It has been revealed that actor Nagasaku Hiromi will be starring in the TBS Tuesday drama "Toki Already Sushi!?" (Tuesdays at 10pm) in April. This will be Nagasaku's first lead role in a commercial TV drama in about 14 years, and she will play the protagonist, a 50-year-old who has graduated from raising her children and is enrolling in a sushi academy.
Nagasaku plays Machiyama Minato, who has lived her life since losing her husband in an accident 14 years ago, for her only son. She is currently working as a full-time employee at a supermarket, and is cheerful and energetic in her natural way. However, now that her son has entered the workforce and left home, she finds herself with some "time to herself" for the first time in decades. However, once she has this freedom, she has no idea what to do for herself, as she has always been running "for her son." One day, Minato takes a step forward and enters the world of "Sushi Academy," where she learns how to make sushi in just three months... This is the story.
The original work is written by Hyodo Ruri, who is known for "My Diary" and "My Worst Friend," and is directed by Tsuboi Toshio, who has also directed "Lion's Lair" and "My Wife is a Primary School Student."
◇Comment from Hiromi Nagasaku
I was really surprised because I never thought I would be offered the role! When I heard about it, I felt it would be a very bright, positive and uplifting piece, so I wanted to accept it.
I play an ordinary woman who is searching for "how to live from now on" after raising her child and her son has left home, and that sense of confusion and emptiness is something I sometimes feel, so it resonated with me very realistically. There were many parts I could relate to in the script, so I think it will be a work that many people can relate to.
"Living for yourself," one of the themes of the drama, is really difficult, isn't it? Sometimes you can feel fulfilled by doing things for others, so I hope that those who feel the same way can find some small hints through this drama that will help them gradually have the time and awareness to live for themselves.
Together with my co-stars, I hope to deliver a production that will make everyone smile and wake up in the morning, so please look forward to it!
◇Comments from Programming Producer, Matsumoto Yuka and Producer, Masuda Chiaki
One day, I came across a feature on a TV program about "Sushi Academy," where you can become a sushi chef in just three months." While I was surprised—really?!—I was also drawn to the intriguing environment of students of all ages and backgrounds, all enjoying themselves. Upon further investigation, I learned that Sushi Academy is a place where a variety of opinions swirl around its existence: those who value the tradition and pride of sushi as a Japanese food culture, and those who emphasize the value of efficient performance and getting more people to eat it. It seemed like a microcosm of the dilemmas that arise in any industry with the remarkable advances of technologies like AI. That's why, while it may be a slightly unusual setting, I believe the human drama that unfolds here will surely contain many stories that many viewers can enjoy, share, and relate to.
The main character is a heroine who has finished raising her children and is embarking on a new life, a new frontier for this drama! As she tries to move from a life where her children come first to a life where she is "for herself," she faces anxiety and conflict, but is inspired by the new people and experiences she encounters, and questions her purpose in life: what is the ideal parent-child relationship? What is true independence? The story depicts feelings that all parents and children have experienced.
After Nagasaku's offer was granted, the main character, Minato Machiyama, was instantly brought to life, and the image of him guiding the show in a positive and bright manner unfolded. As a viewer, we too are looking forward to meeting Minato Machiyama, played by Nagasaku, on Tuesday nights!
