Massan (2014)
A heartfelt NHK asadora drama tracing the cross-cultural love story behind Japan's whisky heritage, inspired by real historical figures.
Massan - Series Information
- Original Title: マッサン
- First Air Year: 2014
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 15 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 152
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, English
- Networks: NHK G
- Alternative Titles: NHK連続テレビ小説 マッサン (JP)
- Production Companies: NHK
- Production Countries: United States of America, Japan
Massan - Plot
Massan is based on the lives of Masataka Taketsuru and his wife Jessie Roberta "Rita" Cowan, a Scotswoman Taketsuru met while studying abroad.
Massan - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Charlotte Kate Fox
- Tetsuji Tamayama
- Pinko Izumi
- Gin Maeda
- Akari Hayami
- Naomi Nishida
- Gentaro Takahashi
- Kiyoshi Nishikawa
- Yoko Natsuki
- Saki Aibu
Massan - FAQs
Is Massan based on a true story?
Yes, Massan is directly inspired by the real lives of Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Japanese whisky, and his Scottish wife Jessie Roberta 'Rita' Cowan. Taketsuru studied distilling in Scotland, brought Rita to Japan, and went on to establish Nikka Whisky, one of Japan's most celebrated distilleries.
Who plays Rita in Massan?
American actress Charlotte Kate Fox portrays Eri Kameyama, the character based on Rita Cowan, Masataka Taketsuru's Scottish wife. Fox's casting was notable as she was a non-Japanese actress in a leading role for an NHK asadora, and she learned Japanese specifically for the part.
When did Massan first air on NHK?
Massan premiered on NHK G on September 29, 2014, as part of NHK's long-running asadora (morning drama) series. It concluded in 2015 after 150 main episodes plus special episodes, spanning two seasons and a total of 152 episodes across the complete run.
What is Massan about?
Massan follows the intertwined lives of Masataka Taketsuru and his Scottish wife Rita Cowan, whom he met while studying whisky distilling abroad. The series chronicles their cross-cultural marriage, their move to Japan, and Masataka's determined quest to produce authentic Japanese whisky against considerable social and professional obstacles.
How many episodes does Massan have?
Massan consists of 152 episodes in total across two seasons. The main run comprises 150 episodes in Season 1, with an additional 4 special episodes in Season 0 and 2 special episodes in Season 2, making it a substantial entry in NHK's asadora morning drama tradition.
What genre is the Massan TV series?
Massan is a Drama series. It falls within the NHK asadora tradition — a format of short daily morning dramas that typically follow a protagonist through significant life events. The series blends historical drama, romance, and cultural exploration, drawing on the true story of Japan's whisky industry origins.
Who are the main actors in Massan?
The principal cast of Massan includes Charlotte Kate Fox as Eri Kameyama, Tetsuji Tamayama as Masaharu Kameyama, Pinko Izumi as Sanae Kameyama, Gin Maeda as Masashi Kameyama, Akari Hayami as Sumire Kameyama, Naomi Nishida, Gentaro Takahashi, Kiyoshi Nishikawa, Yoko Natsuki, and Saki Aibu.
What language is Massan broadcast in?
Massan is primarily broadcast in Japanese, with English also spoken in the series, reflecting the bilingual dynamic between the Japanese protagonist and his Scottish wife. The original production language is Japanese, and the series aired on the Japanese public broadcaster NHK G.
More About Massan
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