The Japanese television industry is gearing up for one of its most ambitious projects: a grand-scale adaptation of Water Margin.
On August 27, the production team unveiled the first trailer, showcasing sweeping natural landscapes and character introductions. The drama, directed by Setsurō Wakamatsu, is set for release in 2026.
- Yūji Oda, one of Japan’s most beloved actors, takes on the role of Song Jiang.
- Takashi Sorimachi plays Chao Gai, while Kamenashi Kazuya portrays Lin Chong.
Filming spanned eight months across rugged terrains, including snowy mountains, dense forests, and remote lakes in Japan. Each new location required the crew to set up fresh camps, with significant time devoted to costumes, makeup, and logistics.
“The director is relentless in his pursuit of artistry,” praised Yūji Oda, who has previously starred in classics like Tokyo Love Story and Bayside Shakedown.
The series is based on Kenzo Kitakata’s bestselling novel Water Margin Chronicle, itself inspired by the legendary Chinese classic Water Margin (Shui Hu Zhuan) by Shi Nai’an (1296–1372). Unlike the original, Kitakata’s retelling offers a unique reimagining of the story, drawing praise from Chinese critics for its originality.
Japan’s fascination with Chinese classics is not new. Water Margin first arrived in Japan around 1600, and Nippon TV adapted it into a TV drama in 1973. Similarly, Romance of the Three Kingdoms has seen multiple Japanese adaptations, including the 2020 film The Untold Tale of the Three Kingdoms by Yuichi Fukuda, which grossed over 4 billion yen (approx. 31 million USD).
With a star-studded cast, breathtaking visuals, and a bold reinterpretation of one of Asia’s greatest epics, Japan’s new Water Margin promises to be a landmark in television history.
Sources: vnexpress
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