Fall 2025 Drama Anticipation Ranking | The Screenwriters Are Too Strong

It is September, and summer dramas are finishing up one after another.
It is starting to be that time when I get curious about the upcoming fall dramas.
So, this time, I would like to write about the dramas I am looking forward to in the fall of 2025!

When a new season of dramas begins, I have a process of watching the first episode of everything, selecting which ones to continue watching, and narrowing it down to about 10, so my busy days are about to begin.

By the way, my points of interest for dramas are the actors, screenwriters, original works, and the time slot (day of the week & time).
I hope this is helpful to everyone!

1. A Little Bit of an Esper

This is it! This is it!! I will definitely watch this!!!
This is a lineup that has to be my number one most anticipated one!!!!!!!!!
The screenwriter is Akiko Nogi, who has too many representative works to count, such as "The Full-Time Wife Escapist," "MIU404," "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea," and "Last Mile," so there is no doubt about it.
Her ability to cut into the script of society is amazing, isn't it? I love all of her works, so if I hear it's a Nogi script, I will definitely watch it.

And then, Yo Oizumi & Aoi Miyazaki. It goes without saying that Yo Oizumi is a sure thing, but above all! It's Aoi Miyazaki-chan!!!
She has been appearing in commercials and the like recently, and I was head over heels for her cuteness just like in the old days, so I am so happy she is appearing in a drama!

I love Aoi Miyazaki-chan in the McDonald's commercials so much that I ran out to buy a peach smoothie. I love her. She's cute. I'm head over heels.

2. If This World Were a Stage, Where Would the Dressing Room Be?

Yes! This is also a sure-fire lineup!
Screenwriter Koki Mitani is already... there's no need to talk about him, right? He is that famous of a screenwriter. The Koki Mitani world is irresistible.

And! My favorite Kamiki-kun is in the cast! I love him!!! I will watch anything Kamiki-kun appears in, for starters!
The fact that Masaki Suda is starring also gives me a sense of security. I don't know what it is, but I have an image that any work Masaki Suda appears in is a sure thing.

Since it's a youth ensemble drama set in Shibuya, I think a youth drama with these actors will definitely be great!

3. A 217-Yen Painting

NTV
Starts September 30, 2025 (Tue) Every Tuesday 24:24 - 24:54

The [NTV Scenario Writer Contest] held for the first time in 18 years.
The first grand prize-winning work is finally being made into a drama!
The video debut work of up-and-coming screenwriter Katsuma Kamiya!

Starring: Shunsuke Kazama, Ryo Harufumi
Screenplay: Katsuma Kamiya

Yes! Since my favorite Shunsuke Kazama is starring in this one, I will watch it! There is no other option but to watch it!

Speaking of Shunsuke Kazama, the 2025 summer drama "10 Things I Want to Do Before I'm 40" was wonderful. I was fascinated by Kazama-kun's cuteness, his sense of being able to do his job, his high acting ability, and his ability to lift up young people and those around him.
I was so fascinated that I even wrote a note about it.

I am very much looking forward to seeing Kazama-kun team up with young actors again! And it's screenwriter Katsuma Kamiya's video debut!

I also like 30-minute dramas because they are quick to watch.

4. When I Was Little, There Was a God

The screenplay is by Yoshikazu Okada, known for 'Zoku Zoku Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi' and 'Churasan'.
Both are works I absolutely, absolutely love.
The characters are just so charming, aren't they?
Regarding 'Zoku Zoku Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi', it really struck a chord with me, so I wrote a note article about it.
I also loved the grandmother in 'Churasan'.

The story of a couple who promised to divorce when their child turns twenty is also a premise that really piques my interest.
Having Yukiya Kitamura and Yukie Nakama also provides a sense of stability, which is great.

I tend to seek out actors with years of experience and a sense of stability rather than young actors. It might be due to my age, though.
I must watch this.

5. Drama 10 'Shiba no Okite ~Warera Inu Baka Henshubu~'

As for this one... I'll be honest.
The 'Shiba Inu' part hooked me. Me! I love Shiba Inus so much! I love their faces and their gestures; they are just so cute.
When I see a Shiba Inu out for a walk, I can't help but stare and gush over it.
If a Shiba Inu is tired like that, well! I'm going to watch it, obviously!!!

So, while it starts with the Shiba Inu, I also love NHK dramas. And the cast is nothing but reliable.
I feel especially reassured by Hairi Katagiri, Kumi Takiuchi, and Keiko Matsuzaka. Having these people in the cast... it's strong. It's really strong.
It's also great to have Shunsuke Daito and Marie Iitoyo.

The screenwriter is Koji Tokuo, known for 'Ossan's Love', 'My Housekeeper Nagisa-san', 'unknown', and 'Lion no Kakurega'.
No, no, no, no... this is... a style I absolutely love.
Actually, looking at these works, he's someone who can write in so many genres, isn't he? Comedy, human drama, mystery, BL, love stories, home dramas... is it even possible to write so many different things?

6. Serial TV Novel 'Bakebake'

The next morning drama is 'Bakebake', starring Akari Takaishi.
I watch NHK morning dramas without fail every time, so of course I'll watch this one! (Though there are some morning dramas I occasionally drop.)
However, I try not to have too many expectations for the work following a really interesting morning drama.
The more interesting the previous work was, the higher the bar is set for the next one, and in my experience, I've found that... interesting morning dramas don't always follow one after another... honestly.
Hehehe. Honestly.

I'm looking forward to the cast as well! And I'm very excited that my favorite, Humbert Humbert, is doing the theme song!
I'll watch it without expecting too much!

7. Bokutachi-n-chi

The idea of Mitchy (Mitsuhiro Oikawa) playing a 'kind-hearted, clumsy gay man' is just too compelling.
Mitsuhiro Oikawa has such a unique atmosphere and is very charming.
And above all, it feels creative; I think I really like the color palette and the atmosphere. I have a feeling I'll like the visual style of this.
Naoki Tanaka and Kumiko Aso are also great.

The screenwriter is Yuki Matsumoto, a promising new star who won the Jury's Special Award at the 2023 Nippon TV Scenario Writer Contest.

8. Then You Make It

This is my favorite Tuesday 10 PM slot! I often get hooked on TBS's Tuesday 10 PM dramas.
"Well, You Make It Then" is based on a manga, and I've read the original! So, I'm really looking forward to it.
They break up right after the proposal, but it's a new-era love story where the man re-examines his "taken-for-granted" life through the cooking he learns to do, despite being unaccustomed to it.
Until now, he had meals made for him, and he would complain about this and that regarding the food, but after they broke up and he started cooking for himself, he began to change.
I really love that process.

Plus, it stars Kaho and Ryoma Takeuchi!
I'm definitely watching.

9. Rondo of the Finale -To You, Whom I Will Never Meet Again-

A work starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, too! I end up watching those, don't I!!!
Tsuyoshi Kusanagi has a unique way of speaking, but I still end up watching.
And the subject matter is "organizing the belongings of the deceased." Hmm, this is a topic that seems like it will give me a lot to think about.

10. Wakako Zake Season 9

Isn't Season 9 amazing? It just goes to show how popular the series is.
It's a drama where Wakako-chan simply enjoys drinking alone.
Since it's a 30-minute slot, you can watch it quickly.
It's also nice that you can watch it with a calm mind since no major incidents occur.
That said, through her drinking, she notices various things and there are human dramas, so it's good. Wednesday night is also an exquisite timing.
Let's soothe the fatigue of work with Wakako-chan with a "pshu~".
I'm looking forward to it since she's also visiting Fukushima.

11. Yoru-Dora "Hirayasumi"

I also love NHK's night dramas so much!!!!
It's also great that Amane Okayama is starring. Very great.
I feel like any work featuring Riho Yoshioka is a safe bet.

12. Sunday Theater "The Royal Family"

The subject of this Sunday Theater is horse racing.
The cast is also a safe bet. Well, of course, it's a Sunday Theater.
Sunday Theater has a huge gap between when I get super hooked and when I don't, so I'm approaching it with a "I'll watch it for now" mindset.
I wonder if I'll get hooked on horse racing.

That said, with Satoshi Tsumabuki starring, and Ren Meguro, Wakana Matsumoto, and Kenjiro Tsuda—actors who are particularly in the spotlight lately—all lined up, I feel a sense of mission that I must watch this!
Satoshi Tsumabuki & Kenjiro Tsuda had such a huge presence in the morning drama "Anpan." Both of them were such a feast for the eyes.
Ren Meguro made me cry so much with his delicate acting in "silent" and "Umi no Hajimari." And his face is too beautiful.
I came to love Wakana Matsumoto in "Saionji-san wa Kaji wo Shinai."

I'll watch it! Honestly, the horse racing part is a "hmm...", but because the cast is just too wonderful! I'll watch it!!!!

The fall season has screenwriters who are too strong

It's a season with so many super-strong screenwriters, isn't it!?
I think the power of the script is huge for both dramas and movies, so I'm really looking forward to it.
And I thought while writing this, do I have a lot of favorite actors???
There are too many people where I think, "If this person is in it, I'll watch it for now!"
And the more I watch, the more those people increase.

What a wonderful life.

(Since I have to watch the first episode) A busy time is starting, but it's exciting because there's so much to look forward to!
I hope this is helpful◎