It was revealed on May 15th that actress Yu Aoi will star in the TBS Friday drama "Until My T-Shirt Drys," which will begin airing in July. The drama is an entirely original story written by screenwriter Miku Ubukata, known for hit dramas such as "silent" (Fuji TV), and this will be her first time writing a drama for TBS. This will be Aoi's first leading role in a terrestrial television drama series in 18 years, since "Osen" (Nippon TV).
Ubukata, who is in charge of the script, has worked on Fuji TV dramas such as "silent" (2022), "My Favorite Flower" (2023), and "The Beginning of the Sea" (2024). This will be her first time writing for TBS, and she will depict the "love" and "secrets" of two couples who are involved in a certain accident in an original story. Ubukata, who delicately portrays the subtle nuances of emotions hidden in everyday conversations, will weave a new story of "loss" and "rebirth."
The production will be directed by Hiroyasu Doi, who has worked on numerous hit dramas and films, including "Quartet" (2017, TBS), the film "We Made a Beautiful Bouquet" (2021), and "The Great Sin of Article 9" (2026, Netflix). Expectations are high to see how Doi, who delicately portrays the essence of humanity in works of various genres from love stories to suspense, will bring Ubukata's script to life.
In addition, Renpei Tsukamoto, who directed "The Great Passage : I'm Making a Dictionary" (2024, NHK) and the film "Love Letter After 35 Years" (2025), and Sakura Komaki, who worked on "Mikami Sensei" (2025, TBS), will also be participating as directors.
Aoi plays Sakiko, the 40-year-old protagonist. She works as an editor for a wedding information magazine at a publishing company. She is competent and capable at her job, but in her private life, she is lazy and a little absent-minded. She is the type of person who takes everything at face value and is happy married to her beloved husband.
However, one summer day, they are involved in an accident along with another couple. This incident suddenly shatters the happy daily lives of the two couples, which they had taken for granted. Furthermore, the accident reveals the secret of their loved one's "third Friday"...
They plan to release updates every Friday from now on. Comments from Aoi, Ubukata, and others are as follows.
◇Comment from lead actress Yu Aoi
When I received the offer for this project, I was a little worried because it was a type of work I hadn't had much experience with before, wondering if I could do it. But more than anything, I wanted to take on the challenge. I feel that Ms. Ubukata's script has a mysterious charm, like everyday conversation, yet somehow like fantasy. In this work, the "selfishness" and "awkwardness" of human beings are realistically depicted, where things that make sense to oneself become suspicious and distrustful when others do the same thing. I thought the way the characters continue to live their lives steadily, struggling with their problems even as they get older, was wonderful.
This will be my first leading role in a terrestrial television drama series in 18 years. I'm looking forward to confronting things I couldn't accomplish 18 years ago and seeing how I've changed.
◇Comment from scriptwriter Miku Ubukata
Human relationships and home appliances have many filters. That's why they're convenient, but also time-consuming. This story isn't meant to evoke empathy or emotion, so please enjoy it with a sense of human observation.
Long before I became a screenwriter, whenever I was asked about my favorite actor, I would immediately name Yu Aoi. With Ms. Aoi in the lead role and Director Hiroyasu Doi as chief director, it made me want to continue believing in the possibilities of television drama. As a fan of both of them, I am looking forward to the completion of the drama.
◇Comment from producer Yukitoshi Chiba
I am incredibly fortunate and nervous to have the dream team of screenwriter Ubukata and director Doi come to fruition, and to have Yu Aoi in the lead role. I want to leave the details as a surprise for viewers, but I will give you a little hint. When anyone is struck by an unexpected accident, when the ordinary and the extraordinary are suddenly reversed, their emotions can quickly become confused. Good intentions and bad intentions intertwine, and you start to wonder, "What kind of person am I?" How can I have such feelings? This drama will not side with you in that self-questioning that can happen to anyone. Not with good intentions, and not with bad intentions. I want to deliver a venomous human drama with no sugarcoating whatsoever.
