■ “When I heard that I would be the sole lead in a Netflix film, I honestly felt like I was being crushed by the pressure” (Ai Mikami), “I was able to seriously consider Maki’s troubles and grow together with her during the six months of filming” (Miyase Ryuya)
The Netflix series “Renai Battle Royale,” the first original school drama produced in Japan, will be distributed worldwide from August 29th on Netflix.
The role of the main character, Arisawa Yuichika, will be played by Ai Mikami, who has been receiving a steady stream of offers for dramas and movies, including appearing in the globally popular Netflix series “Yu Yu Hakusho,” the 2024 Taiga drama “Hikaru Kimi e,” two consecutive seasons of commercial TV dramas, and playing the heroine in a streaming drama.
The role of Maki Ryogo, who gradually becomes attracted to Yuichika, is played by Miyase Ryuya, who has appeared in many popular dramas and movies, including the lead role in the movie “Lovesick Ellie” and the drama “Kururi: Who Fell in Love with Me?,” and made his major debut as an artist in April. This will be a collaboration between two of today’s most dynamic young actors.
The main cast was selected through auditions, but Netflix executive producer Makiko Okano reflected on the casting of Migami, saying, “She had a neutral appearance, but when she acted, the power of her eyes was amazing. I thought Migami would be able to express the strength to fight back and get what you want through your own efforts, no matter how unfortunate your environment. On the other hand, when I saw her act in the love scenes, she was very pure and charming. Both the director and I immediately fell in love with her, thinking that she was the only one who could play Yuichika!”
Regarding the casting of Miyase Ryuya, he said, “Maki is not what anyone would call a straightforward, good-natured young man; he is the complete opposite of Yuichika. We needed an actor who could express the changes that occur after experiencing love, and we took notice of Miyase, who has captivated audiences with his wide range of acting and facial expressions in various works, and decided to cast him.”
■An ultra-elite high school where a school rule prohibiting dating between boys and girls is in place. An unprecedented battle royale begins between students competing to leak information, and with the school authorities who enforce the unreasonable school rule!
The story is based on a lawsuit filed by a former female student who broke the school’s rules prohibiting dating, was advised to voluntarily withdraw from school, and then sued the school corporation. Starting from this actual event, extensive research was conducted on Gen Z’s views on romance, and the original story was developed while incorporating their opinions.
Beyond the sensational battle royale, this coming-of-age drama reveals the true nature of what love can bring, and is likely to resonate with people of not only this generation, but a wide range of generations.
Along with this announcement, teaser art has also been released, showing Ai Mikami and Miyase Ryuya peeking out from the school gates.
The strict school rules of “dating between boys and girls is prohibited” appear, and on top of that are bold, graffiti-like letters that read “Oppose rabbit hunting.” Together with Miage’s sharp gaze, the visual evokes the image of a battle royale about to begin.
Netflix’s sensational new-age school drama “Renai Battle Royale” will be available worldwide from August 29th.
[STORY]
Arisawa Yuichika (Migami Ai) enrolls in an elite girls’ high school attended by the children of wealthy families. Thinking of her daughter’s future, her mother Chihiro tries her best to scrape together the school fees, but life for the couple is not easy. When Yuichika advances to her second year of high school, the school merges with an all-boys school to become coeducational, Tomorrow Academy. The students are excited, but a new school rule is enacted that prohibits dating between boys and girls. What’s more, the rule is so strict that any student who violates the rule and has sexual intercourse will be expelled.
The student council immediately began patrolling around love hotels and other areas in what is known as the “rabbit hunt,” and many students dropped out. Yuichika’s best friend was also forced to drop out. Meanwhile, in order to save her mother, who was left with a huge debt from her ex-husband, Yuichika began working as a “love keeper,” accepting money from violators without revealing her true identity and erasing evidence photos. The students had once given up on love, but with the arrival of a savior, the romance landscape becomes even more complicated and tangled. Yuichika had no interest in love, but after seeing the students’ honest feelings of love and finding herself attracted to Maki Ryogo (Miyase Ryuya), her feelings began to change.
Eventually, after a certain incident, Yuichika decides to sue the school and demand that the ban on romance be lifted…
■ Comment from Ai Mikami (role of Yuichika Arisawa)
When I passed the audition and was told that I would be playing the lead role in a Netflix film, I honestly felt crushed by the pressure. However, as I read the script, I began to feel that I wanted to fight and grow together with Arisawa Yuichika. Inspired by the fresh energy of the actors of my generation, and supported by the reliable support of my seniors, I moved forward little by little during the filming period, becoming an adult. Don’t miss this summer’s school drama about Yuichika, who has decided that “I will seize my own life,” and the high school students!■ Comment from Ryubi Miyase (role of Ryogo Maki)
My name is Miyase Ryuya, and I played the role of Maki Ryogo. I was very surprised when I heard that I would be appearing in this film. What I felt through this production was that each person has their own values and big worries, and that in the midst of all this, everyone is struggling desperately to survive. Maki, who I played, is one of those people. During the six months of filming, I was able to seriously consider Maki’s worries and grow together with him. Please look forward to the finished film!■Comment from Director Takeshi Matsumoto
Guided by Producer Okano’s powerful yet troubling words, “Let’s make a new school drama,” the project has finally been completed. It is an exciting story based on a real-life event and created by the two screenwriters. Above all, this work is a drama overflowing with the energy of the young actors, led by Ai Mikami and Miyase Ryuya. Please keep an eye on the fresh brilliance of these young people who will likely be leading the Japanese film industry in a few years’ time.■Comment from Makiko Okano (Executive Producer / Netflix)
When I saw the news about the trial that arose from the school rule banning dating, I wanted to deliver a story that could only be told now, about how students face, resist, and struggle with this school rule. Whether it’s friendship or love, how do the students’ lives change by caring for someone and being cared for by someone, and what will they grasp? I want you to watch until the end. A wonderfully talented staff and cast have come together. Please look forward to it!
Information
Netflix series“Renai Battle Royale”
Available worldwide from Thursday, August 29th
Cast: Ai Mikami and Ryubi Miyase
Director: Soshi Matsumoto, Ryo Ohta, Yuka Yasukawa
Screenplay: Eriko Shinozaki (the official spelling of “崎” is “tatsusaki”), Rin Shuto
Music: Masaru Yokoyama, Yuta Kurama, Dan Kubo
Executive Producer: Makiko Okano
Producers: Tomiji Kajiwara and Takuya Kitazawa
Line Producer: Yasuhiro Miyoshi
Production company: Robot
Original idea, planning, and production: Netflix
Netflix production page
http://www.netflix.com/Renai Battle Royale
Netflix OFFICIAL SITE
https://www.netflix.com/jp/
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