"Eien Shonen" Live-action Drama: Gaku Matsumoto as Kentaro Sanada
It has finally been decided that the popular anime "Eternal Boys" is going to be adapted into both a live-action TV drama and a stage play. This is quite big news for the fans who have been following the journey of these middle-aged idols. The TV drama is set to be broadcast in short 15-minute slots on BS12 Twelve starting from July 4th. If you are more into live theater, the stage play will be performed at I'M A SHOW in Yurakucho, Tokyo, running from December 3rd to 13th. It is really interesting to see such a unique concept getting so much mainstream attention lately.
The above image gives us a first look at the live-action version of the “Eternal Boys” visual. For those who might not know, "Eternal Boys" is a heart-warming youth group drama. It originally broadcast on Fuji TV and other networks for two full seasons, starting back in October 2022. The story is quite relatable for many; it follows Kentaro Sanada, a man who found himself unemployed and looking for a fresh start. He eventually applied for a position at Manpuku Entertainment and ended up becoming a key member of a very unusual idol project called "Eien Shonen."
The Concept of Middle-Aged Idols
The group is basically an "old man idol project" where all the members are around 40 years old. It is not your typical flashy teenage idol group, and that is exactly why this idol anime and manga series is a must watch for fans who want something different. Sanada has to work alongside other men who have seen their own shares of successes and big setbacks in life. Together, they try to overcome the physical barriers and age-related stereotypes to achieve their dreams of becoming idols. It is quite an inspiring story about second chances in life.
One very cool thing about this adaptation is that the cast remains the same for both the drama and the stage play. This will definitely help in maintaining the chemistry between the characters. The main lineup includes:
- Gaku Matsumoto as Kentaro Sanada
- Kohei Nakatsuka as Daisuke Yamanaka
- Soichiro Sorihashi as Yu Asai
- Tate Teruyama as Tsuyoshi Imagawa
- Yudai Suzuki as Naoki Ishida
- Kei Hosogai as Makoto Kakizaki
- Aren Konatsu as Nikolai Asakura
Additionally, Akira Saito will be seen as Fukutaro Manda, and Minako Tanaka will take on the role of Fukuko Manda. Matsumoto, speaking about his character Sanada, mentioned that the character gradually grows into someone very attractive under the influence of those around him. This kind of character development is a big reason why this idol anime and manga series is a must watch for fans globally.
New Fan Site and Membership Details
To go along with this big announcement, an official fan site for the live-action version of Eien Shonen has also been launched. They have set up a system for both free and paid members. While free members can get basic updates and information, the paid members will get access to exclusive photos and behind-the-scenes movies. Also, paid members will be able to watch special programs distributed on the site and get advance ticket reservations for the shows. It seems like the production is really putting in effort to build a solid community around this project.
