Sakura Ando is currently leading NHK’s (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Japan Broadcasting Corporation in English) 99th morning drama, “Manpuku” which started airing last October 1, 2018. This makes Ando as the first mother-heroine of NHK morning dramas to date. Ando finds her latest role fresh and challenging as her previous roles usually have complex or twisted personalities.

“Manpuku” (full stomach in English), is a story about Fukuko (Ando) and her husband, Manpei (played by Hiroki Hasegawa) struggling in business before and after World War II. The story is modeled from the founder of Nissin Food Products Co. and his wife. The 151-episode drama is showing from Mondays to Saturdays at 8:00 am on NHK-G.