[With a Comment from Yudai Chiba!] Yudai Chiba's First Essay Series, "The Roommate Who Doesn't Pay Rent," Starts in the April Issue of Monthly Magazine "Nami"!
Actor Yudai Chiba is launching his first-ever essay series, "The Roommate Who Doesn't Pay Rent," in the April issue of the monthly magazine "Nami." The series will chronicle the daily events and thoughts sparked by his life with his beloved dog. The first installment will be published on March 27th, which marks the anniversary of when he began living with his dog.
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- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 16:08
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In the April issue of the monthly magazine "Nami," released on Friday, March 27th, actor Yudai Chiba will begin his first essay series, "The Roommate Who Doesn't Pay Rent." The series will chronicle his daily events and thoughts, inspired by his life with his beloved dog.
■ Series Content
"Before I knew it, I was thirty-seven. I'm approaching middle age. Eighteen years have passed since I moved to Tokyo, and the time I've spent here has now surpassed the time I spent in my hometown. (Omission) Such a familiar daily life changed after my roommate (dog) arrived," he says.
The first installment, "Summertime Machine," which intertwines memories of past summers with the summer he now spends with his dog, will be published in the April issue of "Nami." Each month, the series will also feature photos offering a glimpse into Chiba's life with his dog.
The cover art is by Yu Nagaba, an artist active both in Japan and internationally, known for his work in magazines, advertising, and collaborations such as the "24-Hour Television" charity T-shirt, Uniqlo, and Pokémon cards.
■ Comment from Yudai Chiba
Even though I have a public-facing job, I'm a perverse person who finds it incredibly embarrassing and can't be straightforward about leaving a trace of my own existence in the world. An offer came to someone like me: "Would you like to write an essay?" Due to my personality, the idea of writing about 4,000 characters just about myself was embarrassing, and I thought it would be difficult. However, when the conversation shifted to "How about writing about your dog?" my perspective suddenly brightened.
After getting a dog, my life, which I had lived lazily by myself, became richer with various emotions like responsibility, anxiety, and love. I am "one person," but I am not "alone." My roommate doesn't pay rent, but has made my ordinary days incredibly precious.
Unfortunately, a dog's lifespan is shorter than a human's. Although I said I didn't want to leave a trace of my own life, I do want to preserve the days I spend with my dog. With that change of heart, I decided to write this series.
March 27th, the day the series starts, is the day my life with my dog began. I am very happy to be able to start a series on such a personal anniversary in "Nami," a magazine I used to read in college.
I would be delighted if you could enjoy the ordinary days of the "two" of us and, embarrassingly, the fragments of my life.
■ Profile: Yudai Chiba
Born March 9, 1989. From Miyagi Prefecture.
Made his acting debut in 2010 as Arata/Gosei Red in "Tensou Sentai Goseiger."
Won the Newcomer of the Year award at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize for the movie "The Magnificent Nine!"
Recent major works include "Unmet: A Certain Neurosurgeon's Diary" (2024), "Dame-Mane! -We Manage Bad Talents-" (2025), "The Rice Woman - National Tax Agency Materials Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Countries Section-" (2026), and the stage plays "Jazz Daimyo" (2023) and "We Are a Story" (2024).
Scheduled to appear in the reading drama "Rogai no Hito" (The Old Nuisance) from May 4, 2026 (in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, and Akita).
■ Magazine Data
Title: "Nami" April Issue
Release Date: March 27, 2026
*"Nami" is available at major bookstores nationwide. Alternatively, please order it from your nearest bookstore (list price: 100 yen). For a convenient and affordable subscription, please contact the Shinchosha Magazine Subscription department at the toll-free number: 0120-323-900 (9:30 AM - 5:00 PM / weekdays only).