It has been announced that the office love comedy manga "The Story of My Little Company Senior" by Sai So, which is currently being serialized on the manga site "Storia Dash" (Takeshobo), will be made into a live-action drama. The popular work has also been made into a TV anime, and Tomi from the idol group "#2i2 (Nini)" will play Katase Shiori, a small and caring senior in her third year at the company, in her first lead role in a drama. Tomi, who has a "minimal body" of 149 cm tall and is active in gravure modeling, will play the "small and cute senior." The drama will be broadcast on BS Shochiku Tokyu's drama slot "Wednesday Drama 23" at 11 pm every Wednesday from January 15, 2025.
The drama is a sweet office love comedy about Katase Shiori, who works at a character development company, and Shinozaki Takuma, a junior colleague in his first year at the company. Shiori, who is good at giving compliments and cares about her juniors, is always thinking about Shinozaki, and while Shinozaki is comforted every day by the carefree and slightly close Shiori, he is constantly aware of her. The story depicts the love story between two people who have never been together and have no relationship experience. Nine volumes of the manga have been released, with a total of over 1.3 million copies in circulation. The TV anime aired from July to October 2023.
Tomi commented, "When I heard about the role, I was surprised, happy, anxious, and all sorts of things mixed together, and I was completely dumbfounded (laughs). To be honest, I've never been given a role in a drama where I appear in several episodes, so at first it didn't seem real. But now that filming is approaching, I'm filled with the feeling that, 'Since I was chosen as the main character, I'll do my best and have fun!'" When asked about her impressions after reading the script, she said, "I had read the original work, but when it came to the script that I was acting out, I was like, 'Ahhh...!' I think I would be really embarrassed with the scenes where Shinozaki fantasizes... (laughs). But it also has a feel of a situation drama... I wonder what the atmosphere will be like on set...? It seems like my skills will be put to the test, so I'm really looking forward to it!"
About the character Shiori, whom she will be playing, she said, "Shiori is cute and cunning, but I don't think she's trying to be cunning... I think she's probably born with a MAX of charm. I'm an idol so I'm good at that kind of thing, but it's like an occupational hazard, and I was a little worried that my evil intentions, like, 'I'll make myself look cute...!' would come through... (laughs). But I think it'll be fine as long as I have pure feelings for Shinozaki! I want to act with all my feelings into it!"
To the viewers, she said, "I would like to say to those who like 'The Story of My Company's Little Senior' and to those who know her through this drama, 'It was interesting! "I'll do my best during filming so that people will say, "I love it!" I'd be very happy if people are excited by everything from Shiori's cuteness to her romance with Shinozaki, the atmosphere in the office!" he wrote in his message.
Original author Sai Sou commented, "I can't believe it, my little senpai is being made into a TV drama! I didn't think it would be made into a live-action version, so I'm very surprised. I hope people can enjoy the cute senpai in the drama as well."
