishing more than anything else.
Aka Medaka (Red Medaka) Best Drama Special
This is a story of a 17-year-old Dansyun and his journey of becoming a famous rakugo (a form of Japanese verbal entertainment in which the lone storyteller amuses the audience). He manages to become a student of the legendary rakugo performer, Tatekawa Danshi, who starts teaching him not only about rakugo but also life itself. With an amazing cast and great actors' performances, this is a true gem among Jdoramas.
Excellence Awards for Drama Specials
The Man of the Political Economy follows Matsunaga Yasuzaemon, a man who managed to become one of the most powerful politicians and economists after the war.
Through Their Eyesis a touching story about Makita Hiroshi and his fellow doctors whose job is to put down animals and deal with the guilt that comes with that.
Local Awards for Drama Specials
Three Moons is about a lonely housewife Kosaka Mayu who falls in love and starts an affair with a composer from Tokyo. Will their love survive?
The Indigo Lovers follows the life of Kenji, a man who gave up on his dream of being a jazz pianist and leads a monotone life of a denim craftsman instead... until one day he meets a painter Miyuki and falls in love with her.
Best Leading Actor
Hiroshi Abe in "Downtown Rocket"
Best Leading Actress
Haru in "Asa ga Kita"
Best Supporting Actor
Dean Fujioka in "Asa ga Kita"
Best Supporting Actress
Kimura Yoshino in "Boku no Yabai Tsuma"
OTHER AWARDS
Best Screenplay: Akiko Nogi for "Sleepeeer hit!"
Best Producer: Hidenori Iyoda for "Downtown Rocket" and "Rakugoka"
Best Directors: Yuya Ishii for "TARO's CANDY HOUSE" and Nobuhiro Doi for "Sleepeeer hit!" & "Kounodori"
Best Theme Song: "Love That Makes You Cry" by Aoi Teshima from the drama of the same name
Source: Tokyo Drama Awards
- Have you watched any of these dramas? If so, what do you think about them? If not, do you plan to?
- What are your thoughts on the winners? Share your opinions in the comments below!
- Thanks for reading and have a nice day! xxx
