It was revealed on April 10th that actor Akari Takaishi has begun filming for the NHK Asadora drama series "Bakebake," in which she will play the heroine in the second half of fiscal 2025. The drama itself began filming at the NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station studio on March 25th. Takaishi reportedly began filming on location in Kyoto City on April 2nd. It was also announced that Fukuchi Miharu, who will be making her first Asadora appearance at age 10, will play the young version of Takaishi's heroine, Matsuno Toki.
"Bakebake " is the story of a couple who love "ghost stories" together with their foreign husband, and who shed light on and speak for the "nameless people" who were forgotten in Meiji Japan as Westernization progressed. The script is written by Mitsuhiko Fujiki, who has worked on NHK's "Asagaya Sisters' Relaxed Life Together" and WOWOW's "Tokyu Series."
Takaishi is currently filming smoothly with the other cast members, including Takashi Okabe , who plays his father, Tsukasanosuke , Chizuru Ikewaki Fumiyo Kohinata, who plays his grandfather, Kan'emon. In addition to filming in the studio, there are plans for filming to take place on location in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, where the story is set.
In a recent interview, production manager Kuniomi Hashizume said he was looking forward to the editing, saying, "Honestly, I think this is the most passionate Asadora set I've ever seen." He continued, "Takaishi-san is showing off her skills to the fullest, and the other family members are also doing really great acting, acting that you could watch forever, and it's really frustrating that we won't be able to deliver that footage to everyone until later. We've filmed that kind of thing," and he expressed his confidence, saying, "This is a Asadora like no other you've ever seen before."
Takaishi and others' comments are as follows:
◇Comment from Akari Takaishi, who plays the heroine Toki Matsuno
We have started filming! The quirky world of "Bakebake" was already created from the script reading stage, so I was really looking forward to filming. There were many scenes that made me laugh, as I had never seen anything like it in a Asadora, and we were filming in a harmonious atmosphere. I am very grateful to the "Bakebake " team for creating a set filled with love and laughter. I think there will be a series of various happenings over the next year, but I will do my best and enjoy even those days!
◇ Comment from Takashi Okabe , who plays Toki’s father, Tsukasanosuke Matsuno
The filming started with tension and relaxation going back and forth! This is the moment when humor is born. It's actually funny. Kansai dialect is flying around the set, which is also funny, and I feel excited to watch Miharu Otoki and Akari Otoki grow up together with the staff! I would like to cherish and boldly convey the cleverness of the lines written by Fujiki and act them out.
◇Comment from Chizuru Ikewaki, who plays Toki’s mother, Fumi Matsuno
We started filming without any problems, and I'm playing Fumi with a sense of nervousness. With the support of everyone in the Matsuno family - Okabe-san who plays my husband, Kohinata-san who plays my father-in-law, and Miharu-chan who plays Toki as a child - I'm filming with laughter and joy. From here on, I'll rely on the heroine, Akari Takaishi chan, and live life with as much laughter as I can. What do you think? For now, the scenes are ones that make me chuckle, so I hope it doesn't become too serious and turns into a gentle story... I'm excited too, not knowing much about what's to come. Everyone, please follow along with kind eyes and support me!
◇Comment from Fumiyo Kohinata , who plays Toki’s grandfather, Kanemon Matsuno
We shot the first family scene on the first day of filming, and I was really looking forward to filming, imagining that this family and Toki will spend their time together in harmony. In the dinner scene, the family gathers together to drink clam soup and relax, which is a heartwarming scene, and I think it's a scene that makes you feel the family bond, even though they are poor. I wore a topknot during filming, so it was hard to believe we were filming a Asadora. I would like to have fun playing Kan'emon, who loves Toki while preserving the spirit of the samurai as the "last samurai."
◇Comment from Miharu Fukuchi, who plays Toki Matsuno (Young girl)
I was so surprised when I heard that I passed the audition that I asked "Really?" over and over again. The character I'm playing, Otoki-chan, spends her days receiving lots of love from her father, mother, and grandfather. I'm so excited to think that I'll be acting with you all! I'd be so happy if this drama becomes one that makes you look forward to "Bakebake" every morning and get out of bed without even realizing it. I'll do my best!
◇Comment from Production Director Kuniomi Hashizume
We have started filming! Akari Takaishi is just like Toki Matsuno, her posture and every moment of her expression is so charming and captivating. The time we spend together in the studio is a luxury.
Takashi Okabe, Chizuru Ikewaki, and Fumiyo Kohinata are like a real family to me, and I feel a deep bond with Wan Marui, who must have been my best friend for a long time, and the world of the story comes to life very realistically.
Ms. Fukuchi, who plays the heroine's childhood, was selected from 674 applicants in an audition. Her performance is pure and natural, and makes you think that Takaishi might have been like this when she was little.
And Tommy Bastow has put in so much effort into his role that it even amazed us, making Haven a very charming character with great presence.
The other cast members, including Kanichiro, Honami Sato, and Sano Shiro, also showed great acting. The extras and staff all worked together to create the world of "Bakebake", and I think the production was done by a passionate team.
We will continue to work hard on production over the next year or so so that we can meet everyone's expectations.
*The "taka" in Akari Takaishi.
