Youkai Ningen Bem | 妖怪人間べム (2011)
Title: Youkai Ningen Bem | 妖怪人間べム
English title: Humanoid Monster Bem
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Supernatural adventure
Episodes: 10
Average viewership rating: 15.6% (Kanto region)
Broadcast network: NTV
Broadcast period: October 22, 2011 - December 24, 2011
Air time: Saturday 21:00 - 21:54
Director: Kariyama Shunsuke, Sakuma Noriyoshi
Writer: Nishida Masafumi
KAT-TUN member?: Kamenashi Kazuya as Bem
Buy: DVD box @ CDJapan | Blu-ray box @ CDJapan | Soundtrack @ CDJapan
Story
Bem (Kamenashi Kazuya), Bella (Anne) and Bello (Suzuki Fuku) are "youkai", humanoid monsters that are neither human nor animals. They are peace-loving, righteous heroes who feel compelled to help humans in trouble. Normally they live like a family and have the appearance of humans, but when they get angry or sad they change into ugly monsters. Bemu, Bella and Bello have been living like this for several hundred years. Their wish is to become humans as soon as possible.
Because they are monsters, they are feared and detested by humans, and on top of that, pursued by the police. However, a friendship develops between them and a detective (Kitamura Kazuki) by mere accident. Through their contact with humans, Bem, Bella and Bello's earnest wish to become human grow increasingly stronger. They battle evil for the sake of mankind, in the belief that they will be able to become humans one day.
-- From Asianmediawiki.com and Mydramalist.com
Cast
- Kamenashi Kazuya as Bem
- Watanabe Anne as Bello
- Suzuki Fuku as Bello
- Kitamura Kazuki as Detective Natsume
- Hori Chiemi as Natsume Nahoko
- Sugisaki Hana as Natsume Yui
- Agata Morio as Professor Ogata
- Ishibashi Anna as Ogata Koharu
- Hirota Reona as Machimura Hideko
- Emoto Akira as "mysterious man"
Episodes
Episode 01 (10/22/2011) - 悪を倒し闇に隠れ生きる妖怪が今甦る! はやく人間になりたい - 18.9%
Episode 02 (10/29/2011) - 涙の秘密…人間になれない連続通り魔 - 17.1%
Episode 03 (11/05/2011) - 絶対死なせない! 人間を守る妖怪の正体 - 15.8%
Episode 04 (11/12/2011) - オイラが守る…放火魔にベロ涙の変身! - 16.7%
Episode 05 (11/19/2011) - ベムベラベロ誕生の秘密…さよなら妖怪 - 16.2%
Episode 06 (11/26/2011) - 爆破事件の犯人は彼 - 14.3%
Episode 07 (12/03/2011) - 産みの親についに再会…もうすぐ人間に - 14.9%
Episode 08 (12/10/2011) - 善良刑事の復讐…! もう一人の妖怪の罠 - 13.9%
Episode 09 (12/17/2011) - 人間になるか? 妖怪のままか? 最終決断 - 13.2%
Episode 10 (12/24/2011) - さよならベム・ベラベロ…人間になれるのか！？最後の大決闘！！ - 14.5%
Ratings source: Video Research, Ltd.
Background 
“Yokai Ningen Bem” was a popular anime series that aired in 1968 and 1969, revolving around three ‘yokai’ (demons, monsters) who fight against other yokai that attack humans. Even though they are defending the humans, it’s not easy for them to get along with a lot of people due to their appearances. Therefore, they are hoping to become humans in return for their good actions one day.
NTV already made it clear that, while they will adopt many elements from the original anime, they will also aim to add some new things and make it a unique drama that fits into this day and age.
The protagonist ‘Bem‘ will be played by Kamenashi. Actress Anne and child actor Suzuki Fuku will make the trio complete by playing ‘Bera‘ and ‘Berro‘ respectively.
Kamenashi commented, “It’s a very famous anime and I was surprised and honored when I received the offer.” About the special make-up that will be necessary to turn him into a ‘yokai’, he ambitiously stated, “It tries to convey a very important message, therefore I’d like to become the character as perfectly as possible.”
Anne, who already has the perfect long hair to portray ‘Berra’, commented, “The anime has a very dark atmosphere and retrospective world view. I hope I will be able portray her character well in reality.”
Suzuki, who loves ghosts and monsters, can’t wait to turn into one himself. He said, “I’m looking forward to what kind of costume and make-up I will be wearing. As usual, I will work very hard for this drama.”
-- Info from Tokyohive
Additional info:
The opening theme of Youkai Ningen Bem was sang by Kamenashi Kazuya, Watanabe Anne and Suzuki Fuku.
The ending theme "BIRTH" was provided by KAT-TUN.
Links
Official website (JP)
Read reviews of "Youkai Ningen Bem" on Mydramalist.com
Wikipedia article (ENG)
Wikipedia article (JP)
