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

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.