At 25:00, in Akasaka (Japanese: 25時、赤坂で, Hepburn: Nijūgo-ji, Akasaka de; also spelled without a comma in Seven Seas' print releases[3]) is a Japanese manga series by Hiroko Natsuno. It was first serialized in the bimonthly boys' lovemanga magazineGōgai On BLUE on November 25, 2017. It was then moved to the main On BLUE magazine on April 25, 2018.
A live-action television drama adaptation was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 19, 2024, to June 21, 2024, as part of their MokuDra 24 [ja] programming block. A second season is set to broadcast in October 2025.
Plot
Yuki Shirasaki, a rookie actor, gets his first lead role in the same-sex romance television drama Afternoon Dreams, starring opposite of Asami Hayama, a popular, handsome actor. Shirasaki also knows Hayama as an upperclassmen two years his senior from his university's film club. Throughout filming and getting to know Hayama on a deeper level, Shirasaki immerses himself deeper into his role and begins questioning his sexuality. In an effort to understand both his and his character's feelings, Shirasaki goes to a gay bar to find a sexual partner; however, Hayama finds him at the bar and offers to become his sexual partner.[4] As the two continue to spend time with each other both on and off set, Shirasaki realizes he has fallen in love with Hayama. Meanwhile, Hayama remains secretive about his own feelings and attraction towards Shirasaki, having been in love with him since they were in university.
Hayama is a popular, handsome actor. He is two years Shirasaki's senior and was in the same film club while he was a university school student. Natsuno described Hayama as "a little otherworldly."[6]
Yamase is a new cast member of Afternoon Dreams, appearing in the show's film sequel as a love interest for Shirasaki's character. First appearing in volume 2, he becomes interested in Shirasaki and Hayama's relationship.[7] He is from the same talent agency as Sakuma and is his junior.[8] Natsuno described Yamase as someone who "goes at his own pace" and is "aggressive."[7] She drew him while "thinking it'd be great" if Yamase became a "cute" character.[7]
Akeno is Hayama's manager.[8] In the television drama adaptation, she was given the full name Kei Akeno (明野 圭).[8]
Media
Manga
At 25:00, in Akasaka is written and illustrated by Hiroko Natsuno. It was serialized in Gōgai On BLUE, a spin-off of the bimonthly boys' lovemanga magazineOn BLUE, in the 2nd Season vol. 8 released on November 25, 2017.[1] The series was later moved to the main On BLUE magazine beginning with vol. 34 released on April 25, 2018, where it was serialized beginning with the first chapter.[13][14] The chapters were later released in five bound volumes by Shodensha under the On BLUE Comics imprint.
On July 13, 2019, Futekiya, a boys' love manga news website, announced that they had licensed At 25:00, in Akasaka for English language distribution through their manga subscription service as one of their launch titles.[15] On March 6, 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they were licensing the series in English for North American distribution in print, where they released it under the title At 25:00 in Akasaka.[3][16]
In 2018, Natsuno stated through an interview with Chil Chil [ja] that she enjoyed drawing Shirasaki's emotions as he is filming a drama, where it would be difficult to tell if he was acting or not.[6] She also felt pressure in drawing the characters beautifully as they were celebrities.[6] Due to depicting scripts from dramas, she also found it interesting choosing dialogue that "had a little [more] atmosphere" than how she normally drew manga.[6] While working on the second volume, Natsuno came down with an undisclosed health condition, where she stated that it was the "first time she rode an ambulance" and that her condition was "nothing serious."[7] For volume 3, Natsuno wanted to depict maintaining work and romance "pleasantly" and had fun writing dialogue for Mihara.[12] For volume 5, Natsuno worked hard to depict Shirasaki and Hayama being apart and focusing on their jobs while still thinking of each other.[9]
An audio drama adaptation produced by Fifth Avenue was released on CD. The first CD, adapting volume 1, was released on December 16, 2020.[5][30] The second CD, adapting volume 2, was released on March 16, 2022.[10][31] The third CD, adapting volume 3, was released on January 25, 2023.[11][32] The fourth CD, adapting volume 4, was released on November 22, 2023.[33][34] The fifth CD, adapting volume 5, was released on April 23, 2025.[35][36]
A live-action television drama adaptation of At 25:00, in Akasaka was announced on March 8, 2024.[4] At the time of the announcement, Natsuno was in the process of finishing the fifth volume of the manga.[9] The television drama adaptation was co-produced by TV Tokyo and GagaOOLala,[37] and early in production, TV Tokyo sought GagaOOLala for opinions that would help make the series more accessible for a global audience.[38] The series was broadcast from April 19, 2024,[a] to June 21, 2024, for 10 episodes on TV Tokyo as part of their MokuDra 24 [ja] programming block.[2] Other broadcasts include TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting.[39] The series is licensed by GagaOOLala for English-language distribution outside of Japan.[40]
The television drama adaptation is directed by Takahiro Horie [ja] and Ryo Kawasaki [ja]; it is written by Miho Aotsuka and Kumiko Asō [ja].[8] It is produced by Tomoshi Edogawa.[4] Niihara stated that some scenes from the original manga were left out or changed through discussions with the producers and Natsuno.[41] The opening theme is "Kakkaku" by Kujiragi.[42] The ending theme is "Tokyo Night Lonely" by Mel.[42]
A second season was announced on June 22, 2025, with the cast reprising their roles.[43][44] Aotsuka and Asō returned to write the screenplays, while the new directors for the second season consist of Yuka Yasukawa [ja], Shinju Funabiki [ja], and Takashi Haga [ja].[44]
"Let's Continue Kissing at Home... A Secret Contract Between the Two of Us" Transliteration: "Kisu no Tsuzuki wa Ie de... Futari Dake no Himitsu no Keiyaku" (Japanese: キスの続きは家で…二人だけの秘密の契約)
"A Secret Date at Home?! On the Double Bed, We..." Transliteration: "Himitsu no O-ie Dēto!? Daburu Beddo de Futari wa..." (Japanese: 秘密のお家デート!?ダブルベッドで二人は…)
"These Special Feelings Are Just For the Drama... But Even So...?!" Transliteration: "Kono Tokubetsu na Kimochi wa Dorama no Tame... Soretomo...!?" (Japanese: この特別な気持ちはドラマのため…それとも…!?)
"Overnight Stay at the Filming Location on the Hot Springs Street... A Forbidden Love Triangle Starts?!" Transliteration: "Onsen Machi de no Tomari Roke... Kinshi no Sankaku Kankei Sutāto!?" (Japanese: 温泉街での泊まりロケ…禁断の三角関係スタート!?)
At 25:00, in Akasaka won the Best Series category in the 2023 Chil Chil [ja] BL Awards.[56][57] In the same year, the second CD won Best BLCD.[58] In 2024, the series had sold over 1.2 million copies.[37]
Anime News Network gave mixed reviews for the first volume, praising the art while criticizing the lack of focus on the characters.[59]
The Television [ja] reviewed the television drama adaptation favorably, referring to the romantic moments as "exciting."[60] The series reached no. 1 on GagaOOLala worldwide during its initial broadcast.[44]
Notes
^TV Tokyo lists the broadcast date as April 18, 2024, at 00:30, which is April 19, 2024, at 12:30 a.m.[2]
^ abc"駒木根葵汰&新原泰佑がキス寸前…『25時、赤坂で』メインビジュアル&SPバージョンも公開" [Before Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara kiss... main and special visuals of At 25:00, in Akasaka revealed]. Oricon (in Japanese). March 27, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abcdef"夏野寛子が描く、俳優同士のBL「25時、赤坂で」ドラマ化！主演は駒木根葵汰＆新原泰佑" [At 25:00, in Akasaka, a BL story about actors drawn by Hiroko Natsuno, gets a live-action drama starring Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara]. Natalie (in Japanese). March 8, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abcde"25時、赤坂で" [At 25:00, in Akasaka]. Fifth Avenue (in Japanese). September 24, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abcde"夏野寛子先生インタビュー イケメンに溶かされる♥ 人気俳優×新人俳優、ゲイドラマから始まる恋!! コミックス『25時、赤坂で』" [Interview with Hiroko Natsuno: your heart will be melted by a handsome man! A love that begins from a gay drama between a popular actor and a newbie actor! Comic: At 25:00, in Akasaka]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). November 22, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abcde"夏野寛子先生インタビュー 待望続編の見所は攻めの嫉妬♥ 売れっ子人気俳優×若手旬俳優の業界ラブ！ コミックス『25時、赤坂で(2)』" [Interview with Hiroko Natsuno: the highlight of the long-awaited sequel is the jealousy of the seme! A love in the industry between an in-demand, popular actor and a young rookie actor! Comic: At 25:00, in Akasaka vol. 2]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). February 27, 2020. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abcdefghijklmnopq"駒木根葵汰×新原泰佑「25時、赤坂で」追加キャスト解禁、キス寸前のビジュアルも" [Supporting cast for At 25:00, in Akasaka, starring Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara, and visual of the two before a kiss revealed]. Natalie (in Japanese). March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abc"夏野寛子先生インタビュー 待望の5巻は遠距離恋愛に突入！人気俳優×素直でがさつな若手旬俳優♥コミックス『25時、赤坂で 5』" [Interview with Hiroko Natsuno: thrust into a long-distance relationship in the long-awaited fifth volume! A popular actor and an honest, insensitive, young rookie actor! Comic: At 25:00, in Akasaka vol. 5]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). June 26, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ abcd"25時、赤坂で 2" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 2]. Fifth Avenue (in Japanese). December 23, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ ab"25時、赤坂で 3" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 3]. Fifth Avenue (in Japanese). November 4, 2022. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ ab"夏野寛子先生インタビュー 恋も仕事も一筋縄ではいかない♥ 超人気俳優×若手旬俳優の業界ラブ♥ コミックス『25時、赤坂で(3)』" [Interview with Hiroko Natsuno: love and work aren't easy! A love in the industry between an in-demand, popular actor and a young rookie actor! Comic: At 25:00, in Akasaka vol. 3]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^Natsuno, Hiroko [@natsunohiro] (April 20, 2018). "すみません、1話も再掲してもらえるので全部で77ページでした！4月25日発売のオンブルーから読み始められる親切設計です！どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。(画像は1話のトビラです！)" [Sorry, the first chapter will also be re-run, so everything is 77 pages! It's a reader-friendly design that lets you start reading the series in On BLUE, which will be released on April 25th,! Thank you for your support. (The image is the cover of chapter 1!)] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2025 – via Twitter.
^"【5月25日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(May 25) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"【6月25日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(June 25) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). June 25, 2024. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で" [At 25:00, in Akasaka]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で 2" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 2]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で 3" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 3]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で 4" [At 25:00, in Akasaka]. Fifth Avenue (in Japanese). September 20, 2023. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で 4" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 4]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で 5" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 5]. Fifth Avenue (in Japanese). February 20, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"25時、赤坂で 5" [At 25:00, in Akasaka 5]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ ab"駒木根葵汰＆新原泰佑「波長が合った」お互いの印象を「ないものを補ってくれるフレッシュな方」「特別なオーラを持っている」と語る＜２５時、赤坂で＞" [Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara are "on the same wavelength" and speak on first impressions of each other: "He's someone fresh who makes up for what I lack" "He has a special aura" (At 25:00, in Akasaka)]. The Television [ja] (in Japanese). June 20, 2024. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^ ab"駒木根葵汰×新原泰佑「25時、赤坂で」トレーラー解禁、テーマ曲は鯨木とMelが担当" [At 25:00, in Akasaka, starring Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara, reveals trailer, Kujiragi and Mel to be in charge of theme songs]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 3, 2024. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"『２５時、赤坂で』続編放送決定" [At 25:00, in Akasaka continuation confirmed]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). June 22, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
^ abc"ドラマ「25時、赤坂で」Season2、10月放送開始 駒木根葵汰＆新原泰佑の続投で" [Drama At 25:00, in Akasaka Season 2 to be broadcast in October, Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara to reprise roles]. Natalie (in Japanese). June 22, 2025. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
^"第5話 木ドラ24 ２５時、赤坂で「温泉街での泊まりロケ…禁断の三角関係スタート!?」" [Episode 5, MokuDra24, At 25:00, in Akasaka: "Overnight Stay at the Filming Location on the Hot Springs Street... A Forbidden Love Triangle Starts?!"]. The Television [ja] (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"ランキング決定!! 商業BLの祭典BLアワード2023" [Rankings have been decided!! A festival of commercially released boys' love, the BL Awards 2023]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^"ランキング決定!! 商業BLの祭典BLアワード2023" [Rankings have been decided!! A festival of commercially released boys' love, the BL Awards 2023]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
^Makishima, Fumika (May 2, 2024). "駒木根葵汰"羽山"、新原泰佑"白崎"をうちに誘って優しく押し倒すようすにドキドキ＜２５時、赤坂で＞" [My heart beats with excitement as Kiita Komagine's "Hayama" invites Taisuke Niihara's "Shirasaki" to his house and gently pushes him down (At 25:00, in Akasaka)]. The Television [ja] (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
