Haruka Fukuhara Joins NHK Taiga Berabou as Oiran—Following Fuka Koshiba’s Path?
Mai-chan has shown strong professionalism since her early days
Fukuhara Haruka (26) is set to make her appearance in the currently airing NHK Taiga drama Berabou: Tsutajuu Eika no Yume Banashi.
Fukuhara will play Tagasode, the most renowned oiran of her time. Based on a real historical figure, her character adores the protagonist, Tsutajuu, played by Ryusei Yokohama (28). Expectations are high for Fukuhara’s portrayal of Tagasode.
Fukuhara’s background as a former child actress is well known. She made her entertainment debut in 2005 at the age of seven, quickly securing roles in movies and dramas. In March 2009, she landed the lead role of Hiiragi Main in the NHK educational cooking show Cooking Idol Ai! Mai! Main!, which blended live-action and animation. Her performance, which included cooking, dancing, and voice acting in the animated segments, amazed viewers. She gained fans not only among children but also among parents, and even among Akihabara-based enthusiasts, earning her the affectionate nickname “Main-chan.”
Expanding her career further, she became an exclusive model for the teen fashion magazine Pichilemon. After graduating from her Main-chan persona, she transferred to a major talent agency in 2015. From then on, her career skyrocketed with numerous drama and film roles.
In 2018, she starred in her first film Jojen, followed by her first leading role in a terrestrial TV drama, Koe Girl! (ABC TV/TV Asahi). The following year, in 2019, she made her debut as a singer, showcasing her versatility.
“Even as Main-chan, she already had a strong sense of professionalism. NHK doesn’t just feature child actors—they rigorously train them in acting, pronunciation, articulation, and intonation, something usually left to talent agencies. She developed a solid foundation, which is now proving invaluable,” says an employee from a casting agency familiar with her early career.
In 2022, she was chosen as the heroine of the NHK morning drama Maiagare!. Fans were overjoyed, exclaiming, “Main-chan has returned to NHK!”
