Yamashita Tomohisa's "Kinkyori Renai" to get a prequel drama starring Abe Aran

April 23, it was announced, that Mikimoto Rin's popular shoujo manga, "Kinkyori Renai", will be adapted into a live-action movie starring Yamashita Tomohisa. The manga was serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Friend from 2008 to 2011 and was compiled in 10 tankobon volumes.

The story centers on a genius high school girl Kururugi Uni, who is always at the top of the school with English being her only weak subject. Due to unexpected turn of events, she starts dating with Sakurai Haruka, the substitute English teacher. He is being described as an ikemen (good looking man) and tsundere (a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time).  They decide to keep their relationship secret till his working period is finished.

This movie is being directed by Kumazawa Naoto, who previously has worked on another film adaption of popular shoujo manga, "Kimi no Todoke" in 2010. Kururugi Uni is being played by 18-year-old fashion model Komatsu Nana. Also joining the cast is Johnnys' WEST's Kotaki Nozomu, who will play as Matoba, a classmate of Kururugi. Othe casts include Mizukawa Asami, Yamamoto Mizuki and Arai Hirofumi. This movie is set to be released in Japan on October 11.

It has now been announced, that this upcoming movie will get a spin-off-series this summer on NTV. The drama is titled "Kinkyori Renai ~Season Zero~" and will focus on Sakurai Haruka's high school life. Starring in this drama will be Johnny's Jr.'s Abe Aran. Though he had acted in dramas like "49" nad "SHARK ~Season2~", this will be Abe's first time playing a lead role. Johnny's Jr.'s Kishi Yuta has also been casted in this drama as his close freind.

Haruka (Abe), Mirei (Ishibashi Anna) and Kanata (Kishi) are high school students and good friends. Haruka's beautiful older sister, Ririko (Adachi Rika), suddenly returns to Japan. Haruka and Ririko are not blood-related, causing a weird relation between them. On the other side, Mirei has feelings for Haruka and Kanata realizes this.

Abe Aran commented, that he feels uneasy and pressured because of his first lead role, but he's happy at the same time. He confessed looking up to Yamashita's cool demeanor which only adds to his anxiety. He also hoped, that the audiences will be able to understand more about Sakurai Haruka's character from his past.

This prequel drama will air Saturdays at 24:40-25:20 (JST) starting July 19.

Source: AsianWiki, crunchyroll, JE FANDOM