Season 1 • Episode 156
LatestThe 74th NHK Asadora Drama is Junjo Kirari, which means something along the lines of "pure-hearted Kirari." The story is set in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture in the era around the Second World War. When the story opens in 1928, the heroine, Sakurako, is a very active seven-year-old girl. Indeed, even in the first episode she exhibits her confidence and enthusiasm. But above all else, Sakurako is interested in becoming a jazz pianist, and music features extensively in the plot.
Acting
Aoi Miyazaki ages 7 to adult flawlessly.
Score
Jazz standards woven through wartime Japan.
Production
NHK's obsessive period detail, 156 times.
Aoi Miyazaki
Arimori Sakurako
Shigeru Muroi
Arimori Iso
Hidetoshi Nishijima
Sugi Togo
Seiji Fukushi
Matsui Tatsuhiko
Shinobu Terajima
Arimori Fueko
Haruka Igawa
Arimori Momoko
Keiko Takeshita
Narrator
Tomokazu Miura
Arimori Genichiro
Kie Kitano
Arimori Fueko (young)
Nobuo Yana
Okita Tokujiro
Gekidan Hitori
Saito Naomichi
Yuu Tokui
Nogiyama Yoichi
Keiko Toda
Matsui Kane
Hatsunori Hasegawa
Saionji Kimimaro
Kazuaki Hankai
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Asadora dramas are Japan's morning ritual—families have watched these together since 1961, making Junjo Kirari part of national memory.
Aoi Miyazaki was 21 playing 7 to 30; the child actors were replaced seamlessly through casting magic.
JP
