Kazuya Kono expresses joy at the 44th Kuniko Mukoda Award ceremony! "Sinanthorope" cast Koji Mizukami, Anna Yamada, Ayumu Mochizuki, Mamoru Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Afro, and Sou Morita offer congratulations!

The 44th award ceremony for the Kuniko Mukoda Award (organized by the Kuniko Mukoda Award Committee and Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.), presented to outstanding screenwriters, was held in Tokyo on July 7 (Tue).

Kazuya Kono was chosen as the recipient of the 44th award at the selection meeting held on April 21 (Tue). The award-winning work is "Sinanthorope" (October 6 - December 22, 2025 / TV Tokyo).

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

At the award ceremony, Kazuya Kono spoke about his joy in receiving the award. Selection committee member Yumiko Inoue explained the selection process, and selection committee member Yuji Sakamoto presented the certificate of commendation. Taku Okuyama, President and Representative Director of Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd., presented the award's special fountain pen and prize money. Additionally, director Santa Yamagishi and cast members Ayumu Mochizuki, Mamoru Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Afro, and Sou Morita from the award-winning work "Sinanthorope" attended to offer congratulatory speeches. Furthermore, Koji Mizukami and Anna Yamada sent video messages expressing their hopes for his continued success and congratulating him.

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

[Kazuya Kono's Award Speech]

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

Thank you very much for this wonderful award. I'm feeling a bit breathless... (my mask) feels very heavy.

I never imagined I would receive such a prestigious award as the Kuniko Mukoda Award when I was writing the script. I believe this is also thanks to the staff, the actors, the music, and the director; I was fortunate. I consider this an award we won together, and I want to continue writing interesting works that live up to this honor. Thank you very much.

[Congratulatory Comments from the Cast of "Sinanthorope"]

<Koji Mizukami (as Kensuke Tonari)>

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

Congratulations to everyone involved with "Sinanthorope." This drama was a great model for how such a production could be made on terrestrial television. While the filming itself was very demanding, I believe it provided an unparalleled environment for the actors in terms of preparation. The script was truly brilliant, and being involved with "Sinanthorope" has changed how I approach future projects and my perspective. The set, the staff, and the cast were all wonderful. I, along with the many young actors gathered here, will strive to continue creating interesting and creative performances through our experiences on "Sinanthorope."

<Anna Yamada (as Kotomi Mizumachi)>

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

Congratulations, Kazuya Kono, on winning the Kuniko Mukoda Award. I apologize for not being able to attend the ceremony in person to offer my congratulations today. When I read the script for "Sinanthorope," I was deeply impressed by its vivid brilliance and meticulous design. Even months after its broadcast, many people I meet for the first time tell me how much they enjoyed "Sinanthorope." Just the other day, someone mentioned they had started a second viewing. I truly believe this is all thanks to the power of Kono's script. I am so happy to have been a part of such a work. As an actor, I would love to be involved in Kono's projects again, and I will strive to do so. And as a fan, I will continue to eagerly anticipate Kono's future creations. I wish you continued success.

<Ayumu Mochizuki (as Tetsuya Tamaru)>

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

I enjoy watching anime just as much as I enjoy movies, dramas, and plays, so I was very excited to see what kind of world would unfold in Kono's work.

When I first opened the script, I didn't know the word "Sinanthorope." I looked it up that day and found it meant "animals and plants that adapt and coexist with humans in urban environments." I thought a heartwarming story awaited me as I turned the pages, but it was completely different. Suddenly, a thief appeared, and between the catchy dialogue and the setting, there were moments where seemingly disconnected points connected, like a wordplay leading to a final payoff. I always try to read scripts objectively, without prejudice, but I found myself completely engrossed.

I am truly proud and happy to have been able to breathe in such a world with all of you here and with the staff and cast. I am truly grateful to Kono for creating such a world. Congratulations today.

<Mamoru Hagiwara (as Takumi Shizawa)>

Congratulations on your award, Kono. "Sinanthorope" is a very memorable work for me, and I recall approaching every scene with great excitement during filming. Hearing about this award made me as happy as if it were my own.

The character I played, Shizawa, is based on the shoebill stork, and I was called "Shoebill" in the play. Even now, many people call me "Shoebill" wherever I go, and I am truly happy and honored to have played such a beloved character. I love Shizawa.

<Tsuyoshi Takahashi (as Ryoma Tsukada)>

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

In "Sinanthorope," I played the role of a part-time job leader, the eldest brother figure to everyone. Now, no matter which set I go to as an actor, more people are saying they watched "Sinanthorope" and calling me "Tsukada." My acting career has become much brighter.

Although it's not on TV Tokyo, I am currently working on a project called "Spinnerbait" (written by Kono). I'm working with Hagiwara as well, and it's truly wonderful. It's so interesting that it makes me a little anxious about taking on another role like this. I never imagined I would have such an acting career, and I am very honored. Thank you to all the cast, staff, director, and composer. And Kono, congratulations on this award.

<Afro (as Kyutaro)>

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

First, meeting Kono today, I felt a burning desire to ask, "Did you kill Kyutaro?" (laughs). I was given such a wonderful role, and even now, when I meet people, many of them talk to me as if I were Kyu-chan. They underestimate me, thinking, "This is my chance," so I ate sushi first. I thought, "Kyutaro would be the one to eat food no one else has touched," and enjoyed the sushi.

Kyutaro died in the story, but he will be resurrected in Season 2. That's a promise. My mother cried when Kyutaro died, even though she knew it was on TV. She said she cried not because her son had died, but because she had grown so fond of the character Kyutaro and empathized with him. Such a character shouldn't end with Season 1! Next, I will be starring in Tonari's favorite zombie work, so please look forward to it. I was given a wonderful experience and a sense of fulfillment. Congratulations on your award. Thank you.

<Sou Morita (as Mutsumi)>

44th Kuniko Mukoda Award Ceremony (C) Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd.

We've received many comments saying "Sinanthorope" was "really interesting." As a cast member, I'm of course happy, but I felt even more excitement from the moment the script arrived in my hands than the viewers did. We were thrilled to receive such a script that kept us turning pages, and to be entrusted with such an interesting role... I think all the cast members felt that way.

Without losing the atmosphere within the script, the director's guidance on set, the editing, and the music that followed all came together to create a powerful "challenging work" that will be remembered by everyone. I am once again happy to have been able to appear in such a drama. Congratulations.

<Work Information>

Work: "Sinanthorope"

Broadcast Date/Station: October 6 - December 22, 2025 (TV Tokyo)

Director: Santa Yamagishi

Music: Fumitake Ezaki

Chief Producer: Rina Sofue, Daisuke Hiraga

Producer: Tomoki Maeda, Sohei Harada, Maki Kobe, Yuya Takesako

Production Cooperation: Asmik Ace

Production: TV Tokyo, P.I.C.S.

Production Rights: "Sinanthorope" Production Committee

Cast: Koji Mizukami, Anna Yamada, Ryuta Bando, Yuka Kageyama, Ayumu Mochizuki, Yui Narumi, Mamoru Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Yuya Endo, Afro, Sou Morita / Shota Sometani, etc.

<Profile of Kazuya Kono>

Started his career as a manga artist in 2010 with the manga "Spinnerbait." The manga "Seto & Utsumi," which began serialization in 2013, was adapted into a film and TV drama. Expanding his activities beyond manga, he debuted as a screenwriter in 2019 with "Black School Rules" (Nippon TV, film, Hulu). His major screenwriting works include the TV anime "Odd Taxi" and the animated film "Housenka." He is currently serializing the manga "KAMI KILL-" (original work) in "Weekly Young Jump."

<About the Kuniko Mukoda Award>

Established in 1982 to honor the achievements of the late Kuniko Mukoda, who created numerous works as a TV drama screenwriter, and to recognize outstanding screenwriters supporting the current television industry. Organized by Tokyo News Service Co., Ltd., which publishes "TV Guide," the selection is made by the Kuniko Mukoda Award Selection Committee, composed of past recipients. The committee selects nominated works from TV dramas broadcast in the previous year. The award-winning work is decided after four discussions, including the final selection. The selection committee members are Sumio Omori (19th recipient), Yoshikazu Okada (20th recipient), Mika Omori (23rd recipient), Yumiko Inoue (25th recipient), and Yuji Sakamoto (26th recipient). *Order of Kuniko Mukoda Award recipients.