First-Ever Reading Play Adaptation of 'Ikebukuro West Gate Park' Announced, Starring Marina Inoue, Yuki Kaji, Hiroshi Kamiya, and Others
Foni Promotion announced the first reading play adaptation of 'Ikebukuro West Gate Park' for September 2026 to celebrate author Ira Ishida's 30th debut anniversary. It features top voice actors and a unique visual presentation style.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:27 (5h 27m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 01:34 (217h 7m after Collected)
Foni Promotion Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo) has announced that it will stage the Dramatic Reading Performance "Ikebukuro West Gate Park 2026" in September 2026 as a commemorative project celebrating the 30th anniversary of Naoki Prize-winning author Ira Ishida's debut in 2027.
This work will be the first reading play adaptation of the series and will be held for a total of 4 performances.
The cast gathers voice actors active in the anime and entertainment fields, including Daisuke Ono, Takahiro Sakurai, Akari Kito, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Taku Yashiro, Yuki Kaji, Marina Inoue, Tasuku Hatanaka, and Hiroshi Kamiya.
## Performance Overview
- Performance Name: Reading Play "Ikebukuro West Gate Park 2026"
Original Work: Ira Ishida's "Kotuon: Ikebukuro West Gate Park III" (Bunshun Bunko)
- Dates: September 26 (Sat) - 27 (Sun), 2026
- Number of Performances: 4 stages in total (Day and night performances each day)
- Venue: Hiratsuka Cultural Arts Hall (Main Hall)
## Project Background & About the Work
"Ikebukuro West Gate Park" is a novel series by author Ira Ishida that has garnered support from many readers while depicting youth culture and social issues set in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
To commemorate Ira Ishida's 30th debut anniversary in 2027, "Ikebukuro West Gate Park" will be adapted into a reading play as a new form of expression.
## Performance Content & Story
This performance will reconstruct "West Exit Midsummer Madness," included in the series' third installment, Ira Ishida's "Kotuon: Ikebukuro West Gate Park III" (Bunshun Bunko), into a reading play.
It will be staged as an ensemble drama depicting the relationships of young people living in the city against the backdrop of rave culture and drug issues.
## Features of This Performance (Direction & Highlights)
This performance adopts a unique directing method called the "flick transition method." By dividing the story into multiple sections and inserting video content at appropriate times, it promotes story comprehension while maintaining the audience's concentration.
By incorporating diverse video directions and presenting the story from multiple angles, the structure is designed to be easily understood even by audience members who haven't read the original work.
This performance features a double-cast system and is a limited run of only 4 performances over 2 days.
## Cast for Saturday, 26th (Day and Night Performances)
[Image]
## Cast for Sunday, 27th (Day and Night Performances)
This work will be the first reading play adaptation of the series and will be held for a total of 4 performances.
The cast gathers voice actors active in the anime and entertainment fields, including Daisuke Ono, Takahiro Sakurai, Akari Kito, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Taku Yashiro, Yuki Kaji, Marina Inoue, Tasuku Hatanaka, and Hiroshi Kamiya.
## Performance Overview
- Performance Name: Reading Play "Ikebukuro West Gate Park 2026"
Original Work: Ira Ishida's "Kotuon: Ikebukuro West Gate Park III" (Bunshun Bunko)
- Dates: September 26 (Sat) - 27 (Sun), 2026
- Number of Performances: 4 stages in total (Day and night performances each day)
- Venue: Hiratsuka Cultural Arts Hall (Main Hall)
## Project Background & About the Work
"Ikebukuro West Gate Park" is a novel series by author Ira Ishida that has garnered support from many readers while depicting youth culture and social issues set in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
To commemorate Ira Ishida's 30th debut anniversary in 2027, "Ikebukuro West Gate Park" will be adapted into a reading play as a new form of expression.
## Performance Content & Story
This performance will reconstruct "West Exit Midsummer Madness," included in the series' third installment, Ira Ishida's "Kotuon: Ikebukuro West Gate Park III" (Bunshun Bunko), into a reading play.
It will be staged as an ensemble drama depicting the relationships of young people living in the city against the backdrop of rave culture and drug issues.
## Features of This Performance (Direction & Highlights)
This performance adopts a unique directing method called the "flick transition method." By dividing the story into multiple sections and inserting video content at appropriate times, it promotes story comprehension while maintaining the audience's concentration.
By incorporating diverse video directions and presenting the story from multiple angles, the structure is designed to be easily understood even by audience members who haven't read the original work.
This performance features a double-cast system and is a limited run of only 4 performances over 2 days.
## Cast for Saturday, 26th (Day and Night Performances)
[Image]
## Cast for Sunday, 27th (Day and Night Performances)