Mana Ashida and Machiko Ono become mother and daughter in the drama "24 Hour TV"

The drama special "Totto's Missing Youth" was aired as part of "24 Hour TV 48 - Love Saves the Earth" on the Nippon Television Network on August 30th and 31st. The close relationship between Ashida Mana, who played the role of Kuroyanagi Tetsuko, and Machiko Ono, who played her mother, became a hot topic among viewers.

The drama is based on Kuroyanagi Tetsuko's autobiographical essay "Totto's Missing Book" (Shincho Bunko), and depicts Kuroyanagi's life from her time at girls' school, through her time at music school, to her becoming an exclusive actress for NHK.

Tetsuko was restless from a young age, and when she became absorbed in something that interested her, she completely ignored her surroundings. Her reckless and impulsive nature caused many mishaps even as a schoolgirl. Still, she believed in the words of her father, a violinist, and tried her hand at everything from opera singing to cellist, director, and music critic in an attempt to find her own unique talent.

Believing she had failed the final audition to become an exclusive actress for NHK, Tetsuko returned home crying. Depressed, she vented her anger at her mother, who had always encouraged her for her efforts, saying, "Mom always tells me, 'Isn't it okay?' but it's not okay!"

Her mother then gently said, "Tetsuko, listen carefully. I was so happy when you said you wanted to make children smile. I thought it was the perfect dream for you." She continued, "I think your teachers, friends, and everyone else have all received so many smiles from you. But the one who received the most smiles from you was Dad. And, Mom, both you and Dad have received so much happiness from you. And it's not all your good points. You're fine just the way you are," conveying her mother's love, and the two of them embraced.

Ashida and Ono also played mother and daughter in the drama "Mother" (2010), but their relationship was close to neglect. This time, they played a "close mother and daughter" role, and comments such as "Mother was really hard," "Machiko Ono and Ashida Mana are great, as expected," "I'm glad they had a good mother-daughter relationship this time," and "A mother and daughter who are so close... it's quite moving" have been posted on social media.