It was revealed on August 27 that Kazuya Kamenashi will play Lin Chong, a hero of Liangshan Marsh, in the drama series "Kitakata Kenzo Suikoden" (WOWOW, broadcast and streaming in 2026), starring Yuji Oda. This will be Kamenashi's first film since establishing his own agency, and he will play the most popular character in the series.
The film is based on Kitakata Kenzo's monumental historical epic novel "Suikoden" series (19 volumes, published by Shueisha Bunko). The story is set in China at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty (early 12th century). It tells the story of the rebellion of "outcasts" who lament the corrupt world and seek justice even if it means breaking the law. It depicts the "will to resist unreasonable power" and "bonds with friends" in a grand ensemble drama that is relevant even today. It has been announced that Oda will play Song Jiang, the leader of Liangshan Marsh, and Sorimachi Takashi will play Chao Gai, one of the leaders.
Kamenashi plays Lin Chong, a "world-renowned spearmaster" also known by the nickname "Leopard Head." He has a history of losing loved ones due to state machinations, which casts a shadow over his life and fighting style. He is extremely popular, having been ranked number one in the "Character Popularity Ranking" conducted by Shueisha to celebrate the series surpassing 10 million copies in total sales.
Kamenashi said that this was his first time playing the role of a warrior in a period drama, and that it was also his first time experiencing full-scale action on horseback. "I started with absolutely no skills, so I spent seven to eight months learning seriously and was able to improve to the point where I could act comfortably on horseback, so I hope everyone will pay attention to the action as well," he said.
◇Comment from Kazuya Kamenashi (Lin Chong)
I was able to feel the four seasons while filming. Just like Lin Chong, I filmed in the bitterly cold, freezing winter, enjoyed the beauty of greenery and the scent of flowers in the spring, and climbed a large mountain in the heat of summer. I was able to feel the full year and have experiences that are rarely possible in a single production.
In playing Lin Chong, I always kept in mind the theme of an inner self that is neither strong nor weak, thick nor thin. I completely distanced myself from the person Kamenashi Kazuya, and with each passing day, I felt like I was naturally tripping into Lin Chong, and I felt like I was discovering a new side of myself.
This was my first time playing the role of a warrior in a period drama, and it was also my first time experiencing full-scale action on horseback. I started with absolutely no skill, so I spent 7-8 months learning in earnest and was able to improve to the point where I could act comfortably on horseback, so I hope everyone will pay attention to the action scenes.
On set, I was surrounded by people I had seen on TV before I entered this world, including Oda-san and Sorimachi-san, but the two of them were very natural and treated us well, creating an atmosphere that linked with the work, where "there are no barriers between anyone on set and we all share the same aspirations."
This work conveys a message about the depth and shallowness of human beings, a message that is relevant to any era, and about life. It's not as simple as good or evil, but each person has their own sense of justice and aspirations, and how do we perceive things that become distorted in the midst of complex interactions? I think one of the charms of "Kitakata Kenzo Suikoden" is that it expresses the complexity and difficulty of human relationships. I hope that this work will give you a sense of warmth, about what we think and who we care about as we go through life.
◇ Comment from Producer Yasuaki Ohara (WOWOW)
Lin Chong has garnered overwhelming support from readers of "Water Margin." He boasts unmatched strength and is the best spearman in the world. However, deep within his heart he also harbors a heartbreaking weakness. I am one of those people who have been captivated by Lin Chong's charm. Who could play Lin Chong? This has been an eternal question on my mind ever since I first read "Water Margin" in high school.
Meanwhile, when I worked with Kamenashi Kazuya on another production, I was captivated by his flamboyant appearance, yet his more stoic approach to the work than anyone else, and the strength and delicacy of his acting. I was convinced that Kamenashi was the only one who could play Lin Chong.
I still remember the moment I saw Kamenashi-san in costume in the studio, standing in front of the camera for the first time. All the staff gasped. "Lin Chong is here." In winter, he took on the challenge of filming in snowy mountains at -10 degrees Celsius, charging through blizzards, and in summer, he rode a horse across the plains. The spirit and ferocity that emanates from his body is exactly like the Lin Chong in the original work. It was the image we imagined back then. I'm sure that everyone who watches this film will be captivated by Kamenashi-san's passionate performance. Please look forward to it.
