Kato Shiho (Hinatazaka46) & Mori Kanna co-star in the drama "Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai" to be broadcast

■ “I will do my best to play the slightly clumsy but straightforward and cute Ayaka-chan” (Hinatazaka46 Kato Shiho)

The drama special “Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai,” co-starring Kato Shiho (Hinatazaka46) and Mori Kanna, will be broadcast in the MBS Drama Special Time slot from July 4th (MBS every Thursday from 24:59, TV Kanagawa every Thursday from 23:30, etc.).

MBS, which has produced many BL works such as the Drama Shower slot, is newly launching an office GL (girls’ love) comedy based on “Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru” by Sal Jiang, which was serialized in Futabasha’s “Web Action” and became a hot topic, and was also made into a comic book.

The protagonist, Ayaka, is in love with her coworker, Hiroko. She makes her feelings known every day, but she is ignored. Meanwhile, Hiroko, who everyone looks up to, is actually quite a “womanizer” and is constantly excited by Ayaka’s aggressive advances. The misunderstanding between the two, who both believe each other to be straight, leads to further misunderstandings. The ultimate office girls’ love worldview, where you can’t help but root for the two’s love, has become a hot topic, and has captivated many readers, making this a GL work.

In this series, Ayaka-chan, a junior who never gives up and chases after Hiroko-senpai with her natural competitive spirit, sprints down the road of first love at full speed, is played by Shiho Kato, who boasts an overwhelming presence and popularity due to the gap between her gorgeous looks, outstanding athletic ability, and overly bold personality. This is Kato’s first lead role in a serial drama.

Also, the role of Hiroko, the sales department ace who is good at her job and loved by her superiors and juniors, but who has decided to hide her love for women and live in hiding due to past trauma, will be played by Mori Kanna, a talented actress who continues to charm audiences with her wide range of roles in many works such as “Don’t Leisure Time, Lovers” and “When Spring Comes”. This will also be Mori’s first lead role in a drama series.

Be sure to check out the heart-pounding love story that the two actors weave together for the first time, wrapped in pop humor.

■ Comment from Shiho Kato (Hinatazaka46)
My name is Kato Shiho, and I will be playing the role of Usada Ayaka.
When I heard about the role, I was nervous because it was my first time leading a TV drama and my first time in a romantic comedy, but I was excited to take on the challenge.
I read the original manga and found the dialogue between Ayaka-chan and Hiroko-senpai very interesting. I would like to do my best to portray the slightly clumsy but straightforward and cute Ayaka-chan. There are many scenes that will make you chuckle, so I would be happy if I can reach as many people as possible.
Please look forward to the broadcast starting on July 4th. Thank you.
■Comment from Kanna Mori
I’m Mori Kanna, who will be playing Hiroko-senpai. When I heard about the role, I immediately replied, “Girls’ love comedy!? What is that? I’ve never seen it! It sounds fun! It’s exciting! I’ll do it!” I’m really looking forward to starting filming, not only because of the original manga, but also because the dialogue is so interesting.
This is my first time as the lead in a drama, so I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety, knowing that this is what will happen if I keep going, but Kato-san and I will help each other and tackle the filming.
Also, while doing research to participate, I learned that there are many lesbians in Japan who live all sorts of different lifestyles, and that they can sometimes find it difficult to live.
I hope that through this drama the world will become a place where everyone can live more easily, and I will play Hiroko-senpai with all my heart and soul.
Please look forward to it!

Program Information

Drama Special Zone“Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai”
Broadcast starts from 07/04 (Thu)
MBS: Every Thursday from 24:59 starting from 07/04 (Thu)
Television Kanagawa: From 07/04 (Thu) every Thursday from 23:30, etc.
*8 episodes, 30 minutes each
*Catch-up streaming available for one week on TVer and Doga Ism

Original work: “Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai” (Futabasha ACTION COMICS)
Author: Sal Jiang
Starring: Shiho Kato and Kanna Mori
Director: Nao Nomura
Screenplay: Shimo Ayumi
(C) “Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai” Production Committee, MBS
(C)Sal Jiang/Futabasha

Drama “Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai” program site
https://www.mbs.jp/ayahiro/

Hinatazaka46 OFFICIAL SITE
https://www.hinatazaka46.com/