Mizuki will be playing the role of Sakura Yano, a former mama-san at a snack bar. She's passionate, but is also cheerful, mischievous, and slightly stupid. She may be speaking seriously at one point, but will suddenly insert a joke; her character will generally be comical. She will be teaching at a high school, handling a special night class with a wide range of students from the teens to even 80-year-olds. The story will mainly be about leading these dropouts to start fresh and make a come-from-behind win. Yano's policy is to: "Never let go of a hand that I have grabbed". Mizuki comments: "I want to create this image of a sensei who will be able to face the students head-on, on level ground".
The production staff comments: "We hope to deliver a message to people who have dropped out from society that 'you are all wonderful people who have valuable lives' without making it sound too lecture-y".
Other cast members include Misako Renbutsu (22), Kei Tanaka (28), and Aya Omasa (22).
This will be Mizuki's 23rd consecutive year playing the lead in a drama. She comments: "Maybe it's because I've been able to do a wider variety of roles now that I'm in my 30s".
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