Wakana Matsumoto All Smiles on Set as She Films Her First Summer Drama Since Saionji-san Two Years Ago

Has it really already been two years since Saionji-san?

It was in late May that a woman in a yellow striped shirt, walking through Tokyo’s old-fashioned Nihonbashi district while holding a large parasol with both hands, caught people’s attention. The woman was Wakana Matsumoto (42), who was filming TBS’s Tuesday-night July drama “Kimi no Suki wa Muteki.”

“‘Kimi no Suki wa Muteki’ is an original work by Takeshi Miyamoto (48), the screenwriter behind TBS’s July 2024 drama ‘Saionji-san wa Kaji o Shinai,’ which became Matsumoto’s breakout role. The original production team has reunited for this project,” said a television magazine writer.

Matsumoto commented on the drama’s official website:

“I’m so happy to be returning to the Tuesday drama slot, which means so much to me. Since ‘Saionji-san wa Kaji o Shinai,’ I find myself thinking both, ‘Has it already been two years?’ and ‘It’s only been two years?’ This time, though, you’ll get to see a very different side of me through my character, so I’m bringing plenty of enthusiasm!”

Matsumoto plays Anna Kusakabe, a former consultant with an innocent, absent-minded personality who doesn’t really understand concepts like cute or liking someone, but has an unwavering sense of justice.

“Starring opposite Matsumoto is Hayato Sano (28) of the five-member dance-vocal group M!LK. He plays Mizuki Seo, a designer who creates adorable characters but is also an incredibly eccentric and stubborn man. The drama is a romantic story about these two complete opposites as they strive to create a character beloved around the world,” the television magazine writer explained.

Set in Japan’s character merchandising industry—the birthplace of the country’s globally renowned cute culture—the drama explores the behind-the-scenes process of creating beloved characters and the passionate people who bring them to life. It has also attracted attention because Sanrio Co., Ltd., one of the driving forces behind Japan’s kawaii culture, cooperated with the production as a research advisor.

Under the blazing sun that day, Matsumoto appeared on set surrounded by a large crew, shading herself with the oversized parasol mentioned earlier. Curiously, however, she was wearing sandals. Pouting her lips and looking around with childlike curiosity, she couldn’t help but radiate cuteness. Even while the stylist adjusted her hair, the atmosphere remained relaxed, with Matsumoto smiling throughout.

She later changed from sandals into pumps before filming began, and the mood on set instantly shifted into one of focused concentration. Speaking about her character, Kusakabe, Matsumoto said:

“Personally, I’ve gone through life without ever really having an ‘oshi’—someone I’m devoted to—so I actually understand Kusakabe’s feelings very well. (Omitted.) There are so many different kinds of love and liking. I would be so happy if everyone could come to love this drama together with someone they care about or someone they love. I hope you’ll enjoy it!”

Will Matsumoto score another major hit with her return to TBS’s Tuesday drama slot for the first time in two years?

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