Kotaro Lives Alone Live-Action Blu-ray Box

The new neighbour is a five-year-old with a complicated past, living alone. Yutaka Yokoyama takes his first leading role in a continuing drama series, teaming up with rising child actor Eito Kawahara in the first screen adaptation of the popular comic. The apartment's residents create a heartfelt comedy described as Japan's kindest!

In a room of the nostalgic Shimizu Apartments, struggling manga artist Shin Karino, played by Yutaka Yokoyama, sits dishevelled and barely awake. His furious girlfriend has just slapped him for standing her up on their first date when the intercom rings. Thinking she may have returned, he opens the door to find a small boy standing alone, offering him expensive tissues.

'I am Sato, who has moved in next door. I hope we shall become acquainted.' Karino looks puzzled, remembering that the building is supposed to forbid tenants with children. The strangely formal five-year-old Kotaro Sato, played by Eito Kawahara, firmly declares that he lives alone.

Kotaro is remarkably capable, speaking and acting in ways that rival adults. Yet he also has a child's side: he loves the anime Tonosaman and imitates its hero's feudal-lord speech. Following their startling first meeting, an unusual relationship develops between this five-year-old with hidden circumstances, Karino and the other apartment residents.

The four-disc box contains all ten episodes, running approximately 234 minutes, and 107 minutes of extras. These include the spin-off drama Hanawa Sensei wa Hanninmae!?, making-of footage, a collection of filming wrap-ups and the remote production-announcement press conference. A special booklet is enclosed.

The cast includes Yutaka Yokoyama, Eito Kawahara, Maika Yamamoto, Daigo Nishihata of Naniwa Danshi and Kansai Johnny's Jr., Kanako Momota of Momoiro Clover Z, Ken Mitsuishi, Kenichi Takito in a special appearance, Rie Minemura, Koji Okura, Issey Ogata and Katsuhisa Namase. Specifications may change.