It has recently been revealed that actress Rena Matsui will star in "Ao no Hana Utsuwa no Mori," which will air on NHK's "Night Drama" slot (NHK General, Monday-Thursday 10:45 PM) starting in the fall of 2026. In this live-action adaptation of Yuki Kodama's popular manga, Matsui will play the protagonist, Aoko Baba, who was born and raised in Hasami and works as a ceramic painter.
The drama is a heartwarming adult love story set in Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture, where pottery making is a part of everyday life. Aoko (Matsui), born and raised in Hasami, works as a ceramic painter and enjoys her work peacefully every day. Then one day, Ryusei, a solitary ceramic artist from Finland, arrives. When Ryusei declares that "painting is unnecessary on my pottery," Aoko feels as if not only she, but also her town and her colleagues have been rejected. However, she gradually becomes captivated by the beauty of the forms in the pottery that Ryusei creates... and the story unfolds from there.
The film was mostly shot in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture. Set against the backdrop of a rich natural landscape where a culture of craftsmanship thrives, the story gently and warmly depicts how two awkward people, supported by their unique colleagues in the workshop, gradually open their hearts and eventually create wonderful pottery and a life together.
Matsui commented, "In order to play Aoko, I actually started pottery making to learn more about pottery and Hasami ware. As I touched the clay, I felt the sensation of the pottery fitting into my hands, and when I thought about what colors and pictures would look nice on the pottery I made, I imagined Aoko spending her days with such excitement. I hope everyone will enjoy this story, which is about being moved by the feeling of love."
Original author Kodama said, "I love NHK dramas and watch them often, so it feels like a dream to have my work adapted into a live-action drama here. 'Ao no Hana Utsuwa no Mori' is a story rooted in the land and the craftsmanship of the place, and I am thrilled and excited to see that carefully depicted in live action, and to see Aoko, Ryusei, and the other characters living there brought to life by the actors' genuine performances. It's like having the pottery I made on the potter's wheel painted and then put into the kiln. I can't wait to see the finished product."
