timelesz Yoshitaka Hara first film role in "First Love Entertainer"

It was announced on September Getsuku that Yoshitaka Hara of the popular group "timelesz" will be starring in his first film, "First Love Comedian" (directed by Daiichiro Natsume), which will be released in winter 2025.

The original work is a novel of the same name by Ken Nakazawa. It was made into a TV drama in 2016, and a comic book adaptation began serialization on the comic app "Manga One" (Shogakukan) in August this year.

Hara plays Sato Kenji, an unsuccessful solo comedian who performs on stage with monster material but fails to make a splash. He has never had a girlfriend, and finds a place for himself only in a world of fantasy. He keeps his sanity by comparing people he dislikes to monsters and making himself the hero who fights them.

Then Ichikawa Risa appears before him and tells him that he is "interesting." His time with her is filled with the thrill of his first love, but the clumsy Sato is unable to express his feelings, and she distances herself from him. Then Ichikawa's secret is revealed... and so the story unfolds.

Hara commented, "Watching Kenji makes you feel frustrated and want to do something to help him. But deep inside he has an incredibly pure and adorable side. This is my first time playing a comedian, and it reminds me of the days when I used to go to comedy shows in my private time. I played the role with love. I'm excited to be able to bring to you the story of a certain man who is "nobody"! I hope you'll look forward to it!"

Natsume, who is in charge of directing and writing the script, said, "I was captivated by Nakazawa Ken's novel 'First Love Comedian' and couldn't wait any longer. I was convinced that I had no choice but to turn this story into a film. I scribbled down the script with trembling hands. I asked Hara, who always shines brightly, to suppress that sparkle and give a passionate performance as Kenji. I hope you will come see this work, which was created with passion and impulse, in the theater."