【Event Report】ABEMA Original Drama ‘MISS KING’ Pre-Release Premiere Event
Ahead of the free streaming launch of the ABEMA original drama “MISS KING” (every Monday at 8:00 PM, 8 episodes total) starting September 29, 2025, at 8:00 PM, a “Pre-Streaming Premiere Event” was held.
At the event, lead actress NON, alongside Naohito Fujiki, Kana Kurashina, Kaoru Okunuki, Shuto Mori, Yui Narumi, Tokuma Nishioka, Sayaka Yamaguchi, and Shido Nakamura, took the stage in front of approximately 200 fans. They engaged in a talk session sharing behind-the-scenes stories and highlights of the production.
■NON undergoes intense training for role as “first female professional shogi player in history”
“I spent my mornings eating breakfast and watching TV while handling shogi pieces on the board.”
After completing the hugely popular prayer ceremony at the main shrine, the cast lined up on stage.
NON, who portrayed Asuka Kunimi aiming to become “the first female professional shogi player in history,” beamed with joy at the long-awaited streaming launch: “I poured my heart into this project, so I'm thrilled it's finally available for everyone to watch.” She revealed her dedication: “I'd never played shogi before and touched the pieces for the first time. While it was challenging, I'd never played such a blunt, surly character with almost no smiles. I focused on making Asuka compelling despite that.”
Furthermore, she revealed her intense training regimen to prepare for the role: “I heard that practicing 100 moves a day would definitely make me better. So, even while eating or watching TV, my hands were always on the shogi board, constantly touching the pieces.” This stoic dedication astonished the audience.
This marks NON's first time acting alongside Naohito Fujiki, who plays Seigo Todo, Asuka's partner.
NON exclaimed, "He's so tall and handsome, I was like ‘Whoa!’
His rough and wild character as Todo was so fresh and electrifying,“ her eyes widening. Fujiki responded, ”When I first met NON... I thought, 'She's real.' She's one of a kind, not just an actor but someone who expresses so many things." He expressed his delight at their first collaboration.
Meanwhile, when asked about his impression of NON, whom he was working with for the first time, Tokuma Nishioka, who plays former Shogi Federation ChairmanTetsusai Ando , said, "Every time I met her, I thought she resembled someone, but when I saw her face directly during the shogi scene, I thought, 'It's Sae-chan!'
Sae-chan is my granddaughter, who's in second grade."
NON responded with a bright voice, “I heard that on set and saw a photo too. She's such a sparkling child, and I was incredibly happy and honored to be told I resemble her.”
Regarding his first collaboration with NON,Shido Nakamura , who played Asuka's father Shoichi, reflected, "I had so much I wanted to say, but given the nature of our roles... We only exchanged a word or two a few days before wrapping up filming. I was the taciturn Nakamura Shido.“ NON, reflecting on Nakamura's deliberate distance, expressed her gratitude: ”When we first greeted each other, he silently bowed. I gradually realized it was for the role, and that tension really helped build the scenes with my father. I was grateful for that."
However, she also confessed, “I was on pins and needles right up until the last minute, wondering ‘Which is it!?’ But I trusted that he was doing it for the sake of the role,” drawing laughter from the audience.
Towards the end of the event, NON announced, “We have someone to celebrate today!” Surprise birthday cakes appeared for three members: Nakamura-san, whose birthday was on September 14th; Mori-san, whose birthday was on September 18th; and Nishioka-san, who turns 79 on October 5th.
Nishioka-san, celebrating with three specially made ‘MISS KING’ birthday cakes decorated with shogi designs, was overjoyed: “Can I eat this!? I'm in rehearsals for the stage play right now, so maybe I'll take it to the rehearsal space?”
At the end, NON shared a message for viewers: "This drama is a revenge story centered around shogi, but in daily life, we all face moments of feeling down, struggling, or getting stuck. Watching this revenge story, however, gives you energy and the courage to move forward. I hope watching ‘MISS KING’ will give you vitality for tomorrow. Please be sure to watch all the way to the final episode." The venue was filled with warm applause as the event came to a close.
ABEMA, which has been delivering the appeal of shogi through its “Shogi Channel,” will now convey that appeal to Japan and the world in a new form: drama. Set against the backdrop of shogi, a traditional Japanese culture, the authentic human drama ‘MISS KING’ beautifully and powerfully depicts a woman's journey facing adversity. Free streaming begins today, September 29th, every Monday at 8:00 PM (all 8 episodes). Please look forward to it.
【Relationship Chart】
(C)AbemaTV, Inc.
【Official Trailer】
ABEMA, which has been sharing the appeal of shogi through its “Shogi Channel,” now brings that appeal to Japan and the world in a new form: drama. Set against the backdrop of Japan's proud traditional culture, shogi, the authentic human drama ‘MISS KING’ beautifully and powerfully depicts a woman's life as she confronts adversity. Please look forward to it.
This work will be available for free streaming on ABEMA starting Monday, September 29, 2025, at 8:00 PM, and will also be released globally simultaneously on Netflix.
【Cast】
NON
Naohito Fujiki
Kana Kurashina
Kaoru Okunuki
Shuto Mori
Yui Narumi
Tokuma Nishioka
Sayaka Yamaguchi
Shido Nakamura
Staff
Planning: Shota Hatanaka
Screenplay: Kanato Araki / Gota Ishida / Santa Yamagishi
Producers: Sora Kobayashi / Yuichi Sakurai / Eiji Shibuya
Directors: Seita Yamagishi / Keijiro Tsubakimoto
Production Company: Socket
Production and Copyright: ABEMA
【"MISS KING"Official Social Media】
Official X（Twitter）：https://x.com/abema_drama
Official Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/abema_drama_missking
Official TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@abema_drama_missking
Official YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@drama_ABEMA
