Hakone Ekiden: Our Story

Yo Oizumi Braces for Fan Backlash as Hakone Ekiden: Our Story Sprints Onto Netflix

When a leading man begs audiences not to turn on his new project because of him, you know the character he plays has some bite. That is the intriguing energy surrounding Hakone Ekiden: Our Story (also referred to in Japanese press as Our Hakone Ekiden), the 2026 drama series that arrived on October 10, 2026. While on-set tabloid dirt remains scarce in English-language coverage, latestnetflix.com argues that the dual-perspective premise and its star's cheeky premiere plea give plenty to talk about as the show hits streaming.

A Star's Preemptive Apology in Tokyo

The sharpest bit of press-tour chatter comes courtesy of headliner Yo Oizumi. Ahead of the series debut, Oizumi attended a premiere screening for the first episode on September 14 at the Yomiuri Otemachi Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Speaking at the event for the NTV drama series—slotted for Saturdays at 9 PM starting October 10, the actor offered a memorable plea to viewers: "Even if you come to hate me, please don't hate the drama...".

Available snippets do not detail what makes Oizumi's role so potentially polarizing, leaving the exact nature of his character's sharp edges unconfirmed in English press. However, the show's official synopsis offers a natural clue: alongside the athletes, the narrative tracks a television producer grappling with the intense pressures and pitfalls of broadcasting the famous relay race. Whether Oizumi plays that stressed-out producer or another tough figure in the ensemble, he clearly expects viewers to have strong feelings about his on-screen persona.

The Cast and the Two-Episode Sprint

Hakone Ekiden: Our Story divides its focus between two high-stakes arenas: a university running team fighting to earn its way back to the storied Hakone Ekiden relay, and the television crew tasked with bringing the broadcast to life. Here is what is confirmed about the production and its rollout:

• The Format: Both Netflix and AceShowbiz list the drama as a compact, 2-episode series carrying a 10+ rating. The Release: The series premiered on October 10, 2026, airing on NTV in Japan and streaming on Netflix. The Headliners: Netflix's primary billing highlights Yo Oizumi, Sairi Ito, and Toranosuke Kobayashi. * The Wider Ensemble: The full cast roster features major Japanese talent, including Tomohisa Yamashita, Tomoya Oku, Anna Yamada, Katsunori Takahashi, Kohei Shoji, Masashi Ikeda, Ryo Nishino, Rintaro Mizusawa, and Towa Araki.

What Remains Behind the Curtain

If you are looking for behind-the-scenes feuds, salary figures, or grueling training-camp anecdotes from the actors playing the university runners, the current trail goes cold. Because international coverage of the NTV production is limited to brief streaming listings and event headlines, deeper backstage gossip has not surfaced in verified reports. Even the series director and creator remain uncredited in the available international briefs. For now, Oizumi's playful warning at Yomiuri Otemachi Hall stands as the defining piece of promotional intrigue for this sports-and-media drama.