Hashimoto Kanna, a prominent Japanese actress, faces both acclaim and criticism in her role as the heroine in the popular NHK morning drama series, 'Omu Suubi.' As the series nears its finale on March 28, 2025, Hashimoto reflects on her journey and challenges within the show, set against a backdrop of significant historical events.
At a recent baton touch ceremony held at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, Hashimoto passed the baton to actress Imada Mio, who is set to star in the next series, 'Anpan,' starting March 31, 2025. Speaking at the event, Hashimoto expressed, "I can’t forget the moments during the wrap-up. Having spent nearly a year embodying the character Yuu, I still feel she’s very much a part of me.”
'Omu Suubi,' which has garnered a lot of attention, portrays various difficulties still etched in the public’s memory, including the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its ambitious thematic focus, the show has endured criticism for its script and direction, resulting in fluctuating viewership ratings.
Initially, 'Omu Suubi' achieved a solid viewership rating of 16.8% during its premiere, surpassing the previous series, 'Torani Tsubasa.' However, after the first 13 weeks, the rating plummeted, stabilizing around 12%. Critics have pointed out perceived unnaturalness in both the script and the character development, leading to a decline in audience engagement over time.
To add to the challenges, viewers expressed discomfort with Hashimoto's absence from the screen during the 16th and 17th weeks. This was particularly jarring, given her importance as the series' lead. Her absence was due to scheduling conflicts with her other commitments, which included a London performance in the stage adaptation of 'Spirited Away' and filming for the movie 'Kingdom.'
Filming for 'Omu Suubi' wrapped up a month ago, leading to an unusual situation where Hashimoto was absent from the set for about 50 days. During this time, the younger sister's character, played by Nakariisa, moved into a more prominent role, leading to some viewers dubbing this segment as a 'spin-off,' demonstrating a significant departure from the narrative's original trajectory.
The NHK has faced scrutiny for their choice to place Hashimoto in this role, specifically considering her limited previous appearances on the network prior to her casting as the heroine. Critics argue that the expectation for high viewership ratings due to her popularity has not been met, with one industry insider stating, “For NHK, the decision to cast Hashimoto was a gamble, and unfortunately, the results have fallen short of expectations.”
Beyond the drama's reception, Hashimoto has also been in the spotlight for other reasons. Since 2022, she has hosted the prestigious annual 'Kohaku Uta Gassen,' illustrating her strong connection with NHK. Despite being relatively new to the network, the organization saw potential in Hashimoto to strengthen their relationship, especially since she was already being eyed for the morning drama before accepting the role. An NHK source revealed that the channel's decision to have Hashimoto host 'Kohaku' was aimed at enhancing their association with her amid uncertain return figures for their programming.
Thus, while Hashimoto's connection with the network seemed promising on the surface, continued audience apathy towards 'Omu Suubi' has raised questions about her future projects. "No one could have predicted the audience's reaction would take this turn, with Hashimoto expecting to deliver exceptional performances given her busy schedule. The network wanted a hit and hoped Hashimoto would be their ace," stated the industry insider.
The drama's choice to have an absent heroine, combined with the negative ratings, could pose challenges for Hashimoto's career moving forward. Meanwhile, the young actress remains resilient and dedicated to her craft, as she prepares to transition to her next project and hopes for a positive reception.
Conclusion: Despite the fluctuations in viewership and criticism faced in 'Omu Suubi,' Hashimoto’s performance continues to resonate with her dedicated fan base, suggesting her career won't face a downturn. As the series closes, the industry watches closely to see if she can rebound in future projects with renewed strengths.
