NHK has officially announced the cast for its upcoming serial TV novel, "Bakebake," set to air during the latter half of the 2025 fiscal year. The show features Akari Takaishi as Toki Matsuno, the daughter of a fallen samurai family, alongside notable actors including Arata Iura, Wan Marui, Honami Sato, and Shiro Sano.
The narrative revolves around Toki's life, drawing inspiration from Setsu Koizumi, who was married to the foreign writer Lafcadio Hearn, also known as Yakumo Koizumi. The drama captures the essence of their love and the untold stories of ordinary people struggling within the rapidly westernizing society of Meiji-era Japan.
Arata Iura plays Toki's arranged marriage partner, Ginnjiro Yamanouchi, who navigates his identity as the second son of a poor family from Tottori Prefecture. Expressing excitement about his character's depth, Iura reflected on the significance of the story, stating, "急速な近代化によって社会が混乱し、旧来の価値観を持つ人々との対立が際立った明治初期。そんな時代の変化を見つめながら、主人公・トキが懸命に生き抜く姿が、楽しくもどこか切なさを秘めた、時代の空気を感じさせる物語となっており、脚本を大変楽しく読ませていただきました。"
Also joining the cast, Wan Marui portrays Sawa Nozu, Toki's childhood friend. She described Sawa as someone who embodies resilience and loyalty, stating, "誰かを思い、信念を背負い、トキともまっすぐに向かい合うたくましい人だと思います。" This sentiment highlights the strong friendships threaded throughout the narrative.
Honami Sato takes on the role of Nami, a courtesan who must navigate her difficult situation arising from family debt. Commenting on the storyline, Sato remarked on the unpredictability of drama, saying, "何も起きない物語を書いています。" Her character adds to the richness of the plot, encapsulating the audience with relatable struggles.
Shiro Sano, making his morning drama debut, plays the role of Shimane’s governor, Eto. He emphasized the pride he feels representing his hometown of Matsue, sharing, "島根県知事役をとお声がけいただきワクワクするのと同時に、松江出身の俳優として責任の重さを感じています。" This shows how the series will not only entertain but also resonate with cultural identity.
User engagement is expected as the show explores vast themes relevant to the societal changes of the era. The backdrop provides not just historical weight but incubates personal stories of change and adaptation within Toki’s life.
Finally, scriptwriter Mitsuhiko Fujiki expressed how the narrative encapsulates the trials faced by common folk during this transformative time, guaranteeing each character will bring forth compelling interactions. This series promises to be more than mere entertainment; it is likely to be reflective of both individual aspirations and the collective sentiment of the Meiji Restoration period.