It was revealed on February 28th that actor Daiken Okudaira will be starring in the NHK evening drama "Books Bought with Taxes" (General TV, Monday to Thursday, 10:45pm), which will begin airing this summer. This will be Okudaira's first lead role in a drama series, and he will play Ishidaira Kiichi, a delinquent high school student who works part-time at a library.
The drama is a human comedy based on the "Library Work Manga" serialized in "Young Magazine" (Kodansha), written by Zuino and illustrated by Keiyama Kei. The story begins when the protagonist, Sekihei, visits the library for the first time in 10 years. There, the unique staff members struggle every day for the benefit of the users. Sekihei starts working part-time at the library and learns about the various rules and tasks that are in place to ensure that everyone can encounter books and experience the "joy of learning." The many encounters he has at the library slowly begin to change Sekihei, who had previously felt somewhat unfulfilled...
Ishihira, played by Okudaira, is a delinquent high school student who is good at fighting, but at heart he is an honest and curious person. He is the type of person who feels uneasy if he doesn't ask people or research things he wants to know until he is satisfied.
Okuhira, who also appeared in the night drama "Someday, in Zero Gravity Sky" that aired last year, commented with joy, "I'm honored to be able to take part in the night drama again this year, following on from last year's."
"This version of 'Books Bought with Tax Money' is set in a library, and in that quiet space, surprisingly unique and charming characters come to life. Through the character I play, Ishihira Kiichi, I hope to be able to convey to the hearts of those who watch the show the power of books and the profound meaning of the place known as a library. The series is filled with words that will make you gasp in surprise at unexpected moments and stories that will warm your heart. I hope you will look forward to the completed drama," he said.
