"Togainu no Chi" Stage Play Opens! Photos and Cast Commentary

"Togainu no Chi," the debut title from BL game brand NITRO CHiRAL, remains a beloved classic in the genre.

On Sunday, August 10, the curtain rose at Shinjuku FACE for the opening night of an exciting stage adaptation. We’ve got photos from the performance, along with comments from director Norihito Nakayashiki and the lead cast: read on for all the details!

Plus, shop NITRO CHiRAL game merch here!

Opening Night Comments!

*Translated from original Japanese here.

Director: Norihito Nakayashiki

At last, the curtain has risen on "Gekijo Vanish Stage: Togainu no Chi!" Five stories, each sparked by a dangerous man, weave together into one intense drama. We've crafted a production to sweep away the midsummer heat with raw energy and emotion. The clashes you'll see on stage are so hard-hitting and unflinchingly real, you might even feel them in your bones. I hope you'll come to the theater and experience it for yourself.

Akira: Yuri Takahashi

I'm like, wow, it's finally opening night! From Act 2 on, the story changes completely depending on the route, so yeah, I've been feeling nervous, anxious, and definitely a lot of pressure. But the moment I stepped into the theater and stood on stage, all I could think about was how much I wanted to show the audience what we've worked so hard to build through all those rehearsals. More than anything, I'm excited for it to reach them, that's the strongest feeling I have right now. I want to keep this momentum going and give everything I've got for every single route. There are little moments where fans of the original game will go, 'Oh!'—so seriously, keep your eyes glued every second of every minute. I think there's a route and an ending for everyone, and we've made a play that's packed with enough to meet all your expectations. Please come to the theater and see it for yourself!

Keisuke: Asahi Tanaka

Ever since I got the role, I've been so happy, but at the same time, there's been this constant pressure, and then having to go up against this five-route, five-book script... it's been a lot. But in rehearsals we all helped each other out, pushed through the tough parts, and now it's opening night, and I just feel so happy and proud we made it here. For the Keisuke route... Keisuke's that guy who, no matter how hard he tries, never quite gets anywhere, and then certain things happen that push him over the edge, and he takes it all out on Akira. But no matter what, there's this bond between them that just won't break, even if they wanted it to. He's the only one who's been devoted to Akira since they were kids, and for me the big highlight is that moment when the friendship, and those awkward, more-than-friendship feelings, finally spill out and he's able to tell him. The cast and staff have really poured ourselves into all the routes, and I'd be so happy if you came and experienced them all for yourself.

Rin: Ryujiro Izaki

With Rin and Akira, it's like this hot-and-cold push and pull going on all the time—and those back-and-forth moments are really the highlight for me. So I've been putting a lot of effort into making sure that vibe really reaches the audience. The best part about the Rin route is that it's not the 'one true path'—it's just purely a love story with Akira. Rin overcomes his past, faces Akira head-on, they hurt each other, they struggle with how to come together... it's a love story that's got both romance and friendship in it. I think maybe it's the easiest route to watch? The other routes go deeper into the roots and mysteries of the world of 'Togainu no Chi,' with more suspense and tension, and each of them has its own unique appeal. So please, come see the play and enjoy whichever pairing with Akira speaks to you the most.

Motomi: Kohei Hayashida

With five routes to rehearse, there was just so much to memorize, I was honestly frantic at times. But watching our lead, Yuri Takahashi, and the rest of the cast working so hard in rehearsals really inspired me, and somehow, here we are at opening night. My goal from here is to keep building on each performance, day by day, and make this production even more wonderful. The Motomi route is special because it's the only pure pairing without any violence. On the surface, it looks like he's treating Akira like a kid, but actually... well... there are feelings there. And I really hope I can show the audience the flow leading up to that moment where their love starts to bloom. In the original game, one wrong answer, or even a single mis-click, can completely change the story, so I think that makes seeing each route all the more exciting. If you can, I hope you'll come and see them all.

Shiki: Taiga Nakamoto

When I first heard about this project, I went and played the original game, and honestly, I was just thinking, man, I really want to play Shiki. So when I found out I'd been cast, I was so happy, and when rehearsals started, I was coming in every day with a spring in my step. This is actually my first time doing sword action on stage, and in the beginning, I struggled a lot. But I've been working hard with the fight choreographer all the way up to today, so I'm going to do my best to show that growth in my performance. Shiki's interesting because in each route, the way he feels about Akira and how he interacts with him is completely different. So I hope you'll watch for those little differences... and above all, I'd just be really happy if you enjoyed the production.

n: Naoki Takeshi

NITRO CHiRAL's treasured classic game "Togainu no Chi" coming back as a stage play in this day and age... I really hope fans can enjoy both the nostalgia and also the freshness that comes from seeing it live on stage. This was actually my first time playing an emotionless character like n, and through rehearsals I found myself thinking a lot more deeply about humanity. There's been so much I've learned from stepping into this role. The highlight of the n route for me is that scene where he's fighting with this totally nonchalant expression, and in rehearsals, whenever it was my turn for a combat scene, everyone would whisper, 'He's so tough...!' and that honestly made me really happy. So I hope you'll be looking forward to that moment when you see it.

Photos Of The Stage Play!

The first act of the production follows the common route, but from the second act onward, the story branches into five distinct paths. Depending on the choices made by protagonist Akira (played by Yuri Takahashi), the plot can take unexpected turns, making each part feel like an entirely different show. From intense emotional clashes to dynamic action battles, from gripping psychological suspense to heart-wrenching romance, every route offers its own unique drama, all brought vividly to life on the stage of Shinjuku FACE.

Production Information

Production Name: Gekijo Vanish Stage Togainu no Chi
When: August 10–24 2025
Where: Shinjuku FACE

Story

Several years after the war... the city of Toshima has fallen into decline, now dominated by the crime organization Vischio. Here, people risk their lives in the deadly battle game known as “Igura,” fighting for the throne of the organization.

Protagonist Akira, falsely accused of a crime, is offered a deal: in exchange for his freedom, he must enter Igura, defeat Vischio’s king, Il Re, and bring down the organization.

As Akira navigates this lawless city, he becomes entangled in a web of human relationships.

Desire, fear, betrayal, and love... The crossing of these passions and truths will change Akira’s destiny!!

Staff

Original Plan: NITRO CHiRAL
Director: Norihito Nakayashiki
Screenplay: Hiroki Uchida
Production: GORCH BROTHERS
Sponsor: Gekijo Vanish Stage Togainu no Chi Production Committee

Cast

Akira: Yuri Takahashi
Keisuke: Asahi Tanaka
Rin: Ryujiro Izaki
Motomi: Kohei Hayashida
Shiki: Taiga Nakamoto
Emma: Rio Harada
Kiriwar: Kodai Takikawa
Gunji: Hiromu Sakata
Arbitro: Yuki Fujiwara
n: Naoki Takeshi