[Bungeishunju Ltd.] Jun Ikeido’s novel “Our Hakone Ekiden” will be adapted into a TV drama on Nippon Television in 2026!
Bungei Shunju Co., Ltd. Press release: October 20, 2025 To Members of the Press Jun Ikeido’s novel “Our Hakone Ekiden” will be adapted into a TV drama on Nippon Television in 2026! “I’ll never be able to write a novel like this again” — Jun Ikeido’s masterpiece becomes a TV drama series Jun Ikeido’s novel “Our Hakone Ekiden,” currently on sale from Bungeishunju Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeyuki Iikubo), has been selected for broadcast as a TV drama series on the Nippon Television Network in 2026.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43732/795/43732-795-9aad015dde417ec475376af825d88788-1867×2700.jpg “Our Hakone Ekiden Part 2” ◆Depicting New Year’s traditions from the “players'” and “TV stations'” perspectives In his novel “Our Hakone Ekiden,” Ikeido Jun depicts the passionate battle between the runners and coach of a university track and field team striving for victory from the depths of despair, and the television station staff broadcasting the Hakone race live. Each character’s passion, pride, tactics, and intentions… this unpredictable drama is vividly depicted, and since its publication in April 2024, it has become a bestseller, with many readers expressing their emotions, saying things like, “It warms my heart,” and “It’s been 20 years since I last cried so much while reading a book.” Based on this masterpiece, which Ikeido himself reflected on, saying, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write a novel like this again,” Nippon Television, which has been broadcasting the Hakone Ekiden since 1987, has announced that it will be adapted into a TV drama in 2026! Yesterday, October 18th, the Hakone Ekiden qualifying round was held in Tachikawa, Tokyo, and the 20 participating schools for the 102nd Hakone Ekiden were just confirmed. Along with the Hakone Ekiden in January 2026, keep an eye out for the unprecedented video project “Our Hakone Ekiden,” which was produced with the full cooperation of the Kanto Student Athletics Federation! The exact broadcast date of the drama has not yet been decided. ◆Original author Jun Ikeido comment The relay points in the Hakone Ekiden are called by their place names, so why is “Kowakienmae” the only one called by the facility name instead of the place name? I never imagined that such a small question would develop into a vast story and human drama spanning two volumes. The passion and attachment to the sash of the students who bet on Hakone, both as runners and those supporting them. The determination of the TV crew who strive to deliver the footage realistically. Even if it’s entertainment, how can you incorporate into a novel a serious competition that cannot be easily tackled carelessly?- Before I knew it, many years had passed between when I first wanted to write this and when I actually finished it. This is a work that I have poured my heart and soul into, written with the same passion as the student runners and everyone involved in the Hakone Ekiden. I hope that viewers and readers will join in the fun as you run the 217.1 kilometers of all ten sections, where friendship, trust, determination, and determination collide as you pass the sash. I’ll never be able to write a novel like this again. Jun Ikeido Profile Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1963. Graduated from Keio University. Received the Edogawa Rampo Prize for “The Bottomless End” and the Naoki Prize for “Downtown Rocket.” His major works include the “Hanzawa Naoki” series, the “Downtown Rocket” series, “Shylock’s Children,” “Flying Tires,” “Rikuo,” “Minna no Ou,” “Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Nai,” “Roosevelt Game,” “No Side Game,” “Seven Meetings,” “Akira and Akira,” “BT’63,” “The Bag Shop’s Inheritance,” and “Hayabusa Fire Brigade.” ◆Introduction to the TV Drama “Our Hakone Ekiden” This is the story of those who were once defeated– The Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race, commonly known as the “Hakone Ekiden,” is a New Year’s tradition in Japan. Side by the road, in front of the TV, many people were moved by the young people’s desperate efforts to pass the sash to their teammates, their hearts were warmed by the two days of fierce competition. Nationally renowned author Jun Ikeido has poured all his passion and time into depicting the Hakone Ekiden for over ten years. He even went so far as to say, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write a novel like this again.” “Our Hakone Ekiden,” a passionate youth ensemble drama about those who once lost, has been made into a TV drama. Meisei Gakuin University, a veteran school, has missed out on competing in the main Hakone Ekiden for the second year in a row. To participate in the Hakone Ekiden, teams must first pass the qualifying rounds held in October. Will Meisei Gakuin be able to run the Hakone course? An unexpected incident also occurred at the television station
responsible for the broadcast. This is the masterpiece of Ikeido, who has produced countless masterpieces and always captured the attention of the times. Nippon Television, which has been broadcasting the Hakone Ekiden live since 1987, This unprecedented video project is brought to you with the full cooperation of the Kanto Student Athletics Federation. For all those who face adversity. The fate of the dreams entrusted to Hakone by a team described as a “ragtag bunch”