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.

Ai Mikami was in charge of Yumi Kawai’s wardrobe

The momentum continues as news emerges that Ai Mikami has been chosen as the heroine of the 2026 NHK morning drama Kaze, Kaoru. The series portrays the lives of two women who became trained nurses, studying Western-style nursing in the Meiji era, an uncommon path at the time. Mikami is set to play one of these women.

“In the NHK morning drama selection process, heroines are either chosen through auditions with thousands of applicants or directly selected by the production team. Recently, more have been chosen through direct selection, and Mikami falls into this category. She had auditioned for morning dramas multiple times over her six-year career but was unsuccessful. When she received the offer, she described her reaction as unbelievable and said she felt as if the words were slipping through her mind,” says a variety show director.

Meanwhile, starting in April, the NHK morning drama Anpan—based on Nobu Komatsu, the wife of Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase—will feature Mio Imada (27) in the lead role. Yumi Kawai (24) has been cast as her younger sister.

“Kawai had a breakthrough last year with Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru! (Too Inappropriate!) on TBS. She also gained attention through the NHK drama Kazoku Dakara Aishitan Janakute, Aishita no ga Kazoku Datta (It Wasn’t Because They Were Family That I Loved Them, It Was That the Ones I Loved Became Family). Interestingly, Kawai and Mikami were classmates in the Theater Department of Nihon University College of Art.

Though they took different courses, Mikami once shared on Bokura no Jidai (June 9, 2024, Fuji TV) that she first noticed Kawai at their entrance orientation. She recalled thinking, ‘There was this person who just stood out, and I knew I would regret it if I didn’t talk to her.’ That encounter led to their friendship. Their bond remains strong, and in 2021, Mikami even worked as a costume designer for the film AREA, in which Kawai starred,” the director adds.

It’s easy to imagine that Kawai’s rise has inspired Mikami. After Anpan, NHK’s morning drama lineup will continue with Bakebake, starring Akari Takaishi (22), before leading into Mikami’s Kaze, Kaoru.

“Although their filming schedules will not overlap, the two likely exchange advice, support each other, and push each other forward. Both have carved out a niche as distinctive actresses, and their careers will be exciting to follow,” says a drama producer.

For those who haven’t yet, now is the time to take note of Ai Mikami’s name and face.