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| Yoshizawa Ryo Joins NHK Asadora “Bake Bake” as Mysterious Genius English Teacher (NHK) |
Get ready for a seriously intriguing addition to the upcoming NHK asadora “Bake Bake” – heartthrob Yoshizawa Ryo has officially been cast, and he’s stepping into quite the brainy and enigmatic role.
Set to air from autumn 2025 through winter 2026, Bake Bake dorama stars Takaishi Akari as Toki, a determined heroine born and raised in Shimane who’s got a knack for weird tales and an even weirder destiny.
The story takes a quirky, heartfelt dive into her journey of resilience, discovery, and unexpected connections – including one with a foreign English teacher named Heaven (played by Tommy Bastow), who finds himself in Japan after travelling the world.
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Yoshizawa Ryo plays Nishikori Yuichi, a man with a mind like a fortress – literally.
He’s known around Matsue as “Daibanjaku” (meaning something like an immovable rock or big shot), and is hailed as a genius in the area.
He teaches English at Matsue Junior High School and quickly becomes a central support figure for Heaven, helping him adjust to life as a foreign teacher in Japan.
But things really get interesting when he crosses paths with Toki – through a rather odd and fateful twist – and their bond grows unexpectedly deep.
The character Nishikori Yuichi is inspired by the real-life educator Nishida Sentaro, one of Matsue’s unsung Meiji-era legends.
A bright mind from the past, Nishida was someone incredibly special to Koizumi Setsu and Lafcadio Hearn – names that will ring bells for those who love their Japanese cultural history.
The drama might be fiction, but it’s rooted in rich history, giving a modern lens to stories from the past.
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And with no original novel backing it, this is an entirely fresh take penned by screenwriter Fujiki Mitsuhiko.
Yoshizawa, who’s making his first asadora appearance since Natsuzora, shared a little behind-the-scenes scoop:
“They told me I’d be speaking some English, but when I got the script, it was like 2.5 times more than I expected! I panicked a bit, but thanks to the warm vibe on set, I’ve been having a great time acting it out. The story’s all about people navigating massive change – culturally, emotionally – trying to hold on to what matters most, laughing a lot, sometimes crying too. I really hope everyone enjoys it.”
Meanwhile, Takaishi Akari spoke about a recent scene she filmed with Yoshizawa:
“Nishikori will probably become a bridge between Toki and Heaven – not just with language, but emotionally too. We shot the scene where Toki and Nishikori first meet, and honestly, we couldn’t stop laughing between takes. Even the staff were chuckling during the shoot – it was pure chaos in the best way. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
So there you have it – an asadora that promises heart, history, humour, and a whole lot of charm.
Stay tuned for Bake Bake – it might just cast a spell on you.