The NHK series Hirayasumi, presented at Series Mania Forum by producers Koli Sakabe and Aki Otsuka alongside director Kana Matsumoto, distinguishes itself in the current audiovisual market through its deliberate pacing and format. Rather than relying on volume or narrative urgency, the project focuses on everyday situations and alternative lifestyle choices.
The narrative follows a young man without a full-time job who inherits a traditional house in Tokyo from an elderly acquaintance. He is later joined by his 18-year-old cousin, an art student who moves to the city. The series avoids major plot twists, focusing instead on character dynamics and a different approach to daily life. The production team described the show’s core premise as being «not rich in money, but rich in the way of living.»
In a society where professional work is traditionally central to personal identity, Hirayasumi portrays a protagonist who exists outside typical corporate structures. Producer Koli Sakabe noted that the series aims to show that «it’s okay for people to find their own way of happiness… they don’t have to fit into a typical framework.» Rather than offering an aspirational fantasy, the show aims to connect with audiences through recognizable, relatable situations.
This narrative approach is directly reflected in the show’s format, which consists of 15-minute episodes. The creators opted to condense the source material rather than expand it, stating that the shorter duration was the right choice to preserve the project’s specific tone. Developed in collaboration with Japanese public broadcaster NHK—which handled IP acquisition, creative development, and production—the series provides an alternative to the high-impact, scalable formats frequently prioritized in the global market.
Regarding international distribution, the team acknowledged initial concerns that the series would be difficult to sell abroad due to its cultural specificity and structural simplicity. However, Hirayasumi is currently available on Amazon Prime Video in Japan and is beginning to secure distribution in other markets. Director Kana Matsumoto attributes this cross-border potential to universal themes, noting that while people live under pressure globally, they can still find happiness in small things. The project’s trajectory suggests that highly localized, character-driven stories can still find international audiences in the current television landscape.
