The main cast has now been revealed for the upcoming manga-to-drama adaptation "Tomehane! Suzuri Koukou Shodoubu." The show was earlier discovered via an advertisement for extras, but at the time it had not yet been officially announced.

The drama's lead actress will be 17-year-old Aki Asakura, who made her showbiz debut in 2007. She has appeared in dramas such as "Puzzle" and "God Hand Teru," as well as films like "Kanki no Uta," but this will be her first starring role.

The drama will focus on the character of Yuki Mochizuki (Asakura), unlike the manga. Yuki is the nation's top judo athlete at the high school level, but she somehow ends up as part of her school's calligraphy club. Asakura began training in both judo and calligraphy back in March to prepare for the role. Her supporting cast includes Sosuke Ikematsu (18) and Hideki Takahashi (65).

NHK will broadcast "Tomehane!" on Thursdays at 8:00pm, starting in January 2010. Filming is already scheduled to start this Tuesday.