No.. Rena/Non should not be in the cast. She's actually middle 20, or 18. LOL
Non just turned 33 on July 13th.🤩 They held her birthday celebration on set during the day of shooting of this drama. 33 while still looking 25 & super-cute is something beyond ordinary! Here's the pic published recently. https://mydramalist.com/photos/Kp8zQD_3
I saw a video of Non the other day (introduction video for her role on this drama) which she said like she plays the role of a 35 yr old woman which is 2 years older than her actual age. But then, the admin of the social media which that video was posted also made a joking comment, "Correction: it's not 2 years older than her age, but 8 years" lol 😂 In the sense that Non's appearance still pretty much looks like a girl in her mid 20s.
No one beats Non (Nounen Rena), asadora or non-asadora... She's beautiful, cute, talented, and has that strong aura needed for leading role. And her overall artistic creativity (& most importantly, integrity) that is beyond amazing. She's considered as a "living legend" now, winning multiple awards, even though she's still 33 y.o. this year. Many younger actresses look up to her as an inspiration (while some others envy her too), and she's also loved by older veteran actresses. In the movie Climbing For Life, the main senior actress Yoshinaga Sayuri actually personally requested Non to play the role of her role's younger person.
Her fans are mostly grassroots & genuine, and very diverse as well across genders, age-groups & countries. I believe she has a solid fanbase in China.
As for the Asadora itself, Oshin might have been more popular for the older generation, but that was played by 3 persons. Amachan is way more impactful. Absolute classic.
I loved the drama but it will be interesting to see how the movie adapts the same story
I think it will be similar to Shotai/Faceless, also originally a WOWOW drama remade into movie. Some details in the drama plot may be missing because of time constraints, but it will be more intense and more fast-paced. For intense emotional scenes, Riho's acting is way better than Tabe-chan, so that should be a plus. And Nao Honda's acting has always been madness, even though Yuki Sakurai is already exceptionally good. I believe both can elevate the intensity of some of the hard scenes.
[Update: July 17 2026] First trailer of the movie is now up: https://x.com/shadowwork_jp/status/2074629535862280280 As expected, some scenes are very similar to the drama. And the trailer focuses on Riho's intense scenes. I feel that it will be really intense & suspenseful. Can't wait to see it.
Wish they had taken out the streamer siblings and used that screen time in a more productive way.
Suzu Hirose is utilized by Netflix just to gain more viewers, pretty much a "marketing consideration". As a young & pretty girl she could attract a significant number of younger male demographics, which otherwise wouldn't consider watching it if it's just Yu Aoi.
But that's still somewhat "better" than Sins of Kujo (another Netflix original J-drama released earlier), which Elaiza Ikeda was just added as a mere click-bait, lol... with a very small role & screen time with no contributing factor to the story at all. Similar marketing purpose, but here it seems to be better to some degree. Maybe Suzu (being one of the most famous Japanese actresses today) can have more say to the producers in having her own episodes, even though she had to wear that Gorbachev's skin.
This is one of the best 2026 J-dramas, story-wise. A very positive human drama, in times when there are many negative-themed dramas circulating around (revenge for revenge's sake, romanticizing crimes, justifying murder, glorifying violence, psychological manipulations, etc.). 8.5/10
Mayuu Yokota is pretty! She has that natural, authentic, positive aura/vibe that shines without having to "prove" it with flamboyant appearance! She stands out even in the background. Doki-doki.
So he died in the end? That day? His last day with Sarasa?Then who's baby was in the last ending scene?
That's his (Neo in Eito's body) baby with Sarasa. He probably died after a while (enough time to make a baby? lol). That baby is probably himself reincarnated. That I think what the producers want, which is okay.
This seems to be one of the miniseries produced by Wowow, but exclusively distributed at Amazon Prime (or supplied for them). 5 episodes are typical Wowow dramas.
Wow... two of my favorite actresses as lead in one movie! 😍😍😍
I watched the Wowow mini-drama last year (starring Tabe Mikako & Sakurai Yuki) and liked it a lot, one of the best coming from Wowow, so I know that the story will be great to be adapted into a movie, and now with Riho and Nao playing it, I can only say "wowowowowowowowowow..."
Her acting on Umi no Hajimari is exceptional! Literally made me cry. She has that magnetic aura to star the main role in the dramas. Yoru-dora is a good start for her, but she needs to also star in an asadora. Fingers crossed!
Mei's acting has improved to a satisfying degree here. That's a good thing! Even though it's not yet close to the caliber of, let's say, Anna Yamada or Sara Minami (for the same age-range comparisons), but she's getting better in acting with nuance. She can handle the dark & heavy roles. The only downside, acting-wise, is the male actor Fujii Ryusei. His acting is super unnaturally strange/weird or maybe even considered as "bad acting". It ruins the flow of this drama. Who is he? Is he a famous boy-band idol thing?
Tanabe Momoko's acting here is exceptional! She can embody the role of Takamiya Rui perfectly and play with energy (can make audience cry when she cries on camera). She's definitely way better and ahead of many of the more "well-known" female actors in her age range. She has that main-role aura too, and should be given more main lead roles. Very underrated.
Yokota Mayuu has that naturally gorgeous, non-mainstream attractive flair in her. Tall & pretty. Her acting as Teruma is also good, although still have some rooms for improvements for the emotional scenes. When first time watching her in the movie Drawing Closer, I actually like her better than the main female lead in that movie (which I consider a bit overrated). I'll keep watching her in the Reborn drama.
The one who plays Izumi has a bit of acting problem when compared to the other 2 girls. She has a cute face, and has that strong captivating eyes (similar to Sugisaki Hana) that can attract attention. She's still young, so she has great potential if she could improve her acting with more support roles. I actually first saw her as a guest role in a more recent drama, Keiji, Furidashi ni Modoru, and seems to show some improvements.
Masuda Takahisa the "renta-san" guy is a weird/unfit pick for the role. I don't know what the producers/casting-directors were thinking when decided to pick him for the Yazaki role. LOL! His eyes are way too gentle and kind for the type of role he plays here.
Overall, not bad drama with some plot holes & casting problems. It has a good message, and even some "real-world" parallels.
https://mydramalist.com/photos/Kp8zQD_3
I saw a video of Non the other day (introduction video for her role on this drama) which she said like she plays the role of a 35 yr old woman which is 2 years older than her actual age. But then, the admin of the social media which that video was posted also made a joking comment, "Correction: it's not 2 years older than her age, but 8 years" lol 😂 In the sense that Non's appearance still pretty much looks like a girl in her mid 20s.
Her fans are mostly grassroots & genuine, and very diverse as well across genders, age-groups & countries. I believe she has a solid fanbase in China.
As for the Asadora itself, Oshin might have been more popular for the older generation, but that was played by 3 persons. Amachan is way more impactful. Absolute classic.
https://x.com/middle30_fujitv/status/2072485518923686289
For intense emotional scenes, Riho's acting is way better than Tabe-chan, so that should be a plus. And Nao Honda's acting has always been madness, even though Yuki Sakurai is already exceptionally good. I believe both can elevate the intensity of some of the hard scenes.
[Update: July 17 2026]
First trailer of the movie is now up:
https://x.com/shadowwork_jp/status/2074629535862280280
As expected, some scenes are very similar to the drama. And the trailer focuses on Riho's intense scenes. I feel that it will be really intense & suspenseful. Can't wait to see it.
But that's still somewhat "better" than Sins of Kujo (another Netflix original J-drama released earlier), which Elaiza Ikeda was just added as a mere click-bait, lol... with a very small role & screen time with no contributing factor to the story at all.
Similar marketing purpose, but here it seems to be better to some degree. Maybe Suzu (being one of the most famous Japanese actresses today) can have more say to the producers in having her own episodes, even though she had to wear that Gorbachev's skin.
8.5/10
Mayuu Yokota is pretty! She has that natural, authentic, positive aura/vibe that shines without having to "prove" it with flamboyant appearance! She stands out even in the background. Doki-doki.
5 episodes are typical Wowow dramas.
https://mydramalist.com/809170-shadow-work
I watched the Wowow mini-drama last year (starring Tabe Mikako & Sakurai Yuki) and liked it a lot, one of the best coming from Wowow, so I know that the story will be great to be adapted into a movie, and now with Riho and Nao playing it, I can only say "wowowowowowowowowow..."
Yoru-dora is a good start for her, but she needs to also star in an asadora. Fingers crossed!
As opposed to, let's say, Fukushi Sota, which looks Japanese.
The only downside, acting-wise, is the male actor Fujii Ryusei. His acting is super unnaturally strange/weird or maybe even considered as "bad acting". It ruins the flow of this drama. Who is he? Is he a famous boy-band idol thing?
Yokota Mayuu has that naturally gorgeous, non-mainstream attractive flair in her. Tall & pretty. Her acting as Teruma is also good, although still have some rooms for improvements for the emotional scenes. When first time watching her in the movie Drawing Closer, I actually like her better than the main female lead in that movie (which I consider a bit overrated). I'll keep watching her in the Reborn drama.
The one who plays Izumi has a bit of acting problem when compared to the other 2 girls. She has a cute face, and has that strong captivating eyes (similar to Sugisaki Hana) that can attract attention. She's still young, so she has great potential if she could improve her acting with more support roles. I actually first saw her as a guest role in a more recent drama, Keiji, Furidashi ni Modoru, and seems to show some improvements.
Masuda Takahisa the "renta-san" guy is a weird/unfit pick for the role. I don't know what the producers/casting-directors were thinking when decided to pick him for the Yazaki role. LOL! His eyes are way too gentle and kind for the type of role he plays here.
Overall, not bad drama with some plot holes & casting problems. It has a good message, and even some "real-world" parallels.