It has recently been revealed that actress Kana Kita will be starring in "Kaedama Bravo!", which will be broadcast on NHK's "Yodora" time slot (General TV, Monday to Thursday, 10:45 PM) from January 5, 2026. The play is an original work by playwright and director Kishimoto Ayuka, who also appeared as an actor in the NHK drama "Hitori de Shinitai." The slightly dark comedy for adults, which combines "friendship," "ramen," and "classical ballet," will see Kita play the main character, Senbon Karina.
Kita said, "I really love the worldview created by screenwriter Kishimoto Ayuka. The story depicts the awkwardness of people who cannot balance their lives with the needs of society in a sometimes charming, sometimes dark way, and I am really looking forward to filming. Karina is always so earnest, but she always ends up going in the wrong direction, so there is something about her that makes her hard to hate. In fact, there may be times when you see yourself in her. I hope you enjoy this spicy coming-of-age story for adults."
It was also announced that Amano Hana will play Karina's best friend, Niki Yumi. Amano commented, "As I approach 30, I feel like my life up until now and my future life have suddenly started to waver. I want to say that I have no recollection of it, but there are many things I can't say (laughs). But, but, it can't be helped! I'm very happy to be able to run through the sincere struggles of these two women in their 30s who live their daily lives with their heads held high, together with Kita's Karina. I hope that you will enjoy and love watching over the two as they struggle, sometimes poking fun at them."
The story begins when Senbon Karina (Kita), who works at an advertising agency, is in charge of a recital for an adult ballet wear brand, but the scheduled dancer can't attend, so she is suddenly asked to fill in because she has ballet experience. On the day when the unexpected accident occurs, another shocking thing happens to Karina: her best friend of 20 years, whom she met at a ballet class when she was six years old, Niki Yumi (Amano), suddenly tells her that they are no longer friends.
Yumi has fulfilled her childhood dream and become a professional ballerina. Unable to believe the declaration of estrangement, Karina visits Yumi's home and the ballet company where she works, but is refused even to meet her face. Confused and unable to understand the reason, Karina wanders into a ramen shop where she finds Yumi working there. Shocked, Karina becomes a student at the ballet studio where Yumi works, and even shows up at the ramen shop where she works part-time, "Tameguchi." Karina tries every trick in the book to get Yumi to tell her the reason, but... Will Karina and Yumi's friendship ever return to normal?
Kishimoto revealed, "When I was told that they wanted to make a story about ramen, ballet, and female friendship, about 100 question marks popped into my head, but at the same time, I had a gut feeling that this might be the story I should write."
Kishimoto also believes from her own experience that "female friendship is full of fascination that cannot be put into words," and appealed to viewers, saying, "This drama is a complex and fantastical work centered around 'female friendship,' which cannot be described in nice words alone. I hope you will enjoy it while thinking of your own friends."
