Virtual Identity and Romance Drama: NHK Adapts Manga 'VR Ojisan's First Love'
Extended Reality
3-minute read
The story of finding true love in the virtual world is no longer just the domain of comics. In addition to the documentary set in VRChat, "We Met in Virtual Reality," which has made its rounds at various international film festivals, NHK recently announced that it will adapt the highly topical manga "VR Ojisan's First Love" (VRおじさんの初恋) into a live-action TV drama, set to premiere this April. This intertwining tale of virtual and real-world romance is set to reach a broader audience, exploring the complexities of digital identity through a romance drama narrative.
Introduction to the Manga "VR Ojisan's First Love"
This manga, created by Tomoko Boryoku, tells the story of Naoki, a 40-year-old single man who works as a temp. At first glance, it might not seem very appealing. But wait, the interesting part is yet to come. Unexpectedly, this man is a veteran of VR social world, using a cute, young girl avatar in the soon-to-be-discontinued VR world "Twilight City," where he accidentally meets a clumsy yet passionate newbie girl named Honami, and a romance begins to blossom.
We've all probably had our encounters with adorably clueless newbies, right?
For VR enthusiasts, "VR Ojisan's First Love" vividly depicts the various amusing scenarios that can really occur in the virtual world, as well as the very real conflicts and joys when veteran players meet newbies (for example, new players might make strange movements because they forget basic controls). All these details will be sure to bring a smile to your face.
It's no simple feat to be adapted by NHK into a manga live action. "VR Ojisan's First Love" also delves into what it means to 'be true to oneself,' the pursuit of self-worth, and the exploration of one's virtual identity.
The real identity of the VR Ojisan.
Can NHK Break the Curse of Live-Action Adaptations?
The live-action version of "VR Ojisan's First Love" stars Toru Nomaguchi as the protagonist Naoki, Anna Kurazawa as Naoki's virtual avatar, and Hiroe Igeta as the virtual avatar Honami.
It turns out that not only is the manga being adapted into live-action, but even the avatars are being brought to life. It seems that NHK does not intend to shoot in a virtual environment. How will they 'realistically' portray the scenes and objects of the virtual world and digital avatars within the romance drama. Will it end up becoming another gender-bending time-travel drama? I'm really looking forward to the show!
