Hanzawa Naoki(半沢直樹) Sequel Sets For October 2014!

According to unofficial source, it has been revealed the sequel to the popular TBS drama series "Hanzawa Naoki(半沢直樹)" is expected to begin broadcast in October 2014.

Last year, the drama series received consistently high ratings: the final episode reached 42.2% in the Kanto area, the highest figure for a drama in the Heisei Era. The show was attracting the attention of the viewers and also the people in the industry.  It is said the sequel of Hanzawa Naoki is to help save the low viewership of TBS ratings.

In order to produce the sequel, convincing Masato Sakai(堺雅人) to reprise the role of Hanzawa Naoki is essential. However, it is said that Sakai doesn't want to get pigeonholed into the role of Hanzawa Naoki. After some bartering between Sakai's agency and the TBS's side, Sakai's agency persuaded Sakai to accept the offer for the sequel.

Hanzawa Naoki Director's Cut Edition Blu-ray Box Hanzawa Naoki(半沢直樹) Blu-ray | Release: 2013/12/26

ships on the release date 28800yen (US$ 277.72)

Hanzawa Naoki Director's Cut Edition DVD Box Hanzawa Naoki(半沢直樹) DVD | Release: 2013/12/26

ships on the release date 22800yen (US$ 219.86)

According to the personnel familiar with the matter, it seems the show is being pushed back to October due to the constraining high production cost.  Katsuo Fukuzawa(福澤克雄), who served as the director for "Hanzawa Naoki" and "Ando Lloyd ~ AI knows LOVE?" is notorious for his high production cost for drama series and commercials. "Hanzawa Naoki" cost about 40 million yen per episode and "Ando Lloyd ~ AI knows LOVE?" cost 80 million yen per episode.  Due to the low rating of Ando Lloyd, it has taken a toll on the sequel of Hanzawa Naoki.  But judging by the success of Hanzawa Naoki, it is essential for TBS to continue on the sequel.

The provisional title for the sequel is "Hanzawa Naoki～Revenge(半沢直樹～リベンジ編)". In addition to the cast from the prequel, the sequel has added Koichi Sato(佐藤浩市), Toshiyuki Nishida(西田敏行), Nomura Mansai(野村萬斎), Junko Takahata(高畑淳子), and Yoko Maki(真木よう子).

Source: cyzo.com