It was revealed on February 13th that actor Atsuro Watanabe will be appearing in the NHK morning drama "Blossom," starring Shizuka Ishibashi, in the second half of 2026. Watanabe will play Seiji Hano, the father of the heroine Tama Hano (played by Ishibashi). This will be Watanabe's first appearance in a morning drama.
Seiji, played by Watanabe, is Tama's father. Despite being the eldest son of the leading sake brewery in Iwakuni, "Hano Sake Brewery," he has chosen not to take over the family business. He is a strict character who is strict in disciplining his family, including his daughter Tama.
Watanabe commented, "I was honestly happy when I received the offer. I've been an actor for nearly 40 years, and this is my first time appearing in a morning drama, and playing the heroine's father. I feel like I've finally been given this opportunity. I will focus on acting out what is written in the script and do my best to meet everyone's expectations."
"Blossom" is a story based on the life of writer Uno Chiyo, who continued to seek freedom throughout the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. The protagonist, Haono Tama, leaves her hometown of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and, through encounters with fascinating people, pulls her dreams closer and plunges into the turbulent times of the Taisho and Showa eras. The script is written by Sakurai Tsuyoshi, known for works such as "Your Goods Are Here" and "Boogie Woogie."
