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Saito Takumi Turns Kidnapper Dad in Bonkers New Drama 'Yukai no Hi' — Co-Stars Genius Kid Nagao Yuno! (Asahi TV) |
TV Asahi’s bringing the chaos this summer with a wild ride of a drama: ‘Yukai no Hi’, starring Saito Takumi and rising child prodigy Nagao Yuno. Set to air from July 8, 2025, every Tuesday at 9PM, the series is a bonkers, twisty-turny human mystery that kicks off with a kidnapping plan gone sideways—real fast.
And guess what? It’s a Japanese take on Korea’s 2023 hit series ‘The Kidnapping Day’, but with its own flavour of heartbreak, mystery, and dark comedy… plus a whole lotta awkward parenting.
🧠💥 The Plot: Fake Dad, Real Trouble, and One Genius Kid
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Saito plays Shinjou Masamune, a down-on-his-luck single dad whose daughter’s battling a life-threatening heart condition. Struggling to scrape up surgery funds, he agrees to a desperate plan—kidnap the daughter of a rich hospital director. But on the day of the “job”, the target herself (played by Nagao Yuno) literally jumps out in front of his car.
Bam. Plan ruined. Or… sort of completed?
Except the girl wakes up with zero memory. So what does Shinjou do? Lies on the spot and pretends to be her dad.
Cue the panic.
But just when things couldn't get any messier—her real parents turn up dead. Now our man’s not just a fake dad and accidental kidnapper… he’s also the main suspect in a double murder.
Talk about bad luck.
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👧 Meet Rin: Memory-Wiped, Multilingual, and Sharper Than Google
Nagao Yuno’s character Rin isn’t your average primary schooler. She's a multilingual genius with no time for nonsense—and she’s not buying into this fake family setup without questions.
Turns out, she’s better at solving crimes than most adults. So Shinjou’s only hope of clearing his name? Listening to a bossy 8-year-old who keeps scolding him while they’re both on the run.
It’s a full-on buddy escape drama: bungling “dad” and know-it-all “daughter” against a city full of cops, crooks, and killers. Expect car chases, emotional sucker punches, and a lot of yelling.
🎬 Behind the Scenes: Saito’s Loving It, Yuno’s Already a Pro
Saito Takumi’s beyond hyped about the role, calling it a chance to be “his real self” for once. “I usually act with a switch on, but this time, I left it off,” he says, laughing. “I am this guy. Bit useless, got a weird past, but trying my best.”
He also praised Yuno as “scary good”—especially after she nailed scenes in multiple languages with barely any prep. “I can’t even memorise a shopping list. She’s fluent in five tongues by lunchtime!”
Yuno, for her part, is having the time of her life: “We’re always running or screaming, but it’s super fun! Everyone’s so nice on set.” She calls her character Rin “kind of bossy but secretly cute”, and says she loves dropping foreign lines to impress her mates.
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🔥 Why This Drama’s Got Everyone Buzzing
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Japan’s take on a beloved K-drama, with its own original twists
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An oddball buddy duo with a 35-year age gap—somehow perfect together
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Smart, sharp writing by Kentarou Ushio (Signal)
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Direction by Yoshihiro Fukagawa (Hoshifuru Yoru ni)
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Emotional chaos meets high-stakes mystery, with a sprinkle of dark comedy
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First episode’s set to leave jaws on the floor
🧭 How to Watch
Yukai no Hi premieres 8 July 2025, every Tuesday at 9PM JST on TV Asahi.
For international fans:
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No official streaming confirmed yet, but keep an eye on TV Asahi’s official platforms, Viki, or Netflix Japan for potential subs.
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Tonboriday will keep you posted the second it drops with English options!
🤔 FAQ
Is this a remake of a Korean drama?
Yes! It’s based on The Kidnapping Day (2023) by ASTORY, known for hits like Signal and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. But the Japanese version is billed as a full rework with local flair.
Is it serious or funny?
Both. Expect emotional gut punches, a murder mystery, and surprisingly hilarious moments thanks to the “dad and kid on the run” dynamic.
Who is Nagao Yuno?
An absolute scene-stealer and one of Japan’s top child actors. She’s only 8, but she’s already being called a future legend. Watch this space.
Final Thoughts
From awkward lies to high-speed escapes, Yukai no Hi promises to be a mad, emotional, and totally addictive drama. Saito Takumi and Nagao Yuno are about to steal the summer—maybe even your heart.
Don’t miss it. 👀
第60回 #百想芸術大賞 テレビ部門の女性新人演技賞にユナちゃん(#誘拐の日)がノミネートされました👏😭よみがえる感動🥲
— さと韓. (@chan_satto) April 8, 2024
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