Glass Heart Overview – Cast, Plot and Original novel

Glass Heart is an upcoming Japanese musical drama series set to premiere on Netflix in July 2025. Adapted from Mio Wakagi’s best-selling novel, the series delves into the transformative journey of a young drummer navigating the challenges of the music industry.

Glass Heart Overview

Glass Heart CAST

Takeru Satoh as Naoki Fujitani

A genius musician who discovers Akane’s talent and invites her to join his new band.

Name: Takeru Satoh
Date of Birth: March 21, 1989
Place of Birth: Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Debut Work: Princess Princess D (2007)
Notable Works: Rurouni Kenshin series, The Liar and His Lover, Inuyashiki, If Cats Disappeared from the World, The 8-Year Engagement
Social Media: Official Instagram

Yū Miyazaki as Akane Saijo

A university student and passionate drummer who faces an unexpected setback when she’s ousted from her band.

Name: Yu Miyazaki
🔸Date of Birth: November 20, 2000
🔸Place of Birth: Mie Prefecture, Japan
🔸Debut Work: Solomon’s Perjury (2015)
🔸Notable Works: Solomon’s Perjury, The Mysterious Restaurant, The Door into Summer, The Promised Neverland, The Great Yokai War: Guardians
🔸Social Media: Official Instagram

Keita Machida as Sho Takaoka

The guitarist in Naoki’s band, known for his exceptional skills and stage presence.

Name: Keita Machida
🔸Date of Birth: July 4, 1990
🔸Place of Birth: Gifu Prefecture, Japan
🔸Debut Work: Rookies (2008)
🔸Notable Works: HiGH&LOW series, Your Turn to Kill, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!, Love You as the World Ends, The End of the Tiny World
🔸Social Media: Official Instagram

Jun Shison as Kazushi Sakamoto

The pianist in the ensemble, bringing a unique flair to the group’s sound.

Name: Jun Shison
🔸Date of Birth: March 5, 1995
🔸Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
🔸Debut Work: Gokusen: The Movie (2009)
🔸Notable Works: An Incurable Case of Love, The Way of the Househusband, Tori Girl!, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Bubble
🔸Social Media: Official Instagram

Masaki Suda as Toya Shinzaki

The vocalist of a rival band, presenting competition and tension within the music scene.

Name: Masaki Suda
🔸Date of Birth: February 21, 1993
🔸Place of Birth: Osaka Prefecture, Japan
🔸Debut Work: Kamen Rider W (2009)
🔸Notable Works: Wilderness: Part One, Drowning Love, The Light Shines Only There, Death Note: Light Up the New World, My Little Monster
🔸Social Media: Official Instagram

Glass Heart Plot

The story follows Akane Saijo, a college student and passionate drummer, who faces an unexpected setback when she’s ousted from her band. Her fortunes change when renowned musician Naoki Fujitani recognizes her talent and invites her to join his new ensemble. Together, they navigate the complexities of the music world, confronting personal and professional challenges that test their resolve and creativity.

Glass Heart View Points

The Original novel

Title: Glass Heart
Author: Mio Wakagi
Publication Period: 1993–2011
Serialized In: Cobalt magazine

The “Glass Heart” novel series follows the journey of Akane Saijo, a high school student with a passion for drumming. After being unjustly dismissed from her band due to gender biases, Akane receives an unexpected invitation from the renowned musician Naoki Fujitani to join his new ensemble. This opportunity propels her into the challenging yet exhilarating world of professional music. As Akane collaborates with her new bandmates, she confronts personal and societal obstacles, striving to prove her worth and redefine her identity in the male-dominated music industry.

The narrative delves into themes of resilience, gender equality, and the transformative power of music, offering a poignant commentary on the struggles and triumphs of young artists.

The upcoming Netflix adaptation aims to bring this compelling story to a global audience, capturing the essence of the original work while resonating with contemporary viewers.

“A Star-Studded Cast and a Talented Creative Team: Glass Heart Is Poised for Success”

With a high-profile cast and an experienced production team, Glass Heart is set to be one of Netflix Japan’s most anticipated releases of 2025. Takeru Satoh, known for his iconic portrayal of Kenshin Himura in the Rurouni Kenshin film series, takes on the role of Naoki Fujitani, a genius musician who discovers Akane’s talent. His experience in music-driven films like The Liar and His Lover and emotionally intense dramas like If Cats Disappeared from the World makes him the perfect fit for this role.

Joining him is Masaki Suda, one of Japan’s most versatile actors, whose performances in Drowning Love, Wilderness: Part One, and Death Note: Light Up the New World have earned him critical acclaim. His ability to bring depth and raw emotion to his characters will undoubtedly add complexity to the story. Meanwhile, Keita Machida and Jun Shison, known for their work in HiGH&LOW and The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, respectively, add further weight to the ensemble cast.

Behind the camera, director Kensaku Kakimoto (who worked on Colors of Wind) and renowned screenwriter Mari Okada (Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Her Blue Sky) promise a visually stunning and emotionally compelling adaptation of Mio Wakagi’s beloved novel series. Given Okada’s reputation for crafting heartfelt and deeply emotional narratives, expectations are high for Glass Heart to deliver a powerful coming-of-age story that resonates with viewers worldwide.

With its strong source material, exceptional cast, and a team of industry veterans, Glass Heart is shaping up to be an unforgettable drama that blends music, ambition, and self-discovery into a touching and immersive experience.

Japanese Romance Movie on Netfflix

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From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke

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Glass Heart OST

Trailer

Poster

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