SixTONES‘ Taiga Kyomoto has been confirmed to star in the drama “The Author I Admired was not Human“, which will be released exclusively on the streaming platform Prime Video (only Japan) starting May 4, 2026. This marks Taiga’s first time taking on a leading role in a Prime Video original series. May 4 holds special significance for Taiga, as it marks the birthday of his beloved Shinichi Kudo from Detective Conan, and it is also the anniversary of the day Taiga began his journey as an idol.
The series is a new-style fantasy × suspense × crime-solving drama that follows the trouble-filled daily life of a mysterious and strikingly beautiful vampire novelist who assists the police in criminal investigations, and a rookie editor who finds himself at the mercy of a non-human existence.
The protagonist is Zen Misaki (played by Taiga Kyomoto), a wildly popular bestselling author whose true identity is, unexpectedly, that of a vampire. Using supernatural abilities unique to his inhuman nature, such as nensha (the power to read a person’s memories from their blood), mind reading, and hypnosis, along with his sharp deductive skills, Misaki stylishly solves difficult cases that have left the police at a dead end.
Having long since abandoned his life as a human, Misaki begins the story having lost his sense of purpose, lacking the passion to write new novels and harboring a cynical, world-weary outlook. However, through his interactions with a young editor and an up-and-coming detective, and by solving case after case, he gradually rediscovers his capacity for love, friendship, and the very emotions that make him human.
The series is adapted from “Akogare no Sakka wa Ningen ja Arimasen Deshita”, the debut novel by Mikage Sawamura, who is also known for the Professor Takatsuki Akira no Suisatsu series. The novel won the Grand Prize at the 2nd Kadokawa Bunko Character Novel Awards and is noted for its tightly woven plots, where each case is driven by complex motives and circumstances that rarely unfold in a straightforward way.
Mikage Sawamura admitted that she initially felt the story’s strong fantasy elements would make a screen adaptation difficult. “I wasn’t sure it could work visually,” she said. “But when I read the script, it was genuinely compelling. That’s when I became confident it would turn into something special.”
She also expressed her excitement about Taiga Kyomoto taking on the role of Zen Misaki. “Taiga Kyomoto has such strikingly pale and refined features, so I felt truly honored that he would be portraying Misaki,” she commented. “I’m a big fan of musicals, so I couldn’t help imagining him as Rudolf from Elisabeth or Wolfgang from Mozart! playing this character,” she added with a laugh. “I believe he’ll capture Misaki’s delicate nature beautifully, and I’m really looking forward to the action scenes as well.”
At its core, the story explores Misaki’s inner conflict as a vampire: his sense of being an outsider, the frustration of not being fully understood, and the loneliness that comes with it. These themes feel especially relevant today. While the premise of a “vampire novelist” carries a light, humorous edge, the drama aims to ground the story in a realistic, emotionally driven portrayal of human relationships, ultimately delivering a message of hope to contemporary audiences.
Streaming Schedule
- May 4, 2026 (Monday): Episodes 1–3
- May 11, 2026 (Monday): Episodes 4–5
- May 18, 2026 (Monday): Episodes 6–7
- May 25, 2026 (Monday): Episode 8
COMMENT BY TAIGA
Q. How did you feel when you first received the offer?
When I heard about it, I was genuinely happy. I thought, I get to take on a vampire role in a live-action project! I’ve actually played a vampire on stage before, so it felt like a wonderful coincidence. I’ve also loved mysterious and supernatural things since I was a kid. I used to read a lot of books about UMAs and unexplained phenomena. The original story features many of those strange, otherworldly elements, and I’m really excited to see how they’ll be brought to life on screen. There’s something thrilling about working with material that feels so unreal.
Q. About playing the main character, Zen Misaki.
I’ve always loved reading and enjoy everything from mystery to romance novels, but I never imagined I’d play a novelist myself. I’m really looking forward to starting filming. Zen is a complex character, he’s both a writer and a vampire, and he carries a lot of emotional weight. Honestly, I don’t yet know how fully I’ll be able to convey his depth, but I want to explore the role carefully with the help of the director, staff, and cast. The original work is wonderful, so I want to approach it with respect and do the character justice.
Q. If you became a vampire yourself…
That’s a tough question! Vampires are supposed to survive by drinking blood, right? But I’m pretty introverted, so I can’t really imagine going out just for that reason. Would I really have to? I’d rather live peacefully without hurting anyone, so if I were a vampire, I’d probably just stay home all the time (laughs).
Q. Have you told the SixTONES members about landing the lead role?
No, I haven’t told them yet. We’re close and talk a lot, but most of our conversations aren’t about work. We do share a group calendar app, and my filming schedule is already on there, so if anyone checks it carefully, they might notice. But I haven’t said anything directly, and no one has mentioned it to me either. They might be thinking, “Taiga seems pretty free in 2026” (laughs). If anyone’s likely to notice, it’s probably Jesse, who has a wide perspective, or Juri Tanaka, who always keeps an eye on what everyone’s doing. They might sense that something’s coming. We actually have a SixTONES concert the day after the announcement, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they react during the MC.
Q. A message for viewers looking forward to the drama.
I’ve already read the script, and while the premise, a “vampire novelist”, is clearly fictional, the story strongly connects to very real struggles, like human relationships and the emotional burdens people carry in everyday life. There are fun episodes, scary moments, and everything in between, but I hope viewers will also feel the deeper layers beneath it all. I’d be really happy if that depth comes through. Please look forward to it.
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