The Japanese duo King & Prince, formed by Ren Nagase and Kaito Takahashi, never ceases to surprise their Tiaras, the duo are going to release their new album on 24 December, marking a turning point in their career. But beyond the music, the project has captured the public’s attention with an ingenious and nostalgic visual strategy: the duo has been revealing a series of promotional posters that reference iconic Hollywood and Japanese films, each intrinsically connected to the songs on the album.
This approach not only highlights Ren and Kaito‘s artistic versatility, as was proven as soon as the short version of the music video accompanying this new work was launched, it became a viral phenomenon (Even among other colleagues in the same company and the Japanese music industry), just a few hours after hitting the networks; but also establishes a fascinating game with their fans, inviting them to decipher the relationship between the cinematic narrative of the poster and the lyrical or melodic meaning of the track it references. Get ready to discover how King & Prince is redefining music promotion, transforming their latest album into an experience where music and cinema merge into a visual masterpiece.
The promotional campaign for “STARRING” has generated huge excitement on social media since 27 October, transforming the promotion of an album into a veritable film festival! To delve deeper into this creative campaign, Dumpling Box has prepared an article that will present each of the posters in detail, revealing the plot of the fictional short film to which they refer, allowing a deep understanding about the relationship between the cinematic concept and the soundtrack of each film; all of them have been turned into songs on their new album, so we could say that this new musical work is practically a soundtrack itself!
Film: Modern Love
Theme Song: “HEART“, from their 16th single.
– INTRODUCTION –
The innovative dating app they developed was a huge success, and Fuyuhiko (Ren) and Haruto (Kaito) quickly joined the ranks of the wealthy.
They went on holiday, rented a motel, and enjoyed a long stay. They had tried to turn their love into a business, but when they met an employee at the hotel where they were staying, they both fell in love at first sight!
Unable to admit their love, the conflict of falling for the same person as their best friend, getting excited about anything, irritated by anything, clashing. And what will become of the three’s summer love?
An extremely cute love story depicted in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Western film!




Film: The Doomer
Theme Song: “I Know“, from their 17th single.
– INTRODUCTION –
Late at night, a mysterious hand emerges from a tank located at the rear of a research facility in a certain city…
Two inspectors; Takai (Kaito) and Yasuda (Ren), after receiving a report from the neighbourhood, head to the research centre. They enter, but the researchers are nowhere to be found. People have disappeared. There are traces of someone. A note has been left. The words “The DOOMER”.
Little by little, the two discover what happened in the laboratory. What was being carried out there was taboo research aimed at ending the world and transcending humanity!
The shadow of ‘something’ is approaching! The two are cornered, but to protect the city and the world, they must face this unknown threat.




Film: 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐔𝐊𝐀 記憶の中のあなたへ
Theme Song: “Darling“, Ren solo.
– INTRODUCTION –
What if another past existed, one unknown to you—
A certain request arrives for Kanata (Ren), an interior craftsman. It is a wish to repair a cherished chair, a memento of the deceased.
Through repeated correspondence with the client, Haruka, Kanata finds himself drawn to her. The day arrives when Haruka, having ended her life, visits the workshop. Kanata, who had been looking forward to finally meeting her, is met with tears in her eyes the moment she sees him.
Kanata had once been one with Haruka’s former lover, Keisuke. Overlapping her strength with Keisuke‘s, Haruka is consumed by grief. And Kanata suffers from unrequited feelings. Two timelines that should never have changed, begin to overlap!
Depicted through one actor playing two roles. A parallel love story where present and past connect.




Film: The feel of summer
Theme Song: “だんだん“.
– INTRODUCTION –
Eisuke (Ren) and Satoru (Kaito), the two best mates were lazing about in the room that day too. Then, suddenly, Satoru confessed he’d been given a terminal diagnosis.
The season was just as summer began. He reckoned his body would still hold out for the duration of this summer. Satoru said he had things left undone. But they were all such trivial things, leaving Eisuke rather deflated.
Conquering the entire menu at the Chinese place near the station. Eating loads of shaved ice. Sleep until he can’t sleep anymore. Master skateboarding. Nothing extraordinary. “This is what I want,” Satoru said with a smile. Eisuke vowed to do his utmost to make Satoru’s wishes come true. Nostalgic and somehow poignant. Their final summer of “this is what I want” begins.




Film: Frankly, My Dear
Theme Song: “this time“, Kaito solo.
– INTRODUCTION –
In a back alley of the city, a solitary sign glows. There lies a jazz bar with a piano and a small stage.
Hatsuse (Kaito) a young man who inherited it from the original owner, ran the place at his own leisurely pace. Only a handful of customers visited each day—all rather eccentric souls.
This bar held a special secret. A young pianist ghost, a regular who arrived just before closing time each day. Singing, dancing, and enjoying drinks with the ghost had become part of Hatsuse‘s daily routine.
Yet Hatsuse still didn’t know the ghost’s secret. That day, as the bar’s lights dimmed, the ghost arrived as usual. Having learned the ghost’s secret, Hatsuse danced the night away with him, declaring, “Let’s dance some more!”
A strange and charming time begins, one that makes you want to dance!




Film: 4月1日
Theme Song: “4月1日“
– INTRODUCTION –
1st April, university entrance ceremony.
New student, Kouki (Kaito), awoke filled with both anticipation and apprehension for what lay ahead. He drank coffee, attended the entrance ceremony, felt a flutter of romantic anticipation, yet nothing happened, went to Ito’s interview, ate gyudon, watched television together, then went to sleep. It was an ordinary day.
… Or so it should have been.
When Kouki awoke, he found himself inexplicably back on April 1st. An ordinary April 1st repeating over and over. To escape this loop, he tried every possible method. Yet, he inevitably looped back. Despite meeting him on one of the loops, the café clerk Takagi (Ren), from Eiwa City, seemed aware that he was “returning”.
Escaping the mundane loop, a laid-back buddy’s laid-back time-loop mystery!




Film: Home, Stupid Home
Theme Song: “Stereo Love“
– INTRODUCTION –
2118. A dark world shrouded in clouds, filled only with crime and neon lights.
On the high ground beyond the city, vast factories stood in rows, perpetually belching smoke.
Kaneda (Ren), who lost his family to pollution, one day encounters the vampire Chiba in an old Western-style mansion!
Chiba (Kaito), who lost his family because of the giant factory and Chiba, who says, “I need the sun to sleep again.“
As their bond gradually deepens, the two set out to destroy the giant factory in the city – the root cause of all their suffering!
A buddy movie racing through a cyberpunk world!




Film: 雷藤兄弟
Theme Song: “希望の丘“
– INTRODUCTION –
The twin Raito brothers: the brilliant elder brother, Jin Raito (Ren), and the dropout, petty thug younger brother, Ai Raito (Kaito).
The two, whose outlooks on life couldn’t be more different, hadn’t seen each other for ten years after Ai stormed out of the house at eighteen. They reunited upon hearing of their father’s death.
They clash almost immediately upon meeting. After a huge row, they ponder their father’s final words:
“To my stupid sons. Fly for me instead.“
Their father had pursued the world record for paper aeroplanes. Determined to fulfil his dying wish, the brothers join forces to continue their father’s dream.




Film: ROOFTOP PICNICS
Theme Song: “MEET CUTE“
– INTRODUCTION –
Saku (Ren) was doing DTM all by himself.
One day, the sound of guitar playing drifted in through his apartment window. Saku began tapping his drumsticks in time with the guitar. The sound seemed to be coming from the rooftop.
Summoning his courage, he opened the rooftop door. There stood Keigo (Kaito), playing his guitar. Though their conversation started haltingly, the two instantly clicked.
They formed a unit called “ROOFTOP PICNICS” and began making music on the rooftop. They distribute their music online, and gradually, their sound begins to gain attention. Though they share the best of times, shadows slowly begin to fall over their relationship.
Keigo harbours a secret. About his family, his future, and things he keeps hidden. The music they create together—
A coming-of-age music film that captures the raw, authentic emotions of two young men with a palpable realism!




Film: 君が誰で、僕が誰でも
Theme Song: “Sunset“
– INTRODUCTION –
Niiyama (Kaito) has come to Omi‘s villa for his former professor’s 60th birthday party. He wakes up in the morning amid the remains of hte party. Then, meets a mysterious young man named Sasai (Ren) in the kitchen.
Outside, heavy snow had brought all transport to a standstill. Then tragedy struck. Omi was discovered dead.
Trapped in the mountain lodge, the group searches for the culprit amidst mounting suspicion. Their only clue is a video camera left behind by Omi. The image captured Sasai gazing tearfully into the camera.
A beautiful yet sorrowful suspense tale, rendered in a mysterious and decadent aesthetic.




In short, the success of this concept lies in its originality, as it turns an album release into an immersive pop culture experience where fans not only await the music, but also the upcoming “film” and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
In addition, King & Prince has finally released “Theatre” full music video, a production that redefines the duo’s visual ambition, featuring impeccable funk-style choreography and a narrative that boasts the most scene changes in the group’s history. With this release, Ren and Kaito consolidate their concept of “life as a film“, offering a vibrant aesthetic proposal that is already positioning itself as one of the visual milestones of their career!
Follow King & Prince for more updates!
YouTube ・X・ Instagram ・ TikTok・Official web
STARRING special accounts!
Kaito Takahashi Instagram | Ren Nagase Instagram
👑 You can now listen to King & Prince‘s new song, “Theatre,” ahead of the release of their full album, “STARRING.” 👑
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