It was revealed on March 19th that Kiichi Nakai regular cast members from the previous series, "Second to Second to Last Love," which aired in 2014, will reprise their roles in the Fuji TV Monday 9pm drama "Second to Last Love," which will begin airing in April and star actors Kyoko Koizumi and Kiichi Nakai.
The newly announced cast members who will be continuing are Maki Kubota as freelance veteran assistant producer Mitsui-san, Satoru Matsuo as Tsutomu Tadokoro, head of the Kamakura City Tourism Promotion Division, Ami Satsukawa as Tomomi Nagakura, wife of Shinpei (Kenji Sakaguchi), Ayana Shiramoto as Erina Nagakura, only daughter of Wahei (Nakai), Kotoba Hiroyama as Yukari Iida, Tomomi's mother, Jun Miho as Hideko Ohashi, Rie Shibata as Ryoko Isayama, mayor of Kamakura, Kazuyuki Asano as Hiroyuki Mizutani, husband of Noriko (Naoko Iijima), Maki Watanabe as music producer Sachiko Mizuno, and Hiroko Moriguchi as magazine editor Keiko Araki. This is the first time in 11 years since the previous series was broadcast that the 10 will be reunited.
The drama is a romantic, home-comedy set in the ancient city of Kamakura, depicting the love story between a TV producer played by Koizumi and a civil servant working at Kamakura City Hall played by Nakai. The first season was broadcast in 2012, the second in 2014, and the third season will be set 11 years later. Following the first and second seasons, Okada Yoshikazu will be in charge of the script.
In this third season, Yoshino Chiaki, played by Koizumi, is approaching her 60th birthday at 59, and Nagakura Wahei, played by Nakai, is past retirement age at 63. Still, the two remain the same, with the same distance between them as ever, as the story begins in the present, in an old house in Kamakura, where they watch the lives of the Nagakura family pass by.
◇Comment from Maki Kubota
I'm Maki Kubota, who plays Mitsui-san. I'm not playing Mitsui-san, but "Mitsui-san". The character's name in the script is also "Mitsui-san". What does this mean? I was searching for my own answer during the first series, but viewers said to me, "I want a Mitsui-san near me," and "There's one Mitsui-san in every family," and I thought, "I see! Mitsui-san is the kind of person you want to call Mitsui-san." I think those who watched the previous series will understand. Our JMT TV staff team has been promoted and grown in the 11 years since the last series... In addition, new members will also appear. The new sensibilities of these new members reflect the current compromise between generations, and I personally enjoy that feeling. In that sense, I think that both first-time viewers and people of all ages will enjoy the show. Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from Satoru Matsuo
It's been 11 years since "Second to Second to Last Love". Even though 11 years have passed, I still hear people all over Japan calling for a sequel. To be honest, I've been waiting for a sequel for a long time too. So when I heard the news, I couldn't help but let out a cry of joy. I want to tell someone as soon as possible, I want to tell all the fans across the country, but the industry rule is not to tell anyone. So, every time I hear "Isn't there a sequel?" I keep my mouth shut and hold it in, but finally it's been announced! I can finally say it! Everyone, "Second to Last Love" is coming back! It's a sequel! You'll get to meet those fun people again!! Ah, I can finally say it!
◇Comment from Manami Satsukawa
It's been a while, and nice to meet you all. Tomomi-chan continued to work at Kamakura City Hall even after getting married, and her husband Shinpei's nickname for her is still "Kintaro". She has been living the same life as always, in a very good way. The biggest change in the midst of all of this is that Tomomi-chan has finally become a mother! I am happy and enjoying filming to be reunited with her as a mother of two cute and energetic twins, a boy and a girl. Also, to all the staff and cast members who have gathered together for the first time in a long time. I felt a sense of security from the first day, so much so that I didn't feel the passage of 11 years at all, and I am grateful that I can live in this work again thanks to you all. I think you will enjoy both the new changes and the unchanged goodness of the Nagakura family and the city hall team, so I hope you will watch it.
◇Comment from Ayana Shiramoto
If I, who was 12 years old at the time, knew that I would be returning to "Second to Last Love" 11 years later, I would be so happy that I would burst into tears. I'm back!! It's that cheeky girl, Erina. In this work, we see the scenery from Erina's perspective, which we haven't seen much before. When I look back at Erina in the previous work, I also remember myself, so I feel like I've been running with her all this time. I'm looking forward to seeing Erina, who has grown into a grown-up woman! Every day is hectic, and I encounter various events and come home with various feelings. In the midst of all this, I hope that "Second to Last Love" will remain there as it has been and become a "place to return to" for viewers. Please come visit the Nagakura family on Mondays at 9:00! We look forward to seeing you.
◇Comment from Shiba Hiroyama
13 years ago, when the series first aired, this was the show that taught me the foundations of work creation when I was in my 20s. I am truly happy to be back in this world as Iida again! Now that I am in my 40s, the words of Chiaki, played by Kyoko Koizumi, from the first episode have resonated with me even more. It makes me think again about the meaning of the title "Second to Last Love" and the efforts of the "adults" spun by Yoshikazu Okada. Even as an adult, struggling with all your might can be so precious! Iida and I are both struggling with life, chasing after the funky seniors who make me forever admire them. I hope that this Monday night drama will gently push the backs of all viewers, saying, "Let's do our best tomorrow too!"
◇Comment from Jun Miho
This drama makes me want to eat the traditional Japanese sweet "Monaka". There's something about being in love that makes you feel light on your feet... I'll be brushing my teeth carefully on Monday nights!! I'm aiming for the "Miura Jun Award" for this series (laughs).
◇Comment from Rie Shibata
In "Second to Second to Last Love," I played the role of the mayor of Kamakura, who is in love with Nagakura Wahei. And now, after 11 years, I am still in that role. The mayor has worked hard for a long time, but what kind of difficult problem will he present to Nagakura this time? I myself am very excited to play the role. I will enjoy the Okada world!! It is a spicy, slightly sweet, and warm adult dialogue drama. The great turn and tempo of this dialogue is addictive! You will become addicted! Please check out this adult drama for adults.
◇Comment from Kazuyuki Asano
"Second to Second to Last Love" is finally on air. Whether you've been watching since the first episode or watching for the first time, please enjoy this romantic comedy about grandparents that has been going for 11 years. I'm sure it will give you goosebumps! Sorry!!
◇Comment from Makiko Watanabe
In 2012, I never imagined that I would be able to work with everyone again in 2024. When we met again and sat down at the table with the three of us (Chiaki, Sachiko, and Keiko) on set, the time just seemed to flow as if we had been together forever. I will treasure this time carefully and do my best to fulfill my role.
◇Comment from Hiroko Moriguchi
The ladies' club, not the girls' club, is still going strong. We've been updating the sadness and humor of Kyoko Koizumi and Makiko Watanabe, along with Chiaki, Shoko, and Keiko. But this film makes you think that getting older isn't so bad. I hope you'll feel that it's reassuring to know that there are friends who are in the same situation and have the same anxieties! It's a kind filming set that accepts the loss of something and the gain of something as you grow into an adult. When we wrapped up filming 11 years ago, I was so sure that the Nagakura family was real, and I wasn't wrong. Everyone is breathing their own life... and Okada Yoshikazu's words have more impact than ever. I can only imagine that there will be more sequels in the future!
