Dear Radiance

Murasaki Shikibu is shown at the center of a story about creativity, longing, and the weight of reputation. Set in the Heian court, the series follows the woman who composes The Tale of Genji, as letters, scenes and imagined episodes spill out of her daily life. Her affection for Fujiwara no Michinaga threads through the episodes she writes, and the figure of Hikaru Genji grows alongside her own private hopes and observations. The show moves between the real and the imagined, tracking how a single writer shapes characters and memory while the court around her keeps shifting with politics, art and desire.

Released in 2024, Dear Radiance was created by Oishi Suzuka and Shizuka Oishi and directed by Yoshiharu Sasaki and Yûki Nakajima. Yuriko Yoshitaka leads as Murasaki Shikibu, supported by Tasuku Emoto, Goro Kishitani, Ryoko Kuninaka and Mahiro Takasugi, and it draws on the historical figure and her classic novel for source material.

Viewer response has been strong, reflected in a 9.0/10 audience score from early ratings. People praise the central performances and the way personal longing is entwined with court intrigue. Recurring themes include artistic labor, gender and power, the shaping of narrative identity, and the tension between private feeling and public appearance.

The series has nudged renewed interest in Heian-era literature and the life behind a famous book, prompting conversations online about how to represent historical women in modern drama. Its period costumes, set design and the shifting use of fictional sequences have become common topics among viewers and commentators, who note how style supports storytelling.

As of now there aren't reports of major international awards, but the show has attracted notable attention from audiences and early commentators. Yuriko Yoshitaka's portrayal of Murasaki and the production's visual approach are frequently mentioned as highlights in viewer discussion and press commentary.