Atsuko Maeda Cast In First Drama Since Graduating From AKB48

 

Former AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda has been cast in the upcoming Fuji TV drama "Kasuka na Kanojo".
The new series will be a romantic comedy set at a junior high school. The main character, Akira Koyama, played by SMAP's Shigo Katori, will be a teacher at the school who can sense ghosts. Maeda will play the role of Chiho Kawai, Koyama's teacher's assistant.
On the surface, Kawai seems like the perfect teacher: she's always smiling, she seems devoted to her job, and her students absolutely adore her. However, this is not true; Chiho doesn't care about her job at all and wants to do something else as soon as she can.
Maeda's new role will mark her the first time she has been cast in a drama since graduating from AKB48 in August of 2012, as well as her first role as a teacher.
"Filming hasn't begun yet, but I'm already excited about it. I'm trying to remember how my old teacher were like," she said.
Maeda has been a long-time fan of Katori and is excited to be able to work with him on the new drama.
"I've been watching Katori's dramas for as long as I can remember, so being in a drama with him is a dream come true. We'll be managing the same class, so I'll always be by his side and do my best to watch his back," she stated.
"Kasuka na Kanojo" will air on Fuji TV every Tuesday at 10 pm starting in April.