Nana Mori Shows New Side in Film and Drama – Seen at Fishing Pond During NHK Fall Shoot

As expected of Mori-san, you finally made it!

In late June, a drama shoot was taking place on the grounds of a fishing pond in Tokyo.

The scene appeared to involve a group of young men and women painting a large goldfish object made of joined paper sheets beside the pond. One woman, full of energy, kept jumping with joy as the goldfish slowly took shape, thrilled by the process. Once it was completed, she cried out, “Yatta!” and cheered with delight.

That lively woman in a short bob haircut and pink sandals was none other than Nana Mori (23).

“This was a shoot for an NHK late-night drama scheduled to air in November. The title and plot are still unknown, but it seems she’s co-starring with Riho Yoshioka (32). The man she was filming with that day was Amane Okayama (31), and from their slightly retro outfits, the whole scene gave off a strong Showa-era vibe. All three are known for their acting chops, so expectations are already high,” said a TV magazine writer.

In fact, exactly one week earlier, the two were also spotted filming on location. That time, it was early morning on the platform of JR Asagaya Station. It was a Saturday, and many crew members had gathered on the Chuo Line platform where trains don’t usually stop. At the center were Mori and Okayama—Mori wore a denim dress and the same pink sandals, while Okayama sported a checkered shirt and brown pants. Their hairstyles also gave off a 1970s feel.

However, unlike the earlier cheerful scene, this one had a very different tone. Okayama looked vacant, while Mori appeared visibly angry. Though both sightings were brief, Mori’s rich and expressive acting left a strong impression.

Mori is currently appearing in two films, Kokuhō and Frontline. Takahiko Kageyama, a professor at Doshisha Women’s College and media critic, had this to say about her acting:

“In Kokuhō, she plays Akiko, the wife of the lead character Kikuo (played by Ryō Yoshizawa, 31), who is so devoted to his art that he would strike a deal with the devil for it. Though she was raised as a refined young lady, she grows stronger in her role as the wife of an actor. Mori portrays the sorrow of a woman who is never rewarded until the end with such grace. There’s even a love scene with Yoshizawa, which revealed a new side of Mori as an actress. In Frontline, although her screen time was short, her performance was entirely different from Kokuhō, and I couldn’t help but think, ‘As expected of Mori-san—you’ve finally arrived!’”

Mori rose to idol-like fame in the 2020 TBS drama Kono Koi Atatamemasu ka, but a dispute over her agency’s management in January 2021 led to her temporary disappearance from mainstream TV. She made a comeback as a lead in Manatsu no Cinderella (Fuji TV) in July 2023, her first lead in a commercial network drama in three years, though ratings were underwhelming. Still, her performance this year has been remarkable.

“With her roles in Kokuhō and Frontline, she’s completely transformed from ‘Nana-chan’ to ‘Ms. Nana.’ The truth is that powerful actors shine even in adversity. People in the industry want to work with them regardless. While connections and luck may play a role in the entertainment world, in the end, real talent stays. Watching those two films reaffirmed my belief that Mori-san is a prime example of that. I can’t wait to see the NHK drama,” said Kageyama.

Without a doubt, this year marks a new beginning for Nana Mori.

Nana Mori chatting and laughing with staff during a break in filming