Genta Matsuda Stars in Drama Hadakanbo-tachi Premiere
Beginning its broadcast run with a bedroom scene featuring actor Genta Matsuda, the television drama adaptation Hadakanbō-tachi premiered on October 3, post.tv-asahi.co.jp reported. The TV Asahi Saturday night series, based on the romance novel by Naoki Prize-winning author Kaori Ekuni, follows the dangerous love triangle surrounding shoe craftsman and sales clerk Ryō Sabasaki, played by Matsuda.
Matsuda Portrays a Controversial Protagonist
In the opening moments of the first episode, the character of Sabasaki is introduced declaring that true love does not exist, moving directly into intimate scenes with a female partner, post.tv-asahi.co.jp reported. According to THE FIRST TIMES reporting, the broadcast also featured a shower scene within the first two minutes that had previously trended on social media following the release of promotional clips. The outlet noted that the sequence highlighted Matsuda’s physical presence and the solitary atmosphere surrounding the character.
The narrative advanced when Sabasaki crossed paths on the street with Tsutsui Momo, a dentist played by Rosa Katō who is close to marriage, THE FIRST TIMES reported. The encounter involved Sabasaki touching Momo’s feet to ease her tension, leading up to a closing sequence that drew strong audience reactions on social media for its sudden shift in tone and the character’s forward approach.
Cross-Over Appearance Connects Tokyo Tower Adaptations
The premiere included a surprise crossover featuring actress Yuka Itaya reprising her role as Shizushi Asano from the April 2024 TV Asahi drama Tokyo Tower, which was also adapted from an Ekuni work, THE FIRST TIMES reported. In this sequence, Asano visits Sabasaki’s workshop as a customer, establishing a continuity between the two television adaptations. Itaya commented to THE FIRST TIMES that stepping back into the role felt familiar yet brief, and she expressed support for Matsuda as he leads the new production.
Hadakanbō-tachi airs Saturdays at 23:00 on TV Asahi, with streaming available on TVer and TELASA, post.tv-asahi.co.jp reported. The second episode is scheduled to broadcast on October 10, according to THE FIRST TIMES.