Welcome Home, Mone (2021)
A heartfelt Japanese asadora drama about a young woman from Miyagi who finds her calling in the science of weather forecasting.
Welcome Home, Mone - Series Information
- Original Title: おかえりモネ
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Family, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (15 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 120
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK
- Alternative Titles: 歡迎回來，百音 (TW), Welcome Back, Mone (US), Okaeri Mone (JP), 歡迎回來百音 (CN)
- Production Countries: Japan
Welcome Home, Mone - Plot
Born in September of 1995, Momone Nagaura lived with her parents, grandfather, and sister in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. After failing her college entrance exams, she went to live in Tome City with an acquaintance of her grandfather's. Momone's life changes when she meets a popular weather forecaster from Tokyo, who teaches her how weather forecasts can predict the future. She decides to study to become a weather forecaster.
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Welcome Home, Mone - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kaya Kiyohara
- Seiyo Uchino
- Kyoka Suzuki
- Aju Makita
- Tatsuya Fuji
- Keiko Takeshita
- Asano Tadanobu
- Saki Takaoka
- Hidetoshi Nishijima
- Kentaro Sakaguchi
Writers
- Naoko Adachi
Welcome Home, Mone - FAQs
What is Welcome Home, Mone about?
Welcome Home, Mone follows Momone Nagaura, a young woman from Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture who, after failing her college entrance exams, moves to Tome City and discovers a passion for meteorology. Inspired by a Tokyo weather forecaster, she sets out to build a new future for herself and her community.
Is Welcome Home, Mone connected to the 2011 Tohoku disaster?
Yes, the series carries a strong undercurrent of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Momone's hometown of Kesennuma was among the hardest-hit areas, and the drama explores how survivors rebuild their lives and identities in the years that follow, giving the story an emotional depth rooted in real tragedy.
Who plays the lead role in Welcome Home, Mone?
Kaya Kiyohara plays Nagaura Momone, the warm-hearted and determined protagonist at the heart of the story. Kiyohara brings a quiet, grounded energy to the role, and she is supported by a strong ensemble including Kentaro Sakaguchi, Hidetoshi Nishijima, and Asano Tadanobu.
Where can I watch Welcome Home, Mone?
Streaming availability for Welcome Home, Mone varies by region. For the most up-to-date viewing options in your country, check JustWatch, which aggregates current streaming, rental, and purchase options across all major platforms.
What is an asadora and how does Welcome Home, Mone fit the format?
Asadora is a beloved NHK tradition — short daily morning dramas that typically run for around six months and follow a young woman's journey of growth and resilience. Welcome Home, Mone fits the format perfectly, spanning 120 fifteen-minute episodes and blending family warmth with themes of community recovery and personal ambition.
How was Welcome Home, Mone received by audiences?
The series earned a devoted following among asadora fans, praised for its gentle pacing, emotionally resonant storytelling, and Kaya Kiyohara's nuanced central performance. Its thoughtful treatment of post-disaster recovery and the science of weather forecasting gave it a distinctive identity within the long-running NHK morning drama tradition.
Why does Welcome Home, Mone focus on weather forecasting?
Weather forecasting serves as both a career path and a metaphor throughout the series. For Momone, learning to read the sky becomes a way of understanding uncertainty and preparing for what lies ahead — a deeply resonant theme for a character whose hometown was devastated by an unpredictable natural disaster.
What are some shows similar to Welcome Home, Mone?
If you enjoy Welcome Home, Mone's blend of rural warmth and personal growth, you might also appreciate Barakamon, Lark Rise to Candleford, or Parenthood, all of which explore community, family bonds, and finding one's place in the world with a similarly gentle and heartfelt touch.
More About Welcome Home, Mone
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