It has been revealed that "The Clock Mansion Murders" will be adapted into a TV series, following the popular "The Decagon House Murders", a live-action adaptation of Ayatsuji Yukito's popular mystery novel "Bizarre House/Mansion Murders series". The pairing of Tomoya Oku and Munetaka Aoki will also be continued, and the series will be exclusively distributed on Hulu in February 2026.
"The Clock Mansion Murders" was published in September 1991 as the fifth installment of the "House" series, which began with "The Decagon House Murders." Divided into two volumes, it is a popular work that won the 45th Mystery Writers of Japan Award.
His wife commented, "Even while acting, I really understand Gangnam's feelings, and I feel like I'm close to him. As we're filming, I feel like 'Gangnam-kun is back,' every day." Aoki said, "It's not going to be easy from a production standpoint, and it's going to be quite a challenge, but if we can get this down to film, I think we'll be able to achieve a second milestone. Please look forward to it."
◇Story
Three years have passed since the tragedy at the Decagon House in Tsunoshima. After graduating from graduate school, Kominami (wife) gets a job at a publishing company and visits Kadomi Shikatani (Kiyoshi Shimada, played by Aoki), who made his debut as a mystery writer. Kominami tells Shikatani that he is going to the Clock Tower, one of the buildings designed by the famous Seiji Nakamura. His purpose is to participate in a "séance" for the "special project" he is in charge of as a novice editor of an occult magazine. On the night of the séance, the psychic suddenly disappears. Inside the closed building, someone wearing a mask attacks Kominami and the others. Outside the building, Shikatani is investigating the mystery of the poem "Goddess of Silence" left behind by the owner of the Clock Tower.
A clock tower without hands, a murderer stalking.
Three days of a nightmare with no way out begin.
◇Comment from Tomoya Tomoya Oku, who plays Kominami Konan
--When you heard that the second live-action film of the "House" series was decided
I was really curious to see which work it would be, wondering, "Will they make that 'impossible trick' possible again?" When I heard it would be "The Clock Tower Murders," I had already read the original novel, so I thought it would be difficult because of the complex content, but at the same time, I was really looking forward to it.
Q: About playing the character of Kominami Kominami again and working with Aoki Munetaka again
In this work, Gangnam has become a new member of society and lives alone in Tokyo, and due to his circumstances, there are many parts that overlap with me. Even while acting, I feel like I can really understand Gangnam's feelings, and I feel like I can empathize with him. Every day while filming, I feel like "Gangnam-kun is coming back."
When I met Aoki-san, the first thing he said to me when we met was, "Hey Konan (Conan), you bastard!", and we started off with a warm embrace. I felt a great sense of relief when I realized, "Ah, it's Aoki-san, it's Shimada-san." I was a little nervous on the first day, but it was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders, and I felt reassured from the beginning of filming, thinking, "It's okay now."
About the filming location of Uchikata-gumi after a long time
Director Uchikata senses when I'm unsure or unclear about something and gives me guidance. When I look at the work as a whole, he verbalizes the completed image in his head and communicates it to me, so it's really easy to work with him and I think he's a great director.
-- A message to those who are looking forward to it
I'm really looking forward to meeting you all as Gangnam after about two years, and I hope to be able to show you how I've grown through my experiences on various sets. All the staff and cast are working together to produce this film with the momentum to surpass the previous one, so please look forward to it.
◇Comment from Aoki Munetaka, who plays Kadomi Shikatani
--When you heard that the second live-action film of the "House" series was decided
The scale of "The Clock Tower Murders" is different from the previous work, so I think the art team, decorations, and various devices are really difficult. We are currently in the first half of filming, but I wonder if it will really be completed... I think those who have read the original work will feel that way especially. We will be taking on this with the same staff as the previous work, "The Decagon House Murders," so please look forward to it.
--About playing the character of Shimada Kiyoshi/Katani Kadomi again and working with Oku Tomoya again
This time, I have changed from "Shimada Kiyoshi" to "Katani Kadomi", and many things have changed in my career and life since the days of The Decagon House. When I met Oku-kun again after a long time, I noticed that his face had changed and he looked more manly. I'm sure the viewers are looking forward to it, but since I'm also a comrade with Gangnam, it was personally very moving for me to meet him again after so much time. I think the relationship with Gangnam is an enjoyable part of the sequel.
--About the first time in a while that you were on set with Uchikata Gumi
I have worked with Director Uchikata on several projects in the past, and he has become like a trusted older brother to me.
As with the previous film, I believe that there are some aspects of mysteries that cannot be created by pursuing realism alone. When a murder occurs, the act of solving the mystery with a calm judgment and uncovering the trick is somewhat out of the ordinary. It is quite difficult to create a character in such a situation, and if you approach it from your everyday feelings, you may not be able to move forward, but in order to turn the special field of "mystery" into entertainment, you have to step up your approach and character creation. When the idea of realistic expression crosses my mind, the director gives me solid direction on how to present it as entertainment, so I trust him and act.
-- A message to those who are looking forward to it
When I said "The Decagon House Murders," I said, "This will be a masterpiece," and this time too, I think it will be a great work because the novel is so interesting. It's not going to be easy to make, and it's going to be quite a challenge, but if I can get this filmed properly, I think I can set a second, even bigger milestone. Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from the original author, Yukito Ayatsuji
When I heard that they wanted to film "The Clock Tower Murders" next, I thought, "I see." "The Clock Tower" is the fifth novel in the "House" series. The story begins with Konan Takaaki, who did not appear in the second to fourth novels, reappearing and reuniting with Shimada Kiyoshi, with whom he hit it off in "The Decagon House." Konan, played by Tomoya Oku, and Shimada, played by Aoki Munetaka, made a great pair in the live-action version of "The Decagon House," so the proposal to make "The Clock Tower" a second film with these two characters playing an active role again was very convincing.
But at the same time, I thought, "It's going to be tough." In order to successfully adapt "The Clock Tower" into a film, there are a number of challenges that must be overcome, on a different level to those faced in "The Decagon House." How will they do it? When I start imagining it, I feel dizzy... but, knowing Director Uchikata, I'm sure he will once again create a work that will make the original author say, "You did it!" I look forward to seeing it completed with high expectations. I hope you all look forward to it too.
◇Comment from Director Uchikata Teruaki
As we once again adapt the "Mansion" series to film, we have been faced with the challenge of "The Clock Tower," which we imagine to be the most difficult. Being able to continue working on the same series with the same actors is an indescribable emotion. It's like reuniting with a grown-up son or friend who has studied abroad. And most importantly, being able to work with Todayama-san on a mystery novel is reassuring. The scripts for the "Mansion" series were written by a team, so the excitement that comes from having multiple scriptwriters tackle the same episode is perhaps something worth mentioning.
Those who have already read "The Clock Tower Murders" may imagine that it must be difficult. Yes, it is extremely difficult. There are different kinds of difficulties compared to the previous work, "The Decagon House Murders," but I feel that the staff and cast are working together to carefully create this work.
Fans who have already read the original work should definitely watch the drama "The Decagon House Murders" again and look forward to the completion of this work, which tells the story several years later. For those who have not read the original work or watched the drama, we recommend that you first watch "The Decagon House" while trying to guess who the culprit is. Then, once the live-action drama of "The Clock Tower Murders" is completed, we would be happy if you would try to guess who the culprit is while taking notes in the same way. Please look forward to it.
