This Is I Cast & Characters (Netflix): Who Plays Ai & Dr. Koji Wada
This Is I Cast & Characters: Who Plays Ai, Wada + Full Guide
Netflix’s Japanese film This is I (ディス イズ アイ) arrives on February 10, 2026. It’s inspired by the real-life story of entertainer Haruna Ai and surgeon Dr. Koji Wada, and it’s described in Japanese coverage as an “air musical” style drama blending story, pop hits, and dance.
Last updated: February 4, 2026
Quick facts
| Title | This is I |
|---|---|
| Release date | February 10, 2026 |
| Where to watch | Netflix (worldwide) |
| Genre | Japanese drama; LGBTQ+; based on real life |
| Top-billed cast | Haruki Mochizuki, Takumi Saitoh |
Official trailer
Cast & character list (who plays who)
The film centers on Kenji’s journey to living as Ai, and the doctor who becomes essential to that turning point—Dr. Koji Wada. Here’s the core cast you’ll want to know before you watch.
| Actor | Character | How they fit in |
|---|---|---|
| Haruki Mochizuki | Ai (Kenji → Ai) | A performer chasing an “idol” dream while confronting identity, family pressure, and social backlash. |
| Takumi Saitoh | Dr. Koji Wada | A doctor who forms a bond of trust with Ai and steps into the then-taboo world of gender-affirming surgery. |
| Tae Kimura | Hatsue | Ai’s mother. |
| Seiji Chihara | Kazutaka | Ai’s father. |
| Ataru Nakamura | Aki | The show pub “mama” (manager/host) who becomes part of Ai’s found-family world. |
| Kaito Yoshimura | Takuya | A male dancer at the show pub; described in Japanese coverage as someone Ai falls in love with. |
| MEGUMI | Yuko | A nurse at Dr. Wada’s clinic. |
| Shido Nakamura | Tsuruhisa | A detective who keeps a close eye on Dr. Wada’s medical work. |
Character-by-character guide (spoiler-light)
Ai (Kenji → Ai) — played by Haruki Mochizuki
Ai’s story begins with Kenji—bullied at school, struggling to speak openly at home, and still clinging to a dream of becoming an idol. A pivotal shift happens when Kenji finds acceptance in the nightlife performer community, takes the stage with a new name (“Ai”), and eventually meets Dr. Wada, who becomes central to her transition journey.
Dr. Koji Wada — played by Takumi Saitoh
Dr. Wada is portrayed as a physician carrying guilt from past patients he couldn’t save. Through meeting Ai, he confronts gender dysphoria as a lived reality and commits to research and action—choosing to support Ai even as public scrutiny intensifies.
Hatsue (Ai’s mother) — played by Tae Kimura
Hatsue represents the pressure of “normal life” expectations and the emotional stakes of family—especially when Kenji is still hiding major parts of himself at home.
Kazutaka (Ai’s father) — played by Seiji Chihara
Kazutaka is Ai’s father, positioned on the family side of the story where silence, tradition, and fear of judgment can weigh heavily.
Aki (show pub mama) — played by Ataru Nakamura
Aki anchors the show pub as a place of belonging. This is where Ai finds a “stage self,” a name, and the kind of community that makes it possible to breathe.
Takuya (dancer) — played by Kaito Yoshimura
Takuya is described as a male dancer at the show pub, and Japanese reports explicitly frame him as a romantic connection for Ai—adding both warmth and vulnerability to Ai’s coming-of-age arc.
Yuko (nurse) — played by MEGUMI
Yuko works at Dr. Wada’s clinic. In stories like this, the clinic staff often become quiet but crucial witnesses—seeing both the medical reality and the human cost of stigma.
Tsuruhisa (detective) — played by Shido Nakamura
Tsuruhisa is framed as a detective monitoring Dr. Wada’s actions—raising the stakes around what happens when healthcare, law enforcement, and public morality collide.
Music, dance, and the “air musical” vibe
One of the biggest hooks: This is I leans into a bright, performance-driven style—Japanese coverage calls it an “air musical,” and Netflix-adjacent press materials highlight that the story is told with a mix of hit songs and energetic dance sequences.
The film’s reported song list includes classics across the ’80s–’90s (and beyond), such as tracks by Seiko Matsuda, Princess Princess (“Diamonds”), TRF, Anri, Misato Watanabe, plus two songs strongly associated with Haruna Ai’s public image via “Air Ayaya” culture (Aya Matsuura songs).
Choreography for the dance scenes is credited in Japanese reporting to akane (known for producing Avantgardey), and at least one released clip is built around a joyous “town joins in” dance moment.
What Reddit Theories Say About this
Ahead of release, Reddit’s J-drama crowd has been treating This is I like a “must-try” February watch—especially because it’s based on a real person many viewers remember from Japanese variety TV.
This is I : Netflix Global Release (Feb 2026)
Where to watch
This is I is scheduled to stream on Netflix worldwide on February 10, 2026. The Netflix title page currently lists Haruki Mochizuki and Takumi Saitoh as the featured starring names.
FAQ
Is This is I based on a true story?
Yes. Netflix’s Japanese press materials and multiple Japanese entertainment outlets describe it as inspired by the real-life story of Haruna Ai and Dr. Koji Wada, drawing from published books about their lives.
Who plays Ai in This is I?
Haruki Mochizuki plays Ai (Kenji → Ai).
Who plays Dr. Wada in This is I?
Takumi Saitoh plays Dr. Koji Wada.
Is it a series or a movie?
It’s a Netflix film (movie), not a multi-episode series.
Who is Haruna Ai (the real person)?
Haruna Ai (also known as Ai Haruna) is a Japanese transgender TV personality and singer. English-language bios note her public prominence and pageant recognition, and the Netflix film is positioned as a biopic-style dramatization inspired by her life.
Social posts (X / Instagram)
If you want a quick visual feel for the film’s tone—sparkly stage energy on top of heavy, intimate choices—Netflix Japan has shared key-art and clip-style posts as part of the rollout.