Ishihara Satomi as Police in drama Bull Doctor

Esumi Makiko (44) is starring in her first drama series in four years. Titled “Bull Doctor,” the show has her playing a forensic doctor, while Ishihara Satomi (24) plays a police detective. The series also features SMAP member Inagaki Goro (37) as another forensic doctor who is dating Ishihara’s character.

Esumi’s character Tamami is the “bull doctor” of the show’s title, which comes from the word “bulldozer.” Ignoring any opposition from the people around her, she uses any means necessary to determine the truth behind the deaths of the bodies she examines. Because of her personality, she is constantly at odds with both Ishihara and Inagaki’s characters.

The screenplay is being written by Hashibe Atsuko, who also worked on hit dramas like “Freeter, Ie wo Kau,” “Boku no Ikiru Michi,” and “Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji.”

NTV will broadcast “Bull Doctor” on Wednesday nights at 10:00pm this summer, beginning in July.

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Satomi Ishihara dating with photographer Yasuyuki Emori

The latest issue of FRIDAY reports that popular actress Satomi Ishihara (23) was out on a date with 30-year-old photographer Yasuyuki Emori. The two were seen together at the end of last month in Tokyo's Setagaya ward.

According to FRIDAY, Emori drove Ishihara to a Chinese restaurant in Setagaya. After having a meal together, they went to a nearby Don Quijote discount store, where the reporter captured a photograph of the two getting along well as they browsed through the electronics section. FRIDAY also reported on another occasion when Ishihara was seen leaving Emori's apartment.

During his university days, Emori was discovered by director Genjiro Arato (63) and was chosen to handle the photography for the movie "Akame 48 Waterfalls." Since then, he has been gaining popularity. He first worked with Ishihara last year when he was in charge of the official photobook for Arato's "Ningen Shikkaku," which opened in theaters this past February. In that movie, Ishihara played the wife of lead actor Toma Ikuta.

Ishihara's agency explained that she and Emori are friends through work and are definitely not dating. Emori stated that the two have become close since "Ningen Shikkaku" finished filming last summer, but also denied that there is a romantic relationship.

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Satomi Ishihara plays heroine in Manzai Gang

Comedian Hiroshi Shinagawa (38), of the duo Shinagawa Shoji, recently completed filming for his second movie as director. Titled "Manzai Gang," the picture stars Ryuta Sato (30) and Yusuke Kamiji (31), but it has just been revealed that Satomi Ishihara (23) will play the story's heroine.

Adapted from one of Shinagawa's novels, "Manzai Gang" has Sato playing a professional manzai comedian whose partner quits due to their recent lack of success. He tries to drink his sorrows away but winds up in a detention cell, where he meets a thug (Kamiji) with a natural sense of comedy, leading the two to become friends and form a new manzai duo.

Ishihara's role is described as an ordinary type of woman that could be found anywhere. She plays the part of Yumiko, the ex-girlfriend of Sato's character who continues supporting his lifestyle even after they have broken up. It is said that Ishihara has never played a character of this type before.

"Manzai Gang" is expected to finish post-production by the end of this year. Theatrical release is scheduled for 2011.

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