Honoka Yahagi, formerly known as Honoka Miki, is a Japanese model and actress. She was born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan on March 7, 1997 and made her debut in the entertainment world in 2009 when she began working as an exclusive model for the teen fashion magazine, “Love Berry”. She made her acting debut in 2010 in film “Maria Watches Over Us” and the television drama “Clone Baby.” But it was her role as Kotoko Aihara in the popular television series “Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO” (2013) and its sequel “Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO” (2014) that catapulted her to superstardom, making her and co-star Yuki Furukawa one of the most popular on-screen couples in Japan. She has also appeared in “Hoping to Give You a Big Hug Tonight” (2018).

Honoka Yahagi

Hitomi Mamoru (Honoka Yahagi) is an HR consultant. She works for a company that prefers to use her as a publicist, however. The firm has tried to exploit her social media success by making her the face of the company – meaning she spends most of her working life giving interviews and entertaining special guests. But this has left her feeling deeply unsatisfied: What she really wants to do is work at the heart of the human resources industry.

One night, her frustrations boil over and she decides to head out to a bar – without any makeup on – to drink and forget her woes. While she is there, she meets a charming stranger called Sakyo Shiori (Atsuhiro Inukai). He showers her with compliments, and she is taken in by his charisma. Before she knows it, it’s the next morning and she wakes up at his house! Little does she know, however, that all is not quite as it seems… Sakyo Shiori is the CEO of a company called Jet Black. This firm has been struggling with employee retention, and Sakyo Shiori wants Hitomi Mamoru to turn Jet Black’s fortunes around. Will she agree? And could this unusual encounter lead them to love?

This drama was based on a manga series by Yatsumi Tsumu.

“Troubles All Aboard!” is a 2023 Japanese drama series that was directed by Tomohiro Takahashi, Fuga Yaegashi, and Watanabe Yuya.

Troubles All Aboard!

🌞 Troubles All Aboard 😎 

ABC TV

Mamoru Nekoyashiki (Matsuoka Koudai) is a reclusive artist who makes doujinshi works: fan-created or self-published works. He has created a BL-themed manga series that he dreams of being able to sell in a special section for popular doujinshi titles in bookstores. Only a select few doujinshi artists are ever granted this rare honor – and being selected to sell his works in this manner would be a major source of recognition for his art.

But his life turns upside down when he is suddenly reunited with Kazama Issei (Masaki Nakao), a childhood friend that he used to have a crush on. The two parted in somewhat ambiguous circumstances when they had an exchange at their high school graduation ceremony. Since leaving school, Kazama Issei has become a pop star. He has now joined an all-male pop group named Shiny Smile, which is on the road to chart success. Will reuniting with Kazama Issei help Mamoru Nekoyashiki attain his dream – or could it lead the duo down an unexpected path to romance?

“Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to Be Recognized” is a 2022 Japanese drama series that was directed by Tatsunori Sato, Miyako Yasoshima, and Kentaro Harada.

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized

Boys over Wallflowers

With the number of women who still believe in “happily ever after” rapidly dwindling, the government created a top secret agency dedicated to supporting those still in search of their perfect match. Using high-tech equipment on par with any other national intelligence agency, the Peanut Butter Sandwich, or PBS, is well equipped to handle any job, be it big or small. As the newest recruit to the PBS, Tsubaki (Honoka Yahagi) is tasked with monitoring four new targets and assisting them in finding their one true love; but the job won’t be easy.

A successful manager at an IT company, Katagiri Sayo (Akane Hotta) is convinced that you can obtain everything you need in life through hard work and she lives her life as proof. Setting extraordinarily high standards for herself, she doesn’t see why a man can’t live up to her standards as well. So far, none have and Sayo is beginning to wonder if anyone ever will. Meanwhile, Morimoto Miharu (Miori Takimoto) is a nurse desperately holding onto the hope that her long-time boyfriend will finally propose; but after six years together, the odds aren’t looking so good. It may be time to let go but how? Equally desperate for love, Yamashita Miwa (Miwako Kakei) works at a local bank and suffers from such low self-esteem that she’s willing to give herself to anyone willing to pay her even the slightest bit of attention. She’s well aware that none of these men are interested in love, but she just can’t seem to find a way to say no. And then there’s the stunningly gorgeous Matsuoka Akane (Niwa Niki), an executive assistant who has no problem drawing a man’s attention but can’t seem to find one who isn’t exceedingly dull.

With four completely different targets assigned to her, Tsubaki can think of only one way to help these women and close her first case. Infiltrating their ranks by joining their yoga class, Tsubaki becomes one of the group but the job before her is monumental. Can this rookie agent really help these love-starved souls find their perfect match?

Based on the webcomic of the same name by Mitsouko, “Peanut Butter Sandwich” is a 2020 romantic comedy drama directed by Keijiro Tsubakimoto and Kazuyuki Yamagishi.

Peanut Butter Sandwich

🥪 PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH 🧈

One of the most admired and beloved romance manga writers of her time, Hanai Ao (Fumika Baba) has dedicated her entire life to her work. From sunup to sundown, she pours one hundred percent of herself into what she does and it shows. With countless fans clamoring for her latest work, Hanai is at the top of her game. As one of the best romance writers in the country, you’d think Hanai would be experienced in the world of love, but in reality, she’s never even had a boyfriend. A fact that her editor likes to point out. Frequently.

Completely fed up with the constant nagging of her editor, Hanai decides to take a walk, completely unaware that she looks like she's just survived a typhoon. Completely indifferent to anything but her work, Hanai has never bothered with her appearance. At least not until she catches her reflection in a shop window and has to do a double-take. Feeling inspired to make a change, Hanai walks into a nearby salon, where she’s immediately greeted by Riichi (Eiji Akaso), a charismatic and charming stylist who promises to give her a look she’ll love. Struck by Riichi’s charm, Hanai soon finds herself falling for this man she can’t seem to resist. Lucky for her, the feeling seems to be mutual.

With love in the air, it’s only a matter of time before Hanai finds herself experiencing all the joys of a first love, but her strict work ethic could become a problem. Can a workaholic really keep a steady relationship when she frequently forgets her boyfriend even exists?

Based on the manga of the same title by Aya Asano, “Hey Sensei, Don’t You Know?” is a 2019 romance drama directed by Keijiro Tsubakimoto and Tatsuya Aoki.

Hey Sensei, Don't You Know?

Love At First Sight Team

Growing up, Nanakusa (Ryusei Yokohama) and Yuu Manabe (Marie Iitoyo) were good friends. Though time caused them to drift apart, they each still remember the years they spent together fondly. Now in high school, the two childhood friends find themselves reuniting in the last place on Earth anyone could possibly imagine, Kaiden Island.

Known to be a place where the lost and abandoned end up, Kaiden Island isn’t exactly a place anyone purposely visits. Yet on this island, live those who have been abandoned by friends, family, and society in general. It’s here, amid the discarded souls of the world, that Nanakusa and Yuu rekindle their childhood friendship and soon strike a bargain of the most unusual nature.

Soon entangled in a series of unusual cases, the two friends set out to unravel the mysteries of the island. Will their quest for the truth bring them the answers they’re looking for or will they find something truly unexpected lurking in the dark?

Based on the novel, “Inakunare Gunjo” by Yutaka Kono, “Go Away, Ultramarine” is a 2019 sci-fi adventure mystery film directed by Akina Yanagi.

Go Away, Ultramarine

TV Asahi

Takuma Kakinouchi (Nomura Shuhei) is an eight-year-old boy who has been hospitalized with a rare heart condition. While getting medical treatment, he befriends a girl, also eight, named Mayu Taneda (Sakurai Hinako).

They strike up a tight bond. And one day, after escaping the hospital for a short while, they promise to marry when they both turn 20.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, Takuma Kakinouchi learns that his condition is terminal – and a doctor tells him he will not live beyond the age of 20...

Takuma Kakinouchi wants to spare Mayu Taneda the grief of ending up with a terminally-ill husband, so does his best to avoid her when he is discharged.

However, when he starts high school, aged 15, he is surprised to see that Mayu Taneda has also won a place at his exclusive school – determined not to be parted from him.

Can Takuma Kakinouchi fight his illness – with a little help from a girl who refuses to leave his side? Can true love triumph over adversity? Will he open his heart to the undaunted Mayu Taneda? And could they keep their romantic promise made all those years ago?

This drama was adapted from the manga series “Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu,” which was authored by Kotomi Aoki, and serialized between 2005 and 2008.

“Secret Unrequited Love” is a 2019 Japanese drama series directed by Horai Tadaaki and Fujiwara Tomoyuki.

Secret Unrequited Love

ღ Secret Unrequited Love ღ

A strong and individualistic college student, Riko Saeki (Honoka Yahagi) is working hard to make her dreams come true. Successful in many ways, she has just one major flaw, she’s a complete klutz when it comes to love. Having never really gotten over her first love, Riko tries to find happiness elsewhere but nothing ever seems to work out the way they should. Until he shows up. 

In an unexpected twist of fate, Riko finds herself standing face-to-face with Shuji Ichihara (Mizuno Masaru), her old flame and first love. Suddenly back in her life after years apart, Riko finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of emotions as she tries to figure out what Shuji’s appearance might mean. Of course with other people trying to win their hearts, trying to understand anything isn’t going to be easy. 

Adapted from the novel of the same name, by writer-photographer “Aoi Blue”, “Hoping to Give You a Big Hug Tonight” is a 2018 romantic comedy drama directed by Takashi Ninomiya.

Hoping to Give You a Big Hug Tonight

I hope to hug you tonight

Fuji TV

Will life be one of married bliss for Naoki and Kotoko? In one of the most-anticipated sequels, the unlikely couple of the average Kotoko (Honoka Miki) and the brilliant Naoki (Yuki Furukawa) from “Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO” returns for a second season! After the original series ended with the wedding of Naoki and Kotoko, the special episode “Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in Okinawa” follows Naoki and Kotoko on their honeymoon, where a strange couple turns up and meddles in their romantic getaway. As they settle back in their new lives after the honeymoon, can Naoki and Kotoko handle the pressures of marriage and their careers? “Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO” is the sequel to the popular “Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO” (2013). It is the fifth live adaptation of the popular Japanese manga “Itazura na Kiss,” following the original in 1996, Taiwan’s “It Started With a Kiss” (2005) and “They Kiss Again (2007), and Korea’s “Playful Kiss” (2010).

Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO

Mischievous Kisser Team

Fuji TV TWO

A girl with average looks and poor grades sees a boy on the first day of high school and falls head-over-heels in love with him. Kotoko (Honoka Miki) admires Naoki (Yuki Furukawa), the most handsome and smartest boy in school, from afar for three years. But fate throws them together under one household when her family home is struck by a falling meteor and destroyed. During her home’s reconstruction, Kotoko’s family stays with her father’s childhood friend, who just happens to be Naoki’s father. Despite living under one roof, can Kotoko possibly get Naoki to think of her as more than just a nuisance? “Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo,” also known as “Playful Kiss: Love in Tokyo,” is a 2013 Japanese drama series. This is the fifth television adaptation of the Japanese manga “Itazura Na Kiss” by Tada Kaoru, following the original Japanese series “Itazura Na Kiss” (1996), the Taiwanese series “It Started With a Kiss” (2005) and its sequel “They Kiss Again” (2007), and the Korean series “Playful Kiss” (2010).

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