Fuji TV announced that the Barakamon live-action television drama will debut this July on Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. [JST]. Yosuke Sugino, who also stars in the live-action drama Love’s in Sight! and Flower and the Beast, takes the role of the talented calligrapher, Seishū Handa.
Keita Kono is directing the series. Kumiko Asо̄ is writing the screenplay. Juichi Uehara is in charge of planning, and Masataka Takamaru is the producer.
Based on Satsuki Yoshino’s Barakamon slice-of-life manga, the series centers on Handa, a young professional calligrapher, who was sent off to a faraway Island in Kyushu after punching an elderly curator for criticizing his work. There, he meets the colorful villagers, interacts with them, and begins to find his own style.
The lead actor Sugino expressed excitement about participating in the drama. “The series takes place in the Gotō Islands and I’m looking forward to visiting the islands and being involved in a work that highlights the warmth and connections between people,” he said.
“In the dialect of the Gotō Islands, Barakamon means the energetic/cheerful one. The way that Handa interacts and connects with the residents in the Gotō Islands is something that is rarely found in daily life, so I value the relationship that is unique to this work.”
The Barakamon manga was first serialized in Square Enix’s Gangan Online magazine in 2009. The manga also began running in Monthly Shonen Gangan in 2014. It ran for a total of nine years and 18 volumes. Barakamon also inspired a 12-episode anime series of the same name that premiered in July. The manga also returned for a limited serialization, starting in this year’s May issue published on April 12.
▍Barakamon Live-Action Drama Synopsis
For a certain reason, a handsome young calligrapher by the name of Seishuu Handa uproots himself and moves to an island on the westernmost edge of Japan. “Sensei,” as he comes to be known, is a city boy through and through, and has never experienced rural life until now. And by the looks of it, he has much to learn! From navigating public roads by tractor to resigning himself to having his new digs commandeered by the local children as their new hangout, the list of Sensei’s hardships is shaping up to be long indeed!
▍Barakamon Live-Action Drama Staff & Production
Original Work: Satsuki Yoshino’s Barakamon [Gangan Online Published by Square Enix]
Director: Keita Kono
Screenplay: Kumiko Asо̄
Planning: Juichi Uehara
Produce: Masataka Takamaru