The NHK Asadora drama series "Bakebake " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), starring Akari Takaishi , will begin airing on September 29th. The story follows the heroine, who loves ghost stories, as she and her foreign husband go about their everyday lives. Here, we introduce the cast and roles of the 29 people and two animals who make up the drama.
◇The protagonist and two English teachers
Takaishi plays Toki Matsuno, the main character (heroine) of "Bakebake." She is the only daughter of the Matsuno family and loves to listen to folk tales and old stories. Whenever she is feeling sad, she always asks her mother, Fumi, to tell her a ghost story. She cares about her family and her favorite food is the clam soup made by Fumi. When she was a girl, she is played by Miharu Fukuchi.
Lefkada Haven, played by Tommy Bastow, is an English teacher. He came to Japan to do some research as a newspaper reporter, but ended up teaching English in Matsue. He lives his life in Matsue with the support of his fellow English teacher, Yuichi Nishikori. By chance, he meets Toki and begins a friendship with him.
Nishikori Yuichi, played by Ryo Yoshizawa, is an English teacher and Matsue's most brilliant student. He is also known as "Daibanjaku" (Great Standing Stone). He teaches English at Matsue Junior High School and supports Heaven, who has come to Matsue as a foreign teacher. He also becomes acquainted with Toki through a strange connection and becomes deeply involved with her.
◇The Matsuno family and their relatives, the Ushimizu family
Tsukasanosuke Matsuno , played by Takashi Okabe , is Toki's father. He was a high-ranking samurai in the Matsue domain, but when the Meiji era began, he lost his income and lived a difficult life of poverty. He struggles despite his clumsiness for the sake of his beloved family. He wants Toki to say he's cool!
Matsuno Fumi, played by Chizuru Ikewaki , is Toki's mother. She grew up in the home of a senior official at Izumo Taisha Shrine, and is knowledgeable about the stories of the gods of Izumo, living and dead spirits, and invisible things, and often shares them with Toki. She is kind and reliable, and more than anyone, she wants Toki to be happy.
Kanemon Matsuno , played by Fumiyo Kohinata , is Toki's grandfather. He is a true samurai who lived through the end of the Edo period with great courage. Even in the Meiji era, he believed that it was up to him to protect the country, and he continued to wear a topknot and practice sword fighting as the "last samurai." He is extremely weak against Toki.
Shinichi Tsutsumi plays Ushimizu Fu, a relative of Toki. He was a high-ranking samurai and a prominent figure in the Matsue domain, excelling in both the arts and martial arts. He was a man of character known to everyone in Matsue, and in the midst of the changing times, he worked hard to reach out to many fallen samurai. He has loved his relative Toki since he was a child.
Ushimizu Tae, played by Keiko Kitagawa , is a relative of Toki. Born into one of Matsue's most prestigious families, she grew up without any hardships, surrounded by many maids. She possesses both dignified elegance and strictness. She also strictly teaches her relative Toki the culture of a samurai daughter, including etiquette and tea ceremony.
Sannojo Ushimizu , played by Rihito Itagaki , is the third son of the Ushimizu family and is two years younger than Toki. Since his older brother will inherit the family business, he has no particular role to play. Since he has no place in the house, he spends all his time hanging out at Toki's workplace.
◇People Toki meets
Kanichiro plays Ginjiro Yamane, Toki's arranged marriage partner. He was born as the second son of a poor foot soldier in Inaba, Tottori Prefecture, and grew up in extreme poverty. Under the strict upbringing of his father, he continued to live the life of a samurai, even as times changed. His hobbies are Joruri and ghost stories.
Nami, played by Honami Sato , is a prostitute. Born into a farming family, she was the eldest of eight siblings and supported the family's poor lifestyle. To support her family, which was in debt, she became a prostitute at the Tengoku brothel. She is a cheerful and strong woman who does not let her circumstances get her down. She is always concerned about Toki, who has fallen on hard times and moved nearby.
Sawa Nozu , played by Wan Marui , is Toki's childhood friend. She is the daughter of a former low-ranking samurai. Born into a poor family, she carries the expectations of her family, who dream of one day living a comfortable life, and aspires to become a teacher in order to achieve a stable life. She is Toki's one and only best friend, and accepts him as he is.
Nakamura Morimichi, played by Sakai Taisei, is Toki's arranged marriage partner. He is a former samurai of the Matsue domain, and is now a good-looking young man who works in business with his father. He is an honest and straightforward person who is ready to marry Toki.
◇People related to the Matsuno family, colleagues at the textile factory, and the "Snake and Frog" watching over them
Zentaro Moriyama, played by Kenji Iwatani, is a debt collector. He has a scary appearance, but he exudes a kind heart, and is a debt collector who is not suited to being a debt collector. He collects the Matsuno family's small debts over a long period of time and with kindness.
Zentaro Moriyama, played by Mizuki Maehara, is Zentaro Moriyama's son. He is the second generation of the Matsuno family to collect their debts, just like his father. He inherited his father's kindness, but he is unable to be completely ruthless. He is somewhat unreliable as a debt collector, but he does his best to behave in a way that is beyond his capabilities.
Ueno Tatsu, played by Asaka Mayumi, is the grandmother of a neighborhood child whom Kan'emon loves. She sometimes comes to Tengoku Tenya and becomes a good conversation partner for Kan'emon.
Chiyo, played by Anna Kurasawa, is a colleague who works with Toki at the Ushimizu family textile factory. She is a kind and reliable girl. She is a straightforward and cheerful girl, but because of this, she sometimes says what she thinks honestly.
Sen, played by Adachi Kino, is a colleague who works at the Ushimizu family textile factory alongside Toki. Although she can be a bit absent-minded, she is a charming and cheerful person who lightens up the mood. Although she is clumsy, she works diligently for her family.
The "Snake and Frog" played by the comedy duo "Asagaya Sisters" live in the garden of Toki and Heaven's house and gently watch over their every move.
◇The people at Hanada Ryokan and those Heaven is involved with in Matsue
Heita Hanada, played by Katsuhisa Namase, is the owner of the Hanada Inn in Matsue where Heaven will be staying. He is also friendly with Toki, who comes to sell clams, and watches over her with kindness. Although he is a kind-hearted man, he can sometimes cause trouble with an unnecessary remark.
Hanada Tsuru, played by Ikeya Nobue, is the proprietress of Hanada Ryokan who runs the inn together with Heita. She is very fond of Toki, and her cool and tough personality is a source of comfort to Toki.
Ume, played by Nouchi Maru, is a maid who takes care of Heaven at Hanada Inn. She has a gentle and laid-back personality. She is not intimidated by meeting foreigners for the first time.
Eto Yasumune, played by Shiro Sano, is a passionate governor of Shimane who is passionate about making Shimane a top-class prefecture that Japan can be proud of. He believes that improving English education is essential for the young people who will lead the future, so he invites Heaven to Shimane as a foreign teacher.
Eto Rio, played by Kana Kita, is the daughter of the governor. She is a beautiful and intelligent young lady who is fluent in English and is deeply attracted to Heaven, who visits Matsue.
Goro Kajitani, played by Udai Iwasaki, is a newspaper reporter. He is a self-proclaimed and highly skilled reporter for the Matsue Shimpo newspaper, and he closely follows Heaven when she visits Japan. He is a man of his own making, and is able to turn even small stories into big news.
Yamahashi Saiji, played by Emoto Tokio, is the owner of Yamahashi Pharmacy, the only imported goods store in Matsue. Toki and Heaven also become frequent customers. In fact, he has a secret identity other than being the owner.
◇ Heaven's students and fellow reporters
Sugita Rairin plays Nishikori Takeru, a student at Heaven. He is the younger brother of English teacher Nishikori Yuichi (Ryo Yoshizawa), and he respects his older brother, who is said to be the most intelligent student in Matsue, and follows in his footsteps.
Yukito Hidaka plays Seiichi Masaki, a student of Heaven. He is a brilliant player who is seen as the next great player after Nishikori, and is expected to have a bright future.
Kyohei Shimokawa plays Haruo Kotani, a student of Heaven. He is a pure and honest young man, but he can also be quite quick to jump to conclusions.
Eliza Belsland, played by Charlotte Kate Fox, is a female journalist active in the United States and a colleague of Heaven. She is a "perfect woman" who is intelligent and has the drive to travel the world. She encourages Heaven to go to Japan.
