Kimi wa Natsu no Naka Manga Series Adapted into Live-Action Drama: Leads Announced!
The Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (You Are in the Summer) manga by Nagisa Furuya, widely considered one of the most beloved and innocent works in the Boys' Love (BL) genre, is getting a live-action drama adaptation. With this announcement, which has excited fans, the names of the actors who will portray the series' main characters have been made official. Tomoya Oku will bring the character Wataru Toda to life, while Kazuto Mokudai will take on the role of Chiharu Saeki. The production will meet the audience on July 1, 2026, during TV Tokyo's "Drama NEXT" block; however, for impatient fans, an early preview will be available on the U-NEXT platform starting June 24.
The story revolves around Wataru and Chiharu, two high school students with a passion for cinema. Wataru, an ordinary high school student, and Chiharu, the most popular and handsome boy in school, grow closer thanks to their shared hobby of watching films. The duo plans a "pilgrimage" (seichijunrei) to visit the locations where their favorite movies were filmed during summer vacation, and during this journey, they enter an emotional process that evolves from friendship to love. Chiharu's unexpected confession of love opens the door for Wataru to discover his own feelings and leads to an unforgettable coming-of-age story that lasts throughout the summer.
The leads of the series were chosen from among the rising stars of the Japanese entertainment world. Tomoya Oku previously drew attention with his performances in projects such as Kamen Rider Revice and Kimi to Yukite Saku. His partner, Kazuto Mokudai, is known both for his role in the Kamen Rider Geats series and for being a member of the popular music group Genjin.
