Akiko-sama Shines! Ai Mikami’s Breakthrough as a Mission Controller with Unstoppable Teamwork!

Posts on X supporting Mikami stand out

Fuji TV’s current season drama, “119 Emergency Call” (Fuji TV), continues to perform well in the “Getsu 9” time slot. Filmed with full cooperation from the Yokohama City Fire Department, the drama has gained attention for its realistic performances by the cast.

The lead role is played by Nana Seino (30) as Yuki Kashiwara, a dispatcher in the Fire Department’s Command Section 3. However, earning just as much recognition is Ai Mikami (24), who portrays Kashiwara’s senior dispatcher, Sara Niijima.

“Sara is an elite dispatcher fluent in multiple languages, handling emergency calls from foreigners with a cool demeanor, in contrast to the hardworking Kashiwara. The episode aired on February 3 focused on her struggles—having to choose between her career and following her boyfriend overseas, while also dealing with severe menstrual pain. The story depicted the challenges faced by women in demanding, irregular jobs. Despite the complexity of the role, Mikami’s performance captivated audiences, with numerous posts on X expressing support for her,” says a TV magazine writer.

Mikami first gained attention in 2020 when she appeared in the drama “Love Lasts Forever” (TBS), with many noting her resemblance to Nana Komatsu. Her recognition grew further through JRA commercials, where she co-starred with Masami Nagasawa (37) over the past four years. However, she was often perceived more as a beautiful model than an actress.

Her breakthrough moment came last year when she portrayed Fujiwara no Shōshi in NHK’s Taiga drama “Hikaru Kimi e.”

“In the early part of the story, she played a delicate young girl patiently waiting for her husband, Emperor Ichijō. However, from the mid-to-late episodes, she transformed into a strong, determined woman who wielded influence in politics as the nation’s mother. Her ability to showcase this dramatic shift was truly impressive.

Last year, beyond the Taiga drama, she appeared in ‘Haru ni Nattara’ (Kantele/Fuji TV) in the January season, ‘Re: Revenge’ (Fuji TV) in April, two WOWOW productions in June and October, and ‘My Diary’ (TV Asahi) in the October season. It was an intense schedule, but within a year, she significantly elevated her standing as an actress,” the TV writer explains.