The 58th episode of the NHK Asadora drama "Bakebake " (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM and others), starring Akari Takaishi , was broadcast on December 17th, and many viewers were captivated by Takaishi's ghost storytelling as she played the role of Toki.
In episode 58, Toki tells Heaven ( Tommy Bastow) that he loves ghost stories. Heaven is excited and asks Toki to tell him a ghost story, which he immediately tells. "If you don't tell me your words, I won't tell you." Toki darkens the room, lights a candle, and begins telling the story of "The Futon in Tottori."
Heaven listens intently to Toki's ghost story, which he tells in Japanese. Although he doesn't understand half of it, he is delighted and says, "That's interesting!" and asks him to tell the story again, saying, "Moppen!"
After listening to the song for the second time, Heaven commented, "It's sad...very sad...But...it was good that my brother and I were together forever." He then asked Toki, "It's wonderful. Thank you. Please keep singing it again."
Toki found a "comrade" who understood the appeal of ghost stories, and feeling the joy of being able to tell as many ghost stories as he wanted, he couldn't help but skip home.
Comments on social media about Takaishi's storytelling style included, "I was drawn into the story!", "Even though he didn't understand all of the Japanese, the atmosphere surrounding the ghost story and Otoki-chan's storytelling style captivated Heaven-sensei," and "It's a professional storytelling style."
Many viewers also said that it reminded them of the narration by Ichihara Etsuko from the TV anime "Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi," which aired from January 1975 to September 1994, with comments such as, "The narration is just like Ichihara Etsuko!!," "Akari's narration is so good, I hope she will tell the story as Ichihara Etsuko in the Reiwa era," and "Her acting ability is such that she can captivate people with just her facial expressions and voice. Akari Takaishi could be the reincarnation of Ichihara Etsuko."
"Tottori Futon" was also broadcast on the TV show "Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi," and comments included, "It was something I'd seen on Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi," and "It's still ringing in my ears. It must have had quite an impact."
