Highly Popular Dramatic Reading Stage 'Takakazu Tokunaga's Extremely Scary Stories 2026'

July 18 (Sat) - July 20 (Mon/National Holiday), 2026 at Asakusa Hanayagi Theater Organizer Advance Reception starts 6/3 (Wed) 17:00 True ghost stories will shake Asakusa once again. Takakazu Tokunaga, a leading figure in the occult horror manga world who has captivated many readers and lured them into a world of fear. His representative work, the popular dramatic reading series 'Takakazu Tokunaga's Extremely Scary Stories', will finally celebrate its 5th anniversary in the summer of 2026. This series has become a staple summer event. This year, to commemorate the 5th anniversary, a new episode from the popular work 'Ajari Soun Reigen Kaii Shimatsu' will be adapted into a dramatic reading as a special project stage. Furthermore, a special story inspired by the mysterious events that actually occurred behind the scenes of previous 'Extremely Scary Stories' performances will be added, delivering a special program befitting the 5th anniversary. This work is a dramatic reading piece based on the true ghost story manga 'Takakazu Tokunaga's Extremely Scary Stories' and 'Ajari Soun Reigen Kaii Shimatsu' by manga artist Takakazu Tokunaga, who has produced numerous occult works including the 'Karura Mau!' series. The script is by Shinta Fujiwara (Office Nigu Niba / TEAM Hanadoki.), and the direction is by Ryoji Ando (Theater Group Ultra Mansion). In a unique production space where video, music, and reading blend and intersect, talented casts continue to captivate audiences as a new-sense horror entertainment that invites viewers to become 'witnesses to fear'. The confirmed cast includes: [July 18] Yui Asato, a member of the idol group 'Aioke' and actress known for her role as Hemi in SHOW×MUSICAL 'Dream High'; Ritsuto Kawai, who is active in various fields centered on stage, using action and acrobatics as his weapons, known for his role as Dokutake Ninja Team Tooki in the musical 'Nintama Rantaro'; SHUNYA, a member of the Japan-Korea joint dance vocal group ORβIT, active not only as an artist but also in stage and TV; Sho Tomita, known for TV drama 'Gokusen', Super Sentai series 'Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger', and recently popular series like the stage play 'Honoo no Shinkirou Showa Hen' and 'Touken Ranbu - Giden Akatsuki no Dokuganryu', who also works as a calligraphy designer. [July 19] Yuka Kato, a former NMB48 member who continues to work as an actress after graduating, leveraging her high performance skills and expressiveness; Kosuke Kujirai, who debuted as a voice actor as the lead in the 2004 TV anime 'Get Ride! Amdriver', has appeared in many stage plays and musicals, has been directing the stage play 'Yowamushi Pedal' since summer 2022, and directed 'Non-Sexual' in 2025, working broadly as a director; Yoshihisa Sugai, who works as the 'pastry bread' member of the world sweets trend idol group 'Amadandan', expanding his activities as an actor and talent in TV shows, stage plays, dramas, and radio; Mao Mita, who passed the NMB48 2nd generation audition in 2011 and debuted, and after graduating from NMB48, works as an actress, talent, and voice actress, and has also debuted as a novelist with the light novel 'Yume ni Miru no wa, Kimi no Yume'; Shuta Morishima, who works as a voice actor for roles like Ushiwaka in the anime 'Bikkuri-Men' and Sotaro Shinozaki in 'Tasuke-ketsu', and plays Kiyo Kikuchi in the media mix project 'Argonavis from BanG Dream!', also active as a keyboardist for the in-story band 'Argonavis', later forming the band 'Fragment', widely active in both voice acting and music. [July 20] Miori Ichikawa, who started activities as an AKB48 member in 2010, transferred to NMB48, and graduated in 2018, now working as an actor, talent, and model; Yusuke Ueda, who started his career playing Kippei Tachibana in the musical 'The Prince of Tennis' 2nd season and is mainly active in 2.5-dimensional stage plays; Masahiro Haneda, a young actor expected to leap forward in both stage and screen, known for his high physical ability and acrobatics, dynamic expressions using his athleticism, and acting praised for its delicacy and honesty, appearing in stage plays like 'Bokura no Nanokakan Senso' and the Fuji TV drama 'Ai no, Gakkou.'. Also, the popular [Part 3] 'Ghost Story Asakusa Special Night' will be held again this year! Ami, a hugely popular ghost story teller who appears at many events nationwide, will appear for three consecutive days, delivering terrifying ghost stories that the cast members have actually experienced or that have happened to people around them in a talk format. The original author of this work, Mr. Takakazu Tokunaga, is also scheduled to appear at all performances. Following this, the second cast announcement will also be made. Please look forward to [Kiwakowa] at Asakusa Hanayagi Theater, a summer tradition, with a luxurious cast lineup in 2026. ★Official advance ticket reception starts today, 6/3 (Wed) 17:00! Special website: https://ticketstage.jp/kiwakowa/ [Performance Dates] July 18 (Sat) - July 20 (Mon/National Holiday), 2026 [Venue] Asakusa Hanayagi Theater, 2-28-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032 [Doors Open/Curtain Time] [Part 1] 'Dramatic Reading Part 1' Doors 11:30 / Curtain 12:00 [Part 2] 'Dramatic Reading Part 2' Doors 15:00 / Curtain 15:30 [Part 3] 'Ghost Story Asakusa Special Night' Doors 18:30 / Curtain 19:00 [Cast] *In Japanese syllabary order [July 18 Cast] Yui Asato, Ritsuto Kawai, SHUNYA (ORβIT), Sho Tomita, and others [July 19 Cast] Yuka Kato, Kosuke Kujirai, Yoshihisa Sugai, Mao Mita, Shuta Morishima [July 20 Cast] Miori Ichikawa, Yusuke Ueda, Masahiro Haneda, and others *Ami (Ghost story teller) Appears only for Part 3 performances on all 3 days *Takakazu Tokunaga Scheduled to appear at all 9 performances over 3 days [Original Creator] Takakazu Tokunaga [Script] Shinta Fujiwara (Office Nigu Niba / TEAM Hanadoki.) [Direction] Ryoji Ando (Theater Group Ultra Mansion) [Ticket Price] All reserved seating: S Seat ¥8,500 / A Seat ¥7,000 *Separate drink fee of 600 yen *Paid for ages 4 and up, no entry for ages 3 and under [Organizer] Rise Communication [Contact] stage@risecom.jp [Cooperation] Asia Promotion / Office Karura / GFA / Japan Action Enterprise / Voice Actor Office Hibiki / TRUSTAR / Battery / Production Ogi / Yoshimoto Kogyo Official Advance (Lottery): June 3 (Wed), 2026, 17:00 - June 9 (Tue), 23:59 General Sale: June 29 (Mon), 2026, 10:00~ [Special Website] https://ticketstage.jp/kiwakowa/ [Official X] https://x.com/kiwakowa