The new cast for the NHK Asadora drama "Kaze,Kaoru, " starring Ai Mikami and Juri Kosaka , which will air in the first half of 2026, has been announced on NHK Drama's official website (@nhk_dramas). The cast includes Miki Mizuno, Miu Hayasaka, Takashi Kobayashi Kobayashi, Toranosuke Kobayashi, Shiro Tsubuyaki, Akiko Iwase, Takahiro Miura, Tokie Negishi, Miyuki Oshima, Yumi Yoshitachi, Takuya and Kazuya from "The Touch," Taizo Harada, and Kazuki Kitamura. This will be the first Asadora for Hayasaka, Toranosuke Kobayashi, Oshima, and Takuya and Kazuya from "The Touch." The logo design by graphic designer Ayaka Shimizu was also revealed.
Mizuno plays Ichinose Mitsu, the mother of one of the main characters, Ichinose Rin (played by Mikami). She was born into the family of the former lord of a small domain in Nasu. She became a farmer and, even with the arrival of the Meiji era, she has not lost her dignity, and is bold enough to wield a naginata herself when the time comes. However, she also has a penchant for new things.
Hayasaka plays Ichinose Yasu, Rin's younger sister by two years. She hopes to eventually marry into a wealthy family and calmly observes her family's movements.
Takashi Kobayashi plays Nakamura Yoshimasa, a former vassal of Rin's father, Shin'emon. In the Meiji era, after being dismissed from the Ichinose family, he becomes an official in Tochigi Prefecture. He continues to visit the Ichinose family frequently.
Toranosuke Kobayashi plays Rin's childhood friend, Torataro Takeuchi. He was born in the same village as Rin and is the eldest son of the Takeuchi family, former foot soldiers. Although he has been on friendly terms with Rin since childhood, he is keenly aware of the disparity in their upbringings.
Tsubuyaki Shiro plays Kotaro's father, Takeuchi Yukinobu. He was a former foot soldier who became a farmer during the Meiji period. He still has the habit of treating the Ichinose family with respect.
Akiko Iwase plays Kotaro's mother, Sakae Takeuchi. She is a powerful mother who supports the Takeuchi family and is a reliable presence in times of need.
Miura plays Okuda Kamekichi, Rin's suitor. He started a transportation business in the town next to the village where Rin lives during the Meiji period and made a fortune in one generation. He is looked down upon by the owners of long-established stores.
Negishi plays Kamekichi's mother, Okuda Sada. She is proud of having worked closely with Kamekichi to expand the Okudaya family business. She is tired of being treated like a nouveau riche by those around her, and in the hopes of gaining some family status, she proposes marriage to the Ichinose family.
Oshima plays the proprietress of an eel restaurant. Yoshitatsu plays the proprietress of a Japanese sweets shop. Takuya and Kazuya from "The Touch" play Shibataya and Matsunaga-ya.
Harada plays Yoshie Zensaku, a pastor who watches over one of the main characters, Oya Naomi (Uesaka). A Christian pastor, he has been quietly watching over Naomi since taking her in four years ago. They live separately out of respect for Naomi's desire to be independent, but he is always concerned about her. Kitamura plays Ichinose Shin'emon, Rin's father. He was a former chief retainer of a small feudal domain in the Nasu region. He resigned from his position as chief retainer before the Meiji Restoration to become a farmer, and has continued to turn down offers to become a government official. He has a gentle personality and has taught Rin and Yasu to "think for themselves."
Chief Producer Matsuzono Takehiro, who oversees the drama's production, commented, "We have announced the actors who will be playing Ichinose Rin, Ooya Naomi, the families and close friends of the two main characters, and people with ties to Rin's hometown of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. I get excited every day imagining how this diverse and fascinating cast will breathe new life into the characters written by screenwriter Yoshizawa Tomoko. When I first saw Shimizu's logo, it felt like a breeze had blown into the bleak conference room. Taking in the breeze, they step firmly on the ground and move forward. This logo embodies the determination of Rin and Naomi. Before we knew it, the hot season had arrived, and filming is just around the corner. The broadcast is still a little ways off, but there will be many more new announcements to come, so please look forward to it."
