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The story
On the 11th, NHK announced it was canceling the rerun of the drama ‘The God of Toys’ (originally aired in 1999, written by Toshiro Kuramoto, three episodes) that had been scheduled for December. The only reason given was “scheduling reasons.”
On 5ch’s Entertainment & Sports News+ board, the discussion ranged widely — starting with jokes misreading the title as a reference to sex toys, moving on to speculation that the content might clash with modern sensibilities, the view that it was simply a scheduling issue, and even confusion with the similarly named film ‘Giants and Toys’ (based on the novel by Kaiko Takeshi), along with reminders of Masato Sakai’s lesser-known early appearance in the show.
On the 11th, NHK announced that it would cancel the rerun of the drama “The God of Toys” (first aired in 1999, three episodes), which had been scheduled for December.
The network stated via the drama’s official website: “The drama ‘The God of Toys’ (first aired in 1999, three episodes), which was scheduled to air in December, will not be broadcast due to scheduling reasons.”
The drama first aired in 1999. It is a human comedy written by Toshiro Kuramoto.
Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here
What people said
Is Sakamoto the main character, then?
>Giants and Toys
That's the movie based on Kaiko Takeshi's novel, right?
The ending's a bit different, but I actually prefer the movie version.
I bet NHK, with its reputation riding on the New Year's Kohaku show, decided it'd be best not to air it.
What kind of role is it, lol
• Episode 2: Sunday, December 20, 2026, 12:10 AM – 1:39 AM (late-night Saturday slot)
• Episode 3: Monday, December 21, 2026, 12:00 AM – 1:39 AM (late-night Sunday slot)
Maybe that slot's being freed up for a rerun tied to the 'Tora ni Tsubasa' movie version!?
must be 'adult reasons,' huh (´・ω・｀)
Honestly, that might actually be a good idea.
I first noticed him in 'Golden Slumber.'
For me it was 'Captain Kuhio.'
For most people, it's probably 'Shinsengumi!'
What happened?
BS Fuji's fine by me.
Go watch it on FOD (Fuji TV's streaming service).
so of course some of it won't line up with modern values.
Coming from NHK, which still keeps using guys like Sato Jiro — who went on a rant flaunting fossilized values — that argument doesn't really land.
I think being able to watch that stuff unfiltered, as it was, is exactly what makes dramas, novels, and manga worthwhile.
Kabuki and classical theater are the same way.
You can either sift out the universal truths that remain, or just watch it as a historical document.
Though I doubt it could ever be adapted into film.
It was released on January 1, 2002 (Heisei 14)[1]. Produced by Q Front, Bandai Visual, Ten Carat, Dentsu, and Q Movie, and distributed by Q Movie[1]. Directed by Hakubun[1]. Running time was 47 minutes[1].
It screened at Shibuya QFRONT, and its new screening format — a two-week low-price run that included a drink — also drew attention[2].
The splatter elements from the original were toned down, giving it more of a fantasy feel[2]. It was shot in HD1080/24P, a format rarely used at the time[2].
Huh
That reminds me there was a Kinji Fukasaku movie called 'Omocha' (Toy) too.
I thought he just popped up out of nowhere with 'VIVANT'!
You mean the one who was recently released from prison (a VIVANT reference), right?
so I had no idea he'd been doing TV dramas that far back.
He had a fun role in 'Atsuhime.'
I first discovered him through the morning drama 'Audrey.'
I also first learned about Sasaki Kuranosuke from that same show.
He played a snide, obnoxious guy in one of Kimutaku's dramas.
So his role as Yamanami in 'Shinsengumi!' actually came before that, huh.
He brought on RIP SLYME as his 'friend' guest, but apparently that was just because they were with the same talent agency (Tanabe Agency) at the time.
By the way, Tamori and Hiromi Nagasaku, who's also in this drama, were with that same agency too.
The reason Tamori kept introducing people as 'formerly of ZOO' or 'formerly of Ribbon' is that they were all with the same Tanabe agency.
Background and Key Points of the Discussion
Toshiro Kuramoto is the screenwriter known for works like ‘Kita no Kuni Kara’ (From the Northern Country), and ‘The God of Toys’ is a 1999 human comedy. The story follows the relationship between a sex worker aspiring to become a screenwriter and one of her clients, and the “toys” in the title are said to refer to the people involved in developing sex toys. NHK has only cited “scheduling reasons” and has not disclosed any specific cause. In response to this lack of explanation, the thread split between speculation that the content might not meet modern broadcast standards and the view that it was simply a scheduling matter (such as overlapping with other December programming). Both are speculation on 5ch’s part — NHK has not officially stated a reason, which readers might easily misunderstand. The thread also touched on Masato Sakai’s appearance in the show when he was still a teenager at the time of the original broadcast, and the fact that the work is often confused with the film ‘Giants and Toys,’ based on the novel by Kaiko Takeshi.</parameter>
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*This article is compiled as an excerpt/summary from the 5ch (Entertainment & Sports News+) thread “[TV] NHK Announces Cancellation of Rerun for Toshiro Kuramoto’s Acclaimed Drama ‘The God of Toys’.”
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