Alisa Mizuki becomes next “Sazae-san”

The long-running anime series “Sazae-san” is getting another live-action drama. This one will star actress Alisa Mizuki (32) as Sazae-san, and will be broadcast as a single special program on Fuji TV this fall.

Based on the manga of the same name by the late mangaka Machiko Hasegawa, the “Sazae-san” anime series has been on the air since October 1969. Its episode ratings peaked at 39.4% on September 16, 1979, and even now it gets between 15% and 25% despite the current trend of slumping TV ratings.

Fuji TV began working on the new adaptation five years ago, and now it is being completed in time to air during the network’s 50th anniversary year. The anime has already been turned into live-action television dramas several times. From 1965 to 1967, Chiemi Eri starred in TBS’s take on “Sazae-san.” Fuji TV later produced a series starring Tomoko Hoshino from 1981 to 1985, followed by another series from 1992 to 1996 with Atsuko Asano as the lead.

Mizuki’s version will be an omnibus comprised of three stories, running for two and a half hours. Sazae’s husband Masuo will be played by Michitaka Tsutsui (38), while her parents will be played by Tsurutaro Kataoka (54) and Keiko Takeshita (55). Miho Shiraishi (30) and Bakusho Mondai’s Yuji Tanaka (44) have also been cast.

Source:
Sankei Sports