is a
streaming television series adaptation of the novel ''
Spark'' by
Naoki Matayoshi. It premiered worldwide on
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
on June 2, 2016. The story follows an aspiring stand-up comedian Tokunaga (Kento Hayashi), who embarks on an apprenticeship with Kamiya (Kazuki Namioka), a seasoned ''
manzai
is a traditional style of comedy in Japanese culture comparable to double act comedy or stand-up comedy.
usually involves two performers ()—a straight man () and a double act, funny man ()—trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes ...
'' artist.
Cast
*
Kento Hayashi as Tokunaga
*
Kazuki Namioka as Kamiya
*
Mugi Kadowaki
is a Japanese actress.
Biography
In 2011, Kadowaki debuted in the television drama, ''Misaki Number One!!''. At the time of her debut she was signed to Blooming Agency.
In 2013, Kadowaki became a hot topic because of a commercial for "Chocola ...
as Maki
* Masao Yoshii (Inoshita Yoshii) as Yamashita
* Hideaki Murata (Toro salmon) as Ōbayashi
* Nahana as Erika Nishida
*
Sayaka Yamamoto as waitress
*
Eri Tokunaga
is a Japanese politician and former television reporter from the Democratic Party of Japan. She currently serves as member of the House of Councillors for the Hokkaido At-large district.
Before entering in politics she worked as reporter for ...
as Ayumi
*
Maryjun Takahashi
is a Japanese actress and model of Japanese and Filipino ethnicity who has appeared in '' CanCam'' magazine and various television commercials.
Early and personal life
Takahashi was born in Ōtsu, Shiga to a Filipino mother and a Japanese fat ...
as Yurie
*
Rina Takeda
is a Japanese actress, singer and martial artist. hold black belt in Ryukyu Shōrin-ryū Karate.
Life and career
Takeda was born on June 15, 1991, in Kanagawa Prefecture. She has said that she became interested in karate as a 10-year-old when s ...
*
Shugo Oshinari
is a Japanese actor.
Career
Oshinari co-starred in Shunji Iwai's ''All About Lily Chou-Chou'' with Hayato Ichihara. He also appeared in films such as Kenta Fukasaku's '' Battle Royale II: Requiem'' and Takahisa Zeze's ''Heaven's Story''.
Filmog ...
as Sasamoto
*
Kyūsaku Shimada
is a Japanese actor.
History
Shimada was originally part of the Tokyo Grand Guignol Theater group, formed by artist Norimizu Ameya. He stayed with the group until its dissolution in 1986. One of the productions the group undertook was an adaptat ...
*
Shōta Sometani as Ogata
*
Tomorowo Taguchi as Hyuga
*
Kaoru Kobayashi Kaoru Kobayashi (小林 薫, ''Kobayashi Kaoru'') is a Japanese personal name:
* Kaoru Kobayashi (actor) (born 1951), a Japanese actor born in Kyoto
* Kaoru Kobayashi (murderer) (19682013), a pedophile who murdered Kaede Ariyama in Nara in 200 ...
as Watanabe
*
Hiro Honda as VIP guest
Reception
David Cirone of ''J-Generation'' criticized the slow pacing of the first half of the series, but said "even with its rough edges, ''Hibana'' shines with the power of its two leads
ayashi and Namioka" Maggie Lee of ''Variety'' called the series "a profoundly reflective and achingly tender look at Japan's vibrant yet cutthroat comedy scene". Elissa Loi of ''Stuff'' complimented the show for "steering away from the usual predictable Japanese tropes".
Soundtrack
Theme song
Okamoto's - "Brother"
Released June 1, 2016
Soundtrack album
Netflix Original Drama ''Hibana -Spark-'' Soundtrack
Released February 26, 2017 (Yoshimoto Music Ltd.)
References
External links
*
2016 Japanese television series debuts
2016 Japanese television series endings
Japanese-language television shows
Netflix original programming
Television shows based on Japanese novels
{{Japan-tv-prog-stub
ja:火花 (小説)#ドラマ