Kabuki actor Koshiro Matsumoto IX has been cast in the upcoming "HERO," which stars Takuya Kimura as the prosecutor Kohei Kuryu. Matsumoto plays the role of Kuryu's toughest adversary, a lawyer known for achieving the most "innocent" verdicts in all of Japan.

Matsumoto is also the father of Takako Matsu, who appears in the movie and the original drama series.

Aside from the returning cast of the drama series, several other cast members have been announced. TV celebrity Tamori has been cast as a politician. Kiichi Nakai and Haruka Ayase, who were both in last year's special, will appear again in the movie. Ryoko Kuninaka, Teruyuki Kagawa, and Ittoku Kishibe have also been given roles.

Monthly magazine TVnavi announced the winners of its Drama of the Year 2006 awards, chosen by the readers. Last fall's "Nodame Cantabile" was named as Best Drama. Best Actor was awarded to Tsuyoshi Kusanagi for his performance in "Boku no Aruku Michi", while Best Actress went to Ryoko Shinohara in "Unfair."

Best Supporting Actor and Actress went to Seiji Fukushi ("Junjo Kirari") and Erika Sawajiri ("Taiyou no Uta"). Koki Tanaka ("My Boss My Hero") and Tomoko Murakami ("Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru") were both given Best Newcomer awards.