Riho Yoshioka’s Stellar Performance in “Onkami-sensei” Sparks Industry Buzz

The Sunday night drama Onkami-sensei (TBS), starring Tori Matsuzaka (36), has captured the spotlight among the January TV dramas.

“The first episode garnered a viewership rating of 12.2%, surpassing VIVANT. With rising stars like Akari Takaishi (22), the next NHK Asadora heroine, and Aira Kubozuka (21), the son of Yosuke Kubozuka (45), playing key roles, the series is drawing significant attention from industry insiders,” commented a key TV producer.

Playing the role of the assistant homeroom teacher supporting the lead character is Riho Yoshioka (32). Known for her “cute but cunning” image from her five-year stint as “Dongitsune” in the Donbei commercials, Yoshioka has become an indispensable presence in globally acclaimed streaming dramas, including Disney+’s Gannibal, Netflix’s House of Ninjas, and Iksagami (slated for release in November).

“She discovered her passion for acting in college, participating in small theater productions and working as an extra while attending a training school in Tokyo. Despite facing numerous rejections in auditions, her breakout came in 2015 when she played the best friend of the heroine’s daughter in the NHK Asadora Asa ga Kita. However, while she landed lead roles in dramas, she wasn’t always fortunate with the projects. This has kept her grounded, and her humble and friendly attitude has made her a favorite on set,” said an entertainment industry insider.

In 2018, Yoshioka starred in consecutive lead roles in Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita (TBS) and Kenko de Bunkateki na Saiteigendo no Seikatsu (Fuji TV), but both struggled with ratings. However, these experiences became a turning point for her.

“She may have realized that she wasn’t cut out for leading roles in prime-time dramas, as she shifted away from starring in major shows. Since 2019, her lead roles have been limited to late-night dramas, BS channels, and one-off projects on TV Tokyo. In films, she’s chosen more content-driven projects rather than big commercial blockbusters, such as Shotai, starring Ryusei Yokohama, which swept numerous film awards,” the insider added.

One of the reasons for the steady stream of offers for Yoshioka is her ordinary appearance contrasted with her true self, according to the key TV producer.

“Her ordinary vibe matches perfectly with roles like the ‘involuntary heroine’ in Onkami-sensei, where she unintentionally gets involved in various incidents and conflicts. On the flip side, Yoshioka is a huge fan of Ringo Shiina and prefers indie films with a subculture slant. She has a deep understanding of artistic works, which makes her popular among creators. This is why she continues to receive offers for high-quality projects.”

In fact, in a recent interview, Yoshioka expressed her desire to take on challenging roles, saying, “I’ve come to a point where I want to tackle roles that others might shy away from or that are difficult to empathize with but seem interesting.”

After her former agency A-Team went on hiatus, Yoshioka transferred to FLaMme last year, where Erika Toda (36) is also represented. The agency is known for its “actor-first” approach.

“Her choice to join FLaMme was a smart move. The agency, which recently lost its flagship actress Ryoko Hirosue (44), is nurturing Yoshioka carefully, positioning her as their next top actress,” said an advertising agency insider.

It seems the phrase “No masterpiece without Riho Yoshioka” is becoming the new mantra in the industry.

 

From the March 14/21, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”