'Gokusen' Actor Hideo Ishiguro and an Overly Cute Female CEO take a 'Powerful Drug' of Love...!? / Shinji Ishimaru Goes on a First Date with Miss Todai! Hiroyuki's 'Romance Flex' Asking 'Have you never been on a date before?' | 'Love Hospital' #1

The new future of television 'ABEMA' broadcasted episode 1 of the new original romance program 'Love Hospital' (6 episodes in total) on the 'ABEMA SPECIAL Channel' at 10:00 PM on Thursday, April 2, 2026, where 'adults who have forgotten true love' face their genuine feelings. 'Love Hospital' is a romance program where adults who have become so absorbed in their work that they forgot how to love, face romance through a 3-day, 2-night communal living experience. Ten men and women who have been active on the front lines in various fields such as politics, business, and culture gather together, unfolding a romance documentary of awkward adults. The 5 male participants include former politician Shinji (Shinji Ishimaru / 43), actor Hideo (Hideo Ishiguro / 37) who appeared in masterpiece dramas like 'Gokusen' and 'Hanzawa Naoki', businessman and 'Tiger of Reiwa' general director Ryusei (Ryusei Kuwata / 40), former J-Leaguer and culinary researcher Yuto (Hayato Koizumi / 30), and freelance announcer Masakatsu (Masakatsu Shizuishi / 32). The 5 female participants are active University of Tokyo graduate student and Miss Todai 2020 / Miss Campus 2021 Grand Prix Asa (Asa Kamiya / 25), Nishi-Tokyo City Councilor and former elementary school teacher Izumi (Izumi Senma / 33), office worker/talent and current single mother Erina (Aerina Hirakawa / 33), former top gravure idol Natsuko (Natsuko Tatsumi / 38), and business owner and former auto mechanic Haruka (Haruka Ikeda / 30). The studio observers are Allen-sama, Hiroyuki, Yoko Maki, and Tina Tamashiro. Episode 1 Teaser Video: https://x.com/i/web/status/2039285537270579201 ■ 'Gokusen' Actor Hideo Ishiguro and an Overly Cute Female CEO Rapidly Get Closer! Studio Goes Wild Over 'Nose Kiss' Mission In Episode 1, Haruka, who had been having trouble joining the large group conversations among participants, was prescribed a '2-shot talk with a male member' as her first 'medicine'. The one she nominated was actor Hideo (Hideo Ishiguro). As they conversed while both feeling nervous, their expressions gradually softened, and Haruka even showed a smile saying, 'I love this kind of vibe,' as they closed the distance between them. In the subsequent date directive, Hideo nominated Haruka. The two headed for a water buffalo date, deepening their relationship while discussing past romances and values. Furthermore, during the date, a 'Nose Kiss' mission was prescribed as a 'powerful drug'. While taking on the challenge with bewilderment, saying 'Intense!' and 'What kind of state of mind do we do this in?', the studio erupted in cheers of 'Cute!' and 'Ahhhh!', showing great excitement. Looking back on the 'Nose Kiss', Hideo commented, 'It was more embarrassing than a normal kiss scene.' Haruka also revealed her raw feelings, saying, 'It feels like watching a shoujo manga. However, I still don't know if this will lead to true love.' Attention was drawn to how their emotions began to move through this 'romance rehabilitation'. ■ Shinji Ishimaru Goes on a First Date with Miss Todai! Hiroyuki's 'Romance Flex' Questioning 'Have you never been on a date before?' Meanwhile, former politician Shinji (Shinji Ishimaru) nominated active University of Tokyo graduate student Asa. He revealed his reason for choosing her, saying, 'Isn't she a beautiful person? I wanted to read deeply into why she is here,' and they headed out for a kayak date. During the date, Asa asked him to apply sunscreen to her back, leading to a scene where he complied while bewildered, saying, 'This is a first in my life' and 'It's seriously embarrassing!' In response to this, Hiroyuki made a sharp remark in the studio: 'Have you never been on a date before?' and 'Wouldn't you apply it if you went on a date with your girlfriend?' Allen-sama quickly retorted to this unexpected 'romance flex' by saying, 'Please stop flexing~,' wrapping the studio in laughter. Furthermore, Shinji gave glimpses of a different side from his usual logical impression, such as remarking that Asa is 'cute'. How will Shinji, who was skeptical about romance, change? That trajectory is also drawing attention. [Video] What is the First-Time Experience That Made Shinji Ishimaru Say 'It's Seriously Embarrassing'? https://x.com/i/web/status/2039926378574102543 During the broadcast, massive reactions poured in, mainly on SNS. Voices regarding the program's unconventional casting and the participants' views on romance echoed continuously, generating significant buzz with comments like, 'The casting is so godly that I'm watching in real-time for the first time in a while,' 'Shinji is too intense for a romance show,' 'So that's why it's a hospital,' and 'I'm curious about what happens next.' As their respective values clash, what kind of relationships will be born in the future? The first episode, where the relationships of 'adults who forgot love' began to move, is currently available for free missed-viewing streaming on ABEMA. Please be sure to watch it. (Episode 1 URL: https://abema.go.link/5TqWo) ■ New Program 'Love Hospital' Broadcast Overview Broadcast Date/Time: Every Thursday at 10:00 PM starting April 2, 2026 (Thursday) Broadcast Channel: ABEMA SPECIAL Channel Cast: Allen-sama, Hiroyuki, Yoko Maki, Tina Tamashiro Episode 1 URL: https://abema.go.link/5TqWo Pre-interview: https://abema.go.link/fDo6J Teaser Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgQTZ3IQPDE ▼ 10 'Love Hospital' Participants (*Alphabetical order) Shinji (Shinji Ishimaru / 43 years old) Hideo (Hideo Ishiguro / 37 years old) Masakatsu (Masakatsu Shizuishi / 32 years old) Yuto (Hayato Koizumi / 30 years old) Ryusei (Ryusei Kuwata / 40 years old) Asa (Asa Kamiya / 25 years old) Izumi (Izumi Senma / 33 years old) Erina (Aerina Hirakawa / 33 years old) Natsuko (Natsuko Tatsumi / 38 years old) Haruka (Haruka Ikeda / 30 years old) *Ages are as of the broadcast time. *When using images, please include the credit notation: [(C) AbemaTV, Inc.] ■ About 'ABEMA' 'ABEMA' is a video streaming business aiming for television innovation, operating as a 'new future of television' that will celebrate its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, as an internet television that can be enjoyed basically for free without registration, it has been broadcasting around 25 channels of diverse genres 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This includes a 24-hour dedicated news channel, original dramas pursuing 'the highest quality or one-of-a-kind', romance reality shows, variety shows, as well as anime and sports. In addition to boasting the No.1 number of original episodes for a domestic video service in Japan (*), it offers a rich lineup of highly-anticipated new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, trending anime, as well as sports broadcasts and online live events. Viewers can enjoy titles at any time without being bound by time schedules via TV or on-demand, and through a location-free viewing experience on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, it continues to provide content that caters to diverse lifestyles. Furthermore, 'ABEMA Premium' for 1,180 yen per month (tax included) allows users to enjoy exclusive features and titles, while 'Ad-supported ABEMA Premium' for 680 yen per month (tax included) allows users to watch 'ABEMA Premium' exclusive content with advertisements. (*) As of March 2026, in-house research. Please check the official SNS for the latest information. The new future of television 'ABEMA', where you can enjoy free videos and trending titles (https://abema.tv/) To commemorate its 10th anniversary, 'ABEMA' will roll out various campaigns throughout the year to celebrate the occasion, such as broadcasting special programs and the 'ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Great Thanksgiving'. Please look forward to ABEMA's 10th anniversary. 'ABEMA' 10th Anniversary Site URL: https://contents-abema.com/10th/