It was revealed on August 15th that actor Mitsuhiro Oikawa will be starring in the new Sunday drama "Bokutachi-n-Ichi" (Sundays at 10:30pm), which will start in October. This will be Oikawa's first lead role in a drama series in 21 years, and his first time starring in a prime-time slot (7pm-11pm).
The series will be produced by Hidehiro Kono, who has worked on dramas and films such as "Watermelon" (2003), "Produced by Nobuta wo Produce" (2005), "My Boss, My Hero" (2006), "Don't Cry, Hara-chan" (2013), and "But There's Passion" (2023), and the script will be written by Yuki Matsumoto, who won the 2023 Special Jury Prize at the NTV Scenario Writers Contest.
This completely original story depicts love, family, and life as messy and complicated as they are, yet somehow, we find ourselves here. This is the story of our family, a strange home and romantic comedy. Oikawa plays Hatano Genichi, a kindhearted 50-year-old gay man who is trying to buy a house for love. One day, Genichi, clumsy and overly compassionate, meets a young gay man who has lost interest in both life and love, and falls in love. He is Sakuta Saku, a 38-year-old middle school teacher. The two are approached by Kusunoki Hotaru, a 15-year-old girl who frequently hangs out at Toyoko's house. With a large sum of money in hand, Hotaru declares, "I'll buy you. For 30 million yen. Please pretend to be my parent for the next six months until you graduate from middle school." The strange life of these three people, connected on the fringes of society, begins.
Oikawa said enthusiastically, "I will use my imagination and experience to the fullest to portray the love of an awkward adult (with a man, of course) and the strange and delicate human relationships. Please enjoy this Sunday night family and romantic comedy that will make you chuckle and cry! Ciao." As for the character who will play Genichi's love interest, he said, "She's a cheerful person."
Comments from Oikawa and the staff are as follows:
◇Comment from lead actor Mitsuhiro Oikawa
I was very surprised and worried about this wonderful offer, but I thought, "This might be my last chance," and "Now is the youngest time of my life!", so I decided to take on the lead role in the drama "Bokutachi-n-Ichi."
I play Genichi Hatano, a middle-aged gay man (50) who has almost given up on his dream of a happy future. His job is mainly raising animals.
It's a difficult role, but I will use my imagination and experience to the fullest to portray the awkward love of an adult (with a man, of course) and the strange and awkward human relationships. Please enjoy this Sunday night family and romantic comedy that will make you chuckle and slowly bring you to tears! Ciao☆
◇ Comment from producer Hidehiro Kono
At first, the proposal was just one page of A4 paper. I thought, "This is impossible," but when I submitted it to a company to solicit proposals, I received the support and encouragement of many people, and it turned out to be something far beyond my imagination. Meeting the star, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, was also the greatest stroke of luck that came my way along the way. He's playful, cool, funny, and kind. Mitchy plays a kind-hearted gay man who is tossed about by love, tossed about by life, and stirred up by a middle school student with a secret. Doesn't it sound interesting? I'm sure it will be interesting.
This drama depicts people living in a "society that is somewhat uncomfortable." It is a quirky family and romantic comedy that depicts the small resistance of people like gay people, people who don't fit in at school, work, or family, and people who are confused by unreasonable discrimination. We would be very happy if you would come to "Bokutachi-n-chi" to relax, kill time, and have a good laugh.
◇ Comment from scriptwriter Matsumoto Yuki
Last year, I received the judges' special award at the Nippon Television Scenario Writers Contest. At that time, producer Kono told me, "I believe that drama scripts should be written for people who are trying their best to live," and with these words in mind, I am now in charge of the script for "Bokutachi-n-Ie."
This work tells the story of three people who are quietly connected in the streets of Tokyo, and the everyday lives of those around them. It depicts how each of them faces prejudice and difficulties in society, but still endeavors to live happily. Although this story is fiction, I approached it with the awareness that homosexuals and lonely children are right next to me. I hope that it will inspire viewers to be kind to those around them, and to themselves as well. Please check it out!
Comment from Inclusive Producer Daisuke Shirakawa (Nippon Television News Bureau, Gender Team)
I came out as gay seven years ago and have been reporting on and disseminating information about sexual minorities in the field of journalism. When Kono approached me about the idea for this drama about a year ago, I was excited because it would be an unprecedented drama, so I am pleased to be able to be involved in the production of this work as an "inclusive producer," drawing on my experience as both a person involved and a reporter.
We hope that many people will enjoy and support the main characters as they come together and overcome the real difficulties that minorities face in society in a positive way.
