Actors Tomoya Oku and Kazuto Mokudai will co-star in the drama series "Kimi wa Natsu no Naka" (You Are in the Summer), which will begin airing on July 1st (TV Tokyo, Wednesdays at 12:30 AM). The series will sweetly and refreshingly depict the summer romance of two high school boys who share a common hobby.
The original work is a manga of the same name by Nagisa Furuya, who has produced many popular works in the BL (Boys' Love) genre. It is a popular work that was selected as one of the "[2026 Latest] 46 Recommended BL Manga & Ranking!" carefully chosen by the staff of the ebook store "BOOKWALKER," mainly by women who read more than 100 BL manga a year.
Okusan plays Wataru Toda, a second-year high school student who loves movies and is an ordinary high school student like any other, a little more clumsy than others but with a straightforward personality. Mokudai plays Chiharu Saeki, also a second-year high school student who loves movies. She is the most popular girl in her grade, the one everyone turns to look at, but she actually harbors certain "feelings" and a "secret from the past" towards Wataru.
◇Comment from Tomoya Oku
I feel a strong sense of destiny to be able to stand on the same Wednesday time slot on TV Tokyo as I did three years ago, this time as the lead. This is my third time working with Mokkun, who plays Chiharu, and we were also together on the project immediately before this, so I feel it's a strange coincidence.
The image of the two characters living their lives to the fullest in the soft, summery world of "You Are in Summer" is both poignant and endearing. Wataru and Chiharu are both very pure and awkward, but I hope to cherish the relationship that gradually develops between them through their pilgrimage to the filming locations and the time they spend together over the summer.
This summer, I've started a pilgrimage to sacred sites. I would be happy if "Kimi Natsu" could be the starting point for everyone's summer in that way.
◇Comment from Kazuto Mokudai
I'm Kazuto Mokudai, and I'll be playing the role of Chiharu Saeki. When I read the original work, I was deeply moved by the preciousness and brilliance of the summer days the two of them spent together.
We are approaching the photoshoot while cherishing the atmosphere and the delicate feelings of consideration for others that are present in the works drawn by Mr. Furuya. Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from original author, Nagisa Furuya
I still can't quite believe that it's going to be made into a drama, but I feel incredibly honored to have been given such a valuable opportunity.
Since this story involves film, there are scenes I drew with the intention of creating a visual atmosphere, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they turn out when they become actual films. I hope you'll join us in experiencing their vibrant summer, brought to life by the production team who have carefully stayed true to the original work, and by the wonderful cast.
