Tomio Umezawa

After participating to a previous show where they have to bet or be challenged to any kind of competitions, the losing members of the Gaki no Tsukai are selected to spend 24 hours in a setting which they have no knowledge of the theme nor the course of the events. They are exposed to various absurd and crazy situations nonstop for 24 hours and must refrain from laughing. If they do so, hang-men appear and hit the rule breakers with a weapon (the weapon varies every year).

Seishiro Tokai (Kazunari Ninomiya) works as a surgeon at a university hospital. He possesses excellent technique with suture and carries a surgery success rate of 100%. Due to his arrogant attitude and personality, he comes into conflict with those around him. A new doctor tries to introduce the latest medical device for surgery, which doesn't need a surgeon's hand. Seishiro Tokai is skeptical of the device. He faces the university hospital administration and reveals corruption and hidden past behind the medical device.

The 61st NHK Asadora Drama is Asuka. Set in Kyoto in the home of a traditional Japanese candy-maker, Asuka is the story of one young girl's dream to one day walk in her father's shoes and become a top candy-maker in the male-dominated world of wagashi (Japanese confectionery). Asuka grows to be a healthy, adventurous young girl with a deep curiosity and, a desire to become a candy-maker like her father. This NHK drama is one of the best in years with an excellent cast, a well-developed story based on extensive research into the traditional worlds of candy making and the tea ceremony in Kyoto, and beautiful scenery and settings in Kyoto and the surrounding areas.

Kyoko Odagiri is a beautiful and charismatic clairvoyant. She is also popular and admired by her fans. Today, Kyoko appears on a popular tv show and display her psychic abilities alongside a popular actor. Her performance goes off splendidly with the audience applauding her performance enthusiastically.

The "first penguin" is the courageous first penguin that dives into the sea filled with enemies. Iwasaki Nodoka is a young single mother with no money, no house, and no work. While Nodoka decides that she will do anything to eat, she meets a fisherman who offers her "10,000 yen to rebuild the coast". Thus, Nodoka now carries the dreams of the local fishermen whose lives are on her shoulders. Despite her limited knowledge of the fishing industry, Nodoka does her best working with the stubborn sea men, breaks through the old common sense and customs with her boldness, and creates a revolution in the industry.

Arata, a high school student who gave up on his club activities, begins working part-time at "Midoriya," a diner serving such rare delicacies that has been in business for 70 years. This is the story of a single summer spent working alongside the stubborn, elderly owner, Kiyoshi , right up until the moment the shop finally closes its doors for good.

Yaeko has taken care of her husband Seigo who has stomach cancer. Seigo goes through 4 surgeries, but survives. Yaeko is then diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and her condition worsens. Their family struggles to take care of Yaeko, but they also cherish their time with her. Seigo takes care of Yaeko as best as he can.