NHK Bets on a Newcomer with No Lead Experience — Will the Asadora Casting Gamble Pay Off?

A person who radiates an extraordinary brilliance

On June 3rd, NHK held a press conference at its Shibuya headquarters in Tokyo to announce the upcoming 2026 first-half asadora (morning drama) titled “Kaze, Kaoru”. It was revealed that alongside the already announced Ai Mikami (24), Juri Kosaka (19) — selected through auditions — would also star as a co-lead.

It marks the first asadora in 17 years to feature dual heroines. Mikami already has a proven track record in film and television, having starred in multiple productions. In contrast, Kosaka, though once cited as a promising breakout actress, has never held a leading role.

Set in the Meiji era when women’s professional roles were still emerging, the drama portrays a buddy story about two trained nurses with differing views and approaches. Chosen from 2,410 applicants in the audition process, Kosaka was praised by production chief Takehiro Matsuzono at the press conference, who explained:

“Kosaka-san radiates an extraordinary brilliance in every scene. There were so many moments when we couldn’t take our eyes off her acting.”

In recent asadora history, the trend has favored established stars with proven popularity and acting credentials — such as Mio Imada (28), the current lead of Anpan, who has previously headlined numerous dramas and films. Similarly, past heroines include Sakura Ando (39) (Manpuku), Suzu Hirose (26) (Natsuzora), Hana Sugisaki (27) (Ochoyan), and Kanna Hashimoto (26) (Omusubi), all well-known and seasoned actresses cast directly without open auditions.

An entertainment reporter commented:

“Looking ahead, with upcoming leads like Akari Takaishi (22), Shizuka Ishibashi (30), and Ai Mikami, it’s clear the production team is shifting toward selecting actresses they hope to turn into breakout stars through the asadora format. If those casting choices manage to deliver solid viewership, it’s likely this strategy will continue.”

The reason for shifting the strategy to returning to the roots

In the past, starring in a morning drama was considered a gateway to stardom. Actresses like Kyoka Suzuki (57) in Kimi no Na wa (1991) and Nanako Matsushima (51) in Himawari (1996) had virtually no acting track record before landing the lead roles in these series, but those opportunities propelled them to leading-actress status, and they remain active on the front lines today.

As for why things have now seemingly returned to those roots, entertainment journalist Kazuhiro Nida explains:

“There was a period when actors in their mid-teens to early 20s were frequently chosen, but there are actually few actors of that age group capable of carrying a lead role. Considering the character’s growth process, it becomes even more difficult to cast very young actors.”

Indeed, at the press conference, producer Takehiro Matsuzono explained that the ages of the characters played by Mikami and Uesaka would start around 17, with no childhood versions, and eventually portray them at a fairly advanced age.

“In Omusubi, the main character wasn’t shown aging much, so someone with a youthful appearance like Hashimoto could handle it. In modern settings, like in Omusubi, it works — but for period pieces, you also have to consider whether the actor suits traditional wigs and costumes, which affects casting decisions too,” Nida adds.

Additionally, he points out the issue of scheduling.

“Actresses of star-caliber already have extremely packed schedules, and as was the case with Hashimoto, there was a period where she was practically absent from the drama for about two weeks. Securing about half a year for filming is incredibly difficult for top actresses. I suspect that’s why they’ve shifted from a strategy prioritizing famous names for ratings and buzz to one focused on casting actors who are easier to schedule and who they hope to launch to stardom through a morning drama.”

However, as a national cultural institution, morning dramas are productions where failure isn’t an option. Casting famous actresses until now has likely been a way to ensure reliable ratings. Whether this strategic shift proves to be a good move or a bad one remains to be seen. We’ll be watching the future of morning dramas closely.

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