It has recently been revealed that the new song "Damashiai" by tuki., a female high school student singer-songwriter, has been chosen as the theme song for the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Caster" (Sundays at 9pm), starring Hiroshi Abe Hiroshi, which will begin on April 13th. This is the first time that tuki. has been in charge of the theme song for a drama series. The main visual for the drama has also been released.
Tuki. started posting videos of himself singing and playing the guitar on TikTok at the age of 13. Everything about him is shrouded in mystery, except for the fact that he is currently a first-year high school student and his singing voice. He made his debut with "Bansanka" on September 29, 2023, and quickly swept the charts, debuting at number one on Spotify's "Viral Top 50 - Japan," Apple Music's "Top Songs Ranking," and the Billboard Japan Hot 100. At the end of 2024, he won a special award at the 66th The Japan Record Awards. He also made his first appearance at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. In January of this year, he released his first full album, "15."
The drama is a social entertainment set in a TV news program, where the truth buried in the dark is pursued and evil is punished. This will be Abe's sixth time starring in a Sunday Theatre production, and the first time in three years. Also appearing in the production will be Mei Nagano, who will be co-starring with Abe for the first time, and Shunsuke Michieda of the comedy duo "Naniwa Danshi." The production will be produced by Hidenori Iyoda and others.
Soichi Shindo (Hiroshi Abe), a man of conviction that "the truth moves the world!", is a reporter and newscaster for the social affairs department of a public broadcasting station, but is poached by the president of the commercial television station JBN and becomes the main newscaster for the news program "Newsgate," which is struggling with low ratings. In order to "communicate the truth," he will use any means necessary, and will conduct interviews and investigations according to his own rules, ignoring existing rules. He draws in those around him with his overwhelming presence.
Comments from tuki. and others are as follows.
◇Comment from tuki.
I believe that people live with secrets and lies. Sometimes there is love behind those lies, which is why it is difficult for people to live together. While reading the script for "Caster," which unfolds at a dizzying pace like a rollercoaster, I wrote the song "Decoy Love" based on what I was thinking every day.
I am very honored that "Caster" is the first work for which I will be challenging myself with a theme song. I am looking forward to seeing how "Dashiai" will become a part of the drama every week.
◇ Comment from Producer Hidenori Iyoda
I still remember the first time I heard the song, it hit me right in the feels and I was shocked. The melody, the lyrics, and above all, her singing voice, all looped in my head even though I only heard it once. Since then, I have been using the song to inspire my imagination and create a drama. I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of chemistry will occur with the characters played by Abe, Nagano, and Michieda. Anyway, please give it a listen. I hope you will look forward to it.
