It has been announced that TV Asahi Premium's drama series "Mori Hanae Butterfly Beyond," starring actress Yagi Rikako, will air in March 2026. The series commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Hanae Mori, the first Asian to become a full member of the Paris Haute Couture (high-end tailoring) association and a woman who continued to spread "Japanese elegance" to the world. The series depicts the "untold story of her youth," from her childhood in Shimane, to her passion for dressmaking after making clothes for her son, and her subsequent international debut, with Yagi playing the role from age 17 to 39.
The script was written by Mutsumi Yamamoto, who has also written the NHK Asadora drama "GeGeGe no Nyobo" and the historical drama "Yae no Sakura." Based on historical facts, the story weaves together Mori's turbulent life while sprinkling in little-known anecdotes.
A huge number of costumes will be prepared, with more than 50 to be worn by lead actress Yagi. The costumes will be created by designer Miyamoto Masae, who has worked on costume design for films such as "Kingdom" (2019, 2022), "Golden Kamuy" (2024), and "Treasure Island" (2025). Valuable items made by Mori in her younger days, which Miyamoto has treasured for many years, will also be on display. In addition, the "Mori Hanae Collection," which was housed at Bunka Fashion College, will be featured in abundance, and replicas will be used to recreate the runway from that time in the New York Fashion Week scenes.
Before filming began, Yagi visited the site of her birthplace in Shimane. She also visited the first posthumous exhibition, "100 Years Since the Birth of Hanae Mori: Vital Type," held at the Shimane Prefectural Iwami Art Museum, and experienced the essence of Mori's elegance. She also attended the Dressmaker Academy in Shinagawa, Tokyo, where Mori also studied, and received lessons in design drawing and how to operate a treadle sewing machine, which she says were deeply reflected in her role-playing.
Yagi said he was impressed by the timeless charm of Mori's designs, commenting, "Mori Hanae herself is very graceful. In her turbulent life, there are times when she is troubled, but even when she is troubled, she remains strong and positive. Moreover, she has a certain elegance and charm to her. I hope I can properly portray Hanae as she swiftly flies through the story."
"Seeing Mori Hanae boldly move forward with positive energy and curiosity made me realize how small things I had been worrying about, and it felt like I had been given a big push in the right direction. I think many people know the name Mori Hanae but don't know the path she took to become so successful in the world, so I hope that they will find strength in this drama," she said.
