[Fuji TV] Drama 'The Journey to Kill You' Re-Edited Version 'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' to be Screened in Theaters for One Week Starting Friday, August 21!

Achieved the all-time #1 spot in the FOD Original BL category weekly viewership ranking (immediately after its 2025 release).

Ranked #1 for 13 consecutive weeks in the FOD Original Drama ranking since the start of distribution.

Ranked in the top 5 for 5 consecutive weeks in the BL drama genre on overseas distribution platforms.

https://www.fujitv.co.jp/drama_anakoro/ (Official Page)

https://fod.fujitv.co.jp/title/10br (Distribution Page)

The drama 'The Journey to Kill You,' which began exclusive distribution on Fuji TV's video distribution service FOD in September 2025 and aired on terrestrial Fuji TV in January 2026, has garnered enthusiastic support both domestically and internationally. It has now been decided that a re-edited version, 'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey,' will be screened in theaters for a limited one-week run starting Friday, August 21. Along with the theatrical release, the poster visual, scene photos, and trailer have been unveiled. Comments have also arrived from co-lead actors Masanari Wada and Taiga Takahashi, as well as the original author Nishi Asai.

Poster Visual for 'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

The original story for the drama 'The Journey to Kill You' is the popular BL comic of the same name by Nishi Asai. It takes on the theme of 'Yakuza BL,' which enjoys a solid popularity within the BL genre, depicting the precarious yet poignant relationship between men who live by their own code of honor and humanity. When distribution started on FOD on Friday, September 26, 2025, its shocking story, dense human drama, and beautiful visual expression became a huge topic of conversation, attracting attention overseas in countries such as China, South Korea, Thailand, and Germany. It achieved the all-time #1 spot in the FOD Original BL category weekly viewership ranking immediately after distribution. Furthermore, it maintained the #1 position for 13 consecutive weeks in the FOD Original Drama ranking (including variety shows), and also ranked in the top 5 for 5 consecutive weeks in the BL drama genre on overseas distribution platforms, generating a significant response from viewers both in Japan and abroad.

The protagonist, Kinji Kataoka, is played by Masanari Wada. He portrays the yakuza underboss, admired by many gang members yet harboring a certain fragility, with great allure. Taiga Takahashi plays the role of Ren Odajima, a gang member who goes on the run with Kataoka following a certain incident, and as co-lead, he exudes a powerful presence. The interplay between the two, particularly their 'too beautiful kiss scenes,' became a major talking point among BL fans.

This popular 'Yakuza BL' drama 'The Journey to Kill You,' consisting of all 6 episodes, has been edited for theatrical release as 'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey,' which will be screened in theaters for one week starting Friday, August 21.

Wada and Takahashi commented: 'I think the work itself values a cinematic "ma" (pause/interval), so you'll be able to experience a charm different from the TV drama version (Wada).' 'The nostalgic mood of this work is incredibly cinematic, partly because many of the filming team members are primarily involved in filmmaking. On set, the director and I talked about wanting to deliver it as a film someday, so I'm relieved it has come true this time (Takahashi).' Please look forward to 'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey,' a new experience offering a different sense of immersion and tension on the big screen compared to the drama version.

[Trailer]

https://youtu.be/S6SaGYxV7i4

[Scene Photos]

'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey' (C)2026 'The Journey to Kill You' Production Committee

[Comments]

Masanari Wada (as Kinji Kataoka)

'It suits a theatrical version.

Of course, since it was made as a drama, I fully felt its charm as a drama, but it also has a cinematic quality. I think the work itself values a cinematic "ma" (pause/interval), so you'll be able to receive a charm different from the TV drama version.'

Taiga Takahashi (as Ren Odajima)

'I was very happy and filled with gratitude when I heard about the film adaptation this time.

The nostalgic mood of this work is incredibly cinematic, partly because many of the filming team members are primarily involved in filmmaking. On set, the director and I talked about wanting to deliver it as a film someday, so I'm relieved it has come true this time. I hope you will come to the theater and experience the atmosphere of this work!'

Nishi Asai (Original Author)

'Thanks to the power of many people, 'The Journey to Kill You' became a drama and was seen by many.

And now, I am truly happy that it has been decided to be screened in a movie theater.

Those scenes and those lines can be felt again on the big screen. I'm looking forward to summer.'

[Theatrical Release Commemorative Original Goods & Collaboration Cafe]

New products will be released to commemorate the theatrical release! Furthermore, a collaboration cafe will also be held! Details will be announced later. Stay tuned for further information!

[Story]

The greatest love in Yakuza BL history.

What is the final destination of the journey of two yakuza: an underboss with a strong sense of duty and a gang member carrying a secret mission...?

Kataoka (Masanari Wada) is an underboss who is warm-hearted, chivalrous, and loved by many gang members.

However, following a certain disturbance, he is ordered by the boss's biological son, Kirii (Shintaro Yuya), to go on a journey to disappear until things cool down. The person assigned to take care of Kataoka is Odajima (Taiga Takahashi), a gang member who used to be the boss's attendant.

Odajima calmly performs his duties as a convenient caretaker, acting as a driver, attendant, and sometimes even fulfilling sexual needs. But hidden in his heart is a 'secret mission'...

Odajima had been strictly ordered by Kirii to 'kill' Kataoka, who was an obstacle in the succession dispute.

Harboring a strong hatred for Kataoka since a certain incident during a conflict seven years prior, Odajima embarks on the journey with Kataoka, carrying his mission and desire for revenge.

During their journey alone together, Odajima is drawn to Kataoka's human charm, which makes everyone he meets like him. Meanwhile, Kataoka becomes interested in the unexpected sides shown by the usually quiet and calm Odajima, and the distance between them gradually closes.

Past, mission, and love. What is the answer that Odajima, tormented by his clumsily wavering emotions, arrives at...?

At the end of the journey, what awaits is... death, or love.

A precarious and poignant chivalrous love story where hatred and love intertwine.

◇ Theatrical Release Overview

■ Title: 'The Journey to Kill You: Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Journey'

■ Theatrical Release: Limited one-week run starting Friday, August 21

■ Screening Theaters: To be announced later on the drama's official SNS

■ Cast: Masanari Wada, Taiga Takahashi

Shintaro Yuya, Kaito Hori, Keisuke Teranaka, Shunsaku Kudo, Maju Ozawa, and others

※ The 'Taka' in Takahashi's name is officially written with the 'ladder-daka' character.

■ Staff: Original Story: Nishi Asai 'The Journey to Kill You' (Tokuma Shoten Chara Comics / CORK)

Director: Daisuke Kamijo