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| BL Drama Alert! ‘Renai Rubi’ Drops July with Iwahashi Genki & Soma Satoru |
Get ready for a messy little love revenge story dressed up in hair wax and heartbreak — because Iwahashi Genki is finally back on terrestrial TV after seven years, and he’s diving head-first into the bittersweet world of boys’ love.
The former idol-turned-actor will be fronting Renai Rubi no Tadashii Furikata, the upcoming live-action drama based on the hit BL short manga by Ogeretsu Tanaka. Set to premiere 13 July 2025 on TOKYO MX (Sundays at 1:05 AM), the series co-stars rising actor Soma Satoru as the relentless romantic pest you just can’t shake.
✂️ Love, Haircuts and Old Wounds
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The story follows Hiro Suzuki (played by Iwahashi), a now-successful but emotionally guarded hairstylist who gets a shock from the past — his loud, slightly annoying high school classmate Natsuki Washizawa (Soma) suddenly confesses his feelings. Not only that, but Natsuki’s been carrying a torch for him since those school days when Hiro wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.
Now, older and maybe a little colder, Hiro hatches a low-key evil plan: he’ll date Natsuki, make him fall in love even harder… then break his heart. Yeah, sounds cruel — but in true Ogeretsu Tanaka fashion, things don’t stay that simple. Between snippy salon banter, awkward honesty, and quiet moments that hit you in the chest, what unfolds is a love story that’s as clumsy as it is tender.
🎤 Genki’s Comeback: “This Role Taught Me Something About People”
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Speaking on his lead role, Iwahashi Genki said he felt “honoured” to take on Hiro, describing him as a former outsider who’s now made it big but still carries emotional baggage.
“It’s a character with two faces — once a gloomy outsider, now a top stylist. His feelings toward Natsuki shift slowly, and that really hit me deeply during filming,” Genki shared. “This role taught me something important about how we treat others.”
This marks Genki’s first lead on a mainstream drama since leaving King & Prince and going solo — and fans are already buzzing over the new era he’s entering.
🧡 Soma Satoru is That Guy Who Never Gave Up
Soma, who you might’ve seen in Sweet Revenge or as BunOrange in Bakuage Sentai BakuBunger, plays the overly eager but weirdly sincere Natsuki.
“He might seem a bit silly at first,” Soma says, “but Natsuki sees people clearly, and he loves Hiro with his whole heart. He really cares about everyone around him. Honestly, I relate a lot to him.”
He also hints that we’ll see real growth in both characters — and that their emotional push-pull is what makes the story sing.
🖌️ Ogeretsu Tanaka’s World, But With New Twists
The original manga was first released in 2015 under the Dear+ Comics line, and despite being short, it built a solid following among BL fans thanks to its poignant tone and emotional realism. This new adaptation will stay true to the heart of the story, but expands the world with new characters at Hiro’s salon and original side plots exclusive to the drama.
Directed by Sato Aki and written by Takahashi Mikiko, the series will run for 8 episodes — a compact but emotionally loaded ride through lingering regrets, second chances, and surprising tenderness.
Ogeretsu Tanaka commented:
“I’m so grateful this story is getting adapted. I’m excited and a little nervous — can’t wait to see how it turns out!”
📺 How to Watch
Renai Rubi no Tadashii Furikata begins airing Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 1:05–1:35 AM (JST) on TOKYO MX1, with free catch-up streaming via TVer for those in Japan.
International streaming hasn’t been announced yet, but fans can keep an eye on the official social media channels for updates:
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X/Twitter: @renrubi_mx
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Instagram: @renrubi_mx
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TikTok: @renrubi_mx
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Hashtag: #恋ルビ
🎬 Cast & Crew
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Hiro Suzuki – Iwahashi Genki
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Natsuki Washizawa – Soma Satoru
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Director: Sato Aki
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Screenwriter: Takahashi Mikiko
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Producer: Wakita Yoshika
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Production: Humax Entertainment
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Original Work: Renai Rubi no Tadashii Furikata by Ogeretsu Tanaka (Shinshokan / Dear+ Comics)
Whether you're here for the old-school pining, the stylish haircuts, or just want to see Genki in a painfully slow-burn romance — Renai Rubi looks set to serve. One to watch, especially for those who like their BL with a bit of revenge and a lot of heart.