Nagatan and Blue - Ichika's Cookbook -:A sequel to Kadowaki Mugi and Ryuto Sakuma's gourmet love story will be broadcast next spring

It has been revealed that the sequel to the 2023 drama series "Nagatan and Ao to - Ichika's Cooking Book" (WOWOW), a gourmet love story set in post-war Kyoto starring Mugi Kadowaki and co-starring Ryuto Sakuma of HiHi Jets (at the time), "W-30 'Nagatan and Ao to - Ichika's Cooking Book 2'" will be broadcast and streamed in spring 2026.

The drama is based on the manga of the same name by Yuki Isogai (Kodansha). Set in Kyoto shortly after the war, the gourmet love story begins when the protagonist, chef Ichika Kuwanoki (played by Kadowaki), marries off in an arranged marriage to Shu Yamaguchi (played by Sakuma), the third son of a long-established hotel owner in Osaka, in order to keep her family's struggling restaurant, Kuwanoki, afloat. The frustrating love story between the couple, despite their 15-year age difference, and Ichika's "delicious-looking food" have attracted attention.

The previous film depicted the couple, who met through an unwanted marriage, gradually growing closer to each other and becoming a real couple. This sequel begins immediately after that, with the arrival of a "new family member" to the couple, and with the arrival of Sakae, the second son of the Yamaguchi family and Amane's older brother, Kuwanoki, which had begun to recover from financial difficulties, is once again faced with challenges... This is the story. Matsumoto Takeshi will continue to direct the film as the main director, with Ichioka Ayumu, who has directed Toei Kyoto's films, also taking part. Kawasaki Izumi will continue to write the script, and Ohara Chizuru will continue to be the culinary supervisor.

Kadowaki commented, "It had been quite a while since I heard there was a possibility of a sequel being made, so I was very happy when I heard that my wish had finally come true and that production had been decided." Sakuma also shared his thoughts, saying, "The previous work depicted the two becoming a married couple, but one of the themes of this work is them becoming a family. I hope you will watch over the two as they grow up while struggling."

◇ Original author: Yuki Isogai

I'm so happy that the drama "Nagatan and Ao to" has been decided to have a second season! When I watched season 1, I remember shedding tears many times at the beautiful, carefully crafted images. It was a moment when I thought to myself that I was glad to be drawing manga.

It's been about three years since then... The script for season 2 had a lot of elements, so we had many meetings and discussions. I'm grateful. The script is packed with heartwarming scenes! I was also impressed by the wonderful sets and art when I had the opportunity to observe the filming. Professor Ohara's cooking was also really delicious and beautiful.

This time, new characters will be joining the cast, including Ichijitsu and Amane, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the performances of these wonderful actors in the video. I can't write it all... I hope everyone will look forward to the broadcast!

◇Comment from Mugi Kadowaki

It had been quite a while since I heard there was a possibility of making a sequel, so I was very happy when I heard that my wish had finally come true and that production had been decided. Many of the staff members are the same as back then, so I was able to get on set so smoothly that it didn't seem like three years had passed, but I still struggle with the Kyoto dialect every day.

In Season 1, the story started with the two characters still feeling awkward with each other, but gradually they grew closer to each other. In Season 2, however, they already have a relationship of trust and go from there to becoming a family, and that's what I felt as I acted every day compared to Season 1.

The highlight of Season 2 is seeing how a new family member comes to the couple, and how their relationship evolves from that of a married couple and business partners to that of a "family." Continuing from Season 1, the series is packed with delicious food and heartwarming episodes, so I hope you'll watch it with an empty stomach.

◇Comment from Ryuto Sakuma(ACEes)

When the sequel was decided, I was so happy, like, "I can go to Kyoto again!" It felt like the summer vacation of my life had arrived (laughs). Kadowaki-san and I talked about how we haven't changed at all, both in a good and bad way, so I think it was good in terms of connecting with Season 1. I think the acting between the two of us was very natural, with a kind of unspoken understanding.

Many new characters will be introduced in Season 2, and the pace is faster than Season 1. There are also developments that resemble a long-distance relationship between Ichijitsu and Amane, and the age difference remains a barrier, so I think viewers will continue to enjoy the exquisitely awkward and frustrating romance between the two. Amane's affection for Ichijitsu has also grown, so we may see Amane's age-appropriate side, something we didn't see in Season 1. I would of course recommend it to fans of the original work, and I hope that those who haven't seen Season 1 will take this opportunity to watch it and continue enjoying Season 2.

◇Comment from Director Takeshi Matsumoto

It's been about three years since the previous work, and I'm very happy that we can all weave the world of "Nagatan and Blue" together again.

Kadowaki Mugi, as always, shone brightly in the center of the production, pulling the show along. I can't count the number of times her natural cheerfulness and ideas helped me out. Ryuto Sakuma has become a solid, stable actor, and I found him very reliable (though he doesn't seem much different when you talk to him).

While the previous film depicted the two becoming a married couple, one of the themes of this film is them becoming a family. I hope you will watch over the two as they grow up while struggling. Familiar characters from the previous film will also make an appearance, and I hope you will also pay attention to the new characters, each with their own quirks. Look forward to it!