Japanese dramas, Q1 2026: the quarter in review
Editors Β· 2026-10-05
Ninety-four Japanese dramas premiered between January and March 2026. Fuji TV released one genre series after another β insurance investigation, police PR, a mystery β and on March 30, in the last week of the quarter, NHK began its new morning drama.
The Scent of the Wind β two unrelated heroines
Starting on March 30 and running until September 25, this was the 114th NHK asadora (morning drama). Its two heroines are nurses modeled on Chika Εzeki and Masa Suzuki, real nurses of the Meiji era. It is the first asadora to feature a pair of heroines who are not related by blood.
Ai Mikami plays Rin Ichinose, and the other lead was chosen in an audition that drew 2,410 applicants. It is an original story inspired by a nonfiction book by Hikaru Tanaka, written by Tomoko Yoshizawa.
Scent of the WindView title details βProfessional: Insurance Investigator Ren Amane
This drama aired in Fuji TV's Thursday Theater slot from January 8 to March 19. Ren Amane (Hiroshi Tamaki), a former homicide detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police who will bend any rule to get to the truth, investigates suspected insurance fraud with his colleagues. Sae Okazaki plays his assistant, Rin Kurita.
Professional: Insurance Investigator Ren AmaneView title details βTokyo MPD PR Unit 2 β a police drama written by a team
Airing in Fuji TV's Tuesday 9 p.m. slot from January 13 to April 7, this original police drama looks at the "invisible front line" of media relations and information control. Every episode was written in a writers' room, with several screenwriters working together.
Sota Fukushi plays Rintaro Imaizumi, a police officer transferred from the detective division to public relations. Season 2 began streaming exclusively on FOD on April 7, right after season 1 ended.
Tokyo MPD PR Unit 2View title details βSoda Master β a mystery for three 51-year-old classmates
This drama aired in Fuji TV's Wednesday 10 p.m. slot from January 14 to March 25. Three friends who made kung fu movies in their junior-high film club reunite at 51 after 37 years and investigate the disappearance of their former club adviser.
Takashi Sorimachi, Nao Omori and Kenjiro Tsuda play the three friends. This is the first lead role in a network TV drama series for Tsuda, who is best known as a voice actor.
Soda MasterView title details β