Yuki Kaji plays the lead role in a live-action serial drama for the first time! Drama adaptation of the novel "Pipple," about the marriage between an AI and a human

The novel "Pipuru," which describes the love and married life between a human and an AI, will be adapted into a serial drama on WOWOW. The title is "Pipuru: AI to Kekkonzai Seikatsu Hajimashita," and it will star voice actor Yuki Kaji.

The original story "Pipuru" is based on his first novel "Nietzsche came to Kyoto and taught me philosophy at the age of 17. It was serialized in the magazine "Da Vinci" (KADOKAWA) from the November 2018 to March 2019 issues.

Set in the near future in the year 2030, when humans and AI can marry, this science fiction human comedy depicts the love and married life of Kenichi Tsumiki, an office worker who chooses to marry a humanoid AI, and his wife, the humanoid AI "Pippuru".

The novel is serialized as well as a web drama, "Pippuru: A Novel for Your Ears," which is an original storyline, with characters designed by "We Still Don't Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day. Kimi no na wa. The web drama "Pippuru," a novel about enjoying the ear, was also developed with an original storyline. The role of Kenichi Nugi in the web drama was played by Hiroki Kaji, the same actor as in the live-action serial drama.

The live-action drama series "Pipuru: AI to Kekkonzai Seikatsu Hajimetemashita" will begin airing on WOWOW Prime in May 2020. This will be the first time that voice actor Yuki Kaji, who plays the main character Kenichi Nugi, will star in a live-action drama series. The script is written by Kazuhisa Kodera, who also wrote the script for the movie "Day and Night. The directors are Mai Sakai, who directed the drama "Koi no Tsuki", and Yusuke Taki, who directed the drama "Serial Drama W: Name Card Game".

Comments from Yuki Kaji, the lead actor, and Mariru, the author of the original story have been received, and are introduced below (original text only).

Comment from Yuki Kaji
What was your impression when you were chosen to appear in a live-action drama following the "Pipple, a novel to be enjoyed by the ears"?
During the audio recording, I was jokingly talking with the staff about the idea of making a film, but I never thought it would become a reality...! This is the first time I have felt a mixture of surprise, joy, and anxiety. But above all, I am very happy to be able to continue to play the role of Takigi.

How do you feel about playing the lead in a drama series for the first time?
This is a completely new territory for me, so I am vaguely anxious, but at the same time, I am full of excitement. ...I can't imagine! (laugh) Anyway, I hope to have fun while creating this work with my co-stars and all the staff.

Message to the audience
As one of the cast members, I am very happy to be able to present the world of "Pipple" in a new way again." Facing "AI", on the contrary, reveals "human". Please look forward to this slightly mysterious story of the future!

Comment from Mariru Harada (author of "Pipple")
Regarding the decision to dramatize the story
What will happen to human values and identity when the near future arrives, when humanoid general-purpose AI can be used as a partner? This will be a science fiction novel that depicts various love stories based on the "What will happen to human values and identity in the near future when humanoid general-purpose AI can be partnered? I am very happy that the drama will be dramatized by a wonderful production team! The lead actor, Mr. Kaji, also voiced the main character, Takigi, in the reading play, and he read the play from the draft. I am looking forward to seeing how he will play the role!

Outline of the live-action drama series
Pipuru: AI to Kekkonosei Hajimemashita" (I started my married life with AI)

Original story: Mariru Harada
Screenplay: Kazuhisa Kodera
Directors: Mai Sakai, Yusuke Taki
Cast: Yuki Kaji and others
Production: "Pipuru" Production Committee

<Story>
In the year 2030, it is possible to marry an AI into the family. Kenichi Nabiki, an unattractive salaryman, fails to go on a date with his senior colleague, whom he has had a crush on for many years. In shock, he buys a beautiful girl AI equipped with sexual intercourse functions, welcomes her as his wife, and names her "Pipple. However, for some reason, she refuses to have sexual intercourse with him on their first night together. He visits the developer of "Pippuru" and meets a mysterious AI researcher, Kaede Miyama, who has zero empathy, and learns that there was a problem with his initial settings. Unfortunately, however, she is told that she cannot change "Pipuru's" settings. Instead, Fukayama makes a surprising proposal to Takagi and ......!

(C) 2020 Drama "Pipple" Production Committee