New drama Rakudatsukon shows Kentaro Ito in complex divorce after lover’s pregnancy shakes everything

Actor Kentaro Ito is at the center of an intense and controversial plot in the new TV drama Tokyo, “Rakudatsukon”, which premiered on January 6, 2026. The production addresses complex themes such as betrayal, revenge and family pressures, generating immediate discussions on social media since the airing of its first episode.

The narrative stands out for its speed and shocking twists, which promise to capture the audience’s attention. The debut episode already established the tone of the series by presenting scenes with a strong impact in the opening minutes, signaling a bold approach to Japanese television standards.

During a press conference held on Tóquio, Kentaro Ito shared his impressions of the dynamic script and the emotional complexities of his character. The main cast is completed by Uchida Rio, who plays the wife Chiharu, and Nakamura Yurika, playing the lover Emiru, forming the love triangle that moves the story.

The central plot of Rakudatsukon

The story of “Rakudatsukon” focuses on Chiharu, played by Uchida Rio, a devoted woman who financially supported her husband, Tsukasa (Kentaro Ito), during his formative years as a resident doctor. When they reach their 30s, the couple faces the frustration of not being able to have children, resorting to fertility treatments that prove to be ineffective. The plot takes a dramatic turn when Emiru, a rich ex-patient of Tsukasa, played by Nakamura Yurika, reveals that she is pregnant with his child. Diante of the situation, Tsukasa makes the decision to divorce Chiharu, offering him high financial compensation. However, money is unable to fill the deep emotional void in which she is plunged. Sentindo is betrayed and discarded, Chiharu develops an elaborate revenge plan against Emiru, with the ultimate goal of winning back her ex-husband. The narrative delves into the psychological motivations of morally ambiguous characters, without defining clear heroes or villains, exploring themes such as ambition, family recognition and the internal and external conflicts that permeate relationships.

Actors’ view of the characters

During the press conference, Kentaro Ito admitted that he was shocked when he read the drama’s title and initial script. Ele highlighted how quickly the story develops, with marriage proposals being quickly followed by divorce requests, creating a dizzying pace for events. The actor explained that he did not follow strict preparation to build the character Tsukasa, preferring to focus on the protagonist’s emotional differentiation in his interactions with the multiple women in his life, alternating between genuine desire and the release of accumulated frustrations. Ito described the role as an almost fantasy experience, given its distance from everyday reality, and stated that he was prepared for the criticism that the character must receive, seeing it as a sign of success in playing a convincing villain.

The actresses Uchida Rio and Nakamura Yurika did not hesitate to point out the character of Kentaro Ito as the biggest villain among the three protagonists. Elas justified the choice by highlighting the trajectory of Tsukasa, who goes from a married man to a divorcee in just a few pages of the script, demonstrating an apparent lack of consideration for his wife’s feelings. The two also revealed that they maintain a solid friendship outside of filming, which, according to them, facilitated the construction of intense confrontation scenes. Uchida mentioned joint celebrations in Natal in 2025 as an example of the closeness between them, which allowed the rivalry scenes to be recorded with greater naturalness and emotional delivery.

Immediate repercussion and technical elements

The premiere episode, shown on January 6, caused an instant response on social media.

An intimate scene involving Uchida Rio’s character in the first few minutes surprised viewers and became the top topic of comments online.

Users highlighted the production’s courage in addressing adult themes directly, praising the way in which the narrative maintained high tension when presenting the central conflict.

The supporting cast, with names like Matsumota Daiki, Kawashima Suzuka and Onizuka Yuto, is essential to deepen the protagonists’ family and professional conflicts.

Behind the scenes and cast preparation

Kentaro Ito emphasized the need to differentiate emotions in scenes with different partners in the plot.

He avoided completely basing the character on personal experiences to preserve the complexity required by the script.

Uchida

The cast openly discussed the characters’ ambiguous moral aspects during rehearsals, an approach that contributed to authentic, multifaceted performances.

The context of TV production

“Rakudatsukon” is part of the line of dramas shown late at night on TV Tokyo, a time slot known for presenting plots aimed at an adult audience.

The broadcaster has invested in stories that explore social taboos with realism, and this production fits perfectly into that profile.

The television adaptation is based on an original work in digital format that had already attracted attention for its intense emotional battles.

Main themes covered in the narrative

The production investigates power dynamics in unequal relationships, where the character Chiharu represents years of financial and emotional support that were not properly recognized by her partner.

Tsukasa, in turn, deals with constant family comparisons and an incessant search for external validation, which leads him to become involved with Emiru, whose financial status facilitates his professional ambitions.

Expectations for the continuation of the series

The public awaits an escalation in Chiharu’s revenge plans against the new couple, with the promise that the drama will maintain its unpredictable twists until the end of the season.