Highlights for April

[NHK Programs]  ◆ Drama Serial "The Scent of the Wind"  Set in the Meiji era, this story follows two women who paved the way in nursing: Rin (Ai Mikami) and Naomi (Juri Uesaka). While each struggles with hardships in life, they support one another and work tirelessly to protect the injured and vulnerable. Against the backdrop of a turbulent Meiji period, this is an unconventional adventure story of two nurses striving for happiness.  Starts 3/29 (Sun)

◆ “Hidden Doors! Exploring the Unknown World”  A brand-new travel program hosted by Masaki Aiba. It explores little-known destinations rarely introduced in Japanese media, and journeys abroad to thank people in other countries who make the everyday items we rely on. The show uncovers the world’s “secrets.”  Starts 4/1 (Wed)

Plus, many new drama series!

◆ [Drama 10] “Rosanjin's Stove” (4 episodes total)  Kitaoji Rosanjin, a giant of culinary and aesthetic arts who mastered the essence of Japanese cuisine admired worldwide. He is said to have elevated Japanese cuisine to the level of art in postwar Japan. This drama portrays Rosanjin’s hidden loneliness and relentless dedication to art through the eyes of a journalist (Kotone Furukawa) who visits him (Tatsuya Fuji) in his later years in Kita-Kamakura to write his memoir.  Starts 3/31 (Tue)

◆ [Saturday Drama] “Owakare Hospital 2” (2 episodes total)  The sequel to the moving drama “Farewell Hospital.” Set in a long-term care ward closest to death, nurse Ayumi Henmi (Yukino Kishii) and doctor Seiji Hirono (Kenichi Matsuyama), together with patients and their families, depict a heartfelt story about living life fully until the very end.  Starts 4/4 (Sat)

◆  [Premium Drama] “Confrontation (Working title)” (5 episodes total)  “We fight to remain who we are—” A shocking revelation emerges: a medical university has been deliberately lowering female applicants’ scores during entrance exams. Journalist Kikuno Hiba (Wakana Matsumoto), who learns of this, begins her own investigation and sets her sights on Harumi Kanbayashi (Honami Suzuki), a board member of the university. Harumi skillfully evades questioning, but Kikuno believes she is the key and persistently closes in on the truth.  Starts 4/12 (Sun) 

[Drama] ◆ “COACH” (TV Tokyo)  A long-awaited drama adaptation of the acclaimed police novel “Coach” by Shunichi Doba. Young detectives, discouraged after failed investigations, feel like giving up… when an “unremarkable middle-aged man,” Kotaro Mukai (Toshiaki Karasawa), appears. In fact, he is a special assignment officer dispatched from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Personnel Division 2! Cast: Toshiaki Karasawa, Kana Kurashina, Arata Furuta, Tae Kimura, and others  Starts 4/14 (Tue), 9 episodes, available on demand

☞ Other titles such as “REBOOT,” “Then You Try Making It!,” “Noble Detective,” “PUNCH-DRUNK WOMAN,” and “Professional: Insurance Investigator Ren Amane” are also available on demand!

[Anime] ◆ “ANPANMAN Season 14” (Nippon TV)  Anpanman, the hero who flies anywhere to help those who are hungry or in trouble. Join him and his many friends—like Uncle Jam, Currypanman, and Shokupanman—for lots of fun adventures!  Starts 4/7 (Tue), 25 episodes, available on demand

☞ Also streaming on demand: the drama serial “Anpan” (with English subtitles), a story of love and courage modeled after Takashi Yanase, creator of “Anpanman,” and his wife Nobu.

Programs are subject to change without notice.