Japanese Version of “The Sniffer” Airs on NHK

Cannes, Oct. 17, 2016 ― NHK is delighted to announce the completion and broadcast of the Japanese version of the Ukrainian hit drama series “The Sniffer”. The original drama, produced and distributed by FILM.UA Group, is a worldwide hit, selling to over 60 countries. NHK bought the format rights for a drama series for the first time and produced the Japanese version in 4K. The Japanese version of “The Sniffer” is the first remake of the series to be aired internationally.

The Japanese storyline features new crimes and adds new characters to the essence of the original show. An all-star Japanese cast features one of Japan’s most-acclaimed actors, Hiroshi Abe, in the role of the Sniffer.

Broadcasts in Japan start on October 22 on NHK’s main terrestrial channel in prime time. The series will start airing in 4K on NHK’s Super Hi-Vision 4K/8K channel three weeks later. NHK expects it to motivate people to watch the 4K/8K channel.

The Japanese 4K version will be distributed throughout Asia by NHK Enterprises, Inc. (NEP). The 4K series has already been sold to Hong Kong’s TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited). NEP is also receiving interest from other Asian broadcasters.

NHK senior drama producer Tomoaki Iso says: “More than 20 drama serials are aired in Japan every week, so competition for ratings is intense. Detective dramas are very popular in Japan, but so many have been made that producers are running out of stories. We wanted to create something completely new by adding the spirit of a Japanese detective drama to the framework of a great show from overseas. I think we were able to do just that by combining the fresh concept and suspenseful story development of the original “The Sniffer” with the kind of witty acting and sentimental characters that Japanese viewers enjoy. I’m grateful to FILM.UA Group for being open-minded about what we wanted to achieve. Having produced the Japanese version in 4K, I’m excited about distribution in the rapidly growing market for 4K content in Asia.”

The director of the Japanese version, NHK’s Kentaro Horikirizono, says: “When I first saw the original FILM.UA Group series, I was hooked by the exceptionally high production values and the genuinely original concept of solving crimes using a person’s sense of smell. With the Japanese version, I focused on keeping up the pace. I scattered humor throughout the suspense to create a fast rhythm, and I tried to infuse emotionally touching drama into each 44-minute episode. The Japanese version of “The Sniffer” is very different from the original. I will be interested to see what viewers outside Japan think of it.”

Victor Mirsky, FILM.UA Group General Producer, says: “NHK is a leading Japanese TV network with incredible history, pedigree and international reach, so we couldn't hope for a better home for our “The Sniffer” series. From the moment I first laid my eyes on the story script, we knew we were onto something, and The Sniffer has proved immensely successful both in Ukraine and internationally. Yet in the current golden age of TV drama, it's increasingly difficult to stand out. We therefore feel truly honoured that NHK believed in the dramatic and creative merits of “The Sniffer”, making it their first TV drama adaptation for the Japanese audience.”

Kateryna Vyshnevska, FILM.UA Group Head of Development and Co-Productions, says: “We couldn't ask for a better partner than NHK. Throughout the development process they have been both proactive and very respectful of the original property. We feel our Sniffer is in good hands and are excited to see it in glorious 4K for the first time. We are extremely proud that NHK will become the first international broadcaster to produce a local version of “The Sniffer.”

The Japanese Storyline

Shinichiro Hanaoka foils a bomb plot on a luxury liner where a powerful politician is hosting a party. The FBI calls him the Sniffer. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Tatsuro Komukai is posted to a special unit and ordered to work with Hanaoka on an investigation. The empathetic Komukai turns out to be the ideal partner for the awkward Hanaoka. The pair draw on Hanaoka’s sniffing skills to finger the culprit behind a perplexing mystery: the murder of VIPs with an unidentified weapon.