Ayu Sugimoto Makes Her Debut in Psychological Thriller 'Blood and Flesh Love'

Ayu Sugimoto Makes Her Debut in 'Blood and Flesh Love'

On September 12 at 5 PM, the much-anticipated psychological thriller 'Blood and Flesh Love' was released on the vertical short drama app 'POPCORN', marking the debut of renowned actress Ayu Sugimoto in this unique format. The show is a reboot project based on a title that has generated significant buzz across various social media platforms through GOKKO’s TikTok account 'Umigame Gokko'. This thriller intricately portrays a wife's struggle to protect her family from her mother-in-law's overwhelming and unsettling love.

Cast and Crew

The series stars Ayu Sugimoto alongside Daiki Watanabe, who plays her overly attached husband, Nobuhiko, and Kayanon Nakamura as his wife, Kibo. Kibo finds herself caught in a bizarre love triangle revolving around her husband's deep dependence on his mother. The role of the mother, a menacing figure dominating the narrative, is convincingly portrayed by Sugimoto, whose multi-faceted career as an actress, singer, dancer, novelist, and entrepreneur has culminated in this gripping performance.

The character of Masaru, the son of Nobuhiko and Kibo, is portrayed by Tsuya Shimizu, a talented young actor known for his remarkable performances in dramas like 'Silent' and 'Giver Taker'. He showcases his acting prowess by handling complex roles with ease.

Adding complexity to the family dynamics is Kenji, Nobuhiko’s brother, portrayed by scriptwriter Keisuke Nishimura, who also adapted the screenplay for the series. Nishimura is recognized for his impactful performances in projects such as 'Confidence Man JP' and 'MIU404'. The role of Nobuhiko's father, Tsutomu, is played by Hideki Sonoda, celebrated for his extensive work in the 'Pokémon' franchise as a writer and director.

The series is directed by Junpei Hirota, who has made significant contributions to short drama production and is well-known for his diverse work as a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer in major TV shows and commercials. Hirota is adept at creating emotionally charged narratives, with his works amassing an average of 3.3 million views and total views exceeding 510 million.

Synopsis

The story opens with a chilling proposition: "Mom... can you get pregnant with me again?" Nobuhiko and Kibo appear to live a fairly happy life, but Kibo harbors growing dissatisfaction with her husband's dependency on his mother. After discovering she's pregnant, Kibo endeavors to protect her family from her mother-in-law's dominating nature. As tensions rise, even her brother-in-law, Kenji, and father-in-law, Tsutomu, reveal their grievances toward family life. Meanwhile, their son, Masaru, is born into this complicated atmosphere of obsession, creating a darkly humorous yet intense psychological thriller.

Series Overview

- Title: GOKKO Original Series 'Blood and Flesh Love' (Japanese: ちにくのあい)
- Platform: Vertical short drama app 'POPCORN'
- Screenwriter: Keisuke Nishimura
- Director: Junpei Hirota (known for titles like 'Mantasarezu, Tomerarezu' and 'Seisai's Scenario')
- Episodes: 31 episodes
- Cast: Daiki Watanabe, Kayanon Nakamura, Ayu Sugimoto, Tsuya Shimizu, Keisuke Nishimura, Hideki Sonoda, and more.
- Produced by: STUDIO GOKKO
- Copyright: © GOKKO

About 'POPCORN'

The 'POPCORN' app aims to provide concentrated entertainment experiences through vertical short dramas, merging creativity with modern viewing habits. Each episode runs between 1.5 to 3 minutes, with several initial episodes available for free. Through GOKKO's innovative methodologies, the app showcases diverse genres including romance, moral dilemmas, coming-of-age stories, and comedy, presenting works that enhance the individuality of its creators.

For more information and to download the app, visit their website.

About GOKKO

GOKKO is a creative company focused on delivering vertical short dramas that emphasize the often-forgotten small loves of everyday life. Founded in May 2021, GOKKO encompasses a full production team, managing everything from concept development to post-production marketing. The group has produced and released over 4,000 videos with a total view count of 9.4 billion as of August 2025, with a social media following exceeding 6.2 million, making them a prominent force in the short drama category in Japan.