Ayumu Nakajima

WOWOW Actors Short Films Season 3

Graduate student Aiko has always had low self-esteem because of the birthmark on her face. When her story is cinematized, she falls for the director who accepts her as she is.

Kenji and Hitomi Kiyosawa decide to have a smart home built for their family, one which is able to regulate the temperature of the entire house with a single air conditioner unit located in the basement. But shortly after, gruesome incidents start happening in and around the house…

Momo, 24, was recently dumped by Kentaro. Spotting his new girlfriend Riko on Instagram, Momo tracks her down and confronts her, proposing a secret alliance.

Before he hit it big, Takeshi Kitano got his start apprenticing with comedy legend Fukami of Asakusa. But as his star rises, his mentor's declines.

This long-awaited biopic provides a vivid account of the remarkable life of Anita Mui in and behind the limelight, chronicling her journey from a child performer to becoming one of world's most recognized music icons.

In 2010, while covering the issue of the "secret agreement" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the author came across diplomatic documents relating to the reversion of Okinawa and was particularly impressed by the handwritten documents of Kazuo Chiba, then Director of the North American First Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which, unlike ordinary bureaucrats, "stood out from the crowd and seemed unique". The name of Chiba subsequently appeared in a number of documents left by former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato's secretary, and the author became interested in finding out what kind of person he was.

Good-bye, Erymanthins

Dramatization of The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and its announcers activities to support the Japanese military's fight during the war. Based on the facts, depicts the hidden relationship between broadcasting and the war.

17-year-old high school students struggle and grow up while facing the life and death of animals.

In 1974, Morikazu is 94 years old and his wife Hideko is 76 years old. They live at a house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. The garden at their home is full of trees, plants and insects. Morikazu paints pictures of the creatures in his garden and also observes them. This has been his daily routine for more than 30 years. Morikazu and Hideko entertain visitors every day including a photographer and the couple living next door.

What will happen to the seesaw affair between five troublesome men and women? The latest masterpiece by director Kimura Satoshi, a new master of romantic ensemble dramas.

The story tells of the granddaughter of the political family Uta, who is kidnapped. The kidnappers' demand is not money, but for the politician to hold a press conference and confess to the crime. Kentaro Nakashima plays the protagonist, Koji Uta, the second son of the Vice Minister of the Cabinet, Seijiro Uta (played by Shinichi Tsutsumi). Despite his reservations about his father's actions, he reluctantly takes on the role of his father's secretary, and the kidnapping incident plunges the Uta family into unprecedented predicaments.

This will be the last. That is why I need to tell you...

海の見える理髪店

Toshihide works as a doctor at a clinic located by the sea. One day, he meets Ako. She looks exactly like the woman he admires. Due to her, his heart flutters. Soon, Toshihide realizes that Ako is not his ideal woman. A case leads to Ako to begin living with Toshihide and his family. Living with the warm-hearted family, Ako slowly regains herself and becomes a person with a truthful and honest mind.

Can we ever be freed from the "curse of love" that dictates "women must be pretty and fall in love"? A humorous and at times affecting chronicle of an artistic girl’s life and loves from elementary school, through university, into young adulthood.

Take a Stroll

A silent love story of a young man who wishes to make the dream come true of a young woman who lost her light.

Based on a true story - a true love story of a man and his wife who are at the mercy of fate, but wish to be reunited for 11 years. With thoughts of his wife and his fellows, Yamamoto Hatao never gave up hoping that he'd return home despite hopeless circumstances.

A mother searches for her missing son after a devastating calamity, only to realize that she has died and is now confined to a realm of restless spirits.

Kondo, a man with a reason for returning to his hometown of Ginpei-cho, where he spent his youth, unexpectedly meets Sato, a homeless man who loves movies, and Kajiwara, the manager of a movie theater. He starts working part-time at the theater. Surrounded by the theater staff and colorful regular customers, he gradually begins to find renewal, but...

Shun Fujishiro is a psychiatrist and works at a university hospital in Tokyo. He is engaged to Yayoi Sakamoto. One day in April, when he is about to marry Yayoi Sakamoto, he receives a letter from his first love Haru Iyoda. They dated 10 years ago. Suddenly, his fiancé Yayoi Sakamoto disappears.

MARU runs around Tokyo.MARU hears from his fellow messenger HIDE that he might be leaving Tokyo.

One day, Momo who is a young woman met a 40-year-old man named Todo on the street. The two walk hand in hand while singing the children's song "Shoes Ring" and share their bodies. The next morning Todo, groping back memories of last night, saying, "It's like a journey." Knowing the meaning of the word, Momo cries at him silently. It is said that two people, each with a painful past, run away from the world toward the sea.

Desert of Namibia follows a bipolar young woman who burns the candle at both ends. A portrait of an unidealized Tokyo gen-Z, that surprises with its incredible energy and irreverence.

In the Pearl Harbor era, a second-generation Japanese-American grapples with his identity amid the turmoil of World War II. Born in Los Angeles and educated in Japan, he returns to the USA and works at a Japanese newspaper. However, the outbreak of war and a racist executive order forcefully deport his entire family to a detention center in California. Torn between his American upbringing and Japanese heritage, he decides to serve as a translator and goes to war.

Yuri appreciates her son Kazuma's passion of figures, but worries about his ability to get along with the group. Yuri, who works as a writer, visits Edo Kiriko glass atelier to cover an article. Through the lessons she learns from the father and son artisans she meets during her interview, she begins to think about respecting Kazuma and developing his potential.

A near-future Tokyo awaits destruction as the city is rocked by a series of foreshocks that predict a larger, more disastrous quake on the horizon. With the anxiety looming over them, a group of teenage best friends and musicians get into typical teenager trouble that tests the strength of their relationships.

An omnibus collection of six short films the stories are the result of skull sessions at workshops lead by writer and director Ryosuke Hashiguchi. The film depicts body-length tight fetishists called Zentai. The members of the group convene at a karaoke parlor and celebrate their obsession together.

A Taiwanese girl Yuwen comes to a village of Fukushima to study abroad. She thinks falling-in-love is a stupid thing and the land is unusually dry as Yuwen’s heart because of no rains. Yuwen struggles to speak Japanese but learns Japan culture and relationships from her host family and neighbors. As she opens her heart little by little, rain falls on the small village after a long time.

Iconic actress Jean Yu returns to Japanese-occupied China to star in a play directed by her former lover. However, her undercover work for the Allies soon places her life in grave danger.

This mystery special consists of three thrilling stories by three notable writers.

Midori Mantani and Masao Minamisawa are both 28-years-old. They have dated for 4 years, but their relationship seems to be just going through the motions. They think about breaking up. At that time, Midori becomes pregnant. Midori and Masao decide to marry. While preparing for their wedding, they become more familiar with each other's background. Midori Mantani grew up with parents who ran an iron factory in a provincial city that didn't offer much in terms of culture. Unlike Midori, Masao Minamisawa grew up in Tokyo and his family was wealthy. His father worked as a photographer and his mother was a doctor. He now works as a web designer. The couple begin to have a better understanding of each other.

This is a work depicting a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder, who is different on each day of the week, from the perspective of "I" on Tuesday.

An unexpected love triangle, a seduction trap, and a random encounter are the three episodes, told in three movements to depict three female characters and trace the trajectories between their choices and regrets.

A shy country girl chooses a part-time job at a maid cafe where she serves customers while dressed up as a maid.

Shibuya in Tokyo, a city that continues to change due to redevelopment. At a house in the corner of Shibuya, Ai dreaming of a model, Mizuho working for the editorial department of a magazine, and musician Erika live together. This story is about the modest cohabitation of the three.

The last night of Heisei. This time it will change.

Teruko is a 28-year-old office worker. 5 months ago, she fell in love with Mamoru at first sight. Since that time, she has not cared about her work or her friends. She then loses her job and her friends look at her coldly. Yet, Teruko is happy as long as she is with Mamoru. Meanwhile, Mamoru thinks Teruko is an easy woman for him to not love. Teruko’s unrequited love grows deeper.

Koji runs a second-hand bookstore. He likes female drummer Ichihana, but, suddenly, female high school student Misaki appears in front of him and keeps confesses her feelings for him.

Gisuke is a retired college professor. His wife has passed away, and he is now living alone in an old Japanese-style house. One day, an unsettling message appears on his computer saying that the enemy is coming.

Takamura Misono works for a company that makes tsukemono (preserved vegetable side dishes). She enjoys listening to podcasts and eating alone at home from food bought at franchise restaurants on her way from work. She isn't very good socializing with other people, but she is enthusiastic when she talks about things she likes. Her co-worker Sudo Arisa suggests to her that she should start her own podcasts. Following her suggestion, Takamura Misono starts a podcast titled Omimi ni Aimashitara. Her co-worker Sasaki Ryohei also joins the podcast. While doing the program, Takamura Misono grows as a person.

Kashiwagi Kokoro is a university student. He enjoys his campus life and has begun dating Kamijo Sayo. One day, his ex-girlfriend Omori Ringo, who is the one that decided to end their relationship, visits his home and begins to live there. Kashiwagi Kokoro doesn't tell his new girlfriend Kamijo Sayo about Omori Ringo moving in with him. (Source: AsianWiki) ~~ Adapted from the manga series "Sweet Moratorium" (スイートモラトリアム) by Tama Izumi (たまいずみ).

Shindo Yuya (Inukai Atsuhiro) is a young man who has been working at an advertising agency in Tokyo after graduating from university. However, he wants a job involved in regional revitalisation and makes a u-turn. Dreaming of a spectacular job...

Ueki Hitoshi to Nobosemon is based on the autobiographical novel Nobosemonyaken by actor Komatsu Masao.

"Anita" chronicles the life of the iconic Hong Kong singer Anita Mui, whose dazzling career can be traced back to childhood. No less captivating than her stage presence is her unwavering devotion to family, friends, loved ones and for the greater good of the community. Her vivid life has made for a unique legacy in musical history and earned her the undeniable title of "Daughter of Hong Kong."

にがくてあまい

Arai Naohito is a CODA (children of deaf adults) who becomes a sign language interpreter after losing his job and family in order to restart his life. The drama tells the story of a sign language interpreter who interprets for the deaf in criminal trials.

OZU ～小津安二郎が描いた物語～

Ichiro is a PE teacher in 1986 feared by his students for a "tough love" approach, harsh tongue and frequently “inappropriate” behavior. He’s also a dad trying to raise a rebellious daughter after having lost his wife to illness. When he gets transported in time to 2024, he encounters modern sensibilities that teach him about empathy but also gives people of today a reason to rethink their own political correctness in this time traversing comedy about change.

Komukai Riko is a young single woman and works for an event planning company. She is considered average in regards to her personality and appearance. One day, her co-worker mentions person of a mass production model. Komukai Riko asks herself if she could be such a person for a mass production model and she answers her question affirmatively. Around this time, she happens to see plastic model Zaku at a neighborhood store. Zaku is a robot from TV anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. She becomes interested in plastic models and challenges herself to make her first plastic model.

Adapted from the novel short story collection "Yuming Tribute Stories" inspired by the songs of Matsutoya Yumi.

シリーズ・横溝正史短編集

Maki Maki, Sebuki Suzume, Beppu Tsukasa and Iemori Yutaka happen to meet and form a quartet. They even begin to live together in Karuizawa during the winter, but there is a big hidden secret.

Rakugo has the image of a humorous story, but it is also a treasure trove of “scary stories”. Among them, this work boldly arranges a performance in which "human fear" stands out, and does it in an omnibus format. There are four rakugo plays that will be drawn as a drama this time: "Kokoro", "Tatsumi's Tsuji Zou", "Konya Takao", and "Miyatogawa (upper / lower)".

やすらぎの刻〜道

Saeki Shuichi was a detective, but he quit his job. He now works at a detective agency. One day, a couple asks the detective agency to find a man named Sakagami. The man killed the couple's son and served at a youth detention center. Kogure Masato is the director of the detective agency. He tells Shuichi to work on the case. Shuichi is also part of a victim's family. When he was a child, his older sister was murdered. While Shuichi watches Sakagami, the couple asks him to find some materials which will allow them to forgive Sakagami or not.

Fujita Jun and her husband Yoshio, married for 15 years, live in a rural area near Kichijoji. Jun works as a university clerk. while Yoshio works remotely. Together, they create a historical meal recipe using local ingredients.

À Table!〜ノスタルジックな休日〜

A love story depicting the connection between parents and their children in various forms.