Kazuya Konomoto Wins the Mukoda Kuniko Award for TV Tokyo Drama 'Sinanthropus'

Kazuya Konomoto, who handled the original concept and screenplay for the drama 'Sinanthropus' broadcasted on the TV Tokyo network from October 6 to December 22, 2025, has received the 44th Mukoda Kuniko Award, which is given to writers who pen outstanding scripts among dramas broadcasted in the 2025 fiscal year. This marks the third time a TV Tokyo drama has been the award-winning work, following 'Koishikawa's House' written by Tomomi Tsutsui in the January 1996 season, and 'Uogokoro Areba Yomegokoro' written by Naruhito Kaneko in the January 1998 season.

The award-winning drama 'Sinanthropus' is a coming-of-age ensemble mystery revolving around eight young men and women working at a small neighborhood burger shop named 'Sinanthropus', unfolding a beautiful and emotional story through meticulous foreshadowing and masterful dialogue.

The reason for the award was stated as: '(Sinanthropus) is a work that, despite operating late at night, has a wide and bright entrance, much like a restaurant with an inventive, extensive menu. The way people talk to each other, and simply through that, the story leaps forward like falling dominoes, is a lively action of words, representing the ideal of a dialogue-driven play. The brushstrokes that depict foolish misfits from an equal perspective, embracing their charm entirely, are worthy of the Mukoda Kuniko Award, and thus we present this award here.'

<Comment from Award Winner Kazuya Konomoto> Thank you for presenting me with this honorable award. I believe I was able to win this thanks to the support of the staff and cast, so I am grateful to everyone.

<What is the Mukoda Kuniko Award> Established in 1982 to honor the achievements of the late Kuniko Mukoda, who sent numerous works out into the world and thrived as a TV drama scriptwriter, this award is given to outstanding scriptwriters supporting the current television industry. It is hosted by Tokyo News Service, publisher of 'TV Guide', and the selection is handled by the Mukoda Kuniko Award Selection Committee, which includes past winners. The committee selects nominated works from television dramas broadcast in the previous fiscal year, determining the winning work after four rounds of discussion, including the final selection.

<Kazuya Konomoto's Career> Started his career as a manga artist in 2010 with the manga 'Spinnerbait'. The manga 'Setoutsumi', serialized starting in 2013, was adapted into a movie and a TV drama (broadcast on TV Tokyo network in October 2017). He expanded his activities beyond manga and made his debut as a scriptwriter in 2019 with 'Black School Rules' (NTV, movie, Hulu). Major screenplay works include the anime 'Odd Taxi' broadcast on TV Tokyo in April 2021, and the animated theatrical film 'Balsam'. He is currently serializing the manga 'KAMI KILL' (as original creator) in 'Weekly Young Jump'.

<Project Information> Title: 'Sinanthropus' Original Story / Screenplay: Kazuya Konomoto Broadcast Dates / Station: October 6 - December 22, 2025 (TV Tokyo) Director: Shota Yamagishi Cast: Koshi Mizukami, Anna Yamada, Ryota Bando, Yuka Kageyama, Ayumu Mochizuki, Yui Narumi, Mamoru Hagiwara, Kan Takahashi, Yuya Endo, Afro, Kokoro Morita / Shota Sometani, among others.