Netflix is ready to present a new Japanese musical drama series, “Glass Heart,” which will be available only on its platform starting July 31, 2025. This adaptation of Mio Wakagi’s well-known novel looks like it will offer a powerful story of ambition, personal growth, and the strong connections music can create.

Glass Heart Japanese Musical Drama Trailer

The Story’s Core: A Musical Path of New Beginnings

“Glass Heart” focuses on Akane Saijo, a talented college student and aspiring drummer. Her dreams are crushed when she’s unfairly removed from her band right before their first show. Though she’s down, Akane’s luck changes when Naoki Fujitani, a brilliant but private musician called the “Amadeus of Rock,” notices her skill.

Fujitani sees Akane’s raw talent and asks her to join his new band, TENBLANK. With the hard-working guitarist Sho Takaoka and the skilled keyboardist Kazushi Sakamoto, the band starts its journey to fame. The series will show their rise to success, the problems they face, how each member grows, and the deep, often hidden, secrets within Fujitani’s mysterious personality. It’s a “youth music drama” that explores the drive and challenges of working together creatively and chasing individual dreams.

A Cast Full of Stars and Creative Force

The cast of “Glass Heart” brings together many talented Japanese actors, ensuring strong performances that will connect with viewers.

  • Takeru Satoh (known for Rurouni Kenshin, Kamen Rider Den-O) plays the key role of Naoki Fujitani, the visionary leader of TENBLANK. Satoh’s involvement isn’t just acting; he’s also a co-executive producer, showing his dedication to this project.
  • Yu Miyazaki (from Lesson in Murder) portrays Akane Saijo, the determined drummer whose journey is central to the show’s emotions. Miyazaki won this role after a tough audition process, which speaks to her talent.
  • Keita Machida (from Alice in Borderland) takes on the role of Sho Takaoka, the band’s committed guitarist.
  • Jun Shison is Kazushi Sakamoto, the keyboardist who completes TENBLANK’s main group.
  • Also adding to the excitement, Masaki Suda plays Toya Shinzaki, the appealing singer of rival band OVER CHROME, setting up interesting musical competitions.

The series is directed by the well-regarded team of Kensaku Kakimoto (Parasite in Love) and Kotaro Goto (The Naked Director). The script is written by a skilled group of writers including Mari Okada, Tomoko Akutsu, Shiho Kosaka, and Anna Kawahara, making sure the adaptation of Mio Wakagi’s book is rich and detailed. The production, by Robot Communications, is reportedly very large, with impressive live concert scenes filmed using many cameras and thousands of extras to truly capture the energy of a band on the rise.

The Sound of Success: Music as a Key Element

A drama about music needs great music, and “Glass Heart” delivers on that. The band TENBLANK will release their songs in the real world, adding another layer to the series. The lyrics for TENBLANK’s songs are written by Yojiro Noda, the famous leader of the respected Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, guaranteeing a high-quality and emotional soundtrack. The official preview has already given a hint with their song “Crystalline Echo,” building excitement for the full musical experience. TENBLANK’s first album will be released digitally on the same day as the drama’s global debut, July 31, 2025, with a physical CD coming out on August 1.

Worldwide Reach and Growing Excitement

“Glass Heart” is set to be a worldwide hit, with its exclusive global release on Netflix. This means fans of Japanese dramas, music, and compelling stories everywhere will be able to watch this much-awaited series at the same time. The combination of a cherished source material, a great cast, experienced directors, and a focus on real musical performances makes “Glass Heart” a must-watch event for 2025.

As the release date gets closer, interest in “Glass Heart” keeps growing. Mark your calendars for July 31, 2025, and get ready to be moved by the intense music and heartfelt story of TENBLANK’s journey to fame on Netflix.