The NHK morning drama series " Bakebake " (General Asadora , Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and others) will begin airing on September 29th in the second half of 2025. The main character, Toki Matsuno, and her future husband, Lefkada Heaven, are played by actors Akari Takaishi and Tommy Bastow. With filming about six months into the series, the pair described Toki and Heaven's relationship as "simply adorable" and "a youthful love," and spoke about their roles and the appeal of their characters.
"Bakebake" is based on the story of Koizumi Setsu, the daughter of a fallen samurai from Matsue, and her husband Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), and depicts the heroine, who loves ghost stories, going about her everyday life with her foreign husband. The script is written by Fujiki Mitsuhiko, who has worked on NHK's "Asagaya Sisters' Relaxed Life" and WOWOW's "Shooting Break Series."
--This film is based on Yakumo Koizumi and his wife Setsu. How do you plan to incorporate the essence of these two real people into your roles?
Takaishi: To get to know Setsu, I really treasure the book she wrote, "Memories." It's full of descriptions of Yakumo from her perspective, and I got to know her through what she thinks and feels about him. I thought the depth of Setsu's love for Yakumo and the strength with which she tries to protect him were really cool. There are some similarities with the character Toki, and Setsu is a cool woman I admire, so I hope to incorporate those aspects into the story.
Bastow: The more we film, the more I feel that the couple's relationship is like a "youthful love." This is because both Toki and Heaven had very difficult childhoods and were forced to grow up quickly. For that reason, it feels like they're reliving the youthful years they never got to enjoy. That's the essence of the film, and it's exciting, and I think it has a youthful relationship. The more I research Yakumo, the more I respect him. As Heaven, I want to show his strong sense of justice and passion. I also met his great-grandson, Koizumi Bon, and felt even more strongly the responsibility of playing a real person.
--I heard that scenes in which Toki and Heaven become a married couple have already been filmed. What kind of couple would you like to play?
Takaishi: When I read "Memories," I thought the two of them were just adorable. They speak in a unique Japanese language called "Hern dialect" that only they can understand, and they love each other very much, with Yakumo calling Setsu "the best mom in the world." I really liked the relationship between Yakumo, who honestly expresses his feelings, and Setsu, who accepts them, so I hope viewers will enjoy the cuteness that comes from their inability to communicate with others, and the developments that arise from that, and it was also a point I wanted to keep in mind when acting.
Mr. Bastow: For a couple who are now married, feelings are more important than words. Mr. Yakumo, Japanese is not your first language, but I believe that even if you speak a different language, love can grow as long as you respect each other's cultures.
--What do you think it was about Toki and Heaven that attracted them to each other? Also, what do you think is great about playing the married relationship between Toki and Heaven?
Takaishi: What's great about Heaven is that she can see many things, and that she came to Japan, a country she loves, and although she speaks a different language, she has the strength to say that she likes what she likes, and conversely, the strength to say that she dislikes something. At first glance, she may seem free-spirited, but she also has her own sense of justice, and she gets angry to protect someone. Toki doesn't overlook that, and when he thinks, "What is this person thinking?" he finds them similar to himself, empathizes with them, or even wants to protect them, and I think that's what gives rise to all sorts of emotions.
Mr. Bastow: Toki works hard for his family and has a kind, down-to-earth personality. I think that's what attracted Heaven to him. I think Toki is a wonderful person because he didn't have any prejudices against Heaven and accepted her without any discrimination.
--I think Yakumo Koizumi and Setsu were a couple who served as a bridge between different cultures. What do you want to convey to viewers by playing these two characters?
Takaishi: Although there are many difficulties due to differences in culture and language, I want to convey the surprise that far outweighs them, the joy of understanding each other, and the joy of learning about an unfamiliar culture. With their married life starting with the shoot, I am looking forward to seeing how things will develop for the two of them, and I think that, just like the two models, there are surely joys as well as difficulties when it comes to foreigners and Japanese people communicating with each other.
Bastow: I have always placed great importance on cultural exchange and understanding. I have been particularly interested in Japanese culture and the Japanese language, and studying them has helped me grow as a person, so I feel that this has allowed me to live a richer life. Through "Bakebake," I would like to convey to many people the importance of having an open mind and compassion. I think that kind of spirit is especially necessary now, so I would be happy if this program could provide an experience that allows you to share that.
