Anime and Manga 'AKU NO HANA' Adapted into Live Action, Check the Broadcast Schedule Here

Kapanlagi.com - The manga The Flowers of Evil (Aku No Hana) by Shuzo Oshimi has been confirmed to receive a new television series adaptation in live action, following a film adaptation in 2019. The series is scheduled to premiere in April 2026 and will be broadcast on TV Tokyo. In addition to the television airing, this series will also have an exclusive screening on the streaming platform Disney+.

This adaptation represents a new interpretation of the well-known dark, sensitive, and emotionally turbulent teenage psychological story. This drama version marks the fifth major adaptation of the title The Flowers of Evil after previous adaptations into manga, anime, film, and stage performances. The production team also released the latest visuals to celebrate this announcement.

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1. Drama Production Team 'The Flowers of Evil'

Visual 'Aku No Hana' (Credit: x.com/@tx_akunohana)

The live action series The Flowers of Evil will be directed by Paul Young, who has previously been involved in the production of Star Wars: Visions Volume 2. Paul Young will be assisted by Noburo Iguchi, the director of the live action film The Flowers of Evil released in 2019. The script for this series is written by Keita Meguro and Shuho Takase, who are trusted to translate the psychological complexities of the story into a television series format that is slower compared to film. This project will be produced by TV Tokyo and C&I Entertainment, two major companies that have previously released many quality works.

The producer from C&I Entertainment, Hideyuki Wakuta, explained that the setting of the story in this adaptation is in the year 1998. This choice of setting aims to capture the anxieties of society on the brink of the millennium. This approach is expected to present themes of restlessness, impulse, and the search for identity that are central to this series' story.

2. Main Cast and Creator Comments

Kasuga and Nakamura (Credit: x.com/@tx_akunohana)

Fuku Suzuki will play the male lead, Takao Kusuga, while Ano, known as a musician, has been entrusted with the role of Sawa Nakamura. This role marks a significant project for both, as it is Suzuki's and Ano's first leading role in a TV drama production. Suzuki mentioned that the story reminds him of the emotional turmoil of school days filled with psychological dynamics. The development of Takao Kasuga's character takes him into territory he has never explored before. Meanwhile, Ani recalls her experience when she first read The Flowers of Evil while her mental state was overwhelmed, leaving a strong yet uncomfortable impression. She admitted she never expected to portray the character of Sawa Nakamura.

The mangaka of this series, Shuzo Oshimi, welcomed this adaptation with great enthusiasm and curiosity about Suzuki and Ano's interpretation of the problematic characters. Oshimi stated, "More than a decade after this manga ended, being able to release it again in the form of a drama is something rare and valuable." From watching his recent acting, I am very excited for Fuku Suzuki to portray Kasuga. I also feel that Ano has the purity and rebellious spirit like Nakamura. I hope both new and long-time readers can enjoy this series."

Koichi Uruma from TV Tokyo, who is one of the producers, mentioned that distribution through Disney+ will scale up production beyond other late-night dramas from TV Tokyo. He also emphasized that this series will raise themes of adolescence, sexuality, 'master and servant' relationships, and other human drives. Although complex and extreme, Uruma said that the emotional turmoil presented can be felt by many people.

3. Synopsis 'The Flowers of Evil'

Visual 'Aku No Hana' (Credit: x.com/@modelpress)

The Flowers of Evil tells the story of Takao Kasuga, a middle school student with an interest in classic literature, particularly the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. His initially ordinary life takes a drastic turn when he is caught stealing the gym clothes of the girl he idolizes. The girl who witnesses the theft is Sawa Nakamura, a rebellious student who rejects the social norms and moral values around her. To keep the incident a secret, Nakamura offers Kasuga a contract and uses it to build an unusual relationship between the two.

The relationship between Kasuga and Nakamura evolves into a psychological dynamic filled with manipulation, emotional pressure, and rebellion against their surroundings. This story explores the anxieties, sexual urges, and search for identity that often arise during adolescence. This extreme inner conflict is presented through an approach that resonates with many people in that phase of growth. The manga The Flowers of Evil itself was published in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2009 to 2014 and has sold 3.25 million copies worldwide.

(kpl/vaj)