NHK morning drama ‘Kaze Kaoru’ draws attention with plot twists, actor insights and visual updates

NHK’s ongoing morning drama ‘Kaze Kaoru’ has generated considerable viewer interest as episode 85 aired on July 24, revealing a pivotal mother‑daughter revelation. In the episode, the character 柳川文, portrayed by actress 内田慈, succumbs to cancer, prompting emotional responses from viewers.

Actor 藤原季節, who plays the con‑artist Kanata, said the role’s impact on audiences far exceeded his expectations, noting that “one day changed my life” after the character’s identity was exposed. Actress 上坂樹里, who plays 大家直美, attracted additional attention when her hair appeared noticeably shorter during a recent appearance on the “Asaichi” program, sparking fan speculation about a possible storyline change.

Behind the scenes, 内田慈 disclosed that she lost an additional nine kilograms over six months to authentically portray 文’s decline, highlighting the demanding nature of the role. Photo galleries of recent drama scenes, including those from ‘Kaze Kaoru’, have also been released online, providing fans with visual excerpts from the series.