Mei Nagano is an actress and now producer, starring in and producing the DMM TV drama Himachi no Joo, while continuing her role as a host on Love Joto season 2 and her ongoing work on the Chiikawa franchise.
Mei Nagano's career spans acting, producing, and hosting, with recent projects showing her expanding role in the entertainment industry. In August 2026, it was announced that she will star in and produce the DMM TV original drama Himachi no Joo, an adaptation of Crescent Kayahara's manga. This marks her first producer credit, and she was involved from development through casting and scheduling. She plays Ayane Ichijo, a former top cabaret hostess who returns to her hometown to work at her family's snack bar. The drama is set to stream this winter.
Nagano also continues her work as a host on Netflix's Love Joto, which returns for a second season on August 4. The new season adds rapper Awich as a co-host, replacing AK-69, alongside returning hosts MEGUMI and Nagano. The season moves to an Okinawa marine academy setting with nine participants.
Separately, Nagano, as the creator of the Chiikawa series, remains active in the franchise's expansion. The Chiikawa movie, for which she handles the original work and screenplay, released its opening video in August, featuring the theme song 'Kutsuzure' sung by Hachiware. The franchise also opened its first Osaka bakery location in June, and characters performed the theme on a major music broadcast in July. Nagano's involvement spans creative and commercial aspects of the series.
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Mei Nagano will star in and produce the DMM TV original drama Himachi no Joo, an adaptation of Crescent Kayahara's manga. The series is set to stream this winter. Nagano plays Ayane Ichijo, a former top cabaret hostess who returns to her hometown and works at her family's snack bar. The announcement includes a special visual of Nagano in a custom dress.
The official X account for 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' released the non-credit opening video on August 13. Nagano, who handles the original work and screenplay, conceived the composition. The video pairs the original opening theme 'Kutsuzure' sung by Hachiware (CV: Seijin Tanaka) with scenes of daily life for Chiikawa and friends, including Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, Momonga, Kurimanju, Rakko, Shisa, and Furuhonya, plus characters like Yoroi-san, 'Anoko,' and 'Dekatsuyo.'
Gray Parker Service will release the 'Fluffy and Soft! Full of Black Plush Toy Lottery' for Nagano Characters starting July 17. The no-loser lottery includes a 100cm BIG Long Bear plush, Mochiri Bear plush, slippers, seat cushion, and mascot badges, all in black. Each draw costs 1,210 yen.
Netflix's love reality show Love Jōtō returns for a second season on August 4, streaming 10 episodes over three weeks. Rapper Awich joins as a new MC alongside returning hosts MEGUMI and Nagano, replacing AK-69. The season moves to an Okinawa marine academy setting with nine participants.
The Ultraman Tiga 30th Premium Stage was held on July 10 at Suginami Public Hall, reuniting original cast members Hiroshi Nagano, Takami Yoshimoto, Mio Takaki, and Akitoshi Ōtaki. The event featured a reading, the appearance of the three Ultraman Tiga forms, and the playing of V6's 'TAKE ME HIGHER,' which drew loud cheers. The cast shared memories and behind-the-scenes stories from the series.
Chiikawa Bakery OSAKA, the first Osaka location of the bread shop based on Nagano's Chiikawa series, will grand open on June 26, 2026, on the third floor of KITTE Osaka in Umeda. The shop offers an Osaka-exclusive Chiikawa Takoyaki Burger for 670 yen, alongside face-shaped breads (Chiikawa with custard cream, Hachiware with chocolate cream, Usagi with caramel cream), loaf breads, savory buns referencing series elements like the "Ro" ramen and subjugation sticks, and baked goods such as financiers and rusks. Bread is crafted under the guidance of owner-chef Junichi Sawada, who represented Japan in the decorative bread category at the 2026 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie. Osaka-exclusive merchandise includes jam, a flat tote, and a T-shirt. Purchase bonuses offer an Osaka-exclusive shopper tag for purchases of 2,200 yen or more, and drink order bonuses give an original coaster per takeout drink, while supplies last. Advance reservations are required via the web and include a 1,000 yen shopping voucher. A no-reservation pop-up shop will also run for a limited time.
Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi will appear on the July 1 broadcast of 2026 FNS Kayousai Summer on Fuji TV. They will perform the opening theme "Kutsuzure" from Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island with the Suginami Children's Choir for the first time on television.