The Tuesday drama "Toki Sude ni Osushi!?" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10 PM), starring actress Hiromi Nagasaku, will premiere on April 7th. Nagasaku will play a 50-year-old protagonist who, having finished raising her children, enrolls in a sushi academy. This marks Nagasaku's first leading role in a commercial television drama series in approximately 14 years.
The drama is an original work with a script by Ruri Hyodo, known for works such as "My Diary" and "My Worst Friend." The story follows Minato Machiyama (played by Nagasaku), who, having finished raising her children, is bewildered by the "time to herself" that she finally has again at the age of 50, as she starts her second life and jumps into a "Sushi Academy" where she can become a sushi chef in three months.
Kenichi Matsuyama plays Oedo Kaimiya, an instructor at the sushi academy, while freelance announcer Yumiko Udo plays Isoda Izumi, Minato's high school classmate and best friend.
In the first episode... Minato, who has lived "for her son" ever since her husband died in an unfortunate accident, has reached a major turning point in her life as she finishes raising her child. At 50 years old, she is finally able to spend time alone, but when she is actually alone, she is struck by a sense of loss, as if there is a gaping hole in the ground.
One day, Minato was summoned by his long-time friend, Izumi Isoda, who showed him a pamphlet. It was an enrollment guide for a sushi academy that promised he could become a sushi chef in just three months. Minato, who had been struggling with how to live his life "for himself," decided to enroll somewhat impulsively.
On the day of enrollment, Minato was greeted by the strict instructor, Oedo Kaimiya (Matsuyama), whose sharp gaze overwhelmed the students. Oedo gave him a harsh initiation, saying, "Greetings are the starting point for standing at the starting point as a chef. Those who cannot do that do not deserve to stand at the starting point."
His classmates included Funao Tateishi (Shiro Sano), a dapper and multi-talented man who came to learn the skill as a hobby after retirement; Kurumi Kakigi (First Summer Uika), who was looking to change careers from a major consulting firm; and the taciturn young man, Aoto Mori (Soma Santoki). They were a diverse group of individuals with strong personalities, from different generations and backgrounds.
Minato feels intimidated by the difference in mindset and enthusiasm between herself and those around her. Struggling with how to begin her "second life," she becomes physically and mentally exhausted and depressed.
