It was revealed on December 16th that actor Wakana Matsumoto will star in the drama "Taiketsu," which will be broadcast on NHK BS and BS Premium 4K in the spring of 2026. Matsumoto will play Hiba Kikuno, a newspaper reporter investigating irregularities in medical school entrance exams. It was also announced that Honami Suzuki will appear as Kanbayashi Harumi, a medical school director who is in conflict with Hiba.
The drama is a socially conscious entertainment piece based on the novel of the same name by Tsukimura Rei (published by Kobunsha). Hearing a shocking rumor that a certain medical school is intentionally lowering female students' scores during the grading process for entrance exams, newspaper reporter Hiba Kikuno begins her own investigation and sets her sights on Kanbayashi Harumi, a director of the medical school. Kanbayashi skillfully evades her inquiries, but Hiba, believing this to be her only chance of breaking through, tenaciously closes in on the core of the matter. The two women have faced countless injustices in a male-dominated society. Their respective beliefs clash, forcing them to become enemies, and the outcome of their battle takes an unexpected turn.
The script is written by Mako Watanabe, who has worked on the TV drama "Love Lasts Forever" (TBS, 2020), and the film is directed by Chihiro Ikeda, who has worked on the film "Kowloon Generic Romance." The music is by Erina Koyama.
◇Comment from Wakana Matsumoto
"Women are no longer a valuable asset because they have to get married and have children." I used to hear this phrase often, and as a woman, it made me feel uncomfortable. It feels like it had unconsciously ingrained itself in me, amidst a reality that never changes. It's truly unfortunate that women are denied the recognition they deserve, and that the future they could choose is closed off, simply because of their gender. Recognition based on ability and hard work has been distorted by attributes and prejudice. I feel this mentality has taken root over a long period of time. Even so, it seems like the world is slowly but surely changing. Even if women temporarily leave the workplace, in the long run, the power they bring to society is immense. That's what I believe. It would be a great honor for me, as the actor playing Kikuno, if something, even a small one, remains in the hearts of those who watch this production. Please take a look.
◇Comment from Honami Suzuki
I've been thinking a lot about who is at odds with whom, or what is at odds with what. There are as many reasons for an event as there are people involved, and as many stories as there are reasons. There is no single correct answer, and there is no winning or losing. It's like groping your way through the fog, but you can definitely see the light ahead. I want to keep that image in mind as I approach this project.
