From TV to Real-Life Glamour — Sei Shiraishi’s Stunning Rickshaw Debut

A bewitching beauty unlike the carefree Nao

Amid a crowd of spectators, elegantly arriving by rickshaw and led by fierce samurai in armor, was actor Sei Shiraishi (27).

On February 1, in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, the interactive exhibition facility for the NHK Taiga drama Toyotomi Brothers!—Toyotomi Brothers! Kita-Kōmi Nagahama Taiga Drama Hall (open February 1–December 20)—opened, and Shiraishi appeared at the opening ceremony.

Shiraishi plays Nao, the childhood friend of Koichiro (later Toyotomi Hidenaga), portrayed by Taiga Nakano (33). After leaving his hometown, Nao goes to Kiyosu, claiming herself as Koichiro’s fiancée and serving as the maid to Nene, played by Minami Hamabe (25).

Originally, Mei Nagano (26) had been cast as Nao, but she stepped down in May of last year following reports of an alleged affair. Shiraishi was suddenly chosen as her replacement.

“Shiraishi made his acting debut in 2016 with the drama AKB Love Night: Love Factory (TV Asahi). In 2019, he appeared in the NHK Yoru Drama That’s Why I Supported as a shy underground idol who couldn’t sing or dance, and in 2023’s Born on What Day (TV Asahi) he played a mysterious girl with orange hair living in a juvenile medical facility—roles that were more on the eccentric side, showing his unique presence.

In the Taiga drama, Nao is cheerful and supports Koichiro with her positivity, and viewers have responded very favorably. Although Shiraishi has a long acting career, the characters he previously played weren’t strongly fixed in the audience’s mind, so he appeared incredibly fresh to viewers,” said a TV magazine writer.

On the day of the ceremony, Shiraishi appeared in a light blue long coat with silver boots, exuding a transparent yet bewitching beauty. After the opening ceremony at Daidōji Temple, the gates opened and Shiraishi appeared in a rickshaw, prompting a huge cheer from the spectators along the streets.

For a moment, Shiraishi looked surprised by the crowd, but she waved and flashed peace signs, giving a great performance. The parade, called “Oneri,” involved marching through the streets while shouting “Ei ei oh!”—and Shiraishi energetically joined in. Along the route, the crowd continuously shouted, “Nao!” and “So beautiful!”

This year marks Shiraishi’s 10th anniversary since debut. In an interview with Crank-in! on January 18, she said:

“It feels like has it really been 10 years already? It went by so quickly it feels strange. This is a milestone year, so I’m really happy to start it together with Nao.”

According to Shukan Bunshun (January 29, 2026 issue), Shiraishi is also already confirmed to appear in the July drama Ichijigen no Sashiki (NTV). She has quickly become one of the front-runners for this year’s breakout actor.