NHK’s upcoming morning drama “Omusubi” is set to premiere on September 30, 2024. The series, which portrays the life of a young woman named Yui Yoneda, was introduced at a press conference held earlier this month at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo. The event featured lead actress Kanna Hashimoto, along with co-stars Riisa Naka, Kumiko Aso, and Yukiya Kitamura, who shared their thoughts on the production.
Kanna Hashimoto, playing the heroine Yui, noted that filming began in March and is still ongoing. She expressed her excitement upon seeing the completed first week of episodes, mentioning that it made the reality of the show’s upcoming broadcast sink in. As this is her first appearance in a morning drama, she was struck by the unique 15-minute episode format, which made her realize, “Ah, this is an Asadora!”
Riisa Naka, who portrays Yui’s older sister Ayumi, was surprised by the first week’s episodes. While the beginning felt typical for a morning drama, unexpected twists left her in awe. Naka, who was asked to play a “legendary gyaru,” initially couldn’t connect the concept with a morning drama, but expressed her excitement, saying she still admires gyaru culture and is thrilled to bring that energy to the show.
Kumiko Aso, who plays Yui’s mother Aiko, shared that appearing in a morning drama has been a long-held dream. She found the completed work both bright and entertaining. Aso, whose high school years coincided with the peak of gyaru culture, felt nostalgic and eagerly anticipated bringing the vibrant Heisei era to life on screen. Reflecting on her own experiences, she regretted not embracing the gyaru trend herself but is now proud to help showcase it through the drama.
Yukiya Kitamura, portraying Yui’s father Masato, described the drama as a rich mix of family dynamics, gyaru culture, disaster recovery, and more. He praised the script’s unpredictability, mentioning that even the cast eagerly awaits each new episode to see where the story will go next. Kitamura highlighted the frequent family meal scenes, noting how they evoke a sense of nostalgia and the joy of shared meals.
“Omusubi” is a “Heisei Youth Graffiti” that follows Yui Yoneda, born in 1989, as she grows from her peaceful childhood in Fukuoka’s Itoshima to a passionate career as a nutritionist. Set against the backdrop of the Heisei and Reiwa eras, the story explores themes of self-expression, resilience, and the power of food to connect people and shape the future. Source: NHK
Photo from Omusubi official X
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