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!”

Former child actors shine in “Berabou”

“The drama ultimately fell short of expectations. While it wasn’t as poorly received as the currently airing Omusubi, it faced criticism similar to Chimudondon, as the storyline gradually lost focus, causing viewers to drift away. Of course, this wasn’t Fukuhara’s fault, but it likely had some impact on her career,” says a TV magazine writer.

In the industry, it’s often said that starring in an Asadora leads to a big break, but that isn’t always the case. Similarly, there’s a long-standing belief that child actors don’t achieve lasting success. Fukuhara later took on roles that aimed to shift her image, but the reception was lukewarm.

A veteran film journalist explains:

“Berabou also features former child actors like Fuka Koshiba (27) and Yumi Adachi (43). Many child actors have youthful features, which can limit the types of roles they’re cast in as they grow older. Adachi only began securing steady roles in her 30s. Koshiba, too, is said to have ‘transformed’ with her role as the courtesan Segawa in this drama. Both of them must have worked incredibly hard to get to this point.

In contrast, Fukuhara has continuously acted in dramas and films without any major breaks. Some roles may not have suited her, but she has refined her craft through sheer experience. Her natural talent, combined with years of work, has undeniably strengthened her as an actress. In that sense, she might be incredibly lucky. I’m eager to see what she brings to the Taiga drama.”

However, with Koshiba’s performance receiving widespread acclaim, Fukuhara is bound to be compared to her.

“That said, Fukuhara has been in the industry since her Maine-chan days and has plenty of experience. She might even be inspired by Koshiba’s success and deliver a breakthrough performance of her own. Tagasode will be a completely different type of courtesan compared to Segawa,” the journalist adds.

Last year, Fukuhara won the Best New Actor Award at the 47th Japan Academy Awards for her role in the film If Only I Could Meet You Again on That Hill Where the Flowers Bloomed, taking her first steps toward becoming a respected actress.

In an interview with ZakZak back in August 2010, when she was still a child, she expressed:

“My dream is to star in a Taiga drama.”

Now, over a decade later, that dream is finally coming true—perhaps in the most spectacular way.