NHK's drama "Magudaraya no Maria," starring Machiko Ono Ono and Kisetsu Fujiwara in the lead roles, will begin airing on terrestrial television on April 18th in the network's Saturday drama slot (NHK General, Saturdays at 10 PM). The drama is a live-action adaptation of Maha Harada's novel of the same name and is a human story that explores the preciousness of life.
The drama will depict the "weight of life" based on the original work's themes of "karma, atonement, and rebirth" for those who have committed crimes.
The story is set in a fictional town called "Tsukihate." For some reason, those whose lives are fading away end up in Tsukihate. Are they trying to die, or are they trying to live? Shimon, a man who has pushed himself to the brink and resolved to commit suicide, is one of them. However, through his encounter with Ria (nicknamed Maria), who works at "Magudara-ya," and the food she prepares, he is saved by "unconditional love" and cultivates the "courage to live again"...
Ono will play Maria, or Arima Ria, and Fujiwara will play Oikawa Shimon. The cast also includes Ryota Bando, Iwashita Shima, Tanaka Ryuzo, and Omi Toshinori. The theme song is a new song written by Nakajima Miyuki called "Ichiju".
