Kinpa to Onigiri: A Japanese Television Drama Series
Kinpa to Onigiri, also known by its Japanese title キンパとおにぎり～恋するふたりは似ていてちがう～ (Romaji: Kinpa to Onigiri: Koi Suru Futari wa Nite Ite Chigau), is a Japanese television drama series broadcast on TV Tokyo. The series spans 10 episodes, airing from January 12 to March 16, 2026, in the Monday 23:06 to 23:55 time slot. The time slot was previously occupied by the television program Synanthrope.
Production and Staff
The series was directed by Hirokawa Hayashida, Miyuki Hatanaka, and Ryota Koyama. The writing team includes Lee Nawon, Yoshitatsu Yamada, Chisato Yokoo, and Miyuki Hatanaka.
Plot Synopsis
Taiga Hasegawa, portrayed by Eiji Akaso, was formerly a member of his university's long-distance relay race team. He discontinued his running career due to poor grades and subsequently began working part-time at a small restaurant. Through his duties, which include contributing new menu items, he gradually finds fulfillment in his work.
Meanwhile, Park Rin, played by Kang Hye-Won, is a South Korean graduate student studying animation in Japan. Facing strict deadlines for her studies, she manages to submit an assignment just before the deadline, only to receive notification that her dormitory stay has been canceled, leaving her in search of housing while physically and mentally exhausted. During this difficult period, Park Rin visits the restaurant where Taiga Hasegawa is employed. The onigiri rice balls served by Taiga help restore her energy, while Taiga finds himself drawn to her appearance and smile.
Cast and Characters
The series features an ensemble cast portraying various lead and supporting roles.
- Eiji Akaso as Taiga Hasegawa
- Kang Hye-Won as Park Rin
- Mun Ji-Hu as Kang Jun-Ho
- Mai Fukagawa as Masumi Miyauchi
- Rin Kataoka as Noa Somejima
- Shodai Fukuyama as Akinori Oba
- Mitsuru Fukikoshi as Shigeo Taguchi
- Seo Hye-Won as Lee Yun-Gyeol
- Bang Eun-Hee as Choi Mi-E
- Ryoko Yuui as Reiko Ishida
- Hiroko Nakajima as Hiroko Hase
- Masaki Miura as Eiji Sakumoto
- Makiko Watanabe as Asako Hoshimi
- Rin Hukumatsu as Shintaro Ito
