Anne to play heroine in 89th NHK morning drama ‘Gochisou-san’
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On November 12, it was announced that actress Anne is going to play the heroine in NHK’s 89th asadora (morning drama) ‘Gochisou-san‘.
The script for ‘Gochisou-san’ will be written by Morishita Yoshiko, whose most famous work is the hit drama series ‘JIN‘ (TBS). The drama will span from the Taisho era (1912~1926) to the Showa era (1926~1989), and its main theme will be ‘food’.
Anne is going to play a woman named ‘Uno Meiko’, who was born into a family that runs a Western-style restaurant in Tokyo, but later marries into a family from Osaka. The drama will depict the discrepancy between the east and west of Japan through her life as a caring mother and strong housewife.
The story starts during Meiko’s school days at the age of 17~18 and follows her life until her forties. Producer Okamoto Yukie commented, “It’s a role that requires someone with experience. Therefore we decided not to hold an audition and search for a rookie, and we cast Anne right away.”
Anne herself expressed, “It’s an honor to get offered such a big role. I’d like to keep in mind that this role comes with a big responsibility and work really hard from now on.” The actress was born in Tokyo herself and can sympathize with the heroine in many aspects. She continued, “The bewildered moments when discovering completely new things and the pleasant feeling of astonishment. There are going to be so many vicarious experiences that I’m going share with the heroine when exploring Osaka. I hope that I’ll be able to express the happiness through the food and the happiness that you can share things with someone, while playing the role as if I am really getting married to someone in Osaka.”
As for the role of ‘Uno Meiko’, she commented, “Whenever I was asked about my ideal image of a woman, I’ve always answered that I admire the women who lived from the Meiji to the Taisho era and in the Showa era. Back then, women still lived true to the old traditions, but at the same time, they’ve gradually become much stronger and began to live with a completely new sense of values. I’m really glad that I get to play a woman who is experiencing exactly that during those times.”
Of course, she’s also very cautious of her own eating habits and explained, “I never miss one of my three proper meals every day. No matter how early I have to get up, I’m always forcing myself to at least prepare something simple to eat.”
At the press conference, Anne also revealed that she already told her father, actor Watanabe Ken, about the good news and that he is definitely rooting for her despite being so far away at the moment. The photographers from the press corps asked her to pose like ‘Gochisou-san’, which was easier said than done. In the end, she came up with a pose similar to the ‘Ossu!’ greeting pose in the ‘Gochi ni Narimasu!’ corner of the popular variety show ‘Guru-Guru Ninety-Nine‘, which made everyone in attendance laugh.
Scriptwriter Morishita commented, “I want to create a morning drama that presents all those meals in each 15-minute-long episode and make the viewers want to give it their best every day as well. The feeling of loneliness despite an always abundantly laid dining table is what I hope the viewers will experience together with the characters.”
Anne’s husband in the drama has yet to be announced, but the producer has already revealed that it’s going to be a man that embodies the Showa era.
The filming for ‘Gochisou-san’ is expected to start in May, 2013. The first broadcast of the 150-episode series will air on September 30, 2013.
Eiga.com
Katori Shingo & Anne to co-star in a new drama ‘Kasuka na Kanojo’
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It was announced that SMAP’s Katori Shingo will be starring in a new drama “Kasuka na Kanojo” (tentative title) that will start airing in April. In the drama, Katori will play a junior high school teacher “Koyama Akira” who has an ability to sense ghosts, and Anne will co-star with him as a ghost named “Akane” who used to be a teacher. It’s a love comedy in which Akira faces several problems happening at the school together with Akane.
“Koyama Akira” has a traumatic experience from his previous school in which his actions in response to solving a bullying problem did not work out. When he transfers to a new school, he sets his mind on staying out of problems. When he moves into a new apartment, he encounters “Akane”, a ghost living in his apartment.
While being pushed around by Akane’s escapade and her advice from a “dead person’s point of view”, Akira gradually finds out what’s important as a teacher by facing several problems and solving them.
On the other hand, Anne who has played as a monster in drama “Yokai Ningen Bem” (NTV), will also play as a witch in “xxxHOLIC” (to begin airing on 2/24 on WOWOW), and now will play as ghost in this drama, said, “I accomplished the ‘full combo’ now! There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore!” Regarding her co-star, Katori, she said, “Even though I have worked with him several times in variety shows, this is my first time to co-star with him in acting, so my heart is fluttering. There will be many scenes that only two of us appear in, which makes me nervous, but I will put everything I have into the role!”
“Kasuka na Kanojo” will air on KTV/Fuji TV starting in April (every Tuesday at 10:00 pm).
Oricon