Everything You Need to Know About Hana Nochi Hare

Hana Nochi Hare (Hanahare for short) is an official sequel to TBS's popular drama Hana Yori Dango (Hanadan) starring Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun. Hana Nochi Hare will star Sugisaki Hana and Hirano Sho and has been highly anticipated since its announcement last January. It is based on Yoko Kamio's manga, also titled Hana Nochi Hare, which is published online in  Japan and America.

Here's everything you need to know as Hanahare premieres today [April 17th].

The Manga

In 2015, Yoko Kamio launched the sequel to her hit shojo manga, Boys Over Flowers (or Hana Yori Dango), on the online platform Shonen Jump+. The series is published simultaneously in America as Boys Over Flowers Season 2. Hanahare is currently in its ninth volume and will release its seventieth chapter on April 15.

The manga takes place about three years after the F4's graduation at the end of the first series. It follows Kaguragi Haruto, the leader of the Correct 5, who admires Domyoji Tsukasa and hopes to fix Eitoku Academy's falling reputation. The series' heroine, Edogawa Oto, tries to hide her family's bankruptcy so the Correct 5 will not force her to leave the school. Haruto inevitably falls for Oto and is devastated when he learns about her fiance, Hase Tenma.

The Drama

Any J-drama fan is probably familiar with the hit drama Hana Yori Dango (2005). The drama was followed by two hit sequels, Hana Yori Dango 2 (2007) and Hana Yori Dango Final (2008). Hana Nochi Hare will be the fourth instalment in the franchise and is set ten years after Final. The series will follow Oto and Haruto, played by Sugisaki Hana and Hirano Sho.

Cast & Characters

• Edogawa will be played by award-winning actress Hana Sugisaki. Following her family's bankruptcy, Oto began working at a convenience store. Oto's life becomes intertwined with Haruto's after a chance encounter.
• Kaguragi Haruto is the Correct 5's leader and heir to Kaguragi Enterprises. As a child, he was saved by Domyoji Tsukasa who became his hero. Haruto will be portrayed by King & Prince member Hirano Sho, a junior at Matsumoto Jun's office.
• Hase Tenma, Oto's fiance, will be played by Nakagawa Taishi. He is the student president of Eitoku's rival school, Momonozono. His engagement to Oto was arranged prior to his mother's death.
• Maya Airi, a member of the Correct 5, is Haruto's childhood friend. She is in love with him though he does not know about it. Airi will be played by Imada Mio, nicknamed "Fukuoka's Bishojo".
• Taira Kaito is Haruto's best friend and right-hand man. Hamada Tatsuomi will play Kaito. You may recognize him from Ultraman Geed or Mob Psycho 100, in which he played the lead characters.
• Nishidome Megumi is a model who transfers to Eitoku after she develops a crush on Haruto. Megumi will be played by Iitoyo Marie, well known for her roles in Mars and Today's Kira-kun. Iitoyo is also an exclusive model for Japan's Seventeen magazine.
• Narumiya Issa will be portrayed by Suzuki Jin, a model for Men's Non-no. Issa is the Correct 5's resident playboy. His hero is the F4's Nishikado Sojiro.
• Eibi Sugimaru is a fitness fanatic and heir to a popular sports brand.  He will be played by Men's Non-no model Nakata Keisuke.

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The series' adults will be portrayed by: Kinami Haruka (Oto's coworker), Horiuchi Keiko (Tenma's deceased mother), Wada Tet (Tenma's father), Takaoka Saki (Tenma's stepmother who dislikes Oto), Takito Kenichi (Haruto's strict father), Shiga Kotaro (Haruto's caring butler), Kikuchi Momoko (Oto's irresponsible mother), and Sorimachi Takashi (Oto's father). Kashima Riku, previously known as Kakazu Issei, is expected to appear as Tenma's vice president.

Nishida (Ito David) and Tama (Sasaki Sumie) will make cameos as their respective Hana Yori Dango characters in Hana Nochi Hare. Matsumoto Jun will appear in the first episode during a flashback. In the flashback, Haruto will be played by newcomer Sho. Cameos by the other F4 members may happen as they have appeared in the manga. Tsukushi (Inoue Mao) is unlikely to appear since she has only been mentioned.

Music

The debut single of Sho Hirano's band King & Prince will serve as the drama's theme song. The song is titled "Cinderella Girl". Utada Hikaru will perform the insert song to be released after the drama premieres. She also sang the insert for Hana Yori Dango 2, "Flavor of Life".

Hana Nochi Hare starts airing on Tuesday, April 17. For more updates, visit the drama's official website, Twitter, and Instagram. Check out the latest trailer here.