Hotta Akane is a Japanese model, tarento, and actress. She was born on October 26, 1992 in Tokyo, Japan, and made her debut in the entertainment industry in 2009 when she participated in the 12th Japan Bishōjo Contest. In 2013, she hosted her first television show and in 2014, she made her acting debut. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of films and television dramas, including “Peanut Butter Sandwich” (2020).

Hotta Akane

WOWOW

It’s been a year since former top-chef Nobuyuki Yazawa (Ryohei Otani) and his partner, Shinobu Senke (Rena Takeda), opened their bar, Nobu, in a deserted alley in Kyoto. With the front entrance of the bar mysteriously connected to the world of Aiteria, a parallel universe reminiscent of medieval Europe, Nobuyuki and Shinobu have had to overcome several unexpected obstacles. But having successfully done so, the bar is thriving.

Drawn to Nobu for its delicious food and its renowned beer, Toriaezu Nama, people from all over Aiteria flock to the bar. But not all patrons of Nobu are reputable. Drawn by her love of alcohol and sweets, a woman by the name of Ingrid (Miki Mizuno) darkens the door of Nobu. With the appearance of a witch, Ingrid catches the eye of everyone she meets, which soon starts rumors flying. Catching wind of a witch at Nobu, Archbishop Rodrigo (Satoru Matsuo) springs into action, determined to bring her and her associates in before any can escape.

Having narrowly escaped trouble with the law last year, Nobuyuki and Shinobu aren’t ready for another showdown with powerful officials. But can they let a seemingly innocent woman be taken from their establishment without a fight?

Based on the Japanese light novel series of the same name by Natsuya Semikawa, “Isekai Izakaya Nobu - Season 2” is a 2022 Japanese drama directed by Hiroshi Shinagawa.

Isekai Izakaya Nobu – season 2

Young, beautiful, and wealthy, Rina Aizawa (Hotta Akane) has what many believe is the perfect life. The envy of everyone she meets, Rina should have nothing to complain about, and yet, she can’t seem to find happiness in her current life.&nbsp;

Constantly wondering what might have been, Rina spends an inordinate amount of time reminiscing about her school days and her former classmate, Ren Ichijo (Izumisawa Yuuki). Coincidentally, Rina and Ren are reunited when they both take a job at the same company. With years separating them and rumors of Rina being recently engaged, Ren has no thoughts of pursuing the girl he once knew. Even so, he can’t deny the fact that he has often thought of the lovely girl he once was able to call friend.&nbsp;

Though they never managed to move from friends to friendlier while they were in school, neither can deny that reuniting has stirred some long-forgotten feelings. Given the chance to catch up, all these years later, will Rina and Ren finally be able to move from friendship to love or will they forever hover someplace in between?

Adapted from the novel “Between Love and Friendship” by Tokyo Calendar Web, “Between Love and Friendship (Ver:Rina/Ver:Ren) is a 2022 Japanese romance drama directed by Ishii Yusuke.&nbsp;

Between Love and Friendship (Ver:Rina/Ver:Ren)

Love & Friendship Team

MBS, tvK

Young and a bit naïve, Momoko Hirasawa (Sakurako Konishi) is very much like most young women her age. A hardworking employee at a high-end hotel café, Momoko spends her days serving others and her nights at home, alone. With absolutely no dating experience and zero prospects, Momoko wonders if she’ll ever find that “special someone” everyone always seems to be talking about. On the brink of giving up hope, a steamy encounter with a handsome stranger at the hotel’s rooftop observatory changes everything.

Unable to forget that moment of passion, Momoko is determined to uncover the identity of her mysterious stranger. Spotting him at work, it doesn’t take long for Momoko to learn that he is none other than Kei Hase (Renn Kiriyama), one of the high-ranking employees at the hotel. Convinced he is too far out of her league, Momoko tries to forget him, but the kisses they shared that fateful evening refuse to be forgotten. Approaching Kei, Momoko tries to find some sort of answer to the myriad of questions she has, but every attempt she makes is met with cold indifference.&nbsp;

Confused, Momoko tries once again to let Kei go but the harder she tries, the more fate seems to bring them together. Will time help Momoko break through Kei’s cold exterior or will their rooftop kiss become a phantom to forever haunt her?

Adapted from the manga, “Love Phantom”, by Kako Mitsuki, “Love is Phantom” is a 2021 romantic drama directed by Osamu Minorikawa.

Love is Phantom

👻 Phantom Lovers 💘

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 🧈

Finding a lifelong partner isn’t easy and Kana Sakurai (Akane Hotta) feels as if she’s been looking for a very long time. Though she hasn’t reached the point of giving up, she has reached the point where she’s willing to think a little outside the box. This is why, when she receives an invitation to attend a matchmaking party, she heartily accepts.

Not entirely convinced she’ll find true love at the party, Kana is at least willing to keep an open mind. Upon arrival, Kana finds the party to be far beyond anything she could have imagined. Approached by ten very different men, Kana is slightly overwhelmed by the attention. Even so, it doesn’t take her long to realize that something about this party isn’t quite right.&nbsp;

Confirming her suspicions, a mysterious partygoer warns her that nine out of the ten men she has met tonight are hiding their true selves behind an elaborate lie. Determined to uncover the truth, Kana approaches each of the ten men in turn. Will her search for the truth lead her to find the one man who may hold the key to her heart?

Based on the mobile game app of the same name, released in 2015 by Voltage Inc, “Liar! Uncover the Truth” is a 2019 Japanese mystery romance film directed by Jiro Nagae.

Liar! Uncover the Truth

Tadashi Usobuki (Tori Matsuzaka) is a devilishly clever criminal. People seek him out when they feel they have been wronged and have a burning desire to snuff out someone else’s life. Tadashi Usobuki uses his hypnotic powers to render his victims helpless, and to evade capture by the police. It seems nobody is safe from this black-clad assassin as the killings continue and the bodies begin to mount.

But this contract killer did not count on the fact that one police detective – Tomoko Tada (Sawajiri Erika) – turns out to be immune to his hypnotic powers. All of a sudden, Tadashi Usobuki finds himself up against the most formidable of foes. Tomoko Tada resolves to finally close the net on this exclusive killer – but can she win a battle of wits with this merciless fiend?

This movie was bas based on the manga series “Funohan,” which was written by Arata Miyatsuki and illustrated by Yuya Kanzaki.

“Impossibility Defense” is a 2018 Japanese movie that was directed by Koji Shiraishi.

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