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| After ‘Kataomoi Sekai’, Kiyohara Kaya Eyes TV Comeback with TBS Prime-Time Drama |
Is the dry spell finally over for Kiyohara Kaya? After a string of lukewarm projects and a bit of a rough patch, the 23-year-old rising star is tipped to make a bold comeback this July — and guess who's joining her?
None other than heartthrob Sakaguchi Kentaro, 33, her on-screen match made in morning drama heaven from the hit NHK Asadora Okaeri Mone.
The two are rumoured to be reuniting in a fresh Tuesday 10pm drama on TBS — a prime-time, high-stakes slot that’s churned out bangers like Gakki’s "Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu" and Ayase Haruka’s "Gibo to Musume no Blues."
That’s proper telly royalty territory, so expectations? Sky-high.
Working title for the new series is "Ai Seyo: Inu no Yō ni Shōjikini" — translation? “Love Honestly, Like a Dog” (Yes, really). It’s quirky, it’s poetic, and it’s got “cult fave” written all over it.
Kiyohara Kaya’s latest flick, Kataomoi Sekai, saw her co-starring alongside Sugada Masaki, Hirose Suzu and Sugisaki Hana — sounds like a box office dream team, right?
But the numbers didn’t quite add up.
Despite solid buzz, the film opened with just 81,000 viewers and landed third on its debut weekend.
Not terrible, but far from the blockbuster folks hoped for. Some even whispered it was meant to be Kaya’s big “comeback” moment.
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| They are back together! |
What stung more?
The film had pedigree — directed by Doi Nobuhiro (who helmed the mega-hit Hanataba Mitaina Koi wo Shita), with a script by Sakamoto Yuji, the genius behind “1st Kiss.”
It felt like a revenge arc for Kaya, who played a side role in Hanataba but never really got her spotlight. This was meant to be her starring moment — but instead, it fizzled.
Enter the upcoming TBS drama — and Sakaguchi Kentaro
The pair’s on-screen chemistry back in 2021 had viewers swooning and shipping them hard.
It’s been four years since, and both have grown loads — she’s matured as a performer, and he’s become even more of a fan favourite.
Sources close to the production say TBS has full faith in Kaya, tapping her to lead a prestige drama at a make-or-break time in her career.
According to a TV insider, "If she nails this, it’ll officially mark her return to form. Kaya and Kentaro are a proven duo, and that chemistry could be the spark she needs."
Will July mark Kaya’s true comeback?
Will her reunion with Sakaguchi Kentaro give fans the magic they’ve been craving since Okaeri Mone?
All eyes are on TBS this summer — and something tells us this one might just be the plot twist her career needs.
Mark your calendars for July 2025. The drama slot is booked, and the stage is set. Kaya’s comeback story might just be her best role yet.