It was announced on May 29th that actor Shizuka Ishibashi will star in the NHK Asadora drama "Blossom" in the second half of 2026. At a press conference held at the NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station on the same day, Ishibashi revealed the reaction of her parents when she was informed that she had been chosen as the heroine of the Asadora.
Ishibashi's father is actor and musician Ishibashi Ryo, and his mother is actress Harada Mieko. "I was told not to tell anyone, but I told my parents in secret and they were very happy," he confessed. When asked if he received any advice from them as a senior actor, he replied, "We don't talk much about work, so they were happy for me, saying things like, 'I'm glad for you,' and 'Good luck,' as if it was something that didn't concern them."
When asked how she felt about being at the press conference as the heroine of the Asadora, she replied, "I thought it was real. It was a future I had never imagined, so I think life is strange." She smiled and said, "Since so many people have gathered here, I knew this wasn't a prank."
"Blossom," the 115th serial TV drama, is based on the story of writer Chiyo Uno, who continued to seek freedom throughout the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. She leaves her hometown of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, meets fascinating people, and pursues her dreams, moving forward into the turbulent times of the Taisho and Showa eras. The script is written by Tsuyoshi Sakurai, known for "Your Goods Are Here" and "Boogie Woogie."
The Asadora " Anpan " starring Mio Imada is currently being broadcast. " Bakebake " starring Akari Takaishi will be broadcast in the second half of 2025, and " Kaze,Kaoru " starring Ai Mikami will be broadcast in the first half of 2026.
