Mei Nagano
Sana Narukawa
Overview
Determined to revive her startup's dwindling success, an innovative young CEO hires a middle-aged, traditional businessman to join her hardworking team.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 10 episodes
- First aired
- Jul 5, 2022
Cast
9 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Startup as a Fairy Tale
I’ve never worked at a startup, but I’ve watched enough of them implode to recognize the particular kind of exhaustion that settles into the shoulders of the people who do. Riding a Unicorn understands this exhaustion—its weight, its allure, its quiet desperation—and drapes it in the kind of romanticism that makes you forget, for a moment, that the whole enterprise might be a house of cards. That’s both its charm and its limitation.
The series follows Sana Narukawa, a 23-year-old CEO played by Mei Nagano, whose startup Dream Pony is teetering on the edge of collapse. Her solution? Hire a middle-aged businessman, played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, to inject some traditional wisdom into her youthful, chaotic team.
It’s a premise that could easily tilt into cliché—think The Intern with a Japanese corporate twist—but the show’s strength lies in its refusal to let its characters off the hook. Sana isn’t just a plucky underdog; she’s also stubborn, sometimes reckless, and occasionally blind to the toll her ambition takes on the people around her. Nishijima’s character, meanwhile, isn’t just a walking anachronism; he’s a man who’s spent decades playing by the rules, only to find himself questioning whether those rules ever made sense in the first place.
What makes Riding a Unicorn more than just a workplace drama is its willingness to sit with the messiness of its themes. The show doesn’t just pit youth against experience; it forces both sides to confront their own blind spots. Sana’s team is full of bright-eyed idealists who believe in the transformative power of their educational apps, but they’re also painfully naive about the realities of running a business.
Nishijima’s character, on the other hand, brings a pragmatism that borders on cynicism, but his methods are so rigid they threaten to stifle the very creativity that makes Dream Pony special. Their dynamic is the heart of the series, and it’s where the show’s emotional core lies. There’s a scene in episode five where the two of them argue in a nearly empty office, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like a swarm of insects.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.6/10
"A promising premise and strong cast fail to deliver excitement or depth, leaving viewers underwhelmed."
The series centers on a young CEO’s journey to turn her startup into a unicorn company, but real viewers find the execution lacking. While the cast, particularly Mei Nagano, is praised for their performances, the story is criticized for being dull, uninspired, and lacking the energy needed to match its ambitious premise. The romance subplot is described as lifeless, latestnetflix.com argues, and the overall pacing struggles to hold attention.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performance Mei Nagano’s portrayal of the young CEO Sana Narukawa is widely regarded as the standout element of the series.
- Intriguing premise The concept of a startup’s journey to unicorn status is seen as fresh and potentially engaging for fans of business dramas.
- Talented ensemble cast The supporting cast, including Hidetoshi Nishijima and Yosuke Sugino, is noted for their acting chops, even if underutilized.
Common complaints
- Lack of excitement Viewers describe the series as dull and uninspiring, failing to capture the dynamism of its startup premise.
- Bland characters Many characters feel underdeveloped and uninteresting, contributing to the overall flatness of the story.
- Lifeless romance The romantic subplot is criticized for being unengaging and even sleep-inducing.
- Weak execution Despite a strong cast, the series is seen as a missed opportunity due to its uninspired storytelling.
Recommended for
Fans of business dramas Mei Nagano admirers Japanese drama enthusiasts Startup story seekers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reports"Riding a Unicorn" (2022): The Star-Studded Japanese Drama That’s Riding High on Romance and Secrets
Takahiro Aoyama’s Riding a Unicorn (2022) has quietly become one of Japan’s most talked-about dramas of the year, blending romance, drama, and a touch of mystery. Starring heavyweights like Mei Nagano and Hidetoshi Nishijima, the series has drawn attention for its high-profile cast and the chemistry between its leads. latestnetflix.com's take is that but what’s the real story behind this unicorn—the mythical creature that’s become a metaphor for the show’s elusive charm?
A Cast That Sparkles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BNrIDoMMJ8
At the heart of Riding a Unicorn is Mei Nagano, whose role as a young woman navigating love and ambition has resonated with audiences. Nagano, known for her versatility in projects like My Boss, My Hero and An Incurable Case of Love, is paired opposite Hidetoshi Nishijima, a veteran actor with a career spanning decades in both film and television. Their on-screen dynamic is a major selling point, with early reviews highlighting their natural chemistry .
The supporting cast is no less impressive. Hirosue Ryoko, a household name in Japan, brings gravitas to her role, while Yosuke Sugino and Thelma Aoyama add depth to the ensemble. The series also marks a reunion of sorts for Nishijima and Hirosue, who previously worked together in Departures (2008), though their roles in Riding a Unicorn are entirely new territory 
.
Behind the Scenes: Aoyama’s Vision
Director Takahiro Aoyama, the creative force behind the series, has kept details about the production under wraps. However, the show’s original title—Unicorn ni Notte (literally "Ride a Unicorn")—suggests a narrative that’s as much about chasing dreams as it is about romance. The series is classified as a drama with romantic elements, but early buzz hints at deeper themes, including personal growth and the complexities of modern relationships .
One unconfirmed rumor swirling around the production is that Aoyama pushed for a more improvisational approach to certain scenes, particularly those involving Nagano and Nishijima. While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, it could explain the raw, unfiltered energy that viewers have praised in early reviews .
What We Know (And What We Don’t)
- Genre and Tone: Officially labeled as a romance-drama, Riding a Unicorn runs about 47 minutes per episode, a standard length for Japanese prime-time dramas .
- Audience Reception: Early reactions have been positive, with praise for the cast’s performances and the show’s emotional depth. However, full reviews are still trickling in, and a consensus on its long-term impact remains to be seen .
- Mystery Factor: The series’ title and promotional materials have fueled speculation about its central metaphor. Is the "unicorn" a person, a dream, or something else entirely? The answer remains one of the show’s biggest draws.
What’s notably absent from the conversation is any concrete detail about the plot. Unlike many Japanese dramas, which often release detailed synopses ahead of time, Riding a Unicorn has kept its narrative cards close to the chest. This secrecy has only added to the intrigue, with fans dissecting every trailer and promotional still for clues.
The Bottom Line
For now, Riding a Unicorn is a series defined by its talent—both in front of and behind the camera. With a cast that reads like a who’s who of Japanese entertainment and a director known for his thoughtful storytelling, it’s poised to be a standout in 2022’s drama lineup. Whether it lives up to the hype, however, remains to be seen. One thing’s for certain: this unicorn isn’t just a myth.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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