Supporting cast lineup of new WOWOW drama "Akira to Akira" announced

The supporting cast lineup of new WOWOW drama "Akira to Akira" starring Mukai Osamu and Saito Takumi has been announced. The drama is based on the same-titled novel by Ikeido Jun which was first serialised between 2006 and 2009 in the monthly novel magazine "Mondai Shosetsu" before Ikeido gave it an overhaul and will be releasing it in the novel book format for the first time on 17 May which was brought forward from the earlier date of 31 May. As such, this marks the "fastest" real-life adaptation for WOWOW since the original material's release. This will be WOWOW's 4th adaptation of a Ikeido work since 2011's "Shitamachi Rocket" and the longest drama to date i.e. 9 episodes.

The story which is set during the days of the bubble economy, begins in April 1986 where Kaidou Akira (Mukai) who is an elite born as the heir of a large company Tokai Yuusen. On the other hand, his genius classmate from University of Tokyo, Yamazaki Akira (Saito) had a tough life due the bankruptcy of his father's company and having to run away from creditors but overcomes the odds to graduate from the top-notch school. The two of them enter the same bank Sangyo Chuo Bank and gets caught in a battle lasting over 10 years which causes upheavals in their lives.

Koizumi Kotaro will be playing Andou Shoji who works in the HR department of Sangyo Chuo Bank and is the superior of both Akiras while Tanaka Rena plays Yamazaki Akira's classmate Kitamura Ai. Matsushige will play Yamazaki Akira's father Kouzou. Ishimaru Kanji will play Kaidou Kazuma, the president of Tokai Yuusen and Kaku Kento will be Kaidou Akira's younger brother Ryoma. Kinoshita Houka plays Kaidou Susumu, the president of Tokai Asahi Shohai and Takimoto Miori plays Kaidou Akira's colleague Mizushima Kanna. Horibe Keisuke plays Susumu's younger brother Takashi while Nagashima Toshiyuki plays Haneda Kazuo, the director of the bank's financing department. Last but not least, Omi Toshinori plays Ai's father Toshio.

The drama will begin its run from 9 July at 10pm.

Sources: Oricon / Eiga.com