The Trailer Opens With a Provocation
The 60-second trailer for Shimobe no Ouji-sama opens with high school student Naoya ordering his loyal follower Takaaki to lick his feet.
From there, the trailer jumps to the present day. Naoya's failed business has left him unemployed, while Takaaki now runs a successful startup. Their social positions have flipped, but the warped power dynamic between them persists. Takaaki is shown kissing Naoya's hand, pledging total devotion: "My happiness is to fulfill Naoya's wishes."
The newly released main visual wraps the two leads in a veil that suggests a private world no one else can enter.
Shimobe no Ouji-sama is based on the BL manga by Tatsumoto Mio, published by Cmoa Comics, NTT Solmare's digital manga imprint. The story follows the decade-long master-servant relationship between Gotō Naoya, a former school "prince" who dominated the social hierarchy, and Satō Takaaki, the devoted follower who never stopped serving him. The manga has accumulated over 2 million downloads on the platform.
Satoshi Yamanaka Joins the Cast
Veteran actor Satoshi Yamanaka (山中聡), whose credits include the live-action Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Super Sentai series Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, has been cast as Gotō Taketoshi. The character is Naoya's father and the president of a major construction firm. Yamanaka described the set as "dazzling," noting the energy of the young cast around him.
He joins Fumiki Ogawa (小川史記) of dance and vocal group BUDDiiS as Naoya, Toshiki Seto (瀬戸利樹), known for playing Kamen Rider Brave in Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, as Takaaki, Taiya Fujibayashi (藤林泰也) as Tatsuki, and Kairi Shimizu (清水海李) as Yūma.
The opening theme has also been revealed: "Hen'ai Syndrome" (偏愛シンドローム) by BUDDiiS, the group led by co-star Ogawa under his stage name FUMINORI. Written specifically for the drama, the song is described as a sweet, catchy love song about the slightly dangerous feeling of only having eyes for one person. Ogawa said he's thrilled his group gets to perform the opening theme for a drama he's starring in, adding that the song grows more addictive as the series progresses.
Looking Ahead
Shimobe no Ouji-sama premieres July 3, 2026 on TOKYO MX1, airing Fridays at 11:00 PM. Additional broadcasts follow on Gunma TV (July 23), Tochigi TV (July 28), and TV Iwate (August 2). Episodes will stream on TVer, Japan's catch-up streaming service, with FOD also carrying the series.
Before the broadcast premiere, a special advance screening of Episode 1 takes place in Tokyo on June 30, with Ogawa and Seto in attendance. Application details are on the drama's official website.
The series is directed by Takehiro Shindō and Daisuke Matsuo, with a screenplay by Hiroko Kanasugi and music by Kōji Endō. Production is handled by Video Planning, with TOKYO MX as the production and copyright holder.
No international streaming partner has been announced. The source manga is currently available only in Japanese through the Cmoa Comics digital platform.