NHK drama Blossom features Kengo Kora as rising writer

The NHK morning drama Blossom, starring Shizuka Ishibashi, follows the life of Tama, a character modeled after the writer Chiyo Uno. The story spans the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, depicting her journey from Yamaguchi Prefecture to Tokyo as she pursues a career as a novelist.

In recent episodes, Tama and Tamotsu (played by Daichi Kaneko) face challenges in Tokyo, including financial instability after Tamotsu's father is hospitalized. While living in Hongo, Tama encounters influential literary figures, including the rising star Akiyama Kunosuke, played by Kengo Kora. Kora, who portrays a character inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, expressed his desire to capture the delicate and sharp essence of such a figure rather than a direct imitation.

The series highlights the historical context of the era, including the influence of editors and the literary circles of the time. The production features a theme song by YOASBO and a script by Tsuyoshi Sakurai and Yoshiko Komatsu.