Through a partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and U-NEXT, this "Japanese sword action entertainment" will be available worldwide on HBO Max from Saturday, May 9th, in over 100 countries and regions around the world, including North America, Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia. The title of the HBO Max release will be "Song of the Samurai." In some regions, local subtitles and dubbing will also be available. This project, with a global focus from the outset, was developed by combining THE SEVEN's world-class production system and VFX technology with the combined efforts of a stellar Japanese cast and crew. Through the partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery and U-NEXT, HBO Max is expanding its Japanese drama lineup, and this latest title will be delivered to audiences around the world. The "Chirururan" whirlwind is set to sweep not only Japan, but the world.
ⒸHashimoto Eiji, Umemura Shinya/Core Mix ⒸTHE SEVEN
Two new key visuals (KV) have been released, symbolizing the transitions in the story!
Along with the announcement of the worldwide release, two main visuals symbolizing the worldview of this work were released.
1. Special Drama "Edo Youth" Ver.
With a clear blue sky and the Shinsengumi's iconic light blue as a backdrop, the design is both dignified and refreshing, evoking the opening of the story. Hijikata Toshizo, staring sharply ahead, is at the center, with Kondo Isami and his fellow Shieikan alumni gathered. Behind him are a host of characters who will influence the fate of Hijikata and his men, including Serizawa Kamo, Okada Izo, and Matsudaira Katamori. Amidst the fluttering of cherry blossoms, the design expresses the burning passion of young patriots charging into an unknown future, and the fleeting brilliance of youth, a group drama.
ⒸHashimoto Eiji, Umemura Shinya/Core Mix ⒸTHE SEVEN
2. Drama Series "Kyoto Decisive Battle" Ver.
In stark contrast to the "Edo Youth Arc," this dynamic design is set in turbulent Kyoto, reeking of war and blood. It captures the literal "decisive battle" as Hijikata Toshizo, roaring with raw fighting spirit, clashes with Serizawa Kamo, sporting a fearless smile. The vibrant visuals passionately depict a gruesome yet beautiful world where justice and madness intersect, truly symbolizing the worldview of "Chirururan."
ⒸHashimoto Eiji, Umemura Shinya/Core Mix ⒸTHE SEVEN
With about a month until the broadcast, the full details of "Chirururan Shinsengumi Requiem" have been revealed. With many voices eagerly awaiting the broadcast and streaming, the company plans to continue announcing plans to allow viewers to enjoy the world of the work even more. Please look forward to the information that will be released in the future.
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Every country has its own history, but in the mid-1800s Japan, there were the "last samurai," warriors who carried swords. These were the Shinsengumi. The "samurai spirit" is born from the desire to "protect someone," whether that be family, friends, or the era itself, and I believe it is a universal emotion shared by people all over the world. It's a very approachable work, touted as "Japanese Sword Action Entertainment," so I hope that you can enjoy it with the same sense of light-hearted adventure as you would a regular movie, and feel the passion embodied in the swords.
"Song of the Samurai" is the latest series to debut on HBO Max through a partnership with U-NEXT, shining a spotlight on Japanese drama and the creators behind it. With interest in the genre growing among audiences around the world, we hope fans will enjoy this captivating new samurai tale, deeply rooted in Japanese culture, packed with fiery sword action and a charismatic cast.
We are thrilled to be able to bring "Chirururan: Shinsengumi Requiem" to over 100 countries worldwide on HBO Max through our partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. From the outset, this project has aimed to maximize Japanese content on an unprecedented scale in the history of drama, with an eye toward global distribution and broadcast integration. Based on a world-renowned manga, the overwhelming quality of THE SEVEN, the production capabilities of TBS, and a timeless theme of "passionate emotion," we are confident this work will captivate viewers around the world. Together with our partner, HBO Max, we will create a new trend by turning Japanese live-action content into a global hit.
"TBS's strong passion for content production, THE SEVEN's global-standard creativity, and the powerful platforms of U-NEXT and HBO Max combine to propel Japanese entertainment to a new stage. This spectacularly portrayed story of the souls of young people who lived through the turbulent times of the late Edo period will surely transcend borders and move the hearts of viewers around the world. As the TBS Group, we will continue to deliver the best possible Japanese content that captivates the world."
"Since its founding, THE SEVEN has had the mission of delivering Japanese stories directly to the global market with world-class quality. This film embodies that strategy and truly tests our worth. Our ability to team up with U-NEXT and HBO Max, two of the world's top platforms, has given us the confidence that our creativity and VFX technology are worthy of global recognition. I personally have high hopes that the business scheme for this film, which was designed from the beginning with the world as its primary battlefield, will present a new model of success for Japan's creative industry."
From the very beginning, our goal has been to create a Japanese period drama that will captivate young people around the world. Based on a wonderful Japanese manga, featuring soulful acting and action from a cast led by Yamada Yuki, and a visual that portrays the samurai spirit in a modern way, "Chirururan" is something we can confidently send out to the world. As a producer, I couldn't be happier that people from all over the world will be able to witness the lives of these young people who desperately struggled and perished during the transformative period of the late Edo period on the incredible stage of HBO Max. *About HBO Max: HBO Max is a video streaming service available in over 100 countries and regions, operated by WBD, a media conglomerate with a global membership. In Japan, it will be available on U-NEXT from September 19, 2024. The service exclusively distributes an overwhelming lineup of the world's best IP, from timeless classics such as "Game of Thrones" and "Sex and the City" to the latest hits such as "The Last of Us," "It: Welcome to Derry," and "The Pit," as well as "Harry Potter" and "DC."
Work Summary
【title】
"Chirururan Shinsengumi Requiem" (Reading: Chiruran Shinsengumi Requiem)
English title: Song of the Samurai
【broadcast】
TBS Television
Special Drama "Edo Youth"
March 26, 2026 (Thu) 20:58-22:57
March 27, 2026 (Friday) 20:57-22:54
Broadcast for two consecutive nights
[Domestic distribution]
U-NEXT
Special Drama "Edo Youth"
After the terrestrial broadcast ends on Thursday, March 26th and Friday, March 27th, 2026
Drama series "Kyoto Decisive Battle"
Friday, March 27, 2026, after the end of the terrestrial broadcast of the Edo Youth Arc
Exclusively broadcasting the latest episode every Friday
[Worldwide Distribution]
HBO Max
Starting Saturday, May 9th, the event will be available in over 100 countries and regions around the world, including North America, Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
[Production of works]
THE SEVEN
【staff】
Producer: Teru Morii (THE SEVEN) / Netflix "Alice in Borderland" series, "Yu Yu Hakusho" and more
Inoue Mamoru / TBS x WOWOW "Double Face", "MOZU" series, and more
Kazuya Shimomura (THE SEVEN) / Netflix "Yu Yu Hakusho", the movie "The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn't Kill", and others
Director: Kazutaka Watanabe / Taiga drama "Onna Joushu Naotora", morning drama "Rare", "Rohan Kishibe Doesn't Move" series, etc.
Screenplay by Masaaki Sakai / WOWOW drama series "Cold Case 2 & 3", film "Keiko: Clear Your Eyes" Music by Yoshiaki Dewa / Netflix "Zon 100: 100 Things to Do Before You Become a Zombie", anime "Hell's Paradise", etc.
Action Director Kensuke Sonomura / "Baby Valkyrie", "Onmyoji 0", and others
VFX Producer: Satoshi Akabane (THE SEVEN) / Netflix "Alice in Borderland" Season 3, "Yu Yu Hakusho" and others Character Supervisor: Yuya Maeda / Movie "Legend & Butterfly" and others
Post-production supervisor: Ishida Noriko (THE SEVEN) / Netflix "Alice in Borderland" series, "Yu Yu Hakusho" and more
【cast】
Toshizo Hijikata / Yuki Yamada
Isamu Kondo / Nobuyuki Suzuki
Keisuke Yamanami / Ao Nakamura
Souji Okita / Kaito Hosoda
Shinpachi Nagakura / Shuhei Uesugi
Saito Hajime / Fujiwara Seasons
Eizaburo Abiru / Yosuke Sugino
Sanosuke Harada / Shuntaro Yanagi
Heisuke Todo / Akito Miyazaki
Genzaburou Inoue / Hihio Iwanaga
Makoto Ichikawa / Airi Ikumi
Oume / Yuki Sakurai
Nishiki Niimi / Eita Okuno
Goro Hirayama / Mitsuomi Takahashi
Tadasaburo Sasaki / Nobuaki Kaneko
Izo Okada / Kento Nakajima
Shinbei Tanaka / Masanobu Ando
Matsudaira Katamori / Matsumoto Jun (guest appearance)
Shinpachi Nagakura (Meiji period) / Akira Emoto
Kamo Serizawa / Go Ayano
Original information
Title: "Chirururan: Shinsengumi Requiem"
Author Manga: Eiji Hashimoto Original Story: Shinya Umemura
Published Coremix Zenon Comics volumes 1-36 are on sale now
©Hashimoto Eiji, Umemura Shinya/Coremix
Read the first chapter
■Official websitehttps://chiruran-the7.jp/
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