Mei Nagano is a Japanese model and award-winning actress. She was born on September 24, 1999, in Tokyo, Japan, and made her acting debut in 2009. Since then, she has appeared in a wide variety of films and television dramas, including “My Broken Mariko” (2022).

Mei Nagano

Fuji TV

High schooler Ame Aihara (Mei Nagano) struggles with self-confidence, but finds solace in her kind classmate Taiyo Asano (Yuki Yamada) and her secret dream of becoming a top pastry chef. But as she never told Taiyo about how she felt, they never explored their feelings for one another. Eight years later, they reunite as adults, but disaster strikes when Taiyo suffers a critical accident. A mysterious figure offers Ame a chance to save him, but she must surrender her five senses in return. Will she accept? Can her actions save Taiyo? And will love finally bloom between them? This 2024 Japanese drama series was directed by Hiroaki Matsuyama.

The Gift of Your Heart

Ame Aihara

When they were young, Tomoyo Shiino (Nagano Mei) and Mariko Ikagawa (Nao) were best friends. Fully aware of the fact that Mariko’s home life was nothing short of awful, Tomoyo stuck by her friend through years of abuse, abandonment, and depression. The one reassuring constant in Mariko’s life, Tomoyo was Mariko’s one light in a world of overwhelming darkness.

Close friends that they were, Tomoyo and Mariko kept in touch over the years, but even staying in contact couldn’t spare Tomoyo the wave of shock that hit her when she learned of Mariko’s death. Seeing the news of her friend’s death make headlines, Tomoyo is completely blindsided by the information. Overwhelmed by guilt for not being able to help her friend more during her life, Tomoyo decides to do the only thing she can to make amends now.

Determined to liberate Mariko from the clutches of her cruel family Tomoyo steals her friend’s remains. Taking Mariko on one final journey, Tomoyo recalls the memories she shared with her friend, hoping that doing so will free her friend’s tortured soul. Will this final trip together bring them both the peace they so desperately need?

Adapted from the manga series of the same name by Hirako Waka, “My Broken Mariko” is a 2022 Japanese psychological drama film directed by Tanada Yuki.

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