Nao, formerly known as Nao Honda, is an award-winning Japanese actress. She was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on February 10, 1995, and made her acting debut in 2016. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of films and television dramas, including “Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?” (2021).

Fuji TV

Construction company employee Michi Yoshino (Nao) is married to a shy and reticent man who loves her, but avoids her whenever she tries to get intimate with him – to the extent that it’s been two years since they last had sex. One evening, feeling particularly neglected and frustrated, she sits outside drinking a can of beer when she bumps into her successful and popular boss Makoto Niina (Takanori Iwata). Like her, Makoto is also feeling neglected by his spouse: his wife is a successful fashion editor who never “has time” for intimacy. But could this heart-to-heart lead them to a dangerous romantic encounter… and the potential end of both their marriages? This 2023 Japanese drama series was based on a manga series by Haru Haruno and was directed by Hiroshi Nishitani.

Even if You Don’t Do It

The Forbidden Couple

When Tomoyo Shiino (Nagano Mei) learns of her best friend Mariko Ikagawa's (Nao) death, she is devastated by the news. Having supported Mariko through years of abuse and emotional turmoil, Tomoyo feels overwhelming guilt for not being able to help her friend more during her lifetime. In an act of profound love and desperation, Tomoyo decides to steal Mariko's remains and take her on a final journey, hoping to liberate her friend's tortured soul from the cruelty of her past. As she travels, Tomoyo reflects on their shared memories and seeks closure for both herself and her deceased friend. This deeply emotional journey becomes a poignant exploration of friendship, trauma, and the lengths one will go to honor a loved one's memory. Adapted from the manga series by Hirako Waka, "My Broken Mariko" is a 2022 Japanese psychological drama film directed by Tanada Yuki.

My Broken Mariko

Sawako Hayakawa (Haru Kuroki) and her husband Toshio (Tasuku Emoto), both manga writers, find their marriage stagnating after five years. Suspecting Toshio might be unfaithful, Sawako begins taking driving lessons with attractive instructor Ayumi Shintani (Daichi Kaneko). Inspired by her instructor, she starts writing a manga about a heroine having an affair with her driving instructor. When Toshio discovers the manuscript, he becomes consumed by jealousy and fear, questioning whether Sawako's story reflects real events. As tension builds between them, the couple must confront the challenges in their relationship and decide whether they can rekindle their connection. This is a delightful 2021 Japanese romantic comedy film directed by Takahiro Horie that explores the complexities of marriage and creative inspiration.

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