Akari Takaishi plays the heroine in the NHK Asadora drama "Bakebake" (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times). In the 65th episode (aired on December 26th), the last one to be aired this year, Toki (Tommy Bastow) finally got married, and the story of the couple as a married couple will begin in the new year. We spoke to production manager Hashizume Kuniomi and director Murahashi Naoki about their thoughts on the broadcasts so far and future developments.
In episode 65, Toki's ex-husband, Ginjiro (played by Kanichiro), and Heaven's co-worker, Eliza (played by Charlotte Kate Fox), realize that Toki and Heaven have feelings for each other and leave Matsue. Toki stops Heaven as she goes for a walk and asks, "Can I join you?" The two then stroll along the lakeside. The episode ends with Heaven grabbing Toki's shy hand and the two walking hand in hand.
In the final scene of the final episode of the year, the two are united, bringing the story to a neat conclusion. I wonder when they first came up with the idea of ending it this way.
Hashizume recalls, "I had the idea from the very beginning of the plot that the two would get married around the 13th or 14th week."
"However, I didn't specifically aim for this timing, but when I wrote the script, it just fell into place nicely. I think this was the most beautiful way to end the series."
Three months have passed since the series began airing, and the story has now reached the halfway point. When asked about the response so far, Hashizume exuded confidence, saying, "A lot of people have been watching, and I think we've received a lot of positive feedback."
"We were a little worried at first because it's a little different in style from previous Asadora, but I'm glad that it was accepted. I'm very happy and grateful that the theme and direction we wanted to achieve were properly conveyed, and I'm grateful to everyone who watches it."
Regarding future developments, he stated, "Even after the new year and the two get married, the pace of the story will remain the same and will be depicted slowly and carefully."
"As in historical fact, they only lived in Matsue for one year and three months after they became a married couple, but we will carefully depict that short period up until the 19th week, so the story will still be set in Matsue. Their life after marriage will also be depicted at a similar pace, and the atmosphere will not change after that. However, it is precisely because they are married that the way they see those around them changes, and there are both difficult and good things. There are many fascinating characters, including Sawa-chan (Wan Marui) and Nami-san (Honami Sato), so we have to properly depict their stories as well. I hope that viewers will pay attention to that as well."
Murahashi also expressed his gratitude, saying, "Compared to previous Asadora, there is less explanation such as narration, and I think it is an unfriendly production, but I am grateful and relieved that so many people are watching."
"We've been following the story up to 13 weeks, and I think viewers have been able to feel Takaishi-san's charm. When I saw her at the audition, I thought, 'I can't take my eyes off her, I want to watch her forever,' and I think that feeling was conveyed to everyone, and they watched over her until her love with Heaven was fulfilled. From the second half, we will be depicting what happens to the couple, so I hope you will continue to follow us for the next half of the story, as we enter a different phase."
