Ae! group’s Masakado Yoshinori has been cast as the lead in his first-ever TV drama! He will star in the upcoming TV Asahi Saturday night drama “Musashino Rondo”, premiering on April 19.
The drama is a live-action adaptation of the popular manga by Haruka Kawauchi. Masakado will take on his first romance drama role, portraying a protagonist who has harbored unrequited love for a woman 10 years his senior. Actress Takanashi Rin has been cast as the heroine.
The story follows a young man who has been in love with his neighbor—an older woman—since childhood. However, no matter how much time passes, she continues to see him as nothing more than a “little brother” and a part of her family. Just when he begins to give up hope, a romantic rival appears, reigniting his determination. He finally gathers the courage to make a bold move, setting off a dramatic shift in their long-standing relationship. After 10 years, his unrequited love finally starts to take a turn.
While the drama depicts a pure love story, it is packed with heart-fluttering moments, including hugs and kisses, as well as a love triangle that will keep viewers on edge. With unexpected twists and turns, Musashino Rondo promises to be a mature, emotionally charged romance.
Masakado plays Ryuhei Agawa (25), the son of a soba shop owner, who has been devotedly in love with his neighbor, Tamaki Musashibara, since childhood. Ryuhei is reserved and rarely expresses his emotions, but during his middle and high school years, he confessed his feelings twice—only to be met with rejection. To Tamaki, he was nothing more than “the boy next door”, and their relationship remained unchanged for 10 years. Though he dated other women during that time, they always saw through him—realizing his heart was never truly with them—and the relationships ended in failure.
Tamaki, the woman Ryuhei has long been in love with, is a ballet instructor who teaches at her home studio. She has a straightforward, no-nonsense personality and tends to act dominant around her younger brother. However, she also has a soft spot for falling in love easily. Despite Ryuhei’s unwavering affection, she never took his words seriously, brushing them off as “childish nonsense” since she had known him since infancy. But everything changes when she falls head over heels for one of Ryuhei’s colleagues—her ideal type. As she struggles with her growing attraction to this new man, Ryuhei suddenly begins aggressively pursuing her, making her see him in a new light for the first time.
The drama will explore their longstanding yet complicated relationship, a love triangle, and the emotional journey of realizing love that had been right beside them all along.
Masakado Yoshinori (Ryuhei Agawa) – CommentS
— How did you feel when you found out you were cast in this drama?
I never imagined this would happen, so when I first heard the news, my heart was pounding. On top of that, this drama is based on a beloved comic, it’s my first romance role, and I’m playing a character who falls in love with someone 10 years older than him… I couldn’t help but feel nervous! (laughs) But getting the chance to play the lead in the prestigious OshiDora Saturday drama slot, where so many respected seniors have starred, is truly an honor. I’m ready to give it my all and have fun with it!
— What was your impression after reading the original manga?
I haven’t really read many romance stories before, but when I did, I found myself grinning without realizing it! The original work is incredibly engaging—it has moments that make your heart flutter, and the mind games and romantic push-and-pull feel almost like a suspense story, keeping you on edge. I got completely caught up in the emotions while reading. I’m excited to see how it all comes to life in the drama.
— Did you share the news with your fellow Ae! group members?
Yes, I did! Everyone said, “Congratulations!”, and they even gave great feedback on my new hairstyle, which I changed to fit the role (laughs). I’m sure they’ll watch the drama, though I do feel a bit embarrassed about their reactions. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing what they think!
— What are your thoughts on your character, Ryuhei Agawa?
When I look at Ryuhei objectively, there are moments where I can’t help but squirm, but at the same time, I totally relate to him—like, “Yeah, I get it! I was like that at that age too!” His calm and reserved demeanor is actually pretty similar to my natural personality. That being said, there is one thing that frustrates me a little… In the original manga, Ryuhei is slightly taller than me! (laughs) So, I’ll do my best to make up for it with presence and pour my love into the character!
— What was your first impression of your co-star, Takanashi Rin?
Actually, the first time we met, we had to film a super close-up visual shoot where I had to wrap my arms around her waist and hold her. It was nerve-wracking! And when I looked at her up close, she was the spitting image of Tamaki from the manga—I secretly had a moment of excitement thinking, “It’s really Tamaki!”
— The drama portrays a 10-year age gap romance with a love that has lasted since childhood. Is there anything about yourself that has remained unchanged since you were little?
I’ve always been the type of person who can only focus on things I truly love—that hasn’t changed since childhood. I get bored easily, and I absolutely hated studying, so if I wasn’t interested in something, I couldn’t keep at it at all. That’s why I only ever do things that are fun and exciting to me (laughs).
— As the lead actor, what kind of atmosphere do you want on set?
I just want the set to be a place where the staff and cast feel comfortable—that’s all that matters. To keep everyone happy, I’m planning to bring snacks regularly! And as a strategic move, I’ll have my name written in big letters on the snack table—so even when I’m not there, my presence will still be felt (laughs).
— Lastly, do you have a message for the viewers looking forward to the drama?
Every character in this drama is full of charm, and the story features both heart-fluttering romance from a younger man’s perspective and mature, realistic love dynamics. I think there will be a lot of relatable moments for viewers. More than anything, this is my first time leading a drama, my first romance role, and I’m pouring everything into it. I’ll do my best to draw you all into the world of Musashino Rondo, so please enjoy the show!