Erika Karata and Seiya Hilariously Bond on Set of The 102nd Proposal

Erika Karata’s laughter could be heard on set

A small man wearing a backpack ran desperately toward her, shouldering a cello in a black case. The woman stared at him in surprise, and when he lifted the cello high in front of her towering figure, she widened her eyes in astonishment and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

This scene was from the filming of 102nd Proposal (Fuji TV), announced on September 8.

The original drama, 101st Proposal, aired in 1991, achieving an average rating of 23.6% (Kanto area, Video Research) and is hailed as a landmark “beauty-and-the-beast” romance in Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m. slot. The sequel was planned by Osamu Suzuki (53), who retired as a scriptwriter last March.

“The story takes place 34 years after 101st Proposal. In the finale, Tatsuya Hoshino (Tetsuya Takeda, 76) and Kaoru Yabuki (Atsuko Asano, 64) ended up together. Erika Karata (28) plays their only daughter, Hikari Hoshino, a 30-year-old single woman and a popular cellist inheriting her mother’s talent. Seiya (33) from the comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo plays Taiyo Sorano, who falls for Hikari at first sight. Taiyo is 33, single, and has been rejected by 99 women; meanwhile, Hikari has a super handsome boyfriend. The drama hints at whether Hikari will follow her mother Kaoru’s fate, echoing 101st Proposal’s romance,” explained a TV magazine writer.

Filming began in mid-September, including scenes at Taiyo’s architecture company. FRIDAY witnessed a shoot in late September near Shin-Takashima Station in Yokohama.

Among the many crew preparing for filming, Karata arrived first, standing on the sidewalk in an oversized blue striped shirt, a black tight skirt, and boots. From afar, Seiya came running with a loud voice and a big smile toward her—the very scene described above. Karata initially looked surprised, but Seiya’s childlike innocence made her laugh spontaneously.

“Even between takes, Seiya kept making Karata and the staff laugh. Karata was completely caught up in it, laughing non-stop. The set was filled with laughter, creating a wonderful atmosphere,” said an onlooker.

On Fuji TV’s website Toretate Fuji TV (Sept. 8, 2025), Karata commented

“With such supportive staff and cast, the preparation period has been full of laughter and happy times. It’s going to be an interesting work. Please look forward to it!”

Seiya added:

“Reading the script with Tetsuya Takeda was hilarious. I even ad-libbed and ran off in a rush. So many funny episodes will come out. I’ll do my best to honor the original series.”

Fans are now eagerly awaiting the Reiwa-era beauty-and-the-beast romance.

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