Receiving the "Asadora" "A dreamy moment" Mio Imada gives encouragement "Eat a lot, sleep well and do your best"

The "baton-passing" ceremony for the NHK Asadora drama series was held on September 23rd at the NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station (Chuo-ku, Osaka City), attended by Mio Imada , the heroine of the currently airing " Anpan, " and Akari Takaishi , who will star in " Bakebake ," which starts on the 29th. The baton was passed from Imada to Takaishi.

Takaishi, who received the baton, said, "The baton pass is a dream moment, and I was really looking forward to today. More than anything, I'm really happy that I'll be able to pass the baton to Imada-san. When I met him before, he was so warm and kind, and I was really supported by him, so I'm happy that I feel like he's supporting me again this time."

Imada reflected on the filming period for the Asadora, saying, "Looking back, the one year of filming really went by in a flash, but it's still a long time, so I just eat a lot, sleep well, and keep my mind and body healthy." She then sent a message of encouragement to Takaishi, saying, "It's so heartwarming to have you here today. I'm sure everyone around you is supporting you, and I'm sure that will continue in the future, so eat a lot, sleep well, and do your best." Takaishi expressed her gratitude by saying, "Thank you. I'll eat a lot."

In the customary gift exchange of items related to the drama, Imada gave a Tosa kite, a traditional craft from Kochi Prefecture, while Takaishi gave them a Yakumo-nuri hand mirror and clams from Lake Shinji in Matsue City, both traditional crafts from Shimane Prefecture. The Tosa kite has a design of clam soup, an essential part of "Bakebake," painted in ink, and when told that its traditional red color wards off evil spirits, Takaishi commented, "I'd like to hang it up in front of the studio."

"Anpan" is based on the married couple Takashi Yanase Takashi (1919-2013), the manga artist and picture book author who created "Anpanman," and Nobu Komatsu(1918-1993). It depicts how these two, who were once nothings, overcame all sorts of obstacles to become "Anpanman," the embodiment of "unreversible justice." It's a story of love and courage that will fill you with the joy of living. The script was written by Miho Nakazono, known for her work on the TV Asahi series "Doctor X: Surgeon Daimon Michiko."

The heroine of "Bakebake" is based on Koizumi Setsu, the daughter of a fallen samurai from Matsue and wife of Yakumo Koizumi(Lafcadio Hearn). The story is about a couple who love "ghost stories" together with their foreign husband, and who shed light on and speak for the "nameless people" who had been forgotten in Meiji Japan as Westernization progressed. The script is written by Fujiki Mitsuhiko, who has worked on NHK's "Asagaya Sisters' Relaxed Life" and WOWOW's "Shooting Break Series."