It has been revealed that actor Mizuki Yoshida and Fujiwara Tatsuki of the dance and vocal group "THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE" will be starring in the drama "The World's Earliest Spring" (MBS and others). The drama is a "time-slip love story" about a protagonist who travels back in time to his high school days and struggles to save the life of a senior.
The original work is a manga of the same name serialized by Kawabata Shiki in the manga magazine Kiss (Kodansha). The main character, Haruta Maho, has a hit manga that she drew, but it was actually based on the setting notebook of her high school senior, Yukishima, who passed away 10 years ago. "I really wanted Yukishima to draw it for me. I'd like to return the work to her senior if possible," Maho wishes, but one day she travels back in time to her high school days. In order to "return the work to her senior," Maho decides to "redo" her high school days, but... this is the story.
Yoshida plays Haruta Maho, a 26-year-old manga artist serializing her hit work "Revive Line." Although she seemed to be living a smooth and successful life as a manga artist, "Revive Line" was actually based on the setting notebook of Yukishima, a senior in her high school manga club. As she wishes to return the work to Yukishima, who passed away at a young age, she is transported back in time to her high school days.
Yukishima Shu, played by Fujiwara, was a senior in Maho's manga club during her high school days. He had a stoic personality and had a major influence on Maho's career as a manga artist. After making his debut as a manga artist while still in high school with "Weekly League," he passed away from heart disease, leaving behind a detailed notebook filled with plans for new serializations.
"The World's Earliest Spring" will start airing from June 19th on TV Kanagawa every Thursday at 11:30pm, on MBS every Thursday at 12:59am and other channels.
◇Comment from Mizuki Yoshida
I loved the wonderful world depicted by Shiki Kawabata-sensei, so I am very happy to have the opportunity to participate in this production! Maho-chan, the character I play, is an honest, pure and straightforward girl. Watching all of Maho-chan's actions gives me courage and makes me want to cheer her on. I would like to carefully portray Maho's own growth as she repeatedly travels back in time to save Yukishima-senpai. I hope you will all look forward to it!
◇Comment from Itsuki Fujiwara
I'm Fujiwara Tatsuki, who plays Yukishima Shu, Maho's senior from high school. I was moved by Maho's honest feelings and Yukishima's efforts to achieve her dreams. In the midst of the unpredictable developments of time slip, the story depicts the strength of bonds and feelings between people, and I couldn't take my eyes off it until the very end. I'm honored to be able to take part in this work that is loved by so many people. I hope you enjoy watching it until the very end.
◇Comment from Shiki Kawabata, the original author
Now that the series has ended several years ago, I am surprised and delighted to see the story moving forward in a new way. I am excited to see how the characters' thoughts and relationships will come to life in the film. I am grateful to the production team for their careful dedication to the original work. I hope this story will become a special memory for someone.
◇Comment from Director Miki Tomita
The story begins with a big regret, but the various developments that await you will surprise you in a good way, and I remember reading it with great enjoyment. The passion for what you want to do, doing something desperately for someone else. This is a work filled with the important things in life. I'm really looking forward to filming the pure, straightforward, and slightly unique characters. I hope you'll watch it.
