It was announced on December 3rd that Nagase Ren of the popular group King & Prince and actor Yoshikawa Ai will co-star in the film "Oni no Hanayome" (directed by Ikeda Chihiro, scheduled for release on March 27th, 2026). This is the first time Nagase and Yoshikawa have co-starred in a Japanese-style romance fantasy. The teaser visual and Teaser trailer have been released.
The series is based on the novel of the same name by Kureha, published in 2020 (Starts Publishing Bunko). A comic adaptation illustrated by Jun Togashi began serialization in the digital magazine "noicomi" (Starts Publishing) in 2021, and the total number of copies of the series, including novels, comics, and digital versions, has exceeded 5.8 million. It won first place in the "Comic Seymour Annual Ranking" for girls' comics for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, and won the Grand Prize (including both the men's and women's categories) in the "Comic Seymour Everyone's Choice!! Digital Comic Awards" in 2023.
The live-action adaptation will be directed by Director Ikeda, who has directed dramas such as "Towako Mameda and Her Three Ex-Husbands" (2021) and films such as "Afterschool Insomnia" (2023) and "Kowloon Generic Romance" (2025).
Nagase, who will be starring in his first leading role in a full-scale love story film, plays Kiryuin Reiya, the next head of the demon clan, which is at the top of the ayakashi world, and is a man of noble charisma. Yoshikawa plays Shinonome Yuzu, an ordinary female college student who has been neglected and bullied by her family.
The story is set in a world where ayakashi and humans coexist. Ayakashi, who captivate people with their beautiful looks and abilities, sometimes choose a bride from among humans. To an ayakashi, a bride is one of a kind, and once they set their eyes on her, they will devote their love to her alone for the rest of their lives. Yuzu, who was unloved and oppressed by her family, meets a demon, the pinnacle of the ayakashi clan. "I've found my bride," says Reiya, the next head of the demon clan, as he suddenly finds Yuzu as his bride. This encounter sets the two of them on a dramatic course...
The teaser visual released emotionally shows Reiya offering an umbrella to Yuzu, who is lonely and heartbroken in the pouring rain. The trailer begins with Reiya's line, "I've found my bride," and dramatically depicts the love story the two weave. It also gives a glimpse into the mysterious worldview that colors the work, making it a visual that will make you look forward to future developments.
Comments from the cast and staff are as follows:
◇Nagase Ren (role of Kiryuin Reiya)
This is my first time to play the lead role in such a straightforward love story. I was a little nervous when I was cast, but I was very happy to have been given the role of Reiya. I am looking forward to seeing how this unique setting of a love story between a demon and a human will be portrayed. I approached filming every day, exploring with Director Ikeda the balance between Reiya's slightly heavy love for Yuzu. I think that the costumes, makeup, art, and location, as well as the changes in the two characters' love and relationship, all make for a wonderful production that immerses you in the world of "The Demon's Bride." Please look forward to the release.
◇ Yoshikawa Ai (role of Shinonome Yuzuko)
When I received the script, I was excited to see how this strange world where spirits are a given would be portrayed, and what the costumes would be like. Yuzu-chan has a fragility that I don't have (laughs), so I spent every day trying to figure out how to express and convey that fragility. Also, despite her sad circumstances, she is a girl who cares about her family and has a strong core, so I carefully discussed both sides of her character with the director while playing her. I worked hard with the wonderful cast, so please do check it out!
◇Kureha-san (original novel)
I'm Kureha, the original author. When I heard about the live-action adaptation, I couldn't believe it and I was at a loss for words. With the involvement of such a wonderful cast, including the two who will be playing Reiya and Yuzu, I feel that the world of "The Demon Bride" will become even deeper, and I'm delighted. I'm grateful beyond words for the opportunity to let even more people know about it. I hope you will continue to support "The Demon Bride."
◇ Jun Togashi (illustration)
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported this work up until now for giving me this wonderful opportunity to adapt it into a live-action film. Reiya will be played by Nagase Ren. With his dignified and refined looks and a powerful gaze that conveys inner strength, he is truly suited to be the next head of the demon family. Yuzu will be played by Yoshikawa Ai, who is charmingly cute and skillfully expressive like a doll. I look forward to seeing the performances of these two wonderful actors. I can't wait to see how the new world of "The Demon's Bride" will be portrayed on the big screen.
◇ Director Chihiro Ikeda
Do we fall in love because it's fate, or is it fate because we fall in love? What is fate? There are many things in this world that we cannot change on our own, but what if we could take on all of them, and think of them as our own? We continued filming with that wish in mind. Supported by Nagase-kun and Yoshikawa-san's dedication, the feeling of facing each other and sharing our hearts remains with us even now, and I am enjoying editing as I try to sublimate as much of the time the two of them spent together. I hope that many people will enjoy this love story set in this mysterious world where spirits live, which we created with the warm and reliable staff and cast.
◇ Producer's comment (regarding the reasons for selecting the cast)
・About Nagase Ren, who plays Kiryuin Reiya
Kiryuin Reiya is the pinnacle of the "Ayakashi" who are known for their beautiful appearance. It's not enough to just be cool, she has to have a beauty that everyone can acknowledge... When I thought about that, the only person who came to mind was Nagase Ren. On set, Nagase-san beautifully portrayed Reiya's beauty, as well as the loneliness and worries hidden within, and I think he has truly stepped out of the original work. There really is no one else who could play Reiya other than Nagase-san... I can't wait for everyone to see it.
・About Yoshikawa Ai, who plays Shinonome Yuzuko
In the original work, Yuzu is a high school student, but for the live-action version, we thought it would be better to have her a little closer in age to Reiya, so we changed her setting to a university student. And if she was going to be a university student, we really wanted Yoshikawa Ai to play Yuzu. Yuzu was abused by her family and appears quiet at first glance, but in reality she is a strong woman with a strong core. We felt that Yoshikawa would be able to express through her acting the feelings of not just being protected by Reiya, but wanting to protect him as well. She is not just weak, but embodies the new Reiwa heroine on set every day, and we think she is the perfect fit for the role of Yuzu.
