Eiko Koike appears in the drama "If this world were a stage, where would the dressing room be?"

It has been revealed that actress Koki Mitani Koike will be appearing in the Fuji TV Wednesday 10pm drama "If This World Were a Stage, Where Would the Dressing Room Be?" (Wednesdays at 10pm, first episode extended by 30 minutes) , which is written by Koki Mitani and stars Masaki Suda, and will start airing on October 1st.

The drama is a youth ensemble drama set in Shibuya in 1984, and is a completely original story that includes semi-autobiographical elements from Mitani. It depicts the struggles, setbacks, and sometimes romances of young people who are still new to the city in a corner of Shibuya, a bustling center of youth culture, in the full "Mitani world." This is Mitani's first prime-time drama series in 25 years, and it will be directed by Nishiura Masaki, known for "Code Blue" and other works.

Suda plays the main character, Kube Mitsunari, a theater troupe director who dreams of success, Nikaido Fumi plays the mysterious dancer Koda Rika, Ryunosuke Kamiki plays Horai Shogo, a new broadcast writer based on the "young Mitani," and Hamabe Minami plays Egashira Juri, a shrine maiden at Happun Shrine, a quiet shrine located in Shibuya.

Koike, who is a regular in Mitani's works, including the film "I Hit Me Anyone One More Time" (2019) and the NHK historical drama "The 13 Lords of the Shogun" (2022), will be playing the role of dancer Izanagi Duncan, who will be heavily involved in the story of the first episode.

It was also revealed that a huge open set was built in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture, specifically for this film. In a rare attempt for a recent TV drama series, Shibuya at the time is recreated in detail. The all-star cast, including Suda, will perform their scenes in "this town."

◇Comment from Eiko Koike

This is Mitani's first drama series in a long time, and it features a cast of impressive actors, all set in Tokyo in the 1980s, a time I love. I was excited to take part. I was impressed by the open set made just for the production, and was moved by the passion of the actors and staff. Please look forward to it!