This autumn, an adaptation of Haruno Haru's hit manga «I Never Thought I Would Be Living on My Own» (私がひとりで生きてくなんて) arrives on screens.

The series premieres on October 29, 2026, on CBC as part of the Drama Trip programming block. It is also expected to become available on major streaming platforms serving international audiences, including viewers in Russia. The full list of online platforms will be announced closer to the release date.

At the heart of the story is Aina (known as Takada Mana in the original manga), a young woman who dreamed from an early age of becoming the perfect wife. After marriage, she devoted herself entirely to domestic life. But her world collapses overnight when her husband suddenly announces he wants a divorce and throws her out onto the street.

With no money, no job, and no real-life experience, Aina finds herself in a situation where she doesn't even know how to pay her rent – let alone file a tax return. Which raises an intriguing question about Japanese society: how can someone be considered the ideal wife yet have no clue how to handle rent or taxes?

A chance encounter with Kishimoto Ryo, a sharp and somewhat harsh tax consultant, becomes the turning point in her life. He helps her get her finances in order, and Aina soon takes a job at a nightclub, where she slowly learns to stand on her own two feet.

This is not a story about love triangles or fairy-tale princes – it is about financial literacy, female independence, and the right to make mistakes. Genre-wise, it is a dramedy with romantic elements, where the evolution of the characters' relationship goes hand in hand with their personal growth.

The series' core message is to highlight the contrast between how things are supposed to go in romantic comedies – where Cinderella meets her savior – and the decidedly unromantic struggles faced by someone who never learned to live independently.

The lead roles are played by Yabuki Nako («Mikami Sensei», «18-sai, Niizuma, Furin Shimasu») and Iijima Hiroki («Love That Begins on the Last Train», «My Love My Baker»).

Yabuki Nako, 24, takes on the role of Aina. She is widely known to audiences for her work with the K-pop group IZ*ONE. For Yabuki Nako, this is one of her first major dramatic roles, requiring her to portray her character's transformation from a naive housewife into a confident, self-reliant woman.

Her co-star is Iijima Hiroki, who plays Kishimoto – a reserved, somewhat cynical but ultimately kind-hearted tax consultant who becomes both a mentor and a possible romantic interest for Aina. According to Iijima Hiroki, his character has a complicated backstory, and during preparation for the role he consulted with professional accountants to make the portrayal as authentic as possible.

Filming took place in Tokyo and its surrounding areas, with the production team placing a strong emphasis on realism: many scenes were shot in actual residential neighborhoods and small offices rather than on studio sets.

Principal photography wrapped in summer 2026, and the project is now in post-production.