58 minSeason 1 • Episode 11
LatestAfter a lengthy phone call from Tsugami, Nao realizes how much Tsugami missed her and begs her to kidnap her again to become mother and daughter once more. To Nao's shock Tsugami left the orphanage and retraced the steps she took with Nao from her trip in Hokkaido to Tokyo. They both are reunited at the barbershop along with Nao's birth mom but only have one short day together before Nao must return Tsugami to the orphanage as to not break her parole conditions. Nao promises to Tsugami that she will always be her mother and when she turns 20 she can open the letter she gave her so they can meet again.
Yasuko Matsuyuki plays the part of Nao Suzuhara, an elementary school teacher. When she realizes that one of the female students is receiving abuse from her mother, Nao's maternal instincts kick in, and she impulsively decides to bring the girl into her own care. Serving as a substitute mother, Nao takes the child on a trip from Hokkaido to Tokyo, and the two experience various events together along the way.
Acting
Mana Ashida's performance will destroy you. She's SEVEN.
Cinematography
Bleak Hokkaido expanses that mirror emotional isolation.
Writing
Every episode peels another layer of 'what makes a mother?'
Yasuko Matsuyuki
Suzuhara Nao
Mana Ashida
Michiki Reina
Koji Yamamoto
Fujiyoshi Shunsuke
Wakana Sakai
Suzuhara Mei
Kana Kurashina
Suzuhara Kaho
Machiko Ono
Michiki Hitomi
Yôsuke Kawamura
Kimata Kohei
Miwako Ichikawa
Yuzukawa Tamami
Takuma Otoo
Kayama Keigo
Minoru Tanaka
Fujiyoshi Kensuke
Go Ayano
Uragami Masato
Atsuko Takahata
Suzuhara Toko
Yuko Tanaka
Mochizuki Hana
Toshie Takada
Nomoto Momoko
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is the Japanese original that inspired the 2018 Korean remake of the same name—both are devastating, but the Japanese version keeps its emotional violence more restrained and therefore more crushing.
Mana Ashida became the youngest-ever winner at Japan's Television Drama Academy Awards for this role. She reportedly didn't understand why everyone was crying during her scenes—she was just playing.
JP
