Actor Rin Kataoka played Izumi's ( Nobuko Miyamoto ) granddaughter and medical student Chikage in the TBS Sunday Theatre drama " Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea ," which recently aired its final episode. Kataoka made a strong impression with her role as the "psychopathic" Misae in the NHK morning drama "Wings on a Tiger," making her name known to the public. We will unravel the story of her activities in 2024.
◇ Her drama debut, "Ishiko and Haneo," featured pink hair
Kataoka was born on October 6, 2003, and is 21 years old and from Gunma Prefecture. The videos and photos she posted on TikTok and Instagram, which she opened in the spring of 2021, attracted attention, and she joined the talent agency "Flamme" at the end of the same year. She made her drama debut in the drama " Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea and Hane-O: Would You Sue Me for That?" (2022), which was produced by Junko Arai and directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, the same station as "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea". By the way, in "Ishiko and Hane-O", she dyed her hair for the first time in her life, and her passionate performance with pink hair became a hot topic.
After that, he made his first regular appearance in a TV drama in the TV Asahi series "Boyfriend Descends" in October 2022, and his first regular appearance in a primetime drama in the TBS series "Pending Train - 8:23, Tomorrow with You" in April 2023.
◇ Playing two roles as a "psychopath" in "Tiger and Wings"
In 2024, he made his film debut in the local film "Thank You at the Sky Port" (directed by Yuki Saito), which was released on May 31. He also appeared in episodes 6 and 7 of the NHK drama "The Four Brothers of the Yuzuki Family" (broadcast from May to July).
In July, she finally made her long-awaited first appearance in a Asadora. When she made her debut in the 81st episode of "Tora ni Tsubasa" (broadcast on July 22nd) as the beautiful high school girl, Misae Moriguchi, social media erupted with excitement, with comments like "This girl will definitely be a hit."
In the 92nd episode of the show (broadcast on August 6th), Misae and Torako (played by Ito Sari) confront each other, and Misae asks Torako, "Why shouldn't we kill people?" On social media, comments such as "That's a terrible question," "It sent chills down my spine," and "Misae is a psychopath with too much darkness" were posted.
Towards the end of the series, in episode 127 (broadcast on September 24th), she reappeared as Misae's daughter, Miyuki. She played two different roles as the "psychopath" who stands in Torako's way, and received praise such as "She brilliantly played the two different psychopaths, Misae and Miyuki," and "A great actress has appeared... an unforgettable performance once you've seen it."
◇ Appearing in both "Monday 9" and Sunday Theatre at the same time
In the Fuji TV Monday 9pm drama "Usotoki Rhetoric" from October, she played the mysterious and charming role of Shinako, who lives in a "doll house," in episodes 4 (broadcast on October 28) and 5 (broadcast on November 4). Shinako is actually a triplet, but hides that fact and behaves like an only child, and her portrayal of the character became a hot topic.
In the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" that aired in October, she played Chikage, the granddaughter of Izumi in the modern-day part. Producer Arai told Chikage, "You should be cheerful and always be carefree," but she was not just a naive rich girl, but a medical school student who passed the exams, but who was "not easy to understand" because she spent 4 million yen at a host club, perhaps because she was lonely or wanted to escape from her parents' restrictions.
In an interview for the film, Kataoka said, "Until now, I've played a relatively large number of characters who had problems, so from now on I'd like to try playing a character who is absolutely cheerful. I haven't done much comedic acting, but I find it really fun to shout out loud and express myself using my body to the fullest. I feel a great sense of pleasure, or rather, exhilaration."
After gaining experience, he said he wants to aim to become a "one and only actor," and stated his ideal, saying, "I want to become an actor that only I can play this role. I want roles to be offered to Kataoka."
In 2024, Kataoka-san was very active in Asadora, Monday 9pm dramas, and Sunday dramas. He is still only 21 years old. In 2025, he will surely expand his range of acting and we will be able to see new sides of him.
