The main cast and visuals have been unveiled for the upcoming stage production “AmberS -アンバース-,” an original work created and scripted by NEWS’ Shigeaki Kato. The play will serve as the opening performance for EX THEATER ARIAKE, a new theater launching in April within TV Asahi’s TOKYO DREAM PARK entertainment complex in Ariake, Tokyo.
The production stars Naniwa Danshi‘s Kazuya Ohashi as Evel, a young man who runs a tavern to support his family, and timelesz‘ Takuto Teranishi as Alan, a mysterious wandering pianist. Ohashi has recently starred in the film “Kimi ga Tokubetsu” and the drama “Revenge Spy,” and has appeared in stage works such as “Aoki-san Chi no Okusan” and “Ashita wo Kakeru Shonentachi.” Teranishi, on the other hand, has the musicals “Dance of the Vampires” and “Hero” in his acting credits, and is scheduled to appear in “Shin Gakyōjin Hokusai” and “Pretty Woman: The Musical.” This marks the first time the two have co-starred.
The cast also features:
KEY TO LIT‘s Soya Igari —who is known for the film “Koi wo Shiranai Bokutachi wa” and dramas such as “Tomodachi Game R4” and “Zenryoku! Cleaners”— as Orukka, a member of the anti-government group Yuralilis.
Kansai Junior Toa Shimazaki —who has appeared in JAPAN THEATER’s SEIMEI and the film “Ano Hana ga Saku Oka de Kimi to Mata Deaetara”— as Louis, Evel’s younger brother.
Junior Koki Kawasaki —who was a member of and leader of the group Shonen Ninja, and starred in the drama “Haikei, Kimyō na Otonari-sama” as well as the stage play “Summertime Machine Blues”— as Enrique, another member of Yuralilis.
SpeciaL‘s Tatsuru Matsuo —who has performed in SpeciaL‘s starring stage work “Yabo Kyodai to Kogitsune-chan SpeciaL” and “Endless SHOCK”— as Wolf, the right-hand man of the central government army.
Rena Yamazaki —who has played the 11th Peter Pan in the Broadway musical since 2023 and is set to appear in “Shin Tsuruhime Densetsu – Yoroi ni Shiroi Hana wo”— as Noah, the daughter of Romero Tank Corporation, the giant company that created AmberS.
Gota Watabe —who continues to appear on stage in works such as “Chikamatsu Shinju Monogatari” and the musical drama “The Threepenny Opera: Kabukicho no Koshūdai”— as Ken, Noah‘s butler.
Suzuho Makaze —a former Takarazuka Revue top star who appeared in the musical “LUPIN – The Secret of Countess Cagliostro” after leaving the troupe in 2023— as Hilda, the cold-hearted supreme military commander.
Lastly, Udanji Ichikawa —who has expanded his field of work through appearances in the film “Godmother: The Life of Ayako Koshino,” the historical drama “Do Suru Ieyasu,” and the upcoming Ichikawa Danjuro Special Performance— appears as Vingas, the president of Romero Tank Corporation.
The play is directed by Masahiko Kawahara, with music direction by Taisei Iwasaki, who won the 45th Japan Academy Prize for Best Music for the film “Belle.” Character visual direction and costume design are handled by Isao Tsuge, known for supervising character design in dramas such as “What Will You Do, Ieyasu?” and “Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan.” These top Japanese creators and performers come together to craft a richly imagined new world on stage. “AmberS -アンバース-“ will run from April 25 to May 24 next year.
In addition, the production has also unveiled its main visuals. Two types were released: one featuring the two leads trapped in amber together with a tiger —an element central to the story— and another showcasing the main cast assembled in costumes that highlight their characters’ personalities.
COMMENTS FROM THE CAST
Kazuya Ohashi
“I’m already extremely nervous… haha. Ah—I was so nervous I forgot to greet you!!! I’m Kazuya Ohashi of Naniwa Danshi, and I’ll be starring in the opening production of EX THEATER ARIAKE, “AmberS -アンバース-“!
The character I’m playing is cheerful and family-oriented, and since Shigeaki Kato-san wrote the role with me in mind (I’m happy he thinks of me as a cheerful family-oriented guy, haha), I’ll do my best to shine bright for the cast, staff, and everyone who comes to see the show so I can convey the heart of this work!!! As a double lead with Takuto Teranishi, I hope to learn a lot from performing alongside him, and to grow in the role while receiving firm guidance from Director Masahiko Kawahara! Please look forward to it!”
Takuto Teranishi
“Hello, I”m Takuto Teranishi, and I will be starring in “AmberS -アンバース-.”
When I first heard that I would be starring in the opening production at EX THEATER ARIAKE, I was honestly shocked. But after speaking with Kato-kun, the original author, and hearing his passion, I answered that if there’s anything I can do, I’ll give it my all.
Working with Director Kawahara—someone I’ve long hoped to collaborate with—alongside this impressive cast, and performing in Kato-kun’s original story, makes my heart race. Please come to the theater.”
Soya Igari
“This is Soya Igari from KEY TO LIT. I am truly grateful and honored to have my name etched into the opening performance of EX THEATER ARIAKE.
I challenge myself in various areas—variety shows, film and TV—but the stage, where I can directly feel the audience’s breath, is especially meaningful to me.”
“The two leads are both my seniors, yet they’ve also supported me personally for a long time. This will be my first time standing on stage this close to them, but I’ll learn as a junior while supporting them in every way I can.”
And above all, I will work hard so that “Soya Igari” can dissolve naturally into the world Shigeaki Kato has created and deliver emotion to the audience.
To the staff, cast, and fans—please take good care of me.”
Toa Shimazaki
“I am very happy to be involved in the opening performance of Tokyo Dream Park’s EX THEATER ARIAKE, which I expect many people will visit.
I’m excited to live as a character within the captivating world created by Shigeaki Kato.
I will learn a lot from the respected seniors and actors around me and grow alongside this new theater.”
Koki Kawasaki
“I am deeply honored to appear in this memorable opening performance. Above all, I’m truly happy to take part as an actor in the world created by Shigeaki Kato.
I recently had the chance to speak with him directly and heard about the twists and turns of the production process and the passion put into it. It made me even more grateful to be involved.
I’ll act while treasuring my own interpretation, support the two leads, and do my best to help elevate this work.”
Tatsuru Matsuo
“In this production, I will be playing “the strongest gunman.”
Kato-kun told me it’s “the strongest and cooles” role, which pumped me up even more.
Since there’s action involved, I’ll polish my action skills and take on the challenge.
I’m delighted to be part of the opening performance at EX THEATER ARIAKE and to work alongside seniors I respect. I’ll give it my all to deliver a wonderful production, so please look forward to it.”
Rena Yamazaki
“I am honored to appear in the opening production “AmberS -アンバース-.”
I feel great joy in being present at the beginning of this theater’s history, and I’m full of anticipation at the chance to take on the original world created by Shigeaki Kato.
Together with the wonderful cast and staff—including Kazuya Ohashi and Takuto Teranishi—I’ll give everything to deliver the unique passion of this work to the audience. Please come experience it in the theater.”
Gota Watabe
“This is my first time being part of an opening performance for a new theater.
I’m thrilled to witness the birth of a new cultural hub alongside the creative team led by Shigeaki Kato (original author and playwright) and Director Masahiko Kawahara.
I look forward to sharing this special stage with many audience members.”
Suzuho Makaze
“I am deeply honored and excited to be part of EX THEATER ARIAKE’s opening production.
I’m full of anticipation about what kind of work will be created as I collaborate with my co-stars for the first time, each bringing their own individuality.
I will give my all so that audiences can experience the excitement and emotion unique to a brand-new theater.”
Udanji Ichikawa
“It is a great honor to be part of the opening performance at EX THEATER ARIAKE, in Shigeaki Kato’s completely original work “AmberS -アンバース-.”
I will play the key role of the person who created “AmberS,” the elixir of immortality that drives the story.
A timeless and grand tale set in a near-future world is about to begin.
As someone who usually works in the world of kabuki, I’m thrilled to step into a different realm of theater, supported by many young performers, and to open a new door for myself.”
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
- Title: AmberS -アンバース-
- Written by: Shigeaki Kato
- Directed by: Masahiko Kawahara
- Starring: Kazuya Ohashi, Takuto Teranishi, Soya Igari, Toa Shimazaki, Koki Kawasaki, Tatsuru Matsuo, Rena Yamazaki, Gota Watabe, Suzuho Makaze, Udanji Ichikawa
- Schedule: April 25 (Sat) – May 24 (Sun), 2026
- Venue: EX THEATER ARIAKE (inside Tokyo Dream Park)
- Tickets: 11,000 yen – 14,800 yen (tax included)
- Official Website: https://tdp.tv-asahi.co.jp/ambers/
- Official X: https://x.com/ambers_stage?t=HWh6qYHTMi9jEq4BZBPOcA&s=09
- Presented by: TV Asahi / STARTO ENTERTAINMENT