TOKYO DRAMA AWARD

2008

The story takes place in Japan in the near future. Behind the multiplying networks filled with information, cyber-terrorists are threatening people's lives. It is the task of Under Anchor, a group of specialists, to fight them. A walking mobile phone "Phone Braver Seven" and a high school boy, Keita Amishima, solve various problems with their knowledge and friendship and put their lives on the line to prevent crimes plotted by terrorists. An internationally-acclaimed director, Takashi Miike, oversees the series, while each episode is directed by leading Japanese directors, such as Syusuke Kaneko and Norio Tsuruta. Highlights include participation of directors from varied genres, for example, Mamoru Oshii and Kunihiko Yuyama from the anime world.

Various social issues of the modern era are squarely dealt with, such as domestic violence, sexless relationships and gender mismatch, and young people who are unsure of romantic relationships are portrayed as they learn to live positively by their own values. Adolescents with problems serious enough to contemplate suicide come to a shared house where they discover friendship and value of relating to each other. Based on a triangular relationship, the deep seated and shocking problems of their own and of those around them are gradually revealed, and the minds of young people that fear solitude but seek warmth are depicted while searching for an answer to difficult questions of life.

Mrs. Saitou lives in Tokyo with her only son whilst her husband is posted overseas. She doesn't belong to a group, seek attention, or fear isolation, and speaks her mind about what is wrong is wrong. As a result she is shunned by her neighbors and other mothers at kindergarten. Then she meets another mother at the kindergarten, Mrs. Mano, who is completely opposite to her. Following that, Mrs. Saitou's way of life gradually starts to influence the people around her. This is a social drama about a way of life of a woman who stands up to the failings of the world which can easily be missed whilst opportunism prevails nationwide. The original comic "Saitou-san" by Yua Oda is being serialized in a monthly comic magazine "Office You".

At the end of Tokugawa Shogunate in the mid-19th century. There was a woman who watched the changing times. It was "Princess Atsu", the wife of the 13th Shogun, Iesada. Born in a less well-off branch of the family in the southern country of Satsuma, she rose to Shogun's wife, however it was a checkered life. After her husband dies suddenly, she endeavors to forge a reconciliation between the imperial court and the Shogunate by introducing an emperor's daughter as the wife of the 14th Shogun. However, she is carried along by the torrent of the times to overthrow the Shogunate. Moreover, the main force to overthrow the government comes from her home region. The life of a woman, who faced her fate despite being at the mercy of the times, is passionately portrayed.

21st century. Terrorists are engaging in secret maneuvers, and criminal knowledge is easily obtainable over the internet even for non-political petty criminals to carry out an act of terrorism. As the role of the Security Police(SP) diversifies beyond its core task of protecting VIPs with their own lives by acting as a moving shield, a new security agent has been added to the team on a trial basis. He can sense the "blind spot in the moving shield" to preempt an unforeseen situation. Kaoru Inoue, an SP, has a special ability as a result of his childhood trauma of losing his parents in a terrorist attack. Despite being questioned by other born-and-bred agents, he courageously faces the battle with terrorism.

A human drama about a simple boy from the deprived countryside. He joins the armed forces and matures into a strong man through vigorous training and relationships with colleagues and seniors in the forces. A blockbuster hit sparked by internet blogs. Starring Wang Bao Qiang, the most popular actor in contemporary China.

Three youths who have just been released from prison come to stay with Jack who is a security guard at a mosque. With the help of Aya, a kind-hearted girl who runs a kiosk next to the mosque, Jack tries his best to guide the three to re-start their lives. A comedy drama.

A Vietnamese national with Korean and Vietnamese parents crosses the border to marry a Korean man. Despite differences, she gradually comes to understand the new family, and in the meantime she also attempts to look for her father from whom she separated in her childhood. An evocative drama that portrays the value of bonds between people.

A Deputy Minister endeavours to lead a lily-white life while his family attempt to abuse his position to pursue their own interests.The gap with the family widens as he advances in his career. A crime drama that depicts the bureaucrat and his family who bring ruin upon themselves.