Ohisama (2011)
A beloved NHK Asadora drama following one woman's radiant spirit through the trials of wartime Japan.
Ohisama - Series Information
- Original Title: おひさま
- First Air Year: 2011
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 15 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 156
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Production Companies: NHK
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Ohisama (JP), Sunshine (US)
Ohisama - Plot
Ohisama is a Japanese television drama that aired on NHK in 2011 in the Asadora time slot. Set in Nagano prefecture, "Ohisama" covers the life of Yoko Sudo (Mao Inoue) through World War II. Yoko Sudo with her smile is able to bring brightness to those around her & she follows her mother's motif to laugh through the hard times. During the onset of WW II, Yoko is a high school student and "Ohisama" follows her as she eventually becomes a teacher and then gets married and has a child. Yoko then opens a soba restaurant with her student.
Ohisama - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Mao Inoue
- Hikari Mitsushima
- Yasufumi Terawaki
- Kento Nagayama
- Kengo Kora
- Kei Tanaka
- Maiko
- Ayako Wakao
Writers
- Yoshikazu Okada
Ohisama - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Ohisama?
Ohisama stars Mao Inoue as the lead character Yoko Sudo, with Hikari Mitsushima, Yasufumi Terawaki, Kento Nagayama, Kengo Kora, Kei Tanaka, Maiko, and Ayako Wakao as Yoko in her later years rounding out the principal ensemble cast.
What is Ohisama about?
Ohisama follows Yoko Sudo, a warm-spirited young woman living in Nagano prefecture, through the turbulent years of World War II. Guided by her mother's philosophy of laughing through hardship, she grows from a high school student into a teacher, wife, mother, and eventually the owner of a soba restaurant.
When did Ohisama first air?
Ohisama first aired in 2011 on NHK in Japan. It was broadcast in the beloved Asadora morning drama time slot, a prestigious programming block on NHK that has aired continuous serial dramas since 1961.
How many episodes does Ohisama have?
Ohisama consists of 156 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 15 minutes, in keeping with the compact, daily format of NHK's Asadora morning drama series, making it easy to follow as part of a daily routine.
Is Ohisama based on a true story?
Ohisama is not directly based on a single true story, but its narrative draws on the lived experiences of ordinary Japanese women during the Showa era and World War II. The drama reflects the historical realities of wartime Japan through the fictional life of protagonist Yoko Sudo.
What genre is Ohisama?
Ohisama is a drama series, specifically a Japanese Asadora — a serialized morning drama produced by NHK. The series blends historical drama with themes of family, resilience, romance, and personal growth set against the backdrop of wartime and postwar Japan.
Who wrote the screenplay for Ohisama?
The screenplay for Ohisama was written by Yoshikazu Okada. His script crafted the multigenerational story of Yoko Sudo across 156 episodes, weaving together themes of endurance, warmth, and everyday life in mid-twentieth-century Nagano, Japan.
What are similar shows to Ohisama?
Viewers who enjoyed Ohisama may also appreciate other Japanese dramas such as Shiroi Dakuryu (2021), Tokyo Tower (2024), On a Starry Night (2023), and Rebooting (2023). These series share comparable themes of human connection, personal struggle, and emotional storytelling rooted in Japanese culture.
More About Ohisama
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