On October 29th, it was revealed that Takaishi Akari, known for her work in the "Baby Warukyuure" series, has been chosen as the heroine (lead) of the NHK morning drama "Bakebake" in the second half of 2025. The selection was based on an audition that attracted 2,892 applicants, and online comments welcomed Takaishi, such as "It feels like it's been a while since we've had a fresh actress in the lead role," and "I'm glad they chose someone who is the epitome of what a morning drama heroine should be like!" But what is the reason for this? Let's unravel the reasons based on recent trends.
◇In recent years, there has been an increase in safe choices that, for better or worse, lack freshness.
In the past, morning dramas were often referred to as "the gateway to success for young actresses." The heroine audition has impressed this aspect on viewers.
Following Non in the groundbreaking "Amachan" series in the first half of 2013, Tsuchiya Tao in "Mare" in the first half of 2015, Haru in "Asaka Ga Kita" in the second half of the same year, Takahata Mitsuki in "Toto Neechan" in the first half of 2016, Yoshine Kyoko in "Beppin-san" in the second half of the same year, Aoi Wakana in "Warotenka" in the second half of 2017, and Nagano Mei in "Hanbun, Aoi" in the first half of 2018 were all chosen as heroines through auditions when they were in their late teens or early twenties, and gained great fame through their respective works.
Also, the first foreign heroine to appear in an morning drama was Charlotte Kate Fox in "Massan" in the second half of 2014.
In recent years, Nikaido Fumi (co-star of lead actor Kubota Masataka) in "Yell" in the first half of 2020, Kamishiraishi Mone and Kawaei Rina in "Come Come Everybody" in the second half of 2021, Fukuhara Haruka in "Fly Up!" in the second half of 2022, Shuri in "Boogie Woogie" in the second half of 2023, and Imada Mio in "Anpan" in the first half of 2025 won the heroine role through auditions, but Shuri was the only one who was surprising or unexpected. From the viewer's perspective, it cannot be denied that the selection seemed, for better or worse, a safe choice that lacked freshness.
Many works did not even hold auditions for the heroine role, and Ito Sari in "Wings of a Tiger" in the first half of 2024, which aired its final episode in September, and Hashimoto Kanna in "Omusubi" in the second half of the same year, which is currently airing, were also cast. There is no doubt that the image of "morning drama = gateway to success for young actresses" has faded considerably compared to the mid-2010s.
◇ Expectations rising for Takaishi Akari, who overturned most expectations (?)
In that sense, Takaishi Akari of "Bakeke", who overturned most expectations (?), can be said to be a heroine who is worthy of being selected through auditions as a morning drama heroine for the first time in a long time.
Takaishi was born on December 19, 2002, and is 21 years old and from Miyazaki Prefecture. After being a member of the dance and vocal group "α-X's (Across)", she began working as an actor in earnest in 2019. Her first starring movie in 2021, "Baby Warukyure" (co-starring with Izawa Ayori), was a hit that was an unusual long run despite the fact that it was not shown in many theaters, and its reputation spread by word of mouth. It was followed by a sequel movie and a TV drama, and became her signature work.
In addition to her role as a young assassin who cannot fit into society in "Baby Warukyure," she will play the half-sister who bullies the heroine in the movie "My Happy Marriage," which will be released in 2023, and in the NHK "night drama" "My Most Worst Friend" in the same year, she will play the childhood friend who could be called the "worst friend" to the protagonist. Her lack of an orthodox heroine impression is in fact appealing. Expectations are building to see what kind of face she will show in the morning drama. Also, if the drama itself is successful, there is a possibility that challenging casting like Takaishi will become more common.
In any case, Takaishi, who has only been in the acting industry for five years, has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, such as "you really want to root for a fresh morning drama heroine." For now, I would like to look forward to the start of the drama in a year.
