Toma Ikuta is making waves once again with his return as the leading character, Mitsuru Kishibe, in the beloved series "My Story is Long" ("俺の話は長い"), which will be airing its new season starting March 5, 2025. This marks the first return of the popular family drama after five years, delighting fans who have eagerly awaited the continuation of this extraordinary tale.
The inception of this latest season follows the 2019 airing of the original series, written by the acclaimed scriptwriter Nobuki Kaneko. The series revolves around the life of Mitsuru, who grapples with the struggles of being jobless and resorts to elaborate excuses to avoid confronting reality, leading to humorous and heartwarming encounters with his family.
Joining Ikuta is an impressive ensemble cast, including Kazuko Koike as Mitsuru's sister Ayako, Kaya Kiyohara as his niece Harumi, and Yorio Sugiino portraying the neighborhood bar owner. The family's dynamics continue with new and old challenges as Mitsuru and his relatives navigate life’s ups and downs.
The nostalgia continues with characters such as Koji Akiba, Mitsuru's brother-in-law played by Ken Yasuda, and his mother Bouko Kishibe, played by Mikako Harada, highlighting the warmth and complexity of familial relationships.
On the morning of March 5, just prior to the show's debut, all three episodes for the new season will be available for streaming on platforms like Hulu and TVer, ensuring fans have immediate access to the series. Episodes 1 to 3 will be available until March 30, 2025, at 22:29. Subsequent episodes will follow, each with specific airing and availability times. The fourth episode can be streamed until March 12, the fifth from March 9 to 16, and so on, building excitement for the series across the month.
Ikuta, reflecting on his five-year hiatus from the character, expressed his enthusiasm about returning to play Mitsuru. "I hoped for this for so long," he mentioned. "To finally see something exciting and humorous come together has made these past five years feel productive!" He humorously described reading through the script: "It was like thumbing through the Yellow Pages!" He noted, "This season captures the same humor and long-winded dialogues of Mitsuru, which fans loved. But besides the humor, there's deep emotional and character development as well. I've got to prepare myself because the script is quite dense!"
When asked about memorable scenes from the previous season, Ikuta fondly recalled moments with his sister portrayed by Koike. "The scene where we were on the porch discussing life was significant for me. It highlighted how our characters, who often bicker, can share honest bonds during challenging moments. The underlying affection remained, even amid disagreements," he shared.
He also spoke about the excitement of reuniting with his on-screen family. "It’s always enjoyable to interact with such talented co-stars. During breaks on set, we'd often find ourselves loosely mulling our lines, similar to how family members interact—carefree yet supportive. That’s the vibe I want viewers to feel when they tune in!"
Ikuta noted how many viewers relate to Mitsuru. He stated, "People tell me, 'Hey, this character is just like my family member!' It's heartwarming to realize how universal these traits are. Many families across Japan can identify someone who resonates with Mitsuru’s character traits. He is like those family members we know, even though they may drive us crazy sometimes!"
The producer of the series, Hiroko Hasegawa, shared some insights on the show's enduring charm. "It’s been five long years since we last had the series, but thanks to Kaneko's words about subjects relating to the pandemic, this whole project came back to fruition. The essence of 'My Story is Long' is to showcase these 'unchanging characters' as they adapt to life’s changes. Viewers will feel the warmth of their family relationship as they go through laughter, and struggles. We hope they can actively engage with the unconventional family dynamics presented."
Following the launch of the first three episodes, subsequent episodes will be released weekly, keeping the audience engaged and invested. Episode streaming schedules include episodes available on specified dates, allowing fans to savor each chapter without interruption.
For those eager to kick off the new season, the initial episodes can be found on streaming services now. Generously mixing humor with heartfelt moments, "My Story is Long" promises to be a family-friendly series to enjoy together, inviting audiences to cozy up and experience the laughter and warmth alongside their loved ones. Ikuta emphasized this sentiment, saying, "This show is meant to be watched with family! Grab some snacks, sit back, and let the comforting drama fill your homes!"
Overall, with its blend of humor, heartfelt moments, and family connections, fans can look forward to immersing themselves once again in the lives of Mitsuru and his unique family. The show is expected to bring joy and laughter, reinforcing the bonds between family members and offering relatable content for anyone seeking something uplifting.