Ashida Mana and Okayama Amane in the ultimate unrequited love story

It has recently been revealed that actor Mana Ashida will be starring in the NHK drama series "Omoi," scheduled to air in spring 2026. The original story is written by screenwriter Yoshikazu Okada, known for the NHK Asadora"Churasan" and "Hiyokko." The story depicts the joy and happiness of unrequited love, and Okayama Amane will play her love interest.

Mana Ashida, who plays the unrequited love heroine Sugawara Yui, commented, "The pure feeling of loving something or someone is something that people sometimes give up on or forget. I feel that this is a work that gently affirms yourself, that it's not everything to just get results, and that maybe it's okay to just continue to think about those feelings. I personally envy Yui, who is able to run straight after all her feelings of 'love' without any negative attitudes. I would be happy if I can convey to everyone who watches the film the warm feeling that they too want to love something."

Okayama, who plays Sugawara Kenji, the man Yui has a crush on, said, "I wonder if there is any meaning in continuing to live this life. However, I feel that continuing to be in love with something can be a reason to connect to the 'now' that is here. Together with Kenji, the character I play, I would like to experience what it means to love something and the various emotions that come with it, and live in the world created by screenwriter Okada Yoshikazu and director Tsuda Atsuko. I hope that this work will be a ray of light for everyone."

Screenwriter Okada explains, "The world is made up of unrequited love. Most of the love is unrequited, from someone to someone else. The world is full of unrequited love, of dreams for life. I tried to write a drama that is not just sad and painful, but fun, bright, and precious. In fact, unrequited love is the best! Even if it's not reciprocated, you're happy!"

He also said, "I wrote it for Ashida and Okayama." He added, "I hope that people will enjoy Ashida Mana, who plays Yui, a girl who charges ahead alone down the road of unrequited love, struggling and going astray, but who falls in love with all her heart and soul, and Okayama Amane, who plays Kenken, a guy who seems completely unaware that he is loved by someone, but is just too nice. I myself am looking forward to seeing the finished product."