#Japan #Tokyo #Fuji TV #Bilibili #Link Click

Exciting News: Live-Action Adaptation of 'Link Click'

Fuji TV is set to introduce its first-ever internationally co-produced drama, 'Link Click', starting April 11th, airing every Saturday from 11:40 PM to 12:35 AM. This new show is a collaborative effort among Fuji TV, the Chinese platform bilibili, and Tokai Television Broadcasting. Following the initial airing, episodes will also be available on FOD and TVer.

The show's origin comes from the anime series 'Link Click', which aired in 2021 on bilibili. The series became a massive hit, garnering an astounding 850 million views, enabling its transition into live-action. In Japan, Fuji TV has been airing the dubbed version of 'Link Click', receiving positive feedback from anime fans, making the live-action adaptation a natural progression for its popularity.

Bilibili stands out in China as a leading platform among the youth demographic, offering a wide array of entertainment services such as video sharing, live streaming, gaming, imagery, blogs, and comics. On September 26, 2023, a strategic partnership was proclaimed between Fuji TV and bilibili, focusing on not just program and rights sales, but also on co-production using each other’s intellectual properties (IP) and jointly developing new IP.

To further enhance this collaboration, in October 2023, bilibili announced a new anime block named 'B8station', designed for the Japanese market, featuring the dubbed version of 'Link Click'. This partnership has strengthened over the past two and a half years and is culminating in this exciting live-action adaptation set to premier in April 2026.

Kenshi Shimizu, President of Fuji TV, commented on the shift towards becoming a true content company, stating their commitment to expanding market reach globally and enhancing content distribution through partnerships. As stated in the reform action plan announced last fall, strengthening partnerships regarding IP utilization, diversifying IP-linked businesses, and accelerating global expansion were highlighted as essential strategies. The approval for 'Link Click' to be transformed into a live-action drama signifies these goals in action. There are also plans to utilize Fuji TV's IP in other anime projects by bilibili, leading to significant developments throughout 2026.

Stepping into the spotlight is Shinichiro Tanaka, Head of the Global Business Department at Fuji TV Distribution Center, who expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with bilibili. He remarked, “We are thrilled to see our strategic partnership with bilibili yield such fantastic results through this co-production with Tokai Television. This project is a crucial piece of Fuji TV's strategy in pursuing further growth in the global market. We aim to deliver exciting content by merging creativity across borders and opening new possibilities.”

Overview of 'Link Click'

• - Title: Live-Action 'Link Click'
• - Broadcast Date: April 11, 2026, to June 13, 2026, every Saturday from 11:40 PM to 12:35 AM (10 episodes planned)
• - Starring: Daiki Sato and Kanata Hongo
• - Source Material: 'Link Click' (bilibili), screenplay and direction by Ri Haolin
• - Series Composition: Junhiro Tomioka, known for anime series like 'Pokémon' and 'Inazuma Eleven'
• - Script: Junhiro Tomioka, noted for film 'Kara Da Sagashi' and TV series 'The Igarashi Couple'
• - Music: Tatsuhiko Saiki, whose works include '119 Emergency Call' and 'VIVANT'
• - Directed by: Hiroaki Yuasa, known for films like 'Shino-chan Can't Say Her Name'
• - Planning: Yutaka Inayoshi (Tokai Television) and Takeshi Shimokawa (Fuji TV)
• - Producers: Keisuke Toyama (Tokai Television), Kenichiro Hohara, Hinata Tagami, Shunsuke Koga, Junko Nagasaka (The Fool)
• - Production Assistance: The Fool
• - Production Companies: Tokai Television, FOD, bilibili

The anime 'Link Click – English Chapter –' is currently airing as a precursor to the live-action adaptation. Mark your calendars for this innovative cross-border collaboration!

This adaptation promises not only to entertain but also to enrich the global landscape of content creation, showcasing a fusion of talent and storytelling that transcends geographical boundaries.