Actor Wan Marui

Let's break free from our constraints and create a work of art together.

Actor Marui Wan

■ Profile
Wan Marui was born on January 3, 1998, in Osaka Prefecture. She began her acting career in 2016.
He stars in the films "KONTORA" and "MONDAYS/This Time Loop Won't End Unless I Make My Boss Notice."
In television dramas, she has appeared in popular works such as the NHK serial drama "Tora ni Tsubasa" and "Bakebake," and the TBS Sunday drama "GIFT."

Wan Marui will be playing the lead role of Yui Asano in the third episode, "The Earthbound One" (scheduled to air on July 17th (Fri)), of the drama 24 series "Strange - Junji Ito's Strange Stories That Keep You Up at Night," which will begin airing on TV Tokyo on July 3rd (Fri), 2026. We spoke with Ms. Marui about her thoughts on Junji Ito's works, how she approached the role, her own experiences that felt like being "bound" to the earth, and a message for students.

When I received the offer for this project, I was very unsure of what to do. I didn't want to ruin the worldview of the original author, Junji Ito, and I felt that if I accepted the offer, it would be a very challenging project. Like "The Earthbound One" and his other works, it's a horror story but also has strong fantasy elements, and I couldn't imagine what the finished product would look like, so I was quite worried.
On the other hand, I was also happy to have been given this opportunity, as there are many actors who want to appear in Mr. Ito's works. Ultimately, I accepted the role with the feeling that I would do my best.
I find Ms. Ito's works very innovative because she expresses emotions and feelings that everyone has experienced at some point, but from a unique perspective within the manga. Therefore, I get the impression that many people appreciate her work as a form of art itself.
Of course, the unique art style is one of its biggest attractions, but I think the most distinctive feature of the work is how it skillfully embodies the feelings and sense of unease that everyone experiences in everyday life. Because it is filled with expressions and worldviews that are rarely seen in Japanese dramas, I felt that it would be very interesting to actually perform it.

■Things I kept in mind when playing the main character, Yui Asano

When I first read the script, I thought it was a story with a bad ending. I had also read the original manga, so I couldn't imagine how it would be filmed. However, once I actually got to the set, it all made sense. We filmed a scene with many earthbound people on the roadside, and I was surprised at how well they blended into the city scenery. What was important in developing my character was to "think of it as possible, even though it's impossible." I think exchanging ideas with Director Yamada created a more comfortable environment for acting.
Asano has a slightly melancholic air about him, but he has a strong core. I'm also the type with a strong will, so I found that aspect of him reassuring.
I also paid attention to my voice when acting. I usually act using my natural voice, but when playing Asano, I set it a little higher. I felt that she wasn't the type of girl who spoke clearly and assertively, so I made a conscious effort to speak slowly in a higher-pitched voice.

■Highlights of the drama series "Strange - Junji Ito's Strange Stories That Will Keep You Up at Night"

I think everyone has some kind of trauma, or something, a place, or someone they are attached to. "The Earthbound One" has a very impressive plot, and I think it's a work that you'll enjoy for its unexpected twists and turns that will make you think, "So that's how it goes." It's an intriguing story with an unpredictable plot, and I think it's a very captivating work.
Also, since this film is an anthology, I hope you'll watch the entire thing, paying attention to the different atmospheres in each segment.

Episode 3 "The Earthbound One" (scheduled to air on Friday, July 17th) Scene photo © "Strange - Junji Ito's Strange Tales That Keep You Up at Night -" Production Committee

■How to spend your student days

I had a great time in high school, but the hardest period of my life was during middle school. Those days were like hell. It's not an occult story, but I felt like I could hear everything around me, and everything sounded like insults, which was agonizing.
Based on those experiences, I lived until I was 24 with the thought of "I'll get revenge someday as an actor." However, when my acting was praised or the works I appeared in became hits, while I was happy, I began to feel a sense of unease about the feeling of getting revenge. Back then, that was all I felt, but the moment I realized that "I don't have to work hard to get revenge on someone," I felt like I had been released from my own "binding wall."
During high school, I was obsessed with hip hop. I danced from morning till night, and whenever there was a dance event or live music event, I would go to see the hip hop crowds. I was also in a band, where I played the drums.

■Things I keep in mind when working

What I keep in mind when working is flatness. "Everyone is on equal footing, and everyone is fair." I absolutely believe that there is no one above and no one below.
I've been in the entertainment industry for 10 years now, but when I first started, there were situations where no one could voice their opinion to those in positions of power or authority, and everyone had no choice but to obey. In those situations, I sometimes wondered, "Whose benefit are we creating this for?"
Currently, harassment prevention workshops and respect training are becoming more widespread, and awareness throughout the industry is changing. However, I believe that what's most important is not just systems and rules, but for each individual to approach their work with respect for others. It is in an environment where we respect each other that better works can be created.

■Message to university students

I hope you'll fully enjoy this time that you only have now. Not only the fun times, but also the difficult times and the worries you've experienced will all become your own assets. That's why I hope you'll cherish every experience you have.
Furthermore, the connections you have with the people around you now are also important. It's not uncommon to unexpectedly reconnect with people you met in college in unexpected places after entering the workforce, or to reconnect with them again in your work or life.
The time you spend with your friends and those who support you is invaluable. Please cherish these connections and have a fulfilling student life.

Interview with Student Newspaper Online on November 4, 2026, Haruna Shoji, a second-year student at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

Drama 24 "Strange - Junji Ito's Strange Stories That Will Keep You Up at Night -"

【Delivery】
After each episode airs, you can watch all episodes from the first to the latest on the video streaming services "Lemino" and "U-NEXT".
Unlimited streaming
▶Lemino:https://lemino.docomo.ne.jp/
▶U-NEXT:https://t.unext.jp/r/tv-tokyo_pr
Catch up on missed episodes on ad-supported free streaming service "TVer" and more!
★Please add this to your favorites to avoid missing anything!★
▶TVer:https://tver.jp/
▶TV Tokyo Website (TV Tokyo Online):https://video.tv-tokyo.co.jp/
▶Lemino:https://lemino.docomo.ne.jp/catchup/2-1-113-7
【original】
Junji Ito, "Junji Ito Masterpiece Collection," "Fragments of Evil" (published by Asahi Shimbun Publications)
[Screenplay]
Daisuke Hosaka, Tatsuro Inamoto
【directed by】
Atsuhiro Yamada, Yuta Shimotsu, Ryota Kondo
[Theme song]
IVE "JIGSAW"
[Chief Producer]
Toshiki Kitagawa (TV Tokyo)
【producer】
Mayu Nobe (TV Tokyo), Soichiro Koga (SS Kobo), Kentaro Suzuki (ROBOT), Tatsuhiko Hirata (Double Field)
【Production】
TV Tokyo SS Studio
[Production work]
"Strange - Junji Ito's Strange Tales That Will Keep You Sleepless at Night" Production Committee
【Official HP】
https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/junjiito_strange/
[Official X]
@tx_strange
[Official Instagram]
@tx_strange
[Official TikTok]
@tx_junjiito_strange
【hashtag】
Strange #Junji Ito #Strange story

Haruna Shoji, 4rd year student at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences