'Stove League', starring Kamenashi Kazuya, premieres March 28, 2026. It's a remake of a popular Korean drama about a struggling baseball team.

From March 28 (Saturday), the drama 'Stove League', starring Kamenashi Kazuya, will be broadcast and streamed all at once on Lemino and WOWOW. The latest trailer and additional cuts for this series have been released. 'Stove League' is a remake of the same-named drama that aired on South Korea's SBS in 2019, which recorded a highest viewership rating of 20.8%. It depicts the struggles of a general manager (GM) with no baseball experience, who takes on the challenge of rebuilding a perpetually last-place professional baseball team, focusing on the efforts of the team management front. In the Japanese version, Kamenashi Kazuya plays the new GM, Sakurazaki Jun, alongside a luxurious cast including Nagahama Neru, Nomura Mansai, Hayama Shono, Kajiwara Zen, Kimura Masaya (INI), Itao Sōji, Katsuji Ryō, Gōriki Ayame, and Yoshida Kōtarō. The director is Ruto Tōichirō, known for the TV series and movie 'Ossan's Love'. Additionally, an unusual development has been decided for broadcasting on the South Korean terrestrial broadcasting station SBS. The trailer begins with the new GM Sakurazaki Jun's powerful line, "Let's make a big impact!" However, contrary to his intentions, there are skeptical voices from team officials saying, "The GM is not normal" and "I've never seen someone like him before". Furthermore, the team president, Negishi Sō played by Nomura Mansai, questions, "Why sow seeds when there is no tomorrow?" Despite being in such a situation, Sakurazaki fights alone for the future of the team. However, he is eventually told, "If you want to protect the team, resign as GM." In the end, he asks his teammates, "Can you lend me your strength? To protect the future of the Dreams." What will be the outcome of that decision...? The released additional cuts capture GM Sakurazaki Jun against the backdrop of the stadium. Attention is drawn to the cut that hints at the reforms about to begin in order to rebuild the perpetually last-place Dreams and aim for the team's championship. Early viewers of the drama 'Stove League', including Yūsuke Inoue (NON STYLE) and Battery's members, have sent supportive comments. ◆ Yūsuke Inoue (NON STYLE): Baseball is not just about what you can see! Victory comes from winning battles that are not visible. You can't win with just pretty words, but I want to stick to them. This drama intertwines the messy human aspects of baseball. Even those who don't know baseball will definitely enjoy it. And for baseball lovers, watching this will make baseball even more enjoyable! And scary ^_^ The depth of baseball is truly profound. ◆ Battery (Ace/Left, Teruya/Right): The content was so interesting that it felt like a waste for just 8 episodes! I've been playing baseball since I was in first grade, but I had only been hitting, throwing, and running without paying attention to the internal matters or data analysis, so there were many "I see!" moments while watching, and it really was a great drama that will add new enjoyment to watching baseball! Above all, baseball is not played alone; every team member has a role, and when everyone faces the same direction and gives their all to win, that's how the team becomes strong! This drama reminded me of the importance of teamwork and compassion that I learned when I started playing baseball. I can still get stronger. Also, the manager is cute! If I had a manager like that, I could still get stronger! Teruya: The story is packed with the interesting angle of a team GM being the main character rather than a baseball player, and the content was really engaging. The adult strategies and developments typical of Sunday dramas were amazing, and I found myself getting frustrated with the characters, but at the same time, it was incredibly refreshing. It's a work that draws you in so much that your emotions get heightened, and I want everyone to see that there is such a world behind the popular sport of baseball, where many battles are happening behind the scenes with professionals involved. ■ Work Overview Drama 'Stove League' <Korean Terrestrial Broadcasting Station SBS Broadcast Schedule (Planned)> March 29 (Sunday) 23:05 Episode 1 *The scheduling time for episodes after the second may change. <In Japan> Lemino/WOWOW starts March 28, 2026 (Saturday) at 13:00 All 8 episodes Cast: Kamenashi Kazuya, Nagahama Neru, Hayama Shono, Kajiwara Zen, Kimura Masaya (INI), Itao Sōji, Katsuji Ryō, Kōmoto Masahiro, Gōriki Ayame, Yoshida Kōtarō, Nomura Mansai, etc. Directors: Ruto Tōichirō ('Ossan's Love', 'Billion x School', 'Gokushufudo', etc.), Matsushita Toshiya ('My Boss Became My Superior', 'Billion x School', etc.), Tsukada Meru ('It's Too Difficult to Fall in Love with a Young Master', 'Billion x School', etc.) Screenplay: Yoshitaka Toshio ('Midnight Yatai', etc.), Nakamura Mitsutoshi ('Re: Revenge - At the End of Desire', etc.) Music: Miyazaki Makoto ('Billion x School', 'SPY x FAMILY', 'One Punch Man', etc.) Theme Song: 'Diamond' by Kamenashi Kazuya, lyrics, composition, and arrangement by Tomonari Sora (C) FANY Studio <Synopsis> A reversal drama depicting the passionate and calm process of team building! The professional baseball team 'Dreams', which has sunk to the bottom for years. Internal factional struggles and players repeatedly making defensive mistakes... its internal state was on the verge of collapse. The task of rebuilding the Dreams was entrusted to the general manager, Sakurazaki Jun, who has no baseball experience. Although he has no competitive experience, he is known as a "victory contractor" who has led multiple sports teams to championships. Sakurazaki confronts the root of the problems, clashing with players and front staff, while proposing unconventional reforms one after another. His first decision was... the trade of a star player, who is said to be the symbol of the team. What does victory mean? What does a team mean? He faces these questions, involving not only the players but also the team staff.