Information

Nobuta wo Produce originally aired in the Autumn 2005 season, and won the Best Drama award at the 47th Television Drama Academy Awards. There was a total of 10 episodes, and it averaged a 16.89% viewership. It is based on the novel by Shirakawa Gen.

The story centers on Kiritani Shuji, the most popular guy in high school. He is fun, friendly, and loved by everyone. However, this is just a front for his true personality, in which he is far less friendly and cool. In reality, Shuji is bored with life and sees everything as a game, and he does not have any real friends. Ironically, he is only able to show his true self to Kusano Akira, the class dork and his hated enemy.

When Shuji and Akira meet the painfully shy new girl in school, Kotani Nobuko, they take pity on her when she becomes the victim of bullying. Together, the two decide to "produce" Nobuko and turn her into the most popular girl, in order to fulfill their personal desires - Shuji wants to see if even he can change the world, and Akira wants to live out his youth to the fullest. After some persuasion, Nobuko finally accepts their help, because she does not want to keep running away from life, and is given the nickname Nobuta.

It is a learning experience for everyone involved, and the main themes of youth, change, and friendship are echoed throughout the drama as they deal with the challenges of boosting Nobuta's self-confidence.

Cast

Shuji Kamenashi Kazuya

Akira Yamashita Tomohisa

Nobuta Horikita Maki

Mariko Toda Erika

• Kamenashi Kazuya as Kiritani Shuji (student)
• Yamashita Tomohisa as Kusano Akira (student)
• Horikita Maki as Kotani Nobuko (student)
• Toda Erika as Uehara Mariko (student)
• Ukaji Takashi as Kiritani Satoru (Shuji's father)
• Nakajima Yuto as Kiritani Koji (Shuji's younger brother)
• Mizuta Fumiko as Bando (student)
• Hiiragi Rumi as Kasumi (student)
• Natsuki Mari as Catherine (vice principal)
• Kimura Yuichi as Sebastian (teacher)
• Okada Yoshinori as Yokoyama Takeshi (teacher)
• Imawano Kiyoshiro as Gouyoku bookstore owner

Episode