Mayu Yamaguchi is set to guest star in the third episode of the Fuji TV drama "Hito no Hito," which airs on April 22, 2025. This marks Yamaguchi's second consecutive appearance in a Fuji TV Tuesday 9 PM drama series, following her role in "ICU - Instant Memory Investigation Team" earlier this year.
The drama, starring Kouta Matsuda from Travis Japan, focuses on the personnel department of a stationery manufacturer, "Hino Dempitsu." The story revolves around the naive yet pure-hearted protagonist, Ren Hitomi, played by Matsuda, who tackles various workplace issues with unconventional methods.
In this episode, Yamaguchi portrays Yui Dobashi, an employee in the research and development department who leads a double life as a VTuber named "Tsukino Matataki." While the company prohibits side jobs, reports of employees engaging in them have been on the rise. Yui's character struggles to balance her introverted nature with her vibrant online persona.
Yui Dobashi's secret life as a VTuber allows her to express herself in ways she finds difficult in real life. She earns money through her channel and merchandise sales, which adds complexity to her character as she navigates the challenges of her dual existence. Another employee, Moriya, played by Hinako Sakurai, discovers Yui's secret and empathizes with her, as Moriya herself has been sharing manga on social media as a side project.
As the personnel department grapples with the implications of employees breaking company rules, the head of the department, Hitomi Yanagi, uncovers the existence of "Tsukino Matataki," setting the stage for potential conflict and drama.
Yamaguchi, reflecting on her role, expressed her excitement about the theme of side jobs, stating, "The theme of side jobs is very familiar and many people are struggling with it. I hope to reach those who are considering starting a side job or those who want to find a satisfying way to work." She emphasized the importance of the topic, noting that many people are facing similar dilemmas in today's job market.
Having debuted in the drama "Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon" in 2014, Yamaguchi has tackled a variety of challenging roles throughout her career. She gained recognition for her performance as a pregnant middle school student in "Kounodori" in 2015 and portrayed a girl hospitalized with mental illness in "Strobe Light Saga" in 2019.
In her current role, Yamaguchi aims to depict the internal struggles of her character, who grapples with communication difficulties and the desire to be true to herself. "Yui is a girl who struggles to convey her true self, and I think everyone has that conflict of wanting to be accepted for who they really are," she explained.
Yamaguchi also shared her thoughts on working alongside Matsuda, stating, "Matsuda is full of ideas and constantly tries new things. The atmosphere on set changes as staff and co-stars respond to his creativity. It’s a profound moment to see how many ideas can come together to create something meaningful. I strongly felt that Matsuda's personality is reflected in this drama."
The collaboration marks the first time Yamaguchi and Matsuda have shared the screen, adding an exciting dynamic to the production. Yamaguchi's enthusiasm for the project is palpable, as she hopes to connect with viewers who face similar challenges in their work lives.
As the drama unfolds, it promises to resonate with many viewers, depicting the realities of modern workplace dilemmas, the pursuit of personal identity, and the balance between professional and personal aspirations. Yamaguchi's character embodies the struggles that many face in today's world, making her portrayal relatable and significant.
In summary, the third episode of "Hito no Hito" is poised to tackle contemporary issues surrounding side jobs and personal identity in the workplace. With Yamaguchi's engaging performance and the show's unique premise, viewers can expect a compelling narrative that reflects the complexities of modern employment.
