Drama '35-sai, Imasara Koi toka Arienai' Starring Ishiguro Hideo and Iriki Mari to Premiere Exclusively on DMM TV on July 6 (Mon) at 25:05 AM! Theme Song by TRiDENT! First Trailer Released Today!

DMM TV, the comprehensive video streaming service operated by DMM.com LLC (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; PF Company CEO: Yusuke Muranaka; hereinafter DMM), has announced the exclusive live-action drama adaptation of the popular TL manga '35-sai, Imasara Koi toka Arienai' (Mobile Media Research) by Mitsugoko, which will begin streaming exclusively from late night on Monday, July 6, 2026. Along with this announcement, the dual lead actors Hideo Ishiguro and Mari Iriki have been revealed, along with their comments, and it has been announced that the theme song will be 'Candle' by TRiDENT.

Starting Monday, July 6, DMM TV will exclusively stream the drama '35-sai, Imasara Koi toka Arienai'. Hideo Ishiguro passionately plays a chef who conveys love with full adult charm! Mari Iriki plays the heroine who struggles with love and work in a relatable way!

The original work is '35-sai, Imasara Koi toka Arienai' (Mobile Media Research) by Mitsugoko. It depicts the realistic love story of a heroine who questions what marriage and happiness are, and is overwhelmed by the choices in life. It is an adult doting love romance that has gained overwhelming support from women in the same age group.

Love and marriage can wait—telling herself this, 35-year-old freelance writer Mariko Kimoto spends a night of rekindled passion with Kosuke Morihara, a chef at a small restaurant she stumbles into one night. She intends it to be a one-night stand, but by chance, they meet again at her next assignment...

Mariko, who had forgotten how to rely on someone, is swept away by Kosuke, who steadily closes the distance between them. 'Be my girlfriend'—these unexpected words gently knock on a door she had kept firmly shut.

The role of Kosuke, the owner of the small restaurant the heroine visits, is played by Hideo Ishiguro, who made his acting debut in the drama 'Gokusen' (2005) and is known for starring in 'Ultraman Orb' (2016). As he says, 'I wanted to honestly and earnestly portray the change in his passion as he throws himself into work and love to change himself,' he brings to life Kosuke's charm, full of adult allure yet with a hint of clumsiness.

Playing Mariko, who is confused yet drawn to the passionately forward Kosuke, is the talented actress Mari Iriki, active in numerous dramas, films, and stage productions. Being in the same age group, she empathizes with the character Mariko, who faces the unique struggles of being 35, saying, 'She's actually delicate and had to become tough to live strongly,' and realistically portrays Mariko as she finds her own way of living amidst her struggles.

Their relationship begins physically, but Mariko begins to feel comfortable in the atmosphere between them. However, due to a deeply hurtful past relationship, she becomes timid about moving forward and struggles to balance her career... Having experienced so much, she hesitates at every turn.

Marriage or career? What does she truly want? What form of love will the 35-year-old heroine discover?

Furthermore, this work will be produced in two versions: a terrestrial broadcast version (TVOA version) and a streaming version. The streaming version, exclusively available on DMM TV, will be a special version that broadens the range of expression, incorporating romantic and intimate depictions that cannot be fully portrayed on terrestrial television.

'35-sai, Imasara Koi toka Arienai', a love story that is not just sweet for a 35-year-old, will begin exclusive streaming on DMM TV from Monday, July 6!

▼Full Comments

Comment from Hideo Ishiguro (as Kosuke Morihara)

I am Hideo Ishiguro. This time, I played the role of chef Kosuke Morihara.

'A man who was somewhat jaded, thinking 'Love at 35? No way...' becomes desperate to change himself, both in work and love, after a certain encounter. I wanted to honestly and earnestly portray that change in passion as a man.

It's a story of two clumsy people starting from a physical relationship, but past wounds and new encounters add spice, deepening the narrative.

It's a work where you can feel the 'real body heat' that only adults can relate to, not just sweetness.

I hope it lights a fire in the hearts of everyone who watches it. Please see through the fate of Kosuke and her to the very end.

Comment from Mari Iriki (as Mariko Kimoto)

I am Mari Iriki, who played the protagonist Mariko Kimoto.

When I started reading the script, I felt like I wanted to hug Mariko, thinking, 'A 35-year-old single woman'—even though you can describe it in one word, it's very complex, and she's actually delicate and had to become tough to live strongly.

Mariko's feelings and circumstances change through her encounter with Mr. Morihara.

I hope you will watch with bated breath to see what choices these two adults make and what kind of ending awaits them.

I myself am in my late 30s now, and while acting, I thought about taking the helm of my own life and creating many happy moments.

I hope the message from this work reaches all the women out there.

Comment from Director Miyako Yasoshima

When I read the original work, I remembered my own 35-year-old self.

I, too, was like the protagonist Mariko, worrying about many things, caught between anxiety and longing, expectations and reality, and making big choices. Those days of being 35 came back to me.

Reading this original work again made me realize that no matter what choices you make, a life chosen by yourself without relying on someone else is beautiful, and that the protagonist of your life should be yourself.

I hope we can deliver to you a slightly adult love, a sparkling 'emochill' that feels like a child's pure love, lasting forever.

Comment from Original Author Mitsugoko Sensei

This is a work I drew with the feeling of wanting to convey an ordinary, trivial love and daily life as someone's unique story, which is actually the only one of its kind.

I am grateful that the two very beautiful people, Hideo Ishiguro and Mari Iriki, have portrayed this 'ordinary yet unique' love.

No matter the era, people fall in love and grow older. And I think that is special for everyone. This could be the viewer's story, or perhaps a friend's story.

I am truly grateful to share the joy of people meeting and connecting with the readers, the viewers, and everyone involved in the production of this drama.

Also, thank you to producer Ito for launching this wonderful project.

I hope this drama brings you many delightful moments of this love!

▲A special illustration commemorating the drama adaptation from Mitsugoko Sensei has also been released!

Theme Song Decided: TRiDENT's 'Candle'!

The theme song, which will enhance this bittersweet adult love story, has been decided as 'Candle' by TRiDENT, a band sweeping the next-generation girls' rock scene!

TRiDENT Profile

YouTube subscribers: 140,000. Total MV views have exceeded 14 million. They have appeared at major festivals and events representing various regions across Japan, such as MERRY ROCK PARADE, COMINGKOBE, A.V.E.S.T project, and NAON no YAON. In December 2025, they performed at MERRY ROCK PARADE for the second time.

With a Super Low sound and performance that is hard to imagine from their appearance...